[The mitochondria of higher mushrooms: the cytochromes beta of the mitochondria of Agaricus campestris (F.) var. bisporus].

Kinetic studies of cytochrome reduction show that only two beta-type cytochromes reducible in the presence of succinate are present in A. campestris mitochondria. At 25 degrees C, the difference spectrum reduced in the presence of antimycin minus oxidized shows the two beta-type cytochrome have a common, asymetric alpha-band at 560 nm which splits into two peaks at 559 and 562 nm at liquid nitrogen temperature (-196 degrees C).


[Excretion of water, sodium, and potassium during the compensatory renal hypertrophy in hypothyroid rats].

Renal compensatory hypertrophy is studied in age matched euthyroid and radiothyroidectomized female rats. 7 days after uninephrectomy, the hypertrophy of the remaining kidney is equally small in both groups. But 60 days after this operation, the hypothyroid animals show only a 12% increase in the wet weight of the remaining kidney whereas the euthyroid controls increase this weight by 21%. The excretion of water, Na and K are determined in the urine excreted in 5 h after a small water load. The results are related to 1 gram of kidney wet weight. These outputs increase in all animals after uninephrectomy. They are significantly higher in the hypothyroid rats than in the euthyroid controls as well before than 60 days after uninephrectomy. The reduction in tubular Na reabsorption found in the hypothyroid rat may account for the impairment of compensatory renal hypertrophy in hypothyroidism.


[The effects of dl-sotalol on the urinary osmolarity of anesthetized dogs].

The effect of dl-sotalol (intrarenal perfusion of 19 mg/kg during 30 min) on urinary concentration was studied under pentobarbital anaesthesia in dehydrated dogs. Sotalol infusion decreased urinary osmolality and increased natriuresis and urine flow. This diuretic action was accompanied by the reduction of the renin hypersecretion elicited by water deprivation.


[Transmissible resistance factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: arguments in favor of it being a plasmid].

The transmissible Carbenicillin resistance factor R (56 BE) was isolated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was not cured by usual agents and not isolated by ultra-centrifugation. So the plasmidic nature may be doubtful. We demonstrate in this paper that it is possible: 1) to transduce this factor into bacteria which is then able to conjugate and to transfer resistance to another bacteria, 2) to transfer carbenicillin resistance to arginine deficient strains without bringing chromosomic genes, 3) to obtain the carbenicillin resistance maintenance in Rec deficient strains. All these results are in favour of a plasmid.


[The localization of calcium in the rat thyroid].

The (glyoxal bis 2 hydroxyanil-calcium) complex is used to localize calcium in the rat thyroid. With low temperature and freezed slices, the colloid calcium content seems more important than that of epithelium.


[A comparative study in cultured rat liver cells of the metabolism of different analogues and metabolites of a natural hepatocarcinogen: safrol].

Metabolism by sexed rat liver cell lines of safrole, a natural hepatocancerogen and of metabolites and analogs were studied and compared by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The epoxide-diol route was evidenced for safrole, isosafrole and eugenol as well as the induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by tested compounds.


[Correlation between the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and the level of plasma catecholamines during muscular exercise].

The plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity was measured in 10 healthy untrained volunteers during a graded physical exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The authors have shown a good correlation between the DbetaH activity and the noradrenaline content in plasma. It can therefore be concluded that the DbetaH activity could be a true measure of the sympathetic activity.


[Identification of the lipids liberated by the isolated intestine from Periplaneta americana after ingestion of doubly labeled tripalmitine].

It has been shown by incubation of isolated midgut from Periplaneta americana fed double labelled triglycerides (3H glycerol, 14C oleic acid) that mostly triglycerides but also diglycerides and free fatty acids are released by the midgut. Fed triglycerides have been hydrolysed, then resynthetised before being released.


[Comparative short-term incorporation of n-9 trans docosenoic (brassidic) and n-9 cis-docosenoic (erucic) acids into rat adipose tissue].

Trans-isomers of erucic acid (especially brassidic acid) do not incorporate in rat adipose tissue as well as erucic acid. Brassidic acid is partially converted into shorter trans-monoenes (mainly C18:1) since these acids have been identified in adipose tissue of rats fed brassidic acid as the only source of trans-fatty acid in the diet.


[The effect of cocaine treatment on the level of dopamine and serotonin regeneration and on the level of acetylcholine in rat brain].

Cocaine treatment (10 or 50 mg/kg, i.m.): 1) did not change significantly the amount of 3H dopamine synthesized from 3H tyrosine in the striatum but reduced the specific activity of 3H tyrosine; 2) delayed the release of cerebral dopamine after inhibition of its biosynthesis by alpha-methylparatyrosine; 3) reduced the amount of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid accumulated after Probenecid, which reflects an inhibitory effect on serotonin release; 4) did not change significantly the acetylcholine level of the brain.


[Relationship between the control of the duration of inspiration and the resting ventilation pattern in conscious man].

The relationship between tidal volume (V1) and inspiratory duration (T1) was studied in 5 subjects by a rebreathing procedure in pure O2. The range of this relationship marked by a decrease of T1 with increasing V1, related by Clark and Von Euler to the inhibitory vagal feed-back loop Breuer Hering or B.H. reflex, was only found in 3 subjects possessing the B.H. reflex. In the others, whose pattern of breathing was very slow, nor this range nor the B.H. reflex were found. These findings confirm previous owner data (2). Indeed in our subjects having a slow pattern of breathing, the control of T1 seems to be unrelated to vagal afferences coming from lung stretch receptors.


[Cardiorespiratory effects of exogenous hypercapnia in eels].

The study of electrocardiogram and opercular movement records, from eels exposed for prolonged periods to hypercarbic water (saturation by the gaseous mixture 2% CO2, 98% air) shows that 1) heart rate is not significantly changed; 2) the duration of spontaneous apnea phases and the magnitude of opercular movements during ventilatory phases are increased under hypercapnic conditions. Because the integrated records of opercular movements only give an arbitrary estimate of changes in ventilation rate, direct measurements of the ventilation volume were performed in order to state the way of the dominant action of CO2. This method allows us to conclude that exogenous hypercapnia significantly decreases the ventilatory rate in eels.


Details of the fungistatic effect of Phialophora cinerescens.

We have previously isolated two chlorinated antibiotics from Phialophora asteris and P. asteris f. sp. helianthi, vascular pathogens on plants. P. cinerescens, pathogen on carnation, also presents a fungitoxic activity but the nature of the antibiotic compound is still unknown. We point out that this activity can be lost by sectorial variations on the growing margin and that the antibiotic product shows a striking photolability.


[Modification of the caloric intake as a function of energy expenditure in patients with diarrhea].

We have compared, using non protein RQ method, energy expenditures of diarrheic patients with intraperitoneal or intraluminal suppuration and feed enterally (group II) or intravenously (group III). Five non suppurative diarrheic patients feed enterally were studied as control (group I). Carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were not significantly different in the 3 groups of patients. Patients of group II metabolized significantly less of carbohydrate (p less than 0.01) and more of fat (P less than 0.01) than groups I and III patients. Carbohydrate and fat expenditures of patients of groups I and III were not significantly different. 1) There is a possible trouble of carbohydrate absorption in suppurative diarrheic patients. 2) Therefore caloric intake must be preferably parenteral in these patients.


[The degradation of radioiodinated alpha MSH in vitro: effect of some inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes].

The velocity of labelled alpha MSH degradation by rat tissues has been studied at different temperatures. The appearance of damaged compounds from 125I alpha MSH is much lower at 4 degrees C than at 22 or 37 degrees C. The addition of proteolysis inhibitors (benzamidine or zymofren) reduces the damage velocity. Under standard conditions of temperature and buffer, the damage velocity is lower when the tissue homogenates are processed by heat (56 degrees C; 40 min.). The existence of an enzymatic system capable of degradating radioiodine alpha MSH in the rat brain is discussed.


[The treatment, by imipramine, of the hemodynamic, functional and biochemical consequences of an experimental cranio-cervical trauma in rats].

The experimental reproduction of a cranio-cervical traumatism in the rat and consecutive troubles prove the organicity of the post-concussional syndrom. This syndrom seems to be due to an acceleration of the catabolism of cerebral norepinephrin, and the treatment by imipramine seems to inhibit the decrease of its rate.


[Effects of histamine and its derivatives on the excitability of a giant identifiable neuron of Achatina fulica Férussac. A histaminergic receptor different from H1 and H2].

A giant neurone of Achatina fulica Férussac (the TAN, tonically autoactive neurone) is excited by histamine. Pharmacological characteristics of its histaminergic reception are quite different from those of H1 and H2 receptors. The effect of histamine on the TAN is antagonized by neither mepyramine nor burimamide.


[Ultrastructural study of the adsorption of lymphocytes on cells infected by vacinnia virus].

Adsorption of chicken lymphocytes to HEp-2 cells infected with vaccinia virus was found to occur by two processes. In one, the lymphocytes were attached to the microvilli of the HEp-2 cells, and the lymphocyte and host cell were separated at a distance of up to 0.6 micron. In the other, there was direct and close binding of the lymphocytes to the infected HEp-2 cell. The lymphocyte and HEp-2 cell were separated by an apparent gap approximately 10 to 20 nm in width.


[Systemic competition in the case of hemimelia in mice].

In the mice hemimely, data suggest some systemic competitive phenomena, described in terms of surplus "digit material" with some contraints on its distribution between limbs.


[The tail of the tadpole of Alytes obstetricans in organ culture with or without the addition of thyroxine. Ultrastructural controls].

The tail of the Alytes obstetricans tadpole, isolated at different stages (end of proclimax and climax), was studied in organ culture. The addition of thyroxine at a concentration of 5.10(-7) induces an involution slower than in vivo. Besides, this regression is comparatively slower in similar conditions, than in Xenopus laevis. This delay could be explained by the important volume and the very developed musculature of this anuran tail. Ultrastructural controls reveal the form of the muscles, the neural tube and the phagocytic cells in the tail metamorphising in vitro.


[The effects of malnutrition on the prenatal development of rat brain].

