Plaque forming cell assay to measure responses in mice to the random copolymer (Glu60Phe40).

A plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay to measure the immune response of mice to the synthetic random copolymer of glutamic acid and phenylalanine (GPhe) is described here. GPhe can be coupled to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) using "aged" CrCl3. Both IgM and IgG plaques are detected in the murine GPhe response. Mice of H-2 haploytpes p and q are high responders, a and k are medium or low responders and b, d and s are nonresponders as detected by the PFC assay.


Experimentally induced autoantibody to heat-stable alkaline phosphatase in the baboon.

Experimental evidence has been collected which signifies that autoantibody has been induced against lung heat-stable alkaline phosphatase which represented 60% of the total alkaline phosphatase of that tissue. Immunization of a male baboon with highly purified human placental alkaline phosphatase (heat-stable and cross-reactive with the baboon heat-stable enzyme) resulted in production of a precipitating factor in the immune serum which reacted with the heat-stable enzyme of both the human and baboon but not the heat-labile form of alkaline phosphatase of either species. This precipitating factor is a baboon autoantibody because 1) it had a gamma mobility on immunoelectrophoresis and retarded the electrophoretic mobility of the heat-stable enzyme from both normal and immunized baboons; 2) its titer increased as more booster injections were administered; 3) it formed a well-defined precipitin rocket with the baboon heat-stable enzyme in the Lurell's antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis; 4) in immunodiffusion it formed a discrete precipitin line with the baboon heat-stable enzyme, which fused partially with the precipitin line of human placental alkaline phosphatase (immunogen).


Catechol effect on the lysosomal enzymes in the adipose tissues of obese and obese-diabetic monkeys.

The activities of three lysosomal hydrolases were assayed in the basal and isoproterenol-stimulated states in the adipose tissues of lean, obese and obese-diabetic monkeys. The basal activity of acid lipase appeared higher in the obese tissues with or without diabetes than in the lean tissue. Isoproterenol stimulation did not affect these activities. The basal activity of beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) was similar in all tissues and unaffected by isoproterenol stimulation. Although basal activity of hexosaminidase (Hex) was comparable in all tissues, activity increased significantly in the stimulated diabetic-obese tissue but not in the stimulated tissues from lean animals or animals with simple obesity.


Quantitative evaluation of gamma-turn conformation in proline-containing peptides using 13C N.M.R.

The dependence of the 13C shift difference of proline carbons C beta and C gamma on the dihedral angle psi has been studied using the model peptide acetyl-D-proline N-methylamide. The shift difference delta beta gamma is shown to be correlated with the percent cis isomer about the acetylproline bond, both factors depending strongly on the degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Both the fraction of trans peptide bond and the fractional gamma-turn conformation increase as the sample concentration is decreased in CDCl3. delta beta gamma values have been used to evaluate the fractional gamma-turn probabilities in a number of cyclic and linear peptides including thyrotropin releasing factor and bradykinin. Using this parameter, it is concluded that in bradykinin the gamma-turn probability is low in D2O and not strongly temperature dependent. In contrast, studies of a model peptide for the portion of bradykinin believed to adopt a gamma-turn conformation are consistent with an increased gamma-turn probability inless polar solvents. Data for X-Pro-Y peptides (Y = imino acid) indicate significantly reduced values of delta beta gamma, and this appears to be a useful basis for assigning the Pro C beta resonances corresponding to this sequence.


Structural phosphoproteins associated with purified measles virions and cytoplasmic nucleocapsids.

Measles virions and cytoplasmic nucleocapsids were labeled with [3H]-amino acids and [32P]-orthophosphate and were purified from infected Vero cells. When analyzed by PAGE, the two capsid-associated polypeptides (VP2 -- 69,000 daltons, VP3 -- 60,000 daltons) were shown to be phosphorylated. Characterization of the phosphorylated polypeptides by acid hydrolysis and high-voltage paper electrophoresis showed that serine was the major phosphorylated amino acid, although lesser amounts of phosphothreonine were also present. The possible role of phosphorylation in the replication cycle of the virus is discussed.


Biliary decompression in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

The etiology and treatment of acute pancreatitis are discussed. The two main principles are conservative and surgical treatment. Biliary decompression was chosen as an elective method in the surgical treatment of acute pancreatitis, if signs of bile stasis and tension of the common bile duct could be seen. Peritoneal or peripancreatic dialysis were also applied. Five patients were treated in this way; according to literature and our experience it is a good, short and curative intervention for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.


Directional change of ciliary beat effected with Mg2+ in Paramecium.

Two types of Triton X-100 extracted model of Paramecium caudatum were prepared and effects of the ionic compositions of the reactivating medium on the swimming behaviour of the extracted models were examined. Type I, prepared by the method of Naitoh and Keneko, did not change swimming direction depending on the concentrations of Mg2+ and K+ in the reactivating medium. Type II, prepared by a different method, however, reversed the swimming direction depending on the concentrations of Mg2+ and K+ in the reactivating medium, even when the concentration of Ca2+ was kept at an extremely low level (below 10-8M). Decreasing the concentration of Mb2+ induced the type II model to swim backwards. Intracellular injection of EDTA into a live paramecium cell induced reversal of the direction of ciliary beat.  The concentration of Mg2+ at which the reversal of swimming direction occurred varied with the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in a manner which suggested that the concentration of free ATP4- might be the critical determinant of swimming direction.


Comparison of the compositions of Aroclor 1242 and Aroclor 1016.

The complete polychlorinated biphenyl compositions of two American products, Aroclor 1242 and its more modern replacement, Aroclor 1016, have been determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) on twelve liquid phases of differing selectivities. Attempts were made to determine the degree of contamination of these Aroclors with chlorinated naphthalenes, using GLC with multiple ion-monitoring mass spectrometry. Chlorinated dibenzofurans, indetectable in Aroclor 1016, were tentatively identified by negative chemical-ionization mass spectrometry and their retention times relative to dieldrin on two GLC liquid phases. Quantitation of the dibenzofurans was initially accomplished using an electron-capture detector, and confirmed by negative chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. Aroclor 1242 contained less than 0.05 mol.% chloronaphthalenes, while Aroclor 1016 contained less than 0.06 mol.% of these compounds. Aroclor 1242 had approximately 150 ppb of chlorinated dibenzofurans, of which 43% was the toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro isomer.


Culture diagnosis of meningococcal carriers: yield from different sites and influence of storage in transport medium.

Different specimens and techniques have been used in the diagnosis of carriers of Neisseria meningitidis, reflecting the uncertainty about the optimal diagnostic procedure. In the present investigation the culture yield of meningococci from throat specimens was compared to that from nasopharyngeal speimens in 178 persons: 44 carriers were diagnosed. All of them were detected by culture of throat specimens while 34% of them would have remained undiagnosed if only nasopharyngeal specimens had been examined. Storage of throat specimens in a transport medium for 24 hours before culture gave a negative culture for meningococci in 41% of the carriers. This loss was surprisingly high, the reasons for which are discussed.


Hairy-cell leukaemia: an immunoperoxidase study of paraffin-embedded tissues.

Paraffin sections of a variety of tissues from 12 patients with typical hairy-cell leukaemia (HCL) were stained for immunoglobulin heavy and light chains by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Plasma cells were frequent, particularly in a lymph node from a severely infected patient. The reactive nature of the plasma cells of HCL was suggested by the fact that there was no restriction of light-chain expression, although viable hairy cells were shown to express monoclonal surface immunoglobulin. This, together with the absence by both light and electron microscopy of forms intermediate between hairy cells and plasma cells and the lack of ribosome-lamella complexes in the plasma cells, suggested that hairy cells do not differentiate into plasma cells. Although hairy cells are known to contain immunoglobulin, this was not demonstrable in hairy cells in the paraffin-embedded tissue. The PAP technique was also useful for demonstrating abundant splenic macrophages in HCL.


Absence of fatty livers in rhesus monkeys fed orotic acid.

Pairs of rhesus monkeys were fed for 10 wk a basal diet containing 1% orotic acid or 10% nonfat milk powders. Amounts of total lipids in the liver and hepatic morphology were normal after 10 wk indicating that orotic acid in the diet did not induce fatty livers in rhesus monkeys.


Analysis of censored data for such as colostral immunoglobulin transfer in calves.

Passive immunity in the neonatal calf is dependent upon colostral immunoglobulin transfer into the systemic circulation. Critical in this transfer is the period of absorption, which is dependent upon age of initial feeding of the calf and amount fed. For some calves known only was that absorption extended beyond duration of the experiment, causing the data to be censored. Analysis of the length of absorption showed a two-phase regression model when censored data were used with uncensored data. Incorrect inferences may be drawn if censored data are not incorporated into the analysis.


On the pathogenicity of nonstable Brucella L-forms and their revertants.

The pathogenicity of B. abortus 870 L-forms obtained by long-term passaging of virulent culture on media with penicillin and of revertants obtained in vitro and in vivo was studied. L-form cultures stimulated only a mild response of the reticulo-endothelial system of the animal organism, at the same time displaying a certain level of toxicity. In vitro revertants approximated to L-forms, while in vivo revertants stood closer to the initial virulent culture, as regards pathogenicity. This seems to be evidence of a potential danger of brucella L-forms for the human and animal organisms.


Effect of antibiotics on the formation of specific antibodies.

Immune response to staphylococcal haemolysin and Haemophilus influenzae capsular antigen administered simultaneously with antibiotics was studied in rabbits. In addition to specific humoral antibodies, the quantitative values of IgG, IgA, IgM and C'3 complement were determined. Statistically significant deficiency of immune response was observed in all cases in animals which were given the antigen with the antibiotic in comparison with the controls which were immunized by the antigen alone. Statistically significant differences were also observed in the levels of immunoglobulins (mainly IgG and IgM) in animals which were given antigens simultaneously with antibiotics in comparison with animals which were given antibiotics alone.


