Transport of vitamin B12 in Escherichia coli: energy dependence.

This paper presents some evidence that the osmotic shock-sensitive, energy-dependent transfer of vitamin B12 from outer membrane receptor sites into the interior of cells of Escherichia coli requires an energized inner membrane, without obligatory intermediation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The experiments measured the effects of glucose, D-lactate, anaerobiosis, arsenate, cyanide, and 2,4-dinitrophenol upon the rates of B12 transport by starved cells of E. coli KBT001, which possesses a functional Ca2+, Mg2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca,MgATPase), and of E. coli AN120, which lacks this enzyme. Both strains were able to utilize glucose and D-lactate aerobically to potentiate B12 transport, indicating that the Ca,MgATPase was not essential for this process. When respiratory electron transport was blocked, either by cyanide or by anaerobic conditions, and the primary source of energy for the cells was presumably ATP from glucose fermentation, the rate of B12 transport was much reduced in E. coli AN120 but not in E.coli KBT001. These results support the view that the CaMgATPase can play a role in B12 transport but only when the energy for this process must be derived from ATP. The results of experiments with arsenate also supported the conclusion that the generation of phosphate bond energy was not absolutely required for B12 transport.


Regulation of hypoxanthine transport in Neurospora crassa.

Hypoxanthine uptake and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity (EC 2.4.2.8) were determined in germinated conidia from the adenine auxotrophic strains ad-1 and ad-8 and the double mutant strain ad-1 ad-8. The mutant strain ad-1 appears to lack aminoimidazolecarboximide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.3) or inosine 5'monophosphate cyclohydrolase (EC 3.5.1.10) activities, or both, whereas the ad-8 strain lacks adenylosuccinate synthase activity (EC 6.3.4.4). Normal (or wild-type) hypoxanthine transport capacity was found to the ad-1 conidia, whereas the ad-8 strains failed to take up any hypoxanthine. The double mutant strains showed intermediate transport capacities. Similar results were obtained for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl-transferase activity assayed in germinated conidia. The ad-1 strain showed greatest activity, the ad-8 strain showed the least activity, and the double mutant strain showed intermediate activity levels. Ion-exchange chromatography of the growth media revealed that in the presence of NH+/4, the ad-8 strain excreted hypoxanthine or inosine, the ad-1 strain did not excrete any purines, and the ad-1 ad-8 double mutant strain excreted uric acid. In the absence of NH+/4, none of the strains excreted any detectable purine compounds.


Glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities during intraperiplasmic growth of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus on Escherichia coli.

Selected enzyme activities were measured in extracts of the total cell pellets obtained at various times during aerobic intraperiplasmic growth of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J on anaerobically grown Escherichia coli substrate cells. Initially, the glycolytic enzyme activities were associated with the input of E. coli and the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities with the input of bdellovibrios. During the first 90 min of Bdellovibrio development, the glycolytic activities declined about 25 to 60%, whereas the tricarboxylic acid cycle activities increased about 10%. Between 110 and 180 min, the glycolytic activities decreased to trace levels and tricarboxylic acid cycle activities increased about 50 to 90%. Both bdellovibrio cell extracts and the cell-free growth menstruum (obtained after bdellovibrio growth on E. coli) caused the inactivation of glycolytic enzymes in E. coli extracts.


Synthesis of the acid-soluble proteins in early cleaving embryos of the sea urchin. Cyclic synthesis of histones.

Synthesis of the acid-soluble proteins in the early cleavage stage of the sea urichin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, was investigated. As detected by the incorporation of lysine, the acid-soluble proteins were synthesized periodically even before the first cleavage, differing from the pattern of incorporation of tryptophan into the fraction. Cyclic synthesis occurred almost in parallel with DNA synthesis. However, the phase and periodicity of cyclic synthesis of the acid-soluble protein fraction were quite different from those found in the hot TCA-insoluble (acid-insoluble) protein fraction. The acid-soluble proteins were adsorbed on cation exchange resin, Amberlite CG-50, and gave an elution profile similar to that found for calf thymus histones. The migration pattern of these proteins on acrylamide gel also resembled that of histones.


Kinetics of mucopolysaccharide and glycoprotein synthesis by chick embryo chondrocytes. Effect of D-glucose concentration in the culture medium.

Late log cultures of chick embryo vertebral chondrocytes in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium with 10% fetal calf serum consume D-glucose from the culture medium at a rate of approximately 0.40 mumol per h per 10(6) cells. When the D-glucose concentration in the medium drops below 1 mumol per ml the glycogen stores are rapidly exhausted, and cell growth ceases. 35SO4(2)- is incorporated into chondroitin-6-SO4 and chondroitin-4-SO4 at linear rates of 1.2 and 0.4 nmol per h per 10(6) cells, respectively, until the D-glucose level in the medium drops below 1 mumol per ml, but there is always a slight lag in the initial appearance of chondroitin-4-SO4. Throughout the period of 35SO4 2- labeling, the amount of chondroitin-6-SO4 that is recovered in the cells exceeds the amount that is recovered in the medium, but the opposite is true for chondroitin-4-SO4. However, when cells prelabeled with 35SO4(2-) are then transferred to a label-free medium, the secretion of chondroitin sulfates proceeds at much slower rates, and the kinetics of chondroitin-6-SO4 and chondroitin-4-SO4 secretion are very similar. In this chase experiment the chondroitin sulfates are recovered quantitatively after a 24-h incubation period, indicating that these embryonic chondrocytes do not degrade the chondroitin sulfates under these culture conditions. The rate of incorporation of counts from D-[14C]glucosamine into mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins increase with time. This nonlinear rate results from a progressive increase in the specific activity of the UDP-N-acetyl-D-[14C]hexosamine pool as the D-glucose in the culture medium is depleted. A linear relationship is demonstrated between the logarithm of the 14C counts per min per nmol of UDP-N-acetylhexosamine and the logarithm of the concentration of D-glucose in the culture medium over a range of 1 to 20 mumol of D-glucose per ml. The relative rates of appearance of counts from 35SO4(2-) and D-[14]glucosamine in chondroitin 4-SO4 and chondroitin-6-SO4 are used to calculate the specific activity of the UDP-N-acetyl-D-[14C]hexosamine pool at each stage in the labeling period. The resulting values are then used to calculate the rates of synthesis of the nonsulfated polymers, namely, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and glycoprotein.


Endo-beta-galactosidase of Escherichia freundii. Purification and endoglycosidic action on keratan sulfates, oligosaccharides, and blood group active glycoprotein.

Endo-beta-galactosidase was purified 4400-fold from a culture filtrate of Escherichia freundii with 45% recovery. The enzyme preparation was practically free of exoglycosidases, sulfatase, and proteases. This enzyme hydrolyzed several keratan sulfates, endoglycosidically releasing oligosaccharides of various molecular sizes. Among the digestion products of the corneal keratan sulfate, the structure of a disaccharride and a tetrasaccharride were shown to be 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfo-beta-D-glucosyl-(1 leads to 3)-D-galactose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfo-beta-D-glucosyl-(1 leads to 3)-6-O-sulfo-beta-D-galactosyl-(1 leads to 4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfo-beta-D-glucosyl-(1 leads to 3)-D-galactose, respectively. These oligosaccharide structures indicate that this enzyme specifically hydrolyzes the galactosidic bonds in which nonsulfated galactose residues participate. The enzyme could also hydrolyze a small oligosaccharide such as lacto-N-neotetraitol as follows: Gal(beta 1 leads to 4)GlcNAc(beta 1 leads to 3)Gal(beta 1 leads to 4) sorbitol leads to Gal(beta 1 leads to 4)GlcNAc(beta 1 leads to 3)Gal + sorbitol AB active blood group substance could be hydrolyzed by this enzyme only after Smith degradation. After enzymatic digestion small oligosaccharides and resistant macromolecules were produced. These findings indicate that the enzyme should be useful in studying the precise structures of keratan sulfates, related glycoproteins, and oligosaccharides.


Activator activities of the transient forms of the human plasminogen-streptokinase complex during its proteolytic conversion to the stable activator complex.

When human plasminogen and the bacterial protein streptokinase are mixed, a tight equimolar complex is formed in which an active center of well defined hydrolytic activity developes; this event precedes the cleavage of the plasminogen chain, i.e. the conversion to plasmin. Immediately after the formation of the complex, a series of proteolytic transformations occurs which, within a few minutes, results in at least two cleavages in the plasminogen, and at least five cleavages in the streptokinase peptide chains. None of the fragments so created seem to dissociate from the main body of the complex, but the activator activity, when measured by a rapid bovine clot-lysis system, undergoes a characteristic pattern of fluctuation coincident with the fragmentation of the two components. When the latter process is followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, the state of fragmentation of the activator can be correlated with the measured activator activities. By manipulating the temperature, and by the introduction of inhibitors, it was possible to slow down, or temporarily arrest, the fragmentation at certain stages, allowing the identification in a number of cases of the predominant activator species, and the determination of a characteristic relative activator activity for it. By the use of such relative activities, it was possible to carry out a calculation, based on electrophoretic analysis alone, which predicted reasonably successfully the kinetics of activator fluctuation.


Effect of inosine 5' -(beta, gamma-imido) triphosphate and other nucleotides on beef heart mitochondrial ATPase.

The effects of various substrates and alternative substrates on the hydrolytic activity of beef heart mitochondrial ATPase was examined. It was found that ATP or ADP, ITP hydrolysis showed positive cooperativity. IDP inhibited ITP hydrolysis and caused positive cooperativity. When ITP was present during an ATP hydrolysis assay, the rate of ATP hydrolysis was stimulated. IDP had no effect on ATP hydrolysis rates. A nonhydrolyzable ITP analog, inosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate (IMP-P(NH)P), was synthesized and purified. It was found to be a potent competitive inhibitor of ITP and GTP hydrolytic activity. However, this beta-gamma-imido-bridged ITP analog was found to change the ITP and GTP hydrolysis kinetics from linear to positively cooperative. This compound inhibited ATP hydrolysis at substrate concentrations of 100 muM and lower, and stimulated ATP hydrolysis at substrate concentrations between 100 muM and 2 mM. IMP-P(NH)P had no effect on ATP hydrolysis when the substrate concentration was above 2 mM. In the presence of the activating anion, bicarbonate, IMP-P(NH)P inhibited ATP hydrolysis competitively, and induced positive cooperativity. IMP-P(NH)P had no effect on the ATP equilibrium Pi exchange, the ITP equilibrium Pi exchange, or ATP synthesis catalyzed by beef heart submitochondrial particles.