Female rats were submitted to caloric and protein restriction 8 days before fecondation and during pregnancy. A reduction of the number of brain cells in the fetuses was evident only after the 20th day of pregnancy. This reduction appeared to be limited to glial cells, and not to affect neurons contrarily to what had previously been stated by some authors.


[Relationship between the incremental and behavioral responses evoked by stimulation of the ventral anterior nucleus of the rat thalamus].

Low frequency stimulation of nucleus Ventralis Anterior thalami in unanesthetized rats elicits incremental responses and produces, in some conditions, characteristic behavioral reaction. Stimulation thresholds giving rise to behavioral reaction are higher than those allowing to find electrocortical responses. The analysis of their evolution discloses changes which are bound to both of the following parameters: the stimulation frequency and the arousal. The lowest behavioral thresholds are got at 8-10 c/s during relaxed wakefulness whereas the lowest electrocortical thresholds are found at 5-8 c/s during slow-wave sleep.


[Assimilation of insoluble beta mannan by a strain of Streptomyces from the soil].

A strain of Streptomyces hydrolysing the insoluble beta (1 leads to 4) mannan has been isolated from a soil of palm plantation. The first step in the degradation of the polysaccharide is a random hydrolysis by a beta mannanase, leading to mannotetra-, mannotri- and mannobiose. Liberation of free mannose is never observed. The hydrolysing pattern of oligomannosides and of their reduced homologues has been studied and a transfert reaction is postulated. This mannanase behaves as a true endopolysaccharidase.


[The effect of a substance extracted from the urine of prepubertal children on circulating rat gonadotropins].

In the male rat, castration causes an increase of the LH level measured by radioimmunoassay. The application of a compound extracted from a impuber child urine and having anti-gonadotropic effects revealed biologically cannot stop this increase that is even put up by the treatment.


[The effect of urine from castrated male or female guinea pigs and rats on the estrous cycle of guinea pigs and rats, respectively].

A 24-hour reduced cycle duration was observed in 5-day cyclic female rats exposed to the odor of urine from male or female castrated rats. A decrease in the duration of the period of vaginal closure, ranging from 2 to 5 days, was observed in female guinea pigs exposed to the odor of urine from male or female castrated guinea pigs. The pheromonal activity of urine in both species was concluded to be no dependent upon the gonadal function.


[Ultrastructure of 3 beta HSDH (delta 5-3 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase)-containing cells in ducks. III. Hybrid ducks (Anas platyrhynchos male X Cairina moschata female) during egg laying].

All the cells of the ovary of the hybrid duck (Peking duck X Barbary duck) which contain an active 3 beta HSDH enzyme show ultrastructural characteristics of steroid cells: a smooth, developed reticulum, tubularcrested mitochondria, a considerable "charge" in lipid inclusion. These cells are found not only in the internal theca of follicles as with the female gender, but also in the cortical zones void of germinal elements, a tendancy particular to the female.


[Acid phosphatase activity in the hemolymph of the fly Calliphora erythrocephala during metamorphosis].

Acid phosphatase is present in the haemolymph of the fly Calliphora erythrocephala. The activity of this enzyme has been studied during development; it shows a marked increase during hours following pupation. This increase of activity may be related to the histolytic processes which are acting during metamorphosis.


[The mode of action of antifungal agents. Effect of horse erythrocyte membranes on amphotericin B].

The Tris-HCl solution of the heptaen antibiotic, amphotericin B, gives a very important circular dichroism exhibiting a disymetric couplet. The absorption is affected by a blue shift of the maxima. The addition of erythrocyte membranes reduces the couplet and increases the small negative peaks to positive values at 422 and 399 nm. As a time function the evolution of spectra is hyperbol like. Such transformations are more important than those obtained with molecular cholesterol. These striking modifications of the C. D. spectra are correlated with conformational changes of the aggregative form of the antibiotic.


[Assay of gluconic acid by the gluconodehydrogenase of Pseudomonas fluorescens].

A method is outlined for the preparation of a soluble form of glucono-dehydrogenase from P. fluorescens. The use of this enzyme enables a simple, specific and accurate determination of gluconic acid in complex biological media.


Complete transection of the body of the stomach resulting from blunt trauma.

Gastric perforation due to blunt trauma is rare, especially in children. The authors present a case of complete transection of the stomach in a 10-year-old boy who was thrown across the steel back of a seat in a school bus. Associated injuries included hematoma, a torn spleen, a seromuscular tear of the duodenojejunal flexure and complete transection of the pancreas and rectus abdominis muscle. The boy's postoperative course was complicated by the development of peritonitis with abscess formation and a pancreatic fistula. To the author's knowledge this is The first case of complete transection of the stomach, due to blunt trauma reported in the English literature.


Diet and endocrine-related cancer.

In women, dietary modification and life style affect the risk of breast cancer and may alter the hormonal status, while in experimental animals diet can alter the incidence of induced mammary tumors. In this study, a high fat diet increased the incidence of DMBA-induced tumors in rats while this increase in incidence was lowered and the effect of a high fat diet obliterated by an anti-prolactin during CB154. Premenopausal Japanese women had a higher estradiol level than their Caucasian counterpart. In Japanese but not Caucasian breast cancer patients, the estradiol decreased. When nurses were transferred from the Western to a vegetarian diet, the menstrual cycle was shortened, while their prolactin and testosterone decreased. Data indicate that dietary factors influence tumor incidence and hormone profile in rat mammary cancer and the hormonal status in women.


Isolation and partial characterization of plasma membranes bearing human fetal-associated antigens.

A rabbit antiserum to first-trimester human fetal tissue had greater reactivity in complement fixation and saturation binding assays with fetal tissues than with both a pool of normal adult lung, liver, and kidney and pools of the individual organs. This anti-fetal membrane reactivity was only partially inhibited by carcinoembryonic antigen. The serum still reacted strongly with human fetal and tumor cells after rendering it specific for plasma membrane components by adsorption to and elution from intact human fetal tissue culture cells. This plasma membrane-specific serum was then used to monitor the purification of the fetal membrane-associated antigens. The fetal antigens copurified with the putative plasma membrane enzymatic markers 5'-nucleotidase and Mg2+-adenosinetriphosphatase through differential and density gradient centrifugation. Insulin-binding activity only partially copurified with the antigenic activity. Little antigenic activity was found in nuclear and mitochondrial fractions. The isolation protocol gives fetal plasma membrane-associated antigens in approximately 50% yield with moderate purification. The sera and isolation procedures described should have general utility for the detection of human oncofetal antigens.


Role of cardiac contractility in hypertrophy from chronic volume loading.

In an experimental model of chronic cardiac volume overloading, ie chronic A-V block, evaluations of cardiac function were performed during the phase of the development of hypertrophy (one and two weeks of A-V block) and at stable hypertrophy (ten weeks of A-V block). During a time period of ten weeks of volume overload left ventricular muscle mass increased to 1.41 of normal hearts. Cardiac performance measured from cardiac index, stroke volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction was not depressed at any evaluated state of hypertrophy. Normal cardiac performance was also demonstrated when the heart was stressed by high ventricular pacing rates. The contractile state of the intact heart was expressed as the velocity of the isometric left ventricular pressure rise (dP/dt) at comparable loading conditions. Increased dP/dtmax at a stage before stable hypertrophy was reached, even when preload is normalised by ventricular pacing (70/min) implies that the volume overloaded heart during the development of hypertrophy mobilises part of its contractile reserve. It is assumed that increased contractility is a functional cause of an increase in oxygen demand; and that an adequate energy availability is covered by the enlargement of the mitochondrial mass. At stable hypertrophy when the contractile material has also increased, a new steady state is reached and an again normal contractility indicates an also stable dynamic situation.


Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the human hypertrophic heart.

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes have been measured in human hearts at autopsy. As compared with normal hearts, hypertrophic hearts and ischaemic hypertrophic hearts showed a shift in the isoenzyme distribution. This shift appeared to be more closely associated with an increase in the relative proportion of fibrous tissue than with changes in the myocardial cells.


Specific chalone inhibition of the regeneration of the JB-1 ascites tumour studied by flow microfluorometry.

The variation in the DNA distribution in the JB-1 and the Lla2 ascites tumour was investigated by means of flow microfluorometry (FMF) in the plateau stage and during the initiation of the regenerative growth induced by percutaneous aspiration. The study showed that a considerable influx of cells with G1DNA content into the S phase occurred in both tumours about 10 hr after aspiration. In the JB-1 tumour, these initial regenerative changes could be reversibly blocked by injections of cell-free plateau JB-1 ascitic fluid or an ultrafiltrate of this ascites. In contrast to these observations no delay in the regenerative changes was observed in the L1a2 tumour after treatment with JB-1 ascites or the ultrafiltrate. The study supports the assumption of a specific growth regulation of the JB-1 ascites tumour and emphasizes the suitability of FMF analyses in cell-kinetic studies in which short-term fluctuations take place in the distribution of cells with different DNA content.


Isolation and characterization of myosin from subjects with asymmetric septal hypertrophy.

Human cardiac myosin isolated from operatively obtained samples of ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall of subjects with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) was compared, with respect to structural and enzymatic properties, to myosin isolated from hearts of subjects without heart disease. The following parameters were studied: (1) activation of myosin ATPase activity by K+-EDTA and Ca2+, (2) molecular weight of the heavy and light chains of myosin as determined by electrophoretic migration in polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels and (3) ability to form bipolar aggregates at low ionic strength, as examined by electron microscopy. No difference was present in any of these parameters between human cardiac myosin from subjects with ASH and from subjects without heart disease. Thus, the genetic defect present in subjects with ASH is not expressed in the particular structural and functional characteristics of myosin evaluated in this study.


Effects of intermittent pressure loading on the development of ventricular hypertrophy in the cat.

Although the effects of persistent pressure loading on the development of ventricular hypertrophy have been studied extensively, the effects of intermittent pressure loading have not been examined. To study the effects of intermittent pressure loading we subjected the right ventricle of cats to intermittent pulmonary artery constriction over a 2-week period. Two intermittent pressure loading schedules were employed. The first consisted of a right ventricular systolic pressure of 60 mm Hg for 3.5 days and normal right ventricular pressure for 3.5 days; and the second consisted of a right ventricular systolic pressure of 60 mm Hg for 2.3 days and normal right ventricular pressure for 4.7 days. The intermittent pressure-loaded cats were compared with normal unoperated controls, sham-operated controls, and cats with persistent right ventricular pressure load for either 1-week or 1- to 2-month duration. The data indicate that intermittent pressure loading caused significant right ventricular hypertrophy. Since significant residual ventricular hypertrophy was present in both intermittent pressure loading groups, regression of ventricular hypertrophy involves a slower process than the progression of hypertrophy.


