Hypnotic analgesia in conditions of stress is partially reversed by naloxone.

In this study the hypothesis that hypnotic analgesia under conditions of stress is mediated through a neurochemical mechanism involving the release of opioid peptides in the CNS was investigated. Ten highly hypnotizable subjects participated in a 2 x 2 factorial design, which involved hypnotic analgesia, stress and double blind administration of naloxone (an opiate antagonist) or placebo. Analysis of post-hypnosis results indicates that hypnotic analgesia was significantly reversed by the interactive effects of stress and naloxone. It is inferred that stress may be the common psychological denominator of the various analgesic methods which effectively engage this endogenous pain inhibitory system. Additional analyses of anxiety measures reveals no significant association between trait and state anxiety, but significant relationships between state anxiety and time tolerance to ischemic pain. These results suggest that anxiety remains a definitional problem and that previous conceptualizations may not have satisfactorily explained the affect's adaptive function.


Plasma tricyclic drug levels in amitriptyline-treated depressed patients.

In a double-blind phenelzine controlled clinical trial, 49 depressed outpatients were treated with a fixed dose of amitriptyline (AMI) 150 mg/day for 6 weeks. No significant relationships were found between steady-state plasma levels of AMI and its metabolite, nortriptyline, at 4 weeks and therapeutic response at 6 weeks or side effects. In the patient subgroup with more severe endogenous symptoms, there was a general trend for a weak positive association between AMI plasma levels and clinical improvement. Plasma tricyclic determinations appear to have little if any predictive value for antidepressant effect in outpatients treated with AMI.


Reduction of whole blood serotonin in depressed patients treated with a new, selective serotonin-uptake inhibitor, femoxetine.

Femoxetine, a phenylpiperidine derivative with potent serotonin (5-HT)-uptake inhibitory properties, was investigated in 12 depressive patients for its clinical effect as well as its effect on 5-HT concentration in whole blood. The global evaluation after 6 weeks showed a good effect in six patients. The 5-HT concentration was found to be reduced from a mean value of 0.21 to about 0.05 micrograms/ml, indicating a total depletion of 5-HT from the thrombocytes. The steady-state concentrations of femoxetine resulted in reduction of 5-HT to the same level in all patients. No correlation between degree of 5-HT reduction and therapeutic effect was found.


Placebo response, placebo effect, and two attributes.

Two putative predictors of placebo response were studied in three samples of psychiatric outpatients. Two groups, 73 university medical center patients and 56 college health service patients, underwent 1 week of placebo treatment. A quasi-control group of 112 patients receiving no medication waited about 1 week before beginning psychotherapy. One attribute, acquiescence or traditionalism, predicted placebo response, thereby replicating prior findings. Acquiescence was unrelated to change in controls indicating that it may represent a correlate of true placebo effect under some conditions. Additional findings suggested qualifications as to the generality of the relationship. The second attribute, autonomic awareness, was associated with change in all three samples. It appeared to predict nonspecific improvement unrelated to placebo probably due to its relationship to intensity of somatization.


Impairment of avoidance behavior following short-term ingestion of alcohol.

Acquisition and retention of a shock avoidance task were impaired in mice at 5 h and 5 days but not at 14 days after withdrawal from 5 days of chronic alcohol consumption. Mice trained before ingestion of an alcohol-containing diet showed impairment in retention of the shock avoidance procedure 5 h after withdrawal from the diet but not during ingestion or 5 days after withdrawal. At 5 h after withdrawal from the alcohol-containing diet, motor activity and sensitivity to shock were not affected, but there was a decreased motor response to shock. There was no correlation between performance of the avoidance task and the severity of withdrawal signs, as measured by hypothermia or convulsions on handling. The hypothermia and other withdrawal signs were reversed by acute injection of alcohol, but the impairment in avoidance responding was not. These results demonstrate that consumption of an ethanol-containing diet for periods as short as 5 days results in relatively long-lasting alterations in avoidance behavior after withdrawal of the diet. This behavioral impairment appears to be distinct from other signs of alcohol withdrawal.


Memory enhancement induced in chicks by anesthetic doses of chlorpromazine.

Three experiments describe retroactive memory enhancement in chicks by chlorpromazine (CPZ), a potent membrane stabilizer at anesthetic doses. First, chicks trained on a one-trial peck suppression task under moderate aversant conditions and given 60--144 mg CPZ/kg, intraperitoneally, displayed increased memory retention 24 h later when compared with chicks given saline or 15--36 mg CPZ/kg. The second experiment confirmed the memory enhancement using a different moderate aversant on a different peck target and extended the effect to 48 h. The third experiment demonstrated the CPZ effect to be retrograde because the enhancement observed when CPZ was injected 1 min or 3 min after training did not occur when injection was delayed 4 h. One speculative interpretation of retrograde enhancement with CPZ includes the stabilization of swollen dendritic spines, which may facilitate neuronal pathways.


Acquisition of behavioral tolerance to ethanol as a function of reinforced practice in rats.

The roles of both reward and the amount of reinforced practice on the development of behavioral tolerance to ethanol were studied in 32 hooded rats in a Skinner-box situation. The effects of ethanol were evaluated on two aspects of the bar-press response (FR15): latency to complete 15 bar presses and proficiency to earn rewards. Results showed that the behavioral tolerance, as indicated by diminishing effects of ethanol on performances over repeated exposures, developed rapidly. The extent of the developed tolerance was greater and more stable in animals which had reinforced practice while under the influence of ethanol than in animals which had non-reinforced practice. Animals which were exposed to the same amount of ethanol but practiced the response in a non-drug state showed little sign of tolerance to ethanol. These findings give further support to a previous view that learning processes may be involved in acquisition of behavioral tolerance to ethanol.


Dopaminergic mechanisms and cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. A neurobiological model.

A hypothesis is briefly discussed proposing that schizophrenic symptoms are due to a breakdown in a mechanism by which conscious attention is limited and directed. It is shown that this mechanism can be modelled in terms of a simple nerve network in which every channel inhibits all the others. Failure of this inhibition would cause the defect hypothesised to occur in schizophrenia. It is shown that if dopamine is given a central role as transmitter in such a network then the various predictions about the biochemistry of schizophrenia that follow are not only consistent with the evidence for the 'dopamine theory' of schizophrenia, but also with much of the evidence held to be contrary to that theory. While not purporting to be an experimentally validated description of schizophrenia, this model goes beyond the single amine theories of schizophrenia and links dysfunctions in amine systems with specific behavioural control mechanisms. Given the current state of knowledge, such models can make only limited predictions about the biochemistry of schizophrenia. However, an attempt to link behavioural and biochemical systems in this way will be crucial for the development of viable animal models of schizophrenia.


Brain dopamine and noradrenaline levels in rats submitted to four different aversive behavioral tests.

Rats were trained to perform shuttle responses to a buzzer in four different situations: Pseudoconditioning (buzzers and footshocks presented at random), classical conditioning (buzzers and footshocks paired on every trial), avoidance without stimulus pairing (buzzer--shock intervals varied at random, shocks contingent upon the nonemission of a shuttle response to the preceding buzzer), and standard two-way avoidance (buzzers paired to shocks, but the latter omitted every time there was a shuttle to the buzzer). Animals were killed immediately after the last trials and the noradrenaline and dopamine content of their hypothalamus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, and nucleus accumbens was determined. There were falls of dopamine content in the caudate and accumbens and falls of noradrenaline levels in all structures except the caudate after the pseudoconditioning test. Noradrenaline levels were normal, and dopamine levels were partially recovered, in the animals submitted to the other training situations. Thus learning factors (stimulus pairing and/or the avoidance contingency) offset the depleting influence of footshocks per se on both catecholamines in at least the structures studied.


The effect of propranolol treatment in shizophrenia on CSF amine metabolites and prolactin.

Recent reports have suggested that high doses of propranolol may be an effective treatment in schizophrenia. To determine whether such treatment has effects on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amine metabolites and prolactin similar to the effects of the neuroleptic drugs, we studied CSF from ten patients before and after propanolol therapy. The initial CSF sample was removed after a drug-free period and propranolol dosage was then increased over 1 week to 1000 mg daily in all ten patients. A second CSF sample was removed after 3 weeks of propranolol therapy. Propranolol levels and prolactin in CSF were measured by radioimmunoassay. Homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Propranolol had no effect on the prolactin or amine metabolite concentrations. CSF propranolol levels averaged 40 ng/ml (range less than 1--78).


Facilitation of memory processing by posttrial morphine: possible involvement of reinforcement mechanisms?

Posttrial administration of 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, but not of 1 mg/kg, of morphine hydrochloride facilitates learning of a one-trial passive avoidance task in drug-naive mice. The effect does not depend on the punishing properties of the morphine injection, since in injection of LiCl (a strong punisher) fails to enhance learning in a similar way. After the establishment of tolerance by several morphone administrations, the 100 mg/kg, but not the 40 mg/kg, dose level resulted in memory facilitation. The data are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that morphine acts directly on reinforcement mechanisms by activating the opiate receptor.


Effects of spiperone on feeding performance in a food preference test.

Spiperone reduced latency to feed and prolonged the total duration of feeding in a food-preference test in which novel and familiar foods were presented simultaneously to food-deprived rats. The increase in feeding duration could be accounted for in terms of an increase in time devoted to eating the novel foods, leaving the time devoted to eating the familiar food relatively unaltered. However, closer analysis of the data revealed that, at the level of mean duration of individual eating episodes, spiperone prolonged the eating-episode duration equally for both novel and familiar foods. This apparent paradox was resolved by noting that whilst spiperone did not alter the number of eating episodes in the test, it did alter the ratio of eating episodes in favour of novel foods. The data was incorporated into a control system model which depicts actions of spiperone in the food-preference situation with total eating duration as the final behavioural output.


Chlordiazepoxide-induced disruption of discrimination behaviour: a signal detection analysis.

To assess the effects of chlordiazepoxide (CDP) on a stable discrimination performance, eight rats were trained on a simple brightness discrimination and injected with three dosages (0, 5, and 10 mg/kg) once performance was stable. Signal detection analysis of the results was used to differentiate sensory from motor/responsivity effects of the drug. At 5 mg/kg, CDP increased general responsiveness which is consistent with the hypothesis that CDP disinhibits responding. At 10 mg/kg, however, this effect on responsivity was reversed and there was also a suppression of stimulus sensitivity.