Biochemical response to dacron vascular prosthesis.

Dacron vascular prostheses were examined under both light and electron microscopes from 1 to 1184 days after implantation in the thoracic aorta of 96 dogs. Each Dacron fiber of the implanted prostheses was found to be covered with a single layer, which closely resembled the outer half leaflet of plasma membrane. The control experiment in vitro revealed that when untreated Dacron fibers were dipped into a solution of lecithin, the fibers became covered with monomolecular leaflets of lecithin micelles. On the basis of the in vivo and in vitro findings, it was suggested that the implanted Dacron fibers of vascular prosthesis were covered at an early stage with a monomolecular micelle layer of phospholipid or phospholipoproteins originating from the living body, and thus became adapted to the living body.


Interactions of actin, myosin, and an actin-binding protein of rabbit pulmonary macrophages. III. Effects of cytochalasin B.

Low concentrations (greater than or equal to 10(-7) M) of cytochalasin B reversibly inhibit the temperature-dependent gelation of actin by an actin-binding protein. The cytochalasin B concentrations which maximally inhibit actin gel formation are 10-fold lower than the concentrations which maximally impair phagocytosis by intact macrophages. Cytochalasin B also prevents the polymerization of monomeric actin in sucrose extracts of macrophages in the absence but not the presence of 0.1 M CKl. 10(-6) M cytochalasin B dissolves macrophage extract gels and gels comprised of purified actin and actin-binding protein by dissociating actin-binding protein from actin filaments. This concentration of cytochalasin B, however, does not depolymerize the actin filatments.


The control of mitosis in Physarum polycephalum: the effect of delaying mitosis and evidence for the operation of the control mechanism in the absence of growth.

Possible mechanisms coordinating the control of mitosis and DNA synthesis with growth were experimentally tested in Physarum polycephalum by the response of plasmodia to 2 different kinds of perturbation of the DNA:mass ratio. Mitosis and DNA synthesis were delayed without stopping growth either by the use of fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) or puromycin, in both cases the delayed mitosis was followed by a single shortened intermitotic period, as predicted by all the mechanisms considered and substantiating a basic assumption made that the time of mitosis is homeostatically controlled to maintain a constant DNA:mass ratio. When more than 50% of the DNA was destroyed by ultraviolet irradiation 2 consecutive mitoses could occur even when growth was completely stopped by starvation. This result can only be accounted for by 2 of the 5 models considered, a finding which agrees with the results of previous experiments which were also consistent with only these 2 mechanisms.


Puberty in girls: correlation of serum levels of gonadotropins, prolactin, androgens, estrogens, and progestins with physical changes.

Twenty-seven girls aged 8 to 18 were studied in a longitudinal prospective fashion. Serum samples were collected at 6 month intervals up to 4 years and radioassayed for hormones of pituitary, ovarian, and adrenal origin. A progressive elevation of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone/FSH), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), and androstenedione (delta4) occurred during puberty and continued until menarche. The onset of puberty occurred concomitantly with an elevation of estrone (E1) dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P). Prolactin (Prol) and progesterone (Prog) concentrations did not change during puberty until after menarche. After menarche, levels of LH and FSH were comparable with menstruating adult females. Concentrations of E2 and Prog were lower during the second half of the cycle among most regularly menstruating subjects than expected during the luteal phase. LH and Prog levels indirectly suggest that ovulation occurs in a few girls within months after menarche.


Failure of serotonin inhibitor to effect nocturnal GH and prolactin secretion in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion was evaluated in seven patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. GH and PRL levels following sleep and 24 h mean serum GH and PRL concentrations were normal in these subjects. Overnight GH and PRL concentrations were evaluated in four of these patients before and following administration of the serotonin inhibitor, parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Although PCPA produced a significant decrease in urinary 5HIAA concentrations, the treatment had no significant effect on GH and PRL levels. These findings raise the possibility that serotonin may not be involved in nocturnal GH and PRL secretion in these patients.


Comparison of heat shocking and acridine orange treatment in phage typing of nontypable strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

Forty-five percent of 108 nontypable strains of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical and environmental sources were phage typable after heat shock and acridine orange treatment. Although phage patterns were produced by different types of treatment, the same phage groups were present, showing specificity. The newly typable strains appear to be similar in phage group distribution to the primary typable strains typed at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital during the same time period. Ten of the originally nontypable S. aureus strains that showed lytic patterns after heat shock or acridine orange treatment were subcultured four times from the treated culture and then tested again with bacteriophages. Phage patterns were still present in 8 of the 10 strains without any further treatment. These findings are compatible with the findings of other workers, who have shown that the insensitivity of primary nontypable S. aureus strains to phage is linked to phage-resistant genes in extrachromosomal genetic elements that can be "cured" by both heat shock and acridine treatment.


A case of small-cell Sézary's syndrome with null-cell features.

A case of the small-cell variant of Sézary's syndrome (SS) is reported in which the SS cells lacked the surface-marker characteristics of both T- and B-cells. In particular, the SS cells failed to form E-rosettes even with a sensitive technique using 2-amino-ethylisothiouronium bromide (AET)-treated sheep red blood cells. The significance of these findings is briefly considered in relation to the existing literature.


Cytochemical study of the distribution of adenosine triphosphatase in the pancreas of the dog.

Dog pancreatic tissue, incubated in a modified Wachstein-Meisel medium, showed two different adenosine triphosphatase activities. One of them is located at the apical border of the cells lining the intralobular ducts and of the centroacinar cells and is stimulated by HCO3-, depressed by SCN- and OCN- and completely abolished by CN-. The other is located at the intracellular clefts of the epithelium lining the interlobular ducts and is stimulated by Mg++. These findings correlate well with the results of incubation of homogenates of fresh and fixed tissues. Their significance with respect to the role of different segments of the duct system in the formation of the pancreatic juice is discussed.


Age-associated decline in the in vitro development of cytotoxic lymphocytes in NZB mice.

The development of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL) in in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was investigated in young (14 weeks), middle (40 weeks), and aged (80 weeks) NZB mice. Cytotoxic activity against H-2B alloantigens was measured by using the 51Cr release assay. The antigen dose to elicit the optimum development of CL in vitro was the same for all ages of NZB mice, but the level of the development of CL was consistently low and could be delayed by up to 24 hr in aged mice. This decline in the frequency of autoantibody against red blood cells nor to the decrease of the frequency of omega-positive cells in aged NZB mice. Aged (83 weeks) DBA/2 mice showed a similar decline in the development of CL. This decline of T cell function in aged NZB mice might be related to a physiologic aging process rather than to autoimmune disease.


Mixed lymphocyte reactions: augmentation by drugs that inhibit stimulator cell protein synthesis.

Inhibiting the protein synthesis of F1 stimulator cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) can enhance the DNA synthetic response and cytotoxic activity of the responder parental lymphocytes, independent of the number of stimulator cells used. Thus stimulator lymphocytes act not only as a source of antigen but play an additional regulatory role in the MLR.


[Deficiency in placental sulfatase. Description of a recent case].

Synthesis of oestrogens occurs, during the greater part of pregnancy, in the placenta starting with two fetal precursors: DHA-S and 16 OH DHA-S. In the case of a deficit in sulphatase, an enzyme which is mainly localised in the placenta, these precursors cannot be transformed so that the level of oestrogens stays very low, without the level of secretion of progesterone being altered. Faced with such hormonal abnormalities it is worth while remembering the diagnosis of placental enzyme deficiency. In fact, this abnormality has no repercussions on the progress of the pregnancy and carries no danger for the fetus. It is therefore unnecessary to carry out untimely treatments thinking: fetal distress or adrenal agenesis be it primary or secondary (due to anencephaly) will occur. The diagnosis depends on simple dynamic tests: the mother receives an injection of free DHA and DHA-S, and enzyme study of the placenta can be confirmed in vitro. There seems to be a link between this abnormality and the sex of the fetus. All cases were followed by the birth of a normal boy. Finally, placental suphatase deficiency is rare, but it would appear that increased usage of hormone levels will reveal a rising number of such cases.


Mitogen-stimulated glutaraldehyde-fixed spleen cells: ability to stimulate in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and generate effector cells in cell-mediated lympholysis.

Mouse spleen cells treated with glutaralde lose their stimulating ability in the MLR. If the spleen cells are first converted to a blastogenic state by lipopolysaccharide and subsequently fixed with glutaraldehyde, their stimulating capacity is maintained.


Regulatory effect of interferon on T cells in vitro.

Purified human lymphocyte interferon (PIF) was added to mixed lymphocyte cultures; DNA synthesis was measured and killer-cell generation was determined. At certain concentrations, PIF ingibited proliferation, but at the same time increased the killer efficiency of the resultant culture cells. It is suggested that lymphokines, apart from their normal mediator function, may play a role as regulators of the generating immune response.


[Risk and prevention of complications in gynecologic laparoscopy. Survey of 100,000 cases].

