The effect of nitrogen-sparing, intravenously administered fluids on postoperative body composition.

The postoperative protein-sparing effect of intravenously administered amino acids was assessed quantitatively by measuring body composition by multiple isotope dilution. Body composition was determined in two groups of 19 patients each, before and on the fifth day following a major abdominal operation. One group of patients received all of their required fluids and electrolytes as a 5% glucose solution. The second group received an isocaloric infusion of protein as a 5% casein hydrolysate solution. The preoperative body composition of both groups was normal. On the fifth day after operation, the mean body weight had decreased by 2.6 plus or minus 0.6 kg in the glucose group and by 2.0 plus or minus 0.5 kg in the protein group. In the patients receiving glucose, this postoperative weight loss was due to a decrease in both body fat and the lean body mass. The mean body cell mass, which represents the total mass of living, functioning cells, decreased from 23.1 plus or minus 1.5 to 19.9 plus or minus 1.4 kg (P less than 0.001), while the extracellular mass increased from 24.9 plus or minus 0.9 to 27.3 plus or minus 0.9 kg (P less than 0.001). In contrast, in the patients receiving protein, the loss of body weight resulted entirely from a loss of body fat, while the body cell mass and the extracellular mass both remained normal. Therefore protein sparing was achieved by the postoperative infusion of protein.


Ludlow's esophageal diverticulum: a preternatural bag.

In 1764 Dr. Abraham Ludlow communicated to the Society of Physicians the first anatomic and pathophysiological description of an esophageal diverticulum. That report adeptly detailed this esophageal malady and exemplified the perceptive scientific insight spawned by the hunterian investigative spirit of the mid-eighteenth century.


Abnormal lipoprotein appearing in plasma of patients who received a ten percent soybean oil emulsion infusion.

In 42 of 43 surgical patients who received a 10% soybeam oil emulsion (Intralipid), abnormal lipoprotein was detected in their plasma 1 to 2 days after the initial Intralipid infusion. This abnormal lipoprotein was proven to appear as a result of the infusion of soybean oil emulsion regardless of the patient's original diseases, age, sex, liver function, or concomitantly administered solutions. In addition, this abnormal -ipoprotein was found to have various similarities to lipoprotein-X (LP-X) which is found in plasma from patients with obstructive jaundice or familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency. Therefore, this abnormal lipoprotein was tentatively named LP-X--like substance (LP-X-LS). A comparison of the properties of LP-X and LP-X-LS was performed and the following results were obtained: (1) LP-X-LS migrated toward the cathode on Bacto-Agar gel electrophoresis similarly to LP-X; (2) the stability of LP-X and LP-X-LS against heating and freezing were almost equal under various conditions; (3) LP-X-LS could be absorbed by anti--LP-X serum; (4) LP-X-LS existed in low density fraction (d = 1.063) separated by ultracentrifugation from plasma; (5) electron microscopic study of low-density lipoprotein particles from LP-X-LS positive plasma revealed that LP-X-LS had a similar ultrastructure to LP-X. From these results it is suggested that LP-X-LS is an abnormal lipoprotein quite similar to LP-X.


A three month inhalation toxicity study in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) with terbutaline sulfate (Bricanyl).

A study of the subacute toxicity of inhaled terbutaline sulfate was performed in the Squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). 3 groups of monkeys were exposed 1 h daily 7 days/week for 3 months to terbutaline sulfate aerosols at concentrations of 0.039, 0.185 and 0.799 mg terbutaline/litre of air respectively. A fourth group was a chamber control receiving air only. The following clinical parameters were evaluated: physical appearance and behavior, weight gain, ophthalmoscopic appearance, electrocardiograms, hemograms, blood biochemical profiles and urinalyses. At termination necropsies were conducted and organ weights determined. A variety of staining techniques was employed in the histopathological examination of tissues. Special attention was given to heart and lung. The distribution of goblet cells in sections from the main bronchi and trachea was also investigated. Occasionally a few animals in both the intermediate and high dose groups showed small amounts of exudate and frothing around the mouth during exposure to their respective terbutaline aerosols. No other changes that could be attributed to the exposure to terbutaline aerosols were seen in any parameter.


Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on drug metabolism in Japanese quail and its progeny.

PCB (DP5, 1 and 5 mg/female/day, orally for 40 days) induce microsomal hepatic enzymes (cytochrome P-450, aniline hydroxylase, aldrin epoxidase, p-nitroanisole demethylase, p-nitrophenol: UDPGA-transferase) in adult female Japanese quail. Toxicity of dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) is reduced in treated animals. High hepatic activity occurs in young quails issued from treated females, but closely related to residue levels, normal enzyme activities are reestablished within 1 month.


[Therapy in cancer of the male breast (author's transl)].

Six patients with carcinomas of the breast are reported. Bienergetic pendulum irradiation with electrons is applied following surgical treatment in the same manner as with female patients. The possibilities of metastasition treatment are discussed.


[Calculation of the dose for fast electrons using a matrix algorithm (author's transl)].

A formalism for calculation of the dose distributions in the course of irradiation with fast electrons is described. The basis of the procedure are depth dose curves and transversal distributions measured in a homogeneous water phantom. Examples of calculated dose distribution are reported.


Intravenous nitroglycerin in experimental cerebral vasospasm. A preliminary report.

Cerebral arteriospasm is a common complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage and is responsible for much of the brain damage which accompanies it. No pharmacologic agent has been found which regularly alleviates arteriospasm. We have evaluated the effect of continuous intravenous nitroglycerin infusion on the diameter of the basilar artery in dogs with cerebral vasospasm experimentally induced by subarachnoid blood injection. In 6 consecutive dogs, 10 minutes after beginning intravenous nitroglycerin at 100 microgram/min and at other times during 120 minutes of infusion, the diameter of the basilar artery had increased from 75 +/- 2% of control value to 114 +/- 2% of control value (p less than 0.001). In all 6 dogs, the basilar artery diameter during infusion was greater than the control value prior to creating subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intravenous nitroglycerin caused only a moderate (8%) decrease in blood pressure. Further investigation of the effects of nitroglycerin on cerebral vasospasm is warranted.


Serial measurement of cerebral blood flow using external counting of microspheres.

Described is a modified method of measuring organ blood flow which combines the serial injection of a standard dose of microspheres and the external counting of their gamma activity when they are distributed to the tissues. The method produces similar results to measurements of grey matter blood flow by the clearance of 133xenon.


Posterior perforating eye injury. Experimental animal model.

A technique has been developed which produces an experimental posterior perforating eye injury, that reproducibly results in traction retinal detachment. The standard injury is an incision through the pars plana with vitreous prolapse and incarceration; the wound is then carefully closed with microsurgical techniques. It appears that blood in the vitreous is an essential factor in the development of vitreous traction and of traction retinal detachment. The model is considered useful for further histological, electron microscopic, electrophysiological, and ultrasonic studies of posterior perforating eye injuries. In a controlled experiment, it will be possible to assess whether pars plana vitrectomy can interrupt the sequence of events leading to traction retinal detachment after posterior perforating injury.


Ischemic brain edema: comparative effects of barbiturates and hypothermia.

The effect of pentobarbital and hypothermia on the development of ischemic brain edema was studied in 23 rhesus monkeys undergoing transorbital middle cerebral artery occlusion. Fifteen additional animals served as unclipped controls. Regional cortical cerebral blood flow (rCBF), arteriovenous oxygen content difference (AVDO2), and regional cortical metabolic rate of O2 (rCMRO2) were measured hourly until sacrifie 11 hours postocclusion, at which time ischemic cerebral edema was measured. In 8 animals no treatment followed the occlusion, and these developed edema. In 7 animals pentobarbial 14 mg/kg was administered intravenously 30 min after occlusion and 7 mg/kg every 2 hours thereafter. In this group ischemic brain edema was negligible. In 8 animals, hypothermia to 25.9 +/- 0.5 degrees C was started 30 min after occlusion and maintained until sacrifice; ischemic brain edema was not significantly altered from untreated-clipped animals. On the basis that both pentobarbital and hypothermia produced similar changes in rCBF, AVDO2, and rCMRO2, but only pentobarbital prevented edema, it is postulated that the mode of action of barbiturates in preventing ischemic brain edema is not entirely related to their known effect on blood flow and metabolism.


Effect of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin on lymphocyte subpopulations and functions following allotransplantation in the rhesus monkey.

The survival time of skin allografts from RhLA-nonidentical, unrelated donors was increased from a mean of 7.69 days in controls (n = 20) to a mean of 32.53 days in rhesus monkeys (n = 21) receiving a total dose of 250 mg of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (RATG) per kg. Immunological monitoring studies were performed on the peripheral blood of mononuclear cells in control and treated monkeys. After administration of RATG, the percentage of E rosette-forming cells (E-RFC) was greater than 90% depressed, and the percentage of EAC rosette-forming cells was increased 5-fold in the circulation. Significant numbers of RATG-coated cells were detected only during the first week after RATG treatment. The percentage of E-RFC recovered to pretreatment levels within 3 to 4 weeks after RATG treatment, although the absolute E-RFC count remained depressed for 2 to 3 months. In addition, the in vitro proliferative responsiveness to polyclonal mitogens and to allogeneic lymphocytes remained greater than 80% depressed for 2 to 3 months after RATG treatment. The incidence of post-transplant-specific antidonor lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (LMC) was similar in controls (85%) and RATG-treated monkeys (81%), and the appearance of LMC was correlated (r = 0.711) with partial recovery of absolute ERFC counts in the treated group. The appearance and peak of LMC were delayed (P less than 0.001) in RATG-treated monkeys, but preceded and correlated with rejection. Prior to rejection, the serum of RATG-treated monkeys inhibited LMC. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity appeared after rejection in the majority of recipients in both groups. The appearance and peak of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were delayed (P less than than 0.001) in RATG-treated monkeys, but did not exhibit a significant correlation with the time of rejection.


