Effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on metabolic, respiratory and vasomotor activities and body temperature in rats.

The effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) on metabolic, respiratory and vasomotor activities and body temperature were assessed in unanesthetized rats at three different ambient temperatures (Ta) of 8, 22 and 30 degrees C. Intraperitoneal administration of GHBA produced dose-dependent hypothermia in rats at both 8 and 22 degrees C Ta. At Ta = 8 degrees C the hypothermia was brought about solely by a decrease in metabolic heat production, while at Ta = 22 degrees C the hypothermia was due to both a decrease in metabolic heat production and an increase in cutaneous circulation (as indicated by changes in tail and foot skin temperatures). However, at Ta = 30 degrees C GHBA administration produced no changes in rectal temperature or other thermoregulatory parameters. Respiratory evaporative heat loss was not affected by GHBA application. Furthermore, it was found that the GHBA-induced hypothermia was antagonized by haloperidol (a selective blocker of dopamine receptors), but not by p-chlorophenylalanine (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis). The data suggest that GHBA elicits a central dopamine receptor activation mainly via release of endogenous dopamine and leads to a hypothermia.


Tremor in the tension developed isometrically by soleus during the tonic vibration reflex in the decerebrate cat.

1. Irregularities in the development of tension during the tonic vibration reflex of the soleus muscle of the decerebrate cat have been analysed into their frequency components. The reflex was recorded isometrically and elicited by longitudinal vibration, normally at 150 Hz. The amplitude of vibration was set so as to elicit a maximal reflex response, suggesting 1:1 driving of the majority of the Ia afferents at the frequency of vibration. 2. The resulting power spectrum regularly showed a well marked tremor peak separated by a trough from any slow irregularities. The predominant frequency of this tremor varied from 4 to 11 Hz in different preparations, with a mean of 7.4 Hz; on average, frequencies within 1.7 Hz on either side contained over half the power of the predominant frequency. Altering the frequency of vibration did not alter the distribution of tremor frequencies. 3. The root mean square value of the tension irregularities, over the range 4-14 Hz, varied from 12 to 110 mN in different preparations (median value, 23 mN); this was superimposed on mean active reflex tensions varying from 2 to 10 N. 4. The 'tremor' due to a single motor unit was estimated from spectral analysis of tetanic contractions of the whole muscle and decreased with increasing frequency of activation. Comparison of the single unit values with the tremor seen during vibration in the same preparations showed that equivalent amounts of tremor to the latter could typically have been produced by the continued synchronous contraction of about five 'average' motor units firing at the predominant tremor frequency. 5. When a tonic stretch reflex was present its tremor frequencies did not differ consistently from those of the tonic vibration reflex. On average, the tremor was smaller for the stretch reflex than for the tonic vibration reflex; the difference was usually slight and might have been related to the stretch refex tension being smaller. 6. Evidence was obtained that the tremor was not due to any insecurity of 1:1 driving of the Ia afferents by the vibration. First, the tremor did not increase when the amplitude of vibration was decreased sufficiently to ensure that the degree of 1:1 driving must have been reduced. Secondly, the introduction of a comparable 'artificial tremor' by sinusoidally oscillating the muscle at low frequency did not produce the e.m.g. response that would have been expected if the applied 'tremor' had been modulating the firing of the Ia or any other group of afferents. 7. It is concluded that the observed tremor cannot be attributed to 'oscillation in the stretch reflex arc', though without prejudice to the role of this mechanism under other conditions and especially when the recording is not isometric. However, the genesis of the tremor has not been established and much of it might result simply from the chance synchronization of motor units that are firing below their tetanic fusion frequency.


Sterilization of laparoscopes. Is soaking sufficient?

Controversy exists over the proper methods of sterilizing laparoscopic telescopes. An edict requiring gas sterilization rather than solution soaking of these instruments is in force in all federal hospitals. This rule has necessitated capital investments for new instruments and has led to a severe reduction in the number of cases of laparoscopy that may be scheduled in one day. Fear of contamination is based on theoretical considerations and rusn counter to the actual, observed safety record seen with laparoscopes soaked in activated glutaraldehyde between cases. In an effort to dispassionately approach this problem, cultures of the umbilical area, the laparoscope and the pelvic serosal surfaces were taken to document the type of organisms commonly encountered under clinical conditions. Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for fungi were taken after soaking the telescope in activated glutaraldehyde. The results demonstrated growth of common skin organisms even after skin preparation with povidone-iodine and ethyl alcohol. Similar organisms were recovered in some cases from the laparoscope and the pelvic surfaces. The actual degree of contamination suggested by a colony count falls well within the range of the healthy peritoneum to cope with these organisms. Recommendations for laparoscopic sterilization or disinfection are based on the results obtained.


Lumbar epidural block anesthesia for outpatient laparoscopy.

This study confirms that lumbar epidural block is a satisfactory anesthetic technique for outpatient laparoscopic tubal sterilization. Oxygenation during the period of pneumoperitoneum was adequate. The technique resulted in a shortened postanesthesia recovery period and fewer postanesthesia complications. Surgeon, anesthesiologist and patient acceptance was excellent.


Diagnostic miniculdoscopy preceding laparoscopy when bowel adhesions are suspected.

Suspected bowel adhesions are often considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopy. To attempt preoperative diagnoses of intraabdominal adhesions, miniculdoscopy was performed on ten patients with a miniendoscope. It was possible to establish the presence or absence of adhesions and to determine a safe abdominal trocar insertion site. The laparoscope trocar could be inserted under direct controlled vision with the culdoscope in nine cases, suggesting that this procedure averts bowel adhesions. This technique may be a contribution to safer laparoscopy.


Inhibition of lymphocyte responses by gold: modulation by time of drug addition and antigen dose.

Gold sodium thiomalate added to peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cell cultures inhibits the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), and cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC). The addition of GST to MLR was inhibitory only if the compound was added at the beginning of culture; late addition of GST did not inhibit MLR, or CMC. In a different set of experiments the number of stimulating cells added to MLR was varied. The inhibitory effects of GST decreased markedly as the number of stimulating cells added to culture was increased. The effects of gold in vivo may be modulated by a number of immunologically competent cells that are already antigenically stimulated, as well as by the amount of available stimulating antigen.


Inhibitory effects of gold and other drugs on mononuclear cell responses: a comparison.

The effects of gold sodium thiomalate (GST) were compared with those of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), D-penicillamine (PEN), and methlyprednisolone succinate (MP) on the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), and on cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) using mononuclear cells from normal human volunteers. GST and MP inhibited MLR in concentrations readily achieved in the serum, or tissues of patients. ASA showed only a modest effect on MLR, in high concentrations. All drugs inhibited CMC; PEN inhibited CMC at doses of 100 mcg/ml which were no inhibitory in MLR. ASA inhibited CMC at relatively low concentrations. The effects of some of the drugs on MLR and CMC were not consistent. This may be due to the preferential action of the drugs on various immunologically competent cells.


Effect of gold sodium thiomalate on fibrinolysis.

Effects of gold sodium thiomalate (GST) on fibrinolytic activities of normal blood and plasma, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), purified PMN fibrinolytic enzymes, and the enzyme, plasmin, were examined by 125I-fibrin radiometric assay. Of the 2 enzymes accounting for all of the fibrinolytic activity extractable from PMN, the chymotrypsin-like enzyme (cathepsin G),but not the elastase, was inhibited by GST (50% inhibition at 10-6M, 80% inhibition at 10-5M). Plasmin was not inhibited by GST (10-4M to 10-7 M), and these concentrations had no effect on fibrinolytic activities of normal blood and plasma (6 subjects). Activities of PMN preparations from only 2 of 5 normal subjects were inhibited by GST (maximum inhibition of 29% at 10-5 M). These findings indicate a differential effect of GST on PMN elastase and cathepsin G, and suggest a minor role for the latter in normal PMN fibrinolytic activity.


Thyroid replacement therapy in Down's syndrome with hypothyroidism.

Three elderly subjects with Down's syndrome and biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism were investigated before and after four months of thyroid replacement treatment. The patients' appearance was demonstrated by photographs and the biochemical thyroid values and the intellectual performance were assessed. The appearance before treatment varied from a florid myxoedematous appearance to a state without features indicating myxoedema. Thyroid replacement therapy was given in usual dose and the biochemical response was similar to that seen in normal subjects. The intellectual performance improved little or not at all. The characteristic discomfort usually associated with hypothyroidism was very pronounced in one case and disappeared totally during treatment. It is concluded that the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in elderly subjects with Down's syndrome can be very difficult when based on appearance and history alone and biochemical thyroid tests are often necessary. The patients should be treated with replacement therapy just as other patients suffering from hypothyroidism.


Blood pressure in Down's syndrome.

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of a large sample of subjects with Down's syndrome have been compared with those of institutional controls and of the normal population. Subjects with Down's syndrome have the lowest pressures at all ages and institutional controls tend to fall between the two. The rise of blood pressure with age is slight in the two institutional groups and the reported sex difference in the normal population was not observed.


Multivariate analyses of the MMPI profiles of low back pain patients.

A multivariate clustering procedure was used to identify replicable, homogeneous MMPI profile subgroups among three independent cohorts of male (N = 233) and female (N = 315) low back pain ((LBP) patients. Three subgroups were replicated across all male cohorts and four subgroups were replicated across all female cohorts. Multiple discriminant analysis showed that for both male and female patients between-subgroup variability was significantly greater than within-subgroup variability. The results suggest that LBP patients may not be solely characterized by MMPI profiles featuring the "conversion V" configuration. Examination of the profile subgroups also suggests there may be distinct, pain-related, behavioral attributes associated with each subgroup which might have important implications for practitioners' choice of treatment modalities. Suggestions are made for research regarding the development of specific, optimal treatments for various LBP patient subgroups.


The blood supply of muscle spindles in some mammals and the pigeon.