The author having learned the true character and the value for teaching of his own complications set out a questionnaire which would draw a line distinguishing between complications that seemed in retrospect to have been inevitable and those that could be attributed to the inexperience or lack of care of the operator. The analysis of 194 severe complications occurring in 100,000 laparoscopies performed over 20 years includes 53 cardio-respiratory complications, of which 15 were fatal, 122 injuries or burns due to the instrument, of which 4 were fatal and 18 different complications. No statistical conclusions can be drawn because the figures are approximate and probably below the true levels. But a calculated comparison of the risks can be significant, so long as one avoids mixing up the operators who are well trained, careful and personnally responsible for their actions with those who work hurriedly without proper estimation of the difficulties and dangers. Most opinions agree that apart from the risk of embolus and of general anaesthesia there is no risk of a fatal complication due to laparoscopy. This is particularly true of cardio-respiratory complications, which can be avoided if empirically proven prophylactic measures are taken which take into account the various theories of the aetiology and pathology, which are still being studies. From the results of this enquiry it emerges that certain criteria of care have to be followed which are too often neglected, but they should be applied systematically even when they appear to be unnecessary.


Sensitization to Schistosoma mansoni antigen in uninfected children born to infected mothers.

Sensitization to Schistosoma mansoni antigen in uninfected children born to infected or uninfected mothers was studied by intradermal reaction. Immediate skin reaction, Arthus phenomenon, and delayed skin responses were noted. The skin response at 24 hr was positive in 48.1% of the uninfected children born to infected mothers, and in only 7.5% of uninfected (control) children born to uninfected mothers. Areas of skin reactions were also larger in the group born to infected mothers. Both of these differences were statistically significant. There were no significant variations according to age or sex. Only one immediate skin reaction was noted in each group, and Arthus phenomenon was never observed.


Part I: abnormal patterns and physiological variations in magnetocardiograms.

Magnetocardiograms (MCGs) of six subjects with representative cardiac abnormalities and of one well-studied normal subject are compared with the 12-lead ECGs and VCGs of these subjects. The MCGs are recordings of the component of the magnetic vector which is normal to the skin, measured across the chest on a 5 cm X 5 am grid; an example is also presented of a sequence of instantaneous MCG maps. The heart abnormalities include myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, intraventricular conduction disturbances, and ventricular hypertrophy. The various MCG maps of the normal subject show MCG changes as a result of changes in body morphology (loss of weight), changes in the subject's position during recording, and changes as a result of exercise. They are presented as a basis for understanding some of the variability of MCG maps.


Endocrine effects of masturbation in men.

The levels of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestrone, oestradiol, cortisol and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in the peripheral plasma of a group of young, apparently healthy males before and after masturbation. The same steroids were also determined in a control study, in which the psychological antipation of masturbation was encouraged, but the physical act was not carried out. The plasma levels of all steroids were significantly increased after masturbation, whereas steroid levels remained unchanged in the control study. The most marked changes after masturbation were observed in pregnenolone and DHA levels. No alterations were observed in the plasma levels of LH. Both before and after masturbation plasma levels of testosterone were significantly correlated to those of DHT and oestradiol, but not to those of the other steroids studied. On the other hand, cortisol levels were significantly correlated to those of pregnenolone, DHA, androstenedione and oestrone. In the same subjects, the levels of pregnenolone, DHA, androstenedione, testosterone and DHT, androstenedione and oestrone. In the same subjects, the levels of pregnenolone, DHA, androstenedione, testosterone and DHT in seminal plasma were also estimated; they were all significantly correlated to the levels of the corresponding steroid in the systemic blood withdrawn both before and after masturbation. As a practical consequence, the results indicate that whenever both blood and semen are analysed, blood sampling must precede semen collection.


Metabolism of androgens in vitro by human foetal skin.

Fresh scalp, genital, chest and axillary skin from human foetuses of 12-41 weeks' maturity was incubated in Krebs improved Ringer I medium with (7alpha-3h)dehydroepiandrosterone, (7alpha-3H)testosterone and (7alpha-3H)androstenedione. The metabolites identified were androstenedione, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol,  5-androstene-3beta, 17beta-diol and testosterone. The results provide evidence for the presence of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, delta4-5 isomerase, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, delta4-3-oxosteroid-5alpha reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human foetal skin. There were quantitative differences in the various enzyme activities between different body sites and skin specimens of different gestational age. 5alpha-Reductase activity was particularly high in genital skin. 3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta4-5 isomerase activity was low in skin from a 12-week foetus, but high in skin specimens from 28-, 38- and 41-week foetuses. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was already high in the skin of the 12-week foetus and remained so in the older foetuses. These results were correlated with the development of the foetal sebaceous glands, and were in general agreement with a parallel enzyme histochemical study. The role of androgen metabolism in human foetal skin is discussed.


Evidence for the presence of nasal salt glands in the roadrunner and the Coturnix quail.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not the nasal glands of the roadrunner and the Coturnix quail show cytological specializations for salt secretion. In addition, the Na-K ATPase content of the quail gland was determined before and after drinking of saline solutions, in an effort to evaluate the functional status of the gland. The ability to maintain weight while drinking salt water was also measured as a general index of tolerance to saline conditions. The ultrastructure of the nasal glands of the roadrunner injected with salt and of quail drinking 200 mM NaCl was similar to that of salt glands in reptiles and the fresh-water acclimated duck. Numerous lateral cell evaginations and abundant mitochondria were present in the principal cell types. There was a significant increase in quail nasal gland Na-K ATPase when young birds were offered only saline solutions to drink. The ability of Coturnix quail to maintain weight while drinking saline solutions improves with age and at adulthood is comparable to that of some North American desert quail. Roadrunners were previously known to possess functional salt glands whereas quail were not. However the characteristic fine structure and the high Na-KATPase content of the quail nasal gland suggest that it is a salt gland.


Action of dantrolene sodium in spasticity with low dependence on fusimotor drive.

The effects of dantrolene sodium, an anti-spasticity drug with a site of action within the muscle fibres, were studied in 19 patients with spastic paresis. Oral doses were successively increased from 100 mg/day to a maximal tolerated level or up to 800 mg/day. Trial periods were 8-13 weeks. The responses of stretch reflexes to local cooling over the spastic muscles were used to differentiate alpha and gamma spasticity. In the knee extensor and flexor muscle groups, cryo-negative alpha-spasticity was seen in 25 and cryo-positive gamma-spasticity in 4 muscle groups. Ankle clonus was cryo-positive in 14 of 15 cases. Resistance to passive knee joint movements, ankle clonus and isometric or isokinetic muscle strength was determined quantitatively. The gait was recorded by intermittent-light photography and the muscle activation patterns  in gait were studied in recordings of the average EMG from limb muscles. Functional disability and spasms were assessed from clinical examinations and interviews. Passive resistance at slow (6%/sec) and fast (30 degrees/sec) knee joint movements decreased by 32% in the extensor muscles (p = 0.005 resp. 0.001) and by 23-26% in the flexor muscles (not significant). Reduced passive resistance was observed in 16 of the muscles with alpha-spasticity and in all 4 of the muscle groups with gamma-spasticity. Clonus was diminished or abolished in 14 of 15 patients with this sign. Maximal isometric or isokinetic muscle strength was unaltered in the majority of the patients. In a few the strength was increased, in some it was decreased. The averaged EMG activity during walking as studied in 10 patients were increased in 35 of the 57 muscle groups examined. In some muscle groups, exaggerated activity attributable to spastic reflexes was reduced. Motor disability was decreased significantly in 10 patients. It was not significantly changed in 5 and deteriorated in 4 patients. Drowsiness and subjective muscle weakness were the most frequent side-effects. SGOT and SGPT were increased in 3 cases.


Discharges of single hindlimb afferents in the freely moving cat.

1. Implanted semimicroelectrodes were used to record single afferent fiber discharges from L7 dorsal roots during unrestrained walking in the conscious cat. 2. A series of tests were used to identify an afferent during a short period of anesthesia following each recording session. The majority of afferents were from muscle spindle primary endings in hindlimb muscles. 3. Ankle extensor spindle primaries generally showed their highest firing rates during that phase of stepping in which they were passively stretched. During active muscle contraction there was evidence of fusimotor drive, although this was not usually sufficient to entirely overcome the unloading effect of rapid muscle shortening. The variability of firing rate from cycle to cycle was considerably greater for the phase of active muscle contraction. The EMG response to brisk stretches of the ankle extensor muscle indicated a rapid (disynaptic or trisynaptic) reflex arc in the conscious animal. 4. Knee flexor spindle primaries showed similarly higher firing rates during passive muscle stretching in the step cycle. The shorter periods of presumed alpha-gamma coactivation corresponded to the much more phasic role of these muscles in stepping. 5. Tendon organs in the physiological extensors of the toes were mainly active during stance, although some discharges were usually seen during the swing phase. It is suggested that previous experiments on mesencephalic preparations may have led to an exaggerated view of the degree of alpha-gamma coactivation during normal stepping movements.


Reflex responses of human soleus muscle to small perturbations.

1. A small branch of the nerve to soleus muscle in normal human subjects was stimulated intramuscularly with a needle electrode while the subjects were maintaining a steady voluntary contraction. The EMG and force fluctuations produced by these stimuli were recorded and averaged. 2. In addition to the M-wave produced directly by stimulating motoneurons and the resultant twitch contraction, one or more EMG waves were seen with a latency greater than 100 ms. These later waves produced further contractions, and when there were several later waves, the EMG and force fluctuations appeared as a damped oscillation with a frequency between 5.5 and 8 Hz. 3. By varying the angle of the ankle and hence the time course of the twitch contraction, the timing of the latter waves was shown to be closely related to the contraction time. Thus, the later waves appeared to be produced reflexly by the tension fluctuations, rather than directly by the stimulus. 4. The frequency response function between the tension fluctuations and the reflux EMG responses was computed. The gain agreed with that of primary muscle spindle afferents, but the phase data showed extra lags consistent with a time delay which was too long to be spinal in origin. This reflex probably involves supraspinal centers.


Localization of radiolabeled enzyme inhibitors in the adrenal gland.