Interactions between motor activity and sterotypy in cocaine-treated rats.

Effect of a single administration of a dose (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg, i.p.) of cocaine hydrochloride on spontaneous motor activity (SMA) and stereotypy (ST), and interactions between these behaviors were investigated in rats. SMA showed peak increases within 10 min and at 120 min after cocaine injection. Drug-induced stereotypy was maximal during the interval between these two peaks in SMA. Several neurotransmitters may be involved in the interactions between SMA and ST.


Mediation of central prostaglandin effects by serotoninergic neurons.

Ten days after administration of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, which causes degeneration of central serotoninergic neurons, the depressive behavioral effects of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 were evidently inhibited. Central chemical serotoninectomy abolished the hyperthermic and hypertensive effects of PGF2 alpha, but only slightly affected those of PGE2. It is concluded that serotoninergic neurons mediate the depressive behavioral action of both PGF2 alpha and PGE2. They also mediate the hyperthermic and hypertensive action of PGF2 alpha but not of PGE2. This suggests that these prostaglandins have different central modes of action.


Effect of cocaine on food intake in rats.

In rats trained to eat during a five-hour daily period, cocaine (10, 15, and 25 mg/kg) depressed food intake. The anorexia was seen during the 1st h only, with no effect on total food intake.


Cortexolone antagonizes development of alcohol tolerance in mice.

Mice treated with cortexolone during a period of chronic ethanol feeding displayed significantly less tolerance to a challenge dose of ethanol than mice fed ethanol but not given cortexolone. This glucocorticoid receptor blocker did not alter the hypnotic effects of ethanol in animals not previously given ethanol and no differences were found in ethanol consumption or blood ethanol levels between ethanol-fed mice receiving daily injections of cortexolone and the vehicle-injected controls. It was concluded that cortexolone interferes with the development of tolerance to ethanol.


Tolerance to the behavioral effects of phencyclidine: the importance of behavioral and pharmacological variables.

The effects of phencyclidine (PCP) on the behavior of rats responding to a fixed-interval 1 min schedule of water delivery were determined before, during, and after a period of daily PCP injections. The effects of acute PCP on overall response rate were biphasic: low doses increased and high doses decreased rates. In addition, PCP produced a dose-related decrease in quarter-life and high doses of PCP decreased the number of reinforcers delivered. During the daily injection regimen roughly a two-fold tolerance developed to the effects of 8.0 mg/kg PCP on response rate in animals receiving either presession or post-session injections of this dose, emphasizing the predominance of pharmacological variables in PCP tolerance. However, slight differences between these groups in tolerance development and in the rate of tolerance loss demonstrate that behavioral variables can influence tolerance to the behavioral effects of PCP.


The effect of ruthenium red and NEM on lithium efflux from human erythrocytes.

The lithium pump in intact human erythrocytes which has previously been shown to be repressed following lithium carbonate ingestion by manic-depressive subjects is now shown to be inhibited selectively by N-ethylmaleimide and ruthenium red, both of which are known to inhibit the erythrocyte Ca pump. It is proposed that active lithium efflux is linked to the concurrent operation of the calcium pump.


Drugs that antagonize limb flick behavior induced by D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in cats.

In cats observed in their home cages limb flicks (LF) are a sensitive measure of the behavioral effects of LSD. LF induced by LSD (50 microgram/kg) were blocked by dextrorphan (0.6 mg/kg), dextromethorphan (0.6 mg/kg), and imipramine (5 mg/kg) at doses that did not produce ataxia or sleep. Levorphanol (0.6 mg/kg), a narcotic that is a congener of dextrorphan, did not block LF induced by LSD possibly because it produced an excitatory effect when given alone. Pentobarbital at low doses (2 and 4 mg/kg) increased the number of LF induced by LSD but at a high dose (8 mg/kg) decreased LF induced by LSD either by producing ataxia, so the cats tended to remain immobile, or by producing sleep. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) at three doses (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) attenuated the effects of LSD on LF, but did not block LF as completely as the above three blocking drugs, and produced ataxia and sleep.


3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol excretion in acutely schizophrenic patients during a controlled clinical trial of the isomers of flupenthixol.

Urinary MHPG excretion in patients with acute schizophrenia was studied before and during a trial of the isomers of flupenthixol and placebo. Pretrial MHPG excretion was not related to severity of illness before the trial or to other pretrial clinical variables. In male subjects higher pretrial MHPG excretion was associated with a better outcome 1 year post-trial. However in females no relationship between MHPG excretion and outcome was established. During the trial there was a reduction in MHPG excretion in patients treated with beta-flupenthixol but no decrease in the group treated with alpha-flupenthixol or chlorpromazine. In patients on placebo there was a reduction in MHPG excretion in those who did well clinically, but not in those who did poorly. Thus low MHPG excretion may be a predictor of poor outcome in schizophrenia, but MHPG excretion also changes both as a function of clinical state and of neuroleptic drug administration.


The effect of bilateral ventral noradrenaline bundle lesions on lever pressing for food in rats.

Food reward has been associated with activation of noradrenergic mechanisms in the brain. Using rats trained to press a lever for food reward, we have investigated the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine lesions, which severly depleted hypothalamic noradrenaline, on the willingness of the rats to press the lever for food reward. We found that performance in the food-rewarded task was significantly impaired following such lesions, and that this was especially marked when the task was made more difficult. From our results we suggest that ventral noradrenaline bundle lesions can decrease the rewarding nature of food, thus making the animals less willing to work for food reward.


Circling behavior following systemic d-amphetamine administration: potential noradrenergic and dopaminergic involvement.

Systemic treatment with d-amphetamine produced a dose-dependent increase in the circling behavior of normal mice. Treatment with both alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MpT) and FLA-63 antagonized the amphetamine-induced circling behavior. Similarly, blockade of B-adrenergic receptors by propranolol and dopamine receptors by haloperidol reversed the circling response elicited by amphetamine. In contrast to alpha-MpT and haloperidol, however, neither FLA-63 nor propranolol attenuated the locomotor excitation engendered by amphetamine. Following repeated d-amphetamine injections the circling ordinarily induced by a single injection was abolished, whereas the locomotor effects of amphetamine remained unaltered. These findings are consistent with earlier work suggesting that tolerance may occur in those behaviors that involve a noradrenergic component.


A comparison of clozapine, chlorpromazine, and thioridazine upon DRL performance in the squirrel monkey.

Clozapine (0.16--10 mg/kg, p. o.), chlorpromazine (0.25--2 mg/kg, p. o.), and thioridazine (0.25--2 mg/kg, p. o.) were administered to squirrel monkeys subjected to a DRL 10 s schedule. The reinforcer consisted of 50% unsweetened orange juice. Chlorpromazine and thioridazine had no effect at the lower doses, but decreased response rate at the highest dose. Clozapine increased response rates at the low doses (0.31--2.5 mg/kg) and decreased rates at the high dose (10 mg/kg). Clozapine appears to show a major difference from other neuroleptic drugs in this test by increasing response rate. Since clozapine produces few extrapyramidal side effects in man, this procedure may be useful in selecting and developing new anti-psychotic drugs with less liability for side effects.


Effects of concentration of ethanol injected intraperitoneally on taste aversion, body temperature, and activity.

Levels of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion and hypothermia were found to be directly related to the concentration of fixed amounts of ethanol injected i.p. in a range of doses (1.0--1.8 g/kg) and concentrations (8--32% v/v) commonly used in behavioral studies. No effect of ethanol concentration on locomotor activity was obtained. The results of blood-ethanol determinations indicate that a given dose of ethanol is absorbed more rapidly, and thus reaches greater peak levels, when injected in a higher concentration. Thus ethanol dosage might be better manipulated by varying the volume of a single concentration rather than by altering concentration. In this way, dose-response data will not be obscured by concentration-induced differences in absorption.


Behavioral effects of low, acute doses of morphine in nontolerant groups of rats in an open-field test.

Groups of eight rats were treated with low, acute doses of morphine (2, 3.5, and 5 mg/kg body weight) or a corresponding volume of isotonic NaCl solution. The formation of groups, certain other features of social interaction, plus some individual items were recorded. Morphine induced an increase in the frequency of group formations without disruption of grooming and rearing patterns. The total picture of morphine-induced behavior changes at the dose levels used might be characterized as a polyactivation (or a varied stimulation); different from the selective stimulation reported for d-amphetamine.


Behavioral effects of low and high acute doses of morphine in solitary mice.

The effects of morphine (5, 10, 100, and 150 mg/kg SC) on locomotor activity, object manipulation, grooming, rearing, and responsiveness to social stimulation were observed in naive, nontolerant mice. Morphine induced significant changes in the behavior elements recorded. Five and 10 mg/kg morphine caused an initial phase of about 1 h with inhibition of all activities. After 1 h the mice gradually increased activity and exceeded the corresponding placebo level at the end of the sessions. 100 and 150 mg/kg morphine caused an increase in locomotor activity. This hyperactive continuous running was stereotyped, restricted as it was to only a certain part of the experimental cage. Concurrently all other behavior elements were abolished. The animals did not normalize within the observation period. Neither the sedated mice with low doses nor the mice with high doses of morphine responded socially to the presence of another untreated mouse which was placed in the cage as a social response test.


The action of DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid on the cataleptogenic effects of pilocarpine and alpha-flupenthixol in rats.

The existence of a strionigral GABA-ergic pathway having an inhibitory effect on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system has been proposed. The work reported in this paper was undertaken to investigate whether modification of the GABA-eric system by the GABA neuronal uptake inhibitor DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) would affect cholinergic (pilocarpine) and/or neuroleptic alpha-flupenthixol (alpha-FPT) induced catalepsy. DABA pretreatment was shown to enhance significantly both alpha-FPT and pilocarpine induced catalepsy. DABA alone had no cataleptic activity. The results are interpreted as supporting the existence of an inhibitory strionigral GABA-ergic pathway.