The blood supply of muscle spindles was studied in serial cross sections in macaque, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, mouse and pigeon muscles which had been incubated in a medium containing 3,3' diaminobenzidine. Lumina of blood vessels were recognized by the reaction product that was localized within erythrocytes. The outer capsule was well vascularized, but few or no capillaries were seen in the periaxial space. The inner spindle capsule, which closely invests the axial bundle, was rarely contacted by periaxial capillaries at the equator and juxtequator. Capillaries occurred more frequently adjacent to intrafusal fibers at the polar region and beyond the end of the outer capsule. Shorter diffusion distances and, usually, higher capillary densities were found at the polar region than at the spindle midsection. This suggests that transcapillary exchange at the polar segment is nearer to conditions prevalent in extrafusal muscle than elsewhere in the spindle, provided the inner and outer capsules are not less permeable at the poles than at the midsection. Differences in blood supply among mammalian species appear to be related to receptor size.


[An experimental study of nursing work load on the low back (author's transl)].

The relation between work postures and muscle load, the differences of muscle load in holding two different shaped objects, a human model and a box each weighting 20 kg, and the effects of wearing a belt and a corset to reduce the low back muscle load were studied in the experimental nursing work on physically and/or mentally handicapped patients. Four female healthy college students exercised a static and a dynamic nursing work designed for the experiment. E.M.G., heart rate, subjective symptoms and maximum sustaining time were measured during the work. Results are as follows: 1) The low back muscle load increased only in sustaining the forward bending posture. 2) The forward bending posture with a load weighing 20 kg caused shortening of the time to sustain the same posture. 3) The muscle load by holding the human model was larger compared to that by holding the box, and the muscle load was different according to the shape of the holding objects. 4) Wearing a belt and a corset was effective to reduce the low back muscle load by raising the abdominal pressure.


[Correlation of the parameters of myocardial contraction and relaxation in compensatory cardiac hypertrophy].

The parameters of myocardial contraction and relaxation were determined from the left ventricular pressure curves obtained in closed chest rabbits. One month after the creation of ascending aorta stenosis when the relative weight of the left ventricle increased by 54% as compared to the control, systolic pressure was higher by 42% and maximum rate of pressure development by 47%. This increase corresponded to the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy so that the load on the unit of myocardial mass did not change. No changes were found in the contractility index. The index of relaxation, however, determined by the relation between the maximum rate of relaxation and the developed pressure and characterizing the function of the myocardial relaxation system was 20% lower than that of the control. This was associated with the decrease of the diastolic pause by 27%. The slowing down of relaxation is one of the first and must' signs of compensatory function of the heart.


Transplantation-induced immune complex kidney disease in rats with unilateral manifestation in the allografted kidney.

Kidney transplantation between major histocompatibility system-identical rat strains LEW.1N (donor) and BN (recipient) is regularly followed by serious immune complex (membranous) glomerulonephritis. The disease localizes in the transplant only and spares the recipient's own contralateral kidney. The recipients develop both circulating immune complexes, as well as circulating antibodies against an allogeneic, tubular epithelial antigen of the donor. Antibodies eluted from the diseased kidneys display the same specificity. The transplant disease, therefore, is not autoimmune glomerulonephritis but an alloimmune, organ-specific illness unrelated to the usual histocompatibility system.


Passive immune complex glomerulonephritis in mice: models for various lesions found in human disease. I. High avidity complexes and mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis.

Intravenous injection of mice with soluble complexes of highly avid rabbit antibody to egg albumin, prepared by dissolution of equivalence precipitates in large quantities of antigen, resulted in a purely mesangial localization of the complexes. When animals received three injections of complexes per day for 1 day it was noted that precipitates dissolved in 80 times the equivalence amount of antigen produced slight mesangial changes. When such complexes were injected for 2 or 3 days, outright mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis was observed in an increasing proportion of the animals. Equivalent amounts of antigen alone did not produce lesions.


Passive immune complex glomerulonephritis in mice: models for various lesions found in human disease. II. Low avidity complexes and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with subepithelial deposits.

Intravenous injections of mice three times a day for 3 days with soluble complexes of 3 mg. of moderately avid rabbit antibody to chicken egg albumin prepared by dissolution of equivalence precipitates in 80 times the equivalence amount of antigen resulted in a combined mesangial and loop localization of immune complexes. With complexes formed from antibody of low avidity, injected four times a day for 3 days, a predominately subepithelial loop deposition of complexes was observed. Complexes formed from moderately avid antibody gave rise to a mainly mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis, whereas low avidity complexes were associated with a diffuse glomerulonephritis. These results, in combination with those of the previous paper, successfully reproduce the basic form of the lesions seen in active immune complex disease by passive means and suggest that antibody avidity is a major determinant of the site of localization of immune complexes and therefore of the morphologic form of the resulting glomerulonephritis. The importance of these observations for our understanding of the pathogenesis of human immune complex disease is considered.


Relationship between steps in 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence and changes in the energized membrane state and in intracellular and extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels following bacteriophage T5 infection of Escherichia coli.

The addition of bacteriophage T5 to anaerobic, fermenting cells of Escherichia coli B or K-12 in the presence of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS), N-phenylnaphthyl-1-amine (NPN), or dansyl ethylamine causes the fluorescence of these probes to rise in two steps, the first occurring immediately upon addition, the second delayed by 6 min. The conditions necessary for observing this phenomenon are defined (cell density, probe concentration, substrate, absence of an electron acceptor, multiplicity of infection, growth, and harvesting conditions). The magnitudes of the first and second steps in fluorescence are dependent upon the multiplicity of infection; the timing of the steps is not. The first step correlates with a breakdown in the potassium or rubidium permeability barrier of the cells, and it occurs either aerobically or anaerobically, with fermentable or nonfermentable substrates. The second step occurs only with cells that are without an available electron acceptor, are fermenting, and which have a functional membrane-bound, Ca2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). The results are consistent with disturbance of energization of the cell membrane by the membrane-bound ATPase at the time of the second step in fluorescence. No changes in the intracellular level of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was seen, whereas the extracellular level increased sharply, starting 3--6 min after phage addition. The quantity of ATP found in the medium by 30 min after infection amounted to about four times the amount present inside the cells at the time of infection. The quantity and rate of efflux of ATP was similar under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.


Autologous rectus sheath grafts. V. Growth in aortic grafts.

Experiments were designed to test autologous rectus sheath as a replacement for the thoracic aorta in the growing dog. Adequacy of graft function was determined by angiography at 4 month intervals; stress-strain measurements and microscopic examination were made at the time of autopsy. A 3 cm tubular graft of rectus sheath tissue was employed as an aortic graft in 13 mongrel puppies. Nine puppies (70%) were long-term survivors and were put to death between 6 and 22 months postoperatively. No deaths were due to graft failure. Angiographic studies demonstrated patency of the graft without development of pressure gradients. An increase in diameter of the aorta (21.25%) and the rectus sheath graft %22.87%) were demonstrated in all cases. During the time of observation, the compliance of the growing aorta (93,120 dynes/cm2) decreased to one fourth that of the control aortic tissue (24,800 dynes/cm2), whereas the compliance of the rectus sheath graft (547,1000 dynes/cm2) decreased to only one eighth that of the control rectus sheath (47,400 dynes/cm2). Tensile strength is maintained in both the growing aorta (4.5 x 10(7) dynes/cm2) and the rectus sheath graft (4.7 x 10(7) dynes/cm2; p less than 0.05). Microscopic examination showed no calcification, thinning, or weakness. Vascularization of the graft had occurred, with cellular proliferation and development of more than 30 lamellar-like units in the media and an adventitia-like surface.


Effect of cell density and senescence of WI-38 cells on cytochemically demonstrable phosphatases.

Exponentially growing and stationary phase young and old cultures of the human cell line WI-38 were studied using cytochemistry at the ultrastructural level. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was present in the plasma membrane of all cells examined; in exponentially growing cultures the reaction was more intense in mitotic cells than in interphase cells. An increase in the amount of the reaction product was observed at confluencey, especially in older cells. The reaction of Mg2+-activated adenosine 5'-triphosphatase was absent or very weak in exponentially growing cells and increased at confluency, especially in older cells. Alkaline phosphatase was detectable only in the cell membranes and in intercellular spaces of young cells at confluency. Acid phosphatase activity was increased in old cells, especially at confluency. In these old cells, positive reactions appeared in numerous small lysosomes, autophagic vacuoles and in some flattened sacs of the Golgi apparatus. The obtained results confirm and extend previous biochemical observations and indicate that changes in phosphatase activity are associated with proliferative activity and senescence of cells growing in vitro.


An interpersonal-effectiveness approach to consumer health education: rationale and case study.

The development and implementation of a program for teaching prospective consumers of medical care services interpersonal-effectiveness advocacy skills are described. Parents of developmentally disabled children attended one of two six-hour workshops to learn self-management, communication and social influence skills for dealing more effectively with health consultants. Consumer satisfaction evaluations indicated that the workshops were successful, and directions for future research and development are discussed.


[Portal hypertension in chronic lymphatic leukemia (author's transl)].

A syndrome of portal hypertension with hemorrhagic ascites was developed in a 44-year-old patient, 2 years after he had been diagnosed as having a chronic lymphatic leukemia. The study of the patient, including two liver biopsies and a laparoscopy, excluded the existence of another hepatic or extrahepatic associated condition. The clinical course of the patient was rapidly fatal progressive in spite of the cytostatic therapy, and he died as a result of an acute liver failure. The autopsy confirmed the absence of vascular occlusions in the suprahepatic veins or in the vena porta. The liver showed, in contrast to the findings of previous biopsies and laparoscopy, an evident fibrotic pattern.


Mitochondrial volume density in human skeletal muscle following heavy resistance training.