Tissue distribution studies were performed in rats and dogs at five time intervals between 10 min and 24 hr after the intravenous injection of one of the following radiolabeled adrenocortical enzyme inhibitors: 3H-amino-glutethimide, 125I-3-iodoaminoglutethimide, 3H-SKF-12185, 125I-3-SKF-12185, 3H-metyrapone. 3H-metyrapol. 3H-amphenone B, and 3H-SU-10603. In rats, 3H-SKF-12185 showed the highest uptake in the whole adrenal (3.5% kg dose/gm at 1 hr). In dogs, 3H-metyrapol showed the highest uptake in the adrenal cortex (9% kg dose/gm at 1 hr), and the peak cortex-to-liver concentration ratio was 57 at 2 hr. These peaks uptakes were comparable to those obtained with the conventional iodocholesterols, but they were reached much earlier, with elimination of most of the adrenal radioactivity by 24 hr. These properties would permit the use of 123I as the label and a higher tracer dose, resulting in a higher photon flux. Thus, the radiolabeled enzyme inhibitors show promise as adrenal-scanning agents, with a markedly shortened scanning procedure, a lower absorbed radiation dose, and better resolution.


Biochemical and cellular changes in skin and lymph during Arthus and mixed hypersensitivity reactions in rabbits.

The object of this investigation was to determine whether the pathological events which occur during the Arthus and mixed hypersensitivity reaction could be monitored biochemically and whether changes in enzyme concentrations would reflect the severity of tissue damage either in the skin itself or in the lymph draining the lesion. The initial increase in vascular permeability which resulted in oedema formation in the tissue was reflected by a large increase in the water and protein content of the tissues, however, there was no increase in either the protein concentration or flow of the lymph. The increases in the total enzyme content in the lesion could not always be related to the macroscopic appearance of the reaction site. However, the severity of the reaction did appear to be related to the concentration of cathepsin D in the oedema fluid present at the reaction site. Although the release of enzymes was reflected in the local lymph in the case of LDH and beta-glucuronidase there was no increase in of the concentration cathepsin D in the lymph draining the lesion.


Effects of grayanotoxin I on cardiac Na + K + -adenosine triphosphatase activity, transmembrane potential and myocardial contractile force.

The relationship between altered transmembrane sodium movements and myocardial contractility was studied by opposing the action of the sodium pump with grayanotoxin I (GTX), an agent previously shown to increase resting sodium influx. GTX failed to affect Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase activity in vitro in concentrations as high as 0.1 mM. In electrically driven left atrial preparations of guinea-pig hearts, 1 mugM GTX produced a slight depolarization and appeared to decrease the upstroke velocity of the action potential, GTX (0.1-1 mugM) also produced a positive inotropic effect which developed over a 20-minute period. At higher concentrations, GTX produced arrhythmias. These effects of GTX were also observed in the presence of 10 mugM propranolol. Positive inotropic and arrhythmic effects of GTX were reversible after washout of the drug. These effects of GTX were also reversed by tetrodotoxin, an agent which has been shown to counteract the effect of GTX on sodium permeability. These data are consistent with a hypothesis that altered transmembrane sodium movement effects myocardial contractility.


Cardiac Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase inhibition by ouabain and myocardial sodium: a computer simulation.

The major evidence against the hypothesis that Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K+-ATPase) inhibition is the mechanism of the positive inotropic action of digitalis is that the myocardial sodium content does not increase at the time of the inotropic response. In order to understand the relationship between sodium pump inhibition and myocardial sodium content, a computer simulation of the intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) during a cycle of myocardial function was performed. The model for the computer simulation is a small compartment adjacent to the inner surface of the sarcolemma. The change in [Na+]i in this compartment is determined by the rate of sodium influx (published data utilized) and the rate of active sodium transport was estimated from the activities of partially purified dog heart Na+, K+-ATPase preparations assayed with various concentrations of sodium and ouabain. The initial rapid sodium influx results in maximal sodium pump activation, but the pump activity decreases with time as the [Na+]i decreases. Thus, the sodium pump functions at a rate close to its maximal velocity during the initial phase of each cycle but at reduced rates during the later phase. Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase by ouabain decreases the maximal velocity during the intiial phase of each cycle but at reduced rates during the later phase. Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase by ouabain decreases the maximal velocity of the sodium pump but increases the time in each cycle at which the sodium pump operates at its highest possible rate under these conditions, i.e., a rate close to the inhibited maximal velocity. A 40% inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity, caused by inotropic concentrations of ouabain, increases the peak [Na+]i but fails to cause intracellular sodium accumulation since [Na+]i approaches control levels before the beginning of the next cardiac cycle. With greater enzyme inhibition, caused by arrhythmic concentrations of ouabain, [Na+]i fails to return to the precycle level and thus each subsequent cycle causes a progressive accumulation of myocardial sodium. Computer simulation predicts that a positive inotropic concentration of ouabain causes a myocardial sodium accumulation at a high heart rate but not at a lower heart rate. This was confirmed by experiments with Langendorff preparations of guinea-pig hearts. It is concluded that a moderate sodium pump inhibition by inotropic concentrations of ouabain enhances the intracellular sodium transient (a transient increase in intracellular sodium concentration associated with each membrane excitation) but does not cause a significant myocardial sodium accumulation at normal heart rates. A progressive myocardial sodium accumulation occurs only when the degree of Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition exceeds a critical magnitude.


Regeneration of afferent and efferent fibres to muscle spindles after nerve injury in adults cats.

1. The nerves to cat peroneus longus and tenuissimus muscles were either cut or crushed close to the muscle and the afferent and efferent nerve supply to the muscle spindles was studied electrophysiologically between 2 and 32 weeks later. 2. Recovery was more rapid and complete after crush than section for both afferent and efferent fibres. After recovery from either procedure normal primary and secondary afferents and static and dynamic gamma efferent fibres were found. 3. Some abnormally occurring neurones were found. One group consisted of beta fibres which had a static action on muscle spindles. Static beta fibres are very rarely found in normal muscles. 4. The results indicate that some guidance mechanism exists which after crush injuries of nerves may restore muscle receptor function almost to normal. Even after nerve section some muscle spindles may become correctly reinnervated.


The responses of human muscle spindle endings to vibration of non-contracting muscles.

1. In micro-electrode recordings from the human peroneal and tibial nerves, the responses of thirty-two primary spindle endings, thirteen secondary spindle endings and three Golgi tendon organs were studied during vibration of the tendons of the receptor-bearing muscles in the leg. The amplitude of the applied vibration was 1-5 mm and the frequency was varied from 20 to 220 Hz. As checked with e.m.g. and torque measurements, the muscles of the leg were relaxed during the sequences analysed. 2. Providing that the vibrator was accurately applied, all endings responded with discharges phase-locked to the vibration cycles, the discharge rates being at the vibration frequency or at subharmonics of that frequency. The response to vibration was of abrupt onset and offset, was maintained for the duration of vibration, and was not subject to fluctuation with changes in attention or with remote muscle contraction. 3. The maximal discharge rate that could be achieved varied from one ending to the next, and increased with the length of the receptor-bearing muscle. For endings driven at their maximal rate an increase in vibration frequency produced a decrease in discharge rates as the ending changed to a subharmonic pattern of response. The converse occurred on decreasing vibration frequency. 4. For any given muscle length, primary endings could generally be driven to higher rates than secondary endings but there was a wide range of responsiveness within each group and a significant overlap between the groups. At medium muscle length, the most responsive primary endings could be driven up to 220 Hz but secondary endings did not reach discharge rates higher than 100 Hz. 5. With combined vibration and passive movements, primary endings exhibited maximal vibration responsiveness during the stretching phases, sometimes firing twice per vibration cycle. During the shortening phases, however, they usually ceased responding to the vibratory stimulus. The vibration responsiveness of secondary endings was not potentiated to the same extent by on-going muscle stretch or reduced to the same extent by on-going muscle shortening. Thus, during shortening, secondary endings may be more responsive than primary endings. 6. The responses of primary endings to tendon taps were reduced during muscle vibration, a reduction which probably contributes to vibration-induced suppression of tendon jerks. Additionally, as the muscle shortened after tendon percussion, there was a transient pause in the response to vibration.


The responses of human muscle spindle endings to vibration during isometric contraction.

1. An human subjects, vibration of amplitude 1-5 mm and frequency 20-220 Hz was applied to the tendons of muscles in the leg to examine the effects on the discharge of primary and secondary endings during manoeuvres designed to alter the level of fusimotor drive. 2. In four experiments, the peroneal nerve was completely blocked with lidocaine proximal to the recording site in order to de-efferent spindle endings temporarily. The responses to muscle stretch and vibration, as seen in multi-unit recordings and in single unit recordings, were similar during the block as in the relaxed state prior to the block. Thus, these experiments provided no evidence for a functionally effective resting fusimotor drive. 3. The responses to vibration of nine primary endings and four secondary endings were examined during isometric voluntary contractions of the receptor-bearing muscles. Providing that the endings were responding submaximally in the relaxed state, voluntary contraction enhanced the response to vibration, suggesting co-activation of the fusimotor system sufficient to compensate for mechanical unloading. Unloading effects were observed during contractions of neighbouring synergistic muscles, indicating a close spatial relationship between the co-activated skeletomotor and fusimotor outflows. 4. Recordings were obtained from ten primary endings and seven secondary endings during isometric reflex contractions resulting from the vibratory stimulus (TVR contractions). For twelve endings, the appearance of the tonic vibration reflex in the receptor-bearing muscle resulted in a significant decrease in the response to vibration, suggesting that the endings were unloaded by the extrafusal contraction. On voluntary suppression of the reflex contraction spindle responses reverted to their previous levels. 5. These results suggest that the tonic vibration reflex, like the tendon jerk reflex, operates predominantly or exclusively on alpha motoneurones and that it does not utilize the same cortically originating efferent pathways as are used in the performance of voluntary contractions.


A Mobile Laparoscopy Unit.

Our experience has led us to the construction of a Mobile Laparoscopy Unit. This unit increases safety and permits the adequate performance of laparoscopy. The Mobile Laparoscopy Unit is an alternative to a special laparoscopy room.


Immunity to tumor antigens: potential implications in human neuroblastoma.

