[Use of the concanavalin-peroxidase-DAB system for identification of human chromosomes].

The effect of concanavalin A on the prometaphase chromosomes was investigated, using a staining reaction based on the peroxydase-diaminobenzidin-H2O2 system. After incubation with concanavalina A, the chromosomes telomeres as well as the centromeres and satellites of the acrocentric chromosomes were strongly stained. Sometimes the chromatids appeared to be coiled. In other respect, it must be noted that peroxydase alone can stain the chromatids, which probably means that this compounds is able to unite with the chromosomes, without the aid of concanavalin A.


[Excito-motor action of succinyldicholine and inhibitory action of acetylcholine on slow muscle, the frog hypoglossus].

We have registered contraction of the frog's hyoglossus which is essentially slow. By injecting succinyldicholin in the heart ventricle, we have elicited contractions which prove definitively the motor effect of this cholin ester on the slow muscular fibers. Acetylcholin, injected in the lymph vessels to avoid its effect on the heart, does not contract the hyoglossus. On the contrary, by exciting electrically the hypoglossus nerve, which commands the hyoglossus, we have observed that this mono-ester abolishes the neuro-muscular transmission, as in the curare intoxication. We have found the same phenomenon on the rat's semi-tendinosus which is a slow muscle too. The twitches produced by the ischiaticus are diminished significantly after the injection of acetylcholin in the jugular vein.


[Spinal cord potentials evoked by stimulation of cutaneous afferents in the cat spine (evidence of an N3 wave)].

Negative intermediary cord potentials evoked by low threshold cutaneous afferents were recorded from the surface of the lumbosacral spinal cord. In addition to the N1, N2 waves classically described, it is possible to distinguish a third one names here N3 wave. The characteristics and longitudinal distribution of this wave are different from those of N1 or N2.


Hill tribe opium addicts: a retrospective study of 1,382 patients.

This paper presents the results of a retrospective study of 1,382 patients admitted to the Narcotics Treatment Centre for Hill Tribes in Thailand, which was operated by the WHO/UN/Thai Programme for Drug Abuse Control. The study revealed widespread opium addiction among the hill tribes. Of these, the Karen were the largest group. Mean age on admission for treatment was 35 years. The male:female ratio was 7:1. Sixty-six per cent were heads of households. About one-third came from households with more than one addict. The mean duration of daily opium use before admission was 7.9 years. Over 90% of them were addicted to opium; there were eight heroin users. The mean amount of opium used daily was 3.9 g for males and 3.2 g for females. About three-quarters of them used salicylate analgesics with opium. Illness, in particular abdominal pain, was the most frequent cause of their addiction.


[Measurement of homovanillic acid in urine of newborns and in older children].

In this study, the urinary H.V.A. of new borns and of older children was measured. The urinary H.V.A. titer of the new borns was found to be significantly greater than in older children. Moreover the increase is more pronounced when those infants are born prematurely. Former studies have shown that the metabolism of central nervous system catecholamine reflected by the urinary titers of H.V.A. is as accurate as titers measured in the CSF. Recently several authors have found increased titers of urinary H.V.A. in autistic children. It is therefore possible that the elevated urinary H.V.A. titers in the new born are due to an immaturity of the dopaminergic structures. Blocking these structures provokes an accelerated catecholamine turnover, thereby increasing the levels of catecholamines metabolites (most notably H.V.A.).


[Histologic aspects of some organs in the alloxan induced diabetic mouse].

In order to study the modifications in the activity on some CNS drugs by the experimental diabetes, the authors are proposing a model of alloxanic diabetes in the mouse. Diabetes is induced by administering pure alloxan to a well selected brand of mice. Biochemical and histological observations obtained on different vital organs are comparable with those obtained with spontaneously diabetic mice (stable and steady glycemia). This model is consequently a good way of assessing pharmacological comparison.


[Modification of the deep pineal after ablation of the superficial epiphysis in the golden hamster].

In various species (among Rodents: Mesocricetus auratus, Cricetus cricetus, Mus musculus, Meriones libycus, M. shawi et M. crassus; among Cheiroptera: Artibeus jamaicensis etc), the pineal complex is formed by two different portions one superficial situated under the cerebral dura and one deep portion situated between the habenular and posterior commissures. Superficial and deep portions are separated by a tractus of fibers and some pineal cells. Superficial epiphysectomy in the Mesocricetus auratus determines an increase in volume of the deep pineal. The nuclear diameter is also enlarged in this case. The functions of both superficial and deep pineal seem to be closely related. Superficial epiphysectomy is not followed by involution or hypoactivity of the deep pineal. Superficial epiphysectomy also determines changes in the subcommissural and subfornical organs.


[Role of dental pulp in the histogenesis of the enamel organ].

The histological study of in vitro cultured associations between dental pulps and outer dental epithelium showed that the predontoblasts initiated the histogenesis of the enamel organ and particularly the differentiation of the inner dental epithelium.


[Partial left ovariectomy in the hen: response of the gonadic residue].

The removal of the left ovary determines a modification of the hormonal environment in the hen, as indicated by the structure of the regenerat frequency observed. Indeed, comparated to the left ovary of the normal females, they present more big follicle and more active steroid cells of the internal theca. This gives evidence of a high stimulation.


[Cutaneous and subcutaneous blood flow measurement in rabbit's ear by epicutaneous diffusion of xenon 133. Influence of the arteriovenous anastomosis].

The cutaneous and subcutaneous blood flow measurement by a diffusible inert gas concerns theorically capillary nutritional flow. In clinical routine, where pathological openning of arteriovenous anastomosis is suspected, the blood flows measured by Xenon technic are often increased. The function of the shunts are displayed on the epuration curve obtained on a region where there are numerous: rabbit's ear.