Effects of physical training on end-diastolic volume and myocardial performance of isolated rat hearts.

We studied the performance of ventricular muscle and cardiac function of hearts from rats conditioned by swimming (CH) and from sedentary rats (SH) in an isolated working heart apparatus modified to measure end-diastolic volume by dye dilution. Instantaneous aortic flow, left ventricular (LV) pressure and oxygen consumption were measured. Heart rate and mean aortic pressure were kept constant, and atrial filling pressure was varied from 5 to 20 cm H2O. Heart weights of SH and CH were equal and end-diastolic pressures and volumes were similar at all atrial pressures. However, ejection fraction, calculated circumferential fiber velocity, peak systolic pressure, peak aortic flow, cardiac output, and stroke work were all greater in CH than in SH, and the differences increased as atrial pressure was increased. Maximal negative dP/dt was greater in CH than SH at all preloads (P less than 0.001). Oxygen consumption of CH was increased in proportion to the increase in work. These results indicate that the improved pumping performance of CH is due to a change in ventricular muscle function. Faster relaxation is a prominent effect of physical training on the rat heart and may foster more complete filling at high heart rates.


Role of hypertension in ischemic heart disease and cerebral vascular disease in the cynomolgus monkey with coarctation of the aorta.

The role of hypertension in cardiovascular disease was studied in the hypertensive coarcted monkey during the feeding of an atherogenic and nonatherogenic diet. During the 15-month period of observation, half of the hypertensive coarcted monkeys developed cardiovascular disease which included heart failure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and sudden death. There were no cardiovascular complications in the control normotensive monkeys except for one cholesterol-fed animal. The incidence of ischemic heart disease and sudden cardiac death was higher in monkeys with both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia than in those with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia alone. Postmortem studies revealed that the former monkeys had both hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, whereas the monkeys with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia had either hypertensive or atherosclerotic heart disease. Hypertensive heart disease was characterized not only by hypertrophy of the left ventricle but also by focal myocardial degeneration and fibrosis and by focal thickening and narrowing of the small coronary arteries, particularly the sinus node artery and the atrioventricular node artery. The finding of transmural myocardial infarction in two monkeys with patient coronary arteries suggests a possible role of coronary artery spasm in ischemic heart disease in hypertension. The cerebral vascular complications of hypertension included hypertensive encephalopathy, transient "ischemic" attacks, and hemorrhagic stroke. The complications were associated with severe hypertension and with hypertensive vascular disease or hypertensive and atherosclerotic vascular disease of the cerebral arteries.


Treatment of mild hypertension: results of a ten-year intervention trial.

Three hundred and eighty-nine subjects, ages 21-55, with diastolic blood pressures between 90 and 115 mm Hg were studied prospectively for 7-10 years in a controlled intervention trial to determine whether pressure lowering reduces the incidence of cardiovascular complications and death. The assignment to therapy, either a combination of a diuretic and rauwolfia serpentina, or an identical placebo, was random. Adverse effects required termination in only 23 (5.9%) cases. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was reduced an average of 10 mm Hg (systolic equals 16 mm Hg) in the active treatment group with no change in the placebo group. The major end points of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke totaled 17 and were nearly equally divided between treatment and placebo. Other manifestations of coronary disease were also equally distributed. Complications such as electrocardiographic hypervoltage, left ventricular hypertrophy, radiogrpahic cardiomegaly, and retinopathy occurred in the placebo group at a rate of 53.1 per 100 subjects compared to 23.8 per 100 in those on active drugs. Treatment failure occurred in 24 placebo-treated cases and none of the active group. The overall effectiveness of pressure lowering in reducing these complications and treatment failure was 60%. It is concluded that given the lower level of excess risk in mild uncomplicated hypertension, and the failure of active drug therapy to protect against coronary disease, systematic follow-up without drugs while attempting hygienic intervention and control of other risk factors may be a reasonable alternative for this large group.


Hypercontractile cardiac states simulating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) has been defined as an autosomal dominant myocardial disease characterized by specific physical findings, echocardiographic features, asymmetric septal hypertrophy and disordered myocardial architecture. Echocardiographic and scintiphotographic studies failed to reveal evidence of asymmetric septal hypertrophy in four patients with systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve and the typical ausculatory and peripheral pulse abnormalities characteristic of HCM. Postmortem examimination in one patient demonstrated mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and a normal arrangement of myocardial muscle fibers. These observations in four patients demonstrate that both systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve and the physical findings characteristic of HCM are not specific for the autosomal dominant myocardial disease characterized by asymmetric septal hypertrophy and abnormal septal histology.


Coagulation, oestrogen and the menopause.

The objective of oestrogen replacement therapy in the menopause is the prevention of pathology attributable to oestrogen lack. Care should be taken to ensure that such therapy is free from harmful side effects. To date, there have been no long-term longitudinal studies or clinical reports that have positively identified oestrogen usage in "normal" postmenopausal women, with inappropriate thrombosis directly attributable to an oestrogen-induced alteration in the coagulation mechanism. This is surprising since certain coagulation factors change and the peripheral blood flow decreases in the elderly, predisposing them to enhanced clot formation. There is also the well-documented (but controversial) association between oestrogens, oral contraceptives and thrombosis. Whether this paradox can be explained by differences in the type and/or potency of the oestrogens used in ORT, remains to be determined. At present it may be concluded that ORT per se does not place the postmenopausal women at greater risk from developing arterio-venous thrombosis.


Catecholamines, blood pressure, renin and myocardial function in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

1. Neither nerve-growth-factor antiserum (NGFAS) administered subcutaneously nor 6-hydroxydopamine administered intraventricularly to immature spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) inhibited the development of the hypertensive syndrome. In contrast, NGFSA did not affect blood pressure in normotensive Kyoto/Wistar rats. 2. Peripheral vascular resistance was increased and cardiac index decreased in both NGFAS and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated SHR despite preservation of normal blood pressure. 3 NGFAS treatment did not influence the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in SHR, despite the lowering of blood pressure. In contrast, 6-hydroxydopamine caused an attenuation in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. 4. Indices of left ventricular contractility were depressed by NGFAS treatment but not by 6-hydroxydopamine. 5. Plasma renin activity was unaffected by NGFAS treatment and increased by 6-hydroxydopamine.


Double-blind comparison of minoxidil and hydrallazine in severe hypertension.

1. Thirty moderately severely hypertensive patients were studied in a double-blind comparison of minoxidil and hydrallazine in combination with frusemide and propranolol. 2. Blood pressure control in both groups of patients was satisfactory but long-term control appeared to be better in the minoxidil group. 3. Renal function was well preserved in both groups. Evidence of cardiac hypertrophy was slow to resolve despite good control of blood pressure. Side effects were negligible, and patient acceptance and rehabilitation was excellent.


Pharmacokinetic interactions with rifampicin.

Rifampicin, a potent antituberculosis agent, is frequently combined with other antituberculosis drugs, or with drugs belonging to entirely different classes which may be required during a long period of antituberculous treatment, and therefore has a potential for drug interactions of practical clinical importance. The absorption of rifampicin is markedly decreased when it is simultaneously administered with para-aminosalicylic acid granules, due to adsorption by an excipient, bentonite. Several clinical observations and investigations have indicated that rifampicin itself accelerates the metabolism of various other compounds, including oral anticoagulants, the contraceptive pill, oral hypoglycaemic agents and digitoxin. Rifampicin seems to be a potent inducer of drug metabolism in humans and it causes a proliferation of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum and an increase of cytochrome P450 content in the liver. It also increases its own rate of desacetylation. However, of the test compounds hexobarbitone and tolbutamide, the metabolic clearance increased 2-to 3-fold following rafampicin treatment, whereas antipyrine clearance was unaltered. This indicates that there is a certain selectivity in the enzyme induction effect of rifampicin, although it reamins unclear which compound will and which will not be affected. Rifampicin may also possibly interfere with hepatic uptake of other compounds, but the clinical significance of this type of interaction has not been clearly demonstrated; On the other hand, oral probenecid significantly increases the serum level of rifampicin, probably due to a similar depression of hepatic uptake.


Studies on uremic toxins: the identification and the determination of toxic effect by tissue culture method.

Uremic serum fractions obtained by Amicon XM-10 hollow fiber and membrane filtration was investigated using cytotoxicity in tissue culture by Rose's circumfusion system and by monolayer culture. The cytotoxic fraction was investigated with Elphor-Va 4, IR spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectrometry for analysis of the true form of the substance. Remarkable cytotoxicity was observed in the small molecular fraction. Of the substances which may be surmised as uremic toxins, such as urea methylguanidine (MG), guanidinosuccinic acid, etc., only MG presented a similar cytotoxicity to this fraction. From the result of mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, and NMR spectrometry, it appeard that the electropositive substance included in the small molecular fraction was intimately associated with MG or one of its derivatives. The middle molecular fraction showed an inhibitory effect on cultured mouse liver glucokinase and human erythrocytic Na-K-dependent ATPase.


Metabolism of 4-14C-dehydroepiandrosterone and 4-14C-4-androstene -3, 17-dione by isolated cells of early human placenta.

The preparation of isolated cells was used for the study of the metabolism of 4-14C-dehydroepiandrosterone and 4-14C-4-androstene-3,17-dione in early human placenta. Free cells suspension converted dehydroepiandrosterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione into estrone, estradiol-17beta and into C1[neutral steroids 4-androstene-3,17-dione and testosterone.


Thyrotropin-releasing hormone content of rat brain and hypothalamus: results of endocrine and pharmacologic treatments.