Immune reactions to tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens have been demonstrated in animals with neoplasms with in vitro and in vovo techniques. Some of the antigens detected in vitro induce transplantation resistance in vivo, while others do not. Human neuroblastoma cells cultivated in vitro have been shown to possess common antigens to which lymphocytes from neuroblastoma patients react. Whether it is possible to augment the immune reactivity of patients with neuroblastoma to these common antigens and, if so, whether this heightened immune reactivity would have clinically beneficial effects are as yet unknown. These reactions are complex, involving both cellular and humoral mechanisms. The fact that one type of immune response can be detected to one type of antigen present in a tumor in vitro does not necessarily mean that the immune response is effective in vivo. Responses to other tumor antigens may be deficient, or the immune response may be depressed. This may be due to active suppression of and/or selective deficiencies in critical cell populations required for an augmented immune response; this possibility may be evaluated with techniques allowing for in vitro sensitization to tumor antigens.


Evidence that mismatched bases in heteroduplex T4 bacteriophage are recognized in vivo.

T4 heteroduplex heterozygotes are lost selectively after prolonged incubation of phage-infected Escherichia coli cells under nonreplicating conditions. The loss of heterozygosity occurs for four out of six rII sites tested and is not dependent upon T4 v gene function. The results are interpreted to indicate the existence of a base-specific system for the recognition of mismatched bases in intracellular DNA.


[Comparative evaluation of different programs of physical rehabilitation in acute myocardial infarct].

The conducted randomized comparative study of 305 patients with acute myocardial infarction included into different programmes of physical rehabilitation has demonstrated that better results are achieved with fast rehabilitation in those with a relatively mild and moderate course of the disease, and with comparatively slower rehabilitation--in those with severe lesions. The regimen of motor activity has to be recommended on an individual basis to the infarction patients, with due regard of the severity of their state and its prognosis. A programme of rehabilitation is presented that prescribes the scope and tempo of motor activity extension depending on the severity and prognosis of the lesion determined mathematically on the basis of the described original technique.


[Renal involvement in malaria (author's transl)].

Malaria infection leads to renal involvement. Reversible proteinuria accompanies many plasmodial infections. Chronic malarial nephrotic syndrome is specifically associated with quartan malaria. Acute renal failure is restricted to infections with Plasmodium falciparum. The pathogenesis of renal involvement during malarial infections includes immunological mechanisms. It is now realized that there exist at least two types of immunological processes: acute transient immune-complex glomerulonephritis with reversible proteinuria and chronic immune-complex glomerulonephritis with irreversible nephrotic syndrome.


Spherical microparticles in human myocardium: an ultrastructural study.

Clusters of spherical microparticles (SMP) that averaged 500 A in diameter and were composed of dense cores surrounded by single trilaminar membranes were found in operatively obtained myocardial biopsies from 29 of 70 patients with various types of heart diseases including: left atrial myocardium (14 patients) and right atrial myocardium (four patients) of 14 patients with mitral valvular disease; left ventricular myocardium of three of 16 patients with aortic valvular disease, three of 16 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and two of four patients with combined mitral and aortic valvular disease; and crista supraventricularis muscle of seven of 20 patients with congenital heart diseases associated with muscular obstruction to right ventricular outflow. SMP were consistently associated with interstitial fibrosis and with degeneration of the muscle cells. SMP occurred along the outer surfaces on the sides and free ends of muscle cells in areas of fibrosis, in the widened spaces between membranes of partially dissociated intercellular junctions, and within cytoplasmic vesicles considered to be phagocytic. SMP frequently were joined together by minute nexuses that were structurally identical with those forming parts of intercellular junctions of muscle cells. Evidence is presented to show that SMP occur commonly in tissues other than myocardium. It is concluded that SMP form in the heart as part of a process that mediates the remodeling of cellular surfaces, especially those of intercellular junctions undergoing dissociation.


[Effect of a 22-day space flight on the metabolism of rat skeletal muscle tissue].

Skeletal muscles of flight rats showed no changes in the content of glycogen, adenosine triphosphatase activity of myosin and protein content in protein fractions (except the T fraction where the protein content increased on the 1st and returned to the normal on the 26th postflight day). On the 1st postflight day activities of aminotransferases and lactate dehydrogenase of sarcoplasmatic proteins were elevated and the isoenzyme spectrum of LDH was changed as if in muscular atrophy. The amount of free amino acids in muscles was lowered. On the 26 the postflight day the enzymic activity of sarcoplasmatic proteins remained increased whereas the isoenzyme spectrum of LDH returned to the normal and the amount of free amino acids grew significantly. In the microsomal fraction of muscles the phospholipid content decreased on the 1st and returned to the normal on the 26th postflight day.


[Cellular and molecular aspects of adaptation].

An attempt is made to summarize the hypotheses of the mechanisms of the effect of adverse environmental factors on the structural and functional organization of the cell published in the literature. On the basis of the literature data and his own findings the author concludes that changes in cell structures are primary. The material foundation for these changes are biological membranes whose chemical composition and physical properties dictate stability of cell substructures. The complex of nonspecific changes in the cell leads to supercellular and superorgan adaptive reactions at whose level adaptation develops.


Dynamics of the chest wall during speech production: function of the thorax, rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen.

Anteroposterior diameters of the rib cage and abdomen and esophageal and gastric pressures were measured in normal subjects in upright and supine body positions during respiratory maneuvers and utterance tasks. Data were charted in relative motion diagrams and various motion-pressure diagrams which enabled graphic solution for muscular pressures exerted by the chest wall and individually by the thorax, rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen during utterances. Behaviors of the chest wall and its parts were found to depend upon lung volume, utterance loudness, body position, and utterance task. For utterances encompassing most of the vital capacity, chest wall effort was at first net inspiratory and later net expiratory. The former was governed predominately by the rib cage and the abdomen in the upright body position and by the diaphragm in the supine position. For conversational speech, chest wall effort was continuously expiratory, control being vested in the rib cage and the abdomen in the upright body position and typically in the rib cage alone in the supine position. Mechanisms operating during the utterances are discussed, particularly those involved with conversational speech production. We conclude that the abdomen occupies an especially important role in running conversational speech in that it mechanically tunes the diaphragm to increase the latter's inspiratory efficiency and thus enables man to minimally interrupt his ongoing speech for needed inspiratory pauses. We also discuss the relevance of our findings to clinical endeavors.


[Protein fractions and their enzyme activity in rat myocardium after a 22-hour space flight].

No significant changes in the content of sarcoplasmatic and myofibrillar proteins were found in the myocardium of rats that made a 22-day flight onboard the biosatellite. On the 2nd and 26th postflight days the activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases of sarcoplasmatic proteins was increased and the total activity of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme spectrum remained unchanged. On the 2nd postflight day the ATPase activity of myosin of the myocardium was substantially lowered and on the 26th postflight day it returned to the normal. This decline in the ATPase activity of myosin can be regarded as an adaptive reaction to weightlessness.


[Experience with endemic dermatological diseases in the Peruvian wilderness: mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and Brazilian foliaceous pemphigus].

With the setting up of a rural-medical post in the region of Pachitea-Pichis river, affluent of the Alto Ucayali, in the year 1973, the authors made the diagnosis of 120 cases of pigmentary Leishmaniasis (1,2 % of the total population). 55 % of this series corresponded to pure cutaneous forms and 65 were of the muco-cutaneous type, 21 of the latter being mutilating. Sixty per cent were young males working as wood labourers or farmers. The treatment with Repodral (Etilofen) was useful only in the initial froms. Brezilian Pemhigus foliaceous which is considered endemic in the same geographical area responded wery well to treatment with prednisolone.


[Demodecidosis and rosaceiform dermatitis].

The authors refer those dermatoses called "Rosacea like" or "Rosaceiform Dermatitis" that always offer differential diagnosis with Rosacea. Some of them supposedly have tuberculous etiology. They employ a special technique the "skin surface biopsy" to demonstrate the presence of "Demodex folliculorus" inside the pilosebaceous follicle in sufficient amount, that one can consider a certain etiologic role in those dermatoses. For treatment they use "Danish ointment" (olysulphine ointment) with important improvement of the disease. They conclude that this technique and the improvement obtained with the treatment can help to make an adequate correlation and diagnosis of such dermatoses.


[Diphtheria in the area of antibiotics (author's transl)].

In Düsseldorf repeated incidences of severe membranous angina were observed, several cases of which had a fatal outcome. Though the bacteriological proof could only be firnished in one case, in the rest of the cases there was also the strong suspicion of diphtheria. To guarantee the final diagnosis, it is necessary, to make the throat swab before the antibiotic therapy begins since only a single dosis of penicillin jeopardises the demonstration of the infection agent. It must urgently be minded of the necessity, that in cases of suspicion a diphtheria antitoxin should be given in good time, not waiting for the bacteriological clarification, since already a whole generation of physicians from their personal experience is no longer up to date on the clinical picture of diphtheria.


[A female mutational falsetto? (author's transl)].

This paper reports about a female mutational falsetto, that means an unusual high (309 Hz base frequency) fundamental frequency of the speaking voice in a 19-year-old girl. The psychological background and the epicrisis as well as the practical negative result of the hormon- and metabolism examination allow the diagnosis of this rare disturbance of the voice, the formal classification of which would on the other hand also allow the statement of a phononeurosis with a too high fundamental frequency of the speaking voice because the behavior of the voice from the menarche (12 years) up to the first examination does not seem assured definately. The individual median fundamental frequency of the speaking voice has inally been obtained at 270 Hz. Energy range of the speaking voice has been measured, glottography and sonagraphy has been carried out, all of which show the course of treatment clearly. It has been remarked critically that there has to be found a method to better reproduce the hearing impression in a figure. Investigations according to this have been made.


[Experiments on intelligibility of esophagus-speech (author's transl)].

An electroacustic voice amplifier with a formant-specific amplitude frequency response has been developed, which leads to a remarkable increasing of intellegibility.


[Spirographic examination of laryngitis virogenes in children (author's transl)].