An investigation of allograft tolerance: Discordant reactivity to murine H-Y-incompatible lymphoid cell (PEC) and skin grafts.

The extremely sensitive peritoneal exudate cell (PEC) transfer technique has been applied to an investigation of the immune response of female mice which are "tolerant" of the male antigen. Females rendered tolerant of male skin grafts by multiparity, neonatal inoculation of male spleen cells, or multiple inoculations of adult females with male lymphoid cells displayed second-set reactivity to male PEC while continuing to tolerate H-Y-incompatible skin grafts. Furthermore, this discordant response to male PEC and skin was adoptively transferrable to normal females by spleen cells from multiparous donors. Females rendered tolerant by irradiation and reconstitution with male cells were unresponsive to both H-Y-incompatible skin and PEC grafts. A model is proposed using two male-specific antigens, the response to which is controlled by independent genes.


Ripley-like anti-Rh associated with red blood cell-bound IgG aggregates.

A commercial Rho (D) immune globulin after heating at 63 C became Ripley-like in the Rh-positive red blood cells coated with this heated globulin carried biologic activities similar to those of red blood cells coated with Ripley anti-CD serum. These coated red blood cells fixed complement and were agglutinated by all 20 sera containing rheumatoid factor (RF). The RF-Rh-hemagglutinations were more readily inhibited by heated than by unheated human IgG. The heated globulin had no such effect on Rh-negative red blood cells. Fractionation studies by Na2SO4 precipitation and/or Sephadex G-200 gel filtration revealed that heat-induced IgG aggregates in heated globulin were responsible for the biological activities. In contrast, these activities in Ripley serum were carried by IgG monomers. Another anti-CD serum (Heyman), tested in paralledl, was found to be indistinguishable from Ripley. a pooled RF serum, after multiple adsorptions with red blood cells coated with globulin, lost its agglutination activity to red blood cells coated with Ripley or Heyman serum.


Donor antibody detection using plasma in place of serum.

Twenty-two types of erythrocyte antibodies from 53 individuals were studied for their detectability in serum versus CPD, ACD and EDTA plasms samples. In no specimen thus far tested was there an antibody detectable in serum but not detectable in plasma. These results suggest that blood samples collected in anticoagulant are suitable not only for antigen typing but also for antibody screening.


A new method of antibody elution from red blood cells.

A method of antibody elution from red blood cells using xylene is described. It can be completed in 15 minutes after cell washing and requires no special equipment. For warm antibodies, the eluates prepared were more potent than those prepared by Rubin's ether method. It was as effective as Landsteiner and Miller's heat elution method in investigations of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn. The clinical application of this method in the investigation of hemolytic disease of the newborn, delayed transfusion reaction and autoimmune hemolytic anemia was described.


A rapid tube technique for fetal cell typing.

A modification of Greendyke technique for fetal cell typing is described in which incubation time and quantities of antisera are reduced without affecting the sensitivity of the test.


[Effect of external environmental factors on DNA content in Euglena].

The chromosome number and DNA content in Euglena gracilis cell have been shown by the number of investigators to vary essentially under the influence of some environmental factors (low phosphate and acetate concentrations, density of culture, temperature, light/dark regime, streptomycin treatment). Variability in the nuclear DNA quantity is supposed to be an important peculiarity of the structure and functional activity of the genome of Euglena gracilis.


[Replicon size and rate of DNA replication in the macronucleus of Tetrahymena pyriformis].

The size of replication units (or replicons) measured in Tetrahymena pyriformis GL macronuclear DNA reaches 20--30 microns, according to the two independent methods: DNA fiber autoradiography, and alkaline isokinetic sucrose gradient centrifugation. The synthesis of new DNA fragments--replicons and their subsequent assembly are separated by time intervals (30 min). The rate of DNA synthesis for one fork averaged 0.6--0.7 microns/min. These data were obtained for cells of cultures being both in the expotential phase of growth, and those synchronized by starvation-refeeding. The generation time of T. pyriformis cells, calculated by the increase of the part of labeled nuclei, is almost 2 hours; the synthesis lasts 1 hour. Total amount of replication units in polyploid (polygenomic) Tetrahymena macronucleus is about 3000. Their initiation during S-period is presumably asynchronous.


[Characteristics of DNA in vegetative specimens of Bursaria truncatella].

DNA from Bursaria truncatella was isolated and purified by conventional methods. The DNA base content was calculated from both centrifugation in CsCl and melting. The GC-content is 24%. In CsCl density gradient 3H-DNA is banded as a single peak at a range 1.682--1.688 g/cm3 with the maximum at 1.684 g/cm3. The Tm in 0.12 M FB (pH 6.8) was 79 degrees C. About 50% of DNA seems to be represented by highly repetitive sequences, another 50% being made of single-copy sequences (a preliminary data on DNA-DNA reassotiation kinetics). For the estimation of the molecular weight of DNA, the cells were lysed immediately before the centrifugation, at the surface of the alkaline isokinetic sucrose gradient solution. Two components of DNA were detected with molecular weights 10-10(6) and 100-10(6) daltons. It is likely that these two components belong to the macronuclear DNA, because according to cytophotometrical evidence the DNA content in the macronucleus of B. truncatella is 2500 times as much as that in its micronucleus.


[Amino acid composition and transaminase activity in fish tissues, in a medium containing Cyanophyceae].

The content of free amino acids, activity of aspartate and alanine transaminase, number of sulphydryl groups in fish tissues were studied as affected by lethal amounts (3.2 g/l) of blue-green algae. Blue-green algae have a certain affect on fishes not only by excreting biologically active substances in the process of vital activity and decay but also changing the gas regime of the medium (the oxygen content lowers, the amount of carbon dioxide increases). Under the algae effect the total content of free amino acids in the fish liver, intestine and muscles increases, mainly due to a rise in the content of glutamic acid with threonine and aspartic acid with serine. These changes are most essential in the liver, intestine and are less pronounced in the muscles. Under the effect of blue-green algae the activity of aspartate transaminase increases in the heart, brain and decreases in the intestine. The activity of alanine transaminase enhances in the heart, intestine and brain. The ration value for these enzymes changes significantly in the brain, liver, intestine, but does not differ from the control in the muscles.


[Blood serum proteins during sport training].

Disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, differential temperature-perturbation spectrophotometry radial immunodiffusion were used to study the effect of training on blood serum proteins in bicyclists and athletes in the preparation period and during competitions. A significant increase in the total amount of proteins and albumins in blood serum was found after physical loading. Polymerization of albumin in polyacrylamide gel is observed for highly trained sportsmen at the beginning of the preparation period. It is shown that training loads do not affect the tyrosyl availability in the albumin molecule.


[Stability of Streptomyces griseus carboxypeptidase].

Carboxypeptidase of Str. griseus strain 32-13 is stable during storage at a temperature of 10-15 degrees C. Carbohydrates and glycerol in a concentration of 40-80% as well as 0.01 M of L-amino acid prevent the enzyme from thermoinactivation. Anions, such as phosphate, borate, carbonate and acetate, have their inhibitory effect on carboxypeptidase. After the effect of chelate reagents the enzyme activity restores completely only in the presence of Co2+ and partially in the presence of Ni2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Zn2+.


[ABO system blood groups and the rhesus factor in tumors and tumorlike processes of the ovaries].

Under observation were 175 patients with ovarian tumors and cysts. The distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh factor in relation to this pathology was studied as compared with the control series (2000 healthy females). There was noted an increased probability of the incidence of the majority of the ovarian tumor types among AB blood group females compared with other groups (O, A and B), and just the opposite, the probability of the tumoriform processes incidence in AB group females is considerably less than in other groups. The probability of ovarian tumors malignification proved to be the least in B group females. There is noted a considerably increased relative ovarian tumor and cyst morbidity among Rh-positive females compared with Rh-negative ones.


[Action of secretin on the gastric secretion induced by food stimuli, pentagastrin, histamine and the parenteral administration of casein hydrolysate].

In tests on dogs with innervated and vagus denervated miniature stomaches and gastric fistula the action of secretin on the gastric secretion provoked by food stimulants-pentagastrin, histamine and parenteral introduction of casein hydrolysate was studied. Experiments showed the secretin to produce an inhibiting action only on the 2nd phase of the gastric secretion after feeding on 100 g of meat, depresses secretion, called forth with pentagastrin, but it does not affect the secretion induced by sham feeding, histamine and intravenous administration of casein hydrolysate. Hence, secretin displays specific properties, by arresting only the action of gastrin on the gastric glands.


[Measures to reduce infarct size (author's transl)].

Reduction of infarct size is a concept limited in clinical practice by the long period elapsing before hospital admission. Most patients are admitted only after the critical period of 6 to 8 hours following infarction when it might be possible to save the ischaemic, but not yet necrotic myocardium. Nevertheless, patients with altered haemodynamics and, therefore, a disturbed myocardial balance between oxygen requirement and oxygen supply may benefit from optimum management of the haemodynamic situation. This is achieved primarily by manipulation of preload and afterload and by enhancement of the collateral circulation to the ischaemic myocardium. However, the effects of cardiac surgery are limited by the negative sequelae of late reperfusion 6 hours after coronary ligation. Intra-aortic balloon pumping can be used only in large cardiosurgical centres because most of the so-treated patients remain pump dependent. The described measures have improved the hospitalisation period in patients with acute myocardial infarction, but the further prognosis is dictated by the nature and extent of underlying coronary heart disease.


[Physicochemical properties of the DNA of simian adenovirus type 38].

The sedimentation constant, specific viscosity, and the length of DNA molecule of simian adenovirus type 38 were measured and the molecular weight was estimated. The melting temperature and buoyant densities of this virus DNA in cesium chloride and cesium sulphate density gradients were determined, and the content of GC-pairs was calculated.


[Antigen e and its antibodies in acute serum hepatitis and in persons with a prolonged HBs-antigenemia].