Needle biopsies were taken from triceps brachii of 6 healthy males before and after a 6 month intensive weight training programme. The tissue was sectioned, photographed under a Philips EM200 and subjected to stereological analysis. Cross sectional fibre areas were also calculated from cryostat sections stained for ATPase activity. Morphometric analysis indicated that training resulted in a significant 26% reduction in mitochondrial volume density and a 25% reduction in the mitochondrial volume to myofibrillar volume ratio. These changes were accompanied by significant increases in fibre area for both FT (33%) and ST (27%) fibres as determined from the light microscope. There was a significant correlation between the reduction in mitochondrial volume density and the increase in FT fibre area following training (r=0.845). It was concluded that heavy resistance training leads to a dilution of the mitochondrial volume density through an increase in myofibrillar size with hypertrophy.


Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were more sensitive to the diabetogenic effects of streptozotocin than normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Thus, 10 days after intravenous administration of 25 mg/kg streptozotocin in SHR, mean pancreatic insulin content was decreased by 42% (p less than 0.05), and mean plasma glucose concentration was increased from 85 to 215 mg/dl (p less than 0.001), whereas between 37.5 and 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin was required to produce similar effects in normotensive WKY rats. Also, there was a progressive decrease in blood pressure in SHR injected with 25, 35.7, or 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin, whereas blood pressure was progressively increased after streptozotocin in normotensive WKY rats. The opposite effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on blood pressure in SHR and WKY rats could be observed at similar degrees of hyperglycemia and are presently unexplained.


Origin and binding specificity of protein(s) coded for by Mu prophages.

Crude extracts of bacteria lysogenic for temperature phage Mu contain proteins that retain specifically Mu DNA on nitrocellulose filters. The amount of binding protein is directly proportional to the number of Mu prophages per E. coli genome. Specificity of the binding reaction could be demonstrated by using heterologous DNAs as substrate and by a competition experiment. By using hybrid plasmids containing different amounts of the immunity end and extending to various degrees into MuDNA, it was found that the binding activity is coded for by the left 1,000 nucleotide-pair HindIII fragment. When using these hybrid plasmids as binding substrate, two different binding sites for the immunity product were detected. Joining of the MucI gene to the left lambda early promoter resulted in increased production of immunity protein at elevated temperature. A possible explanation for the relatively low amounts of immunity protein in all of the different strains studied is discussed.


Spectinomycin-resistant mutants of Bacillus subtilis with altered sporulation properties.

Spectinomycin-resistant mutants of Bacillus subtilis show three different types of alterations in sporulation ability. Class 1 mutants can both grow and sporulate in the presence of spectinomycin. Class 2 mutants can grow in the presence of spectinomycin, but are unable to sporulate in either the presence or absence of spectinomycin. Class 3 mutants have a conditional phenotype, and are able to sporulate in the absence of spectinomycin, but not in its presence. The ability of these strains to produce alkaline phosphatase, a biochemical marker for early sporulation events, is correlated with the ability to sporulate in the presence or absence of antibiotic. All of the spectinomycin-resistance mutations could be genetically linked to the cysA marker, and a mutational alteration of a protein of the 30S ribosomal subunit has been identified in one of the Class 3 strains (Spc 1-11). Fine-structure mapping of the spectinomycin resistance mutation of strain Spc 1-11 confirmed its location in the cluster of genes for ribosomal components on the B. subtilis genetic map. Genetic analysis indicated that the properties of the Class 1 and Class 2 mutants result from more than one mutation. The spectinomycin-resistance and altered sporulation properties of the two Class 3 mutants probably result from a single genetic lesion.


Tetrabenazine for involuntary movement disorders.

The use of tetrabenazine to treat the movement disorder of Huntington's chorea and other dyskinesias is described. Tetrabenazine produced moderate to marked improvement in the movement disorder in 79% of a series of 40 Australian patients. The most commonly reported side effects were depression, drowsiness and Parkinsonism.


[Peritoneal tuberculosis in Africa (author's transl)].

Peritonel tuberculosis is quite frequent overseas and specially in Africa; as an example, it is about 0,5 p. 100 of the admittances and 13 p. 100 of the total number of tuberculous cases recorded in Dakar and Djibouti, over a period of four years. First symptoms are not caracteristic but rapidly one may observe either ascitic or non-ascitic forms, with eventually pseudo-tumoral or adhesive aspect. Diagnostic criteria are reviewed as well as the therapeutic rules and results.


Down's syndrome in South Australia.

In a survey of Down's syndrome in South Australia, 921 persons, both living and deceased, were identified; 717 individuals with the disorder were living in South Australia. Cytogenetic confirmation of the diagnosis had been made in 774 cases. From 1955 to 1977, the over-all incidence of Down's syndrome at birth was found to be 1.175/1000 live births. The incidence of Down's syndrome was significantly lower over the last five years of this period than for the first 18 years; thus it appears that the incidence of Down's syndrome in South Australia is falling. Analysis of maternal age changes with time has not revealed any changes to the maternal age-specific rates for Down's syndrome, although the rate for mothers aged 25 years or younger appears to be falling. The proportion of Down's syndrome babies born to women aged 35 years or more has decreased from 65.7% for those born before 1950 to 30.4% for those born from 1975 to 1977; similarly, the median maternal age has fallen from 37.12 years to 28.25 years. Regression analyses of maternal age rates for Down's syndrome by single years have produced figures suitable for genetic counselling. A plea is made that Down's syndrome should become a notifiable condition.


Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection depresses contact sensitivity to oxazolone by enhancing suppressor cell activity.

The depression of contact sensitivity to oxazolone in mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. In oxazolone-sensitized mice, P. aeruginosa infection affects cell proliferation in the lymph nodes draining the site of sensitization. This impaired cell proliferation does not seem to be due to an altered lymphocyte reactivity, since lymph node and spleen cells from infected animals show a normal mitotic responsiveness to both T and B cell mitogens. In addition, the draining lymph nodes and spleens of mice exhibiting a depressed response to oxazolone contain a cell population able actively to suppress the response to the same antigen of syngeneic recipients sensitized immediately before the cell transfer. These suppressor cells require antigenic stimulation and appear to act on the induction phase of contact sensitivity.


Inhibition of interferon action by chinoform.

Chinoform, iodochlorhydrozyquin, was found to suppress the antiviral action of interferon. Chick embryo fibroblast cells treated with the mixture of interferon and chinoform were more sensitive to Sindbis virus infection than cells treated with interferon alone. No evidence for a direct inactivation of interferon molecule by chinoform was obtained. Treatment with chinoform of cells previously exposed to interferon also removed a cellular antiviral state induced by interferon. Chinoform suppressed intracellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein syntheses. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of chinoform on the action of interferon is due to a suppression of continued production of antiviral proteins.


Abnormalities of immunoregulatory T cells in disorders of immune function.

We studied a five-year-old girl with several autoimmune disorders and a 16-year-old boy with acquired agammaglobulinemia to determine whether aberrations of immunoregulatory T cells could explain some instances of immunodeficiency or autoimmunity. The normal peripheral blood T-cell population, as defined by specific heteroantiserums, is 20 per cent TH2+ and 80 per cent TH2-. Human suppressor cells are TH2+, whereas helper cells are TH2-. In addition, each subset expresses Ia antigens upon activation. Our patient with autoimmune disease had no demonstrable TH2+ cells, and her lymphocytes could not be induced to suppress. Her circulating T cells were of an activated-helper phenotype, i.e., TH2-,Ia+. In contrast, in the boy with agammaglobulinemia, the T-cell population was predominantly of an activated-suppressor phenotype, i.e., TH2+,Ia+. This patient's T cells abrogated both his own and his histoidentical brother's B-cell secretion of immunoglobulins. We conclude that the characterization of T cells may provide insight into the causes of a number of abnormal immune states in man.


Experimental corticosteroid myopathy: effect on myofibrillar ATPase activity and protein degradation.

Corticosteroid myopathy was studied in young, mature New Zealand white rabbits given daily injections of betamethasone (0.3 mg/kg body weight/day) for two weeks. Control rabbits were pair-fed and received saline injections. Bethamethasone treatment caused significant wasting of type 2 gluteus medius and psoas muscles but did not cause any atrophy of type 1 soleus and gluteus minimus muscles. The Mg2+- and Ca2+-activated myofibrillar ATPase activities of the corticosteroid-treated rabbits did not differ from controls despite a 30% reduction in muscle wet weight and pronounced reduction in cross-sectional area of fibers. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of myofibrillar proteins did not differ quantitatively or qualitatively between experimental and control rabbits. Studies of net muscle protein degradation (using 3H-leucine) in betamethasone-treated and control rabbits indicate that both type 1 and type 2 muscle fiber proteins are degraded several times faster in the corticosteroid-treated group. This suggests that a compensatory mechanism exists for those type 1 and mixed fiber type muscles which have increased degradation but do not undergo wasting.


Direct addition of insulin inhibits a high affinity Ca2+-ATPase in isolated adipocyte plasma membranes.

The mechanism by which insulin regulates cellular metabolism remains unknown although indirect evidence suggests that alterations in intracellular calcium are important. More specifically, it has been proposed that insulin triggers an increase in intracellular calcium which is responsible for the subsequent modification of metabolic activities. The cell maintains a large electrochemical gradient for ionised calcium between the cytoplasm (less than 10(-6) M, as determined for muscle and nerve) and the extracellular environment (less than 10(-3) M). The plasma membrane may, therefore, be important in the regulation of calcium homeostasis, as a slight alteration in the processes maintaining this gradient could result in marked changes in cytoplasmic calcium. One such process is the active extrusion of calcium from the cell by a high affinity calcium-stimulated ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase). Such a mechanism has been well established in red cells and is postulated in nerve, liver and muscle. We have identified a high affinity Ca2+-ATPase in a plasma membrane-enriched subcellular fraction isolated from rat adipocytes which may provide the enzymatic basis for a calcium extrusion pump. We demonstrate here that the Ca2+-ATPase is specifically inhibited by the direct addition of physiological concentrations of insulin to the direct addition of physiological concentrations of insulin to the isolated plasma membranes. This effect suggests that direct regulation of calcium homeostasis may represent an important event in the mechanism of action of insulin.


The pathology of intrarenal vascular lesions associated with the loin-pain-haematuria syndrome.