Clinical application of a cytochemical bioassay for the determination of thyroid stimulating hormone.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured using a highly sensitive cytochemical bioassay (CBA) technique in normal subjects, in patients with Graves' disease (untreated and treated) and in patients with euthyroid goiter and negative thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-test. Plasma TSH levels of normal subjects and of subjects with untreated Graves' disease were reduced after the plasma had been incubated with a specific antibody to human TSH, indicating that the thyroid stimulating substance measured with this assay was likely to be TSH. Basal TSH levels in patients with Graves' disease and in a special group of patients with euthyroid goiter and negative TRH test were low but detectable. They did not rise after TRH administration. Increased TSH release (4.5- to 10-fold) after TRH stimulation was demonstrated, however, in two formerly hyperthyroid patients after treatment. This increase was not detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) due to limited sensitivity.


Suppression of clonidine-induced release of growth hormone by thyrotropin releasing hormone in humans.

A single oral dose of clonidine (0.15 mg), a selective alpha-adrenergic stimulating agent, was able to increase plasma growth hormone (GH) levels (above 5 ng/ml) in 6 out of 7 normal men tested. This GH increase was independent of the hypotensive effect of the drug and was observed without any modification of plasma prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, gonadotropins and glycemia. When oral clonidine administration was associated to a slow thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) infusion (1 mg dissolved in 400 ml of 0.9% saline solution, at a constant rate during 150 min) the plasma GH response was significantly inhibited when compared with that observed after clonidine alone. These results suggest that in normal subjects TRH is capable of blocking the effect of an alpha-adrenergic stimulus which is conceivably acting at the level of central nervous system.


Hypothalamic-pituitary function in Cushing's disease.

Hypothalamic pituitary function was evaluated in seven patients with Cushing's disease. In all subjects there was an absence of GH elevation following hypoglycemia. Three patients demonstrated basal hyperprolactinemia. Six had an intact PRL rise following TRH. However, four patients failed to show PRL elevation with insulin hypoglycemia and six were unresponsive to chlorpromazine. Five patients showed impaired TSH response to TRH. Many of the subjects had low basal LH and FSH levels. Attenuated or absent gonadotropin responses to LHRH were noted in three females. One male demonstrated an exaggerated FSH response to LHRH. These results indicate that multiple abnormalities of anterior pituitary hormone secretion characterize Cushing's disease.


Stimulation of milk synthesis in the rabbit by fish pituitary extract.

The lactogenic properties of extracts of the pituitary glands of salmon and trout were evaluated by using the organ culture technique with rabbit mammary explants. Crude extracts and fractions obtained after chromatography on Ultrogel and selected for their capacity to compete with ovine prolactin in a rabbit mammary gland radioreceptor assay were added to the culture medium. The criteria of lactogenesis were lactose synthetase activity, casein synthesis, measurements of the concentration of casein messenger RNA and the histology of mammary glands. All these tests led to the conclusion that salmon and trout pituitary glands contain a prolactin-like principle capable of initiating milk synthesis in the rabbit mammary cell.


Polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis in Orkney.

Study of the blood group, isoenzyme, and serum protein systems representing polymorphic variants at 23 loci, in a population of 53 multiple sclerosis patients in Orkney, their relatives, and control series, showed that  patients were neither morre homozygous nor more inbred than controls. Any possible association of the disorder with the ABO and rhesus blood groups was not directly causal, but was related to the families of the patients rather than to the patients themselves.


Replacement of posterior by anterior structures in the Drosophila wing caused by the mutation apterous-blot.

The recessive mutation apterous-blot in Drosophila melanogaster causes replacement of posterior wing structures by anterior ones, with variable penetrance and expressivity. Extreme transformations resemble mirror-image duplicate anterior wings as in the mutant engrailed. Anterior structures in the posterior wing only appear on the dorsal surface. Duplications solely of posterior structures are also seen. Clonal analysis shows that extra cell proliferation occurs in the posterior area but is complete by 108 h after egg deposition. Lineage analysis is consistent with a clonal perpetuation of the transformation. Genetic mosaics to test the cell-autonomy of apterous-blot show that it is not autonomously expressed in clones. The results of lineage analysis, the phenotypes of combinations of apterous-blot with other apterous alleles including a deletion for the locus and with various other homoeotic mutations, are together used to distinguish three alternative modes of action of this mutation. It is concluded that apterous-blot is unlikely to be a selector gene mutation but instead may cause the transformation by an event like transdetermination following a local failure in cell function in the wing disc.


The dynamics of Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenesis in in vitro cultures.

A photographic description of meiosis and spermatogenesis in single sperm cysts of Drosophila melanogaster cultured in vitro is presented. In addition to the utility of this description for the study of spermatogenesis in whole live testes, the culture procedure provides a means for studying the dynamic development of individual sperm cysts from flies carrying male-sterile mutations, as illustrated with X/O males. Several deviations of spermatogenesis in vitro from that in vivo suggest that sperm morphogenesis is not rigidly coordinated.


Measurement of calcium ion concentrations in the lateral line cupulae of Xenopus laevis.

1. Ion selective microelectrodes were used to measure the distribution of Ca2+ in the cupulae of Xenopus laevis, and to observe the effects of the Ca2+ blocker, La3+, and a Ca2+ chelating agent (EGTA) on the endocupular potential and K+ concentration. 2. Measurements of the endocupular Ca2+ and potential were found to be in the range of 2-30 muM and 55-10 mV respectively, and their relationship indicates that Ca2+ is passively distributed in the cupula. 3. The concentration of endocupular K+ and endocupular potential was found not to be influenced by addition of either 1 mM EGTA or 100 muM-La3+ to the bathing solution.


Effects of the rod receptor potential upon retinal extracellular potassium concentration.

It has been hypothesized that the light-evoked rod hyperpolarization (the receptor potential) initiates the light-evoked decrease in extracellular potassium ion concentration, [K+]o, in the distal retina. The hypothesis was tested using the isolated, superfused retina of the toad, Bufo marinus; the receptor potential was recorded intracellularly from red rods, and [K+]o was measured in the photoreceptor layer with K+-specific microelectrodes. In support of the hypothesis, variations in stimulus irradiance or duration, or in retinal temperature, produced qualitatively similar effects on both the receptor potential and the decrease in [K+]o. A mechanism for the relationship between the receptor potential and the decrease in [K+]o was suggested by Matsuura et al. (1978. Vision Res. 18:767-775). In the dark, the passive efflux of K+ out of the rod is balanced by an equal influx of K+ fromthe Na+/K+ pump. The light-evoked rod hyperpolarization is assumed to reduce the passive efflux, with little effect on the pump. Thus, the influx will exceed the efflux, and [K+]o will decrease. Consistent with this mechanism, the largest and most rapid decrease in [K+]o was measured adjacent to the rod inner segments, where the Na+/K+ pump is most likely located; in addition, inhibition of the pump with ouabain abolished the decrease in [K]o more rapidly than the rod hyperpolarization. Based upon this mechanism, Matsuura et al. (1978) developed a mathematical model: over a wide range of stimulus irradiance, this model successfully predicts the time-course of the decrease in [K+]o, given only the time-course of the rod hyperpolarization.


Detection of an antigen-antibody system in serum associated with human non-A, non-B hepatitis.

An antigen was detected by counterelectrophoresis in serum samples from six of seven chimpanzees during the acute phase of experimentally induced non-A, non-B hepatitis using antiserum from a chimpanzee convalescent from human non-A, non-B hepatitis. This antigen could not be detected in 35 preinoculation serum samples from these chimpanzees, or in 94 weekly bleedings from three chimpanzees with hepatitis A and three chimpanzees with hepatitis B. The antigen was detected in serum samples obtained from three humans with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis whose blood had transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis to other humans (including a nurse by accidental needlestick) and to chimpanzees by experimental inoculation. In addition, the antigen was detected in serum obtained retrospectively from 11 to 31 former blood donors whose blood had transmitted posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis several years previously to recipients of a single unit of their blood. Antibody to this antigen was detected in convalescent serum samples from all seven chimpanzees studied, in convalescent serum from the nurse infected by accidental needlestick, and in serum from a hemodialysis patient convalescent from non-A, non-B hepatitis.


Ebola and Marburg viruses: II. Thier development within Vero cells and the extra-cellular formation of branched and torus forms.

The development of Marburg virus and the Sudanese and Zaire strains of Ebola virus in Vero cells as visualized by electron microscopy is described. Despite differences in timing, all three strains appear to pass through identical stages of development. Initially there is a large increase in nucleolus material, and viral precursor material arranges itself in spirals and then into tubes. The cells fill with core material, which passes to the plasmalemma, which often proliferates. Each virion passes through the plasmalemma, acquiring a coat of host material. The formation of torus forms is discussed; the branched appearance that is often seen is believed to be an aberrant form. The reasons for this view are put forward.


Cell damage resulting from the labeling of rat lymphocytes and HeLa S3 cells with In-111 oxine.

Rat thoracic-duct lymphocytes and HeLa S3 cells were labeled in vitro with different amounts of indium-111 oxine. The labeled rat lymphocytes were tested for their ability to recirculate normally in syngeneic rats; the labeled HeLa S3 cells for their ability to divide to form colonies in tissue culture. Both cell types behaved normally by these criteria when labeled with small amounts of indium-111 oxine but at higher doses were obviously damaged. Evidence was obtained for the HeLa S3 cells that this damage was primarily radiation-induced. These findings may impose limitations on the use of In-111 oxine as a cell label for clinical purposes.


Quantitative radionuclide imaging for early determination of fate of mandibular bone grafts.

Clinical assessment of bone-graft healing in the maxillofacial region is generally limited to clinical evaluation, radiographs, and biopsy. A noninvasive quantitative radionuclide method has been developed in an animal model, and it seems to allow earlier prediction of graft failure or success than conventional methods. Using a localization technique to identify preselected regions of interest reproducibly in the graft and adjacent host bone, an activity ration was developed between the graft region and a contralateral control. Two mandibular grafting systems were evaluated with this technique. When the activity ratio for the graft region over the period of study approached, or was greater than, the activity ratio for the host bone, the graft subsequently proved successful by clinical observation and gross dissection. When the activity ratio for the host bone remained greater than that of the graft, healing did not occur and the grafts were unsuccessful. This method allowed prediction of graft fate by 6 wk after grafting, and preceded radiographic confirmation of repair or failure by 2-3 wk.


Hepatic clearance mechanism of Tc-99m-HIDA and its effect on quantitation of hepatobiliary function: Concise communication.

