An effect of extracellular redox state on the glucagon-stimulated glucose release by rat hepatocytes and perfused liver. The effect of changes in the extracellular redox-state on glucagon-stimulated glucose release by intact isolated rat hepatocytes and the perfused liver was examined. For hepatocytes from the fed rat an increase in pyruvate, ammonium ion or oxygen concentration or a decrease in the lactate/pyruvate or sorbitol/fructose ratios decreased the ability of 1 microM-glucagon to stimulate glucose release without significantly altering the control rate. These changes coincided with a decrease in the lactate/pyruvate ratio of the cell suspension. A decrease in the lactate/pyruvate ratio also decreased the ability of 1 microM-glucagon to stimulate glycogen breakdown measured by loss of contained radioactivity. For the isolated perfused rat liver (fed rat) maximal effects of glucagon as a stimulant of glucose release occurred when lactate instead of pyruvate was present in the perfusion medium. It is concluded that the efficacy of glucagon as a stimulant of glucose release by isolated hepatocytes and the perfused liver depends upon the cytoplasmic redox-state represented by the intracellular lactate/pyruvate ratio.


The effect of diet fat on rat adipocyte glucose transport. Rats were fed either a high fat diet (67% of calories as lard) or high glucose diet (67% of calories as glucose) for 7-8 days. Basal and insulin stimulated net uptake of D glucose (D-L) and 2 deoxy D glucose uptake by free fat cells of fat rats were depressed. Net transport of D glucose (D-L) by purified adipocyte plasma membranes of fat red rats was also diminished. Incubation of fat cells from glucose fed rats with insulin before homogenization for membrane preparation increased net D glucose transport by subsequently purified membranes in two experiments to a greater extent than in similar preparations from rat fed rats. These experiments suggest that fat feeding modifies the plasma membranes of fat cells so that both glucose transport and the stimulatory effect of insulin on the process are decreased.


Improved method and its clinical application of a radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin in human serum. A sensitive and specific double-antibody radioimmunoassay for measuring circulating levels of arginine vasopressin in human serum is described. It is possible to detect arginine vasopressin levels of 1 microU/ml serum without extraction procedure. Normal subjects were found to have 5.7 +/- 4.4 microU/ml after a dehydration period of 12 hours. Water loading diminished arginine vasopressin concentrations while dehydration increased it. Application of furosemide over a period of 14 days brought forth constant but not significant decreases. Subjects suffering from psychogenic polydipsia showed normal levels in spite of drinking 8-12 liters of water per day. Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis with ascites showed significantly higher arginine vasopressin levels, approaching normal values, when ascites was under control.


Free thyroxin index in normal, melatonin-treated and blind hamsters. The administration of melatonin to young male hamsters depressed thyroxin levels, as measured by radioimmunoassay, by 38.5% of saline controls. Free thyroxin index was also signficantly depressed by melatonin injections. The depression of thyroxin and free thyroxin index by melatonin injections was more effective in intact than in pinealectomized animals. Blinding of hamsters also reduced both thyroxin and free thyroxin index.


Metabolism of human PTH by the kidney and the liver. Immunoreactive PTH was measured by amino terminal and carboxyl terminal specific assays in the femoral artery, the right renal vein and the suprahepatic vein of ten hyperparathyroid patients. A marked arterio venous difference for amino terminal immunoreactivity was observed in the kidney and the liver. In contrast, the arterio venous difference for carboxyl terminal immunoreactivity was small in the kidney and not significantly in the liver. It is concluded that intact PTH and possibly amino terminal fragments of the hormone are metabolized by the kidney and the liver. Considering the fact that a carboxyl terminal specific antiserum is also capable of recognizing intact hormone, the finding of a small positive arterio venous difference for carboxyl terminal immunoreactivity does not permit us to exclude the possibility that the kidney and/or the liver are capable of generating carboxyl terminal fragments.


A technique for the selective extraction of water-soluble polypeptides from identified neurons of Aplysia californica. Increasing the osmotic gradient during hypo-osmotic lysis, by pre-treating Aplysia neurons with 100% ethylene glycol, caused the selective extraction of water-soluble, low molecular weight polypeptides from the cells. Specific 3H-labeled polypeptides in the cells R15, R3-13, and the bag cells which were not extracted by exposure of the cells to distilled water "lysis" were effectively solubilized by this procedure. The possible mechanisms and potential uses of this method are discussed.


An organizational-distress syndrome: diagnosis and treatment. Organizational disturbances often begin with seemingly plausible complaints, which the author calls mass symptoms, that are presented repeatedly from many sources and that cannot be clarified or resolved. They are essentially pseudo-problems by which responsibility for organizational failing is transferred elsewhere. Treatment consists primarily of restoring functional job-related communication, often by means of small, explicit changes in communication pathways rather than by attitudinal changes in communication or by "open" or emotionally candid communication. The author describes the occurrence and treatment of mass symptoms in a military hospital unit, a mental health center, and a university teaching unit.


Egalitarianism in a mental health center: an experiment that failed. A core group of staff hired to open a new community mental health center attempted to employ the concepts of egalitarianism and role-blurring to avoid the rigidity and the strictly hierarchical approach to decision-making that existed in the state hospital where they formerly worked. The new structure permitted no authority figures, and decisions were made by the staff as a group. All staff, including the unit chief--a physician--and the psychologist, social workers, nurses, and attendants, were expected to rotate shifts and interchange jobs. The author discusses the inefficiencies and the lack of direction that resulted, and describes the evolution of a more traditional authoritative structure that enabled staff to proceed toward the goal of quality patient care.


Defining the differences between crisis intervention and short-term therapy. Using the model of "person plus stress yields reaction," the authors discuss the differences between crisis intervention and short-term treatment, including psychiatric emergencies. In emergency treatment the central focus is on the reaction, or symptoms, while in crisis intervention the emphasis is on the stress and its quick resolution. In short-term treatment the focus is on the person and exploration of behavior patterns and feelings. The authors believe that the number of crisis cases handled by a therapist must be limited because of their exhausting nature.


High referral success rates in a crisis center. The standard method of referral used by workers at the Cleveland Suicide Prevention Center is to call the facility or therapist to make an appointment for the client and then to follow up to see if the client kept the appointment. Three different patient samples were studied to find what percentage of patients were actually seen at the resource to which they were referred. The success rates were 69.5%, 63.4%, and 62.3%. The authors review some of the literature on referral rates and report that their rates are significantly higher than those reported by screening agencies that merely direct clients to another resource.


Anger provocation as a crisis intervention technique. The author describes the use of anger provocation, a technique that encourages patients to express their repressed anger to a therapist who makes himself the target for their anger. He presents five case examples to illustrate the positive effects of the technique in crisis and emergency situations. Three of the patients were depressed and withdrawn, one was suffering from conversion hysteria, and one was a paranoid schizophrenic. The author cautions that the technique must be used with discretion only in those cases where the repression of anger is producing major incapacitating symptomatology, but where the anger is not the major source of disorganization.


Short-term treatment in a general hospital following a suicide attempt. The authors discuss the value of short-term psychiatric treatment in the nonpsychiatric wards of a general hospital for patients who attempt suicide. During 1974 a total of 124 such patients were seen in the emergency room of Meir General Hospital in Kfar Saba, Israel. Following an initial psychiatric examination, 110 of the patients were admitted to the internal medicine or surgical wards. After further observation 30% were transferred to psychiatric hospitals, and the rest were treated in the general hospital's nonpsychiatric wards for an average of three days. There were no suicide attempts during hospitalization. The authors emphasize the usefulness of a short hospitalization to separate the patient from his traumatic home environment until his return to it becomes feasible.


Short-term group therapy for people in crisis. The author describes a short-term group therapy program that he believes is more effective than the traditional one-to-one approach for people in crisis. The group focuses on the problems of one member at a time and helps him examine his role, identity, and value system, the significant people in his community, and his ability to appreciate the positive things that exist within himself. Short-term goal-setting, self-evaluation, and written homework assignments are used to teach the client a new process that can help him look at his life positively and accept defeats and failures as a part of the growth process.


The future of the mental hospital: developing a unified system of care. The authors emphasize that the future of state mental hospitals should be considered only in the context of a unified system of care and treatment of the mentally ill. They discuss changing perceptions of mental hospitals as resources for mental health care, describe trends that must be considered in developing a unified system of services, and make recommendations about treatment plans, staffing, funding, organization and governance, and legal codes and standards of the components of a unified system.


State mental health institutions in the next decade: illusions and reality. Rejecting assertions that state mental health institutions are dying, the authors describe current proposals conceringin future roles of institutions and put forward two postulates as the basis for successful change. They argue that new or different roles for state mental health institution can better be developed if there exists a statewide structure that can both promote and direct change, and if there is a regionally based statewide plan for change that has the support of state, regional, and local leaders. They give several examples of institutionally based service units that could be operated in concert with community services in a unified mental health system. They urge mental health administrators to admit the need for institutional change and to provide active leadership in bringing it about.


Practical issues in developing and operating a halfway house program. During its six years of operation, the halfway house program of the Southern Arizona Mental Health Center has developed a well-defined set of program goals, referral procedures, staffing patterns, and procedures for operating the houses, many of which are described here. The program serves 25 residents in four adjacent houses. It is operated as a therapeutic community with a broad range of structured activities and treatment modalities and an emphasis on solving reality problems. The staff of director, therapist-counselors, residential (or nighttime) counselors, and volunteer counselors is supplemented by the services of consultants, the mental health center, and community agencies.


Special living arrangements: a model for decision-making. Many chronically disabled patients need special support systems to help them meet material needs, personal-care needs, and psychosocial needs. The authors propose two guidelines that must be considered simultaneously when deciding what special support system is most appropriate for a particular client. The first is that the system be adequate to meet the client's unmet needs, and the second is that the system not meet needs the client can meet hiself. The authors feel that one should look first to support systems other than special living arrangements, which can easily overprovide services to clients. If a special living arrangement is considered appropriate, the one selected should provide only for those needs the client cannot meet himself.