The histological appearances of the proximal and peripheral intrarenal arteries and renal cortex have been examined in 3 patients who underwent nephrectomy for intractable pain associated with the loin-pain-haematuria syndrome. Marked 'atherosclerotic' changes were noted to involve segmental, lobar, interlobar and arcuate arteries with evidence in one kidney of early microaneurysmal formation. These lesions of the more proximal intrarenal arteries were associated with occlusive lesions of the interlobular arteries, areas of cortical ischaemia and cortical infarcts consistent with the changes resulting from microemboli. The histological appearances correlated well with previously described angiographic findings.


Trichinosis: clinical report and histochemistry of muscle.

A 35-year-old woman contracted severe trichinosis which was atypical in that it lacked a gastrointestinal prodrome and periorbital edema, and in that eosinophilia developed only late in the course of the illness. The patient developed an incapacitating myositis as well as complications of encephalopathy, myocarditis, and retinal hemorrhages, resulting in severe debilitation of more than two and one-half months' duration. Muscle histochemistry illustrated previously unreported features.


Relative efficacy of clinical examination, electromyography, plain film radiography, myelography and lumbar phlebography in the diagnosis of low back pain and sciatica.

The procedures used in the investigation of low back pain and sciatica have been subjected to a double statistical analysis to determine their diagnostic accuracy, since contradictory opinions have been expressed in the literature. It was found that only lumbar phlebography was more accurate than the most simple procedure, the clinical examination. Myelography is more accurate than clinical examination only in making a positive diagnosis. In this case, it equals the reliability of lumbar phlebography, but so does plain film radiography which however leads to a positive diagnosis less constantly. Lumbar phlebography is the most accurate procedure for making a negative diagnosis, mainly by avoiding a false negative conclusion. A comparison is made with the statements in the literature and the complementary use of the different procedures is proposed for the investigation of low back pain and sciatica.


Laparoscopic tubal sterilization using thermal coagulation.

A technique using a low-voltage, rechargeable battery pack and a cautery hook assembly for thermal coagulation and division of the fallopian tube under laparoscopic visualization has been evaluated in 393 patients. The procedure is quick, easy to perform, and electrically safe. The gross extent of the burn to the fallopian tube by thermal coagulation and division was compared with that done by high-frequency unipolar electrocoagulation and division. The difference in the mean total gross tubal burn produced by the 2 methods is not statistically significant. The variance of total tubal burn in individual cases within each group is significantly greater in the electrocoagulation group. The authors assume that pregnancy rates in patients undergoing thermal coagulation and division will be no different than those reported in patients in the electrocoagulation and division group. Two hundred of the patients have been followed from 12 to 33 months and no method-failure pregnancies have occurred.


A study of the use of electronic environmental control systems by severely paralysed patients.

The types of environmental control systems issued by the Department of Health and Social Security in England are described. The extent to which the apparatus is used by patients in the north-east Thames region is recorded according to the location (sitting room, bedroom, etc.), the number of hours in use and telephone calls made.


Electronic communications and environmental control systems for the severely disabled.

A wireless environmental controller is described. The controller can either be used by itself or with other systems. It is suggested that commercially available personal computers, for environmental control and communication, will enable the severely disabled to lead a more independent life and may provide useful mental recreation.


The handicap profile of the spinal cord-damaged in case file, communication documents and population survey.

"Definitions" of handicap are given, with a classification of intrinsic (personal) handicaps, as well as Tables for the preparation of an individual's Handicap Profile, of use in population Surveys and in case files."


Ossicular abnormalities in Down's syndrome.

Down's syndrome has been associated with hearing loss and otitis media. Because of difficulty in examination, however, there have been few detailed otologic studies on this population. An understanding of the nature and frequency of ear disease in Down's syndrome is important, since it is common and occurs in more than one in every 600 live births. To define the aural manifestation of Down's syndrome, complete otologic and audiometric examination was performed on 107 consecutive patients. This included micropneumatic otoscopy, pure-tone and speech audiometry, impedance tympanometry, and, in some cases, electronystagmography. Deficient hearing was found in 64% of these patients, and of these hearing losses, 83% were conductive. Surprisingly, middle ear effusion or tympanic membrane perforation accounted for only 60% of the conductive hearing losses. This finding prompted us to examine five temporal bones of children with Down's syndrome. These histologic sections revealed middle ear abnormalities including fixation and superstructure deformity of the stapes and dehiscence of the fallopian canal. Operative findings in 16 procedures on patients with Down's syndrome and conductive hearing loss suport those findings.


[Vasogenic cerebral oedema. Changes in membrane ATPases. Correction by a phospholipid precursor (author's transl)].

In vasogenic cerebral oedema, there is progressive quantitative and qualitative impairment of mitochondrial ATPase and of Na/K/ATPase. This impairment, which reflects the intracellular component of cerebral oedema, would appear to be related to changes in the phospholipid environment of the cell membrane enzymes. CDP choline, a metabolic phospholipid precursor, is to a certain extent capable of correcting this disturbed activity and at the same time reduce oedema.


[New species and new finds of trombiculid mites of the genus Leptotrombidium in Tadzhikistan (Trombiculidae)].

New species of chiggers from Tadzhikistan are described: Leptotrombidium tamanta sp. n. differs from all other species in having pubescent dorsal and lateral setae on the tibia of palps; L. derlatkoi sp. n. and L. apertum sp. n. are similar with L. smirnovi Kudryashova et Ribin, 1974, from which the former differs in having in the first dorsal row 8 setae instead of 10 and in certain sizes and the latter--in having a smaller number of setae on the body, short barbs on the dorsal setae and sizes. L. solum sp. n. differs from the close species L. europaeum (Daniel et Brelih, 1959) in the number of dorsal setae (43 instead of 34), their location and smaller sizes of the scutum. L. wolandi sp. n. differs from the preceding species by a greater number of NDV and shorter PL. L. multiplex sp. n. is characterized by a great number of setae on the body (104--120). L. smirnovi is first reported from Tadzhikistan.


[Number of generations of Xenopsylla skrjabini fleas on the Mangyshlak Peninsula (Aphaniptera)].

Seasonal changes in the female age composition of micropopulations of X. skrjabini are described. The descriptions are based on observations conducted within a period of 1971-1976. The comparison of females' age with the time of mass egg laying and the data on the developmental cycle rate (from egg to imago) suggests that in Mangyshlak fleas of X. skrjabini have four generations a year. The second, third and fourth generations parasitise at the end of summer or early in autumn. The third and fourth generations hibernate in the quiescence state, begin reproducting in the spring of the next year and in June give start on the first summer generation.


[Glomerulopathies during hepatic disease (author's transl)].

Glomerular lesions essentially characterized by IgA deposits are very frequent in the course of alcoholic hepatopathies. Such glomerular lesions might be due to the deposition of the circulating immune complexes. Portal hypertension, by altering the epuration function of the liver could be one determining factor. The presence of similar glomerular lesions in other non alcoholic hepatopathies with portal hypertension and in experimental portal hypertension support such an hypothesis. In other circumstances where the liver disease is directly related to a viral or a parasitic agent glomerular lesion of the type seen in circulating immune complexes disease are also encountered. However in such a situation there is no evidence that the hepatic disease bears any influence on the renal disease.


[Ecology and distribution of the tick, Ixodes lividus, in Karelia (Ixodidae)].

The territory of Karelia was investigated from 62 degrees to 66 degrees N. In the nests of Riparia riparia the tick Ixodes lividus at all active phases of its development was first found. On the northern border of its distribution area the species shows a tendency to hibernate at the phases of nymph, female and male. This ability has favoured to a considerable extent the advancement of the species into the northern latitudes up t degrees 66 degrees N.


Rapid RNA sequencing: nucleases from Staphylococcus aureus and Neurospora crassa discriminate between uridine and cytidine.

Using end-labelled RNA, significant changes in base specificity of three nucleases have been detected under defined conditions. Staphylococcus aureus nuclease at pH 3.5 without Ca++ cleaves all Pyr-N bonds more uniformly and efficiently than RNase A, without any preference for Pyr-A bonds. At pH 7.5 in 10 mM Ca++ this enzyme cleaves all N-C and N-G bonds slowly, whereas N-U and N-A bonds are hydrolyzed rapidly. Hence, the base at the 3'- or at the 5'-side of a phosphodiester bond can determine the base specificity of S. aureus nuclease. - In absence of urea, Neurospora crassa endonuclease cleaves all phosphodiester bonds, but leaves all C-N bonds intact in 7 M urea. - RNase U2 at pH 3.5 cleaves A-N bonds more efficiently than at pH 5.0.


Hybridization of synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides to phi chi 174 DNA: the effect of single base pair mismatch.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to the DNA of the wild type (wt) bacteriophage phi chi 174 have been synthesized by the phosphotriester method. The oligomers, 11, 14, and 17 bases long, are complementary to the region of the DNA which accounts for the am-3 point mutation. When hybridized to am-3 DNA, the oligonucleotides form duplexes with a single base pair mismatch. The thermal stability of the duplexes formed between wt and am-3 DNAs has been measured. The am-3 DNA:oligomer duplexes dissociate at a temperature about 10 degrees C lower than the corresponding wt DNA:oligomer duplexes. This dramatic decrease in thermal stability due to a single mismatch makes it possible to eliminate the formation of the mismatched duplexes by the appropriate choice of hybridization temperature. These results are discussed with respect to the use of oligonucleotides as probes for the isolation of specific cloned DNA sequences.


Defined transversion mutations at a specific position in DNA using synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides as mutagens.