As a result of spirographic examinations and laryngoscopy in 87 children the performance of spirographic examinations only enabled the diagnosis of Laryngitis virogenes without laryngoscopy.


[Tonsillectomy and leukemia in adults (author's transl)].

Among 752 leukemic adult patients 99 were tonsillectomized and among 752 strictly selected healthy persons ("individual matched pairs") 182. This difference is significant and shows the same results as earlier examinations in leukemic children by Matzker and Klasen. Authors suggest further controls of these impressioning statisticts. New aspects of tonsillar pathophysiology and also indication for adenotonsillectomy are induced.


[Tuberculosis of tongue (author's transl)].

Report on a nodular form of tuberculosis of the tongue in a 91-year-old patient, which was cured completely by exstirpation and tuberculostatic therapy. The histologic examination of this "tumor of the tongue" lead to the radiologic proof of a chronic-specific lung process, which is interpreted as the source of the tuberculosis of the tongue by blood-stream dissemination. Discussion of the clinical and morphological forms of the tuberculosis of the tongue, of the differential diagnosis, as well as references to the importance of histologic examinations of ulcers of the tongue resulting in the detection of a specific lung process in some cases.


[Types of noise in audiometry-examples from theoretical and routine work (author's transl)].

The importance of noise types, which are used in audiometry, is pointed out and theory of noise is discussed. Besides practical examples of noise are compared with theoretical considerations. Comparison shows that exact theoretical definitions are mostly not fulfilled. In general, however, common types of noise are of satisfactory quality.


[Experiences in high frequency audiometry and possible applications (author's transl)].

Observations on the ultrasonic perception of noise-impaired persons gave rise to use the high frequency audiometry described by Fletcher for the early recognition of noise-induced damages. Using commercial equipment we found that the earpiece was not adapted to high frequency conditions. The adaptation problem and ways of modification are described in detail. After having improved the coupling features reproducible hearing curves were obtained. Examinations were carried out on workers, whose noise exposure exceeded the critical intensity by only a few dB. The following 3 categories of impairment were found: 1. Normal hearing between 125 and 8,000 Hz as well as in the high frequency region. 2. Unsignificant noise-induced impairments between 125 and 8,000 Hz; no high frequency hearing. 3. Acoustic hearing; no high frequency hearing. The results are discussed. It is supposed that high frequency hearing losses due to noise and chemical noxious exposure (streptomycin) are valuable in diagnostics and prognostics. Accordingly persons are to be assessed as noise sensitive, when there is no more high frequency hearing before practising noise work.


[Results in the diagnostic of patients with non-acute conductive hearing loss (author's transl)].

70 patients who are suffering from a sound perception deafness without any acute reason, were stationary examined by a certain diagnostic scheme. We want to report the results of the evaluation of this so-called diagnostic check. Simultaneously the question will be discussed, whether such a diagnostic scheme will meet its expenditure.


[Investigations to monaural and binaural time resolution of short interruptions within a defined signal (author's transl)].

The perception threshold of short interruptions of signals was examined as a result of time resolution ability. Main interest was brought to the dichotic signal representation, were different structures between both ears provoke specific hearing sensations. As variables of interruption perception we chose the parameters onset and duration of the interruption and signal duration and intensity. The comparison of the monaural and dichotic perception threshold showed significant differences concerning time resolution. Further experiments gave correlations between speech discrimination with noise, troubles in selective hearing and perception of short interruptions. Compared to standard values the binaural perception was significantly reduced.


[Topodiagnostic ERA results at a female patient with multiple sclerosis in the brainstem (author's transl)].

At a female patient suffering from multiple sclerosis with demyelinisation mainly in the pontine and mesencephalic tegmentum, the five early potentials consisting of the compound action potential of the acoustic nerve (Pot. I) and the four brainstem potentials (Pot. II-V) as well as the slow evoked vertex-potential were registered. The threshold behaviour, the characteristic curve and the latency curve of all potentials were obtained, and thereby damages of the central acoustic pathways found out. A topodiagnostic is tried by means of the alterations of the peripheral and central ERA, and by means of the informations described in the literature. A control registration, carried out four weeks later, demonstrated an improvement of the diagnosis.


[Recording and evaluation of audiometric data before and after operations in the middle ear a proposal for standardization (author's transl)].

For audiological analysis of the results of operations in the middle ear raising of audiometric values in 10 dB ranges is sufficient, differentiated for bone and air conduction, pre- and postoperatively for frequencies of 0.5/1/2/4/8 kHz. Mean values of frequencies of 0.5/1/2 kHz for air and bone conduction as well as for sound conduction component raised for each patient are used for statistical analysis exclusively. Two hypotheses are under trial, i.e. bone conduction does not change after operation and that postoperative sound conduction component remains possibly small. An audiogramm-like presentation of the results is preferred to frequency distribution curves. Data processing programmes, suited for several computer systems are available.


[A contribution to the treatment of otomycoses (author's transl)].

It is reported about the treatment of 39 cases of otomycosis with the local specificum Clotrimazol (chemical term: Bis-phemil-(2 chlorphenyl-)1 imidazol-methan), on the market as "Canestan". In 35 cases complete and permanent healing was observed within a period of 8-12 days. In 2 cases the treatment took 3 weeks. Since irritations of the concha or the cheek below the concha respectively happened only in 2 cases, the compatibility can be regarded as good.


Descending thoracic aortofemoral bypass for distal aortic reconstruction after removal of an infected dacron prosthesis.

A simplified technique of descending thoracic aortofemoral bypass is presented. This technique was employed successfully in a patient in whom an infected aortofemoral Dacron bypass was removed and an axillofemoral reconstruction had failed.


[Competing ability of Rhizobium trifolii strains and efficiency of clover nitraginization on spent peat mosses].

The competing ability of active strains of clover nodule bacteria was assayed in vegetation and field experiments. The competing ability of the industrial strains 311a and 347a was found to be sufficiently high. These strains increased the yield of clover on exhausted turf peats of the Kirovsk Region by 26--29%. The stimulating effect was observed also with new strains 313b and 329b. The optimal dose for inoculation of clover seeds in these conditions is 50,000 nodule bacteria per one seed. Inoculation should be conducted by a strain with a high competing ability.


[Long term therapy over nine years with Spironolacton in hydropic cardiac insufficiency].

The effect of the aldosterone-antagonist Spironolacton in decompensated hydropic cardiac insufficiency is explored with patients not re-compensated under a glycosid-diuretica-therapy. This analysis is based on the clinical records and other documents of 34 patients with most serious oedematous cardiac insufficiency of different genesis. For elucidation of the result of the clinical treatment two casuistic cases are described. The probability of mortality or survival-rate is calculated, periods of observation could be achieved up to more than nine years. It is endeavoured to compare the results with observations of patients-collectives, that are known from the literature. Statistically significant decreases in weight are objectified. When examining the reactions of blood-pressure at the Spironolacton-therapy no statistically significant alterations of blood-pressure could be observed with those cardiac-decompensated patients. 6.25 per cent of the considered serum-potassium-data were underneath the limitations of lower standard, at 1.875 per cent of the measured values a hyperkalemia existed. No clinical side-effects could be observed except the incidence of a gynaecomastia with two male patients. A protracted therapy with Spironolacton for patients with decompensated hydropical myocardial insufficiency is appropriated to support recompensation in addition to the hitherto conventional possibilities of therapy, and to maintain this achieved re-compensation.


[Microbiological characteristics of the lakes in the Yaroslavl region].

The paper presents data concerning the activity of microflora in water and ooze deposits of lakes of the Yaroslavl Region. Microbiological processes in water depend mainly on the rate of production or organic substance at the account of phytoplankton photosynthesis, which varies from 0.18 to 6.3 gC/m2. Destruction of organic substance in water of most lakes exceeded production. Production of bacterial biomass was within limits of 0.2--5.8 gC/m2/day and lower, as a rule, than production of phytoplankton. The number of bacteria in different lakes varied from 1.7 to 35 X 10(6) per 1 ml. Heterotrophic assimilation of carbon dioxide was rather high and reached 34 mcgC/litre/day, its ratio to biomass being ca. 6.8%. The total number of bacteria in ooze deposits of lakes varied from 0.6 to 2.7 X 10(9) g/m2. Aerobic destruction varied from 0.03 to 0.78 gC/m2.


[Characteristics of the microflora of soddy-podzol soil during single-crop cultivation of agricultural plants and during crop rotation].

Structural organization of microbial populations in soddy-podzolic soil was studied during growth of agricultural plants in monoculture and in crop rotation. The content of bacteria and their biomass decreased when plants were grown in monoculture. The content of actinomycetes, bacilli and oligonitrophilic microorganisms increased in soil during crop rotation as compared with monocultures, suggesting a higher rate of mobilization processes. The content of microscopic fingi in soil increased when lupine was grown in monoculture. Growth of plants in monoculture affects the cenotic structure of soil microflora. The composition of active soil microflora was characterized by a wider spectrum of microbial forms during crop rotation of monocultures.


Serotonin vascular reactivity and other clinical pharmacological investigations in two intestinal carcinoid patients.

In two patients with carcinoid syndrome, a reduced venoreactivity to serotonin (5-HT) was found by means of the venoconstriction test. Parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) treatment increased 5-HT venoreactivity. A normal noradrenaline venoreactivity was detected before and during PCPA administration. The altered platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity corrected by PCPA treatment. The abnormal 5-HT turnover may alter the synthesis of MAO and provoke the production of isoenzymes. Low plasma amine oxidase and high plasma histaminase activity were found in 1 of these 2 patients. A low level of plasma prekallikrein in the two patients remained unchanged during PCPA administration.


Sex, migraine and serotonin interrelationships.