Studies of hypothalamic and regional brain TRH content in the rat after administration of various hormonal and pharmacologic agents were performed. No consistent changes in TRH content in the hypothalamus or brain followed thyroidectomy, hypophysectomy or administration of thyroxine or dexamethasone. There was a significant fall in hypothalamic forebrain and brain stem TRH content 60 min after insulin administration and in brain stem TRH at 30 and 120 min as well. Administration of alpha-methyl-paratyrosine, parachlorophenylalanine or reserpine, in varying doses and for varying periods, did not alter hypothalamic or regional brain TRH content. Thus, little evidence that hypothalamic or brain TRH content is dependent on hormonal milieu or neurotransmitter content was found.


Pulmonary insulin responsivitiy: in vivo effects of insulin on the diabetic rat lung and specific insulin binding to lung receptors in  normal rats.

Adult rats were rendered diabetic by a single iv injection of streptozotocin (70 or 75 mg/kg). In these rats, serum insulin fell to minimal levels during the 48 h following drug treatment, and this was roughly paralleled by a progressive decrease in the ability of the lung to oxidize glucose. The addition of insulin to diabetic rat lung slices in vitro had no restorative effect on the depressed glucose oxidative rate during a 2 h incubation period; however, two daily treatments of the rats with 1 unit of protamine, zinc insulin completely restored lung glucose oxidation rate to normal, without significantly reducing the hyperglycemic state of the rats. An examination of the temporal changes in glucose utilization by the rat lung after acute insulin treatment revealed that the diabetic lung responded directly to serum levels of insulin, whereas the normal lung appeared to be unaffected by serum insulin levels as hihg as 87 ng/ml. The reduced rate of glucose oxidation in the diabetic lung was apparent after perfusion of the lung with glucose-free medium, and was characterized by a significant reduction in Vmax without an alteration in Km. This was attended by a depressed ability of the lung to incorporate [3H]leucine into protein and an increased ability to produce lactate, but hexose monophosphate shunt activity was normal. Specific receptors for insulin have been identified and partially characterized in crude membrane preparations of normal rat lung. The interaction of insulin with these receptors was rapid, reversible, saturable, and was dependent upon time and temperature. The binding of labeled insulin was inhibited by low concentrations of unlabeled insulin and by high concentrations of  proinsulin, whereas it was unaffected by the presence of glucagon, gastrin, prolactin, ACTH, or growth hormone in microgram amounts.  These observations suggest that insulin regulates the transport and utilization of glucose in the rat lung, and that this tissue contains specific receptors for insulin.


A mathematical model for the influence of anionic effectors on the phosphofructokinase from rat erythrocytes.

The influence of the positive effectors AMP, sulphate, glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and the negative effector 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate on rat erythrocyte phosphofructokinase has been investigated. The kinetic data have been fitted to the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model as well as to a model based on a closed association-dissociation equilibrium. The application of the fitting procedure yeilds for both models a good corresponding between theoretical and experimental data and equal results with respect to the action of the effectors on the enzyme. The corresponding dissociation constants for the binding of the positive effectors to the active state are: AMP 35 micronM, sulphate 0.43 mM and glucose 1,6-bisphosphate 15 micronM. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate as in inhibitor stabilizes the inactive state (dissociation constant: 1.4 mM). A preliminary discrimination between the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model and the association-dissociation model has been attempted.


Properties of ATPase activity in coupling factor from Chromatium strain D chromatophores.

Coupling factor extracted from chromatophores of the photosynthetic bacteria Chromatium strain D was partially purified. The enzyme catalyzed ATPase activity in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. Higher Vapp values were obtained when the activity was measured as a function of the divalent cation-ATP complex rather than as a function of either the divalent cation or ATP because the free components competitively inhibited the activity in the presence of the cation-ATP complex. The Km values were lower than or equal to the Ki values for free ATP indicating that the cation-ATP complex is bound tighter than the free ATP to the enzyme. Based on these results a possible mode of binding of substrate to the active site of the enzyme was suggested. A comparative study indicated no changes in the temperature dependance of ATPase activity when the enzyme was solubilized. However, possible conformation changes could have caused a decrease in the Km values for the (Ca-ATP)2- and (Mg-ATP)2- and in the Ki for free Mg2+ ions and ATP. The Ki for free Ca2+ ions increased on solubilization of the coupling factor. ATPase activity was inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide both in the soluble and in the membrane-bound coupling factor.


Spectroscopic studies on effector-induced and substrate-induced conformation changes of phosphofructokinase.

The interaction of phosphofructokinase with NH4+, AMP, ATP, citrate, MgATP or fructose 6-phosphate, and in part with their mixtures forming either binary or ternary complexes has been studied by means of ultraviolet difference spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy in the wavelength range 265-300 nm with the aim of characterizing the conformational corollaries of the ligand effects on phosphofructokinase. The positive as well as the negative effectors change phosphofructokinase conformation in different ways, not easily interpretable in terms of one active and one inactive enzyme conformation. The spectroscopic equivalents of phosphofructokinase conformation changes resulting from catalytic activity are similar to those produced by the reaction products. The ligand concentration-dependent changes of absorption differences in the tryptophyl, tyrosyl and phenylalanyl region parallel each other, i.e. the interactions of the ligands with phosphofructokinase are not confined to specific aromatic side chains, but involve conformation changes of the large domains of the protein. ATP affinity to the enzyme shows temperature-dependent biphasic changes so that ATP binding appears to be either an entropy-driven or enthalpy-driven process. The dissociation constants of the ligands derived from spectroscopic titration of binary complex formation are comparable to those calculated from kinetic experiments. MgATP and fructose 6-phosphate each alone change phosphofructokinase conformation by binary complex formation in keeping with a random order of reaction sequence.


Are the aerobic and anaerobic phosphofructokinases of Escherichia coli different?

Phosphofructokinase has been purified from Escherichia coli strain K-12 grown in a glucose-limited chemostat, both aerobically and anaerobically. The enzymes migrated together in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, had the same subunit size in denaturing (dodecylsulfate) gels (Mr approx. 34000) and the same kinetic characteristics as described earlier for E. coli phosphofructokinase [e.g. Blangy et al. (1968) J. Mol. Biol. 31, 13-35]: a sigmoid curve of velocity vs. fructose 6-phosphate concentration, activation by ADP, and inhibition by phosphoenolpyruvate. Findings [e.g. Doelle (1975) Eur. J. Biochem, 50, 335-342] of quite different enzymes in aerobic and anaerobic cells were not confirmed.


Evaluation of myocardial function with the 201thallium scintimetry in various diseases of the heart. A correlative study based on 100 patients.

To assess the validity of the quantitative 201Tl scintimetry in various diseases of the heart (coronary heart disease with and without myocardial infarction, non-coronary cardiomyopathy, scleroderma heart disease and asymmetric septal hypertrophy with IHSS), the 201Tl myocardial uptake values for five standardized projections (a) were correlated with the grade of LAD stenosis, (b) the pattern of myocardial wall motion and (c) were compared with the 201Tl uptake values derived from normal patients. Significant reduction (c) of 201Tl myocardial uptake could in individual cases be evaluated in acute myocardial infarction (95%), in dys- and akinesia (90%), in hypokinesia (71%), in scleroderma heart disease (50%), in non-coronary cardiomyopathy (50%) as well as in normokinesia (28%) when associated with LAD stenosis. The mean values (b) of 201Tl uptake in normo- and hypokinesia significantly differed between these two groups and from those evaluated in dys- and akinesia. The latter group showed the lowest 201Tl uptake values computed which in some cases were very close to the mean mediastinal 201Tl uptake. The correlation (a) of individual 201Tl values demonstrated that 201Tl distribution in the myocardium is not only equivalent to myocardial ""perfusion'' but is corresponding with the myocardial function. In non-coronary cardiomyopathy reduced 201Tl values sometimes could not be separated from values in coronary heart disease (and myocardial infarction). A regional increase of myocardial mass as in septal hypertrophy correlated well with an augmented 201Tl uptake when referred to the 201Tl storage in the mediastinum.


[Effect of psychotropic preparations on the activity of transport ATPase of rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum].

The effect exerted by 5 groups of psychotropic agents on b activity of Ca, Mg-dependent ATP-ase of the sarcoplasmatic reticulum in the skeletal muscles of the rabbit and the transport of Ca2+ were looked into. The most profound inhibitory effect was found to be displayed by neuroleptics--phenothiazine derivatives with the piperazine ring in the side chain. Neuroleptics-butyrophenones produced a much less marked inhibitory action. Tricyclic antidepressants noticeably reduced the activity of the enzyme, while MAO inhibitors proved little effective in this respect. Tranquilizers--benzodiazepine derivatives--displayed a moderate inhibitory influence, while trioxazine turned out to be little active. The stimulants caffein, pentylene tetrazol (corazol), as well as high concentrations of lithium salts raised, whereas their low concentrations suppressed the activity of the enzyme. The inhibitory effect of psychotropic agents increased by as much s 11/2--2 times with regard to the enzyme preliminarily activated through incubation with ATP.


[Pathogenesis of lithium polyuria].

An attempt is made to elucidate the pathogenesis of polyuria arising consequent upon medication of affective states with lithium salts. Experiments conducted with 54 male-rats showed that changes in the neurosecretion of supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis that take place after a course-wise intraperitoneal administration in amounts of 200 mg/kg (2/9DL20) of lithium chloride per 24 hours for a duration of 6 days occur parallel with histochemical changes of renal acid muconpolysaccharides and they accord with the nature of diuresis disorders. By the 5th day of the experiment the compound perverts the antidiuretic effect of a single subcutaneous injection of pituitrin (10 U/kg). The authors infer therefrom that polyuria emerging after introduction of lithium salts is caused by a deranged synthesis and secretion of the diuretic hormone and also by the ability of lithium to mitigate the action of this hormone on the kidneys.


Recovery of preimplantation blastocysts in the squirrel monkey by a laparoscopic technique.

A laparoscopic uterine flushing technique has been developed for the recovery of preimplantation embryos from the squirrel monkey. Fourteen adult female squirrel monkeys were induced to ovulate with 4 or 5 days' treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone (1 mg) followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (500 IU). Natural mating with a fertile male or artificial insemination was performed near the time of ovulation. Thirty-six hours and eleven days after HCG administration, the females were laparoscoped to determine whether ovulation had occurred. Under laparoscopic control, 1.2 to 3 ml of warmed saline were flushed through the uterine lumen 4 to 7 and 15 to 17 days after HCG administration. Flushed fluid was recovered with a plyethylene catheter or a Pasteur pipette inserted into the cleaned vagina. Fifty-eight uterine flushings were performed, with an average of 65.4% fluid recovery. Six nonfertilized ova and two preimplantation blastocysts were recovered by this technique.