The gel precipitation test was used for examinations of 280 HBsAg-positive patients with jaundiced serum hepatitis and 182 subjects with long-term HBs-antigenemia and various degrees of activity of the pathologic process in the liver, in a coded study. Among the latter, the e-antigen was found in 26.9%, that is twice as frequently than in patients with acute serum hepatitis (14.3%). Particularly frequently (31.1 and 45.2%) the e-antigen was found in children and adults who were assumed to have been the source of SH infection, as well as in infants infected from their mothers during delivery or soon after birth. A certain correlation was found between the rate of detection of the e-antigen and the presence of biochemical changes indicating liver function disorders. Thus, the e-antigen may be a marker of a higher infectivity of the serum and indicate a certain activity of the pathological process. Antibodies to the e-antigen were more frequently found in older age groups and in the absence of biochemical changes in the serum. The e-antigen and antibody to it were detected with similar frequency in infections with subtypes ay and ad of the HBs-antigen.


[Hydrolysis and the inactivation of double-stranded polyribonucleotides by monkey blood serum].

The effect of Macaca rhesus monkey blood serum on double-stranded polyribonucleotide complexes poly (I).poly (C), poly (G).poly (C), and poly (G,I).poly (C) was studied. The poly (I).poly (C) complex was found to be the most sensitive to hydrolysis as indicated by a decrease of the molecular weight, accumulation of acid-soluble products and a sharp decline of the antiviral and interferon-inducing activities in tissue culture after incubation of the complex in the presence of the serum at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. The poly (G).poly (C) complex was the most stable, and retained its original activity in tissue culture and a high molecular weight after 3-hour incubation with the serum. The interferon-inducing activity of all the complexes under study assayed by intravenous injection in a dose of 2 mg to M. rhesus monkeys was similarly low irrespective of their sensitivity to the serum. Conjectural species features of the interferon induction system in monkeys are discussed.


[Effective methods of obtaining antisera to hemagglutinin H3].

Schedules for production of antisera to pure influenza A virus hemagglutinin (H3) in rats and rabbits are described. The antisera prepared in rats were shown to be better than rabbit sera as they had low levels of inhibitors readily eliminated by heating. The best sera were obtained by immunizations of rats into the tail. Both rat and rabbit antisera, in addition to the HI test, can be used satisfactorily in the immunodiffusion test and in radioimmunoassay.


[Oncornavirus D associated antigen in cultured human and animal cells].

A large number of long-term continuous (LTC) and primarily trypsinized (PT) human and animal cell cultures were examined for the presence of a new oncornavirus D-associated antigen. All the PT cultures were found to be free from this antigen as also human diploid cells and LTC cells of man, rabbit, mouse, dog, swine and bat. LTC cells of monkey, bull, and Syrian hamster, however, were found to contain oncornavirus D-associated antigen identical to that previously found in HeLa, HEp-2 and J-96 cells. The detection of oncornavirus D-associated antigen in cells may indicate their infection with this virus.


[Nuclei of the mammillary bodies and their fiber connections in cattle (Bos taurus var. domesticus). I. Nuclei of the mammillary bodies in cattle].

1. In the present neuroanatomic study the topography and cytoarchitectonic of the nuclei of the mamillary body of cattle are described and quantitative-morphologically investigated in 14 series of brains (6 frontal, 4 sagittal and 4 horizontal series, stained by the methods after Nissl, Klüver and Barrera and after Heidenhain). 2. The medial mamillary nucleus of cattle is with an average volume of 47.7 mm3 the largest nucleus of the mamillary body. It contains about 715,000 cells with a cell density of 15,000 cells/mm3 and can cytoarchitectonically be subdivided into a medial part and a lateral part. 3. The median mamillary nucleus is an unpaired and clearly defined nucleus which accounts with an average volume of 16.9 mm3 for a quarter of the whole volume of the nuclei belonging to the mamillary body, however with 11,000 cells/mm3 it shows a relatively small cell density in comparison with the other mamillary nuclei. 4. The lateral mamillary nuclei of cattle are situated in the rostral third of the mamillary body and account for 5.3 per cent of the whole volume of the nuclei. About 28,000 cells with a cell density of 15,000 cells/mm3 were found in each nucleus.


[Nuclei of the mammillary bodies and their fiber connections in cattle (Bos taurus var. domesticus). 2. Fiber connections of the mammillary bodies in cattle].

1. In the present information the course of fibre pathways which are connected with the mammillary body of the cattle is described in 14 series of brains (6 frontal, 4 sagittal, 4 horizontal series, stained by the combined cell-fibre-method after KLUVER and BARRERA and by the method for myelined fibres after HEIDENHAIN). 2. The mammillary body of cattle is connected with four main fibre systems. These are the fornix and the mamillary peduncle as well as the mamillo-thalamic and the mamillo-tegmental tracts. 3. The fornix system first of all represents a rich myelined fibre connection between the hippocampus and the mamillary body. But also fornix fibres entering the poor-myelined regions of the hypothalamus and the mesencephalon have been demonstrated. 4. The mamillary peduncle ascending from the mesencephalon can be traced to the lateral mamillary nucleus. 5. The mamillo-thalamic tract of cattle has its origin in the mamillary body with the mamillotegmental tract associated to a common principal mamillary tract and passes to the complex of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus, while the mamillo-tegmental tract branching off from it curves into the mesencephalon.


[Fe59 studies on the question of rabbit erythrocyte life-span].

The present paper demonstrates a method to separate red cells of different age. The erythrocytes were separated by ultracentrifugation. The validity of this method was examined with radioactive iron (59Fe). During seventy days kinetic studies were performed in liver and spleen. A body scan was used to distinguish liver and spleen by radioactive iron.


Sarcocystinae: nomina dubia and available names.

Examination of the original descriptions of the species of Sarcocystis in cattle, sheep, and swine, and of isosporid oocysts shed sporulated by dogs, cats, man, and other carnivores, has shown that it is not possible in most instances to identify unambiguously recently recognized taxa. The original descriptions are insufficient, and because no type specimens exist, could apply to two or more of the presently recognized taxa. We consider the following nomina dubia: Sarcocystis hirsuta S. miescheriana S. tenella S. cruzi S. bertrami Isospora bigemina (S. bigemina) I. hominis (S. hominis) I. buteonis (Frenkelia buteonis) Because the former type species, Sarcocystis miescheriana, is an indeterminate nomen dubium, we are proposing S. muris as the new type species. Historically, it was the first species described clearly and unambiguously even in the light of present knowledge, and the stages of its life cycle are probably completely known; it was the second species to be named. Old and recent descriptions are reviewed, and definitions are proposed for the following taxa: S. bovifelis S. bovicanis S. bovihominis S. ovifelis S. ovicanis S. muris (type species) S. suihominis S. suicanis S. equicanis Frenkelia microti F. glareoli for which neotypes will be prepared and deposited with designated institutions and curators. A new subfamily, Cystoisosporinae, is created.


[The ferret (Putorius putorius furo), an additional final host of Sarcocystis muris (author's transl)].

Two ferrets were fed mice experimentally infected with Sarcocystis muris. After 7 days they excreted with their faeces for 9 days sporocysts which were morphologically indistinguishable from S. muris sporocysts. Five mice which each received 70 of these sporocysts orally developed macroscopically visible cysts of S. muris in their musculature after 4 months.


Electron microscopical study on gamogony of Sarcocystis suihominis in human tissue cultures.

Sexual stages and oocysts of Sarcocystis suihominis were developed in human tissue cultures and studied with the electron microscope. This development was extremely rapid, being completed about 18--22 h post infection and there were no preceding schizogonic processes, thus confirming the earlier observations that schizogony is obligatorily restricted to the intermediate host in the sarcosporidian life cycle. Micro- and macrogamonts could be distinguished about 12 h post infection and were situated in a parasitophorous vacuole bounded by two membranes. These gamonts reached diameters of up to 10 micrometer. The large nucleus of every microgamont gave rise simultaneously to about 20--30 microgametes. Only dense projections of the nucleus were used as nuclei of microgametes. The microgametes were slender, about 4--5 micrometer long, and several were found to have three flagella, one of which was attached to the body for some distance. Besides these flagella additional microtubules were found and in several cases the attached flagellum was not complete and contained various numbers of single or paired microtubules. The macrogametes were bounded by two membranes and contained two types of inclusions similar to the wall-forming bodies known from the genus Eimeria. The oocysts were bounded by a wall consisting of a dense outer layer and four membranes, under which two other membranes covered the cytoplasm. Beginning from the 22nd h post infection a development similar to sporulation was noted inside these oocysts. This sporulation, i.e., the formation of two sporocysts inside an oocyst, was, however, not completed, probably due to the rapid degeneration of the parasitized host cell. The oocyst itself even appeared intact five days later.


Calculation of likelihood ratio y/x in diagnosis of paternity using computer methods.

A new computational method using a Monte Carlo technique is described for the calculation of plausibility of paternity in blood group systems. In this study gene frequencies of a blood group system are simulated by the range of the seven digit random numbers. By using a Monte Carlo method, four random numbers are generated and converted into paternal and maternal genotypes. Then the genotype of the child is determined according to the law of inheritance, and finally genotypes of the father, mother and child are converted into phenotypes. Repeating this process more than one hundred thousand times, the phenotypic frequencies of child-mother-father combinations (trio) and the likelihood ratio of paternity in any blood group system are calculated for all phenotypic combinations of the trios. This method is much easier than methods reported previously, and is sufficiently accurate.


[Rearrangement of the spatial synchronization of the stratified activity of the cortex during the orienting response and upon stimulation of the nuclei of the brain stem reticular formation and mammillary bodies].

In experiments on alert rabbits it was shown with the help of correlational-spectral method that the rearrangement in the spatial organization of the activity of the first and the fifth layers in the visual and motor cortical zones during orienting reflex and high-frequency stimulation of reticular formation nuclei (NRP and NRT) is of the same type. The synchroneity in the activity of motor zone layers and the fifth layers of different areas increases in parallel. At the same time in the spectra of layer activity high-coherence theta-rhythm increases simultaneously. The data obtained permit to assume that specific rearrangement in the synchroneity of biopotentials of the studied layers during orientation reflex is due to influences of the reticular formation. The effect of mammillary bodies stimulation proved to be less effective.