The oligodeoxyribonucleotides, pCCCAGCCTCAA, which is complementary to nucleotides 5274--4284 of bacteriophage phi X174 viral DNA , and pCCCAGCCTAAA, which corresponds to the same sequence with a C leads to A change at the ninth nucleotide, were synthesized enzymatically. The second of these oligonucleotides was used as a primer for E. coli DNA polymerase I, from which the 5'-exonculease has been removed by proteolysis (Klenow enzyme), on wild-type phi X174 viral DNA template. After ligation, this yielded closed circular heteroduplex DNA with a G, A mismatch at nucleotide 5276. Transfection of E. coli spheroplasts with the heteroduplex DNA produced phage mutated at this nucleotide (G leads to T in the viral DNA) with high efficiency (13%). The mutant DNA, which corresponds to the gene B mutant am16, was reverted (T leads to G) by the wild type oligonucleotide with an efficiency of 19%. The nucleotide changes  were established by sequence determination of the mutated viral DNA using the enzymatic terminator method. The production of specific transversion mutations, together with a previous demonstration of specific transition mutations (1), established that short enzymatically synthesized oligodeoxyribonucleotides can be used to induce any class of single nucleotide replacement with high efficiency and thus provide a powerful tool for specific genetic manipulations in circular genomes like that of phi X174.


Acupuncture analgesia for chronic low back pain.

Preliminary findings are presented of a double-blind, crossover trial comparing the effects of traditional with placebo acupuncture in relieving chronic low back pain. 77 patients completed the study. Following initial assessment and baseline readings, patients had a 4-week course of active or placebo treatment given twice weekly. After a 4 week rest period patients received the alternate treatment, using the same time schedule. A 4 week follow-up period completed the trial. Using visual analogue scale readings as a measure of pain there was no cumulative difference in pain reduction achieved by traditional as compared with placebo acupuncture treatment. Both groups achieved a 55% overall reduction in pain level at the end of the trial, compared with initial baseline readings.


Effect of chronic administration of antidepressant drugs on the noradrenaline disappearance induced by FLA-63 in the rat brain.

We evaluated noradrenaline (NA) level and NA disappearance after FLA-63 in some regions of the brain of rats chronically treated with antidepressants: imipramine (IMI), amitriptyline (AMI) and danitracen (DAN). IMI (10 mg/kg sc), AMI (10 mg/kg sc) and DAN (3 mg/kg ip) were administered to rats twice daily for 10 days. Experiments with a single dose of antidepressants were carried out for comparison. Given chronically, IMI decelerated NA disappearance in the cortex after 2, 24, 48 hr but accelerated it 72 hr after the last injection; AMI did not produce any change in the brain regions examined up to 72 hr; DAN accelerated NA disappearance in the cortex and in the limbic system, whereas it effected no changes in the pons+medulla. These results indicate that: 1) the effects of chronic administration of IMI, AMI or DAN on the brain NA disappearance are different, 2) chronic administration of antidepressants produces effects not found at a single administration.


Electron microscopic analysis of transcription: mapping of initiation sites and direction of transcription.

An electron microscope technique is described that allows rapid characterization of transcription in vitro. DNA is transcribed with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in vitro, and the RNA is hybridized to its template. Measurement of the resulting transcription R-loop molecules allows accurate mapping of transcription initiation sites (promoter sites) and analysis of the direction and rate of transcription and the level of transcription from each initiation site. The two major early promoters pR and pL of bacteriophage lambda have been mapped within 0.1-0.3 map units of the known positions and three additional sites have been confirmed. Six transcription initiation sites have been preliminarily mapped on plasmid pSF2124 DNA.


The rat serum albumin gene: analysis of cloned sequences.

The rat serum albumin gene has been isolated from a recombinant library containing the entire rat genome cloned in the lambda phage Charon 4A. Preliminary R-loop and restriction analysis has revealed that this gene is split into at least 14 fragments (exons) by 13 intervening sequences (introns), and that it occupies a minimum of 14.5 kilobases of genomic DNA.


Regulation of ribosomal protein synthesis in Escherichia coli by selective mRNA inactivation.

In an Escherichia coli strain lysogenic for lambda spc2 transducing phage, an extra copy of ribosomal protein (r-protein) genes in the spc and alpha operons are carried on the phage chromosome. Expression of genes in the spc operon in this merodiploid strain was compared with that in a control "haploid" strain carrying lambda trkA phage. It was found that the synthesis rate of spc mRNA, relative to other reference mRNA in the merodiploid strain, is about 2-fold higher than that in the control strain; yet, no dosage effect was observed in the synthesis rate of r-proteins in the spc or alpha operon. The spc mRNA was found to be more rapidly degraded in the merodiploid strain than in the control strain, and its steady-state amount, relative to reference mRNA, was only slightly higher in the merodiploid strain than in the control strain. Thus, E. coli cells have the ability to regulate the rate of r-protein synthesis regardless of the rate of transcription of r-protein genes, presumably by inactivation of the mRNA followed by its degradation. A model is proposed which involves selective inactivation of r-protein mRNA by a feedback mechanism. The model can explain coordinated synthesis of r-proteins and other observations related to selective expression of certain alleles in diploid strains.


T lymphocyte response to H-2 mutants: cytotoxic effectors are Ly-1+2+.

The lymphocyte differentiation (Ly) antigen phenotype of cytotoxic effector T cells specific for H-2 mutant alloantigens was determined. Cytotoxic effectors generated in primary mixed lymphocyte culture and specific for H-2Kba and H-2Dda alloantigens are sensitive to both anti-Ly-1 and anti-Ly-2 serum plus complement. Reconstitution analysis demonstrated that the mutant-specific T cells were Ly-1+2+. These observations and those previously reported, which indicated that H-2K/D mutant-specific T cells proliferating in mixed lymphocyte culture were Ly-1+2+, demonstrated that Ly-1+2+ T cells are immunocompetent. Furthermore, the nature of the stimulating H-2 complex alloantigen determines the Ly phenotype of responsive T cells.


Help and suppression by lymphoid cells as a function of cellular concentration.

The phytohemagglutinin-stimulated uptake of [3H]thymidine in mixtures of human lymphocytes from the same source was shown to depend on the cell concentration in vitro as well as on the period of cultivation. "Helper" and "suppressor" effects were obtained by varying the concentration of cells and the periods of cultivation. The possibility that helper and suppressor subpopulations were responsible was avoided by mixing lymphoid cell line cells with others of the same monoclonal origin. Even under these conditions, both the direction and the extent of activity depended on the same two variables. This weakens the case for postulating the existence of distinct subpopulations of lymphocytes with helper or suppressor properties. This case was based on the use of damaging treatments believed to separate cell populations which were then found to differ in their helper and suppressor properties. We propose instead that the effect of such treatments is mediated through changes in the concentrations of interacting cells. Our data make it clear that the function of lymphoid cells ascertained in one set of conditions need not apply within a different cellular environment.


Reconstitution and purification by "transport specificity fractionation" of an ATP-dependent calcium transport component from synaptosome-derived vesicles.

A synaptosomal ATP-dependent Ca uptake system was reconstituted into artificial vesicles by a cholate dialysis procedure using an 80-fold excess of exogenous phospholipid. Under these conditions, most of these vesicles would be expected to have only one or, at most, a few membrane proteins. The vesicles containing an ATP-dependent Ca transport system were purified from the bulk of the preparation on density gradients by increasing their density by the ATP-dependent intravesicular precipitation of Ca oxalate; a approximately 100-fold purification resulted. The purified Ca-transporting vesicles contained two major protein components, of Mr 94,000 and 140,000 according to sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. These components are believed to be responsible for Ca transport in this synaptosome-derived membrane fraction.


Rotational motion and evidence for oligomeric structures of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-activated ATPase.

The rotational motion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-activated ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) has been investigated by measuring the decay of laser flash-induced dichroism with the covalently attached triplet probe eosin isothiocyanate. The Arrhenius plot for rotational mobility indicates two discontinuities at approximately 15 degrees C and approximately 35 degrees C. The experimental data are rationalized in terms of a sudden conformeric change in the ATPase at 15 degrees C and a temperature-dependent equilibrium existing between the conformationally altered ATPase and oligomeric forms of it in the temperature range 15-35 degrees C. The enzymatic activity, as indicated by a discontinuity in the Arrhenius plot for the rate of ATP hydrolysis, appears to be sensitive only to the change at 15 degrees C. There is a strong correlation between the activation energy below 15 degrees C for rotational motion (33.6 +/- 2.2 kcal/mol) and enzymatic activity (34 +/- 4 kcal/mol).


Trophoblast modulation of maternal allogeneic recognition.

Human syncytiotrophoblast cell membranes prepared by differential ultracentrifugation were extracted with 3 M KCl, solubilized in 1% deoxycholate, and chromatographically separated into two peaks by passage through a column of Bio-Gel P-200. Previous reports from this laboratory have shown that the first peak (PI) is serologically the same as a group of trophoblast membrane antigens tentatively designated as TA1. Microgram amounts of P1 protein were found to completely inhibit the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reaction but had no suppressive effect on lymphocyte responses to the lectins phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen. Control P1 membrane fractions identically prepared from human erythrocytes and liver powder had no inhibitory effects on either MLC reactions or lymphocyte responses to mitogens. Dose response experiments with P1 from 10 different placentae showed total inhibition of MLC by all preparations when used between 25 and 50 microgram/0.2-ml MLC mixture, but some P1 fractions inhibited significantly at much lower concentrations. Timed experiments revealed that MLC suppression was maximal when P1 was added within 12 hr after culture initiation and that no effect could be found with addition after 48 hr. We have previously shown that TA1 is a lymphocyte product of allogeneic responses, and the present results indicate that P1 proteins are themselves involved in the biology of lymphocyte responses to allogeneic cells. Pregnancy is one of the few natural circumstances in which a mixing of allogeneic cells occurs in vivo, and the presence of P1 proteins at the operational interface in the host-parasite relationship of human pregnancy suggests that this trophoblast membrane constituent is involved in the modulation of maternal allogeneic responses.


Effects of serotonin content on pain sensitivity in the rat.

In this study the role of serotonin in pain sensitivity was investigated. Brain serotonin was elevated via low and high doses of precursor tryptophan and lowered via parachlorophenylalanine or lesions placed in the dorsal raphe nucleus. The effects on pain sensitivity were then assessed using two psychophysical pain testing procedures: (1) minimum shock intensity (threshold) which produced a conditioned escape response; and (2) total activity elicited by highly aversive inescapable shock. The results showed that only a large elevation of serotonin produced a change in escape thresholds in the direction of hypoalgesia. When total activity to a painful inescapable stimulus was evaluated only lowering of serotonin produced an effect, and this change was in the direction of hyperalgesia. The conclusion was made that serotonin does contribute to the mechanism of pain.