Paraproteinaemia in Sézary syndrome.

We have observed non-myelomatous monoclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia in a 61-year-old man with Sézary syndrome. Similar cases have not been reported before. Sézary cells of patients studied by other investigators were found to be helper T cells. The abundant production of T-lymphocytic stimuli may possibly explain in our case the occurrence of a paraprotein.


A bacteriological study on children with staphylococcal toxic epidermal necrolysis in Japan.

From 1973 to 1976, 21 patients with staphylococcal toxic epidermal necrolysis were admitted to the Jikei University Hospital in Tokyo. Of all of them were isolated coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus from various sites. In Japan, unlike in Europe and America, phage group II cocci were found in few cases. On the other hand, S. aureus belonging to other phage groups than group II (I, III mixed group and III group) were very commonly isolated. All the isolates produced exfoliatin which was capable of producing exfoliation in newborn mice. The type (A or B) of exfoliation which was detected by the antiserum agar method did not correlate to the severity of this disease.


Efficacy of bufexamac (NFN) cream in skin diseases. A double-blind multicentre trial.

The effect of a new non-steroid anti-inflammatory substance (bufexamac) in a special constituent was compared with that of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide, 1% hydrocortisone cream, and placebo during a double-blind multicentre trial. The clinical effect of these four creams was studied in 193 patients receiving treatment for the following skin disorders: atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and non-allergic contact dermatitis, as well as dermatitis seborrheica. After 2 and 4 weeks' treatment, when 193 and 157 patients, respectively, were re-examined, the effect of triamcinolone acetonide and hydrocortisone cream was significantly better, than that obtained with bufexamac in the cream basis employed. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference in effect between bufexamac and placebo cream was observed.


Influence of streptozotocin diabetes on intestinal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity in the rat.

Studies were undertaken to examine cholesterogenesis in the intestine of streptozotocin-diabetic rats by measuring incorporation of [2(-14)C] acetate into cholesterol and 3-hydroxy-3-methylgultaryl CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase, EC 1.1.1.34) activity. In these diabetic rats, the intestinal mucosal weight and food consumption were markedly high. The incorporation of [2(-14)C] acetate into cholesterol was significantly increased in all diabetic intestinal segments. However, the rates of production of fatty acids and carbon dioxide were not affected. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activities were markedly reduced during both the diurnal high and low periods in these diabetic rats, and there was no diurnal variation. In contrast, the specific activities of this enzyme in jejunal crypt cells during both the diurnal high and low periods were significantly higher in these diabetic rats without loss of diurnal variation. Total reductase activity per segment of intestine in jejunal and ileal mucose (villi + crypt cells) was increased in these diabetic rats. Control rats had higher total and specific activity of ileal mucosal (velli + crypt cells) reductase than of jejunal mucosal reducatse during the diurnal high period. The jejunal-ileal gradient in reductase activity and the incorporation of [2(-14)C] acetate into cholesterol did not change significantly with streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The results indicate that in streptozotocin-diabetic rats, hepatic cholesterogenesis decreases but intestinal synthesis increases.


The insulinotropic action of D-erythrose.

D-erythrose (5.0 to 20.0 mM) stimulates insulin release. This insulinotropic action of erythrose displays several features in common with that of glucose. First, erythrose (20 mM) causes a shift to the left of the sigmoidal curve relating the secretory rate to the glucose eoncentration, but fails to enhance the maximal response to glucose. Second, the secretory response to erythrose occurs as an early peak followed by a phase of sustained release. Third, erythrose increases the output of lactate from the islets. Last, erythrose inhibits the efflux of 45calcium and  favours its accumulation in isolated islets. It is suggested that, whether in response to glucose or erythrose, an increase in glycolytic flux may represent the key process involved in the identification of the secretagogue, a subsequent remodeling of calcium fluxes being apparently responsible for the activation of the insulin-releasing system.


Renal hypertrophy in experimental diabetes: relation to severity of diabetes.

Streptozotocin diabetic rats have larger kidneys than non-diabetic rats. In the present study the rate of kidney growth during the first seven days of diabetes was correlated with the blood glucose concentration. Over a wide range of blood glucose concentrations (116-340 mg/100 ml) the kidney weight, protein content and protein/DNA ratio were closely correlated with the glucose values.


[The efficacy of the angiographical method in the evaluation of left ventricular muscle mass in the dog (author's transl)].

In nine closed chest mongrel dogs 42 left ventricular cineangiographies for determination of left ventricular muscle mass were carried out. Buetterich's method was verified and a different procedure of calculation of myocardial wall thickens was proposed. By this method a better correlation line between calculated and weighed left muscle mass and a lower standard error of estimate is obtained.


Establishment and characteristics of a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line.

A permanent cell line (HLC-1) was established from the pleural effusion of a human lung adenocarcinoma. The cell line was characterized by the monolayered and multilayered organoid growth of epithelioid cells with the doubleing time of about 33 hr and the modal chromosome number of 68. Cloning efficiency was 17.9% in liquid medium and 8.3% in soft agar. The cell produced a large amount of epithelial mucin. Electron microscopic examination revealed many secretory granules and terminal bars. They formed spherical aggregates in a gyratory culture which showed adenocarcinoma-like tubular structures histologically. Enzyme-histolochemically, they showed the characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma cells except for a few enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and ATPase. Heterotransplantation of the cells produced the tumor. These characteristics confirm that HLC-1 cell line is a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line.


[Clinical findings with a low-dosed antiandrogene (cyproteronacetate) and aethinyloestradiol women with virilising symptoms (author's transl)].

The paper refers to 167 patients who were treated with 2 mg Cyproteronacetate and 50 mug Ethinyloestradiol because of acne, seborrhoea, hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. The application was daily from the 5th to the 25th day of cycle over a period of 12 months. The success of treatment depended on the severity of virilisation: in cases of light acne only 77% of the patients showed improvement, while in cases of severe acne 91,4% showed improvement or healing of acne. The corresponding figures for seborrhoea were 55,7% and 89,4% respectively, and for hirsutism 37,4% and 60,9% respectively. Furthermore the success of treatment of the different virilising symptoms depended on the duration of therapy: while acne was already cured significantly after 6 months of treatment, seborrhoea and hirsutism show continuous improvement up to the 10th month thetherapy. Concerning side effects during therapy spottings and brake through bleedings were registered in 17,1 and 6% of cycles respectively. 16,2% of the patients noted breast tensions. Finally 68,7% of the patients suffered from nervousness, a very subjective symptom, which might be explained by the psychic lability accompanying virilising symptoms. The drop out rate was 7,8%, being not higher than with other oral contraceptives.


[Exploratory laparotomies in geriatric-gynaecological patients (author's transl)].

In 17 gynaecological departments of West-Berlin hospitals, 2940 laparotomies were done between 1960 and 1969 in women of at least 60 years of age, of which 331 (10,9%) were exploratory. Of these the postoperative mortality was 39,2% (130 cases). The fatal cases could be divided into 120 women suffering from inoperable malignant tumors, 7 from sigmoid diverticulitis and 3 from chromical gynaecological inflammatory tumors. The frequency of such critical exploratory laparotomies could be lowered partly by intensifying cancer routine check-up by specialists by more complex diagnostic measures before the operations and by fewer adhesiotomies in cases of chronical inflammatory complaints. Most important, however, seems to be the well indicated application of laparoscopy under conditions that allow consecutive laparotomy if necessary. It is thought that to an experienced surgeon the diagnostic value of laparoscopy is almost equal to that of laparotomy. It therefore can be considered a true alternative.


[Biological and evolutionary significance of the major histocompatibility complex].

The recent advances in the understanding of the Major Histocompatibility Complex, particularly of human HLA and murine H2, are critically reviewed. Special emphasis has been given to the new hypotheses regarding MHC a "rejection" system for recognizing and eliminating cells that have been altered in the expression of their so called transplantation antigens by viral infection or oncogenic transformation. Because Ir genes are certainly involved in controlling the immune response against modified autologous MHC antigens, the author forwards an original hypothesis for explaining the linkage disequilibrium between different alleles at the HLA: A, B, C loci: the Ir gene (genes) in a given haplotype is particularly efficient for recognizing some particular altered antigens of different serie (say A1 and B8; A3 and B7). If these is the case the Ir gene (genes) would be the Keystone for maintaining the preferential associations of some pseudoalleles in some haplotypes.


Fibrin(-ogen) interactions with plasmin.

This is a brief review of the major events which take place when plasmin reacts with fibrinogen (fibrinogenolysis) and fibrin (fibrinolysis). An effort is made to interrelate the locations of the major products of fibrinogenolysis (X, Y, D and E) in the originating fibrinogen molecule. The complexity of the lysates of fibrins, cross-linked by factor XIII to varying extents, is discussed. Clinical and structural implications of two fragments (D dimer and the D dimer-E complex) unique to cross-linked fibrin digests, are highlighted.


Activation of plasminogen as a feature in its assay.

Seven laboratories collaborating in a study of two intermediate purity plasminogen preparations (64/23, 63/6) observed that the amount of activator (urokinase or streptokinase) and the time of activation of plasminogen influenced the amount of plasmin generated. Using casein and a synthetic polypeptide (S-2251) as substrates, the authors subsequently showed that complete activation of plasminogen was difficult to achieve without acitivity losses due to plasmin autodigestion. Comparison of the polypeptide subunits (on SDS electrophoresis) of the various plasminogen activation mixtures with their plasmin activity allowed the conclusion that at maximum generation of plasmin from plasminogen, some plasminogen remains in the form of an inactive plasminogen intermediate (PLG-i).


Development of chequerboard pattern in human foetal skeletal muscle.