Parameters affecting the hepatobiliary clearance of Tc-99m N(2,6-dimethylphenyl carbamoylmethyl) iminodiacetic acid (Tc-HIDA) were evaluated in dogs. Competitive clearance studies, were performed with Tc-HIDA after infusion to plasma saturation levels of an anion, sodium sulfobromophthalein (BSP), and a cation, oxyphenonium. The results demonstrated that Tc-HIDA is transported through hepatocytes by a carrier-mediated organic-anion pathway. The data are consistent with an alteration of the elimination kinetics of Tc-HIDA induced by elevations in the serum bilirubin level, and it is predicted that serum bilirubin at some increased concentration will dominate the distribution and elimination kinetics of Tc-HIDA independently of hepatobiliary status. A quantitative description of liver function in terms of regional distribution and elimination rate constants will require either a pharmacokinetic model that expressly includes the effects of bilirubin, the development of new anionic hepatobiliary agents capable of displacing endogenous bilirubin from transport binding sites, or the development of new hepatobiliary agents that use a different clearance mechanism from that used by bilirubin.


Labeling of human platelets with [111In) 8-hydroxyquinoline.

We have evaluated the factors influencing the labeling of human platelets in the presence of autologous plasma. The labeling efficiency was found to be dependent on a) the time and temperature of incubation, b) the platelet concentration, c) the concentration of citrate ions (in ACD anticoagulant), and d) the concentration of 8-hydroxyquinoline in the suspending medium. Contrary to what was expected, unsaturated transferrin was found not to interfere with the transfer of In-111 from the [111In] 8-hydroxyquinoline complex to the platelets. Based on the findings of this study, a protocol was established by which human platelets can be labeled with In-111 in plasma with a labeling efficiency of 55.5 +/- 9.3 (mean +/- 1 s.d.) percent.


The immunopathogenesis of progressive chronic inflammatory periodontal disease.

Natural, humoral and cellular immune mechanisms have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. However, confusion still exists as to the role played by each of these immunological mechanisms. Recently, characterization of the cell types within the progressive lesion has been established, in which four recognizable zones were described. Immediately subjacent to the epithelium lining the periodontal pocket both polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) and macrophages were seen, while cells deeper in the tissues had the morphological appearance of lymphocytes. The majority of these lymphocytes had a B-cell phenotype although a few T-cells and macrophages were found. On the advancing front of the lesion the cells had the morphological appearance of plasma cells, the majority of which contained IgG. Other cells found in this region had the morphology of plasma cells yet contained no cytoplasmic immunoglobulin, but they did contain substantial amounts of lysosomal enzymes. Similar cells have previously been described in periodontal disease; their frequent association with fibroblasts may suggest that they are important in the pathogenesis. Deposits of IgG and fibrin were found in the fibrous tissue band surrounding the lesion. These results are reviewed and, although the zones described were not anatomically distinct, by describing the lesion in this way it was possible to establish a convenient model to explain the immunopathogenesis of progressive chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. In this respect, progressive chronic inflammatory periodontal disease in man should be considered as a B-cell lesion.


An exophytic soft tissue mass of the buccal mucosa.

A case is presented in which electron microscopy proved invaluable in determining the nature of a clinically innocuous lesion of the buccal mucosa. The clinical, histologic and ultrastructural features of the neoplasm identified are reviewed in the light of previous literature.


Expansile lesion of the posterior maxilla in an adult male.

A case of odontogenic fibromyxoma of over 5 years' duration which was evident roentgenographically (but not diagnosed) at the time of treatment for a fractured zygoma of the ipsilateral side is presented. The rate of growth did not appear to be significantly altered by trauma. The tumor was successfully treated by enucleation and curettage with removal of the associated teeth. No evidence of recurrence was noted 6 months postoperatively.


Intracellular collagen in recurrent ameloblastic fibroma.

Electron microscopic examination of tissue from a twice recurrent ameloblastic fibroma revealed the presence of intracellular collagen fibres in fibroblasts active in protein synthesis. The intracellular fibres were morphologically identical to collagen fibres located extracellularly. The literature on intracellular collagen in biological systems and pathological states has been reviewed, and attention is focussed on collagen phagocytosis and degradation by fibroblasts which are currently considered to represent the basis of connective tissue remodelling and turnover.


The crystal chemistry of submandibular and parotid salivary gland stones.

The mineral composition of 38 human salivary gland stones was described qualitatively on the basis of X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. In 32 submandibular stones, hydroxyapatite was the most frequently observed phase with a magnesium-substituted whitlockite co-phase (octacalcium phosphate was rarely present). In six parotid gland stones, apatite, magnesium substituted whitlockite and octacalcium phosphate were noted to be the major crystalline phases. Brushite was rarely found in either submandibular or parotid stones. This is the first report of octacalcium phosphate in salivary gland stones. All stones had ash weights ranging from 75--80%, but their Ca/P ratios could not be used to predict the crystalline phases present. Whitlockite was observed more frequently in the central regions of the submandibular stones than in the outer crusts. Possible explanations for the presence of each of these phases are discussed.


The leukocytic response in ligated rat submandibular glands.

Within 1 h after ligation of the main excretory duct of the rat submandibular salivary gland neutrophils begin to migrate into the parenchymal epithelium and by 18 h they accumulate, unchanged, within the lumina of acini and intralobular ducts. By 24 h, monocytes become the predominant intraepithelial migrating cell type. These selectively migrate into lumina of convoluted ducts where they phagocytize intraluminal material consisting of secretion products, egested cell debris and neutrophils. By 4 days monocytes laden with phagosomes begin to migrate into the stroma and by 17 days relatively few leukocytes remain within the parenchyma. Changes in ligated gland weight reflect the cytological changes. It is concluded that in experimental obstructive adenitis monocytes play a most important role while neutrophils are adventitious.


Transcapillary exchange in the cat salivary gland during secretion, bradykinin infusion and after chronic duct ligation.

1. Capillary permeability-surface area products for 86Rb, [51Cr]EDTA (mol. wt. 357), [57Co]cyanocobalamin (mol. wt. 1353) and [125I]insulin (approximate mol. wt. 6000) have been measured using the single-circulation, multiple-tracer dilution technique in the in situ perfused submandibular salivary gland during parasympathetic nerve stimulation, close-arterial bradykinin infusion and following chronic duct ligation. 2. In glands with a natural blood supply, permeability-surface area for 86Rb and [51Cr]EDTA increased during parasympathetic stimulation, but this was shown to be related to the concomitant increase in blood flow rather than to a change in capillary permeability or in surface area. 3. In glands perfused at constant flow, parasympathetic stimulation led to a decrease in permeability-surface area for EDTA (-19.1 +/- 5.2%, mean +/- S.E., n = 5, P less than 0.05) cyanocobalamin (-12.3 +/- 6.0, n = 12, P less than 0.05), and insulin (-15.3 +/- 4.8, n = 11, P less than 0.02). It is suggested that this may be the result of a redistribution of flow from the acinar microcirculation to a less permeable ductal vasculature. 4. Bradykinin infusion had no significant effect on permeability-surface area for EDTA and cyanocobalamin in perfused glands. 5. In perfused glands, ligation of the submandibular duct for 3--12 days reduced permeability-surface area (ml.min-1.g-1) for [51Cr]EDTA from 5.26 +/- 0.60 (mean +/- S.E., n = 9) to 4.20 +/- 0.12 (n = 4, P less than 0.30), [57Co]cyanocobalamin from 3.22 +/- 0.12 (n = 48) to 2.02 +/- 0.08 (n = 15, P less than 0.001) and [125I]insulin from 1.52 +/- 0.07 (n = 39) to 0.72 +/- 0.23 (n = 11, P less than 0.001).


A comparison of duodenal osmolality and energy content as controlling factors of gastric emptying in the calf.

1. The relative importance of energy content and osmolality of the duodenal chyme in the feed-back control of gastric emptying was investigated in the milk-fed calf fitted with gastric (abomasal) and duodenal re-entrant cannulae. 2. Duodenal infusion of isosmolal solutions, containing glucose, fructose or galactose, with a range of combustible energy content (0--1.46 MJ/l.) resulted in the same high rate of emptying of test meals from the stomach (abomasum). Abomasal emptying was, therefore, not affected by the energy content of the duodenal infusate. 3. Gastric secretion of acid and pepsinogen, and the volume of gastric secretions produced were also unaffected by the energy content of isosomolal duodenal infusates. 4. The results of the study show that the combustible energy content of the intestinal chyme is not a direct determinant of gastric function and that total osmolality of the lumenal contents is the only parameter influencing duodenal receptors under the conditions of our experiments.


Light adaptation in toad rods: requirement for an internal messenger which is not calcium.

1. The mechanism of light adaptation was investigated by recording intracellularly from single rods in the isolated, superfused retina of the toad, Bufo marinus. Steady background lights produce decreases in rod sensitivity and changes in response wave form similar to those previously observed in the toad eyecup. 2. The sensitivity of a dark-adapted rod is halved by a background light which bleaches about 4 rhodopsins per rod per second. Since a toad rod contains over 2000 disks, a rhodopsin bleached in one disk must alter the effectiveness of rhodopsins bleached in others. This could occur if the state of adaptation in the rod were regulated by the concentration of some diffusable substance. 3. This diffusable substance cannot be Ca2+. Increases in intracellular Ca2+, produced experimentally either by increasing extracellular Ca2+ or by facilitating Ca2+ permeability into the rod with the ionophore X537A, cause a hyperpolarization of membrane potential and a decrease in response amplitude; but they do not produce changes in sensitivity and response wave form like those produced by background light. 4. Either Ca2+ is not the internal transmitter released from the disks during excitation, or the disks release or otherwise alter the concentration of a second diffusable substance, in addition to Ca2+, which regulates the state of adaptation.


Discharges of intracerebellar nuclear cells in monkeys.