A study of former state hospital employees at a community-based outpatient clinic. The current trend toward providing community-based services for the mentally ill has had substantial impact on state hospital employees who transfer to community mental health centers. A study, through interviews and questionnaires, of 30 Grafton State Hospital employees who transferred to a community outpatient clinic indicated initial anxiety about the hospital's closing, the relocation process, and the lack of structure in the new community setting. Many employees stated that those initial reactions were gradually replaced by satisfaction and personal growth stemming from successful adaptation to the community-based placement.


Nonlinkage between C6 and chromosome 6 markers. C6 typing was performed in a family material by two different techniques: serum or plasma samples were subjected either to high-voltage agarose gel electrophoresis or to isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel slabs. Proteins with C6 activity were then visualized by a specific, hemolytic assay. In 81 unrelated adults within the family material the following allele frequencies were found: C6A:0.61 and C6B:0.39. Linkage studies exclude linkage between C6 and HLA region marker loci, and also between C6 and another chromosome 6 marker locus PGM3.


Localization of HLA on the short arm of chromosome 6. A detailed marker gene study in a large Dutch kindred segregating for a reciprocal translocation between the chromosomes 6 and 20, t(6;20) (p21; p13), revealed a close linkage between the HLA genes and the breakpoint on the short arm of 6. During this study an apparent peak lod score of 2.9 was obtained at a recombination value of 0.05 for a linkage between HLA and the breakpoint, indicating that the chromosomal region, carrying the HLA genes, is situated near the breakpoint in band 6p21 close to the transition to 6p22.


De novo trisomy 9pter leads to q13.

De novo trisomy 9pter leads to q13. A case of de novo trisomy 9p was observed. Cytogenetic analysis of G-, R-, Q-, and C-banded preparations revealed a karyotypic description of 47,XY,+del(9)(pter leads to q13). In addition to the principal characteristics of the 9p trisomy syndrome, the child presented with skeletal and urogenital abnormalities. It appears that certain clinical abnormalities are due to trisomy of 9q1.


Full monosomy 21: a clinically recognizable syndrome? A female newborn with multiple malformations and with full monosomy 21 is described. Clinical resemblance to the three cases described in the literature is striking.


Psoriasis vulgaris and genetic markers.

Psoriasis vulgaris and genetic markers. In a sample of n = 160 nonrelated male and female patients suffering from psoriasis Vulgaris, blood serum protein, and enzyme group typings have been carried out and compared with healthy controls from the same area (Rheinland-Pfalz). Marked statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found in none of the genetic blood polymorphisms considered here. However, combining previously published data from various authors with our own, significant associations between this skin disease and genetic polymorphisms such as MN, Gc, Gm (2), red cell acid phosphatase, and red cell phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) were seen. The possible reasons for these associations are discussed.


Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis. A genetic and epidemiologic study. An epidemic of agranulocytosis and granulocytopenia occurred in 1975 in conjunction with clozapine treatment of mental patients in Finland. An attempt was made to assess the epidemiologic and genetic factors contributing to the adverse drug effect. The estimated incidence rate in Finland was 2.1/1000 patient-months. This figure could not be compared with rates from other countries because of the inexact nature of the figures reported so far. All 16 cases occurred in seven hospitals in southwestern Finland, whereas the overall hospital net use of the drug was geographically evenly distributed. The difference between the observed and the proportionally expected incidence of cases amongst the hospitals where clozapine was used was statistically significant. The average consumption of the drug did not differ between the hospitals where cases occurred and those where no definite cases could be diagnosed. Six-generation pedigree analyses failed to reveal significant parental consanguinity or genetic kinship between probands. Neither did the birth places of the ancestors of the probands disclose a typical isolate pattern. In conclusion, the cases appeared to be confined to a few hospitals in southwestern Finland. Although a genetic factor is not excluded, we found no evidence in support of a genetic mechanism.


Rapid prenatal diagnosis of HG-PRT deficiency using ultra-microchemical methods. A previously developed simple ultramicromethod has been used for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HG-PRT) deficiency. The method is based on the incubation of small numbers of visually selected, lyophilized fibroblasts (in the present study five cells per incubation) with radioactive substrate in an end volume of 0.3 microliter. Fibroblasts derived from the amniotic fluid of a 15-week male fetus in a heterozygote for the X-linked Lesch-Nyhan syndrome showed a severe degree of HG-PRT deficiency. In total 50 fibroblasts were used. The diagnosis was confirmed upon termination of the pregnancy by the demonstration of HG-PRT deficiency in fetal erythrocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts.


Flow microfluorometric DNA content measurements of tissue culture cells and peripheral lymphocytes. The difference in DNA content of peripheral lymphocytes from normal males, normal females, and an individual with a 48 (xxxy) chromosome constitution was determined by rapid flow microfluorometric techniques. A similar comparison was performed using tissue culture fibroblasts derived from an individual with a 49 (xxxxy) chromosome constitution and WI-38 cells as a normal control. Less than 60 min were required to isolate the lymphocytes, to stain the cells fluorescently, and to measure the increased DNA content. The measured increase in DNA content is consistent with chromosome DNA analyses and chromosome length measurements.


A case of 46,XY,t(1;13) (q24;q32) with mental retardation. A 14-year-old mentally retarded boy with congenital malformations of unknown etiology was found to have a de novo apparently balanced reciprocal translocation between chromosomal arms 1q and 13q. There is only one other case where a similar translocation was observed but the breakpoints could be localized only by regions and the individual was not mentally retarded.


Plasma noradrenalin and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase during behavioral testine of sexually deviant XYY and XXY males. In a behavior study of a sexually deviant XYY and XXY male, who were both murderers, plasma noradrenaline (NAA), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were determined radioenzymatically under resting conditions and during exertional and emotional stress. Under a physical sork load on the bicycle ergometer both had normal plasma NA and DBH levels. During emotional stress both had NA increases of the same magnitude. During an arithmetic test NA values did not increase more than expected for the sitting position.


Meiotic chromosomes in an infertile male with an unbalanced Y/13 translocation. An infertile male carrying an unbalanced Y/13 translocation is described. Meiotic studies suggest that the unbalanced translocation does not affect meiotic division.


Pitfalls in the use of chromosome variants for paternity dispute cases. A huge 'satellite' (22s+) was observed in a mentally retarded and malformed girl. It consisted of constitutive heterochromatin based on the C-band technique (CBG). In neither of the parents was the variant observed. Genetic marker studies revealed that the father was, indeed, the father of the proposita (probability, 99.8%). It is emphasized that caution must be taken in the use of chromosome variants for paternity dispute cases.


The Chicago variant of clinical galactosemia. A new variant of clinical galactosemia with two hitherto unidentified alleles on the transferase locus in one family is described. This new clinical variant of transferase has 25% of normal control activity in blood and in skin fibroblasts, and the patient accumulates galactose-1-phosphate in blood on an unrestricted galactose diet. Using starch gel electrophoresis on the hemolysate of the family members, a fast-moving transferase with mobility in between those of the normal control and of the Duarte variant is identified. This new allele is designated as GALTC1 (fast-moving Chicago variant). In addition, a second new allele was documented in this family by studying the instability of the transferase enzyme in hemolysates of family members at 50 degrees C for various time intervals. This new allele is designated as GALTC2 (heat-labile Chicago variant). On the basis of these studies, the transferase genotype of this patient is thought to be a double heterozygote compound, GALTC1/GALTG.


The human PGM-2 and its chromosomal localization in man-mouse hybrids. A detailed procedure is described for a rapid detection of phosphoglucomutase-2(=phosphopentomutase;PGM-2) on Cellogel following electrophoresis of extracts of human red blood cells and other tissues, including cultured fibroblasts and various types of primate-rodent somatic hybrid cells. The present study indicated that there is only one locus for phosphopentomutase in man. The data from a selected panel of 20 independent clones of man-mouse somatic cell hybrids, investigated for the presence of human chromosomes and for the presence or absence of human PGM-2 favored the assignment of the human PGM-2 locus to chromosome 4.


Regional chromosomal localization of the human gene for galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase. In the progeny of somatic cell hybrids formed by fusion of human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster mutant cells, a single human chromosome A2 was selectively retained when grown in appropriate medium. Spontaneous breakage of this chromosome in different hybrid subclones led to the assignment of the gene for galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase to the centromeric region of this chromosome (2q11 leads to 2q14). This gene is shown to be syntenic to the previously mapped genes for acid phosphatase 1 and malate dehydrogenase 1.


Nucleolus organizer and N-band distribution in morphologic and fluorescence variants of human chromosomes. Three cases of morphologic variants of human D- or G-group chromosomes have been studied by N- and Ag-AS banding techniques. The results confirm our previous findings about the localization of nucleolus organizers on the secondary constrictions of acrocentric chromosomes. Preliminary results on the distribution and number of N bands in D- and G-group chromosomes with morphologic and fluorescence variants are reported.


Linkage relationships of Lp and Ag serum lipoproteins with 25 polymorphic markers. Linkage relations of Lp and Ag serum lipoproteins with 25 polymorphic marker systems are examined in a large kindred of over 100 persons. The results indicate that Lp and ESD are probably closely linked and so the Lp locus may also be assigned to chromosome 13. No significant linkage is detected between Ag and the other marker systems.


Rapid determination of polyploidy in human chorionic tissue sections. Chromosomal analysis from aborted tissue has become an important diagnostic aid. However, the necessary cultures are frequently unsuccessful due to the condition of the aborted tissue. Polyploidy, in particular triploidy, in the conceptus is a common cause of early pregnancy loss and unlike aneuploidy does not appear to be associated with an increased recurrence risk. The necessity to monitor a subsequent pregnancy with amniocentesis is therefore eliminated. Therefore, in cases where a chromosomal anomaly is probable, a fast simple method of identification of a polyploid karyotype would be valuable. In this presentation, we describe a method using a scanning light microscope and histologic tissue preparations. This method can accurately determine the ploidy of the aborted material in 5 days.


Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) variants in the Netherlands. Six hundred individuals of pure Dutch ancestry have been typed for their erythrocyte phosphoglucose isomerase phenotypes by starch gel and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. In two individuals a variant phenotype was discovered. One phenotype was found to be indistinguishable from PGI-Phillips. The other variant would appear to be a new phenotype and has been designated PGI-Jager.


Genetic markers in Libyan Jews.

Genetic markers in Libyan Jews. Blood groups, serum proteins, and red-cell enzyme frequencies were determined on a random sample of 148 Libyan Jews now settled in Israel. Comparisons with data on Libyan non-Jews show significant differences in most systems, implying maintenance of a high degree of genetic isolation of the Jewish group from surrounding populations. The relative lack of the African component in their gene pool shows that they have interbred very little, if at all, with their negroid neighbours.


A cytogenetic survey of 200 unclassifiable mentally retarded children with congenital anomalies and 200 normal controls. A cytogenetic survey was carried out on 200 patients with mental retardation and multiple congenital anomalies, and on 200 normal adult controls. Patients with a known syndrome were excluded from the survey. Chromosome analyses were carried out on 'blind-coded' slides using the ASG banding technique as the routine stain. After the initial analyses (at least 15 cells per person) the slides were decoded, destained and reused for C and Q band polymorphism studies. Five major chromosome abnormalities were detected in the patient group during the survey. They included three patients with de novo, apparently balanced, reciprocal translocations, karyotypes 46,XY,rcp(3;16)(q21;p12); 46,XX,rcp(5;8)(p15;q22); and 46,XX,rcp(5;12)(p11;q24); one with karyotype 47,XX,+mar and one with karyotype 46,XX,der(13),t(13;?)(q34;?). One additional patient whose karyotype in lymphocytes was 46,XX,inv(9)(p11;q13) was found to have a mosaic karyotype 46,XX,inv(9)(p11;q13)/46,XX,inv(9) (p11;q13), der(12),t(12;?)p13;?) in cultured skin fibroblasts. None of the 200 controls had a major chromosome abnormality. From the combined results of this and previous surveys it is now apparent that about 6.2% of the unclassifiable mentally retarded patients with three or more congenital anomalies and about 0.7% of the controls reveal major chromosome abnormalities.


Inversion 19 and isochromosome short arm 17 or 18. A case of inversion 19 and isochromosome short arm 17 or 18 has been studied, and the possibility of an increased risk of nondisjunction in persons with certain chromosome inversions is discussed.


Ring chromosome 9. 46,XY,r(9) in a male with ambiguous external genitalia. Cytogenetic investigation of a 4-year-old boy with ambiguous external genitalia revealed a 46,XY,r(9)(p2q3) complement. The patient displayed some phenotypic characteristics common to other reported r(9) cases, in addition to ambiguous external genitalia.


Ultrastructure of human endometrial epithelium in monolayer culture with and without steroid hormones. Colonies of cells of epithelioid appearance were identified in monolayer cultures grown up to 50 days from normal human endometrial cell suspension obtained by a method designed to insure a maximum harvest of glandular cells. Groups of these cells were separated from stromal cells by means of cloning cylinders. Studies comparing the ultrastructure of cells of this type to fresh endometrial tissue revealed a number of similarities. The morphological characteristics common to both types of samples included junctional complexes, perinuclear microfilaments and microvilli with glycocalyx. Other common features were prominent nucleoli, well developed Golgi, rough endoplasmic reticulum and membrane-bound electron-dense bodies in the cytoplasm. A stripping technique applied to the fetal bovine serum used in the nutrient medium made it possible to initiate cultures in a steroid-free environment and to maintain them in the presence of the specified concentration of estradiol and/or progesterone. Isolation of epithelial cells of endometrium in monolayer culture may provide a useful model system in which to study the specific effects of steroid hormones on cellular function and differentiation.


Uptake and release of tetracycline by cultured carrot cells. The nature of tetracycline uptake by carrot cell suspension cultures is described. Tetracycline enters the cells by diffusion and the intracellular level of the antibiotic increases with the amount added. Exposure of carrot cells to high levels of tetracycline for a limited time (24 hr) followed by the removal of the drug and the resuspension of the cells in drug-free medium does not affect cell growth and has no inhibitory effect on protein synthesis (14C-leucine incorporation).


A simple method for examining organotypic CNS cultures with Nomarski optics. This paper describes a method for examination of living organotypic cultures of CNS with Nomarski differential interference-contrast optics. Cultures grown in Maximow assemblies, which promote the best differentiation of the tissue but are optically faulty, are transferred for Nomarski observation to a simple sandwich chamber which combines the optical perfection of the usual sandwich chamber with the flexibility and safeguarding of sterility characteristic of the Maximow assembly. Thus cultures can be transferred repeatedly between their maintenance and observation chambers. In the resulting microscopic images, it is possible to visualize delicate unmyelinated fibers, myelinated cell bodies and other features which are normally impossible to demonstrate in living cultures as well as to improve the images of other structures such as large neuronal perikarya and myelinated axons.


Effects of bacterial agarase on agarose gel in cell culture. Bacterial agarase, concentrated and purified from culture filtrate of agar-degrading bacteria, has been used to clean cells cultured in soft agarose from gel residues. The enzyme also has been used to liquefy the gel directly in the dishes to facilitate the removal of cells. The sufaces of glioma cells from agarase-treated colonies could not be distinguished in the scanning electron microscope from surfaces of cells which had never been in contact with agarose or agarase. This implies that most agarose residues had been removed, and also that the treatment did not seriously alter the cell surfaces. The influence of the agarase treatment also was tested by comparison of the mitotic index and the incorporation of [3H]thymidine in agarase-treated and untreated cells. No effects of the treatment could be seen in these tests.


Organ culture of human articular cartilage: studies on sulphated glycosaminoglycan synthesis. An organ culture system is described for adult human articular cartilage obtained from joints after femoral head replacement operations. Cartilage slices maintain maximal viability for 2 days in culture as assessed by uptake of [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine into whole tissue, and 35SO4 into sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Since GAGs are the components of cartilage matrix, the depletion of which is associated with osteoarthrosis, a method for measuring sulphated GAG synthesis in culture has been investigated.


Effects of cytosine arabinoside on in vivo and in vitro mouse limb development. When pregnant mice were exposed to 40 mg per kg of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) on days 10 to 12 of gestation, adactylous limbs with large, distally located blisters were found when the fetuses were examined on day 18. Embryonic limbs exposed transplacentally under identical conditions and explanted to culture exhibited the same morphological abnormality as did limbs exposed directly in culture to 0.1 to 1 microgram per ml of ara-C. Two noncytotoxic analogues of ara-C, uridine arabinoside (ara-U) and hypoxanthine arabinose (ara-HX), had no influence on morphological differentiation of limbs in vitro. Ara-C alone caused a dose-related decrease in uptake of 3H-thymidine and 35SO4 in cultured limb buds. Production of this morphologically distinct malformation in vitro will allow detailed biochemical investigations on the effect of ara-C limb ectodermal-mesenchymal interactions.


[Antibodies against staphylococcal nuclease--titres of persons with and without staphylococcal infections (author's transl)]. Rabbits were immunized against staphylococcal nuclease by repeated intramuscular injections. After five weeks the peak of the antibody response was reached, after 17 weeks the titres are on the level of the starting point. Persons without staphylococcal infections showed titres between 1:200 and 1:300 (titre of normal). In patients with proved staphylococcal infection the peak of the titres is reached three month post infection. The level of the titre is influenced by the site of infection; deep infections gave higher values than superficial processes. The method of the AStaN-reaction was examined with respect of their reproducibility, clearness, specificity and diagnostic relevance. In proved staphylococcal infections the AStaN-reaction is more often positive than the AStaL-reaction.


Syngeneic tumor rejection induced by immunization with normal allogeneic tissues. Immunization with normal allogeneic kidney and liver tissues extends survival of DBA/2Cr mice challenged with a lethal dose of syngeneic L517BY lymphoma cells. Immunization with a combination of tissues from five strains provides far more protection than immunization with tissue from any single strain. It is suggested that the basis of this protective effect is a cross-reactivity or identity between tumor-associated transplantation antigens (TATA) on the L5178Y tumor and non-H-2 alloantigens normally expressed by some allogeneic tissues.


Antibody responses to xenogeneic red blood cell challenge in the Japanese quail. Previous reports indicate that Japanese quail are hyporesponsive to such conventionally used antigens as sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin. In this study the immune responsiveness of Japanese quail to several erythrocyte antigens was investigated. The quail produced higher antibody titers when immunized with chukar red blood cells than when immunized with sheep, turkey, or pheasant red blood cells. It is concluded that Japanese quail are capable of producing HA titers comparable in magnitude to those demonstrated by other laboratory animals, when the quail are immunized with an appropriate antigen. Chukar red blood cells are such an antigen.


Effect of concanavalin A on the functional activity of hemolytic antibody. Concanavalin A (Con A), either in solution or insolubilized by covalent binding to Sepharose 4B, can inhibit the ability of fluid phase 19S, but not 7S, anti-Forssman antibody to sensitize sheep red cells (E) toward lysis by excess guinea pig complement. The efficiency of 19S antibody is unaffected when E are treated with Con A before sensitization or when antibody sensitized cells (EA) are exposed to the lectin before complement is added. Although whole complement activity is retained on a solumn of Con A-Sepharose, cell bound lectin did not act as a complement fixing antibody. Consistent with this result, there was no difference in the amount of C1 fixed by E and E-Con A, or by EA and EA-Con A.