Generation rates of faecal streptococci in various vehicles.

Potassium tellurite media gave the highest detrimental effects on the generation number of all tested faecal streptococci species. This applies to all investigated vehicles. However, drastic tellurite effects became more conspicuous with certain vehicles than with others. This is particularly true with acid and alkaline foods and water, especially with strains like Streptococcus bovis, Str. faecium, and Str. durans. Again, tellurite becomes more influencial with regard to old cells rather than young cells in the logarithmic phase. On the other hand, the use of thallous acetate as a concentration agent secured better results than either the tellurite or azide almost with all tested vehicles. Yet, sodium azide may be regarded as holding an intermediate position between tellurite and thallous acetate in terms of vehicles, Streptococcus species, and age of pollution. A lower number of generation resulted with all tested faecal streptococci species, using liquid media bearing more than one concentrating agent. This applied to water and milk examination.


Further studies on the competence development in exponentially growing cultures of Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis, growing in Bott and Wilson's medium, develops two peaks of competence in batch cultures. The first maximum developed during the exponential growth phase and it has been studied comparatively with the competence level reached in continuous culture at Dt = 2.5 h. In both cases, 100 microgram/ml of arginine inhibited competence. Continuous cultures treated with arginine recovered competence specifically after the addition of Mn2+. In addition, a reduction in the synthesis of aconitase and fumarase was observed in the arginine-inhibited continuous cultures.


Effect of some agents on the activity of cell-free progesterone 11 alpha-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase from Aspergillus niger 12Y.

The effect of some agents on the activity of cell-free progesterone 11 alpha-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase from Aspergillus niger 12Y was studied. Calcium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate, and EDTA inhibited 11 alpha-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase, while mercuric chloride inhibited only 11 alpha-hydroxylase. Inhibition of both the enzymes was also brought about by iodine, p-chloromercuribenzoate, iodoacetic acid, maleic acid, and cystine as well as potassium ferricyanide for 11 alpha-hydroxylase. Reduced glutathione and cysteine-HCl brought about activation of 11 alpha-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase. The probability of the presence of reactive sulfhydryl groups in the active sites of both enzymes was discussed. Urea inhibited both fungal progesterone hydroxylases, probably due to enzyme protein denaturation.


Postnatal development of resistance against infection in an experimental model.

The postnatal development of resistance against infection was monitored by the treatment of juvenile mice with a virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes. It could be shown that until day 10 after birth, young mice succumbed to an infection with even minimal doses of bacteria. Between day 15 and 30, the resistance against infection gradually increases until the rather constant level of grown-up animals is reached (Fig. 1). Juvenile mice that survive the primary infection are able to build up a state of immunity, which is rather similar to that of grown-up mice (Fig 3). Immunity against L. monocytogenes is mainly expressed by a functionally active T-cell system; the maturity of these cells in 15 days old mice could be demonstrated by the transfer of cells to "nude"-mice, which lack a thymus (Fig. 4). A significant increase of the non-specific resistance can be achieved even in 10 days old mice by the injection of adjuvants like pertussis organisms or endotoxin of Salmonella typhi some days before infection (Fig. 5, Fig. 6). Our findings suggest that a deficiency of functionally active macrophages is responsible for the insufficient resistance against infection with L. monocytogenes in young mice.


[Pseudomonas aeruginosa in swimming pool waters (author's transl)].

During the year 1977 we examined 2226 samples of swimming pool waters for colony counts, Escherichia coli and coliforms according to the German standards for drinking water. In addition, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated out from 180 of those samples. This microorganism was found in 4.7% of samples from public municipal swimming pools, in 4.1% from swimming pools in schools, in 13.1% from swimming pools in hotels, boarding-houses, hydropathic establishments, sanatoria, blocks of flats and private dwellings as well as in 38% (!) from swimming pools in hospitals. P. aeruginosa could rarely be isolated together with E. coli or coliforms. However, it was often found in samples, which were faultless according to the bacteriological standards for drinking water. Its necessity as an additional important hygienic parameter will be discussed.


Pathology of brain tumors with relation to prognosis.

In a brief survey, the classification of cerebral tumours preferred at present is dealt with (WHO classification Geneva 1976) and the prognostic relation is established for the various cases. Special consideration is devoted to the questions of the conformity of the histologic picture, grading by means of microscopic examination, and the tendency of certain tumours to become malignant and their relapses. The statistical frequency of occurrence of the various kinds of tumours and their preferred localisation are also discussed.


[Lactic acid bacteria and streptococci of the human stomach normally and in pathological processes].

Lactic acid bacteria were either absent or present in negligent quantities in the stomach of apparently healthy man. But in case of various pathological processes in the stomach and duodenum lactic acid bacteria accumulated (up to a million cells per 1 ml of gastric contents). Under these conditions coccal forms sharply prevailed over the bacillary ones. In patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach the most frequent were Streptococcus faecalis and its variants; in oncological patients--Str. faecium, strains affiliated to Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and sometimes Str. durans.


The evolution of sexual reproduction as a repair mechanism. Part I. A model for self-repair and its biological implications.

The theory is presented that the sexual process is a repair mechanism which maintains redundancy within the sub-structure of hierarchical, self-reproducing organisms. In order to keep the problems within mathematically tractable limits (see Part II), a simple model is introduced: a wheel with 6 spokes, 3 of them vital and 3 redundant, symbolizes the individual (cell or organism). Random accidents destroy spokes; the wheels replicate at regular cycles and engage periodically in pairing and repair phases during which missing spokes are copy-reproduced along the intact spokes of the partner wheel. The hierarchical structure of such a system is analysed and an 'autonomous unit' is defined: this is the unit of minimal hierarchical complexity which is capable of perpetuating autonomously all higher and all lower levels of the hierarchy; this is the central unit of selection. Four basic, physical parameters are isolated which determine the essential features of any eucaryotic life cycle: 1. The number of levels of the hierarchy (unicellular, multicellular, colonial, etc.); 2. the relation between the phases of replication (asexual generations) and repair (sexual generations); 3. the duration of potential repair (haplo-diplo-phase); 4. the position of the sexual partners within the hierarchy (selfing, monecy, dioecy, reproductive individuals within colonies, etc.). The evaluation of fitness components is considered in relation to trends of reproductive patterns in evolution.


The evolution of sexual reproduction as a repair mechanism. Part II. Mathematical treatment of the wheel model and its significance for real systems.

The dynamics of populations of self-replicating, hierarchically structured individuals, exposed to accidents which destroy their sub-units, is analyzed mathematically, specifically with regard to the roles of redundancy and sexual repair. The following points emerge from this analysis: 1. A population of individuals with redundant sub-structure has no intrinsic steady-state point; it tends to either zero or infinity depending on a critical accident rate alpha c. 2. Increased redundancy renders populations less accident prone initially, but population decline is steeper if alpha is greater than a fixed value alpha d. 3. Periodic, sexual repair at system-specific intervals prevents continuous decline and stabilizes the population insofar as it will now oscillate between two fixed population levels. 4. The stabilizing sexual interval increases with increased complexity provided this is accompanied by appropriate levels of redundancy. 5. The model closely simulates the dynamics of heterosis effects. 6. Repair fitness is a population fitness: the chance of an individual being repaired is a function of the statistical make-up of the population as a whole at the particular period. Populations living at alpha greater than alpha c either engage in sexual repair at the appropriate time or they die out. 7. The mathematical properties of the model illustrate mechanisms which possibly played a role in the evolution of a mortal soma in relation to sexual reproduction.


Shape: its development and regulation capacity during embryogenesis.

Although several theoretical approaches consider general methods for dealing with shape, recent observations and experimental data show that embryos exhibit marked changes in the properties of the biological material involved in shape development and shape regulation capacity. In vivo experiments have shown that the amphibian embryo gradually develops from a situation in which it is not able to maintain its shape to one in which it can not only maintain its shape but also possesses a maximal tolerance towards deformation together with a maximal shape regulation capacity. So far two especially clear conclusions have emerged: (i) the form of the embryo appears to be determined by cell activities intrinsic to each stage, and (ii) the morphogenetic programme can be executed normally within wide limits notwithstanding dramatic deformations of the embryo during quite a long period. Thus the hypothesis may be advanced that shape and morphogenesis to some extent become independent phenomena during embryonic development.


Darwin's evolutionary philosophy: the laws of change.

The philosophical or metaphysical architecture of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is analyzed and discussed. It is argued that natural selection was for Darwin a paradigmatic case of a natural law of change -- an exemplar of what Ghiselin (1969) has called selective retention laws. These selective retention laws lie at the basis of Darwin's revolutionary world view. In this essay special attention is paid to the consequences for Darwin's concept of species of his selective retention laws. Although Darwin himself explicity supported a variety of nominalism, implicit in the theory of natural selection is a solution to the dispute between nominalism and realism. It is argued that, although implicit, this view plays a very important role in Darwin's theory of natural selection as the means for the origin of species. It is in the context of these selective retention laws and their philosophical implications that Darwin's method is appraised in the light of recent criticisms, and the conclusion drawn that he successfully treated some philosophical problems by approaching them through natural history. Following this an outline of natural selection theory is presented in which all these philosophical issues are highlighted.


Effects of steroids on Tetrahymena.

Phagocytosis of Tetrahymena is inhibited by prednisolone-sodium-succinate and deoxy-corticosterone-glucoside, and stimulated by dexamethasone and prednisolone. Dexamethasone and estradiol enter the cells and are localized first in food vacuoles, and later on in the cytosol. They were never found in the nucleus. The demonstration by biochemical methods of a specific glucocorticoid binding protein failed in all three subcellular fractions examined.


Demonstration of triiodothyronine binding sites of Tetrahymena by a new scanning autoradiography method.