1. Conscious monkeys were trained with food rewards to perform movement tasks with the left forelimb and to accept manipulation of the joints and muscles and natural non-noxious stimulation of the skin of all four limbs. 2. Recordings were made from 217 cells situated in the left interpositus and dentate nuclei of the cerebellum. The identity of seventy-seven cells as cerebellar projection neurones was definitively established by activating them antidromically from the brachium conjunctivum near the contralateral red nucleus. 3. Modulation in the natural activity of 129 of these crebellar nuclear cells (sixty in interpositus; sixty-nine in dentate) occurred in a reproducible manner in temporal association with a phase of the self-paced movement tasks performed by the animal using the ipsilateral arm and hand. The discharges during motor performance of forty-two dentate and forty-five interpositus cells were shown to be associated with movement about a particular joint or region of the forelimb whenever that movement occurred. 4. Cells whose discharges were related to proximal joint movements (shoulder, elbow) and cells related to distal joint movements (wrist, fingers) were encountered in both the dentate and interposed nuclei. 5. The cells were tonically active at rest. Most commonly, accelerations in the discharge were related to movement of a joint or the limb in one direction and a reduction or cessation of activity accompanied movement in the opposite direction. 6. For some cells, variation of the amount of discharge demonstrated during movement performance could be related to the range of the movement or its duration, more activity being characteristic of more prolonged movement performance through larger angles of joint displacement. 7. The dentate and interpositus cells whose discharges were most strongly and consistently related to movements of the forelimb were concentrated in the mid region and caudal half of either nucleus. 8. None of seventy-three dentate neurones examined showed appreciable responses to stimulation of the skin or manipulation of joints and muscles of the fore- or hind limbs and only two cells responded to unexpected perturbation of movement performance. 9. No influence resulting from peripheral afferent input from the ipsilateral forelimb was detected in any interpositus cell whose firing was unchanged during ipsilateral arm movements. 10. Of the sixty interpositus cells whose discharge rates changed during motor performance, twenty-eight were demonstrated to be in receipt of input from receptors in the ipsilateral hand or arm, which could be activated by brisk tapping of the skin and sometimes by gentle squeezing of the forearm. 11. In the passive relaxed animal, manipulation of joints was ineffective in modifying the discharges of most interpositus neurones and, in all cases, prolonged pressure upon the skin elicited only transient responses...


Avian haematozoa: some taxonomic and nomenclatural problems arising from the Russian literature.

It is evident from a survey of the Russian literature that many species of avian haematozoa recorded do not meet the basic criteria required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Thus 28 species of Haemoproteus and 4 species of Leucocytozoon are considered to be nomina nuda, while 1 species, Leucocytozoon turtur orientalis is a synonym of L. marchouxi.


Electron-microscopic studies on Theileria ovis Rodhain, 1916: development of kinetics in the gut of the vector tick, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897, and their transformation within cells of the salivary glands.

Gamogony of Theileria ovis Rodhain occurs within the gut of nymphs of the tick Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann. After molting, spherical and ovoid parasites are found within the intestinal cells of the ticks. These stages are thought to be zygotes, because they undergo a transformation process leading ultimately (in 3 days) to the formation of a motile stage, the kinete, the fine structure of which is very similar to that of the ookinetes of the hemosporidia. The kinete leaves the gut cells of the tick and penetrates the salivary gland cells where it produces infective stages (the sporozoites). These stages may be transmitted to sheep during the next blood meal of the tick. The developmental processes of T. ovis are compared to those of Hemosporina.


Subcellular localization of the GABA-shunt enzymes in Euglena gracilis strain Z.

Glutamate decarboxylase, gamma-aminobutyrate-alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase and NAD-linked and NADP-linked succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, all constituting the GABA (gamma-aminobutyrate)-shunt pathway of glutamate metabolism are localized in the mitochondrial matrix in a streptomycin-bleached mutant of Euglena gracilis strain Z. Glutamate dehydrogenase, requiring NADP as the cofactor, was distributed in the cytoplasm. An improved version of the controlled digestion method for preparing Euglena mitochondria, which involves use of trypsin and a trypsin inhibitor and removal of broken cells before mechanical disruption of cells, is also described.


The methylated purines of Tetrahymena pyriformis transfer ribonucleic acid.

By phenol extraction and DEAE cellulose column chromatography, tRNA was isolated from Tetrahymena pyriformis strain GL. Following acid hydrolysis of the tRNA, the methylated purine content was determined by Dowex 50 column chromatography and paper chromatography. The most abundant methylated guanine derivative was found to be N2-DMG. Also present were 1-MG, N2-MG, and 7-MG. The most abundant methylated adenine was found to be 1-MA; no 2-MA was detected. Small amounts of the N6-methyladenines were detected.


Tetrahymena tubulins and in vitro translation of Tetrahymena RNA.

Tetrahymena outer doublet tubulin was compared with neurotubulin and Chlamydomonas flagellar tubulin on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Tetrahymena alpha tubulin did not comigrate with either brain or flagellar alpha tubulins, although brain, flagellar, and ciliary beta tubulins all comigrated. Axonemal tubulin from Tetrahymena strain ST was compared with this tubulin from strains W, S, HSM, and E, and all were found to have the same mobilities. Poly-A containing RNA was separated from whole cell Tetrahymena RNA by oligo-dT cellulose chromatography. Poly-A+ RNA from 24-h cultures (early exponential growth) stimulated greater incorporation of amino acids into polypeptides in the wheat germ cell-free translation system than did poly-A+ RNA from 36-h and 49-h cultures. When separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, the translation products of the 24-h poly-A+ RNA had 2 prominent protein bands which comigrated with alpha and beta tubulin isolated from Tetrahymena cilia. These bands were not found in the translation products of poly-A+ RNA isolated from 49-h cultures or in the translation products of poly-A- RNA.


5-(alpha-Bromoacetyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate: an affinity label for thymidylate synthetase.

5-(alpha-Bromoacetyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (1) is an active-site-directed irreversible inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase from Lactobacillus casei. Analysis of the rate of inactivation of the enzyme in the presence of substrate confirmed the intermediate formation of a reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex.


Optical resolution of some homobenzomorphan derivatives and their pharmacological properties.

Racemic 1,4-dimethyl- (1), 1,4,12 alpha-trimethyl- (2), and 1,4,12 beta-trimethyl-10-hydroxy-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1,6-methano-1H-4-benzazonine (3) have been optically resolved. The analgesic potency and physical-dependence capacity of the optical isomers and their racemic parents were determined. The levo isomers of compounds 2 and 3 were analgesically much more potent than the dextro isomers and were equipotent with morphine. Optical resolution gave no effect on the activity of compound 1. None of the optical isomers and the racemates suppressed the morphine-withdrawal syndrome in the monkey.


Hereditary aspects of duodenal ulceration: pepsin 1 secretion in relation to ABO blood groups and ABH secretor status.

Pepsin 1, the ulcer-associated pepsin, occurred significantly more frequently in the gastric juice of those patients with duodenal ulcer who did not secrete A, B, or H antigens into gastric juice than in those secreting these antigens. This observation may explain the increased proportion of such non-secretors among patients with duodenal ulceration. In patients with gastric ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia, and in a miscellaneous group of patients, there was no association of pepsin 1 secretion with secretor status, suggesting that the association noted in duodenal ulceration is an indirect rather than a direct one. No increase of pepsin 1 occurred in group O patients with peptic ulcer, so that the increased proportion of such patients in peptic ulcer does not arise from differences in pepsin 1 secretion.


Consumption of C3 via the classical and alternative complement pathways by sera and synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Five sera and four synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were found to contain substances which consumed hemolytic C3 in normal human serum (NHS) and in normal guinea pig serum (NGPS). These fluids were then tested for ability to activate the alternative pathway by incubating them with NHS containing MgEGTA and C4 deficient GPS. All sera and two synovial fluids depleted C3 in these reagents, indicating direct activation by the alternative pathway. Density gradient ultracentrifugation demonstrated C3 fixing activity in some specimens in the greater than 19s regions. These substances may also activate complement similarly in vivo and participate in the development of inflammatory processes associated with this disease.


A new case of IgE myeloma (Des) ending with renal failure.

A new case of IgE myeloma (Des), a woman aged 55, is presented. The monoclonal Ig was identified as an IgE of the kappa type. The case history is detailed. Bone lesions were absent; there were up to 12% plasma cells in the peripheral blood; therapy with cytostatic drugs could not be applied because of leuco- and thrombopenia. The patient died of renal failure after having been maintained one year on steroids and transfusions. A comparison between several clinical and laboratory data of this new case, the twelfth to the author's knowledge, and those of the preceding ones, is also given.


Reproductive and hormonal patterns in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).

The results of breeding Cercopithecus aethiops under time-mated laboratory conditions and analysis of total estrogen, progesterone, and LH concentrations in plasma during the menstrual cycle and plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations during pregnancy indicate that this species is a suitable alternative for the rhesus monkey as a model for investigations of reproductive function in man.


Anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery in a marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Anomalous right subclavian artery in a one-day-old marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is reported. The anomalous vessel originated with the left subclavian artery from a short trunk off the arch of the aorta, then passed posterior to the esophagus, indenting it.


Ureaplasmas in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): transmission and elimination.

All adult marmosets tested had ureaplasmas in their throats but not in the lower respiratory tract, and rarely in the genital tract. Ureaplasmas persisted in the throat of a marmoset separated from the colony for 44 days. They could not be recovered from the animals for at least nine weeks after a course of minocycline. Airborne reinfection did not occur when these animals were surrounded by, but separate from, infected marmosets. It occurred when the minocycline-treated animals were caged with the infected marmosets or were inoculated. The genital tract was more difficult to infect than the oropharynx.


Three social-preference measures in PKU monkeys.

Of twenty-four one-year-old rhesus, half were brain damaged from excessive phenylalanine (PKU) administered either pre- or post-natally. When compared on three measures of affiliation--(a) a simultaneous forced-choice proximity circus test, (b) a sequential free-operant Butler-box test, and (c) a social group in a playroom--the duration measure of the circus gave the best differentiation between stimulus animals, the Butler box the poorest. Both types of PKU monkeys were found to strongly prefer familiar PKU monkeys, and controls to refer unfamiliar followed by familiar controls. This extends preference research to induced brain damage and confirms behavioural abnormality in PKU macaques, an abnormality detectable by both humans and other monkeys.


Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: hyperactivity and mesolimbic dopamine system in rats.