Memory facilitation with posttrial injection of oxotremorine and physostigmine in mice.

The immediate posttrial injection of oxotremorine (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 muMol/kg i.p.) and equimolecular doses of physostigmine can facilitate the retention of a passive avoidance response in mice. Injections given 10 min after training also significantly facilitate retention, but injections given 30 or 120 min after training do not affect retention. These findings suggest an action of oxotremorine and physostigmine on mechanisms involved in memory storage. The enhanced retention produced by oxotremorine and physostigmine was blocked by pretreatment with atropine (2 muMol/kg, 20 min, i.p.) but was not affected by methylatropine (2 muMol/kg, 20 min, i.p.). The retention was not modified by posttrial injection of metoxotremorine (0.25 muMol/kg i.p.) or neostigmine (0.250 muMol/kg i.p.), quaternary analogs of oxotremorine and physostigmine, respectively. The results suggest a central action of both cholinergic agents attributable to an activation of muscarinic brain receptors.


Pharmacological modification of experimental depression in infant macaques.

This study provides evidence that mother--infant separation in macaques is a useful experimental model of depression. At the age of 6--8 months, seven M.fascicularis infants underwent two consecutive separations from their mothers lasting 21 and 15 days, respectively. The frequency and duration of a set of individual and social behaviours were recorded throughout each of the following experimental conditions: baseline, separation, reunion. In response to maternal separation, the infants showed marked increased in frequency of behaviours reflecting distress, self-directed activity or anxiety (e.g. vocalization, locomotion, body play). Both individual and social play behaviours were markedly suppressed in separated infants. During the second separation, one group of subjects was given, in a 'double blind' fashion, daily doses of 5 mg/kg of an antidepressant, desmethylimipramine (DMI), i.m. Treatment with DMI markedly diminished most of the behavioural alterations induced by separation. In particular, the increases in distress and self-directed behaviours as well as the suppression of play activities were prevented or antagonized. Plasma levels of DMI after 5 days of administration were in the range of 50--150 ng/ml.


Effects of chlordiazepoxide on comparable rates of punished and unpunished responding.

Identical overall rates and patterns of key pecking by pigeons were maintained under a multiple fixed-interval schedule of food presentation. In one component, every thirtieth response produced an electric shock (punishment) whereas during the other component the response that produced food had to be preceded by a pause of a minimum (10 or 11 s) duration. Although chlordiazepoxide (1.0--17.0 mg/kg) increased both punished and unpunished responding, greater increases were uniformly obtained with punished responding.


Urinary 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol is not a predictor for clinical response to amitriptyline in depressive illness.

The urinary excretion of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol was compared in a group of 23 depressive patients and 27 control subjects of similar age. There was no difference between patients and controls although female controls excreted less than males. After 6 weeks' treatment with 150 mg daily of amitriptyline there was no correlation between therapeutic response and pretreatment urinary excretion value.


An assessment of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenic outpatients.

An examination of tardive dyskinesia in 213 schizophrenic outpatients using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) indicates that increasing age is significantly associated with the presence of this disorder while sex is not. Both sexes showed significant linear increases with increasing age. Although males did not evidence the statistically significant curvilinear trend previously reported in an inpatient study using the same methodology, they displayed an attenuated effect at the older age levels. A comparison of prevalence values between the outpatient sample and the inpatient sample previously studied indicated no greater prevalence in the outpatients. However, an examination of differences in AIMS total scores between these samples suggested the presence of many more marginal and mild movements in the outpatients. Reasons for the differences between the inpatient and outpatient studies are discussed.


On transference in the treatment of organic diseases.

The term 'transference' paraphrases the irrational factor in medicine. Physicians feel disturbed by this factor. However, medicine is not only the application of rational data but also dealing with the patient. Transference is a prerequisite of perception and therapy. Analytic therapy aims at converting transference as repetition of behaviour into recollection. Transference thus reveals the hidden needs of human rights. It means communication, justification, satisfaction. Experience in clinic and practice shows that this applies not only to neurotics but also to patients with organic diseases, and especially to the latter where it is matter of life or death.


Hydroxylating activity of frog epidermis tyrosinase.

Trypsin activated in a similar way both the tyrosine hydroxylase and the dopa-oxidasa activities of frog epidermis tyrosinase. Several electron donors reduced or eliminated the lag period for the hydroxylating enzyme. 4 x 10(-5) M dopa was particularly effective, but without affecting the stationary activity after lag period. Tyrosine hydroxylase had KM = 2.6 X 10(-3) M for tyrosine and 2 x 10(-3) M dopa was a competitive inhibitor with Ki = 5 x 10(-4) M. The enzyme was inactivated during its actuation. Data on thermal denaturation were similar to other obtained from dopa oxidase. Our results tend to confirm our previous hypothesis that the activatory process of the enzyme is accompanied by a spatial unfolding of the enzyme molecule.


[Decreased catabolism after toxico-septic aggression by administration of injectable amino acids].

Two comparative lots were established, of 48 and 44 patients respectively with toxico-septic syndromes, renal failure of the hypercatabolic type, that had received parenteral food for a period of between 3 and 11 days. The first group received only glucose while the second also had injectable aminoacids. In the first group was noted a daily rate of blood urea variation (r) of 1,65 mg% and a good nitrogen elimination. In the second group was noted an r of --8,13mg% (pless than 0,001) and a more rapid improvement of the clinical condition. Next to the fall in the absolute nitrogen elimination (p greater than 0,05), the nitrogen balance, computed at 36% incorporation of the administered nitrogen, was significantly improved in the second group (p greater than 0,01), demonstrating the lowering of the metabolic rate under perfusion with aminoacids.


Effect of Intralipid-induced lipaemia on the arterial oxygen tension in preterm infants.

10% Intralipid was infused (1 g/kg body wt.) intravenously for 15 min with Razel pumps to each of eight selected newborn preterm infants whose general condition and pulmonary status were stable for at least 24 h before study. Six of the eight infants showed greater than 10 mmHg reduction in oxygen tension of umbilical arterial blood. These reductions were correlated with elevated triglyceride concentrations. The findings suggest that Intralipid-induced lipaemia has the potential to lower the oxygen tension of the blood and hence patients with pre-existing pulmonary insufficiency may be at risk from hypoxaemia.


[Research concerning the physiopathology of post-traumatic periarticular ossifications and anterior brachial muscle osteoma. Their prevention].

The author maintains that the osteoma of the brachial muscle as well as post-traumatic periarticular calcifications, occur in the muscle mass or in the tendon that prolongs it, or in the articular capsule, as a result of surgical treament and post-operative immobilization, and only exceptionally following orthopaedic treatment of traumatic lesions. Articular mobilization in the first week after osteosynthesis, or in the frame of conservative treatment, is not followed by osteoma of the brachial muscle or by calcifications surrounding the articulation, a fact that suggest that the presently applied therapeutic methods, which recommend strict and prolonged articular immobilization should be avoided. The development of ossification can be explained by post-traumatic changes in the muscular microcirculation, rendered more severe by surgical treatment and maintained by muscular inactivity. Early articular mobilization is the most efficient method of prophylaxis of these complications, which are determined not by the traumatic lesions themselves but by the present therapeutic methods applied.


Fluorescent anti-colonic and E. coli antibodies in ulcerative colitis.

With the indirect immunofluorescence technique using sections of colon from guenon and rat, sera from patients with ulcerative colitis yielded positive staining of goblet cells. Eight sera, thus defined positive, two negative, and five from hospital controls, were applied to agar preparations of 12 different E. coli strains, normally found in human bacterial diseases and E. coli 0 14. With E. coli 0 group antigens, 2, 8 and 14 positive fluorescence reactions were regularly found in sera where positive immunofluorescence reaction aginst colon antigen could be demonstrated, indicating that antigen(s) from colon mucosa shares antigenic determinant(s) with some E. coli bacteria or bacterial components.


Actions of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on gastrointestinal functions in man. III. Inhibition of gastric motility in response to distension.

The intragastric pressure/volume relationship has been measured in six healthy volunteers. Increased gastric motility was achieved by gastric distension, by stepwise increasing the volume from 0--600 ml. When thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 0.04 mg/h, was infused concomitantly in the individuals, gastric motility was significantly inhibited (p less than 0.05) and, with 1 mh/h of TRH, nearly abolished compared with the saline control test. The basal pressure was unaffected at 0.04 mg/h, whereas a significant rise was seen after 1 mg/h of TRH (p less than 0.05) compared with the control test. In three of the subjects the effect of rapid injection of TRH (0.2 mg), followed by infusion of TRH (0.6 mg/h), on the stimulated gastric motility was analysed. After the injection of TRH, almost no motor activity was observed during the 15-min observation period. It is concluded that TRH has a potent inhibiting effect on gastric motility, and the possible physiological role of TRH in the gastric regulation in man is discussed.


Mucosal enzyme activities in the functioning intestine one and six months after jejuno-ileal by-pass operation for obesity.

Enzyme activity changes in the functioning segment (the shunt) of the small intestine during the first 6 months after by-pass operation for obesity were investigated. At the ligament of Treitz no significant changes in disaccharidase activities occurred, whereas two intracellular beta-galactosidases showed increased activities after 1 month. In the jejunal part of the shunt (studied in patients operated on with a long jejunal functioning segment) there was an in most cases temporary decrease in lactase activity after 1 month. Other enzymes studied showed less pronounced changes. In the ileal part of the shunt (studied in patients operated on with a long ileal functioning segment) the initially low enzyme activities increased especially after 6 months towards the levels normally seen in the jejunal mucosa. The lactase activity, however, remained low also after 6 months. Adaptive changes in the functioning small-intestinal segment is probably an important factor in weight stabilization and, in some cases, in the weight increase that recurs after the initial period of rapid weight loss after by-pass operation for obesity.


Inhibition of histaminase release from human granulocytes by products of histaminase activity.

Imidazoleacetic acid, a product of the action of histaminase (E.C. 1.4.3.6) on histamine, inhibits specific release of histaminase from human peripheral blood granulocytes with an inhibition constant between 5 X 10(-9)M and 1 X 10(-8)M. Hence, modulation of enzyme release is indirectly mediated by the activity of the enzyme.