Binding of 125I-triiodothyronine to the surface of Tetrahymena was studied by scanning autoradiography. Specific binding sites were found which were confined to cilia and the mouth region. The experiments contribute new data to the phylogenesis of the membrane pattern.


Pituitary-thyroid function in spironolactone treated hypertensive women.

Four weeks high dose spironolactone treatment (Aldactone Searle, 100 mg q. i. d.) significantly enhanced the TSH (delta max. 8.5 +/- 4.1 vs. 4.6 +/- 3.1 microunits/ml, P less than 0.05) and T3 (delta max. 32 +/- 27 vs. 11 +/- 16 ng/100 ml, P less than 0.05) responses to an intravenous TRH/LH-RH bolus injection in 6 eumenorrhoeic euthyroid hypertensive women, without affecting basal serum TSH, T3 or T4 levels or the basal and stimulated LH, FSH and prolactin values (P greater than 0.10). The mean serum testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and oestradiol levels were also similar before and during therapy. Spironolactone, possibly by virtue of its antiandrogenic action, may exert its enhancing effect on pituitary-thyroid function by modulating the levels of receptors for TRH in the thyrotrophs or by altering the T3 receptor in the pituitary permitting a greater response to TRH.


Morphometric analysis of macronuclei and macronuclear fragments in autogamous cultures of Paramecium aurelia.

The general pattern of ultrastructural organization of macronuclear fragments which appear during autogamous changes of the nuclear apparatus of Paramecium aurelia is similar to that observed in undisturbed macronuclei. Morphometric analysis of electron-micrographs reveals, however, that only the nucleolar relative surface area remains unchanged in macronuclear fragments as compared with macronuclei, this suggesting the same intensivity of rRNA synthesis in them. Moreover, there exists, between the relative surface area covered by heterochromatin and the nucleoli in macronuclear fragments, an inversely proportional, statistically significant correlation, different than that calculated for macronuclei. The relative surface area of heterochromatin in macronuclear fragments is smaller than in macronuclei, what may be a sign either of enhancement of chromatin activity or of proceeding nuclear lysis.


[Evidence and estimation of immunoglobulins in human nasal mucosa and nasal fluid--a study towards age dependence (author's transl)].

The localization of IgA, IgG and IgM in healthy human nasal mucosa in relation to age--a fluorescence-microscopic study as well as simultaneous quantitative estimation of these immunoglobulins in nasal fluid. These investigations confirm the dominant role of IgA. The IgA concentrations decreases with age. IgG concentration is nearly independent of age. IgM scarlely existing in normal human mucosa and nasal fluid.


Validation of I.V. small-dose insulin infusion therapy in diabetic ketoacidosis of depancreatized dogs.

A validation of small-dose insulin infusion therapy was studied by the constant i.v. infusion of various doses of insulin into ketoacidotic depancreatized dogs. Constant insulin infusion of 5 x B, 10 X B, 30 X B and 50 X B (B = 225 microunit/kg/min) was performed for 3 h by mechanical pump. The following results were obtained: (1) plasma concentrations of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) increased proportionally to the dose of infused insulin, but the higher IRI did not result in a greater fall in plasma glucose concentration, correspondingly; the mean rate of fall in plasma glucose concentration of 5 x B was not significantly lower than that of 50 x B; beta-hydroxybutyrate and arterial pH improvements were observed in each group during the 3-h insulin infusion. These data suggested that for the improvement of diabetic ketoacidosis, the insulin infusion rate of more than 30 x B, which raised the plasma IRI levels above the physiological range, was not essential; (2) the necessity of potassium supplementation during the small-dose insulin infusion was suggested if the pre-treatment level of serum potassium was low. These results confirmed that in the absence of infection or severe acidosis small-dose insulin infusion therapy is as effective as the conventional large-dose insulin therapy.


Myofibril content of histochemical fibre types in rat skeletal muscle.

A modification of the histochemical method for myosin ATPase was used to determine the myofibril complement, mean myofibril size and myofibrillar packing of defined muscle fibre types in rat skeletal muscle. Fast muscle fibres (Types IIA and IIB) were found to have smaller myofibrils and a lower packing density than slower (Type I) fibres. These findings were discussed with respect to their relevance in estimations of muscle strength from histological and histochemical preparations of muscle cross-sections.


A protein reminiscent of the epidermal SH-protease inhibitor occurs in squamous epithelia of man and rat.

The occurence of the human and rat epidermal SH-protease inhibitors in various human and rat tissues was studied by double radial immunodiffusion against specific antisera to the inhibitors. An immunoreactive protein was found in the extracts prepared from human and rat epidermis and from eosophageal and vaginal squamous epithelia, and from rat pro-ventricular squamous epithelium. No immunoreactive protein was found in man or rat in any other of their tissues, studied by us. The results strongly suggest that a protein reminiscent of the human or rat epidermal SH-protease inhibitor is present in squamous epithelia but not in other tissues. The identity of the epidermal inhibitor and the immunoreactive protein in the other squamous epithelia was confirmed by immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and gel chromatography, and by immunoinhibition of the papain inhibiting activity of the human epidermal and oesophageal inhibitors by gammaglobulins separated from antiserum to the human epidermal inhibitor.


[Detection of light chains of warm-type autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia with the aid of an autoanalyzer].

A method was evolved for detection of light chains of erythrocyte autoantibodies using a Technicon II AutoAnalyser with properly selected dilutions of bromelin and methylcellulose and anti-kappa and anti-lambda sera. It was demonstrated that the method is superior to the direct Coombs test because it made possible detection of one or both light chains in warm autoantibodies coating the erythrocytes of 20 patients with autoimmunohaemolytic anaemias in whom they could not have been detected by the manual method. It was found that in warm-type autoantibodies light chains can be detected always and that in some cases only one light chain is found.


Localization of the human SH-protease inhibitor in the epidermis. Immunofluorescent studies.

Human epidermis contains a low molecular weight SH-protease inhibitor (Human Epidermal Inhibitor = HEI), whose epidermal localization was performed with the indirect immunofluorescence method. The fluorescence was most intensive in the cytoplasms of epidermal cells, often occurring perinuclearly. The fluorescent material in the frozen sections was often finely granular and occasionally extended outside the cytoplasm, while the fluorescence in fixed sections was more uniform, but weaker. Stratum basale generally stained poorly or not at all, as did also stratum lucidum. Stratum corneum stained fairly intensively throughout. In addition to fixation, the outcome of staining was also affected by the thickness of the epidermis, particularly stratum corneum. The significance of this inhibitor for the differentiation of epidermal cells and the keratinization of epidermis has therefore been discussed, and the authors assume it to be of considerable significance in these processes.


Ischemia and post-ischemic regeneration of the small intestinal mucosa. An enzyme-histochemical investigation.

After ligation of the vascular arcades of the upper jejunum in rats, the ischemic damage to the intestinal mucosa and its regenerative behavior after ischemia lasting 120 minutes were investigated with histological and enzyme-histochemical methods. During the ischemic injury of the jejunal mucosa, there is rejection of hydropically swollen epithelial cells into the intestinal lumen advancing from the tip to the base of the villi without a previously detectable loss of activity of the enzymes investigated. At the end of ischemia lasting 120 minutes, there is complete destruction of the villi as well as the upper portions of the crypts. After rapid re-epithelialization of the mucosal surface by a flat epithelium, reformation of villi begins already after a 24 h period of regeneration. On the third day of regeneration, the intestinal mucosa has plump villi again. Their epithelia already show the morphological characteristics of mature enterocytes. On the other hand, enzymatic maturation of the enterocytes is only concluded between the first and second week of regeneration. An altered proliferation kinetics of the crypt epithelia due to the repair process is discussed as cause of this delayed enzymatic maturation of the enterocytes relative to the morphological differentiation. Although the intestinal mucosa has a regular villous structure again after regeneration lasting 8 days, enzyme histochemical finding in the lamina propria indicate that the process of repair is only complete here in the sixth week of regeneration.


The influence of glycol methacrylate (GMA) and paraffin embedding on freeze substituted and fixed tissues for enzyme histochemistry.

The influences of paraffin and GMA-embedding on acid phosphatase, esterase and beta-glucuronidase activity of differently fixed or freeze substituted rat livers were studied. 1. Embedding generally causes a reduction of the enzyme activities but improves considerably the quality of the microscopical pictures when compared with appropriate cryostat sections. Embedding therefore may serve as a very useful tool for detail studies on the cytological level. 2. The embedding media act differently on the reactive sites: a. Paraffin causes a heavy denaturation of the enzyme activity in lysosomes but preserves the activities of the ergastoplasmic (= "microsomal") enzymes. The degree of denaturation increases with increasing embedding temperature. b. GMA-embedding delivered opposite effects by preserving lysosomal activities and quenching endoplasmic enzymes. UV-polymerization of GMA causes a general inactivation of enzymes. 3. The histochemical reactivity of substrates such as glycogen was not influenced by the embedding. However, its most natural localization is achieved by freeze drying or isopropanol freeze substitution followed by GMA-embedding.


Histochemical and chronobiological studies on uptake of L-DOPA by granulocytes--its promotion and suppression.

The uptake capacity of granulocytes for L-DOPA was investigated from the aspect of histochemistry and chronobiology. For a histochemical research, modified FALCK-HILLARP method for catecholamine, CORRODI's test for identification of L-DOPA and an electron microscopical survey of glycogen particles were carried out. For a chronobiological research, daily and seasonal changes in the uptake of L-DOPA by granulocytes were examined with blood smear method of the authors. From this experiment, following points became clear; 1. The uptake capacity of granulocytes for L-DOPA varies with a clock-time and a season judging from fluorescent intensity and tincture of granulocytes. 2. The uptake capacity of granulocytes for L-DOPA was suppressed by major tranquilizers especially haloperidol, and by lithium carbonate, while the uptake was enhanced by prednisolone, dexamethasone, MK-486, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. 3. The electron opacity of glycogen particles in granulocytes weakened significantly after the administration of L-DOPA. Isoproterenol had also a similar effect, but the effect of the former was superior to that of the latter under the authors' conditions. Haloperidol inhibited strongly the decrease of glycogen caused by L-DOPA. 4. DOPAmine was hardly uptaken by granulocytes in general. Glycogen in granulocytes did not show a marked decrease after the administration of DOPAmine. 5. From the evidence mentioned above, glycogen content in granulocytes was assumed to be closely associated with the uptake of monoamine by granulocytes.