The mechanism of stimulatory action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on spontaneous motor activity was investigated in rats. TRH produced a significant hyperactivity with intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg or bilateral injection of 10 micrograms into the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS). Following bilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway, the hyperactivity induced by TRH was not altered, whereas the response to apomorphine given intraperitoneally or DA injected into the NAS was clearly enhanced. The TRH-induced hyperactivity was remarkably suppressed by alpha-methyltyrosine and in contrast, augmented by pargyline. Systemic injection of aminooxyacetic acid in a dose producing behavioral depression reduced markedly the TRH-induced hyperactivity. Bilateral injection of ethanolamine O-sulphate (100 micrograms) into the NAS produced no behavioral depression per se, but remarkably attenuated the hyperactivity response to TRH or DA (20 micrograms) given intraperitoneally or into the NAS. Both TRH (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) and methamphetamine (10(-6)--10(-4) M increased the spontaneous release of 14C-DA from rat NAS slices. These findings suggest that TRH induces hyperactivity by enhancing DA release from nerve terminals in the NAS without a direct stimulation of the post-synaptic DA recptors. TRH and GABA, independently or via interaction between them, may play a reciprocal regulatory role in the activity of the mesolimbic DA system.


[Prevention of Rh sensitization using anti-D immunoglobulin. (An 8 year study)].

From July 1969 to July 1977 the authors administered 629 doses of anti D immunoglobulin to 597 women, 26 of them having received the preparation twice and 3 three times. The preparation of anti D immunoglobulin is most frequently given after delivery to Rh negative, in the ABO system compatible primiparae having given birth to a Rh positive child and being not immunized. The effectiveness of the prophylaxis was tested by sensibilization tests 3--6 months after delivery in 159 women, and in 1977, 137 more women were summoned to a follow-up, so that in all 296 women were hematologically followed up. The prophylaxis proved a failure in 0.6% of women. Biological control was carried out in a group of 118 women who had given birth to Rh positive children following the use of anti D immunoglobulin. It showed failure of the prophylaxis applied in 1.6% of cases.


Chromosomal mutations causing resistance to tetracycline in Bacillus subtilis.

We have isolated, after ethylmethanesulfonate mutagenesis, several chromosomal mutations causing resistance to tetracycline in Bacillus subtilis. These mutations fall into two classics, tetA and tetB. 30 S ribosomal protein S10 shows an altered mobility on two-dimensional acrylamide gels in cells bearing the former type of mutation. Ribosomes from these cells show elevated levels of resistance to tetracycline in vitro as measured by polyuridine dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis. The tetA locus maps adjacent to the tuf gene in the B. subtilis ribosomal protein gene cluster. Cells with the tetB mutation do not show any altered ribosomal protein, and their ribosomes are as sensitive, in vitro, to tetracycline as ribosomes isolated from wild type cells. The tetB mutation has been mapped proximal to cysA14.


Antagonistic effects of Bacillus natto and Streptococcus faecalis on growth of Candida albicans.

The growth-inhibitory effects of Bacillus natto and Streptococcus faecalis on Canida albicans were investigated. When inoculated into the filtrate of a long-term culture of B. natto strain BN (BN), a stock culture of C. albicans RIMD 0301020 lost its viability completely, whereas C. albicans RIMD 0301011, a fresh isolate from a clinical source, did not. In continuous flow (CF) culture the growth of both strains of C. albicans was suppressed by mixed cultivation with BN. On the other hand, in classical batch culture BN did not suppress the growth of C. albicans. S. faecalis BIO-4R, a multi-drug resistant strain, was also antagonistic to C. albicans RIMD 0301011 but symbiotic with BN in CF culture. These findings suggest that BN in concert with S. faecalis BIO-4R may inhibit the growth of C. albicans in the intestinal tract.


"Tween egg medium" for isolating mycobacteria from sputum specimens.

'Tween egg medium,' in which Tween 80 was used as a carbon source, showed a higher rate of positive cultures than Ogawa egg medium in isolation of mycobacteria from sputum specimens.


Mode of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus infection in tissue culture cells. I. Detection of infectious virions from cells infected with Niigata-1 strain of SSPE virus.

By the aid of freezing and thawing, cell-free infectious virions were detected from an apparently nonproductive Vero cell line infected with Niigata-1 strain of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus. The production of infectious virions was limited in amount and such virions were detectable only during a limited period after cell subculture. The infectious virions were filtrable through a 0.65 mu membrane filter and neutralized completely by an antiserum against measles virus. The virions were banded at the density of 1.132, while Edmonston strain of measles virus banded at 1.164 in potassium tartrate density gradients. Infectious virions were also released from infected Vero cells by treatment of the cells in a hypotonic solution to an amount comparable to that obtained by freezing and thawing. Infection of normal culture of Vero cells with the infectious virions readily established a virus-cell interaction identical to that in the original infected culture from which the virions were recovered.


Probable mechanism of enzyme evolution: how did EBG of E. coli originate?

A mechanism is proposed for the formation of Ebg-evolved beta galactosidase-of E. coli based on the following assumptions: 1. In the presence of lactose, certain proteins being translated bind to their m-RNA-ribosome complexes; 2. This binding interferes with the release of m-RNA from the bacterial chromosome, marking the gene; 3. Thereupon a cytosine specific methylase and methyl cytosine deaminase pair, modify - mutate - the marked gene; 4. The result, after five or so mutations, is a new gene capable of coding for a different protein which can split lactose; 5. I propose that this enzyme pair has evolved to produce mutations internally, when need arises, as is the case here; 6. This may be a general mechanism through which drug resistance and detoxification of a novel chemical, could be achieved in bacteria; 7. All of these ideas are experimentally testable.


[Intravenous and oral TRH-stimulation test: comparison of the value of both tests concerning diagnosis and therapy of thyroid diseases (author's transl)].

15 euthyroid patients, 15 patients with a so-called non toxic goiter, 7 patients with hypothyroidism and 14 patients with hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease and autonomous adenoma) were submitted to intravenous (200 micrograms) and oral (40 mg) TRH-stimulation tests. After the oral application of TRH the patients with a normal thyroid function and the patients with a goiter showed an increase of the concentration of TSH which was about 1 1/2 fold higher than after the intravenous application of TRH. The patients who suffered from hypothyroidism showed a different reaction after intravenous and oral application of TRH. The patients with a hyperthyroidism had neither after the intravenous nor after the oral application of TRH an increase of the peripheral concentration of TSH. Therefore both intravenous and oral TRH-stimulation tests seem to be apt in the same way for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases and for the control of the therapy when thyroid hormones are applied.


[Changes in thyroid function after application of iodinated contrast media to normal subjects (author's transl)].

In 39 patients without thyroid disorder the influence of radiographic contrast media (Conray 60, Biligram) on the thyroid function was studied. 6 weeks after the application of the iodine compounds a significant increase of T3 in blood serum could be established being accompanied by decreased TSH level and reduced response of TSH rpoduction to TRH injection. These findings showed to be even more marked 6 months later. It is assumed that the observed hormonal changes may possibly be due to a persistent Wolff-Chaikoff block induced by diffusion of free iodide and subsequent shifting of the intrathyroidal MIT/DIT ratio, which is finally followed by an increase of T3-levels in serum.


[Psychosomatic medicine in the Munich medical outpatient clinic (author's transl)].

An outpatient clinic therapeutically situated between hospital and office of the general practitioner is to a particular extent suitable for research, teaching, diagnosis and treatment of psychosomatic diseases. The increasing importance of psychosomatic medicine, which is firmly rooted as a compulsory subject in the licensing regulations and as an insurance benefit as part of causal psychoanalytical psychotherapy, has also become better known to wide circles of the population. Our investigations emphasize the activities and problems of the psychosomatic advisory department of the Medical University Hospital in Munich.


[The relationship between the doctor and pregnant women (author's transl)].

In a sample of 112 women in the third trimester of pregnancy a generally good quality of doctor-patient relationship was found by means of postal enquiry. This corresponds with the high degree of health-behavior of these women. A favorable assessment of the time spent correlated with the time the women had to wait before medical examination, and the imparting of information by the doctor. The women's need for information was very high. After the (marital) partner the doctor holds second place in importance as a competent adviser. But the women want him to take a considerably more important place as an advisor.


[The first three-stage preparation for hormonal contraception. Clinical results (author's transl)].

The controlled clinical trial is reported of a new three-stage oral contraceptive which has meanwhile been introduced on to the market under the trade name Triquilar. Triquilar has a reliable contraceptive action: no pregnancy occurred in 8068 treatment cycles. In spite of the very low doses of estrogen and gestagen--Triquilar contains the lowest total quantity of steroids of all available preparations--the multistage structure guarantees an outstanding cycle control and a particularly good general tolerance. The reasons are discussed which today support the use of an oral contraceptive with the lowest possible amounts of the two hormone components.


Colon cancer: its precursors and companions in Hawaii Japanese.

Following migration to Hawaii, the Japanese have acquired the same risk of developing large bowel cancer as that experienced by Caucasians. This tumor is uncommon in Japan. Other conditions are also more common in Hawaii Japanese, e.g., myocardial infarction, severe atherosclerosis, diverticulosis, and polyposis of the colon. Comparative studies in Hawaii and Japan suggest that the basis of these differences is probably related to the consumption of characteristically western foods by Hawaii Japanese.


Pathological changes of experimental polychlorinated biphenyl poisoning in chickens.

Two experiments were carried out to study pathological changes of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) "KC 400" poisoning. In them chickens were administered with this agent for a relatively short time. Eleven experimental diets were prepared to contain 11 different PCB concentrations, 4,800 ppm being the highest, respectively. They were given to broiler chickens in initial feeding and later. All the chickens fed 300 ppm and higher concentrations of PCB died, showing the serious dilatation of uriniferous tubules and involution of the bursa of Fabricius, by the time when they reached 12 days of age. All the chickens, except a very few, fed 100 ppm remained alive at the end of the experimental period, when they were 41 days of age and exhibited such edematous changes as hydropericardium. Few chickens fed 50 ppm and less manifested pathological changes until the end of the experimental period, when they were 22 days of age. Two experimental diets were prepared to contain 600 and 200 ppm of PCB, respectively. They were given to layer chickens in initial feeding and later. These layers were sacrificed for autopsy every fourth day. A gain in body weight was retarded mostly in those fed 600 ppm. Dilatation of uriniferous tubules and involution of the bursa of Fabricius began in the very early stage of experimental feeding in both groups. Hydropericardium occurred to many of the chickens fed 200 ppm in the late stage of the experimental period. The results of both experiments indicated that there was no essential difference in changes of PCB poisoning between broiler and layer chickens. The principal changes of the poisoning were dilatation of uriniferous tubules, involution of the bursa of Fabricius, and edematous alterations. They appeared in a relatively early stage of the experimental period of PCB feeding. Their severity was strongly dependent upon the concentration of PCB contained in the diet.