The study was undertaken to race the histochemical and electron microscopic development patterns of human myogenesis from the 9th to the 26th week of foetal life. Particular attention was paid to the possibility of appearance of metabolic or structural differences between individual skeletal muscle fibres in early periods of myogenesis. The 9th week of foetal life is the period when primitive myotubes are formed. Irregular distribution of the ATPase (pH 9-4) activity observed at this time is due to differences in the structure of fusing myoblasts. The early myotubes show a high activity of the oxidative enzymes and lack of phosphorylase. Conversion of immature muscle cells into structurally mature fibres begins between the 20th and the 24th week. The latter fibres exhibit a uniform activity of all the studied enzymes and thus resemble the intermediate type of fibres of mature muscles. From about the 26th week on the typical mosaic pattern of the enzymatic activity is observed. All the differences in enzymatic activity which appear in fibers prior to their full morphologicaal maturity result from differences in developmental stages of the fibres at the given moment. The present study also suggests that there are no morphological or metabolic differences between individual humanskeletal muscle fibres prior to their metabolic differentiation into types which occurs after their innervation.


The fine structure and histochemistry of bleb-like extrusions in the microthrix border of the larval Multiceps endothoracicus.

The study on the fine structure and the histochemistry of microtriches in the spiral canal and the scolex of a larva of the polycephalic cestode Multiceps endothoracicus suggested a defensive mechanism of a part of the parasite against invading cells of the parasite against invading cells of the tissue reaction of the host. Numerous vesicles and bleb-like extrusions were present in the transitory zone of the opening of the spiral canal and in the rostellar region of the scolex in close contact with deteriorating host cells. Both, the vesicles and bleb-like extrusions gave a positive reaction for SS and SH groups and displayed an enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase (AP) and nonspecific esterase (NE). Scanning and transmissive electron microscopy revealed the process of formation of bleb-like extrusions from the distal cytoplasm and showed that the appearance of the microtriches was being changed by an accumulation of products of secernation and secretion responsible for a lysis of the host cells.


C. T. evaluation of renal space occupying lesions.

About 70 patients with suspicion on conventional radiographic examination of a space occupying lesion of the kidney, were also evaluated by C. T. There was no problem to differentiate benign cystic lesions and obstructive hydronephrosis from solid tumors. More difficult however was the differential diagnosis of the different types of renal solid tumors from chronical inflammatory processes. For this reason selective angiography remains imperative in those conditions.


[Computer-tomography of the facial bones (part I). Demonstration of various structures and deeply placed regions (author's transl)].

Conventional diagnosis of facial structures by endoscopy and conventional tomography often meets with the following difficulties: 1. Deeply placed areas cannot be seen, or are only partly visible by endoscopy. 2. Conventional tomography produces a two-dimensional section of a three dimensional object which may be confused by out of focus tomographic shadows. Our first attempts at computer tomographic examination of the facial structures in 41 patients have shown that this technique, working with parallel rays and without confusing shadows, is able to provide an accurate morphological demonstration of various structures and organs in the facial region.


[The value of serial scintigraphy with 99mTc pertechnetate compared with axial computed tomography in the diagnosis of cerebral tumours (author's transl)].

The increasing use of cranial computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of cerebral tumours has suggested that the place of cerebral serial scintigraphy (CSS) with 99mTc pertechnitate needs to be re-assessed. For this purpose 190 patients with 200 intracranial tumours were examined by both methods. Of the 155 histologically confirmed tumours, 87% could be diagnosed by CSS, and 99% with CT. Amongst the total of 190 patients, CSS was correct in 90%, and CT in 99%. Correct tumour diagnosis of meningiomas was 84% for both methods, and for glioblastomas, 83% for both methods. Combining the two methods, however, produced 92% accuracy with meningiomas, and 90% of glioblastomas could be correctly classified. Gliomas of Grade I/II had an accuracy of 39% for CSS (52% for CT), for metastases 50% for CSS (80% for CT) and in the group "various tumours" 19% for CSS (41% for CT). Computed tomography will have to be carried out in future on all patients suspected of having a primary tumour and before any neuro-surgical intervention. The main task of CSS remains as a screening procedure for intracranial space-occupying lesions and to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. CSS is also valuable as an indication for the use of contrast during CT. In some cases this isotope method may increase the type specific diagnosis of CT.


[Carotid-cavernous fistula. Diagnosis by angiography and scintillation camera (author's transl)].

Four patients with post-traumatic and one with a spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula are described. Perfusion scintigraphy made the diagnosis in three patients and in the other two strongly suggested it. Exposures in ventral and lateral projections are able to make the correct diagnosis. Sequential scintigraphy is also valuable for post-operative follow-up. Cerebral angiography can localise the fistula and the adequacy of the circle of Willis can be determined pre-operatively. In addition to the major venous flow from the cavernous sinus into the superior ophthalmic vein, other characteristic pathways may be demonstrated. Knowledge of the pathological and anatomical situation is a prerequisite for treatment planning.


[Occlusion of the basilar artery (author's transl)].

Occlusion of the basilar artery was demonstrated arteriographically in two cases. The symptomatology is described. Due to effective collateral circulation the patients survived and recovered from severe neurological deficits. One of the patients, clincally in a state resembling akinetic mutism for several weeks, not only survived but regained speech. To our knowledge this has not been reported in the literature previously. Our cases as well as similar ones of others showed, that for development of effective intrcranial collaterals the time, during which occlusion occurs, is clearly of importance. Development of collateral circulation also depends on the anatomy of the circle of Willis and a sufficient extracranial circulation.


[Combined carotid and femoral angiography in arterial occlusive disease (author's transl)].

"Asymptomatic" carotid stenosis with a murmur is an indication for carotid angiography, particularly in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Carotid angiography in the neck, carried out in two planes, makes it possible to differentiate different types of stenosis. Plaques and ulcerating strictures are a source of micro-emboli. The extent and localisation of extracranial carotid stenoses must be precisely defined because of their haemodynamic effects, particularly before major vascular surgery, which may result in a transient fall in blood pressure. Carotid angiography can be combined with femoral angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In our experience, the combined angiography does not result in any increase in the complication rate. This experience is based on 38 patients seen in the last 14 months.


[The diagnosis of cystic degeneration of the adventitia (author's transl)].

The clinical picture of cystic degeneration of the adventitia is illustrated by two cases. This usually occurs in a portion of an artery near a joint, most commonly in the popliteal artery. The diagnosis is made in the presence of irregular, intermittent claudication associated with an "hour glass" stenosis of the popliteal artery on the arteriogram, without displacement of the vessel. The aetiology is probably related to herniation of the synovia from the adjacent joint capsule; this explains not only the variable pressure within the cyst in the arterial wall, but also the connection found at operation between the adventitial cyst in the popliteal artery and the joint capsule. Treatment consists in shelling out of the cyst. The prognosis is good and recurrences do not occur.


[The accuracy of lymphography in patients with malignant testicular tumours (author's transl)].

In 33 patients with malignant teratoid testicular tumours, the retro-peritoneal lymph nodes were surgically removed after lymphograms had been carried out. Histological examination of the lymph nodes showed retroperitoneal metastases in 42% (14 out of 33). In 25 of the 33 patients, there was agreement between lymphography and histology; diagnostic accuracy of lymphography was about 76%. In the presence of positive findings, accuracy was 87%.5%, for negative findings it was 72%. The more frequent false negative findings are due to anatomically determined failure of contrast filling of aortic lymph nodes; the less common false positive findings are produced by involution of lymph nodes.


[The indications for lymphography in urology with special reference to carcinoma of the penis (author's transl)].

Lymphograms have been performed on 775 urological patients. Our experience indicates a scheme for lymphography in this particular speciality. According to this, carcinomas of the bladder and kidney are a relative indication for lymphography, whereas carcinomas of the scrotum, penis and prostate present an absolute indication. Fiftyseven lymphograms have been performed on 52 patients with carcinoma of the penis. In one patient the examination was carried out twice in one year, in another, three times and a third patient had three lymphograms over a period of six years. Most patients were aged 60 to 69 years, average age 61.48 years. Agreement between the histological and lymphographic findings was observed in 26 out of 34 patients treated surgically (76.5%).


[Percutaneous demonstration of lactiferous ducts in benign breast tumours. The use of contrast in the diagnosis of breast tumours such as fibroadenomas and proliferative mastopathies (author's transl)].

A new method is described which makes it possible to demonstrate the duct system in fibroadenomas and mastopathies by percutaneous injection of contrast. In this way, the pre-operative diagnosis of benign breast tumours can be confirmed. The technique is described and the early results are illustrated.


[Demonstration and recognition of microcalcification on xeromammograms (author's transl)].

The ability to demonstrate detail and to recognise microcalcification on xero-radiographs was investigated experimentally under conditions resembling those in actual practise; the results were compared with those of film mammography, and evaluated quantitatively. Xero-radiographs were slightly better, but in general were comparable in their ability to demonstrate microcalcification. The effect of the quality of the radiation and of geometric factors is discussed, and size of the smallest recognisable particles is given. Problems of optimal exposure in xero-radiography are discussed.


[Comparative filmmammography and xeromammographie (author's transl)].

Under optimal conditions xeromammography and filmmammography can reach about the same diagnostic accuracy. However because of the difficulty to detect xeroradiographically tiny microcalcifications filmmammography is to be considered as the optimal mammographic method provided it is carried out with rotating molybdenum anode and industrial type film for longer processing time.


[The value of xero-radiography of the breast following mammoplasty with silicone prostheses (author's transl)].

The well known advantages of xero-radiography make this particularly suitable for the evaluation of silicone prostheses which were implanted either after a subcutaneous mastectomy or during plastic surgery. Xero-radiography is valuable for demonstrating the soft tissues behind NaCl and Makrodex prostheses and is therefore particularly suitable when searching for tumours in these patients. In addition, it allows one to judge the cosmetic results, such as thickness and shape of the soft tissues, contours and wrinkling of the prostheses.


[Automatic exposure for xero-mammography (author's transl)].