UV versus chemical polymerization of glycol methacrylate (GMA) in enzyme histochemistry.

The influence of the mode of polymerization of GMA on the enzyme activities of differently fixed rat livers was studied. It was found that with increasing time of UV-polymerization several enzyme activities were inhibited whereas chemical polymerization was comparatively less harmful. The histochemical reactivity of substrates such as glycogen was not impaired by the mode of polymerization, which is in contrast to the increased basophilia of DNA and RNA after UV-polymerization.


Immunohistochemical analysis of formaldehyde- and trypsin- or pepsin-treated material.

Immunohistochemical studies of paraffin sections of formaldehyde-fixed material and formaldehyde-fixed cryostat sections treated with trypsin or other enzymes were undertaken. Formaldehyde treatment resulted mostly in partial or total loss of antigenicity, as visualized by fluorescent antibody technique in tissue sections. The digestion of sections with trypsin resulted usually in total or partial restitution of antigenicity, previously altered with formaldehyde. This effect is suggested to consist primarily in breaking formaldehyde-induced intermolecular cross-links. Restitution of antigenicity altered by formaldehyde can also be achieved on using pepsin or other proteolytic enzymes, or by some other technique. When the effect of one enzyme proves insufficient, it can readily be complemented by the action of another enzyme applied subsequently. Mild trypsin treatment preserves well the morphological structure of most tissues.


Histochemical technique to detect choline-containing lipids.

An almost specific and highly sensitive technique to detect histochemically choline-containing lipids is proposed. This technique is based on the effect of Hg++ and phosphomolybdic ion on the choline, that yields insoluble complexes able to react with diphenylcarbazide producing a deep blue or violet stain. The specificity and the sensitivity of this technique was investigated on filter paper strips loaded with choline-containing lipids, choline-free lipids, steroids, vitamins, proteins or choline hydrochloride. The results show that the choline-containing substances react positively. The choline-free substances react negatively except calciferol and vitamin A that show weakly positive results. This technique used on tissue sections appears very suitable to histochemical purposes.


[The participation of phenol-(DOPA-)oxidase containing cells (POZ) with the delayed hypersensitivity. (Preliminary report) (author's transl)].

With the aid of histochemical techniques phenol-(DOPA-)oxidase containing cells were detected in the skin, liver, spleen, small intestine and blood of guinea-pigs. The number of these cells is considerably increased in the connective tissue of the skin during the delayed hypersensitivity reaction which was provoked by an intracutaneous injection of cartilage antigen in guinea-pigs immunized with the same antigen.


[Computerized scanning analyses of FITC-labelled microscopic slides (author's transl)].

FITC-labelled virus antigen was analysed in infected cells by means of scanning-fluorometry. According to the predetermined classification the values were computerized and printed out by a mosaic printer or by a coordinate-recorder as a profile graph or a perspective image. The total impression of the 3 dimensional print-out of the quantificated topographic distribution of antigen accumulations within the cells can be optimated by variation of the angle of view.


Does visual deprivation in adult animals affect macromolecular metabolism in visual neurons?

Two-wave-length visible cytospectrophotometry of gallocyanin-stained sections has shown that 30-day-long visual deprivation in adult rats results in an augmentation of RNA content per cell in the neurons of all cell layers in visual cortex. Light stimulation which in normally reared rats brought about an accumulation of RNA in visual cortex neurons gave rise in light-deprived animals to a disappearance of the deprivation-induced increase of neuronal RNA content. In retina ganglion neurons, RNA content per cell was not changed after the visual deprivation as well as after the illumination of the deprived rats although in normal animals this stimulation evoked an increase of RNA content in the retina neurons. The conclusion is made about marked alterations in macromolecular metabolism induced by a long-term hypoactivity in central and peripheral visual neurons of adult animals.


Constant and flickering light stimulations produce similar effects on RNA content in visual cells.

Adult male rats were illuminated for 2 h with a constant or flickering light of 40 Lx intensity; frequency of flickering was 2 Hz. By means of two-wave-length visible cytospectrophotometry of gallocyanin-stained sections, it was shown that the light stimulation resulted in a marked RNA accumulation in retina ganglion neurons and in the neurons of all the cell layers of visual cortex (with the only exception of the layer VI). In the cells of perineuronal glia, a decrease of the RNA content per cell was found in the retina while no changes were observed in the visual cortex. Effects of constant and flickering light stimulations were qualitatively and quantitatively similar.


Brain stem, cerebellum and diencephalon of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The gross anatomy and the internal structure of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) brain stem, cerebellum and diencephalon are described based on the observations made on the material obtained from 10 adult animals (native name: sagui). 5 brains were used for gross anatomical observations; the other 5 brains, included in toto in celloidin, were cut into serial sections, properly stained and used for comparative studies of the internal structure. Only general descriptions are given considering this part of the encephalon because, in further papers, it is intended to go on describing in details the nervous system of this small primate, very common in Brazilian jungles and easily domesticated. It shows to be a very good and inexpensive animal for neurophysiological experiments.


The brain of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The gross anatomy and the internal structure of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) brain are described based on the observations made on the material obtained from 10 adult animals (native name: sagui). 5 brains were used for gross anatomical observations; the other 5 brains, included in toto in celloidin, were cut into serial sections, properly stained and used for comparative studies of the internal structure. Only general descriptions are given considering the brain because, in further papers, it is intended to go on describing in details the nervous system of this small primate, very common in Brazilian jungles and easily domesticated. It shows to be a very good and inexpensive animal for neurophysiological experiments.


Lysosomal hydrolases in CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The activities of acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase have been measured in 171 samples of cerebrospinal fluid from 104 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. The mean level of activity of these enzymes was lower than of controls. Patients who had the first or second bouts had somewhat higher activity of these enzymes compared to controls. The lowest values of these enzymes were found in patients with severe disability. Patients with late onset of the disease had higher levels of the enzymes compared to patients with an earlier debut of the illness, whereas patients with a short history had higher values than patients with a longer duration.


Anatomical basis of variability in injuries of the medial malleolus and the deltoid ligament. I. Anatomical studies.

An anatomical study of the medial malleolus and the deltoid ligament of the ankle on fresh and formalin preserved legs of cadavera and amputation specimens has been carried out. The anterior and posterior colliculi, and the intercollicular groove of the medial malleolus were described. The deltoid ligament was found to have two layers: the superficial, attached primarily to the anterior colliculus, consisted of the naviculotibial, calcaneotibial, and superficial talotibial ligaments; the deep layer consisted of the deep anterior and posterior talotibial ligaments and was attached primarily to the posterior colliculus and the intercollicular groove. These findings are at variance with previous descriptions of the deltoid ligament.


Anatomical basis of variability in injuries of the medial malleolus and the deltoid ligament. II. Clinical studies.

The anatomical concept of the deltoid ligament as being attached to the anterior colliculus of the medial malleolus by its superficial portion, and to the posterior colliculus by its deep portion has been applied to a clinical material. A number of singular and concurrent lesions of the medial malleolus and the deltoid ligament were recognized: fracture of the anterior colliculus, concurrent fracture of the anterior colliculus and rupture of the deep posterior talotibial ligament, fracture of the posterior colliculus, supracollicular fracture, rupture of the deltoid ligament, and chip fracture of the anterior colliculus. The clinical implications of these lesions are discussed.


Haemagglutination by Staphylococcus saprophyticus and other staphylococcal species.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus was found to differ from Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus by its ability to agglutinate sheep erythrocytes. On testing 30 strains of each species, 28 strains of S. saprophyticus and one strain each of the other two species, caused agglutination. Twenty-eight of 30 strains of staphylococcus cohnii and Staphylococcus xylosis failed to cause haemagglutination. The haemagglutinating activity of S. saprophyticus, when using a 10 per cent bacterial suspension was demonstrated in dilutions of 1:2-1:32. It was reduced twofold, at most, when exposing the bacteria to 56 degrees C for 30 minutes, while no agglutination could be demonstrated after treatment for 10 minutes at 86 degrees C. No haemagglutination could be demonstrated after treatment of the bacteria with  5 per cent solution of trypsin. Treatment of S. saprophyticus with 0.1 M EDTA did not affect the haemagglutinating activity, whereas exposure of the bacteria to 10 per cent trichloroacetic acid reduced the activity. The haemagglutination was D-mannose-resistant, and it was inhibited by homologous rabbit antiserum. The agglutinates dispersed when heated at 45-56 degrees C for 30 minutes. A few of the strains of S. saprophyticus tested also agglutinated human, bovine, and guinea pig erythrocytes.


Complete and incomplete Ibc protein fraction in group B streptococci.

The Ibc protein fraction of group B streptococci was isolated from the type Ib strain H36B, the type Ic strain A909, and the type Ic strain 335, and examined against antisera by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. The fraction from the Ib strain and one of the Ic strains (A909) contained two antigens or groups of antigens, called the alpha and beta antigens, respectively. Strain 335 produced the alpha but not the beta antigen. This was also the case with three other group B isolates previously classified as type Ic. One type II and one type III strian produced both antigens. The results suggest that group B streptococci producing the Ibc fraction can be subdivided further on the basis of the antigens that are present in that fraction.