Sexual deficiency or frank impotence in man could be due to an imbalance of monoamines, particularly 5-HT, at the mating center level. An absolute or relative excess of 5-HT seems to antagonize testosterone at the level of the mating center receptors in the brain. Plasma testosterone levels in so-called psychological impotence are normal. When the 5-HT concentration in sexually deficient men is sufficiently decreased with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) treatment and testosterone levels increased following its administration, a vivid sexual stimulation appears in about half of the untractable cases. Similar results are observed by substituting testosterone with monoamine oxydase inhibitor (MAOI) in PCPA-treated volunteers. Furthermore, MAOI-PCPA are administered to emphasize the brain shift between serotonin and catecholamines. Yet the PCPA-MAOI treatment avoids the prostate carcinogenic risk of testosterone administration in aging males, and seems to have euphorizing effects stronger than those expected only from MAOI therapy. Because of the several side effects of PCPA-MAOI testosterone, the present experiments should be interpreted very cautiously.


Overdose of lioresal.

This is the first reported case of a major overdose of Lioresal (baclofen or CIBA BA-346467). A 29-year-old woman with known Huntington's disease took from 900 to 970 mg of Lioresal, a cogener of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) used experimentally to treat muscle spasm. She was admitted in deep coma with absent brain stem reflexes and without spontaneous respiration, and she required cardiovascular support. Her pupils were fixed at 3 mm and unreactive for 48 hours. She continued to require intensive support for a total of 72 hours and had one seizure during the recovery phase. Her eventual recovery was complete. No specific antidotes are currently available for overdose of Lioresal and supportive care is the only method of treatment for overdose.


Ectopic gestation: a consideration of new and controversial issues relating to pathogenesis and management.

In this chapter on ectopic gestation are have attempted to elucidate new and controversial issues in this area. In summary, we identify the following items as "nominative imperatives": I. Meticulous review of the classic etiologic concepts of ectopic gestation indicates that these concepts are no longer tenable although certain of them may be operative in specific instances. Review of certain veterinary work, animal experimentation, and pathologic and clinical observations in primates lends support to the hypothesis that failure of the ovum to implant may be related to delayed (post-midcycle) ovulation followed by shortening of the luteal phase with defective endometrial development and by a bleeding episode that simulates menstruation. II. Review of the literature indicates that the woman who has a tubal pregnancy has about a 50 to 60 percent chance of never becoming pregnant again. Among those who do conceive, at least 10 percent, and possibly more, develop another ectopic gestation. Only one-third of the women who have a tubal pregnancy will ever succeed in delivering a healthy child. Obviously this unhappy prognosis is the basis for many of our recommendations for management. The woman who had had a tubal pregnancy should consider the use of mechanical contraception after the midcycle to prevent recurrent ectopic pregnancy. This is obviously a suggestion based on the etiologic theory that we espouse. The prophylactic use of anti-Rh immunoglobulin is necessary in ectopic gestation in Rh-negative gravidas. III. In terms of the relation of ectopic pregnancy to intrauterine devices, the most authoritative statement than can be found is that of Lehfeldt, who states that the IUD is 99.5 percent effective in preventing intrauterine pregnancy, 95 percent effective in preventing tubal ectopic gestation, and is ineffective against ovarian implantation. Nonetheless, the fact that one in 23 IUD pregnancies is ectopic makes consideration of this diagnosis mandatory. IV. In terms of diagnostic assistance that can be provided by the radiologist, a comprehensive summary of their capabilities is presented. Laparoscopy is considered a valuable aid in establishing the diagnosis of unruptured ectopic pregnancy. A new, highly sensitive radioimmunoassay with specific affinity for the beta subunit of HCG is described that can detect very low levels of HCG when routine pregnancy tests are negative. It appears that this test can be of enormous help in diagnosing the early, unruptured tubal pregnancy. V. In a consideration of the role of conservative operations in the management of tubal pregnancy, we take the position that the modern gynecologist must acknowledge the possibility of conservative operations. It is obvious that success is most likely, when the surgeon is confronted with an early, unruptured ectopic gestation and that the feasibility of a linear salpingostomy must be acknowledged. VI...


Laparoscopy: is it replacing clinical acumen?

One thousand sixty-one laparoscopic procedures (80% for diagnostic indications and 20% for therapeutic indications) performed during a 51-month period were reviewed to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopy in improving clinical diagnosis and avoiding major surgery. The error in preoperative clinical assessment as compared to postlaparoscopic diagnosis was approximately 50%: disease was suspected more often than found. Pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and ovarian cyst were the entities most often confused. Tubal coagulation was the most common procedure performed for therapeutic reasons. The complication rate for all laparoscopies and associated procedures was 2.6%.


[Spinal painful syndromes and occupations].

In cooperation with the Rehabilitation Section of the Polish Academy of Sciences 1250 manual workers doing work overburdening the spine were examined. It was found that low back pain syndromes were present in from 15% to 37% of these workers. The causes of pains may be seen in faulty posture and inappropriate technique of work. In order to meet the requirements of their occupational work these workers should have prophylactic kinesitherapy and practical training in proper technique of work. The spondylological prophylaxis comprises a number of elements including exercises, daytime regimen, nutrition habits, protection against the consequences of stress and ruling out of pathogenetic factors in occupational work.


Comparison of mental development in individuals with mosaic and trisomy 21 Down's syndrome.

During the past 15 years about 350 children with Down's syndrome have been seen at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for psychological evaluation along with medical visits and other laboratory tests. Among this group there were 25 mosaic Down's syndrome children identified by chromosome analyses. They were matched for sex and chronological age with 25 trisomy 21 subjects and compared on psychological tests. The mosaic group demonstrated significantly higher intellectual potential, better verbal facility, and less visual perceptual difficulties than the trisomy 21 group. Their behavioral adjustment and personality characterisitcs were similar to those observed in other types of Down's syndrome. Since present psychological assessment techniques do not permit reaching valid conclusions about the ultimate intellectual status in very young infants with Down's syndrome, physicians and other professionals need to be careful when recommending early placement outside the home based merely upon the diagnosis.


The inhibitory effect of reserpine on the active sodium transport across the frog bladder.

1. The effects of reserpine and harman derivatives on the sodium transport across the frog bladder were examined using a short-circuit current method. The effects of harman derivatives on the Na,K-ATPase activity of the frog kidney were also investigated. 2. Reserpine and harman derivatives inhibited active sodium transport of the frog bladder and their inhibitory effect decreased as reserpine greater than harmine greater than harmaline = harman greater than harmalol. 3. Harman derivatives inhibited Na,K-ATPase activity of the frog kidney. 4. These results suggest that reserpine and harman derivatives inhibit active sodium transport by suppressing the Na,K-ATPase activity of the frog bladder.


Sensory terminal responses of frog muscle spindle recorded across vaseline gap onto intrafusal muscle fibre.

When electrical activities of the sensory terminal in the frog muscle spindle were recorded across a vaseline gap which was oriented transversely to the intrafusal muscle bundle (IFM-gap), large and small spikes occurred in coincidence with propagated and abortive spikes respectively recorded across the axon-gap. The IFM-gap placed on the receptor region displayed triphasic spikes in which the first small positive deflection occurred approximately 0.2 ms prior to the propagated and abortive spikes. No such deflection was observed when the IFM-gap was placed more than 50 mum away from the receptor region. Increasing the distance from the receptor region to the IFM-gap resulted in an exponential decay in the amplitudes of both the large and small spikes. Regardless of the position of the IFM-gap relative to the receptor region, bimodal distributions in the amplitude histograms of the large spikes, and large variations in the shapes of the small spikes were observed. These results indicate that the IFM-gap responses may represent electrical activity of the non-myelinated branches, along which propagated impulses may arise from at lest two separate origins, while abortive spikes arise from many more sites.


[Deficiency in placental sulfatase. Clinical and biochemical study of 3 cases].

Placental sulfatase deficiency is currently undetected because of the lack of clinical manifestation. However, such a diagnosis should be borne in mind as it would be unadequate to undertake drastic therapy thinking of acute foetal disease or anencephaly. In the case of a clear answer, the dynamic tests allow to diagnose prenatally the defect causing paradoxical low excretion of maternal urinary estrogens and so, to await in perfect safety for the birth of an healthy baby. The enzymatic defect can be confirmed by the biochemical study of placenta tissue in vitro. In the case of an unclear answer to the DHA-S and free DHA tests, we recommend to determine the foetal chromosomal sex before ascertaining the diagnosis.


[Intralymphatic B.C.G. infusions. Preliminary results (40 cases)].

A new route of administration for BCG aimed at stimulating immunity in cancer patients is presented. 40 patients received an intra-lymphatic infusion of BCG and in 20 lymphnode dissection was carried out for bacteriological and histological study. Details of technique and the results are given with regard to the effects of BCG on pelvic and pre-vertebral nodes after injection via a foot vessel.


Skin problems in children.

Common skin problems in 340 children routinely seen during a winter period, included napkin rashes in infants, atopic eczema throughout childrhood, and acne vulgaris in late childhood. Skin infections and psoriasis were also commonly seen. If possible, when topical steroid preparations more potent than hydrocortisone cream BPC are used in children, they should be used sparingly and for short periods only.


The effect of noradrenergic receptor blocking agents on 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover in the brain of rats.

Phenoxybenzamine (PB), phentolamine (PT) and aceperone (AC) in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg increased cerebral noradrenaline (NA) turnover so these doses were regarded as blocking brain NA receptors. PB (50 mg/kg), PT (50  mg/kg) and AC (25 and 50 mg/kg) accelerated also the turnover of brain 5-HT. PT in a dose of 25 mg/kg counteracted deceleration of 5-HT turnover induced by clonidine but not by quipazine. Almost the same extent of decrease in 5-HIAA concentration after quipazine was observed in controls as in the rats pretreated with NA blockers in a dose of 25 mg/kg. On the contrary PT given in a dose of 50 mg/kg antagonized significantly the effect of quipazine. The results indicate that NA blockig agents given in lower doses do not affect the 5-HT system, however after higher doses such effect is possible.


Inter and intra diurnal variations of DNA, RNA and protein synthetic activity in newborn, infant and young adult mouse livers.