Cerebellar plasticity: modification of Purkinje cell structure by differential rearing in monkeys.

Dendritic branching in Purkinje and granule cells and the diameters of Purkinje cell somas were compared in several cerebellar areas of monkeys reared in isolation, with social experience, or in a large colony. In the colony-reared monkeys, spiny branchlets of Purkinje cells were more extensive in the paraflocculus and the nodulus than they were in the other two groups. Granule cell dendritic branching in the paraflocculus and nodulus did not differ across groups. In addition, Purkinje cell somas were larger in the uvula and the nodulus of the colony animals than in the other groups. These data indicate that the social and physical environment during development influences the morphology of cerebellar Purkinje cells.


Human chorionic gonadotropin: induction of ovulation in the squirrel monkey.

The minimum dose of human chorionic gonadotropin that would cause ovulation in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) was found to be between 100 and 250 international units.


Organization of the immune response genes.

The I region of the major histocompatibility complex contains immune response genes that display considerable polymorphism; that is, there are many alleles at each locus. These genes regulate the immune response to antigen by mediating intercellular communication among lymphoreticular cells. An analysis of the primary structure of the products of two subregions of (I-A, I-E/C) was undertaken in order to understand the genetic organization of the region, the evolution of the genes and, eventually, their function.


Ciliary membrane alterations occurring in experimental Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Experimental infection of hamster ciliated tracheal epithelium in organ culture with virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae resulted in the deterioration o ciliary necklaces and an altered distribution of membrane-associated particles on the shafts of the affected cilia. To our knowledge that is the first report of an altered disposition of ciliary membrane-associated particles in response to a specific infectious agent.


Properties of the membrane current of rod outer segments.

The membrane current of single rod outer segments in pieces of isolated toad retina was recorded with a glass suction electrode. Light evoked a slow net outward photocurrent consisting of a reduction in the steady inward dark current. In very dim light, the photocurrent broke up into discrete shot effects with a rounded shape and an amplitude of about 1 pA. These events were shown to result from photoisomerization of single rhodopsin molecules. The current in darkness showed fluctuations consisting of (a) discrete events apparently resulting from thermal isomerization of rhodopsin molecules, and (b) smaller amplitude shot effects shaped by two of the four rate processes of the light response.


Mechanisms of generation of signals in vertebrate photoreceptors.

The electrical responses of rods are analyzed in different ionic environments. It is shown that the dark level of the membrane potential is predominantly determined by a sodium current, while the peak of responses to bright light is controlled by the concentration of external potassium. The sag from the peak to the plateau of photoresponses seems to be generated by different ionic mechanism. The effects produced by substituting the external calcium with EGTA are also analyzed. It is suggested that calcium plays a role in different mechanisms of generation of electrical responses.


Parasites of some rodents in Malaysia.

A total of 2,337 rodents trapped from various parts of Peninsular Malaysia were dissected and studied for the distribution and prevalence of parasitic infections. Four new rodent hosts for Sarcocystis in Malaysia are reported (Bandicota indica, Rattus sabanus Rattus argentiventer and Rattus norvegicus). Sarcocystis was found in 17.2 percent of the rodents examined. Rattus annandalei, Rattus tiomanicus and Rattus norvegicus are new hosts of Syphacia muris in Peninsular Malsysia. Rattus sabanus was found to be infected with Zonorchis borneonenis. Brachylaima ratti Baugh, 1962 was recovered from the small intestine of Rattus rattus diardii for the first time in Malaysia. The prevalence and distribution of other parasites are also discussed.


Effects of the oral administration of Cannabis sativa (dagga) on chacma baboons (Papio ursinus).

Eighteen adult chacma baboons were fed Cannabis sativa, the plant material being incorporated into their food. They were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 animals were fed on 2% cannabis in food for 4 months, after which 2 animals remained on 2%, 2 were given 4% and 2 6% cannabis in food for the next 4 months. They became mildy apathetic. Five gained weight. Serum glucose, potassium and CO2 values decreased. Neuropathological examination of their brains did not show any significant abnormality. Group 2 animals were fed 10% cannabis for several weeks. They ate less and lost weight, and later became very apathetic. Right temporal biopsies were done in all and in 3 the tissue was analysed for glutamine, glutamate, tryptophan, ammonia and cyclic AMP. No significant change was found. Serum glucose and CO2 levels rose and potassium levels fell. Blood cholesterol values decreased in 3 of the 9 males. Group 3 animals were fed 6% cannabis for 2--4 months. Radio-immunoassay of sera and urine showed the presence of cannabinoids. They became apathetic, and 5 lost weight. Serum glucose and potassium levels (measured in the males) decreased. No neuropathological lesions were found in the brains, apart from an incidental leptomeningitis in 1 animal which died suddenly. The question of cannabis encephalopathy is discussed.


Computed tomographic scanning and the lumbar spine. Part I: Economic and historic review.

Computed tomography represents one of the most remarkable short-term technical advances ever seen in medicine. Its recent extension to scanning of the lumbar spine promises to become its most significant extra-cranial application. The accusation has been made that CT scanning represents an expensive diagnostic modality whose cost is unjustified by its clinical value. Recent studies indicate that CT scanning is presently cost-effective and promises to become more so in the future, not only by decreasing the cost of instrumentation but also by replacing other diagnostic tests (particularly those of an invasive type) and lessening the need for exploratory surgery. CT scanning is of direct benefit to the patient because it assures that lumbar surgery is performed only after an accurate and complete diagnosis.


GM1-gangliosidosis: chromosome 3 assignment of the beta-galactosidase-A gene (beta GALA).

The structural gene (beta GALA) coding for lysosomal beta-galactosidase-A (EC 3.2.1.23) has been assigned to human chromosome 3 using man--mouse somatic cell hybrids. Human beta-galactosidase-A was identified in cell hybrids with a species-specific antiserum to human liver beta-galactosidase-A. The antiserum precipitates beta-galactosidase-A from human tissues, cultured cells, and cell hybrids, and recognizes cross-reacting material from a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis. We have analyzed 90 primary man--mouse hybrids derived from 12 separate fusion experiments utilizing cells from 9 individuals. Enzyme segregation analysis excluded all chromosomes for beta GALA assignment except chromosome 3. Concordant segregation of chromosomes and enzymes in 16 cell hybrids demonstrated assignment of beta GALA to chromosome 3; all other chromosomes were excluded. The evidence suggests that GM1 gangliosidosis is a consequence of mutation at this beta GALA locus on chromosome 3.


The use of glucagon in operative cholangiography.

We have found intravenously administered glucagon to be useful in relaxing the sphincter of Oddi during operative cholangiography. It is readily available, has few potential side-effects, is easily administered intraoperatively and has been promptly and reliably effective.


Home parenteral nutrition.

One hundred and six patients were placed on a home parenteral nutrition program because of severe gastrointestinal tract lesions. In 41, sufficient improvement allowed the resumption of oral alimentation. Forty-eight remain on the program. Seventeen, including ten with malignant disease, died from causes not related to home parenteral nutrition. All patients achieved and maintained the appropriate weight for age and body build. In the pediatric patients, normal or accelerated linear growth occurred. Complications included sepsis, 18 episodes in 12 patients; local infection of the catheter, 14 in six; catheter thrombosis, six in five; ketoacidosis, one in one; contaminated solutions, one in one, and essential fatty acid deficiency, one in one. Home parenteral nutrition is a relatively safe and effective alternative for long term nutritional support.


Influence of fixation conditions on the performance of glutaraldehyde-treated porcine aortic valves: towards a more scientific basis.

To maintain optimum mechanical properties in glutaraldehyde-treated heart-valve tissue the full collagen crimp geometry originally present in the relaxed fresh tissue should be retained. By varying the pressure at which glutaraldehyde fixation is carried out, considerable alterations to this crimp geometry can be achieved. The mechanical stiffness of the preserved tissue is consequently affected, and this in turn has a striking influence on both the opening behaviour of the valve and the degree of strain localisation in the leaflet tissue. A pressure of 100 mmHg eliminated the collagen crimp geometry entirely, and this resulted in the formation of sites of local strain or kinks in the valve leaflets during opening. It is expected that this strain localisation phenomenon will influence the long-term fatigue durability of the treated tissue. Pressures even as low as 4 mmHg result in significant reductions of crimp geometry. Fresh valves should therefore be fixed under a positive head of pressure sufficient only to ensure that the leaflets seal along their coapting free margins. A pressure of less than 1 mmHg was sufficient to achieve this. Leaflets of the commercially available Hancock valve show features similar to valves fixed in glutaraldehyde at about 100 mmHg pressure.


Demeclocycline in the treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

Fourteen patients with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) have been treated with demethylchlortetracycline (demeclocycline) 1200 mg daily. In 12 patients the underlying lesion was malignant. The serum sodium returned to normal (greater than 135 mmol/l) in all patients after a mean of 8.6 days (SD +/- 5.3 days). Blood urea rose significantly from the pretreatment level of 4.2 +/- 2.3 mmol/l to 10.1 +/- 5.1 mmol/l at ten days (P less than 0.001). The average maximum blood urea was 13.4 +/- 6.8 mmol/l. In four patients the urea rose above 20 mmol/l, and in two of these demecyocycline was discontinued because of thie rise. The azotaemia could be attributed to a combination of increased urea producation and a mild specific drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Discontinuation of demeclocycline in six patients led to a fall in serum sodium, in one case precipitously, and return of the urea towards normal levels. Demeclocycline appears therefore to be an effective maintenance treatment of SIADH, and the azotaemia that occurs is reversible and probably dose dependent.


Separation of plasminogen activators from human uterine tissue and a comparison with activators from human urine and porcine tissue.