Comparison between antigen-antibody binding energies and interfacial free energies. Antigen-antibody binding energies derived from equilibrium data are compared with the binding energies resulting from the interfacial free energies obtained from contact angle measurements of antigens and antibodies. From these interfacial free energies two sorts of theoretical antigen-antibody binding energies can be derived, as well as the Hamaker constants for most antigen-antibody systems. For interaction in vacuo the Hamaker constants obtained are between 4 and 6 X 10(-13) ergs, while these constants for hydrated antigen antibody interactions are less than 10(-14) ergs. For interactions in vacuo, interfacial free energies yield binding energies (delta Fa) that lie between -120 and -140 ergs/cm2. For interactions in the aqueous phase (with interstitial water still present), much lower binding energies (delta Fb) are derived, of the order of -.01 and -1 ergs/cm2. In comparison, dextran-anti-dextran interactions show a binding energy derived from equilibrium data (delta Feq) of the order of -10 ergs/cm2. In general the equilibrium binding energies delta Feq of most antigen-antibody systems would vary between -1 and -20 ergs/cm2. The implications of this comparison are discussed in the light of the influence of residual water between antigenic determinant and antibody-active site, as well as in the light of the degree of perfection of fit between these sites.


Crystallization of Fab fragments from an induced antibody. Fab fragments of rabbit anti-p-azobenzoate antibody have been crystallized. Washed, redissolved crystalline materials has the same binding constant toward p-iodobenzoate as the intact antibody, 8 X 10(4) M-1.


Effect of serum and serum components on the mitogen-induced proliferation of murine lymphocytes. By increasing the concentration of human serum, the dose-response profile of the Concanavalin A-induced proliferation of murine spleen lymphocytes becomes broader and the optimal cell proliferation takes place at higher concentrations of mitogen. It is shown that this behavior is due to the globulin fraction of serum which greatly decreases the binding of Concanavalin A to lymphocytes. Cohn fractions III and IV have a similar effect. On the other hand, cell proliferation takes place also in the absence of Pooled Human Serum at appropriate concentrations of Concanavalin A and within a very narrow range of cell concentrations. In the presence of the albumin fraction of serum, proliferation takes place over a wider range of mitogen and cell concentrations. As a result of these phenomena, the mitogenic effect of Concanavalin A varies greatly in function of the concentration of serum. Analogous results were obtained with fetal calf serum.


Influence of cyclophosphamide on delayed hypersensitivity and acquired cellular resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in the mouse. The effect of a single dose of cyclophosphamide (CY) on delayed type hypersensitivity (DH) and acquired cellular resistance (ACR) to Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice was studied. Intraperitoneal or intracutaneous immunization with L forms of L. monocytogenes did not result in protection against lethal challenge. A positive DH could be observed when CY-treated mice were intracutaneously immunized with 10(8) or more L forms. Intraperitoneal injection of viable L. monocytogenes resulted only in a narrow dose range in survival on immunization and partial protection on challenge. Protection was accompanied by DH. Intracutaneous injection of Listeria in Freund's complete adjuvant permitted the use of even 10(9) viable bacteria for immunization. This figure was reduced to 10(5) or less for CY treated mice. In normal mice protection was afforded on immunization with 10(7) bacteria whereas 10(3) bacteria were sufficient to protect CY treated animals. All protected mice showed a positive DH. These results demonstrate that CY treatment reduces the dose of viable bacteria tolerated for immunization 10(4) times. On the other hand after CY treatment the doses of bacteria effective on immunization for ACR and DH could be reduced in the same order of magnitude. Reduction of the CY dose resulted in a peak DH with 4 mg CY, but the protection was less than that obtained after treatment with 6 mg CY. A dissociation between ACR and DH was observed by varying the interval between immunization and challenge. In normal mice DH was preceded by ACR, with peaks at respectively 10 and 5 days after immunization. CY treatment caused a delay in the onset of the ACR, followed by an enhanced and slightly prolonged response. The effect of CY on DH consisted of enhancement and prolongation.


Isolation of a peptido-polysaccharide from the dermatophyte Epidermophyton floccosum and a study of its reaction with human C-reactive protein and a mouse anti-phosphorylcholine myeloma serum. Culture filtrate extracts from a number of dermatophyte and Aspergillus species precipitate with human C-reactive protein (CRP) and the lectin Con A. Using immobilized Con A, a peptidopolysaccharide (PPS) has been isolated from Epidermophyton floccosum culture filtrate by affinity chromatography and shown to precipitate with Con A, human CRP sera and a mouse myeloma serum with specificity for phosphorylcholine (PC). The PPS contains carbohydrate (60%), protein (35%), choline and phosphate. The carbohydrate portion consists almost entirely of D-mannose with only 2% hexosamine. Amino acid analysis revealed that serine, threonine, proline and glycine accounted for over 50% of the total amino acids present. Precipitation of E. floccosum PPS and pneumococcal C substance with human CRP sera and mouse anti-PC serum were compared in quantitative precipitin studies. Inhibition studies demonstrated that PC is a potent inhibitor of the serum CRP-PPS and myeloma protein-PPS precipitation reactions. The involvement of 'C substances' in a variety of biological processes is discussed.


Quantitative estimations of five classes of immunoglobulin in inbred mouse strains. The age-dependent change of the levels of five classes of immunoglobulin in mouse serum were investigated. Between 3 and 12 months after birth, the major IgG subclass of BALB/c was IgG1, while that of C57BL/6 was IgG2b. This difference was the same in the sera from hyperimmunized or germ-free animals.


The immunoelectron-microscopical demonstration of antibodies against endoplasmic reticulum (microsomes) in chronic aggressive hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Electron microscopic findings made on microsomal fractions of rat liver after treatment with microsomal antibodies obtained from the blood of patients diagnosed as having chronic aggressive hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and after incubation with peroxidase-labelled antihuman IgG are described and presented in this paper. Interpretation of these findings as the substrate of an antibody reaction directed against membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes is discussed.


Immune responses in mice infected with lactic dehydrogenase virus. I. Antibody response to DNP-BGG and hyperglobulinaemia in BALB/c mice. The humoral immune response to DNP-BGG of BALB/c mice acutely infected with lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) has been investigated. Virus-infected mice injected with antigen in saline exhibit a greater anti-DNP response than uninfected controls. When this antigen is presented in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) the anti-DNP response is greater than obtained with antigen in saline, but significant differences between infected and uninfected controls are not observed. These data are consistent with the view that acute LDV infection can have an adjuvant-like effect when this T-dependent antigen is introduced in saline. In addition, the effect of viral infection on plasma Ig class and subclass levels has been investigated. LDV infection leads to a gradual increase in plasma Ig concentration. This effect is restricted to the IgG2a subclass in most animals, but occasionally is restricted to IgG1. The mechanisms responsible for these changes have not been delineated.


Changes in the electrophoretic mobility of mouse lymph node lymphocytes during ontogeny. The electrokinetic properties of peripheral lymph node (LN) cells from C3H and nude mice aged 1, 3 or 10 weeks, were investigated by means of preparative and analytical cell electrophoresis. Two groups of cells were distinguishable throughout the age interval examined. The first group, with low-mobility (LM) included the majority of surface-immunoglobulin positive lymphocytes, was predominant in athymic nude mice and is thus likely to represent B cells. The other group, with higher mobility (HM), was sensitive to anti-Thy 1-2 serum, made up the major LN population in C3H mice and normal nude littermates and thus probably corresponds to T cells. In C3H mice, the relative proportion of LM cells was found to increase with age of LN donors (from 9-22%). Moreover, significant alterations in the mean electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of both lymphocyte populations were detected in the course of development. While the EPM of LM cells diminished from 0-81-0-70 micrometer.s-1.V-1.cm, that of HM cells increased from 1-11-1-22 micrometer.s-1.V-1.cm as the animals grew from 1-10 weeks. These observations indicate a relationship between the degree of maturity of peripheral B- and T-cell populations and their electrokinetic properties.


Urinary nitrogen in elderly Indians.

Urinary nitrogen in elderly Indians. Urinary volumes, nitrogenous consituents eliminated in 24 hrs urine and diet taken by healthy elderly lactovegetarian Indian subjects in Bombay are reported. The average values where: diet = 1603 calories, 52.3 gms proteins intake per day; urinary volume 1568 cc, urea 11.27 +/- 3.59 gms/24 hrs, creatinine 1.09 +/- 0.8 gms, uric acid 0.56 +/- 0.21 gms and ammonia 0.38 +/- 0.25 gms per day. While the values of all N2 constituents-urea, creatinine, uric acid and ammonia are much lower, the total N2 as well as urea output in elderly Indians in less than half of that of the young Europeans on meat rich diet but greater than those on protein free diets.


Adverse effects of vasectomy: sperm granuloma of epididymides. Rats and mice were vasectomized to study the pathological changes in the development and resolution of vasectomy induced sperm granuloma. Epididymal weights were increased in all groups of vasectomized animals, whereas testicular weights did not change. Granuloma in the form of yellow nodular masses of cysts were present at the lower pole of the epididymis. It consisted of a pool of sperm and other material surrounded by a wall of histocytes or macrophages. The biologic significance of the phenomena has been discussed.


Pharmacological studies on Lepidium sativum, linn. Pharmacological studies on Lepidium sativum suggested in it the presence of a cardioactive substance, which is unstable in solution, shows tachyphylaxis and probably exerts its actions through adrenergic mechanisms.


Changes in brain acetylcholine of rats after dermal application of fenitrothion (Sumithion). Fenitrothion (Sumithion), and organophosphorous insectide, was applied dermally to rats. Cholinesterase activity was measured in blood and brain. The concentration of the pesticide in blood plasma and acetylcholine in brain were estimated at different intervals. The maximum concentration of Fenitrothion in the plasma was found at 4 hrs while significantly elevated levels of acetylcholine were present in the brain till 24 hrs. The results suggest that the compound was readily absorbed by dermal route to produce inhibition of cholinesterase and a consequent persistent increase in brain acetylcholine.


Effect of angiotensin II on total plasma protein and albumin content in dogs. Intravenous administration of angiotensin II caused a significant decrease in total plasma protein and albumin level in dogs. The central nervous system, the spleen and adrenal glands do not play any significant role in decreased plasma protein and albumin level. It is suggested that might be due to increased secretion of prostaglandin-like substances from the dog kidney causing increased permeability of vascularendothelium.