Pargyline and tryptophan enhancement of tonic immobility: paradoxical attenuation with combined administration.

Four experiments were conducted to examine the individual and combined effects of pargyline and tryptophan on the duration of tonic immobility in chickens. Injection of either compound alone produced a dose-dependent potentiation of tonic immobility. However, combined administration of pargyline and tryptophan resulted in a dramatic attenuation of the response and this effect was completely blocked by pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine. In addition to reducing the duration of tonic immobility, combined administration of pargyline and tryptophan produced a complex behavioral syndrome which may be analogous to that observed in mammals after similar drug treatment. These results suggest the need for a modification of the recently proposed serotonergic-raphe model of tonic immobility.


Determination of the optimum doses of nutrients in a diet.

For 14 days, SPF male Wistar rats with an initial weight of 60 g were given isocaloric diets (1.7 MJ/100 g diet) containing 10% protein (casein) and 5, 10, 25 and 40% fat (margarine). Two utilization parameters of the protein biological value--net protein utilization (NPU) and liver protein utilization (LPU)--were determined from protein intake and body and liver nitrogen. These results were supplemented by a study of the course of the antithetical processes of gluconeogenesis and glycolysis, of the citric acid cycle and transamination processes and of the liver and muscle amino acid spectrum. A high (40%) fat diet significantly reduced the protein biological value parameters NPU and LPU and liver and muscle amino acid values, stimulated gluconeogenesis and inhibited glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, together with associated transamination processes in the liver. Activation of these processes in the muscles provided substrates for increased gluconeogenesis. The negative effect of a low fat + high carbohydrate diet was less marked. The optimum diet for weaned rats is thus a diet containing 10% protein and 10--25% fat. The study, which submits several possible ways of determining optimum nutrient intakes under different physiological conditions shows that diets with more detailed nutrient concentrations should be used.


Role of the vagus in control of the major conduit coronary artery in the dog.

Using El Badawi and Schenk's modification of Karnovski's method for the demonstration of acetylcholinesterase, the authors found cholinergic fibres both in the perivascular connective tissue and directly in the wall (in the adventitia) of the major coronary arteries; the fibres were distributed regularly around the circumference of the arteries. In the case of the smaller intramyocardial arteries, the cholinergic fibres were concentrated at two poles of the blood vessel; none were present in the wall of the veins. The shape and topography of the coronary cholinergic arterial plexus resemble the shape and topography of the coronary sympathetic adrenergic system. In apparent contradiction of this finding, stimulation of the cervical vagus did not affect the diameter of the large coronary arteries. Since acetylcholine (6--10 micrograms/kg i.v.) produced a mean 7.4% increase in the diameter of the ramus interventricularis ventralis, we concluded that there are no postgangliar cholinergic fibres of vasomotor significance for the large coronary arteries in the cervical vagus. The specific acetylcholinesterase activity found in the wall of these vessels belongs either to cholinergic terminals whose ganglion cells are not located in the vagal ganglion, or to cholinergic axones terminating outside the wall of the large coronary arteries.


The age factor in blood flow in the calf and in vascular resistance at rest and in reactive hyperaemia.

The blood flow and vascular resistance in the calf were studied in two groups of healthy subjects (mean ages 22 and 49 years) at rest and in reactive hyperaemia produced by five minutes' ischaemia of the lower limb. The blood flow was determined by venous occlusive plethysmography and vascular resistance was computed from the mean blood pressure measured by auscultation on the arm and from the blood flow in the calf, at rest and during reactive hyperaemia. The resting flow and blood flows throughout practically the whole time of hyperaemia were found to be significantly smaller in young individuals. The maximal flow was significantly lower, the maximal flow time was significantly prolonged in young subjects. The recovery time and repayment of the flow debt in the two groups were the same. Vascular resistance in the calf was significantly greater in young subjects, both at rest and during dilatation. We assume from the results that the capacity of the arterial system in the lower limbs is significantly smaller in young individuals.


Lipolytic effect of TSH, glucagon and hydrocortisone on the adipose tissue of newborns and adults in vitro.

In an in vitro study, TSH stimulated glycerol release from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of newborns, but had no effect on its release from the adipose tissue of adults. Hydrocortisone stimulated only NEFA release in newborns. Glucagone had no effect on either neonatal or adult adipose tissue.


Isolation and properties of LC3 cells, a new cold-resistant L cell subline.

LC3 cells, selected from the L-As cells by repeated exposures to 4 degrees C for 3--6 weeks with intermittent reincubations at 36 degrees C, differ from the initial population by better survival at 4 degrees C, more rapid recovery at 36 degrees C, a higher multiplication at subnormal temperature, a higher sensitivity to supranormal temperature, increased cell size at 36 degrees and 4 degrees C, and higher oxygen consumption at 36 degrees C. These properties are the same as those described in our previously isolated cold-resistant L cell variants and are typical for the resistance to low temperature. The increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, detected in two of our cold-resistant L cell sublines, was not found in the LC3 cells and has thus no relation to decreased cold sensitivity.


Changes in laryngeal motoneurone activity and in laryngeal calibre during the expiration reflex.

In anaesthetized and paralysed cats, the response of the laryngeal motoneurones during the expiration reflex is characterized by pronounced activation of the expiratory laryngeal motoneurones in the compressive phase and the subsequent constriction phase. In the expulsive phase the frequency of these discharges is significantly reduced. The inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones are inhibited during the reflex. The expiration reflex, in anaesthetized cats, is accompanied in the compressive phase and the subsequent constriction phase by a two-phase increase in laryngeal resistance. In the expulsive phase there is a significant drop in resistance.


Cough reflex changes in local tracheitis.

The authors describe changes in the cough reflex in unanaesthetized cats with experimental local tracheitis. Inflammation was produced by a silk suture fixed in the trachea and cough was elicited by mechanical stimulation of different parts of the respiratory tract mucosa. The resultant cough values (the number of efforts, the intensity of the maximum effort and the intensity of the attack) were compared with the corresponding values in healthy cats. In animals with a tracheal suture, inflammation was confined to the trachea. The intensity of cough elicited by stimulation of this region increased significantly compared with normal (on the 15th to 17th day of inflammation), whereas cough elicited from the laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial region did not. On about the 20th day of inflammation the authors found a decrease in the intensity of the maximum effort of cough elicited from the inflamed part of the trachea and a decrease in the intensity of the maximum effort and the intensity of the coughing attack elicited from the laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial region. They assume that the decrease could have been due to the development of protective inhibition in central structures participating in integration of the cough reflex.


[The mechanical properties of callus in fractures treated by nailing or plating: an experimental study (author's transl)].

Twelve sheep were used in an experimental study on bone healing. The first metatarsal was fractured and fixed either by plating without compression or by intramedullary nailing. Three months later, the animals were sacrificed, the fractured bone removed and the mechanical properties of the callus were assessed by resistance to rupture, tangential strain measurement, the energy required for rupture, module of elasticity and the moment of inertia. It was concluded that callus was superior quantitatively as well as qualitatively after nailing. The mechanical properties of the callus wwere related to its degree of mineralisation.


[Blount's disease: a review of 8 cases (author's transl)].

The authors have reviewed eight cases of infantile tibia vara. All were treated operatively. Five patients were young children (less than 5 years old); they were treated by a single osteotomy into valgus and lateral rotation. Three children were older at the time of surgery. The deformity recurred in all of them and a second operation was required of elevation of the lateral tibial plateau and lateral epiplysiodesis. The authors emphasise the need for early correction of deformity to produce better mechanical function of the knee and balanced epiphyseal growth.


[Myotonic seizures; the action of curare or related compounds on myotonia (author's transl)].

Myotonic seizures with apnea are alarming but temporary incidents occurring during curaization of a myotonic patient. Experience with regional curaization in myotonia shows that it is induced only by suxamethonium and it is only an exaggeration of the fasciculations produced by this compound. In contrast, however, competitive curare compounds have no effect on myotonia. The myotonic seizure, which is specific to myotonia, is radically different from the other respiratory accidents common to muscular dystrophies.


[Hemivertebra. -- classification, natural history and prognosis (author's transl)].

The authors have studied a series of seventy patients with hemivertebra. Classification should be based on two criteria--firstly, that the hemivertebra can be fused or separate and secondly, vertebrae above and below the hemivertebra may or may not show transitional abnormality. The natural history may take one of three courses: 1--Deformity may be severe from the beginning in cases of separate hemivertebra associated with transitional abnormalites. 2--The deformity may be stable until the age of nine or ten years, after which a severe scoliosis or kypho-scoliosis may develop. 3--The deformity may be stable throughout the whole of the growing period. The prognosis should be based on the existence of transitional abnormalities, the characteristics of the hemisvertebra (separate or fused), the sex of the patient, assoicated congenital defects, the rotation of the hemivertebra, and the level of the deformity. Treatment should be surgical in cases with early progression during the first few years of life by excision of the hemisvertebra associated with correction using Harrington rods. At the thoracic level, this surgical procedure is dangerous and spine fusion is more appropriate. The second period for surgical treatment is at puberty, either by spine fusion or correction and fusion. At this age, excision of the hemivertebra may still be indicated in the lumbar spine.


Sacro-iliac joint scanning with technetium-99 diphosphonate.