[Parenteral feeding with varying nitrogen and caloric levels in esophageal cancer].

Eighteen male patients with operable esophagus carcinoma received parenteral nutrition during 4 preoperative and 14 postoperative days in three different infusion regimens. It was possible to demonstrate that a preoperative positive N-balance can be achieved in all patients of each group in comparison to 2 of the 3 groups postoperatively. Side effects were not observed in the course of this study.


Simultaneous determination of C1q and C3 levels in human serum by electroimmunodiffusion on agarose.

An electroimmunodiffusion method for the simultaneous determination of C1q and C3 levels in human serum is proposed. The reproducibility is good, and an excellent correlation is observed between electroimmunodiffusion and radial immunodiffusion. This simple, fast, and accurate method is suitable for clinical investigation.


Organochlorine residues in young herons from the upper Mississippi River-1976.

Chicks of great blue herons (Ardea herodias) from four heronaries located near South St. Paul, Royalton, and Wabasha, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, were analyzed for organochlorines, Highest mean wet-weight concentrations, 6.43 ppm PCBs. 1.31 ppm DDE, and 1.90 ppm sigma DDT, were found in the South St. Paul chicks. Among chicks from the other three heronries, most levels were similar, but were significantly lower than levels in South St. Paul chicks. Lowest mean organochlorine levels, 0.37 ppm DDE, 0.38 ppm sigma DDT, and 0.22 ppm PCBs, were found in chicks from Royalton. All birds from South St. Paul and La Crosse contained residues of DDT and TDE whereas only one of the 10 birds from Royalton contained DDT and one contained TDE residues. Five of the 12 birds from Wabasha contained DDT; eight contained TDE. Except for PCB residues in La Crosse heron chicks, the rate of organochlorine residue accumulation in the birds was generally less than the rate of dilution caused by growth.


Extracellular free calcium and fluid secretion by the rabbit lacrimal gland in vivo.

A possible role of extracellular free Ca2+ in methacholine-induced fluid secretion in the in vivo rabbit lacrimal gland has been investigated. Lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration by either intra-arterial injection or infusion of EGTA at doses which caused no systemic effects produced a dose related and reversible inhibition of methacholine-induced secretion. The inhibitory effect of EGTA was diminished when EGTA chelated with CaCl2 in varying concentration ratios was administered. On the other hand, intra-arterial injection of CaCl2 potentiated fluid secretion stimulated by submaximal doses of methacholine. These results suggest that fluid secretion from the rabbit lacrimal gland is dependent on the extracellular free Ca2+ concentration.


Effect of danazol on thyroid function in women.

A longitudinal study of thyroid function during danazol treatment was performed in 18 women.  Serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), free T4-and free T3 index as well as thyroid hormone binding globulin (TBG) were measured before and during 6 months therapy. Thyroxine binding globulin showed a marked decrease to one third of the pretreatment level. All the hormones showed significant alterations within the normal ranges for this group. T3 and T4 decreased slightly and the free T4 and free T3 index showed an increase. TSH decreased from 2.4 +/- 0.6 to 1.7 +/- 0.3 mIU/l.  The observed hormonal changes were most likely induced by the decreased TBG concentrations and were probably without pathological significance.  However these changes must be kept in mind when thyroid function tests from patients with danazol are evaluated.


Combined rifampicin and chloramphenicol therapy for Enterobacter osteomyelitis.

A 2-month-old infant with Enterobacter osteomyelitis complicating total parenteral nutrition was successfully treated with rifampicin and chloramphenicol. No untoward side effects attributed to rifampicin has been noted despite prolonged administration of rifampicin.


Effect of supplemental glucose or sucrose on liver and carcass glycogen metabolism of young chicks.

An experiment was conducted with Leghorn chicks to evaluate the effect of glucose or sucrose on liver and carcass glycogen. Phosphorylase a and synthase a were assayed to learn if glycogen cycle enzymes could be influenced by the early plane of nutrition. Both glucose and sucrose in drinking water increased liver and carcass glycogen in 3-day-old chicks. Groups given sucrose had more liver glycogen than groups given glucose after 5 days. Supplementary glucose given to fed chicks resulted in an increase in glycogen synthase a and a decrease in glycogen phosphorylase a at 4 days of age. By 6 days of age, differences in synthase activity between groups given sucrose or glucose were small. However, glucose solutions decreased phosphorylase a activity. The relationship between synthase a and phosphorylase a also partially regulates glycogen metabolism.


[Spontaneous pneumothorax associated to active pulmonary tuberculosis].

This paper reviewed 8 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, associated to pulmonary tuberculosis during a period of time of two years at the A.L.M. General Hospital of Toluca, Mex. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical picture, radiology and bacteriology studies. Six males and two females proceding of the low class; farmers all of them. Their age ranged between 18 and 35 years. Two of the patients showed cavitary lesions, five had difusse fibrosis of the lung. We analized the clinical manifestations and reviewed the pathogenic mechanisms as well the medical and surgical treatment. No deaths ocurred en this series. We concluded that the direct relation between active pulmonary tuberculosis and spontaneous pneumothorax is not clear, but their association in this serie suggested further studies to stablished this. We emphasized the importance of this complication rare in the world literature.


[Paraffin oxidizing system of the yeast Candida guilliermondii].

It has been demonstrated that the enzyme system of Candida guilliermondii responsible for hydrocarbon oxidation involves NADPH-cytochrome c-reductase (EC 1623) and cytochrome P-450. The system is located in the microsomal fraction. Cytochrome P-450 synthesis is induced by hexadecane occurring in the medium. The cellular content of cytochrome P-450 varies in the course of the culture growth. There is a correlation between the cellular content of cytochrome P-450 and the synthesis of primary products of hexadecane oxidation.


[Immobilization of highly purified cytochrome P-450 from microsomes of rabbit liver].

Highly purified cytochrome P-450 from microsomes of the rabbit liver was immobilized on albumin modified Bio-gel P-300 using the glutaraldehyde method. The immobilized enzyme had a higher stability in storage and thermal stability than the soluble enzyme and retained catalytic activity toward cumene hydroperoxide-dependent aniline hydroxylation. Kinetic characteristics of cumene hydroperoxide-dependent aniline oxidation by solubilized and immobilized enzymes were compared.


[Immobilization of commercial glucoamylase on the polymer carrier].

Commercial glucoamylase was immobilized on the polymer carrier produced by the binding of 4--8 mol.% 4,4'-diamine diphenyl oxide of the maleic anhydride copolymer with N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Two types of immobilized preparations were obtained: with covalent absorption and covalent attachment of the enzyme to the polymer. Glucoamylase activity of the first preparation was 20,000--60,000 and that of the second was 40--120 units/g polymer. Covalent-attached preparations showed a more prolonged action than covalent-absorbed ones.


Interactions between cellular membrane receptors and oncovirus envelope glycoprotein: influence of enzymes and protein-modifying reagents on receptors.

Binding of purified envelope glycoprotein (gp69/71) of Rauscher murine type C oncovirus to cellular membrane receptors has been analyzed with reaction systems using intact cells or membranes of disrupted cells. The reaction was highly specific; only cells permissive to infection by Rauscher virus bound the 125I-labeled viral glycoprotein. The specificity of binding was also demonstrated with respect to virus interference; cells productively infected with murine ecotropic type C virus failed to bind the virus envelope glycoprotein, whereas permissive cells infected with murine xenotropic virus continued to bind the Rauscher ecotropic virus glycoprotein. The reaction required the presence of Ca2+ or Mn2+ and was rapid and reversible. Studies of the enzymatic digestion of membranes suggested that the receptor is a protein which requires lipid either for its activity or for the integrity in the membrane. Receptor binding was greatly reduced by modification of histidine, tyrosine, and tryptophan residues.


Structure-activity relationships in diphtheria toxin and exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Diphtheria toxin and exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas toxin) block protein synthesis in sensitive animal cells by virtually identical mechanisms. Both toxins are proenzymes that, after activation, catalyze attachment of the adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADP-ribose) moiety of NAD to elongation factor 2 (EF-2) by covalent linkage. EF-2 is thereby inactivated. In the case of diphtheria toxin (60,000 daltons) the ADP-ribosylation of EF-2 is catalyzed by a 21,000-dalton peptide (fragment A) released after mild tryptic digestion and reduction of the toxin. The complementary B moiety of the toxin (39,000 daltons) is required for toxic activity and functions by attaching the toxin to oligosaccharide-containing cell surface receptors. In the case of the Pseudomonas toxin, the ADP-ribosylation reaction may be catalyzed either by the intact 66,000-dalton chain after reduction, or by a 26,000-dalton peptide released after mild proteolysis. Current approaches to study of the mechanisms of entry of the two toxins in active form into animal cells are reviewed.


[Purification of beta-glucanase on cellulose].

The paper describes a method for purifying beta-glucanse (lychenase) which includes enzyme absorption on the microcrystalline cellulose column or ground filter paper at pH 5.5, and elution with phosphate buffer pH 7.6. Specific activity of beta-glucanase eluted from the column may be increased by 8--23 times, depending on the purification conditions.


Short-term antibiotic prophylaxis of mixed infections during hysterectomy.

Surgical procedures on contaminated tissues, such as hysterectomy with opened vagina, are frequently followed by local or systemic infections. It seems that a prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis is not justified because of possible induction of resistant mutants or dysmicrobisms. The administration of antibiotics only in a short pre- and postsurgical period appears to be more rational. We have carried out a controlled clinical trial with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of this prophylactic practice. One hundred forty-five patients submitted to vaginal and two hundred seventy-five to abdominal hysterectomy entered this study (started September 1977). All patients received local nitrofurantoin treatment and were then subdivided into four randomized groups: control group, groups treated with thiamphenicol, cephazolin, thiamphenicol plus cephazolin, respectively. Each antibiotic was administered in the dose of 1 gm one hour before and five and 12 hours after surgery. Antibiotics were chosen taking into consideration the usual vaginal microbial flora, notoriously mixed (aerobic and anaerobic). The three treated groups presented a significant decrease in the incidence and severity of infectious complications. The use of antibiotics in the postoperative period resulted in significantly reduced morbidity in the treated groups. Thiamphenicol appears to be the most effective drug. Bacteriological studies showed that local treatment of the vagina decreased the bacteria charge, but never brought about sterilization.