During mammography without intensifying screens, exposure measurements are carried out behind the film. It is, however, difficult to construct an absolutely shadow-free ionization chamber of adequate sensitivity working in the necessary range of 25 to 50 kv. Repeated attempts have been made to utilize the advantages of automatic exposure for xero-mammography. In this case also the ionization chamber was placed behind the Xerox plate. Depending on tube filtration, object thickness and tube voltage, more than 80%, sometimes even 90%, of the radiation is absorbed by the Xerox plate. Particularly the characteristic Mo radiation of 17.4 keV and 19.6 keV is almost totally absorbed by the plate and cannot therefore be registered by the ionization chamber. This results in a considerable dependence of the exposure on kV and object thickness. Dependence on tube voltage and object thickness have been examined dosimetrically and spectroscopically with a Ge (Li)-spectrometer. Finally, the successful use of a shadow-free chamber is described; this has been particularly adapted for xero-mammography and is placed in front of the plate.


[Handskeleton studies with mammography technique in patients under antiepileptic medication (author's transl)].

An investigation with 114 epileptic patients under continuous treatment with anticonvulsiva was conducted in order to determine to what extent studies of the handskeleton with low-KV-technique will contribute to diagnosing osteopathy. The roentgenological findings of the hand were correlated with the x-ray findings of the remainder of the skeleton and with the results of biochemical studies. A control biopsy was performed in 8 cases. Definite and with all methods recognizable signs of osteomalacia were present in 7% of the cases, although only 2 patients developed a pathologic fracture. Another 32 patients (28%) showed suspicious changes in the handskeleton, which could not be confirmed by the comparative studies. No patient with normal findings of the handskeleton showed suspicious changes in the remainder of the skeleton or clinical and chemical indications of osteomalacia.


[Physiological changes of mineral content of radius and ulna in relation to age and sex (author's transl)].

The mineral content of the radius and the ulna was measured in 773 persons using 125J photon absorptiometry. Statistical evaluation of the data has provided normal values of mineral content of the forearm bones in men and women between the ages of 15 and 90 years. The course of the mineral content curve is discussed in relation to age and sex.


[Xero-radiographic examination of the capsule and ligaments of the knee joint. II. Demonstration of injuries to the cruciate and lateral ligaments and menisci (author's transl)].

The value of xero-radiography for demonstrating injuries to the capsule and ligaments of the knee has been investigated. A tomographic method was used in conjunction with arthrography of the knee. The results have shown that, in vitro, injuries of the cruciate and lateral ligaments and of the capsule are well shown by xero-tomography and that it is possible to evaluate their extent. Simultaneous demonstration of injuries to the menisci is less certain. In order to show these accurately, special methods would have to be employed. Despite the higher radiation dose which must be expected, and the greater complexity of this technique, we consider that a clinical investigation of the method is indicated.


[Dermatologic therapy unit anti-androgens].

The administration of anti-androgens brings favourable results especially in such skin diseases showing unsatisfactory therapeutic results, i.e. all severe forms of acne, seborrhoea, androgenic alopecia and hirsutism. Exact knowledge of the oestrogen and gestagen effect is essential. Also of fundamental importance is the observation and consideration of side effects besides the contraceptive efficacy and therapeutic results in dermatology.


Asymmetric septal hypertrophy in childhood. Unreliability of histologic criteria for differentiation of obstructive and nonobstructive forms.

Two cases of obstructive asymmetric septal hypertrophy with biventricular outflow obstruction in childhood are presented. Both patients were treated first with propranolol and later by ventriculoseptal myotomy-myectomy. The first patient died two and one-half years following surgery, and the second patient died in the immediate postoperative period. In the first patient the 690 gm. heart had an interventricular septum to posterior left ventricular wall ratio of 1.9, and in the second patient the ratio in the 460 gm. heart was 1.8. In both cases the posterobasal left ventricular free wall was rounded and hypertrophied, as has been reported grossly in obstructive asymmetric septal hypertrophy. However, in both cases, the bizarre disoriented cardiocytes typical of asymmetric septal hypertrophy were present in both ventricular free walls as well as in the interventricular septum, as has been reported in the nonobstructive variety. In these two cases, previously reported morphologic criteria for the differentiation of obstructive and nonobstructive disease are not considered reliable.


An unexpected high frequency of trisomic fetuses in 229 pregnancies monitored for advanced maternal age.

In 229 pregnancies monitored because of advance maternal age, 16 (7%) abnormal fetal karyotypes were detected. We found 13 cases of trisomy 21, twice a trisomy 18, and once an additional marker chromosome. The frequency of abnormal fetal karyotypes in different maternal age groups was found to increase from 1:20 at 38--40 years, to 1:16 at 41--43 years, and finally to 1:4.5 in women of 44--46 years. The overall incidence of chromosomal aberrations and specifically of trisomy 21 is considerably higher than that described in retrospective studies.


Anomalous cellular proliferation in vitro associated with Huntington's disease.

Detailed growth analyses of cultured skin fibroblasts from two patients with Huntington's Disease (HD) were compared with those from controls matched for age and sex. In contrast to control cells, HD fibroblasts plated more efficiently at the low seeding densities used. Subsequent exponential growth of HD cultures was more stable towards routine trypsinisation than that of controls. However, the most striking feature of HD cultures was their ability to grow to significantly higher cell saturation densities. Experiments with trypsinised and untrypsinised cultures imply an inherent alteration in the HD cell membrane.


Bacteriological and histopathological evaluation of guinea pigs after infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

Randomly bred guinea pigs were infected with Listeria monocytogenes using the intracardial, intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of infection. Doses of Listeria ranged from 5 to 1,000 x the 50% lethal dose based on the 50% lethal dose for intracardially injected Listeria. A complete necropsy was performed on all animals that died after infection. Gross and microscopic examination of tissues revealed major pathological features which include myocarditis, edema and congestion with interstitial pneumonitis present in the lungs, and fatty hepatic changes with focal necrosis. For all or a majority of the animals, large numbers of Listeria were likewise recovered from these organs and from lymph nodes, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal gland tissue. Of the three routes of infection used, guinea pigs were most susceptible to Listeria injected via the intracardial route. The relatively high lethal dose of listeric for the quinea pig, however, suggests that the organism is a low-grade pathogen for this species.


Segmental replacement of the ureter using Sparks' mandrils. An experimental study.

Segmental ureteral replacement with free autogenous fibroelastic Dacron tube grafts in three dogs was unsuccessful during preliminary trials. However, a proliferation of urothelium, smooth muscle, and blood vessels throughout the length of the grafts was demonstrated, providing an encouraging potential for further investigations. Technical refinements are suggested that may provide for improved success with experimental ureteral replacement.


Double outlet right ventricle with extreme hypertrophy of muscle bundles associated with crista supraventricularis. A heart with three ventricles.

A baby born with cardiac, cerebral, ocular, palatal, renal and pulmonary anomalies died four hours after birth. The cardiac anomaly consisted of a double outlet right ventricle with extreme hypertrophy of the muscle bundles associated with the crista supraventricularis. The hypertrophic muscle mass divided the right ventricle into two parts, one of them corresponding to the outflow tract of the pulmonary artery. The other part received blood from the left ventricle through a septal defect and led the flow into the aorta. The two compartments were connected by a narrow canal at the apex of the right ventricle. Blood flow into the pulmonary artery was strictly dependent on the patency of the ductus arteriosus. Signs of closure could be found on the inner surface of the duct.


The distribution and relative sized of fibre types in the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles of the adult rat.

Histochemical fibre types classified in sections stained for succinic dehydrogenase (sdh) and myosin ATPase at pH 9.4, were found to be distributed in a consistent manner within the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and 4 soleus muscles of the adult rat. Simple morphometric techniques applied to complete transverse sections of both muscles showed that the relative distributions and proportions of fibre types along their deep to superficial, and medial to lateral, axes varied accoording to the histochemical method used for fibre typing. Similar differences occurred when the relative ranges of size exhibited by each fibre type were compared in sections stained for SDH and ATPase, and the discrepancies in fibre classification were confirmed by an analysis of individual fibres in serial sections. The findings are discussed in relation to those previosly reported for the EDL and soleus muscles of the rat.


Uptake of ferrienterochelin by Escherichia coli: energy dependent stage of uptake.

The uptake of the siderophore-iron complex ferrienterochelin was found to be strongly dependent upon an energized membrane state, as demonstrated by its sensitivity to dinitrophenol, azide, and cyanide. Ferrienterochelin uptake may also be dependent upon phosphate bond energy, as indicated by sensitivity to arsenate and iodoacetic acid. Although the adenosine triphosphatase does not appear to be involved in this energy coupling mechanism, ferrienterochelin uptake was shown to be less dependent upon phosphate bond energy than was glutamine uptake. Sensitivity of ferrienterochelin uptake to osmotic shock was shown to be due to the release of a ferrienterochelin binding compound located in the outer membrane of the cells and probably identical to the colicin B receptor protein.


Cellular distribution of ornithine in Neurospora: anabolic and catabolic steady states.

During growth on minimal medium, cells of Neurospora contain three pools of ornithine. Over 95% of the ornithine is in a metabolically inactive pool in vesicles, about 1% is in the cytosol, and about 3% is in the mitochondria. By using a ureaseless strain, we measured the rapid flux of ornithine across the membrane boundaries of these pools. High levels of ornithine and the catabolic enzyme ornithine aminotransferase coexist during growth on minimal medium but, due to the compartmentation of the ornithine, only 11% was catabolized. Most of the ornithine was used for the synthesis of arginine. Upon the addition of arginine to the medium, ornithine was produced catabolically via the enzyme arginasn early enzyme of ornithine synthesis. The biosynthesis of arginine itself, from ornithine and carbamyl phosphate, was halted after about three generations of growth on arginine via the repression of carbamyl phosphate synthetase A. The catabolism of arginine produced ornithine at a greater rate than it had been produced biosynthetically, but this ornithine was not stored; rather it was catabolized in turn to yield intermediates of the proline pathway. Thus, compartmentation, feedback inhibition, and genetic repression all play a role to minimize the simultaneous operation of anabolic and catabolic pathways for ornithine and arginine.


Arginine catabolism in Neurospora: cycling of ornithine.