Three types of plasminogen activator could be distinguished in extracts from human uterine tissue. The activators differed in thermostability or in mode of inhibition by EACA. All the extracts contained stable as well as labile activators. The saline extracts were uniformly inhibited by increasing concentrations of EACA. Extracts made with 2 M ammonium thiocyanate were either uniformly inhibited by EACA or showed deflections indicating contamination with an activator, which was inhibited in a biphasic manner. It was possible to distinguish between: (1) An activator, abundantly present in the tissue, which was uniformly inhibited and stable. (2) Another uniformly inhibited activator, which was labile. (3) An activator, inhibited in a biphasic manner, similar to urokinase, which was present in varying amounts in uteri with the endometrium in the proliferative phase. Gel filtration of the uterine extracts showed two major activity peaks corresponding to particle sizes of 60,000 dalton and about 10,000 dalton. Antiserum to purified plasminogen activator, prepared from porcine ovaries, inhibited the activity of the human uterine extracts, but not the activities of human urokinase or urine. Urokinase antiserum in a concentration completely inhibiting human urine or urokinase, inhibited only 10% or less of the activities of human uterine extracts.


Ocular and orbital manifestations of neurofibromatosis.

The ocular and systemic manifestations of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis are reviewed. A case is presented illustrating widespread involvement and the typical histopathologic changes of the eye and the ocular adnexa. The ophthalmologist should be aware of broad scope of this disorder so that a complete evaluation of the patient can be made.


[Non-specific positive milk ring test(s) in tank milk and Estrumate in the treatment of cattle (author's transl)].

The fact that non-specific milk ring tests were occasionally observed in tank milk provided the reason for doing a survey to detect the possible cause. Among others, non-specific reactions were found to occur after treatment with Estrumate. A regressing corpus luteum may also give rise to non-specific milk ring tests in animals which have not been treated with Estrumate.


[Polychlorinated biphenyl intoxication and nutrition. II. Effect of starvation on PCB release from body tissues in the rat (author's transl)].

Rats were fed diet containing 100 ppm of Phenoclor DP6 for 15 days. The study of released DP6 from fat tissues during a 3 days fast was subsequently carried out. In spite of large fat content decrease the DP6 stored in the carcases remains unaffected by starvation. However, it was noted an increase in blood DP6. Fecal DP6 remains important. Liver DP6 was stable in spite of liver fat accumulation. The results indicate a strong binding liaison between DP6 and body tissues independently to body fat variations.


[Polychlorinated biphenyl intoxication and nutrition. III. Effect of vitamin A deficiency on PCB storage in the rat (author's transl)].

Rats were fed two dietary variations containing 10 ppm of Phenoclor DP6 (a commercial PCB mixture) for 15 days. Compared to the normal diet, rats fed a vitamin A deficient diet had a same curve of DP6 storage in liver and carcase fat. The intestinal absorption of DP6 was unaffected by vitamin A deficiency. The accumulation of DP6 in the rat organism was body-growth independent.


Genetic analysis of 23 RhL-A histocompatibility antigens of the rhesus monkey.

The lymphocytotoxicity of 116 rhesus monkey alloantisera was evaluated in 92 unrelated rhesus monkeys and in 33 pedigreed rhesus families. The study was conducted using a standard complement-dependent microcytotoxocity assay. A computer-assisted chi2 analysis of the reactivity of these sera in unrelated monkeys generated 23 groups of highly correlated antisera. The two-locus model of the mammalian major histocompatibility complex was assumed for the monkey, and genetic criteria for RhL-A antigens were determined before study. Seventeen groups of antisera which had met these predetermined criteria in a previous study using a different random population of monkeys were confirmed in the present analysis. The remaining six groups also met these predetermined criteria, although the genetic data for two were incomplete. Of the 23 antigens defined, 12 appeared to be products of the A locus and 11 of the B locus. Nineteen were similar or identical to antigens previously described by us or by Balner and coworkers in The Netherlands. Two groups have not been previously described. A frequency analysis indicated that these 23 antigens represented approximately 75% of the total expression of the RhL-A-A and RhL-A-B loci.


CELISA (complement-enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay) a new method for the estimation of complement fixing antibodies; its use for Chagas' disease.

A description is given of a new method for the estimation of complement fixing antibodies. This is a modification of the Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) to a Complement-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (CILISA) using an anti-C3 conjugate. The method is independent of the haemolytic system. To test the sensitivity of CELISA, comparative studies were carried out with the Haemolytic Complement Fixation Test (CFT), indirect haemagglutination test and ELISA with sera from patients with Chagas' Disease. The results with CELISA showed significant correlations with CFT titers whereas no correlations were observed with the other serological tests.


Meningoencephalitis in chronic Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection of the white mouse.

A more recently isolated strain of T.b. rhodesiense (eatro 1989) induced a chronic infection in most of 180 intraperitoneally infected NMRI-mice, surviving 6 to 9 weeks on an average. A meningoencephalitis beginning with a meningitis one week after infection and being fully developed after 4 weeks was demonstrable by investigating 22 animals killed at random between 7 and 42 days after infection. The inflammatory reactions observed correspond to those known from the late stage of human trypanosomiasis in their nature and way of spreading. Hence, this infection seems to offer a suitable model for studying a human like meningoencephalitis and for screening of compounds for activity during the late stage of human sleeping sickness.


[Evolutionary origin of cell organelles].

A review on the evolutionary origin of the energy-yielding eukaryotic organelles is presented. Current autogenetic (endogenous compartmentalization) schemes, as well as different variants of symbiogenesis, are critically envisaged. A new symbiogenetic scheme is put forth, according to which mitochondria and chloroplasts originated divergently from a primordial photosynthetic organelle; the latter was acquired by endosymbiosis of ancient cyanobacteria in the cells of protoeukaryotes.


[Effect of UV radiation on the DNA-membrane complex of Bacillus subtilis].

The influence of UV-light on DNA-membrane complex (DMC) of Bacillus subtilis was studied. An increased DNA content in DMC for strains 168 and rec A-, and a degradation of DMC for strain polA- have been registrated. The increase in DNA in DMC of the two former strains is inhibited by caffeine to be correlated with changes in protein content in DMC, determined by a radioactive label, but not with lipid content. Thus, the association of DNA with the membrane is mediated by proteins. DNA increasing capacity seen in DMC after UV-irradiation and after the following incubation of bacteria in the complete medium is correlated with a relative sensitivity of strains. To explain these data, it is supposed that the reparative synthesis is accomplished in cell on their membranes and that for the normal completion of DNA repair the association between DNA and the membrane is necessary.


[ABO, rhesus and MN system blood groups and spinal osteochondrosis].

Genetically conditioned traits: blood groups ABO, MN and Rh were studied in 695 patients with osteochondrosis and in the population. Among the patients blood groups AB, N and Rh-negative were more frequent than in the control. Blood groups can be regarded as risk factors in vertebral osteochondrosis. Sex and age differences were found.


[Scanning electron microscopic study of films of the loose connective tissue of mice exposed to DMBA].

Under examination by scanning electron microscopy were film samples of the subcutaneous connective tissue. The surface of the films from intact mice was even and smooth, fibroblasts have a spread pattern. Following the saline injection the film was even, collagen fibres, differing in the character of surface and the size of diameter, were readily seen. The collagen fibres formed a multilayer system with a definite orientation inside the layer. After DMBA injection the film surface would get uneven and tuberous, the fibroblast body rising over the film surface, thus the orientation of fibres and all strata was disturbed. There was a spacial rearrangement of all tissue components. It is suggested that carcinogenic agents affecting the relationship between tissue components could interfere the contact inhibition of cell division and result in the development of focal cell proliferates.


[Gastric sarcomas induced in rats by DMBA and cellophane].

An experimental model of gastric sarcoma was elaborated experimentally on 228 Wistar rats. Tumors were induced by single DMBA injections into the glandular stomach wall in rats or by securing a cellophane plate onto its anterior surface. Tumors developed in 95 rats. Most tumors would show a mesenchymatous origin (89.8% of cases) and may be defined as leiomyosarcomas partly polymorphocellular ones, and more rarely as fibro- and reticulosarcomas. Tumors of the adenocarcinoma and solid cancer type developed only after DMBA administration. It was noted that the tumors arisen develop metastases in the regional lymph nodes but not often.


[Histogenesis of gastric hyperplastic changes in mice].

In experiments on CC57W mice fed carcinogenic substances the author has studied some hyperplastic changes arising in the stomach of 157 mice. In all these cases the original elements participating in the development of pathological structures: micropolyps, adenomatous diverticula, polypoid reactive adenomatous-connective tissue growths were found to be either neck cambial elements or retaining the cambial activity cell elements of deep-seated glandular portions, as well as of different portions of the lining and gastric pit epithelium.


[Immunological study of rat liver RNA in the early stages of hepatic carcinogenesis].

In tissues of non-lineal rats receiving dimethyl amino-azobenzene (DAAB) or its non-carcinogenic analog diethyl amino-azobenzene (DEAB) there was found, using rabbit serum against an artificial complex RNA + MBSA (methylated bovine serum albumin), the RNA-haptene in the reaction of counter-immunoelectrophoresis in the liver and serum of rats in definite terms since the start of DAAB administration. RSR reaction and immunoelectrophoresis have demonstrated the presence of circulating antibodies against hepatic cell RNA. The kinetic of antibodies against RNA is characterized by their increase after 15 DAAB injections, their decrease to the 60th day and again an increase by the time of the tumor appearance. It is suggested that the phenomena of sensibilization and desensitization to the antigens arising in the process of carcinogenesis play a definite role in "cancelling" the antitumor immunity.


[Study of the tropism of sodium Selenium-75-selenite to experimental cancer of the mammary gland].

On 25 rats with DMBA induced mammary gland adenocarcinoma, there was shown the capacity of a tumoritropic labelled preparation sodium selenium-75-selenite be be absorbed by tumors in the amounts exceeding those in the adjacent muscle days after the administration. A coefficient of the differential accumulation characterizing the level of the isotope uptake by a tumor during the whole period of observation was 3--4. First, there was shown the possibility to use the model of mammary gland tumors induced by DMBA to test labelled tumoritropic compounds.


The disposition of [14C]iprindole in man, dog, miniature swine, rhesus monkey and rat.