Reinforcing properties of some local anesthetics in rhesus monkeys.

The reinforcing properties of several local anesthetics were determined in rhesus monkeys experienced in the intravenous self-injection of cocaine. Intravenous procaine and, occasionally, tetracaine maintained response rates higher than did vehicle injections in most monkeys. In contrast, lidocaine, procainamide and diethylaminoethanol (a metabolite of procaine) failed to maintain responding resulting in their intravenous delivery. These results demonstrate that not all local anesthetics are positive reinforcers in the rhesus monkey when delivered intravenously. Furthermore, the reinforcing properties of procaine probably cannot be attributed to its metabolite diethylaminoethanol. The data suggest that short-acting, esteratic local anesthetics are most likely to have reinforcing properties in the rhesus monkey.


Pulpal response to dental amalgams.

The pulpal reactions to amalgams with relatively high Cu content were compared with a conventional amalgam placed in unlined cavities prepared in intact monkey teeth. After a 1-week observation period the pulpal responses from one of the Cu-containing amalgams and the conventional amalgam were of the same magnitude, whereas the two other amalgams gave more pronounced reactions. After observation periods of 1 and 2 months only one of the amalgams with high Cu content caused more pronounced reactions than the conventional amalgam.


The effect of proteolytic enzymes on the vitamin B12-binding proteins of human gastric juice and saliva.

Pepsin had no effect on the vitamin B12 binder in human saliva (R-binder), while trypsin was found to reduce the apparent molecular weight of the R-binder and to release vitamin B12 from the R-B12complex of human saliva and human gastric juice (HGJ). Trypsin had no effect on the molecular weight and biological activity of intrinsic factor (IF) in HGJ, as demonstrated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 and the uptake of IF-B12 by guinea pig intestinal brush borders. An extract of purified guinea pig intestinal lysosomes was also without effect on the molecular weight and the biological activity of IF but was found to release vitamin B12 from the R-B12 complex. The results support the observation that the external pancreatic secretion corrects malabsorption of vitamin B12 by an effect on the non-IF protein in the intestinal juice. Moreover, the results indicate that lysosomal enzymes are not involved in the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12.


Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute hepatitis types A, B, and non-A non-B.

A consecutive series of 115 patients hospitalized with acute viral hepatitis in Copenhagen was studied for serological markers for hepatitis A and B virus. Thirty-nine patients had type B, 66 had type A, 3 had both type A and B, and 7 had type non-A non-B. Of the patients 81% were between 15 and 40 years of age, and there was a dominance of males due to an overrepresentation of homosexual males (30%) in both the A and B group. The main type of exposure to hepatitis type A was travel to foreign countries (53%), and for type B it was drug addiction (41%). In types A and B the duration of jaundice was positively correlated to the age of the patients but did not vary with sex or type of exposure. There was no difference in maximum alanine aminotransferase levels between the groups, but maximum bilirubin levels were lower for the type A group. Patients with hepatitis type A had a higher level of IgM than those with type B and with type non-A and non-B. We conclude that both clinically acute hepatitis type A and type B occur mainly in young adults and that foreign travel, drug addiction, and homosexuality increase the risk of getting acute hepatitis.


Mucosal uptake, mucosal transfer and retention of iron, measured by whole-body counting.

A method is described which enables simple and accurate measurement of the separate steps of iron absorption. A double isotope technique was used with 59Fe as a tracer and 51Cr (as CrCl3) as an inert, not absorbable indicator. With a whole-body counter it was possible not only to measure initial mucosal uptake and retention but also to calculate mucosal transfer of iron. Thus faeces collection for determination of mucosal uptake of iron was no longer necessary. Absorption of a physiological dose of inorganic iron was studied in 25 normal subjects (15 males and 10 females), in 21 patients with uncomplicated iron deficiency and in 8 patients with idiopathic haemosiderosis. A significant difference was demonstrated between normals and patients with iron deficiency and in idiopathic haemosiderosis with respect to the various steps of iron absorption. The method provides a simple tool for the study of the regulation of iron absorption at the luminal and intracellular site of the intestinal mucosal cell.


Turnover of human lactoferrin in the rabbit.

Lactoferrin turnover was studied in the rabbit with 125I- and 131I-labelled human lactoferrin. Plasma lactoferrin activity showed a rapid decrease during the first 24 h, followed by a 'final slope' with a T1/2 of about 25 h. Turnover studies after transfer of plasma from one rabbit (A) 3 h after injection to another rabbit (B), showed a recovery of 100% compared to 30% in A rabbits but otherwise a similar disappearance curve. The rapid turnover was confirmed in whole body studies. Concomitantly with the initial dissapearance from the plasma, there was a marked accumulation of proteinbound activity only in the liver in both A and B rabbits. From these results, the rate of synthesis in normal man can be estimated at around 25 mg per d. The disappearance pattern and hepatic uptake are discussed in relation to knowledge about lactoferrin receptors in macrophages, asialo elimination, and fucose group recognition. Concerning the significance of lactoferrin turnover for iron metabolism it is concluded that the plasma turnover results are insufficient to explain the disturbance in iron kinetics seen in the anaemia of chronic disorders; however, it is likely that lactoferrin plays a role in iron metabolism within the extravascular space.


Pulmonary damage associated with gold therapy. A report of two cases.

Two patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis developed respiratory symptoms during sodium aurothiomalate treatment. Chest radiographs showed bilateral diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in both cases. In one patient the symptoms subsided and the chest radiograph became normal within 6 months after gold therapy was discontinued and steroids added. In the other patient the condition resulted in an irreversible lung damage.


17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in monkey endometrium: characterization of enzyme activity, and effects of estradiol alone or in combination with progesterone.

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) was studied in endometrium removed surgically from intact female monkeys in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Also castrated monkeys (N=20) implanted with estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in silastic capsules were used to investigate the hormonal dependence of this enzyme in endometrium. The activity was characterized by an optimal pH between 9 and 10, a Km for E2 of 14.2 x 10(-6)M, a Vmax of 0.9 x 10(-6)M x min-1 in Tris-HCl buffer 50 mM pH 9. Using these conditions, we found linearity with time and protein concentration. Subcellular fractionation of endometrial homogenate showed a maximal activity in the 105,000 x g ultracentrifugation microsomal pellet and a very low activity in cytosol. HSD activity increased slightly, but distinctly, with E2 capsules alone, and a marked HSD stimulation (10 fold) occurred after P administration in combination with E2. There are strong similarities between this enzyme and the one described in human endometrium.


Direct fluorescence polarization immunoassay.

Direct fluorescence polarization immunoassay of serum cortisol was established. Non-specific binding of fluorescent-labelled cortisol to serum proteins was successively eliminated by sodium dodecyl sulfate. The minimal amount of cortisol detected was 0.1 ng/tube and serum concentration of 1.0 microgram/dl to 100 microgram/dl of cortisol could be measured. This fluorescence polarization immunoassay satisfied the standard criteria of accuracy and precision. The values correlated well with those obtained by radioimmunoassay.


Attempts to produce megasyndrome in mice using stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi associated with megaoesophagus in man.

Two stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from patients with advanced megaoesophagus produced megastomach in chronically infected mice. The mice showed evidence of stomach dilatation and a delay in intestinal transit time. These findings are discussed in the light of the hypothesis that regional variations in T. cruzi determines mega formation in man.


An outbreak of acute Chagas's disease in the São Francisco Valley region of Bahia, Brazil: triatomine vectors and animal reservoirs of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Following reports of an unusually high incidence of acute Chagas's disease and the appearance of large numbers of Triatoma infestans in the southwestern region of the State of Bahia, triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and domestic animals in one of the affected communities were surveyed and examined for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Triatoma infestans was prevalent in houses and was also found in peridomestic habitats. T. sordida and T. pseudomaculata occupied peridomestic and sylvatic habitats and T. brasiliensis was found only among rocks far from houses. Panstrongylus megistus, formerly present in the region, was not found. Trypanosoma cruzi was detected in 19.5% of Triatoma infestans, 11.5% of T. sordida, 19% of dogs, 29% of cats and 100% of rats examined. A disproportionate number of early instar bugs were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, suggesting that a rapid increase in the rate of transmission had recently occurred. The history of the domestic triatomine fauna of the region since 1912 is reviewed, and it is proposed that the relatively recent arrival of Triatoma infestans initiated a domestic cycle linked to peridomestic and sylvatic cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission. Increased human mobility, the use of DDT for malaria control, and drought conditions are considered as factors which might have contributed to the outbreak of human infection.


Immunization against measles in children at risk for severe disease.

Live measles vaccine induced protective levels of antibody in 70% of children with protein-calorie-malnutrition (PCM) within 21 days and possibly in 90% by 42 days. The development of specific antibody was delayed and symptoms due to the vaccine more frequent (64%) in these children than in healthy children. Administration of measles vaccine may have predisposed to an associated fatal pneumonia in one malnourished child. Human measles hyperimmune globulin can maintain adequate antibody levels in most children with PCM (75%) for at least three to four weeks. Vaccination induced protective levels of measles antibody in 83% of healthy children under 10 months of age, which compared well with 86% of successful immunizations done at 10 months or later. There was wastage of vaccine in 40 to 70% of children who, despite a negative history of measles, had protective levels of antibody when admitted to the study. It is suggested that malnourished children in the community or the very young can be safely and effectively vaccinated against measles. But passive immunization is preferred in children with PCM severe enough to be admitted to hospital and thereby at increased risk of exposure to measles and other infections.


Ultastructural studies of Sarcocystis sp. from the camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt.

By means of electron microscopy a study has been made on Sarcocystis from 29 camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt. In oesophagus and diaphragm muscles sarcocysts have been observed. The micromorphology of metrocytes, merozoites as well as of the cyst wall has been described.


[Clinical significance of the radioimmunological determination of C-peptide (author's transl)].