Experimental acute salpingitis in grivet monkeys provoked by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases. Recently it has been shown that chlamydiae are also responsible for complications to such lower genital tract infections. In this study, isolates of C. trachomatis from the fallopian tubes of patients with acute salpingitis were inoculated direct into the fallopian tubes of two, and through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity of one grivet monkey. The experimental infections resulted in a self-limited acute salpingitis in the three animals. C. trachomatis was recovered from the monkeys 2 and 3 weeks post inoculation. As found at laparotomy, the infected tubes were swollen and reddened, and there was watery exudate in the abdominal ostia. Microscopically, cellular infiltrates--mainly lymphocytes--were seen in the mucosa, muscularis and subserosa of the tubes. Serologically, a primary antibody response with an IgM to IgG conversion was found. Salpingitis did not occur in a control monkey inoculated in the tubes with a medium lacking Chlamydia. The histological changes in the fallopian tubes of the infected monkeys were reminiscent of those described as being characteristic of "gonococcal" salpingitis in man. The fulfilment of Koch's postulates in the animal model used adds to the earlier evidence that C. trachomatis is capable of causing acute salpingitis in humans.


Antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus in human sera from the western coast of Norway.

Sera from 341 individuals living in the distribution area of the tick Ixodes recinus were tested for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) antibodies by HAI and gel diffusion. Kaolin treatment was unreliable for the removal of non-specific HAI inhibitors. Seven sera positive after this treatment were shown to be negative after acetone extraction/flotation centrifugation. The antibody prevalence rate was 19.6%. Seventy-one % of the sera had titres greater than or equal to 40. The prevalence rate decreased with age. Some sera with low HAI titres could be confirmed by a sensitive Ouchterlony technique, while some with high titres could not, even after ten-fold concentration. Clinical information obtained retrospectively regarding patients with high antibody titres revealed some cases consistent with a TBE virus infection. Antibody prevalence rates indicate that TBE virus is more active than Uukuniemi and Kemorovo group virus in tick-infested areas. Mixed foci of these viruses have been indicated by serological findings and virus isolations.


Precipitation of streptococcal peptidoglycan by human sera: influence of anti-immunoglobulins.

Antibodies to streptococcal peptidoglycan (PG) were detected by gel-precipitation in 38% of sera from blood donors and in 71% of sera with a Waaler-Rose test titre of greater than or equal to 1:64. Twenty-six rheumatoid arthritis sera revealed patterns of interference with complete or partial fusion between PG and aggregated human IgG while none of the sera precipitating both these preparations showed non-interference. The reactions were interpreted as denoting interference between the PG-antibody complexes and aggregated IgG. Conversion of some non-precipitating blood donor sera to PG precipitation was obtained by addition of isolated rheumatoid factor, in itself not precipitating PG, to the sera. Thus, the high frequency of PG precipitation among rheumatoid arthritis sera could--at least in part--be attributed to the participation of anti-IgG in the reaction.


Clinical significance of duodenal diverticula and value of hypotonic duodenography.

In 24 patients duodenal diverticula were found by means of hypotonic duodenography. Nineteen of these patients had also undergone a conventional barium examination, but with that procedure the diverticula were revealed in only 8 of them. The clinical significance of duodenal diverticula is suggested and the diagnostic value of hypotonic duodenography is emphasized.


Comparison of various radiation techniques in treatment of the breast and chest wall.

Radiation therapy will continue to play a major role in the curative management of patients with mammary carcinoma. For this reason, a comparison was made of the dose distributions and techniques used by several leading institutions in the treatment of the chest wall and internal mammary nodes. The dose distributions within the treatment volumes were similar. However, some unique differences within the treatment volume, as well as in the skin and superficial tissues were found.


Magnetic modification of electron beam dose distributions.

A 10 kG magnetic field has been used to modify the conventional electron beam isodose distributions. Isodose curves of modified distributions for single and multiple beams measured in a polystyrene phantom are presented. The results suggest a potential use of this technique to achieve dose distributions adjusted to the various tumor contours and corrected for heterogeneity effects.


The evolution of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies. A follow-up of 20 cases over periods of 3-14 years.

Twenty cases of "asymptomatic" monoclonal gammopathies were detected by routine electrophoresis in patient's sera or in blood donors and were followed over 3-14 years. Four cases have shown a malignant evolution-two evolved toward Waldenström's macroglobulinemia after 3 years and two could be classified as myeloma 3 and 7 years, respectively, after detection of the monoclonal protein. The remaining cases were still "asymptomatic" 4 years later (7 cases), 7-9 years later (8 cases) and 14 years later (1 case). A malignant evolution occurred in approximately 20% of cases.


Cerebral influence on postural effects of cerebellar vermal zonal lesions or eighth nerve section in monkeys.

In monkeys, cerebellar vermal cortical or fastigial nuclear lesion resulted in no significant postural asymmetry. Combined decerebration (but not bulbar pyramid section) and unilateral vermal cortical or fastigial nuclear lesion gave marked ipsilateral hyperextension and contralateral hyperflexion of limbs. Unilateral eighth nerve section resulted in only ipsilateral head tilt but combined unilateral eighth nerve section and decerebration or bilateral or contralateral cerebral cortical areas 4 and 6 lesion gave also ipsilateral flexion and contralateral extension of limbs. Cervical deafferentation or postbrachial spinal cord transection did not alter these results. This study indicates a powerful cerebral influence on postural effects of cerebellar vermal zonal lesion or eighth nerve section in monkeys. Possible mechanisms mediating these effects in monkeys as compared to cats were discussed.


Neonatal gastric volvulus.

Three infants with acute gastric volvulus occurring during the first week of life are presented, bringing the total number of cases reported in the neonatal period to nine. Abdominal radiographs and constrast studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were nearly identical in all three infants and showed a characteristic pattern that allowed unequivocal preoperative diagnosis. It is essential that the radiologist recognize the radiographic features of acute gastric volvulus, since prompt operative intervention is mandatory to prevent late complications, which include gastric perforation and death.


Nonvisualized gallbladder by cholecystosonography.

To further define the significance of gallbladder nonvisualization by cholecystosonography, we studied follow-up data on 25 consecutive patients in whom the gallbladder could not be identified despite adequate fasting. In one patient, intravenous cholangiography demonstrated a large gallbladder but no gallstones. In the 24 cases for which a pathoanatomic diagnosis was established, all but two had diseased gallbladders with obliteration of the lumen. This 88% accuracy for positive prediction confirms results of previous sonographic studies and matches the diagnostic significance of nonvisualization at oral cholecystography. We recommend oral cholecystography for all ultrasonic nonvisualized gallbladders for greater diagnostic accuracy when surgery is contemplated.


Ultrasonography of biliary tract dilatation without jaundice.

The significance of intrahepatic biliary distension in the nonjaundiced patient was studied. Biochemical profiles and endoscopic and surgical findings were evaluated. Biliary tract disease was proven in 11 of 12 patients, with nine of the 11 having concurrent pancreatic disease. Ultrasound proved a more sensitive indicator of partial biliary obstruction than the serum bilirubin levels. The biliary tract of nonjaundiced patients with ultrasonographic evidence of biliary distension should be evaluated by additional studies regardless of the biochemical profile.


Breast cancer missed by mammography.

Because a "negative" mammogram that is followed by a biopsy diagnostic of cancer is a matter of deep concern, a retrospective review was conducted of 48 such missed diagnoses at four Breast Cancer Detection Centers. The study group comprised 40,000 women participating in breast cancer screening examinations. From 3,271 biopsies during screening, 499 cancers had been found. Biopsies in the interval between screening examinations totaled 630 and yielded 48 malignancies. These 48 interval cancers were studied in an attempt to discover why they were not found on the preceding mammographic examination. Three major categories of error were disclosed and each is discussed: (1) poor radiographic technique; (2) absence of radiographic criteria of cancer; (3a) obvious oversight by the radiologist; and (3b) lack of recognition of subtle radiographic signs. This last reason is discussed in detail in the belief that better recognition of these indirect radiographic signs will lead to more accurate diagnoses, particularly in early cancers.


Pneumocystis carinii infection of the lung: radiologic and pathologic correlation.

The incidence of Pneumocystis carinii infection of the lung was determined in 100 consecutive autopsies on patients with hematologic malignancies and in a control group of 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thirteen instances of infection were found in the study group and one instance in the control group. Of the 14 patients with P. carinii infection, five were classified as uncomplicated P. carinii pneumonia with typical host response and five had no evidence of any host response to the presence of the organisms. Four cases were impossible to assess because of complicating bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia. The five patients with the typical histologic response to the presence of P. carinii organisms all showed diffuse pulmonary densities on the chest radiographs in accordance with the classic descriptions of P. carinii pneumonia. The five without any evidence of host response to the presence of P. carinii organisms showed no evidence of parenchymal disease on chest radiographs. The finding of P. carinii organisms in the lung is not necessarily an indication of clinically significant disease and, from this study, it seems that chest radiography is of considerable importance in determining the significance of such infestation.


Endometriosis: clinical and ultrasonic correlation.

Thirteen patients with surgically proven endometriosis underwent ultrasonography as part of their diagnostic evaluation. An attempt was made to assess the sonographic characteristics of endometriosis to determine if a characteristic pattern would emerge when the clinical presentations and physical findings were coupled with the ultrasonic picture. Ultrasound showed pelvic masses in all patients. Most masses appeared spherical and separate from the uterus and were cystic or predominantly cystic with scattered peripheral echoes. This retrospective study suggests a more useful role for ultrasound than previously recognized in the clinical management of patients with endometriosis.


Primary renal calculi: Anderson-Carr-Randall progression?

Although numerous reports deal with the histology of renal medullary calcification, there has been only limited application of radiographic methods for its description. From routine autopsy material, findings on 61 kidneys studied by high resolution radiography are presented and related to those of Randall (1937), Anderson (1945), Carr (1954), and others. Histologically Anderson found microscopic plaques formed from coalesced calcific "droplets" in the pyramids of practically all of 168 kidneys, including some very young infants. Carr, using microradiographic techniques, also found calcific deposits in nearly all of 209 kidneys from patients over 9 years of age. Anderson and Car separately concluded that the calcific deposits they demonstrated could, by migration, form the subepithelial plaques that Randall observed earlier. The present work illustrates some radiologic aspects of renal calcification which seem to support a hypothesis that primary renal calculi result, under certain circumstances, from the migration of calcific deposits from the substance to the surface of renal papillae. In order to emphasize the pathogenetic sequence of the work of the previously mentioned authors, it is proposed that the sequence of events be referred to as the Anderson-Carr-Randall morphologic progression of primary renal calculus formation. Proposals are made for additional experimental work.