1. Absorption of a single oral dose of [14C]iprindole was rapid in rats, rhesus monkeys, miniature swine, dogs and human volunteers. In all species except the rat, most of the radioactivity in the blood resided in the plasma. Small amounts of unchanged iprindole were detected in the plasma of rats and rhesus monkeys but not in man and miniature swine. 2. Radioactivity was excreted mainly in the urine of man, miniature swine and rhesus monkey, but in the faeces of rat and dog. 3. Urinary radioactivity was associated with basic (free and conjugated), acidic and highly polar, water soluble metabolites. At least 20 metabolites as well as small amounts of unchanged drug were detected in the basic fractions of each species' urine. 4. Many of these metabolites were common to all species; however, qualitative as well as quantitative differences were apparent. Mass-spectrometric analysis of several metabolites indicated N-demethylation and oxidation of the alicylic ring or a combination of both pathways.


Phenol oxidase activity and pigment synthesis in conidiospores of Penicillium cyclopium.

Phenol oxidase (PO) of Penicillium cyclopium belongs to the laccases (E.C. 1.14.18.1). By PAA-gel electrophoresis three forms of the enzyme were detected. Most of the PO in emerged sporulating cultures accumulates in the cell wall of the conidiospores. However, a high percentage is not bound to the wall constituents and can be easily removed with aqueous solutions. This soluble fraction was 570-fold enriched by (NH4)2SO4-precipitation, followed by chromatography on sephadex G 200 and on hydroxylapatite-cellulose, The necessity of PO for conidiospore pigmentation was shown by means of suspended spores whose rates of pigment accumulation resemble those of conidia maturing in situ. Pigmentation is stopped if PO is inhibited by diethyldithiocarbamate. This corresponds to the fact that in strains with heavily pigmented conidiospores PO activity is much higher than in strains with weakly pigmented or unpigmented spores. Also the time course of PO accumulation in the latter strains is different from that of the former. Furthermore, in mutant res-eth 1 which has unpigmented conidiospores, PO isoenzyme no. 3 could not be detected.


[Isolation and study of influenza A viruses in different cell cultures].

The usefulness of some cells cultures (BSC-I, VERO, MDSK) for isolation and study of reproduction of influenza A viruses was explored. Out of 50 clinical specimens examined, in 16 cases the virus was isolated both in chick embryos and in MDSK cell cultures. MDSK cultures were found to be highly sensitive to influenza A viruses, which produced cytopathic effect and hemagglutinin accumulation. The plaques formed by freshly isolated strains under an agar overlay containing trypsin were markedly polymorphous. MDSK cells may be recommended for use in virus isolation studies. Examinations of virion morphology revealed their diversity both in size and shape.


[Cryopreservation of erythrocytes for performing serological reactions].

The possibility of using monkey red blood cells conserved by freezing at --196 degrees C in serological tests was studied. Hemagglutination and hemagglutination-inhibition tests with measles antigen and measles gamma globulin revealed no differences in the sensitivity of native and conserved red blood cells. The method of washing red blood cells from cryoprotective solution modified by the authors is described.


[A case of amyloidosis complicated by IgU/lambda/-myeloma multiplex].

It has been published a case of amyloidosis with multiple myeloma IgU/lamba/. On the basis of literature the classification of amyloidosis is proposed. In the immunological investigations decreased humoral and cellurar immunoreactivities had been found in the patient.


Transmission of Sarcocystis suihominis from humans to swine to nonhuman primates (Pan troglodytes, Macaca mulatta, Macaca irus).

Sporocysts of Sarcocystis suihominis obtained from human feces were used to infect swine. Heart, tongue, and skeletal muscle from experimentally infected and noninfected control swine were fed via stomach tube to nonhuman primates including chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca irus). All primates fed infected swine tissues shed sporocysts beginning 13 to 15 days postinfection and were still shedding sporocysts at the conclusion of the experiment, 30 days postinfection. Rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys were fed infected swine tissues a second time and shed sporocysts. All primates remained in good health throughout both experiments and exhibited no unusual clinical signs as a result of infection.


Studies on a receptor for pyocin in a R mutant of Salmonella minnesota.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the pyocin sensitive R form strain of Salmonella minnesota F6 (chemotype Rd1) inhibited the activity of bacteriophage tail-like pyocin P1 whereas no inhibition occurred with LPS prepared from the pyocin resistant S form of S. minnesota. Subunits of lipopolysaccharide obtained by treatment with sodium deoxycholate and the polysaccharide fraction of the lipopolysaccharide obtained by acid hydrolysis were shown to be still active whereas lipid A fraction had no pyocin neutralizing activity. The (KDO)3-hepI-hepII unit, which terminates the lipopolysaccharide of S. minnesota F6 was, therefore, suggested to determine the specificity of the pyocin P1 receptor.


A case of hematometra infected by Listeria monocytogenes.

A case of Listeria infection is reported of a 10 year old girl with symptoms of the first menstruation but without the discharge of blood because of the absence of the vaginal duct. The blood retained in the uterus obtained by puncture through the rectum contained Listeria monocytogenes 4b. The infection was possibly acquired from a household pet.


[Facts and speculations on viruses in food (author's transl)].

The danger to which man is exposed as a result of viruses contained in food differs basically from the risk to man caused by bacteria, fungi or their toxins. With respect to viral injuries it is not the specific diseases (e.g. hepatitis and polio) that are in the foreground but the much more dangerous noxious groups whose cause/effect relationships are rather complex. 1. the oncogenic risk, 2. synergistic interactions with opportunistic problem viruses, 3. slowly developing chronic diseases and persistent infections with their indirect injuries, 4. new infectious pathogens (viroids). Viral contamination of food can be exogenous or endogenous. Exogenous contamination is possible by: 1. specific human-pathogenic viruses, 2. polyphagous, human-pathogenic and animal-pathogenic viruses (zoonosis), 3. animal-pathogenic viruses only, 4. fish viruses, 6. bacteriophages, 7. fungal viruses. The viruses of group 1 and 2 are of practical importance, those of group 6 and 7 are it occasionally. Endogenous contamination is caused when an animal suffered from a viral infection at the time of slaughter or product extraction (e.g. milk, egg, fish) or when the animal has picked up a virus shortly beforhand. As far as endogenous contamination is concerned, a distinction must be made between 1. primarily biological and 2. primarily mechanical contamination. For the first, mainly the clinically inapparent especially persistent infections and viraemic stages at the end of incubation are dangerous. In both cases the animal is clinically healthy. In primarily biological contamination the zoonosis viruses predominate. In addition the bacteriophages must be taken into account. Primarily mechanical contamination is restricted to fish, molluscs, milk and eggs. The possibilities and consequences of exogenous and endogenous contamination are discussed. The risk of viral transmission by foodstuffs depends chiefly on the tenacity of the virus in the affected food, but also on its virulence and concentration. Basic considerations are discussed. Practically from any useful, healthy animal the most varied viruses can be isolated. In order to avoid destroying the confidence of the consumer, it is necessary to take stock of the following: 1. viral contamination in foodstuffs demonstrated so far 2. verified human diseases caused by the intake of virus-contaminated foodstuff and 3. speculations on imaginable consequential damage caused by the consumption of food containing virus. This is also dealt with in the paper. In a final, critical review the importance of virus contained in food is discussed comprehensively from a scientific, legal and practical point of view.


[Determination of the location of sound sources by dogs exposed to dichotic sounds].

Lateralization thresholds for dichotically presented sounds were measured in dogs by avoidance technique. The animals were trained to lift the left paw when the sound was presented at left, and the right one when it occurred at right. The sound lateralization was achieved by varying interaural time and intensity level differences. Click trains and tonal pulses of 0.3, 1.0 and 5.0 khz frequencies were used as sound stimuli. The threshold for click trains was found to be equal 55--60 mcs for temporal cue and 1.5--1.8 dB for intensity differences. The lateralization threshold turns out to depend on frequency of tonal pulses. Intensity difference thresholds drop with increasing frequency whereas the temporal ones rise. The lateralization for frequencies above 1.5 khz could not be achieved.


[Current zoonoses from the food hygiene point of view (author's transl)].

Of the numerous zoonoses part of which are reportable, according to the Federal Communicable Diseases Act, the food hygienist attributes topicality at present to salmonellosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, taeniasis (T. saginata), trichinellosis, and sarcosporidiosis. In salmonellosis, combating is directed to breeding and keeping of Salmonella-free flocks, poultry offering favourable conditions for this purpose. Moreover, one tries to decontaminate feeds through certain pelleting machines with the aid of friction heat or by admixing propionic acid. In brucellosis, the possibility of infection by tourism, but also that through ingestion of imported dairy products (like soft cheese) play a certain role. Instruction of tourists and advising foreign labour from endemic areas are essential contributions to combating. Another important infection source of toxoplasmosis is infected raw pig meat. As the agent does not survive freezing temperatures under certain conditions, the decontamination procedure is particularly suitable. In pregnancy advising, the role of raw pig meat for development of congenital toxoplasmosis should be clearly explained. In trichinellosis, apart from the traditional examination by the trichinoscope, the modified digestion procedure using pepsin as a digestive fluid was successful. Moreover, it is suitable for detecting weakly infected swine. The importance of systematic examinations of all domestic and wild pigs became evident only recently in 1977, when in Bavaria an epidemic of trichinellosis occurred following the ingestion of undetected Trichinella containing wild pig meat. According to most recent knowledge on the cycle of development of sarcosporidia, the studies showed that the species Sarc. bovihominis and suihominis were pathogens for human beings. Quite apart from necessary supplementary examinations, the freezing procedure would here too, warrant an effective protection for the raw meat consuming population.


[Studies to investigate the ecological importance of the mass development of Hydrodicyton reticulatum in infiltration basins for drinking water. II. Localization of the active components with the aid of thin-layer chromatography and bioassay detection (author's transl)].

Thin-layer chromatogramms made from ethanol extracts of the green fresh-water alga H. reticulatum were tested by bioassay detection against several strains of Bac. subtilis. The chromatogramms were overlayed with agar, seeded with the test strains. The production of two growth-inhibiting zones could be demonstrated (Fig. 1). One of them seems to be correlated with chlorophyll derivatives. The second zone--larger than the first one--was formed by a fatty acid fraction which was more active in cells harvested in 1973, than in those harvested in 1974. Only a very small cell free zone was found in bioassays of water extracts of H74, presumably caused by chlorophyll derivatives, but there was an area of weak inhibition in H73 as well as in H74.


The significance of combined risk factors for the incidence of posttraumatic early fits and epilepsy.