Actions of glucagon on the perfused vessels of the isolated rabbit ear. Actions of glucagon on the perfused vessels of the isolated rabbit ear were investigated. The two main actions of glucagon on the perfused ear vessels of the rabbit are: (i) release of noradrenaline which accounts for the constrictor response in low tone preparations. The response depends on the level of 3, 5 AMP. If the level rises as a result of noradrenaline action, contriction sets in. (ii) Glucagon may stimulate the adenylcyclase. In the high tone preparation 3,5 AMP levels are probably high. Release of noradrenaline by glucagon would have little additonal effect.


A dehydrogenase system to demonstrate oxidation of amphetamine and related compounds by rat brain homogenate. Amphetamine, ephedrine, mescaline and chlorpromazine act as substrate for dehydrogenase system of rat brain homogenate. This system appears quite different from the usual deaminating process of these compounds, which required NADP and oxygen. The present system proceeds more rapidly in anaerobic condition.


Influence of age on residual latency.

Influence of age on residual latency. From the conduction studies of ulnar nerve on normal individuals of different age groups and sexes the residual latencies were determined. The age has no influence on the residual latency. But the values of residual latency decreased significantly in the case of females as compared with males.


Effect of hydrocortisone on arginase activity in ICRC mouse mammary tumours in vitro. Three fold increase of arginase activity was observed in hydrocortisone treated mammary tumour tissue when compared to the untreated tissue in vitro. No change in succinic dehydrogenase activity was observed. It is likely that arginase present in mammary tumour is due to the presence of mammary tumour virus and it is tempting to speculate that the increase in arginase activity by hydrocortisone may be due to sustained viral production in the presence of hydrocortisone.


Sub-cellular distribution of monoamine oxidase and monoamine dehydrogenase. MAO and MADH activities in different sub-cellular fractions of rat brain have been studied. The sub-cellular distribution pattern of MAO and MADH was found to be same, mostly concentrated in the mitochondrial fraction, although activities were also present in microsome and nucleus.


Effect of insulin on blood cholesterol.

Effect of insulin on blood cholesterol. The effect of plain insulin was studied in normal mongrel dogs on blood cholesterol level. Intravenous administration of plain insulin in different doses on different groups of dogs does not cause any significant change in blood cholesterol level over a period extending upto 5 hrs. Exogenous insulin neither has any direct nor indirect effect on cholesterol metabolism in dogs.


Hepatitis B antigen, hepatitis B antibody, and subtypes in leprosy. The prevalence of hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B antibody (HBsAb), and subtypes in 242 cases of leprosy is reported. Patients were divided into three subgroups, lepromatous (174), tuberculoid (55), and borderline (13). A total of 131 patients were tested on admission; the remaining 111 had been institutionalized for a period of 3 months or more when tested. Of the 131 cases tested on admission, 88 were retested 6 to 12 months after admission. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of HBsAg and HBsAb among the three groups or between normal controls and the leprosy patients. The predominant subtype was ADW (84.1%). After institutionalization, one lepromatous case converted to HBsAg positive and four converted to HBsAb positive.


Preliminary study of the intense sympathetic discharge induced centrally after lateral ventricular administration of whole venom of Dendroaspis polylepis. Lateral ventricular administration of 100 microgram of Dendroaspis polylepis venom is cats consistently produced a marked rise in arterial blood pressure, heart rate dilatation of pupils and piloerection. This intense central sympathetic discharge occurred after a latent period of 11.7 +/- 0.72 min. Bilateral adrenelectomy abolished the sympathetic discharge showing that central release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla may play an important role in elicting the cardiovascular response.


Enzyme activity of salivary lactoperoxidase adsorbed to human enamel. Human saliva was incubated with human enamel powder, and the lactoperoxidase activity of the saliva was measured before and after incubation. Liquidphase lactoperoxidase activity was reduced in direct proportion to the weight of enamel powder added. Lactoperoxidase molecules were adsorbed to the enamel surface in an enzymatically active conformation, and this enamel-bound lactoperoxidase activity was also measured. The adsorption of lactoperoxidase was irreversible and produced at least a 40% increase in the concentration of lactoperoxidase in the enamel surface phase as compared with its concentration in the liquid phase. Enamel-bound lactoperoxidase, as well as the free enzyme, was capable of inactivating the key glycolytic enzyme hexokinase. The implications of the adsorption phenomenon for bacterial colonization are discussed.


Brain levels of chloradiazepoyide in rats. The time-and dose-dependent uptake of chlordiazepoxide by the brain of rats was investigated and correlated with the blood levels of the drug. Peak concentration in the brain was reached in 10 min after i.p. injection of 25 mg/kg, and in 5 min with a dose of 50 mg/kg of the drug. Retention of chlordiazepoxide by the brain showed different characteristics dependeing on the size of the dose used.


Effects of centrally administered insulin on urine output and sodium excretion in dogs. The effects of insulin administration via intracerebroventricular (ICV), third ventricular (TV) and intracisternal (IC) routes on the urine output and sodium excretion have been studied in mongrel dogs. The central administration of insulin resulted in a significant increase in urine output and sodium excretion. This diuresis and natriuresis was not observed in animals which had undergone either spinal-cord transectomy or adrenalectomy. The insulin-sensitive receptors for this diuresis and natriuresis seem to be present in the vicinity of the fourth-ventricle of the brain. The observations in the present study suggest that the probable efferents might be the sympathetic fibers in the spinal-cord. The centrally administered insulin inhibits the secretion of some substance from the adrenal cortex, which in turn results in the diuresis and natriuresis in animals.


Chemiluminescence by human alveolar macrophages: stimulation with heat-killed bacteria or phorobol myristate acetate. Chemiluminescence of human alveolar macrophages (AM) was evaluated in vitro. Unstimulated AM generated chemiluminescence that remained constant during incubation. Addition of heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus 502A (HKB) or a chemical agent, phorbol myristate acetate, produced high rates of chemiluminescence that were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased over unstimulated AM. Phorbol myristate acetate-and HKB-stimulated increases in AM chemiluminescence were completely blocked by the enzyme superoxide dismutase. In comparison with unstimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes, unstimulated AM had significantly (P less than 0.005) greater levels of chemiluminescence. However, after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate or HKB, AM showed less chemiluminescence than similarly treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.


Production of extracellular material by streptococci associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis. Six strains of viridans streptococci isolated from confirmed cases of subacute bacterial endocarditis were studied for production of extracellular material. All six strains, when grown to the exponential phase, produced exoproducts that had similar elution profiles on a G-100 Sephadex column. Since essential nutrients, such as amino acids, may be periodically growth limiting to streptococci in the fibrin-covered lesions on heart valves, the potential to elaborate extracellular protein and other material by streptococci that were deprived of essential amino acids was studied. Examination of supernatant fluids from cultures of Streptococcus MG intermedius deprived of glutamate and cystine revealed the presence of a complex mixture of extracellular materials in amounts comparable to those produced by normallly growing cells, Although only a slight (21 to 24%) increase in total protein occurred during amino acid deprivation of 12 h, the extracellular material contained numerous protein components, several of which demonstrated proteolytic activity. On a cell dry weight basis, the amino acid-deprived cells produced four-to eightfold more protease(s) than did exponential cells grown in complete medium. These results demonstrate that viridans streptococci are capable of elaborating potentially damaging compounds even when their multiplication has been arrested by nutritional deprivation.


Tubular structures associated with acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in young children. We clearly demonstrated a fine morphology of the tumbular structures antigenically related to the reovirus-like particles associated with acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in young children. The tubular structures with a caplike structure on each end seemed to be complete forms, 75 to 80 nm in width and approximately 1,000 nm in length.


Effects of stimulation and suppression of cell-mediated immunity on experimental cryptococcosis. A model of cryptococcosis was developed using intraperitoneal infections of guinea pigs. This model shared characteristics with cryptococcosis in humans and was used to study the effects of immunosuppression and immunostimulation on cryptococcosis. Female guniea pigs survived longer than males; perphaps this was related to a greater capacity of their monocytes to kill cryptococci. A brief course of cortisone shortened survival of females and resulted in depressed immune and inflammatory responses, which persisted long after cortisone was stopped. Stimulation of the immune response by treatment with cryptococci in Freund complete adjuvant improved survival in males. Preliminary studies indicated the usefulness of this model for the study of other potential immunostimulants, including immune lymphocytes, transfer factor prepared from immune lymphocytes, and levamisole. Overall, long-term survivors appeared to clear disseminated cryptococci from extraperitoneal sites including brain, rather than prevent dissemination of cryptococci from the peritoneal cavity. The quantity of the inflammatory response in infectious foci, rather than the ability of individual leukocytes to kill crytococci, may have determined the outcome of most infections.


Survey of the extrachromosomal gene pool of Streptococcus mutans. Fifty strains of Streptococcus mutans independently isolated from human dental plaque were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Cesium chloride-ethidium bromide centrifugation of [3H]thymidine-labeled, Sarkosyl-lysed cells revealed that 2 of the 50 strains contained plasmid DNA. The plasmid DNA from these strains was characterized by velocity and equilibrium centrifugation and by electron microscopy. The plasmids in these strains were virtually identical in size, with molecular weights of 3.6 X 10(6) and 3.7 X 10(6), Both were present to the extent of approximately 20 molecules per genome equivalent. Interlocked catenated dimeric molecules of each plasmid were readily detected by velocity sedimentation and electron microscopy. These plasmid-containing strains were compared with representative plasmid-free S. mutans strains by using such criteria as bacteriocin production, antibiotic susceptibility, and hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes. Although no correlation of phenotype to plasmid content could be made,  production of bacteriocin-like activity differed significantly between the two plasmid-containing S. mutans isolates. Thus, although the plasmids in these two isolates appeared identical by the criteria of molecular weight, presence of dimers, and copy number, they appeared to be harbored by two distinct S. mutans strains.