The present report is a continuation of our previous studies on the observations of macromolecule precursors incorporated into the liver of newborn (1-10 days), infant (11-21 days) and young adult (41-50 days) old mice C57BLfemale X C3Hmale Fl and 3-hour interval circadian rhythm in livers of 15 day-old mice. 3H thymidine, 3H uridine and 3H leucine were used for studying incorporation into the macromolecules. DNA, RNA and protein were prepared by a modified Kirby's procedure. The data obtained indicate fluctuation of DNA activity approximately at 5-day intervals with a decreasing tendency up to 50 days of age. In 15-day-old mice, the peak of synthetic DNA activity was observed at 9.00 a.m. and the lowest values were found the next day at 6.00 a.m. Our results should provide fundamental data from which it would be possible to speculate whether the hepatocarcinogenic effect of different compounds with or without a special affinity to induce hepatoma may be correlated to different macromolecular synthetic activity.


The relation between ATPASE activity and light chains of myosin in developing, adult and denervated muscles of several animals species.

Ca2+ATPase activity and light chains of myosin, fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in developing, adult and denervated fast, slow and cardiac muscles of the rat, guinea-pig, cat, rabbit and chick were studied. It has been shown that in normal adult muscles the electrophoretic pattern of light chains of myosin reflects the myosin ATPase activity only when muscles from the same animal species are compared. In homologous muscles from adult animals differing in size, the size-dependent difference in myosin ATPase activity is not revealed in the electrophoretic pattern. Both in developing and in denervated muscle, changes in myosin ATPase activity are either connected with changes in the pattern of light chains of myosin or this pattern does not change. This relation is different in fast and slow muscles and also differs in chick and rabbit muscles. There are several possibilities of explaining the relation between ATPase activity of myosin and the pattern of light chains of myosin. The observation that myosin from the soleus muscle of 1-month-old rabbit contains light chains corresponding to both fast and slow type of myosin, indicates that the change in myosin ATPase activity during development is due to changes in the ratio between the fast and slow type of myosin.


Effect of reserpine on the calcium content of rat aorta at different stages of development.

The preadministration of reserpine (2.5 mg/kg b.w. per os) 24 hours before the experiment did not statistically significantly affect the calcium content of the aorta of 21- and 42-day-old rats. In 90-day-old and older rats it produced a statistically significant decrease in the calcium content of the thoracic segment of the aorta, however.


Influence of starvation on lactic dehydrogenase activity in the serum and brain of rats of different ages.

The authors investigated the effect of 24 hours' acute deprivation of food and liquids on lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the serum, cerebral cortex, subcortical formations and medulla oblongata of 6- and 14-day-old and adult rats. Young rats were starved by separating half of a standard litter from the female for 24 hours. LDH activity was determined by means of Sevac-test-LDH (Imuna, Czechoslovakia) and was expressed in I.U./litre serum or 1 kg tissue wet weight. The samples were prepared at 0 degrees C. LDH activity in the various parts of the CNS was measured in the supernatant of homogenates of the above tissues and the greatest possible destruction of the tissues was ensured by freezing and thawing the homogenates prior to centrifugation. The specimens were incubated at 37 degrees C. Extinction was measured on a SPECOL (G.D.R.) apparatus at 505 nm wavelength. We found that 24 hours' deprivation of food and liquids, together with sensory deprivation in the youngest age groups, significantly reduced LDH activity in both the serum and the cerebral cortex of 6-day-old rats. In adult rats, starvation and thirst raised LDH activity, but the only statistically significant increase was in the medulla oblongata. Under our experimental conditions, LDH activity rose during development by 274% in the cerebral cortex, by 233% in subcortical formations and by 173% in the medulla oblongata. The differences betwen these developmental trends are statistically significant.


Influence of cerebrolysin(r) on the resistance of rats to anoxia.

Single injections of Cerebrolysin(R) did not affect the resistance of rats to anoxia, irrespective of age. Cerebrolysin(R) significantly raised the resistance of the young of females injected ten times i.p. with the same dose during pregnancy. The repeated (5-fold) administration of Cerebrolysin(R) significantly raised the resistance of 35-day-old rats to anoxia and, in high concentrations, it also increased the resistance of adult rats. The effect of Cerebrolysin(R) is correlated to the proportion of amino acids, aligopeptides and the nucleotides they contain. The mere administration of a mixture of amino acids or of some other hydrolysate (Testolysin) was ineffective in this respect.


Incorporation of intravenously administered urea-15N into sheep plasma proteins and their amide groups.

Two sheep with a low and high nitrogen intake (7.6 and 24 g N/day respectively) were given a single intravenous dose of 15N-labelled urea (15.3 mg 15N/kg b.w.) The findings were as follows. The greater part of non-retained 15N from the administered dose was excreted during the first day after the intravenous administration of 15N-urea. Daily excretion in the faeces amounted to 1.35-2.37% of the 15N in the given dose. With a low N intake, more 15N from the given dose (59.4%) was retained in the N pool than with a high N intake (50.5%). The net passage of 15N into the rumen and 15N incorporation into the amide-N of the plasma proteins was likewise greater. 15N incorporation into the amide-N of the plasma proteins rose steadily for 3 days. The porportion of amidic 15N in the plasma proteins rose steadily for 3 days. The proportion of amidic 15N in the plasma protein total 15N changed on the second and third day after administering 15N-urea from 8% to 16%, with the maximum at the beginning of the second day. The amount of 15N incorporated into the proteins in 1 litre plasma attained up to 3% of the given dose. It is concluded from the results that the synthesis of amino acids and their amide groups is both a quantitatively and a qualitatively important metabolic route for the reutilization of blood urea nitrogen for protein synthesis in ruminants.


Haemoglobin types in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells in rats after a single blood loss.

The authors studied quantitative changes in the synthesis of haemoglobin types in rat peripheral erythrocytes and in the cells of the bone marrow erythrocytic series after a single blood loss. They demonstrated that raised synthesis of given haemoglobin types could be found in the peripheral cells 5-7 days after blood loss. These changes could already be detected in the bone marrow cells 24 hours after blood loss. The question of the probable site and level of the origin of altered haemoglobin synthesis is discussed.


Effect of papaverine on the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle of the guinea-pig caecum.

Electrical and mechanical activity of smooth muscle of the guinea-pig caecum was recorded by means of the sucrose-gap technique. The responses of longitudinal and circular smooth muscle to acetycholine were differently affected by changes of extracellular calcium concentration (0.8, 2.5 and 7.5 mM). The contractions of both preparations were depressed at high Ca++ concentrations, whereas at low Ca++ concentrations only contractions of the circular smooth muscle were augmented. The stimulatory effect of acetylcholine was decreased by papaverine in both preparations at all three concentrations of Ca++. This inhibition was the greater the lower the concentration of extracellular Ca++ and this process was more pronounced in the circular muscle. The ability of papaverine to counteract the effect of lowered concentrations of extracellular Ca++ on membrane excitability may well explain its inhibitory effect upon intestinal smooth muscle.


The absolute eosinophil count in experimental animals.

The values of the absolute eosinophil count in certain laboratory animals were examined and were compared with values in healthy humans. The method and the results extend the possibility of detecting and studying changes in biological processes in the organism of experimental animals.


Effect of prolonged exposure to a magnetic field on the haematopoietic stem cell.

The authors studied the effect of prolonged exposure (3, 4 and 5 months) to the action of a magnetic field of 180-200 gauss formed by the poles of a rotating permanent magnet on the haematopoietic stem cells of mouse bone marrow donors. The effect of the field was evaluated from the ability of the donors' bone marrow cells to form haematopoietic colonies in the spleen of lethally irradiated mice. It was found that the number of stem cells was not reduced by the action of the above magnetic field and that proliferative capacity was likewide unimpaired.


Effect of rhythmic alternation of protein depletion and repletion on the proportion and properties of haemoglobin in the rat.

The authors submit the results of a study of the effect of rhytmic alternation of protein depletion and repletion on the quantitative and qualitative proportion of haemoglobin in the rat. The results show that four weeks' depletion caused significant changes in the studied parameters, but that two weeks' repletion restored them to normal. The organism's responses to repeated depletion-repletion states were heterogeneous as regards the size, quality and trend of the changes, indicating that the organism's defences against depletion can be influenced by repeated administration in the form of a kind of "training". The mechanism of action of the above changes is at present still unknown.


A hybrid modular set for on-line preprocessing of data in electrophysiology.

An introductory review of hardware aspects of on-line experimental data processing reveals that the combination of a specialized (hard-wired) preprocessing unit coupled with a programmable laboratory computer is an optimal set up for an electrophysiological laboratory. The paper deals with a proposed modular system, which makes the assembly of a large number of different preprocessing units possible. Some practical applications of the preprocessing units coupled with a LINC (D.E.C.) computer are presented in conclusion.


Muscosal and serosal effects of insulin on ion contents of the frog urinary bladder.

When applied in vitro at the serosal border of the bladder of Rana temporaria insulin (1.7.10(-5) M) brings about a decrease in the tissue sodium content, suggesting a stimulation of the pump extruding sodium ions from epithelial cells. On the other hand, the application of insulin at the two sides of the bladder results in a significant increase of the sodium content of the tissue. It is hence concluded that the contact of the hormone with the mucosal membranes of the epithelial cells of the bladder enhances sodium entry across the membranes. The effect if so pronounced that it obscures the stimulation of the pumps localized at the opposite pole of the cells.


Absence of a thyroxine effect on the sodium content in the frog urinary bladder.

As a contribution to the discussion whether in vitro thyroxine effects occur at all on anuran epithelial membranes it has been shown that thyroxine 10(-6) and 10(-4) M) produces neither a detectable change in the content of ions and water in the tissue of the urinary bladder of Rana temporaria, nor a change in the oxygen consumption of the bladder or skin of this frog species.


Effect of single feeding on the acetylcholine content of the diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus of albino rats.

The acetylcholine (ACh) concentration was determined in the diaphragm, extensor digitorum longus and atria of rats with permanent access to food and in single-fed animals. single feeding caused a statistically highly significant increase in the ACh content of the atria, but did not significantly affect the ACh content of the skeletal muscles.