CT evaluation of anomalies of the inferior vena cava and left renal vein.

Two patients with duplication of the inferior vena cava and two patients with a retroaortic left renal vein were examined by computed tomography (CT). The characteristic CT appearance of these two entities, as well as circumaortic left renal vein and transposition of the inferior vena cava, is discussed. A scheme by which these anomalies of the inferior vena cava and left renal vein may be distinguished from one another and from pathologic entities such as lymphadenopathy and a dilated gonadal vein is reported.


Accessory renal hilus.

A defect in the renal margin secondary to extrahilar entry of renal vessels was detected at urography in three patients. Extrahilar entry of renal vessels is not uncommon and is well known to anastomists and surgeons. It has not been previously reported as a radiographic finding. In the past these marginal defects may have been assumed to be persistent fetal lobulation or scarring from previous renal infarction or pyelonephritis. Arteriography may be necessary to distinguish between these possibilities and occasionally to exclude a renal tumor or cyst.


Arterial impressions on the stomach.

The splenic artery frequently produces a contour defect on the posteromedial aspect of the stomach, particularly in elderly individuals. When the artery is tortuous or aneurysmal, the impression is prominent and may simulate a neoplasm. Similarly, the aorta can produce a gastric impression. Recognition of these impressions on the stomach wall avoids erroneous diagnosis and unnecessary exploratory surgery.


Suprarenal aortic occlusion.

Proximal propagation of an occlusive distal aortic thrombus to the suprarenal level is rare, probably resulting from diminished renal blood flow, and is invariably accompanied by renal failure. Three similar cases of total suprarenal aortic occlusion with renal failure are presented. In each, one kidney was significantly smaller than the other, probably caused by long-standing disease. The combination of bilaterally absent or markedly decreased femoral pulses with diminished renal function or a unilateral small kidney should therefore be considered dangerous. To prevent proximal propagation of thrombosis and death from renal failure, such patients should undergo arteriography and surgical repair promptly even though their clinical symptoms might be relatively mild and stable.


Partial splenic embolization in the treatment of hypersplenism.

Transcatheter embolization of the spleen has been associated with serious complications, such as splenic abscess, rupture of the spleen, pneumonia, and septicemia. These complications, with their grave consequences, have prevented the use of this procedure as an alternative to operative splenectomy in selected cases. A detailed description of our method, which consists of partial splenic embolization, antibiotic prophylaxis, adequate pain control, and careful pre- and postembolization, is reported. Thirteen patients with hypersplenism were successfully treated with transcatheter partial embolization of their spleen.


Sinus histiocytosis: some radiologic observations.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is an unusual disease characterized by prominent lymph node enlargement, especially in the cervical region. The clinical course is benign although prolonged, and no specific treatment is required. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. Four cases of sinus histiocytosis are reported, one in association with mediastinal lymph node enlargement and two in patients with orbital enlargement. One other patient had cervical masses. The radiologic features are reviewed to increase awareness of this entity as a cause of lymph node and orbital enlargement.


Modification of cyanoacrylate for therapeutic embolization: preliminary experience.

Cyanoacrylate is a satisfactory material for therapeutic embolization, but it has the disadvantage of not being radiopaque and polymerizing within 1 sec after contact with ionic materials. Its behavior was modified with varying concentrations of iophendylate and were able to satisfactorily control its polymerization from 1 to 30 sec. This control should allow penetration of arteriovenous malformations, which is necessary if cure is to result. The iophendylate adds radiopacity and seems to enhance the suspension of tentalum, another opacifying agent. Preliminary experience in dogs is encouraging, but too few humans have been treated with this method to recommend it as more than an experimental procedure at this time.


Proficiency examination of physicians for classifying pneumoconiosis chest films.

An examination has been developed to test the proficiency of physicians classifying chest radiographs with pneumoconiosis in accordance with the classification system promulgated by the International Labor Office in Geneva. The examination, prepared by Johns Hopkins University under contract with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, was commissioned to identify physicians qualified to serve in national pneumoconiosis programs directed both to epidemiological research and to the compensation of coal miners and others who suffer from dust-related illness. The examination, consisting of 125 chest radiographs, includes examples of a broad range of disease extending from normal to far advanced pneumoconiosis. An examinee passes or fails by ability to classify the films, within prescribed limits, in the same manner as an expert panel of radiologists. The examination is open to radiologists, chest physicians, occupational health specialists, and other physicians interested in pneumoconiosis. By the end of 1978, the examination had been given to 202 candidates, including 116 radiologists 30 chest physicians, three candidates certified in preventive medicine, two family practitioners, and 51 others. Of the 202 candidates, 118 (58.4%) passed and 84 (41.6%) failed. Among the candidates taking the examination for the first time, 74 radiologists (63.8%) and 18 chest physicians (60%) received passing grades. Of the remainder, 21 physicians (37.5%) were successful. Early experience indicates the examination is quite successful in meeting its primary objectives, which suggests that this type of examination may be applicable in other situations to separate those who meet certain standards of performance in radiology from those who do not.


Adverse hemodynamic and ultrastructural changes in dog hearts subjected to protein-calorie malnutrition.

In the absence of thiamine deficiency, the specific effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on left ventricular (L.V.) function are unknown. Mature beagle dogs of both sexes were subjected to a hypocaloric, nitrogen-poor diet which resulted in a weight loss of approximately 40% after seven weeks. Following preparation of this nutritional model, myocardial contractility was assessed acutely by obtaining isovolumetric L.V. contractions on cardiopulmonary bypass at constant heart rate, mean aortic pressure, and at a wide range of end-diastolic volumes. These changes were compared to a matched group of animals which were normally fed. There were consistent decreases in L.V. compliance in malnourished animals compared with normals; indices of ventricular contractility per se (L.V. dp/dt, force-velocity relations, peak developed L.V. pressure) were also diminished in the experimental animals. Myocardial concentration of glycogen was diminished in malnourished compared to control animals. Light and electron microscopic examination confirmed the presence of myofibrillar atrophy in the presence of interstitial edema. These results suggest that protein-calorie malnutrition seriously interferes with normal L.V. function in the experimental animal by reducing compliance as a result of "starvation edema," and by reducing myocardial contractility associated with atrophy of the myofibers.


Medically refractory unstable angina pectoris. II. Hemodynamic and angiographic effects of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.

Of 60 patients receiving intraaortic balloon counterpulsation for angina refractory to maximal medical therapy, a subgroup of 10 patients underwent left ventricular angiography both with and without counterpulsation. Severe stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery was present in all 10 patients. Counterpulsation resulted in a significant decrease in systolic and end-diastolic left ventricular pressures and no increase in cardiac index. Left ventricular diastolic and systolic volume, ejection fraction and regional contraction patterns, often abnormal, were unchanged. However, mean normalized systolic ejection rate was improved by the addition of counterpulsation. It is concluded that intraaortic balloon counterpulsation has relatively little effect on the left ventricular volume of patients with medically refractory angina pectoris. The symptomatic improvement that takes place seems to occur mainly through the effect of counterpulsation on preload and afterload.


The effect of intragastric feeding with amino acids on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat.

The incorporation of 14C-thymidine into DNA was measured at 4-hr intervals from 16 to 32 hr after partial hepatectomy in groups of rats. Rats forcefed solutions of amino acids or branched-chain amino acids showed a significant reduction in the DNA specific activity 24 hr after partial hepatectomy when compared to rats forced fed an equal volume of water. Intragastric feeding with ketoanalogues of the branched-chain amino acids did not alter thymidine incorporation into DNA significantly. The finding that intragastric feeding depresses DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy contrasts with our studies indicating increased synthesis of albumin in partially hepatectorized animals receiving similar feeding and indicates different control mechanisms for DNA and albumin synthesis.


Clinical and biochemical characteristics associated with anthropometric nutritional categories.

Clinical nutrition status as well as selected biochemical characteristics, levels of parasitic infection and aspects of family and health history were assessed in rural EI Salvadoran children categorized as severely malnourished by anthropometric measurements. The anthropometric categories used were based on weight-for-age, weight-for-height, height-for-age, and simple mid-upper-arm circumference. Results indicated that 16 of 17 children with less than 80% of expected weight-for-height ("wasted") and all 17 children with arm circumference below 12.5 cm had clinically evident malnutrition. Children with less than 82.5% of expected height-for-age ("stunted") were more frequently anemic than controls and had a higher intestinal parasite burden, but only 3 of 23 were malnourished clinically. Sixteen of 22 children with severe weight-for-age deficit (Gomez grade III) were judged clinically malnourished, but the remaining six were underweight primarily because of short stature and did not appear malnourished clinically. The results illustrated the inability of weight-for-age classification to distinguish between acute and chronic malnutrition. The interrelationships between weight-for-height, height-for-age, and weight-for-age classification are illustrated graphically as a guide to the interpretation of these results.


Fe(III)-EDTA complex as iron fortification. Further studies.

The data presented confirm the advantages of Fe(III)-EDTA as a salt for iron fortification. This iron compound exchanges completely with intrinsic wheat iron in the lumen of the gut. The iron absorption data from this salt tested with six different food vehicles compared with the absorption of ferrous sulfate administered with the same vehicles indicate that while the mean absorption from ferrous sulfate varies from 2 to 30% according to the food vehicle mixed with the salt, the absorption from Fe(III)-EDTA remains practically the same. Apparently, the iron absorption from Fe(III)-EDTA complex is slightly or not affected by the presence of vegetable foods or milk. All these data suggest that only a small amount of iron from this salt, about 10 mg/day, would be necessary to prevent iron deficiency anemia even in those populations relying for their subsistence on vegetable food only.