Nature of the genetic determinant controlling encapsulation in Staphylococcus aureus Smith. Two strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Smith and M, were studied for the elimination of encapsulation. For S. aureus M, encapsulation was stable. For S. aureus Smith, spontaneous loss of encapsulation was 1.3% and increased markedly in medium containing surface-active agents. In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, unencapsulated cells had a considerable selective advantage. Attempts to demonstrate covalently closed circular plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid were unsuccessful. In cultures of unencapsulated cells, encapsulated cells were observed occasionally. These data argue against a plasmid location for the determinants controlling encapsulation in this organism in spite of a high spontaneous loss of this character.


Sucrose metabolism in resting-cell suspensions of caries associated and non-caries-associated dental plaque. Small specimens of cariogenic plaque (CP) and non-cariogenic plaque (NCP) from the same tooth were individually dispersed in buffer, divided equally, and incubated for 45 min with [(14)C]sucrose uniformly labeled either in the glucosyl moiety or the fructosyl moiety. Sucrose metabolism was analyzed periodically during an anaerobic incubation at 37 degrees C. Radiochemical techniques were devised to analyze formation of lactic acid, soluble extracellular polysaccharide, total cell-bound and insoluble products, intracellular polysaccharide, lactic acid from intracellular polysaccharide catabolism, insoluble extracellular glucan, CO(2), total volatile acids, individual volatile acids, and rates of sucrose consumption. The contribution of the glucosyl and fructosyl moieties of sucrose to each metabolic by-product was determined. All of the metabolic data were adjusted to the size of the plaque specimens as determined by colony-forming units, Coulter counter particle counts, and fluorometric protein analyses. Both types of dental plaque transformed from 70 to 80% of the consumed sucrose into lactic acid and cell-bound and insoluble products, primarily intracellular polysaccharide and extracellular glucan. Volatile acids accounted for most of the remaining by-products. CP metabolized significantly more sucrose than NCP and consequently produced significantly higher levels of each metabolic by-product. High levels of Streptococcus mutans were found in CP (averaging 40% of colony-forming units), whereas it was virtually absent in NCP. Actinomyces and S. sanguis levels were distinctly higher in NCP. NCP harbored more anaerobes and dextranase-forming microorganisms than CP.


Host immunological mechanisms in the resistance of mice to leptospiral infections. Several serovars of Leptospira virulent for hamsters and guinea pigs caused acute lethal leptospirosis in mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide. Neither BCG vaccine nor Corynebacterium parvum suspension influenced the course of leptospiral infection in either immunosuppressed or normal BALB/c mice. Nude athymic mice produced anti-leptospiral antibody and were therefore resistant to infection with leptospires. Nude mice were made susceptible with cyclophosphamide but were immune if they had acquired antibody from previous infection or immunization. The evidence suggests that mechanisms of resistance to primary infection and immunity to reinfection are exclusively humorally mediated in mice. The roles of host and microbial factors in the outcome of infection are discussed.


Comparison of Coccidioides immitis arthrospore, mycelium, and spherule cell walls, and influence of growth medium on mycelial cell wall composition. Comparative lipid content, cell wall yield, neutral monosaccharide, glucosamine, and protein (amino acid) contents of arthrospores, mycelia, and spherules of Coccidioides immitis Cash were studied. Cellular lipid contents were found in the decreasing order: spherules, arthrospores, mycelia. Lipid content of mycelia did not reach the level of arthrospores or spherules even when mycelia were grown on relatively rich media. Cell wall yields of spherules were lower than for mycelia when grown on comparable media. Cell walls of arthrospores, mycelia, spherules, and spherule culture filtrate all contained 3-O-methylmannose, mannose, and glucose, but in varying amounts. Cell wall yield and cell wall glucose content increased in mycelia grown in increasingly rich media, whereas mannose content either decreased or remained constant.


Clinical significance of specific IgE antibody against streptokinase-streptodornase in renal diseases of childhood. The immediate skin reaction (IR) with streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD) was found with a high incidence in children with renal disease and was confirmed to be mediated by a specific IgE antibody against SK-SD by means of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). This test revealed high radiocounts in children with renal disease who showed the IR and there was a close correlation between the RAST counts and the intensity of the IR. Furthermore, the RAST counts in the severe nephrotic syndrome belonging to corticosteroid dependent and resistant group were far higher than those in the corticosteroid sensitive group. From these results, a determination of the RAST counts against SK-SD seemed to help evaluate the severity of some nephrotic syndromes and the specific IgE antibody may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.


Complement system in human colostrum: presence of nine complement components and factors of alternative pathway in human colostrum. Evidence has been obtained for the presence in human colostrum of all nine components of complement (C), C1 through C9, and factors of the alternative pathway. Samples of colostrums collected from five women at 1-4 days after normal parturition were assayed for the haemolytic activities of individual components. As compared with normal human sera, the activities of each component ranged from 0.03 to 7% of those in sera. The activities of C4, C7 and C9 were relatively high, while that of C1 was extremely low. In most of the cases, the activities of individual components gradually increased following delivery, when expressed as the activity per unit weight (g) of protein in the colostrum. When the colostrums were treated with cobra venom factor, most of the colostrums showed 10-20% reduction in the C3 activity. This finding indicates the presence of factors such as B and D which are involved in the activation of C through the alternative pathway. The role as a defense factor of the C system in human colostrum and milk is discussed in connection with the ability of secretory IgA to react with C.


Studies of C1 subcomponents in chronic urticaria and angioedema. C1q, C1r, C1s, C3, C4 and C-1 IA were determined by electroimmunoassay in sera from 150 patients with chronic urticaria or angioedema. Abnormal C1q and C1s levels were found in about 30% of the patients. In seven sera C1r was not measurable due to the appearance of diffuse precipitates. The levels of C3 and/or C4 were decreased in five sera with aberrations of C1 subcomponents in the electroimmunoassay. None of the patients showed reduced C-1 IA levels in the electroimmunoassay. The presence in sera of abnormal C1 subcomponent complexes was studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Sera from 11% of the patients contained C1r-C1s complexes. Increased amounts of alpha2 complexes (C-1r-C-1-S-C-1 IA) were found in 33% of the patients. A major part of the C1q in sera yielding abnormal C1r precipitates had the same electrophoretic mobility as isolated C1q and was not associated with the C1qrs complex. C1 activity in hemolytic tests was low in these sera as well as in sera with decreased C1q levels. In the esterolytic assay for C-1 IA low values were found in 14 patients. Repeated sampling and family studies in appropriate cases gave no evidence for genetically determined deficiencies of C1q, C1r or C-1 IA.


Secretory IgA antibodies against cow's milk proteins in human milk and their possible effect in mixed feeding. Antibodies of the secretory IgA type against cow's milk proteins were consistently found in human milk. With the assumption that such antibodies can help to prevent or at least diminish the contact between native cow's milk proteins and the lymphoid system of babies on mixed feeding, the levels of antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes against bovine milk proteins were measured in different groups of babies. Those on artificial feeds who had been on mixed feeding of human milk and cow's milk for less than 1 week had significantly higher levels of IgG antibodies to cow's milk proteins than those who had been on mixed feeding for a period longer than 3 weeks.


Thymic factors regulating DNA synthesis in lymphocytes cultured in vitro. An extract was prepared from the calf thymus. Thymic factors with stimulating or inhibiting effect on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA of cultured lymphocytes from guinea pigs and rats were identified and separated from each other by ultrafiltration, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and electrofocusing. Two different stimulating substances were found both with molecular weight below 10,000 daltons. The result of ion-exchange chromatography and preparative electrofocusing indicated the existence of one (or two) acidic and one slightly alkaline stimulating thymic factor. The stimulating substances were found in greater amount in a young thymus than in a an old one. the thymic factors increasing the uptake of 3H-thymidine are probably polypeptides.


HLA - frequencies in intermittent acute porphyria. Tissue typing was performed in 20 patients suffering from intermittent acute porphyria using the lymphocytotoxicity test in a two-step method. The patients belonged to different families and were not related. Compared with the healthy population, and increased frequency of HLA-A10, HLA-A29, HLA-B13, HLA-B14 and HLA-B27 was observed, whereas HLA-A2, HLA-A3, HLA-A9, HLA-A11, HLA-A28 and HLA-BW15 had decreased frequencies. No conspicuous combination between particular HLA alleles was detected. Regarding the number of differences, a relationship between the patients due to a common ancestor must be considered.


Studies on acid eluates from kidneys of sheep with glomerulonephritis mediated by antibody to glomerular basement membrane. Kidneys from six sheep having glomerulonephritis mediated by antibody to glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were extracted at acid pH. Each preparation was characterised using immunological techniques and the eluates contained between 3.6 and 13% anti-GBM antibody of IgG class. It appears that this low antibody content is due to the presence of contaminants, mainly serum proteins.


Isolation and characterization in vitro of an allergen from plane-tree (Platanus acerifolia) pollen. A plane-tree pollen allergen was obtained by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. It is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 22,000. By isoelectrofocusing, two isomers with a high cross-allergenicity were obtained. The results suggest that this fraction is not the only allergen but certainly the most active.


The functions of human monocytes in normal subjects and in disorders associated with immune deficiency. Human peripheral blood monocytes were tested for various functions. It was found that 63--70% of monocytes from 12 normal subjects phagocytized either Staphylococcus epidermidis or latex particles; 28% of Staphylococcus organisms exposed to cells were phagocytized in 1 h and 67% were killed within 2 h; 59% of phagocytizing cells reduced NBT; 77% of endocytosed rabbit gammaglobulin was catabolized in 18 h. In Hodgkin's disease, sarcoidosis and severe pulmonary tuberculosis, phagocytic and bactericidal capacity was decreased in one third to two thirds of cases, while catabolism of gammaglobulin was reduced less often and metabolism was practically unmodified. By contrast, phagocytic and bactericidal capacity were practically normal in the common variable form of agammaglobulinemia, while gammaglobulin was catabolized at a low level in all cases. There was no relationship between the functional disorders of monocytes and alterations of lymphocyte stimulation. These results indicate that mononuclear phagocytes may have intrinsic alterations of functions which can result in deficient defense mechanisms and/or immune response.