We measured the metabolism of ornithine in Neurospora during the transition from minimal medium to arginine-supplemented medium. Within an hour after arginine supplementation, the amount of intracellular ornithine (95% of which had been stored in vesicles) dropped by 65%, even though the catabolism of arginine produces as much ornithine as had been produced on minimal medium. The arginine level in the cell rose 10-fold. Ornithine flux through the catabolic enzyme ornithine aminotransferase increased fivefold, but flux through the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase (leading to arginine synthesis) was only 20% of the rate seen on minimal medium. During this transition to arginine catabolism, the enzymes of the arginine pathway operate as an ornithine cycle, but at a restricted rate. We suggest the hypothesis that high levels of arginine may inhibit the movement of ornithine into the vesicles and into the mitochondria.


Lecithin requirement for the sporulation process in Neurospora crassa.

Reversible inhibition of conidiogenesis occurred when lecithin was depleted from Neurospora membranes by choline starvation.


Evidence for energy-dependent change in phosphate binding for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation based on measurements of medium and intermediate phosphate-water exchanges.

Characteristics of the exchange reactions catalyzed by beef heart submitochondrial particles give new insight into energy transducing steps of oxidative phosphorylation. The uncoupler-insensitive portion of the total Pi in equilibrium  HOH exchange in presence of ATP, ADP, and Pi is the intermediate Pi in equilibrium HOH exchange, that is the exchange occurring with Pi formed by hydrolysis of ATP prior to release of Pi from the catalytic site. The exchange of medium Pi with HOH is as sensitive to uncouplers as the Pi in equilibrium ATP exchange and net oxidative phosphorylation, demonstrating a requirement of an uncoupler-sensitive energized state, probably a transmembrane potential or proton gradient, for bringing medium Pi to the reactive state. The covalent bond forming and breaking step at the catalytic site (ADP + Pi in equilibrium ATP + HOH) appears relatively insensitive to uncouplers. Thus to the extent that uncouplers dissipate transmembrane proton-motive force, it is unlikely that such a force is used to drive ATP formation by direct protonations of Pi oxygens. When only Pi and ADP are added and formation of ATP from added ADP by adenylate kinase and subsequent ATP hydrolysis are adequately blocked, no Pi in equilibrium HOH exchange can be observed, demonstrating a requirement of energization by ATP binding and cleavage for such an exchange. This uncoupler-insensitive energization is suggested to represent a conformationally energized state that can be used reversibly to develop a transmembrane protonmotive force accompanying ADP and Pi release. Rates of various exchanges as estimated by improved procedures are compatible with all oxygen exchanges occurring by dynamic reversal of ATP hydrolysis at the catalytic site.


Selective inhibition of in vitro DNA synthesis dependent on phiX174 compared with fd DNA. I. Protein requirements for selective inhibition.

Crude extracts of Escherichia coli selectively convert fd viral DNA and not phiX174 DNA to duplex DNA via a complex series of reactions one of which involves RNA polymerase. Reactions leading to formation of fd duplex-replicative (RFII) structures have been reconstituted with purified proteins from E. coli. Maximal synthesis requires the combined action of E. coli binding protein, DNA elongation factor I, DNA elongation factor II preparations (which are a mixture of dna Z and DNA elongation factor III), DNA polymerase III, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Mg2+, dATP, dGTP, dCTP, dTTP, and ATP, GTP, CTP, and UTP. In contrast to crude extracts of E. coli, purified protein fractions do not distinguish between fd DNA and phiX174 DNA in duplex DNA formation. The addition of crude fractions of E. coli to the purified components listed above selectively permits fd RFII formation and prevents phiX RFII formation. This selective inhibition was used as an assay to isolate proteins essential for this phenomenon; they include RNase H, discriminatory factor alpha, and discriminatory factor beta.


Sidedness of (sodium, potassium)-adenosine triphosphate of inside-out red cell membrane vesicles. Interactions with potassium.

Inside-out membrane vesicles of human red cells, prepared according to the method of Steck et al. (1970) Science 168, 255-257) have sufficiently low cation permeability to allow the examination  of the side-specific interactions of ligands with the asymmetric sodium pump complex. In accordance with the known properties of the pump in intact cells the following results were observed: (a) ATP-dependent sodium influx and (b) maximal (sodium, potassium)-ATPase with K+ present inside the vesicles with  larger than or equal to 20 micronM ATP. With much lower [ATP], K+ inhibited sodium-activated ATPase. K+ was inhibitory at either surface. Inhibition was different on the two sides since cytoplasmic (extravesicular) Na+ counteracted inhibition by cytoplasmic (extravesicular) K+ but not inhibition by K+ at the plasma or external membrane surface, i.e. intravesicular K+. A decrease in the steady state level of the phosphenzyme intermediate of sodium-activated ATPase was caused also by K+ at either surface. The effect of cytoplasmic K+ is compatible with its competitive inhibition of activation of phosphorylation of the enzyme by cytoplasmic Na+. At 37 degrees, the inhibitory effect of external K+ is due to interaction with the phosphoenzyme to form a stable complex of K+ with the dephosphenzyme resulting in a decreased overall reaction rate but increased turnover of the phosphoenzyme (E-P + K leads to EK + Pi). At 0 degree, external K+ inhibits by interacting with the unphosphorylated enzyme to form an occluded enzyme-K complex. This results in a decreased overall rate but relatively small change in apparent turnover of the phosphoenzyme. At 0 degree, but not at 37 degrees, external Na+ counteracted the inhibitory effects of external K+.


Reactions of the articular capsule to wear products of artificial joint prostheses.

Examination of a great number of tissue samples taken from the newly formed capsules surrounding artificial joints reveals small particles of prosthetic material. Abraded from the joint by wear and tear, these particles of plastic, metal, and acrylic cement initiate a foreign-body reaction and result in the formation of granulation tissue, including macrophages and foreign-body giant cells. Typical features of tissue reactions exist for each of the materials from which prostheses are made. The consequent formation of scar tissue produces a thickening of the capsule, which, in turn, may cause a reduction in the mobility of the joint. In small amounts, the foreign-body particles are eliminated via the perivascular lymph spaces. Where this transport system is insufficient to handle the volume, however, the foreign-body response may extend to the whole environment surrounding the joint. In such cases, there may be loosening of the cemented prosthetic parts because of deterioration of contiguous bone anchors by the tissue membrane lining the bone cement.


Interactions between segmented polyurethane surfaces and the plasma protein fibrinogen.

Surfaces of a segmented polyurethane were varied by casting on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and glass substrates, and were characterized through infrared-attenuated total-reflection spectroscopy (ATR). Surfaces cast on glass substrates showed a higher content of polyether segments, whereas those cast on PET contained a higher relative concentration of aromatic segments. Adsorption, and possible conformational changes of fibrinogen, were found to be more substantial on polymer surfaces having a higher content of polyether segments. It is concluded that the relatively good blood compatibility of segmented polyurethanes is partly due to the presence of peptide-like bonds on aromatic segments.


Abdominal aorta-caval fistula: treatment with aortic and caval synthetic grafts (one year follow-up).

A fistula located between the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava is an unusual acquired condition which necessitates prompt diagnosis and, in most instances, emergency surgical repair. The signs and symptoms are related to the size of the shunt. The classical findings are those of a continuous abdominal bruit, edema and venous pooling of the legs, wide pulse pressure, and sudden progressive high-output cardiac failure. Aortography is the definitive diagnostic procedure. However it is impractical in those situations presenting an asymptomatic fistula and contraindicated in presence of signs of progressive renal failure, where emergency surgical treatment is required. In these instances aorta-caval fistula can be correctly diagnosed by means of radionuclide aortography. The fistula can usually be repaired from within the aneurysm after endoarterectomy. Then the aortic graft replacement is completed. In rare cases the pathology at operation is such that this type of repair cannot be performed and an unexpected replacement of the inferior vena cava may be required. The purpose of this paper is to present the description of a patient in whom the diagnosis of aorta-caval fistula was confirmed by means of an isotope angiogram, followed by a successful surgical graft replacement of the abdominal aorta and a dacron tubular graft replacement of the inferior vena cava.


Properties of an antiserum against native dynein 1 from sea urchin sperm flagella.

Effects of an antiserum against native dynein 1 from sperm flagella of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were compared with effects of an antiserum previously obtained against an ATPase-active tryptic fragment (fragment 1A) of dynein 1 from sperm flagella of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina. Both antisera precipitate dynein 1 and do not precipitate dynein 2. Only the fragment 1A antiserum precipitates fragment 1A and produces a measurable inhibition of dynein 1 ATPase activity. Both antisera inhibit the movement and the movement-coupled ATP dephosphorylation of reactivated spermatozoa. The inhibition of movement by the antiserum against dynein 1 is much less than by the antiserum against fragment 1A, suggesting that a specific interference with the active ATPase site may be required for effective inhibition of movement. Both antisera reduce the bend angle as well as the beat frequency of reactivated S. purpuratus spermatozoa, suggesting that the bend angle may depend on the activity of the dynein arms which generate active sliding.


The use of an external dacron shunt in repair of a supraceliac abdominal aorta traumatic aneurysm.

This is the sixth report in the English literature of survival following repair of a supraceliac aortic traumatic aneurysm secondary to penetrating injury. Symptoms, (12 months after a stab wound of the flank), led to discovery of an aneurysm 15 cm in diameter, originating from the left side of the supraceliac aorta. Repair was accomplished with a temporary thoracoabdominal bypass shunt graft of woven Dacron.


Distribution of bicarbonate-stimulated ATPase in rat intestinal epithelium.

This study reports on the distribution of bicarbonate-stimulated ATPase in rat intestinal epithelial cells. Brush-border membranes and basolateral membranes were separated from each other and from mitochondrial and other intracellular membranes by differential and density gradient centrifugation. Bicarbonate-sensitive ATPase activity followed the mitochondrial marker succinic dehydrogenase closely throughout all the centrifugation steps. The low HCO3--ATPase activity in purified brush-border and basolateral plasma membranes could be accounted for quantitatively by the small mitochondrial contamination. Consequently, there are no grounds for postulating that this enzyme has a direct role in H+ or HCO3- transport across the rat small intestine.


Experimental study of selected small caibre arterial grafts.

1. The most ideal replacement for a small calibre artery segment is a similar sized autogenous arterial conduit. 2. Autogenous venous segments, although functional replacements for small calibre arteries, undergo structural changes which may prove detrimental to function. 3. At this stage of their development, fabric grafts cannot be considered as adequate replacements for small calibre arteries.