Quantitative sacro-iliac (SI) joint scanning with methylene diphosphonate labelled with technetium-99 (99TcMDP) was performed in 25 control patients, in 16 patients with definite ankylosing spondylitis, in 23 patients with mechanical low back pain, and in 12 patients with seronegative arthritis. The mean radio-isotope index in the control group was 1.2 +/- 0.15. The highest value was 1.5. Values in excess of 1.5 were seen in patients with clinically active ankylosing spondylitis but not those with inactive disease. Three of the 12 seronegative arthritis patients (without clinical or radiological evidence of sacro-iliitis) had elevated values: all of these were positive for HL-A B27. An important finding was that six of the 23 patients with mechanical or non-specific low back pain had values above 1.5, unassociated with B27. These data emphasize the need for caution in the interpretation of abnormal sacro-iliac scans. Radio-isotope bone scanning can provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of inflammatory activity in joints with minimal radiation exposure. Various authors have shown its value in providing early evidence of sacro-iliitis (Russell et al., 1975; Namey et al., 1977). In this study, methylene diphosphonate labelled with technetium-99 (99TcMMDP) has been used to produce quantitative sacro-iliac scans in order to evaluate sacro-iliac disease in four groups of patients presenting with or without low back pain.


Telecommunication performance of persons with hearing handicap in relation to speech reception threshold.

This study is concerned with the ability of hearing-impaired persons to perceive speech via the telephone and in particular with the possible benefit gained by the use of different kinds of auxiliary equipment (receiver amplifier, extra watch receiver, hearing aid in telemagnetic or microphone position, so-called combined amplifier, and combinations of these). In 203 hard-of-hearing subjects, grouped according to the speech reception threshold (SRT) of the better ear, the efficiency of the devices under test was investigated at two different line attenuations, one representing a good telephone connection and one representing a rather poor connection. It is concluded that persons with a slight hearing impairment (SRT:0--25 dB in the better ear) are able to use the telephone without special devices. The same applies to the majority of those with moderate hearing impairment (SRT:30--45 dB). For persons having a more severe hearing loss, a telephone with a receiving amplifier, or the individual hearing aid combined with the ordinary telephone set, can largely compensate for difficulties experienced when using the telephone. To complete the experiments, the audibility of a number of telephone bells was assessed. The bell in the standard set had low audibility for all the investigated groups of persons. Some of the other sound sources offered somewhat less difficulty.


Effect of pentoxifylline on red cell flexibility and cation transport in healthy subjects and patients with hereditary spherocytosis.

The effect of pentoxifylline (3,7-dimethyl-1-(5-oxo-hexyl)-xanthine) on the flexibility of red cells was studied using a filtration method in which the red cells are forced, at a constant flow-rate, through a porous polycarbonate membrane. The filtration pressure reflects red cell rigidity and the amount of Hb released from the disrupted cells ('free Hb') red cell fragility. The advantage of this method is that it allows the two important determinants of red cell flexibility, rigidity and fragility, to be studied simultaneously. Pentoxifylline significantly improved normal red cell flexibility both in vivo and in vitro as judged by this method. The impaired flexibility of red cells from patients with congenital or hereditary spherocytosis (HS) was aggravated by pentoxifylline in vitro. A similar effect of pentoxifylline was also observed on red cells from relatives of HS patients. The effect of pentoxifylline on Ca2+ transport and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity in red cells from normal and HS patients was investigated. Under in vitro conditions pentoxifylline did not affect the Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity of or Ca2+ efflux from normal and HS red cells. Neither the influx of monovalent cations (Na+, Rb+) or the osmotic resistance of normal or HS red cells was affected by pentoxifylline.


Suppressor cells induced by purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD): the suppression is mediated by cells that proliferate in response to stimulation with PPD.

Lymphocytes stimulated with purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) were found to inhibit the PPD stimulation of fresh, autologous lymphocytes. This suppressor effect was exerted after preincubation with both high and low concentrations of PPD. Optimal suppression occurred after preincubation with PPD in concentrations of 5 micrograms/ml and higher, the same concentrations that gave optimal stimulation of DNA synthetsis in primary cultures. The suppressor effect was abolished completely by 'hot pulse' treatment and partly by treatment with colchicine during PPD preincubation, showing that the PPD-induced suppressr cells are generated by cell division. When fresh lymphocytes were incubated together with PPD-pretreated cells in cultures that were not stimulated with PPD, the PPD-stimulated lymphocytes exerted a stimulatory effect on the fresh lymphocytes. This effect was maximal for cells preincubated for 1 h with PPD, decreasing with increasing duration of preincubation with PPD. Possible explanations of this observation are discussed.


Functions of T cells and recruitment of cellular response after in vitro mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from ten patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) was investigated under various culture conditions. It was confirmed that the mitogenic reactivity of whole cell populations (PBL) was delayed and depressed. When CLL rosette-forming cells (RFC) were stimulated, their 3H-thymidine uptake was increased, but the pattern of the response was similar to that of whole PBL, thus suggesting some impairment of these cells. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the possible recruitment of B cells, generally thought to be unresponsive, some co-culture experiments were performed in which 10(4) normal lymphocytes and 10(5) CLL whole PBL or RFC-depleted cell populations were stimulated with mitogens. An amplified response of the CLL lymphocytes was obtained in all co-cultures, and this effect was more evident when specific T cell stimulants were used; autologous CLL T lymphocytes, on the contrary, failed to display such a 'synergic' effect. These results indicate that normal lymphocytes are able to recruit a large number of CLL lymphocytes in the mitogenic response; furthermore, the fact that in co-cultures of CLL T-depleted fractions a better response was obtained with T cell mitogens suggests that the definition of CLL as a clonal expansion of unresponsive 'B' lymphocytes may be inadequate.


[Hemoglobin D Punjab. Apropos of 2 families].

Two families who are carriers of hemoglobin DPunjab in the heterozygous state are described. This is the first time hemoglobin DPunjab has been reported in Switzerland. The propositus of the first family had two periods of acute hemolysis, probably drug-induced, which were followed by reversible renal complications and which led to the discovery of the hemoglobin. Study of the second family was undertaken because of anemia in one of its members.


Post-operative analgesia following laparoscopic sterilization.

In a retrospective survey of 161 consecutive cases of laparoscopic sterilization performed over a period of six months, 41.6 per cent were by tubal diathermy and 58.4 per cent by silastic Falope ring application. It was found that, in the latter group 28.7 per cent of patients required major post-operative analgesia, while in the group treated by diathermy only 4.5 per cent required such sedation.


Complications of 'dermolipectomy' as an encore to abdominal operative procedures.

Four examples are used to illustrate the disastrous results of 'dermolipectomies' done as an encore to abdominal operative procedures. These results fall far short of the ideal lipectomy, which can at times be aesthetically pleasing when one considers the extent of the original deformity.


Blind and disabled persons awarded federally administered SSI payments, 1975.

State agencies made medical determinations on 975,000 applications filed by the blind and disabled in 1975. Forty percent were found eligible for federally administered payments, and 60 percent were found ineligible. Nine out of 10 of the awardees were adults. Forty percent of these adults either had no occupation or no occupation was reported. Among both adults and children, the leading cause of disability was mental illness. Nearly 1 out of 3 adults was awarded benefits on the basis of mental disorders. The proportion of children determined disabled by mental illness was about twice that of adults. More than one-half of all children awarded benefits were mentally retarded. Among adults, the second most frequent disabling impairment was cardio-vascular disease; among children, it was diseases of the nervous system and sense organs.


Operational diagnostics of lungworm infections in cattle. Preliminary investigation into the usefulness of the indirect haemagglutination.

To give an impression of the usefulness of indirect haemagglutination (IHA) in the diagnosis of lungworm infections in cattle under practical conditions, five calves vaccinated against Dictyocaulus viviparus and five unvaccinated calves were periodically subjected to clinical, parasitological, and serological examinations over a period of seven months. All calves grazed on a lungworm-infected plot. 82% of the observations in unvaccinated calves, which were positive with respect to one or more of the used parameters, concerned IHA-positive animals which, however, showed negative results with the parasitic parameters. The titre variation of the serological examination was a further indication of the fact that the IHA detected antibodies against lungworm antigens. No indications of false positive reactions were obtained. An investigation carried out on 46 farms on the correlation between serological and clinical findings on lungworm infections revealed a positive correlation in 80% of the groups between results obtained with both methods. The authors consider that IHA offers good prospects for the diagnosis of lungworm infections.


Veterinary experiences as a Japanese prisoner of war and ex-POW along the Burma railroad from 1942 to January 1946.

As a prisoner of war the writer was working for nearly three years in different POW camps, and outside them, along the Burma railway from Thanbyuyzat in southern Burma up to Kanchanabury in Thiland. In the army of the Netherlands-Indian archipelago (KNIL) he had the military rank of reserve horse-doctor. In civilian life he was attached to the Veterinary Institute in Buitenzorg(now Bogor) as a veterinary bacteriologist. His task as a POW became that of meathygienist and supervisor of the living animals in the camps. In this function he diagnosed swine fever in growing pigs which had mainly been fed on the offal of the Japanese kitchen. The acute course and the pathological alterations observed during the post-mortem examinations were identical with those of the Southern-African type of the disease. In slaughter cattle the author diagnosed some cases of lung tuberculosis, one of anthrax, several of rinderpest, some of rhinal granulomatosis and one of foot and mouth disease. In chickens he found NCD (pseudo-fowlpest) and in ducklings a mortal disease which the author then called 'keeling disease' but which he many years later, recognized as virus hepatitis. As assistant bacteriologist and ex-POW he joined the British regimental hospital in Bangkok. Here he had the apportunity to assist the bacteriologist pathologist, Maj. C. R. Peck IMS/IAMC in diagnosing the first case of melioidosis in an ex-POW of the KNIL who died from the sub-acute infection, notwithstanding treatment in the hospital with sulfa-drugs and penicillin.


Aortic stenosis complicated by severe calcification of the wall of the ascending and transverse aorta: management by use of left ventricular to aortic composite conduit. Report of two cases.

The use of left ventricular aortic composite conduits in 2 patients with severe intramural calcification of both the ascending and the transverse aorta is reported. This method is felt to be superior to conventional aortic valve replacement, when the texture of the aortic wall does not allow cross clamping or secure closure.


Backstimulation by blastogenic factor in the primed LD typing test: possible role in anomalous responses.