Positive skin reaction induced by 4,4'-azoxybenzenedisulfonamide in relationship to the sulfanilamide allergy. All guinea pigs sensitized to sulfanilamide or 4-hydroxylaminobenzenesulfonamide in the absence of ultraviolet irradiation exhibited positive skin reactions to 4,4'-azoxybenzenedisulfonamide, 4-nitrosobenzenesulfonamide, and 4-hydroxylaminobenzenesulfonamide.


The antigens of pigeon breeder's disease. II. Isolation and characterization of antigen PDE1. Antigen PDE1 was purified from pigeon dropping extracts by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Bio-Gel A-1.5. It was characterized as a glycoprotein, containing 88% protein and 12% carbohydrate, with a molecular weight of approximately 200,000. PDE1 appears to be derived from pigeon intestinal IgA, showing the typical immunoglobulin structure of heavy and light chains. This antigen represents about 24% of the dry weight of the unfractionated pigeon dropping extract.


Vector cardiographic assessment of implanted cardiac pacemakers. The design and use of an on-line PDP 11/40 based vector cardiographic pacemaker assessment system is described. The system has been designed for comprehensive, automated testing of either fixed rate or demand implanted cardiac pacemakers. It is accurate and can be operated by a laboratory assistant without special training. Pacemaker parameters extracted are pulse height, width, rate, energy index and the frontal plane vector length and angle at maximum inspiration and during quiet breathing. In addition, a graphical representation of the patient's ECG and the pacemaker pulse is obtained on a computer graphics terminal. Patient data are written to cartridge disk for permanent record following the test. At each subsequent test of the implanted pacemaker, the data on disk are addended with the latest quantitative results. A separate off-line FORTRAN program can interrogate disk files for detailed analysis of patient data and display of parameter trends since implantation.


Retail pharmacy activities and their automation by bar code recorder, tablet counter and remote computer. A feasibility trial. The advent of mechanical tablet counters in retail pharmacy, and the development of methods of stock control involving mechanical code reading in other forms of retailing have prompted the trail of a machine which combines both these functions with support from a computer. The wide range of activities over which the combined machine can provide assistance to the pharmacist has been explored. An extension of the system utilising the same data would provide the basis for automation of the pharmaceutical wholesaler and manufacturer, and of the prescription pricing bureau.


[System for querying medical records].

[System for querying medical records]. The use of traditional interrogation systems seldom applies to medical records. We developed a system oriented towards the processing of these records. We will describe here the language, the type of utilisation, the organisation and the performance of the system.


A computational model of cerebellar cortex and peripheral muscle. A computational model, suitable for analytical or machine simulation studies, is developed for a specific cerebellar loop, the pathway from muscle fibre stretch receptors to the cerebellar cortex and back again. The model adheres to physiological data from the cat, and employs features from several existing models, including a single neuron model developed and tested earlier. Also included is a mechanical equivalent to an idealised muscle, in this case a rectangular array of muscle fibres which map 1-to-1 onto the array of compartments which form the cerebellar cortex. Much of the literature on cerebellar models is briefly reviewed, as are several key physiological experiments.


Some remarks on the economic and political development of health care in the Federal Republic of Germany. The economic and political development of health care in the Federal Republic of Germany is analyzed within the framework of overall social development. This will be shown describing the main components of the health care system: outpatient care, inpatient care, the dispensing of medicines, and statutory health insurance. The functions of the state and the influence of the pressure groups, i.e. the medical professional associations, are examined. Finally, an assessment of the present situation is made.


The drug lag: an interpretive review of the literature. This articel reviews the literature pertinent to the "drug lag" issue, in order to evaluate the evidence underlying the thesis that the U.S. has suffered from a slow-down in the rate and timing of new drug introductions, to the detriment of patients, because of the stricter requirements since 1962 regarding proof of safety and efficacy for new drugs. Comparing the post-1962 record in the U.S. with (a) the U.S. record before 1962 and (b) the post-1962 record in other, mainly Western European, countries, the weight of evidence and argument falls on the side of those who see a lag existing in the U.S. Other evidence, more subjective, supports the view that this lag imposes net positive costs on U.S. patients. However, it is not clear that the 1962 Drug Act is the sole, or even the main, cause of the lag. Instead, the drug information system and its inefficiencies emerge as the fundamental reason for the existence of a lag; hence, changes in the administration of the law by the Food and Drug Administration and greater efficiency by companies in supporting New Drug Applications can help close the gap, but probably only in minor degree. The solution to the lag problem lies in formulating and implementing a drug information system that quickly and accurately gathers, interprets, and disseminates information on the positive and negative effects of newly introduced drugs; with such a system, protection of drug users from undue risk is compatible with a greater rate and more rapid appearance of new drug discoveries.


Changes in Cuban health care: an argument against technological pessimism. Since the popular revolution in 1959, alterations in the organization and delivery of health care in Cuba have paralleled the country's broader political, economic, and social changes. This paper discusses the evolution of the Cuban health care system during the past seventeen years within the wider context of societal development. The authors compare three "snapshots" of Cuba, the first in 1959, the second in 1970, and the last in 1976, and touch upon such issues as the organization of health care delivery, the recruitment and socialization of health workers, and aspects of the process of receiving health care. They point out that the Cuban experience should be of particular interest to the developing world. For though it is true that a larger portion of Cuban national resources has been directed to the health and social services than in other developing countries, nonetheless, it was largely through the reorganization and equalization of the prerevolutionary health care system that improvement in the health status of the population was achieved. It appears that Cuba could well serve as an example for those who are skeptical about the possibility of combining technical development with improvement in the humane quality of care.


The international transfer of medical technology--an analysis and a proposal for effective monitoring. The international transfer of medical technology to the developing countries occurs at four levels--medical education, research, and missions; multinational corporate transactions; technical assistance projects sponsored by the World Health Organization; and bilateral foreign aid programs. In this article, a proposal is made for effective monitoring of international medical technology transfer through political and legal means, including a specific code of conduct for corporations engaged in medical technology transfer. The development of "intermediate health technologies" along the lines suggested by E. F. Schumacher, and the advantages of such an innovation in terms of population issues and economic development are also discussed.


The business of good doctoring or doctoring as good business: reflections on Freidson's view of the medical game. This paper reflects on selected aspects of the work of Eliot Freidson and is based mainly on his three latest books--Profession of Medicine, Professional Dominance, and Doctoring Together--in which he draws together his various contributions and elaborates a substantial argument concerning the dominant position of physicians within the institution of medicine in particular and, more generally, their unique position within the broader society. Freidson's work is considered from the perspective of political economy. The paper discusses, on a broad level, some of the assumptions underlying his analysis, the adequacy of his theoretical orientation and level of analysis for understanding the House of Medicine in the United States, and some implications that follow.


Copayment and national health insurance in the United States: a critique of work by Newhouse, Phelps, and Schwartz. In "Policy Options and the Impact of National Health Insurance," Newhouse, Phelps, and Schwartz concluded that any national health insurance program which did not provide for high user copayments, particularly for ambulatory services, would swamp, and ultimately wreck, the health care delivery system, particularly for ambulatory services. This paper presents a detailed critique of their work. Three major points of criticism are raised: First, Newhouse et al. have engaged in some questionable methodological practices. Second, they fall into a serious contradiction in gathering evidence to support their basic postulate. Third, they adopt a unidimensional view in proposing solutions to the problems which they predict will arise. From these criticisms, the conclusion is drawn that Newhouse et al. failed to prove their case.


Absorption, and effect on gastric mucosa, of buffered and non-buffered tablets of acetylsalicylic acid. The effect of buffered and non-buffered acetylsalicylic acid tablets on gastric mucosa and gastric distress was investigated in healthy volunteers and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The absorption of acetylsalicylic and salicylic acids was also measured. The absorption of salicylic acid was not affected in clinically significant amounts by buffering the tablets. Buffered tablets containing aluminum subacetate showed a slightly delayed absorption of salicylic acid. Damage to the gastric mucosa tended to be less after the preparation buffered by magnesium hydroxide. Subjective feelings to gastric distress were not affected by buffering.


alpha-Tocopherylquinone: effect on blood pressure in normotensive volunteers and its plasma concentrations in men and dogs. Three normotensive volunteers were given oral doses of alpha-tocopherylquinone. Blood pressure and its plasma concentrations were measured before and within 6 hours after taking this drug. Two dogs were given alpha-tocopherylquinone orally and after 3 days intravenously. Plasma concentrations were measured after each administration. Our result showed that this drug did not affect the blood pressure of normotensive individuals, and only small concentrations of alpha-tocopherylquinone were detected in plasma. In dogs, oral doses gave higher plasma levels than intravenous administration.


Reduction of pulmonary hypertension by nitroprusside. The action of nitroprusside on pulmonary circulation was studied in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to mitral stenosis (group I) or to primary lung disease (group II) and in patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure (group III). Nitroprusside 20 microgram/min decreased systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure in groups I and II while higher doses were necessary to produce a similar pressure reduction in group III. Diastolic pulmonary artery pressure was reduced by 40 microgram/min nitroprusside in all groups. Systemic arterial pressure declined during nitroprusside infusion similary in all groups in a dose-related manner; cardiac index remained unaltered. Pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced by 20 microgram/min nitroprusside in group I, not below 200 microgram/min nitroprusside in group II and remained unchanged in group III. Peripheral vascular resistance declined in all groups with nitroprusside infusion. The study suggests direct relaxation of the pulmonary vasculature by nitroprusside.