After a brief outline of autonomic incidence of posttraumatic early fits as compared to "real" posttraumatic epilepsy, such traumatologic and neurologic factors are compared that lead much more frequently to early fits. Furthermore, the conditions of early fits and their relation to the occurrence of chronic posttraumatic epilepsy are investigated. Statistically and prognostically reliable data are only found when combined groups of high risk factors of different valence rather than individual data are considered. Such a statistically proved combination is the connection of intracranial hematomas, posttraumatic amnesia of more than 3 hours, neurologic dysfunctions and a persisting organic psychosyndrome.


[Clinical forms of epileptic seizures in ischemic circulatory disorders in the mixed blood supply zone of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries].

A clinical analysis of focal epileptic attacks in 18 patients with ischemic disturbances of blood circulation in the zone of mixed blood supply by the frontal and median cerebral arteries was carried out. The epileptic attacks observed were found to be due to irritation of the frontal adversive and pre-moter fields. Focal clonic convulsions in the foot due to irritation of the brain paracentral lobule were also observed. The versatility of the clinical forms of the epileptic attacks was determined mainly by the involvement of particular cytoarchitectonic fields of the frontal lobe of the brain (8th, 6th, 4th) belonging to the zone of mixed blood supply by the frontal and median cerebral arteries and provided with blood by different cortical branches of those arteries. Clinico-angiographic and clinico-morphological comparisons showed that in most patients with focal epileptic attacks there was combined involvement of the internal carotid arteries.


[Oxygen transport function of hemoglobin in several neurologic diseases].

Data on the oxygen transport function of hemoglobin in patients with craniocerebral injury, cerebrovascular disorders, and epilepsy are presented. The role of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate contained in the erythrocytes, and of changes of the hemoglobin affinity to oxygen in the oxygenation of tissues in such patients is discussed. It is concluded that determinations of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate content in the erythrocytes be applied in clinical practice for diagnosing a number of nervous diseases accompanied by symptoms of cerebral hypoxia, so that the latter could be compensated in due time.


Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in astrocytes in periventricular leukomalacia in monkeys.

Sudanophilic lipid accumulation is a characteristic feature of periventircular leukomalacia (PVL) of infants. At least two types of lipid-containing cells have been identified, one being the macrophage, the other the "pre-myelin glial cell". A third type of lipid-containing cell has been seen in two monkeys with spontaneous PVL. Electron microscopically this cell appears to be an astrocyte. This probably represents a reaction of the astrocyte to hypoxia and may be the equivalent of the "hypertrophic" astrocytes found in human infants.


A scanning electron microscopical study of normal and fluorotic enamel demineralized by EDTA.

Normal and fluorotic primary and permanent teeth were demineralized in 10% EDTA at pH 7 for varying periods of time up to 4 weeks. The fluorotic teeth initially dissolved at a much slower rate than non-fluorotic specimens and appeared to contain more organic material. After almost complete removal of the outer enamel a soft organic layer remained on the dentin surface. This consisted of a fine fibrillar mesh and some more dense material. After four weeks much of the organic material had disappeared leaving only a thin membrane on the dentin surface.


Serum prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone levels following thyreotropin releasing hormone stimulation in preeclamptic patients.

Serum prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured following administration of thyreotropin releasing hormone (THR) in 17 preeclamptic patients and 18 normal pregnant controls. From the 31st to the 35th pregnancy week the preeclamptic patients showed increased basal serum prolactin and TSH levels compared to controls, but later in pregnancy the differences disappeared. Following TRH stimulation, the serum prolactin and TSH responses were similar in women with and without preeclampsia. A possible role of prolactin in the development of preeclampsia is discussed.


The role of fetal movements assessment in cases of severe RH immunized patients.

Two cases of severe Rh-immunization are presented. The obstetric history, maternal serum anti-D titre, amniotic fluid spectrophotometric evaluation, amniography and ultrasound placentography suggest the diagnosis of hydrops fetalis. The reduction of fetal movements until cessation in the presence of an audible fetal heart point to a severely distressed fetus and impending death, thus providing additional data confirming the diagnosis of hydrops fetalis. The importance of diagnosed hydrops fetalis lies in the fact that most authors agree that in these cases treatment of the fetus should not be attempted.


Effect of diabetes therapy on the myocardium in experimental diabetes.

The effects of chronic antidiabetic treatment were examined in a clinically manifest, but non-ketotic diabetic animal model in which increased stabilization of steric structure in the cardiac connective tissue and left ventricular diastolic stiffness have been demonstrated. These changes accounted for decreased left ventricular performance during left ventricular afterload. Each of 8 diabetic dogs was given daily 8-16 IU of insulin, 250-750 mg carbutamide or 2-10 mg glibenclamide, respectively; doses were always adjusted to the actual metabolic requirements and findings were compared to those of 11 untreated diabetic and 6 healthy dogs. After three months, the hemodynamic and metabolic studies showed that the metabolically controlled diabetic dogs had less marked alterations in the connective cardiac tissue, left ventricular diastolic stiffness and performance. Apart from a considerable rise of arterial blood pressure during carbutamide treatment, no other difference was found in the cardiac actions of the three hypoglycemic agents tested.


Urinary excretion and plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine during diabetic ketoacidosis.

Sympathetic activity was determined in 13 ketoacidotic diabetics by evaluation of plasma and urinary catecholamines, before and in the course of medical management. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A (severe ketoacidosis, n = 5) and Group B (moderate ketoacidosis, = 8), depending on plasma glucose, pH and plasma bicarbonate levels. The results showed an enhanced sympathetic activity in all patients before treatment, with significant decrease during therapy. In Group A plasma catecholamines were higher than in Group B, both before and in the course of therapy. A significant correlation was found between basal plasma catecholamines and initial plasma glucose, plasma bicarbonate, hours of therapy and insulin dosage required to obtain plasma glucose levels below 150 mg/100 ml .These results, suggesting a close correlation between glycometabolic control and adrenergic activity, emphasize the role of the sympathetic nervous system as a powerful contrainsular factor in the pathogenesis and metabolic derangement of diabetic ketoacidosis.


Isolation of enzymatically derived fragments of porcine IgG and an examination of their reactivity against staphylococcal protein A.

Papain digestion of porcine IgG in the absence of cysteine resulted in a rather poor yield of fragments (less than 5 per cent). In the presence of cysteine, 70 to 80 per cent of the IgG was degradated in 4 h. Fragments with molecular weight of about 100,000 and 50,000 were separated by gel filtration. The minor fraction (mol. wt. 100,000) most probably consisted of F(c)2 fragments. Fab/c fragments with both Fc and Fab determinants, and also probably some F(ab)2-like fragments. The F(c)2 fragments appeared to be a dimer of Fc stabilized by disulphide bonds. The second main fraction (mol. wt. 50,000) contained Fc and Fab fragments. Mild reduction of the Fc fragments resulted in Fc subfragments of different sizes, thus indicating that papain cleavages had occurred on different spots in the Fc chain. Non-reduced Fc fragments therefore seem to consist of several Fc subfragments stabilized by disulphide bonds. The protein A reactivity of the isolated Fc fragments were rather low compared to the reactivity of intact IgG, respectively 5--15 and 90 per cent. In addition, protein A reactive Fab fragments were isolated from normal porcine IgG.


IgA and IgG antibodies against surface antigens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum and serum from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Eleven cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected in the lungs with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa and presenting multiple precipitins in serum against this bacterium (CF + P) and 10 CF patients without P. aeruginosa infection (CF-P) had their serum and sputum sol phase specimens examined for antibodies of the IgA and IgG classes against surface antigens of P. aeruginosa by means of an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Both the IgA and IgG antibody titres demonstrated in serum and sputum of the CF + P patients were significantly higher than in those of the CF-P patients (p less than 0.01). The titre of IgA antibodies in the sputum was higher than in serum in 3 cases indicating local pulmonary production of specific IgA antibodies. The role of the demonstrated antibodies in the local pulmonary immune defense mechanisms and the possible patogenesis of the pulmonary tissue damage in CF patients is discussed.


Cortical potentials associated with vocalization in the rhesus monkey.

Cortical potentials associated with vocalization have been investigated in two rhesus monkeys. In both animals a slow negative potential shift beginning approximately 1 sec prior to the onset of vocalization has been observed in transcortical recordings from precentral areas. It is suggested that this slow potential change might be the phylogenetic antecedent of the voluntary control of speech in humans.


Properties and isolation of the diffusible factor involved in Bufo arenarum fertilization.

Earlier studies have shown that a substance(s) released from the egg jelly of the toad Bufo arenarum is required for fertilization. In this paper some properties of this diffusible factor were further examined, and a procedure was designed for its isolation from crude egg extracts. The active component is soluble in water and ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform, ether and n-butanol. The biological activity is stable to liophylization and to heat, and remains unaffected after trypsin treatment. In contrast, it is impaired after treatment with ethyl acetate, 0.1 N HCl or chloroform, and is completely destroyed after converting the diffusible factor into ash. Data are presented showing that the recovery of fertilizability of extracted eggs in the bioassay system as carried out under present conditions, cannot be ascribed to a pH alteration of the insemination medium. This lends further support to the view that diffusible factor activity is not mediated through a pH effect. The factor was purified by gel chromatography coupled with desalting and paper chromatography. The active molecule is of low molecular weight and appears associated with a high pH ninhydrin-positive fraction.


T4, T3 and reverse-T3 determinations in connection with the TRH test in the evaluation of possible hyperthyroidism.

One disadvantage of the TRH test is that an absent or blunted TSH response is seen not only in hyperthyroid patients but also in some normal subjects. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the discriminatory power between eu- and hyperthyroidism could be increased by determining the T3 and T4 levels before and after the TRH administration. The study population consists of 30 patients referred for evaluation of suspected hyperthyroidism. The results show that all but one of the patients (n=20) who had T3 levels within the normal reference limits increased these levels after TRH administration, whether their TSH response was normal or blunted. One patient's T3 levels decreased after TRH. All the patients (n=10) who had T3 levels within the hyperthyroid range showed a decrease after TRH. The decrease was significantly correlated (r=0.90) to the magnitude of the increase. No consistent T4 and no change in reverse-T3 response was obtained. The addition of T3, T4 or reverse-T3 determinations in connection with the TRH test does not seem to increase the discriminatory power of the test.