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of metabolic control to insulinogenic reserve in insulin-dependent diabetics. Thus, the secretory reserve of the pancreatic beta cell was estimated in insulin-dependent diabetics by measuring changes in peripheral serum immunoreactive C-peptide (IRCP) concentrations in response to intravenous arginine (n = 19; 0.5 g/kg, t = 30 min) or glibenclamide-glucose (n = 6; 2 mg HB 419-0.33 g/kg intravenously). In the majority of "stable" diabetics a small secretory reserve of the beta cell was demonstrated, but both the absolute and relative increase in IRCP was reduced after intravenous arginine or glibenclamide-glucose in comparison with normal controls. In "unstable" diabetics a decreased basal concentration of IRCP, significantly smaller than that seen in "stable" diabetics (p less than 0.01), was accompanied by a complete lack of IRCP release on intravenous arginine administration. Thus, we conclude that the radioimmunological determination of IRCP is of clinical interest in assessing the residual secretory capacity of the beta cell in insulin-dependent diabetics. In revealing a lack of insulin this diagnostic tool seems to detect a group of potentially "unstable" diabetics in need of strict observation, which would minimize the risks of bad metabolic control.


[Beta-blockader, pindolol, in the therapy of angina pectoris; a report on a multicentric controlled study].

68 patients with angina pectoris were treated 14 days with placebo and four weeks with 15 mg/die pindolol (Visken) in a double blind multicenter study. The patients were divided into two groups at random: group I received pindolol/placebo, group II pacebo/pindolol. Pindolol reduced in both groups significantly the number and intensity of angina pectoris attacks and the consumption of nitroglycerin capsules. There was no evidence for a rebound phenomenon after abrupt cessation of pindolol treatment. In the wash out period still a relevant antianginous effect of the beta-blocker could be observed. The oxygen demand of the myocardium was reduced by reduction of systolic blood pressure and heart rate whereas diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged. The tolerance of the preparation was good.


Computer-operated scanning analysis of FITC-labelled measles virus in cell cultures.

FITC-labelled measles virus antigen in infected cells was analysed by computer-operated scanning fluorometry, printed out by a mosaic printer according to a predetermined classification, and by a coordinate-recorder as a perspective image. The three-dimensional print-out of the topographic distribution of antigen accumulations in the cells can be optimized by a variation of the angle of view.


[Progress in the therapy of acute and chronic cardiac insufficiency by means of systemic vasodilators. Studies with prazosin and nitroglycerin].

In acute and chronic left heart failure peripheral resistance is elevated due to increased sympathetic tone. This should compensate the decrease in stroke volume. In the diseased left ventricle however the augmentation of afterload leads to further reduction of stroke volume and to increase of heart size and myocardial oxygen consumption. This vitious cycle may be interrupted by vasodilators. Drugs like nitroglycerin, mainly acting on the venous system, reduce preload and thereby relieve symptoms of pulmonary congestion (backward failure). Phentholamin on the other hand primarily reduces afterload by an action on the resistance vessels and thereby increases cardiac output (forward failure). Nitroprusside has effects on both, the capacity and resistance vessels. So nigroglycerin is the remedy of choice in acute pulmonary edema. Nitroprusside in leftf heart failure in acute myocardial infarction and Phentolamin in acute left ventricular failure due to critical rise in blood pressure. For long term treatment of chronic left heart failure (coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease) hydralazin or prazosin may be used as well as long acting nitrates.


[Dysphagia, diagnostic and therapeutic measures].

Dysphagia is a symptom of organically or functionally conditioned diseases of the oesophagus. In all circumstances it demands an immediate clarification of the etiology considering appropriate therapeutical measures and above all may be first reference to the carcinoma of the oesophagus.


[Therapy of bacterial endocarditis].

The successful treatment of bacterial endocarditis requires a close cooperation to a clinical microbiological laboratory. This performs blood cultures, estimation of sensitivity to the different antibiotics, if anyhow possible also quantitatively, and supervision of therapy by serum bactericidal tests. Synergistic combinations by adding one of the aminoglycosides bring the best chances for therapeutic success. Special advices are given in dependence of the numerous causative bacterial agents. Rare ones are sufficiently taken into consideration. If blood cultures remain negative, empiricial chemotherapy is recommended. Surgical treatment by operative replacement of the infected heart valves and insertion of prosthetic ones is indicated in uncontrolled infection, in severe heart failure caused by valve perforation, and in recurrent embolism. Early interventions have a much better prognosis. Special problems are connected to bacterial endocarditis in prosthetic valves. Bacterial endocarditis in drug addicts is of relatively good prognosis in spite of the frequent complications. Patients with suspicious or evident bacterial endocarditis should be transferred to centers owing sufficient diagnostic and therapeutic experiences.


[Contribution to the formal origin of multiple branched ossifications in the lung].

The observation of multiple ossifications in the lungs as secondary findings of the post-mortem examination of a 62-year-old male with chronic cardiac stasis and emphysema of the lung is reported. Apart from bone nodules larger branched mature bone clasps with marrow caves as well as a in most cases fibromatosis with a small focus which represents the matrix of ossification is represented. Apart from this histologically a hyperaemia with an oedema rich in protein, focal precipitation of protein with formation of a granulation tissue and later fibrosation are to be proved as presteps of nodular fibromatosis which according to the kind of the desmal ossification changes into bones. The chronic haemostasis in the pulmonary circulation is thus apparently of importance in our observation. The case is compared with literature. Up to now about 65 of such observations are reported which nearly exclusively concern old men. The etiology remains unclear.


[Treatment of colitis ulcerosa during pregnancy (author's transl)].

Aggressive pharmacotherapeutic and surgical measures are often contra-indicated in the treatment of colitis ulcerosa in pregnancy. Especially in the sensitive embryonal development phase, the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapeutics and ACTH is considered questionable. The subtotal colectomies and ileostomies often demanded in toxically dramatic colitides place a considerable burden on mother and foetus. A conservative therapeutic regimen, which has been successfully used in more than 80 patients with inflammatory intestinal diseases, was modified to suit the requirements of pregnancy. This is a combination therapy involving parenteral feeding, food which can be absorbed by the intestinal walls, and a suitably adapted pharmacotherapy. In one case of a severe toxic relapse of colitis ulcerosa during early pregnancy, remission was achieved in a patient while fully maintaining the pregnancy.


Postoperative pulmonary complications in upper abdominal surgery. A randomized clinical comparison between physiotherapy and blow-bottles.

Blow-bottles were compared with conventional postoperative pulmonary physiotherapy in a randomized trial of 98 patients undergoing gastric or biliary tract surgery. Radiological evidence of postoperative pulmonary lesions found by "blind" evaluation of the films occurred with the same frequency in the two groups (30.6%). Blow-bottles were found preferable to physiotherapy because they are less time-consuming.


Serum thyroxine, serum % -- T3 -- binding, and serum T3 in Zambians.

Serum total thyroxine (T4) was measured in clinically euthyroid and clinically hyperthyroid subjects, using the method of competitive protein binding. In 26 euthyroid subjects the mean +/- 1SD was 7.7 +/- 1.8 micrograms/dl and in 17 clinically hyperthyroid subjects, the mean +/- 1SD was 18.1 +/- 3.1 micrograms/dl. This difference is statistically significant. Serum % 125(1) -- T3 binding was measured using the principle of competition for 125(1) -- T3 between the unknown serum and the resin in the assay kit. In 18 clinically euthyroid subjects, the mean +/- 1SD was 112.6 +/- 4.4 % while in 14 clinically hyperthyroid subjects the % 125(1) -- T3 binding had a mean +/- 1SD of 71.4 +/- 11%. The difference is statistically significant. Serum total triiodothyronine was measured by radioimmunoassay. In 31 clinically euthyroid subjects the mean +/- 1SD was 146 +/- 19.8 ng/dl while in 19 clinically hyperthyroid sugjects the mean +/- 1SD was 390 +/- 111 ng/dl. This difference is statistically significant. There was a negative correlation which was not statistically significant between the serum T4 and % T3 binding. The measurements of these thyroid function indices were precise.


Cholinergic nerves in blood vessels of the female reproductive system.

Cholinergic innervation of the blood vessels of the female reproductive system was investigated in human by the cholinesterase method. The following results were obtained: 1. The uterine and vaginal arteries are provided with a rich cholinergic innervation. 2. The ovarian, tubaric and ovarian-uterine artery are poorly innervated. 3. The ovarian and uterine vein are not provided with a cholinergic innervation.


Cytochemical visualization of calcium binding to the plasma membrane of L-1210 lymphoid leukaemic cells.

In L-1210 lymphoid leukaemic cells fixed in glutardialdehyde supplemented with CaCl2, calcium-dependent electron dense deposits were detected. The deposits were observed on the extra-cellular surface and were nonfrequent. Abundant deposits were also found at the periphery of lipid globules. The formation of deposits and the possible physiological significance of these findings are discussed.


[Drug-induced influence of the GABA-fluorescence in rat brain structures with some comments on the chemistry of the reaction (author's transl)].

1. GABA was demonstrated in rat brain in fluorescence histochemistry. The alteration by application of submaximal doses of drugs of the distribution and intensity of the transmitter fluorescence was studied in hippocampus and cerebellum. 2. Isonicotinic acid hydrazide and Penicillamine leads to a distinct grain formation and diminishing of the fluorescence product, normally appearing homogenous. These effects are considered to reflect an enzyme (GAD) inhibition. 3. By Cycloserine a distinct increase of the GABA fluorescence is effected, presumably by inhibiting GABA-transaminase-activity. 4. Chloropromazine causes diminishing, grain formation and dislocation as well of the fluorescent product, supposedly due to an affection of the membrane binding properties of GABA. 5. Hypotheses concerning the chemical events of the GABA-reaction are worded.


Trace element localization and changes in zinc and copper concentrations during postnatal development of the rat CNS.

Changes in concentration and localization of the trace metals during postnatal ontogenetic development in the archi-, paleo-, and neurocerebellum, the cortex and the spinal cord of the rat have been studied by means of histochemical and atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis. It has been shown that the trace elements in the different regions of the nervous system become progressively detectable during the postnatal ontogenesis, and in the various structures (PURKINJE cells, pyramidal cells, motoneurons, mossy-fibre terminals) different times are necessary for the attainment of the localization observed in the mature animals. It is suggested that the trace elements may be transported not only intraneuronally, but also from neuron to neuron, from neuron to glia cell, and in the reverse direction, too.