[Acute side effects of erythromycin, lincomycin and clindamycin]. After some introductory remarks on the pathogenetic mechanisms of acute undesirable reactions following the administration of antibiotics, the incidence of vascular shock (anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid shock) is discussed. Investigations were performed to obtain information on the sensitizing capacity of erythromycin and clindamycin in rats and guinea pigs. Although maximation procedures were used, no sensitization could be obtained, in contrast to similar series with penicillin and sulfonamides. In another experimental series, the anaphylactoid properties of erythromycin and clindamycin were studied in vitro. The dye-kick-off test and the mast-cell-degranulation test were used. No pronounced anaphylactoid activity, either of the cellular or of the humoral type, was found in the two antibiotics investigated. The results of the animal experiments and the experiments in vitro are in good accordance with clinical experience: erythromycin and clindamycin rank among the safest antibiotics with regard to the elicitation of acute undesirable actions.


A surveillance of human influenza virus in swine in southern Taiwan. From September 1970 to December 1971, samples were taken monthly from farm pigs, piglets and abattoir pigs in Southern Taiwan for virus isolations and serologic studies. A total of 10 strains of hemagglutinating agent were isolated in January and July 1971, following 2 epidemics of human influenza occurring in December 1970 and June 1971, respectively. Three strains were antigenically confirmed as influenza A similar to A/Hong Kong/68 virus.


Marijuana and vision--after ten years' use in Costa Rica. Several tests of visual function were applied to an abstaining user (10 years or more) group and a nonuser group carefully preselected to be free of clinical signs of eye disease. The groups were matched on several criteria. The results show that all findings from both groups are within established limits of normalcy. Small differences and trends were found between the groups. These would have been undetected without large samples. Relative to the nonuser group, tests showed these user trends: increased basal lacrimation, increased intraocular pressure, increased photosensitivity, decreased dark adaptation, decreased color-match limits, and decreased Snellen acuity. These differences were associated with statistical probabilities, p=0.07 to p=0.001. There were no significant differences or clear trends between the user and nonuser groups in incidence of pathological fundus signs, conjunctival hyperemia, pterygia, or color-match midpoints.


Scanning electron microscopy of normal and lased rabbit pigment epithelium. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of the rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are reported both for normal tissue and for tissue subjected to laser radiation. In normal RPE, cells were observed to be closely packed and to have the characteristic hexagonal shape. The microvilli were abundant and of two types. Suprathreshold lesions were produced with 0.4 musec pulses of high-intensity yellow light (585 nm.) from a dye laser. In the lased RPE, cells were denuded of their microvilli, and a number of cells with single discrete holes were observed. Hypertrophied cells were always present. Within 5 days of irradiation groups of small proliferating RPE cells were found in the lesion area.


Dextran flux in M-K medium-stored human corneas. Dextran, with a minimal molecular weight of 40,000, can pass in and out of the corneal endothelium during storage in M-K medium. Results suggest that the degree of penetration of dextran depends on the length of storage and the condition of the endothelium.


Indomethacin inhibition of prostaglandin-mediated inflammation following intraocular surgery. Indomethacin treatment before lens extraction and vitrectomy-lensectomy reduces postoperative inflammation as measured by protein determination of the ocular fluid.


Importance of bicarbonate in retinal function. This study demonstrates a requirement for bicarbonate in retinal function. Omission of bicarbonate, with either phosphate or Tris used to maintain a constant pH, leads to significant changes in both the electroretinogram potentials and metabolism of the isolated rat retina. Electroretinograms in bicarbonate-free media show a selective loss of the b wave and a decline in the amplitudes of the a wave and Slow PIII. Substitution of phosphate for bicarbonate causes a 60 and 52% decrease in aerobic and anaerobic lactate production, respectively, but this substitution leads to a 27% increase in aerobic retinal ATP content. It is suggested that the electrical effects of bicarbonate-free media are due to a decrease in utilization of ATP below critical levels at critical sites.


The in vitro frog pigment epithelial cell hyperpolarization in response to light. Pigment epithelial cell membrane potentials were measured in an in vitro frog retina-pigment epithelium-choroid preparation. Light stimuli hyperpolarized the apical membrane of the pigment epithelium. This hyperpolarization was the source of the c-wave of the electroretinogram. Light stimuli also decreased retinal extracellular potassium ion concentration, [K+]O, with the same time course as the apical hyperpolarization. It is suggested that the pigment epithelial hyperpolarization, which causes the c-wave, results directly from the light-evoked decrease in retinal [K+]O.


Tectal projection of displaced ganglion cells in avian retina. Labeled displaced ganglion cells (DGC's) were observed in chick embryos (day 12 to 18) and hatchings following discrete tectal injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Average DGC diameter was 10 to 15 mu, approximately twice the size of orthotopic ganglion cells. Six to 12 DGC's were found per 15 mu section. These findings conclusively demonstrate a tectal projection for the DGC.


Measurement of atherosclerotic luminal irregularity and obstruction by radiographic densitometry. This report describes a procedure to quantify stenosis and to detect enface plaques in single plane angiograms. We derived an optical density function proportional to local arterial chord length from arteriographs over a wide range of conditions. Standard radiographs were made of silicone rubber bolus used as the radiopaque medium in cadaver arteries. Replicate arterial casts filled with iodine-bearing contrast medium were radiographed for comparison. Identical atherosclerotic areas in both film sets were scanned with a microdensitometer and vessel chord lengths used to construct arterial cross sections for comparison with vessel casts. Cross-sectional areas derived from cadaver and phantom films were highly correlated with those derived from cast slices (r = 0.997). Thus, luminal cross-sectional areas were accurately estimated independent of plaque location, and accuracy of chord length measurement was +/- 0.28 mm in vessels four to 10 mm in diameter.


Arterial blood flow measurement: assessment of velocity estimation methods. Three methods are presented which provide statistically acceptable estimates of mean transit time of opacified blood during angiography. While the methods vary in precision, the selection of the method appropriate for any particular experimental model depends on the degree of precision required to demonstrate the effect under investigation. As the day follows the night, the cost of equipment increases with increasing precision and the inexpensive method may provide sufficient accuracy for most clinical situations.


Cerebral water content, blood flow and EEG changes after cardiac arrest in the dog. Changes of cerebral water content, blood flow and cortical EEG following cardiac arrest (8-14 minutes) were studied in 14 mongrel dogs. With five hours of maintenance, changes in the water content both in grey and white matter were found to be insignificant. (Grey matter: control 78.68 +/- 2.62%; arrest 79.91 +/- 1.76%. White matter: control 66.66 +/- 4.10%; arrest 67.76 +/- 1.88%). Blood flow was measured using 15 micron microspheres labeled with Sr, 85 Ce141 and Yb.169 Flow in grey matter was decreased to 47% at 3 hours and 53% at 5 hours; while in white matter it was 67% at 3 hours and 75% at 5 hours from baseline. Deterioration of the cortical electrical activity was observed in all animals having an arrest of more than 8 minutes. In aminals having arrest of longer than 12 minutes there is either no return (isoelectric) or marked slowing of cortical electrical activity. From this and previous studies, it is concluded that with more than 8 minutes of cardiac arrest and up to 5 hours of maintenance there is impairment of cortical perfusion which is not associated with a significant increase in total water content. The lack of increase in total water content, however, does not mean there is no local swelling or edema such as in endothelial cells.


Comparison of renal cortical perfusion assessed with angiography and xenon washout technique in hydrated and dehydrated dogs: a preliminary observation. Selective renal angiograms and xenon washout curves were performed under general anesthesia with pentobarbital in hydrated or dehydrated dogs weighing 22-27 kg. Compared to the hydrated animals a significant overall decrease in the angiographic cortical perfusion was found in the dehydrated dogs which was reversible with the infusion of 200 ml isotonic saline. The total renal blood flow, the rapid flow component and the percent of total flow to the first compartment assessed with the xenon washout technique was however not significantly different in hydrated and dehydrated animals. It is suggested that temporary cortical ischemia might occur in dehydration which differs from the well known pathologic condition of cortical ischemia since total renal blood flow appears to be normal in the former and there is a fast recovery with isotonic saline infusion. The observed findings in dehydration could be explained with redistribution of blood away from the outer cortex to the inner cortex and to the medulla.


Characterization of cytoplasmic inclusions formed during influenza/WSN virus infection of chick embryo fibroblast cells. Cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions could be isolated and partially purified from influenza/WSN-infected chick fibroblasts by extraction of the cytoplasmic homogenate with fluorocarbon, followed by sedimentation to equilibrium in potassium tartrate gradients. Repeated analyses of the crystal-enriched fraction by PAGE showed it to be predominantly protein (mol. wt. 23,000 daltons) with a minor contamination of 2-10% by a protein of mol. wt. 60,000 daltons, which comigrated with the NP protein. The latter is believed to exist within characteristic cytoplasmic and nuclear helices, also described in this study. The molecular weight data suggest that the crystals are composed of the so-called nonstructural protein.


Fluid compartment distribution of intravenous iothalamate in the dog. The distribution of 125I iothalamate between the intravascular and extravascular fluid compartments was determined after intravenous injection in dogs. Simultaneous measurements of total blood volume, blood iothalamate concentrations and urinary iothalamate excretion were made and permitted calculation of extravascular iothalamate. The drug diffused very rapidly to the extravascular space: more than half had reached the extravascular space one minute after injection. The ratio of extravascular to intravascular iothalamate rose to a plateau of 6.8. We conclude that the contrast material responsible for tissue opacification during radiography is primarily extravascular and that the levels of contrast in plasma during urography are affected less by renal excretion than by distribution between fluid compartments.


Fluid filled small bowel loops in gallstone ileus: clinical and experimental observations. A bowel fluid gas index was developed for the degree of fluid filled distention in small intestinal obstruction, utilizing the proportion of fluid filled versus gas filled loops on plain abdominal films. Comparison of simple distal small bowel obstruction due to adhesions and gallstone ileus demonstrated a significantly higher index in gallstone ileus, indicating more cases of fluid filled distention. In an experimental study, fistulae between the gall bladder and duodenum were fashioned in a series of dogs. Distal small bowel obstruction was then produced in these dogs and in another series of dogs in whom a sham first operation had been performed. The bowel fluid gas index, as evaluated in a double blind study, was significantly higher in dogs with the fistulae and was similar to that in patients with gallstone ileus. The possible mechanism for these observations is proposed.