The anomalous false-positive results often found in the primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) test seem to be partially due to the release of blastogenic factor (BF) from the stimulating cell, resulting in back stimulation of the primed lymphocyte. These anomalous responses can be greatly reduced by treating the stimulator cell with high doses of irradiation or with puromycin.


Study on HLA system in IgA nephropathy.

Forty Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy were typed for HLA-A and HLA-B using local antisera. Thirty-seven of these patients were typed for HLA-D using homozygous cells "En", now known to be strongly related to DRw6. Forty-six patients with chronic hemodialysis were used as patient controls for renal disease and 115 healthy individuals were used as normal controls. The frequency of HLA-DEn was significantly increased in 17 out of 37 patients with IgA nephropathy, (46%) (normal controls 18.3%) (P less than 0.0007). Although the occurrence of HLA-B12 was high, it was not significant, i.e. 11 out of 40 (27.5%). These results suggest that some abnormality in the genes of patients with IgA nephropathy is more closely associated with the HLA-D region than the HLA-A or B regions.


The effect of blood transfusion on the immune response and renal graft survival in the Chacma baboon.

There is uncertainty about the role of blood transfusion of potential kidney graft recipients. In this study baboons were transfused under conditions mimicking the clinical situation and then callenged with kidney allografts. Eleven baboons were transfused 10 times with blood from different donors. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies induced against the separated B and T cells of a panel of 12 normal baboons were as follows: B-T- 30%; B+T- 3%; B-T+ 1% and B+T+ 66%. Kidney transplantations were done from donors against which the recipients had negative B-T- cross-matches. Median allograft survival time (MST) of 12 days in this group, which was immunosuppressed with azathioprine and prednisolone, was not prolonged when compared with non-transfused, immunosuppressed animals (MST 12 days). A second group of 14 animals was screened for cytotoxins after each transfusion against a panel of five to six normal baboons. The antibody profile of 80 combinations tested after three transfusions was as follows: B-T- 65%; B+T- 16%, B-T+ 0% and B+T+ 19%. Transplantation was with donors against which the transfused recipient had formed B+T- antibodies. Kidney allograft survival was again not prolonged (MST 13 days) but the mean serum creatinine level 8 days after transplantation was significantly lower than that observed in the first group.


Physiologically induced changes in intramembranous particle frequency in the axons of an osmoconforming bivalve.

Freeze-fractured axonal membrane surfaces from the connectives of Mytilus edulis show an increment in particle frequency of 52% (fixed tissues) or 68% (unfixed tissues) after long-term adaptation to low salinity. Particle size distribution was unaffected by osmotic adaptation, but was significantly different in fixed and unfixed material. The possibility that these structural changes reflect the known increase in sodium pump frequency in this osmoconforming tissue is considered.


Steroid analysis of human apocrine secretion.

Analysis of the secretion of the human apocrine gland has shown the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone and androsterone sulfates, two androgen steroids previously identified in axillary sweat. These steroid sulfates were characterized by the gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of the odorous steroids formed on direct injection of the apocrine secretion into the host gas chromatographic injector. No spectral evidence was found for the presence of the delta16-androgen steroids which have axillary-like odors and have also been reported in axillary sweat. Cholesterol was the major steroid component of the secretion.


[Possibilities of retaining teeth in children from the viewpoint of ambulatory dental surgery].

In the sphere of outpatient oral surgery, the treatment of children definitely offers possibilities of retaining teeth which are described in detail. The treatment should always be an individual one, and it should consider the pecularities of the growing organism.


One-way mixed lymphocyte culture: differences between Chinese and Caucasian stimulator cells.

In "standardized" one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures, a pool of blood lymphocytes from randomly chosen Chinese subjects was a significantly stronger stimulus to Caucasian responder lymphocytes than was a pool of allogeneic cells from Caucasians. In contrast, Chinese lymphocytes did not respond more strongly to Caucasian cells than to Chinese cells. This could not be explained by an inherent racial difference in the capacity of blood lymphocytes to undergo blastogenesis. The implications of these findings for organ transplantation and routine testing of cell-mediated immune function are discussed.


Genetics of kidney allograft survival in dogs. I. Relevance of subregions of the major histocompatibility complex in recipients without immunosuppressive therapy.

The influence of subregions of the canine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on renal allograft survival is assessed in recipients without immunosuppressive therapy. Results in six beagle littermate donor-recipient pairs in which the donor or recipient had a recombination in the MHC are compatible with the concept of a predominant role for the subregion containing the major mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) locus in determining allograft survival. Results in unrelated mongrel dogs indicate that compatibility for MLR induces a longer kidney allograft survival than compatibility for the serologically defined (SD) antigens. However, the effect of combined matching for MLR and SD antigens in unrelated donor-recipient pairs is slight in comparison to the effect of MLR and/or SD matching in littermate-related dogs. This indicates that other important histocompatibility systems probably exist in this species.


[Cellular energy functions of a subline of mouse fibroblasts resistent to the action of ethidium bromide].

The respiration of subline Leb-25 cells, resistant to ethidium bromide (EB, 25 g/ml), is 2.5 times slower than the respiration of parental L cells of mouse fibroblasts. The EB resistant cells have a normal level of ATP. Disturbances of mitochondrial functions can be observed such as a defect of the succinate dehydrogenase complex and the uncoupling of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria of Leb-25 cells.


Breast hamartomas. An important entity in mammary pathology.

1. Fifteen cases of a rather distinct entity of tumour-like lesion in the breast are presented. 2. They have a distinct mammographic appearance and can be easily shelled out at surgery, leaving symmetrical breasts. 3. They are well-circumscribed lumps of varying size with a smooth surface. 4. Microscopically they show normal or dysplastic glandular structures of lobules and ducts, without neoplastic features, within a prominent fibrous stroma. The lesions appear to be closely related to adenolipomas.


Interstitial fibrosis of the renal cortex in minimal change lesion and its correlation with renal function. A quantitative study.

Morphometric investigations were performed in 18 biopsies from 16 patients with the nephrotic syndrome and 10 biopsies from 10 patients with mild proteinuria not associated with oedema. All biopsies showed normal glomeruli on light microscopy. The interstitial fibrosis was significantly increased in both patient groups compared with controls, and it was greater in the patients with mild proteinuria than in the group with nephrotic syndrome. A significant negative correlation was present between the degree of fibrosis and renal function in both groups of patients.


[Hypertensive lesions of pulmonary arteries in chronic inflammatory lung diseases (author's transl)].

150 cases of chronic inflammatory lung diseases of unknown aetiology and assumed hyperergic (immuno-reactive) pathogenesis were examined for hypertensive pulmonary arterial lesions and for chronic cor pulmonale. Hypertensive lesions of the small pulmonary arteries were found in more than half of the cases with chronic disorders of long duration, but were inconspicuous in diseases of acute progressive character. Hypertensive lesions were found regularly in chronic interstitial pneumonia, frequently in scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis and occasionally in dermatomyositis and disseminated lupus erythematosus. Chronic Cor pulmonale occurred in 16% of the cases with hypertensive arterial lesions of grade I (hypertrophy of media) and in 50% of grade II/III (hypertrophy of media and intimal fibrosis). Interstitial lung fibrosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cor pulmonale: two thirds of the cases with interstitial lung fibrosis had developed cor pulmonale and all the cases with cor pulmonale also had interstitial lung fibrosis. Hypertensive arterial lesions of grade IV-VI according to Heath and Edwards (angiitis, plexogenic and angiomatoid lesions) have been described in severe cases of pulmonary hypertension (congenital cardiac shunts, primary pulmonary hypertension). In secondary forms of pulmonary hypertension, as represented by our material, these changes are of little importance.


Fasciola hepatica human infection. Histopathological study of sixteen cases.

Sixteen human cases of Fasciola hepatica infection are described. The liver was involved in 13 cases, the gall bladder in 9 cases and the stomach in 2 cases. Lesions containing parasitic remnants or fluke eggs were rarely seen. Surface scarring of the liver, scar tracks and granulomas within organs were the most characteristic changes seen and were the most useful for the histopathological diagnosis of the disease. The associated liver, bile and gastric lesions are briefly discussed.


Endocrine-amphicrine enteric carcinoma of the nasal mucosa.

A 39-year-old bus driver had been suffering for 2 years from a malignant polypoid mucosal proliferation of the upper nasal concha-ethmoid region, resembling a highly differentiated, villous-glandular adenocarcinoma of enteric type. There were numerous mono- and amphicrine cells and a massive quantity of oxyphilic, frequently Paneth-like goblet cells in the tumor. Immune-histochemically, a number of gastrin- and fewer glucagon-positive cells were identified. The somatostatin level in the serum was clearly increased. Electron-microscopically, 7 different endocrine cell types were identifiable, in order of decreasing frequency: A-like- and G-cells, both types of 5-HT-cells, A-cells, EG- and K-cell-like elements. Particularly impressive were the muco-argyrophilic amphicrine cells, containing A-granules. The unusual enteric character of the carcinoma seems to result from boundary movements and tissue displacements in an ecto-entodermal embryonic border region. There was no history of occupational wood dust inhalation.


Modifications in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and subcellular calcium distribution in skeletal muscle in a case of Westphal's disease (hypokalemic periodic paralysis).

In a case of hypokalemic periodic paralysis with characteristic alterations of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the skeletal muscle, subcellular calcium re-partition, as revealed with the pyroantimonate technique, appears disturbed during paralysis. Pyroantimonate precipitates, normally concentrated in the terminal cisternae of the SR, were localized in the T tubules, whereas the terminal cisternae appeared empty. The increase (about 14%) in muscular calcium during paralysis may result from the accumulation of calcium in the extracellular compartment (T tubules). Defects in calcium uptake and storage by the SR may be involved in the pathogenesis of the periodic paralysis syndrome.


Aberrant coronary artery in association with a quadricuspid pulmonary valve.

A case of quadricuspid pulmonary valve with an accessory coronary artery in an 82 year old woman is reported. This represents persistance of an early embryonic stage of development of the coronary circulation.