The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. A case report.

A 72-year-old woman with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone of unknown cause during more than one year of observation is reported. Plasma vasopressin levels were excessively elevated, even during a water load test. Her serum electrolyte abnormalities and general state were ameliorated after fluid restriction. During treatment with demeclocycline the patient was able to increase fluid without deterioration.


Carditis associated with mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Among 560 patients with serologically confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, 25 (4.5%) had carditis (19 perimyocarditis, 6 pericarditis). During the acute phase 9 patients required intensive care. After an average of 16 months follow-up 11 patients with no previous signs of heart disease still had cardiac symptoms or signs. Thus carditis associated with M. pneumoniae infection is a serious disease, having cardiac sequelae more often than has hitherto been supposed. The pathogenesis of the carditis associated with M. pneumoniae infection is discussed, including the possibility that in some cases the elevated titre in the complement fixation test is non-specific. A summary is given of the 33 cases previously presented in the literature.


Comparison of agar gel precipitation and complement fixation test for the detection of Brucella ovis infection.

Blood samples from 710 sheep raised in 20 different farms were examined for Brucella ovis antibodies. Thirty samples were positive with complement fixation, 35 samples with precipitation, and 58 samples with both tests. It has been concluded that the gel precipitation technique is adequate for screening but for individual testing both methods should be used simultaneously.


Self-inoculation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Weiszfeiler W-115.

After intracutaneous self-inoculation with 0.05 mg (wet weight) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis W-115 containing approximately 600 000 viable units, the local reaction was observed during a period of 9 weeks. No adverse effects or general reaction were observed. From the lesion the W-115 strain was recultivated. It was labelled W-115(78)ST vaccine strain and is used for further studies. On the basis of experiments on laboratory animals, monkeys, human new-borns and adults, the strain W-115 is considered as safe for antituberculous vaccination as the strains Mycobacterium bovis BCG and the attenuated "MP" strain of Mycobacterium microti OV 166.


Post-traumatic acute rise of ICP related to subclinical epileptic seizures.

The authors report a case of post-traumatic intracranial hypertension with ICP paroxysmal rise related to subclinical epileptic seizures. The interest of detecting such a phenomenon is emphasized from a practical therapeutic point of view.


The electrocorticographic status and the extent of the cortical resection in epileptic patients.

In three patients operated on for focal epilepsy small pathological lesions in the functionally important cortical regions were microsurgically extirpated. The neighbouring areas of cortex were preseved, although they showed epileptic activity on electrocorticography. The patients are seizure-free three years, two years, and nineteen months later, respectively. On the bases of these facts and experience with another 35 patients operated on for focal epilepsy the authors speculate on the relations between the pathological lesion, epileptogenic cortical area, and the relative dependence of the extent of cortical resection on the electrocorticographic status.


Effect of exercise upon locomotor balance modification after peripheral vestibular lesions (unilateral utricular neurotomy) in squirrel monkeys.

In this study, we placed unilateral utricular nerve section and measured the locomotor equilibrium function (deviation counts of the animal's trotting gait) by the squirrel monkey platform runway test. We applied physical exercise, both preoperatively (3 weeks) and postoperatively. 21 young adult squirrel monkeys were randomly assigned to three groups (7 each): rotating cage exercise (continuous trotting in the motor-driven rotating cage) group, rail-traversing exercise (60 running shuttles on the rotating rail) group, and control nonexercise group. After the statistical analyses on data it was found that the physical exercise showed some effect; however, the type, daily amount, and number of days applied must be quite substantial.


Impact of new diagnostic imaging methods on pancreatic angiography.

The results of 100 consecutive pancreatic arteriograms performed in concert with a combination of other diagnostic procedures (gray scale ultrasonography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) were evaluated to determine the value of angiography in diagnosis and management of patients with known or suspected pancreatic disease. Angiography was found to be valuable for diagnosis in 68% (68/100) of cases and was considered helpful for management in 81% (57/70) of patients with pancreatic neoplasm, pancreatitis, or a nonpancreatic abnormality.


Coronal and sagittal reconstructions using a 4.8 second CT body scanner: developments and applications.

A computer program was developed which enables CT scans obtained on the General Electric body scanner to be reconstructed in coronal and sagittal planes. The program may be installed in minutes and requires no additional hardware. Multiplanar reconstructions can be produced within a few minutes, using the data available from a standard series of scans. No overlapping slices or other special techniques are needed. Large areas (e.g., the entire chest or abdomen) can be reconstructed and each plane of interest separately displayed. Resolution can approximate that available in transverse scans, and the patient receives no additional radiation exposure. Multiplanar reconstruction has proven very useful in a variety of clinical situations.


New techniques for CT-guided biopsies.

Two new recently instituted techniques have eliminated the shortcomings associated with computed tomography-guided biopsy procedures. By using the bolus biopsy technique, it has been possible to assess the vascular anatomy and vascularity of abnormalities so that cutting-type needles can be used on a routine basis. In a series of 47 cases, this method was used to select cases for cutting biopsies. In 29 cases in which the cutting biopsy was performed, tissue was successfully recovered in 25 cases. Advantages of large specimens obtained by such large needles are discussed. Secondly, the fourth generation scanning devices permit scanning at low radiation doses that provide slightly noisier but suitable images to perform the biopsy procedures. This eliminates the possibility of objectionably high radiation dose if more than one scan is required.


Pyloroduodenal bleeding and intraarterial vasopressin: clinical results.

Intraarterial vasopressin infusions were given to 46 patients with pyloroduodenal hemorrhage. Hemorrhage was angiographically and clinically controlled in 15 patients, with recurrent bleeding in five. Bleeding was not controlled in 31 patients; seven of these underwent Gelfoam embolization, with bleeding controlled in three. It is concluded that intraarterial vasopressin infusions are not as effective in controlling pyloroduodenal hemorrhage as in other areas of the gastrointestinal tract.


Epinephrine renal venography in acute bacterial infection of the kidney.

Epinephrine renal venography was performed in four cases of acute bacterial infection of the kidney. Selective renal arteriography was relatively nonspecific, while venography proved to be more helpful in excluding a malignancy. In cases of renal infection where the venous system of the kidney has not been occluded, epinephrine renal venography delineates the extent and nature of the process better than arteriography. Diffuse attenuation or smooth segmental narrowing of intrarenal veins, absence of irregularly encased veins, and veins draped around, as well as perforating, the abnormal region differentiated tumor from infection. An accurate diagnosis is important in view of the different therapeutic approach to these two entities.


CT of the renal cyst: is cyst aspiration necessary?

Fifty patients with a total of 56 renal masses discovered on routine excretory urography or abdominal plain films and with ultrasonographic diagnoses of definite or probable benign cysts underwent computed tomography (CT) prior to cyst aspiration with cytologic study. All lesions met strict criteria for the CT diagnosis of benign cyst and subsequently proved to be benign cysts. In addition, CT scanning detected 11 other renal masses, only one of which could be retrospectively diagnosed on the original urogram. It is suggested that renal cyst aspiration need not be performed when lesions meet all CT criteria for a benign cyst.


Focal irregularity of the rectal mucosa.

Mucosal irregularity seen on air-contrast barium enema may be the only radiographic manifestation of a variety of pathologic conditions of the rectum. Seven patients are described to illustrate the fact that when the rectal mucosal irregularity is focal and well demarcated, neoplastic conditions should head the list of diagnostic possibilities. Adenocarcinoma, verrucose carcinoma, adenomatous hyperplasia, villous adenoma, and metastatic carcinoma can all be manifested in this way. The appearance of these lesions on air-contrast barium enema is contrasted with the diffuse mucosal irregularity characteristic of inflammatory and other rectal conditions.


Capacity of the colon in children.

The capacity of the colon was determined in 49 children during filling of the colon under fluoroscopic control. The data were evaluated by regression analysis and a mean from the sample was obtained. The capacity of the colon may be determined in milliliters by the formula: V = 233 + 83.87 X (X being the age of the child in years).


Diagnosis of small bowel obstruction: the contribution of diagnostic ultrasound.

The hallmark of intestinal obstruction, whether due to a mechanical cause or to absence of peristalsis, is the intraluminal accumulation of fluid. The presence of air simply makes it easier to visualize dilated fluid-filled loops of plain radiographs. When gas is absent, secondary to vomiting or to cessation of air swallowing, the fluid-filled loops may be difficult to identify. In closed loop obstruction, air cannot enter the involved bowel, and in this situation sonography may provide important information concerning the status of the intestinal tract. In nonstrangulating obstruction, sonography offers confirmatory evidence of dilated fluid-filled loops of bowel. In some instances, ultrasonography may correctly identify the gastrointestinal tract origin of a problem thus enabling appropriate management of the patient. We describe three patients in whom ultrasound enabled prompt diagnosis of fluid-filled loops.


Acoustic contrast enhancement: value of several system gain variations in gray scale ultrasonography.

Because of the broad spectrum of echogenicity inherent in the heterogeneous composition of the abdominal viscera, system gain variations may be useful in gray scale ultrasound imaging to improve lesion definition. In general, Anechoic or hypoechoic processes may be accentuated by scanning in the higher gain ranges, while hyperechoic lesions may be better delineated at lower gain levels. Thus adjustments in "acoustic contrast" may supplement and reinforce information derived from an initial standard medium gain scan. Although the liver serves as a model in this report, careful selection of a variety of system gain levels can be helpful in evaluating focal lesions in any organ.


CT findings in retinoblastoma.

Computed tomographic (CT) findings in 38 patients with surgically proven retinoblastomas are described. CT is of value in accurately and rapidly assessing the extraocular and intracranial spread of clinically diagnosed retinoblastomas. This information is of prognostic value as patients with tumors that have spread beyond the confines of the globe have a life expectancy of only a few months. Calcification was present in 11 of 23 tumors confined to the globe, but was seen in only two of 15 tumors that had extended beyond the globe. Therefore, the presence of calcification may be a favorable prognostic sign.