[Scintigraphic analysis, with the help of functional images].

Functional images are a new technique for analysis and visualization biological values. Each point of the organ is substitute by a functional value, representative of local uptake. This type of processing is interesting as the dynamic information gained is stored in a concentrated form, which can be easily reproduced and filed.


[Activation, by various aldoses, of dichlorophenol-indophenol reduction by endogenous constituents of a preparation of glucose dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens].

Dichlorophenol-indophenol is reduced neither by D-glucose nor by the endogenous components of a particulate purified glucose-dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens, when these two classes of compounds acts individually. In contrast, the dye is quickly reduced by the endogenous components when the reaction occurs in the presence of glucose, without a direct participation of glucose in the reduction. In this effect D-glucose can be replaced by D-mannose, D-galactose or D-xylose, but not by D-fructose.


[Effect of carbaryl on cultured embryonic chicken gonads in vitro].

Ovaries and testes from 9 day-old chick embryos have been explanted on media containing various levels of carbaryl. The pesticide action depends on the use doses. Histocytopathological effects were essentially observed upon gonocytes which degenerated.


[Prolongation of the effective refractory period on isolated guinea pig atria by some anti-arrhythmia agents: relevance in a comparison of their potentialities].

The effects of bepridil, nifedipine, verapamil, lignocaïne and amiodarone on the atrial effective refractory period were investigated in the guinea-pig. The observed results permitted elucidation of a remarkable activity by both nifedipine and verapamil, and by bepridil and lignocaïne. In contrast, in the experimental conditions, no activity was detected with amiodarone up to concentrations of 10(-4) M. The efficacity rating of the test compounds is not reflected by their anti-arrhythmic efficacity as demonstrated in vivo in the animal, nor by their therapeutic anti-arrhythmic efficacity as reported in the clinical literature. However, this efficacity rating may be related to the interaction of the compounds with the transmembrane sodium or calcium movements.


[Determination of the adrenergic response by measurement of catecholamines and activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D-beta-B) in arterial capillary blood].

Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) level in venous blood taken from the cubital vein and in arterialized capillary blood taken from the ear lobe were measured before and after a maximal exercise on a treadmill in 14 healthy untrained volunteers. The authors have shown a good correlation between these parameters in venous blood and those in capillary blood. It is concluded that the determination of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and catecholamines level in arterialized capillary blood could be a valid measure of the sympathetic activity.


[Occurrence of giant nucleolar fibrillar centers in neurons of rat superior cervical ganglia during dark period: sterological analysis].

In the rat, fibrillar centers (nucleolar organizers) of neurons in superior cervical ganglia are small during light period whereas quite giant ones are observed during dark period. Stereological analysis demonstrates that mean volume of fibrillar centers which is 11.9 x 10(-2) micron 3 in light period increases up to 159 x 10(-2) micron 3 in dark period. So, the more or less development of fibrillar centers in these interphasic nuclei is a circadian phenomenon.


[Tumor angiogenic activity (introductory note)].

Some classical experiments proving the existence of a Tumoral Angiogenic Factor are reproduced. They show the presence of T.A.F. in a solid tumor (Walker 256) and its apparent absence in a leukemia (L 1210). We point out that the biological activity oversteps the barrier of zoological class.


[Effect of the MgATP2- complex on liver phosphoglycerate kinase activity in the rat].

Effect of Mg ATP2- has been studied on purified rat liver phosphoglycerate kinase in the direction of glycolysis. Lineweaver-Burk analysis indicated that Mg ATP2- inhibition was noncompetitive with Mg ADP1- and 1, 3-diphosphoglycerate; the intersection point is above the 1/[S]-axis and two sites can be suspected for this inhibitor.


[Evaluation of cell regeneration of bone marrow after fractional irradiation of the mouse in toto].

We have studied the recovery for mice bone marrow cells after fractionated irradiation of the whole body. The additional dose (Dr) to obtain a given biological effect if the irradiation is split in two equal subfractions (2 Di) separated by a short interval of time (i) is 40 rad per day when the interval of time between the two irradiations is lengthened of one day.


[Selective fixation of methylselenobenzoic acid by the pineal gland].

Investigation of the localization in the central nervous system of the rat of an epileptogenic agent, methylseleno-2-benzoic acid, did not lead to its selective distribution in the cerebral cortex or in the brainstem in relation with its biological activity. But a systematic study of the distribution of this compound labelled with 75Se at a high specific activity has revealed a rate of fixation by the pineal gland 4 to 5 times higher than that of other tissues of the central nervous system. After a survival time of 4 hours, the radioactivity of the pineal gland exceeds that of the blood. A parallel study of the distribution of the 75SeO3- ion on the one hand of the 35S homolog of the 75Se compound on the other hand has demonstrated that the fixation by the pineal gland is bound to the molecular structure of the selenium compound.


[Role of platelets in arterial hypotension induced by arachidonic acid and in carrageenan induced edema in the rat].

When rat platelets are incubated in vitro in the presence of aspirin, the formation of malonaldehyde from arachidonic acid is inhibited. The production of malonaldehyde reflects the synthesis of prostaglandins and associated compounds. The same inhibition is found when the platelets originate from rats pretreated with aspirin. Small doses of aspirin are active in vitro and 10-20 mg/kg in vivo. This dosage of aspirin does not affect the hypotensive activity of arachidonic acid nor the oedematous properties of carrageenan in the rat. These two effects are thus independent from the prostaglandins formed in the platelets.


[Effect of oxamethacin and sulindac on prostaglandin synthesis].

1. Indomethacin and oxamethacin reduce the formation of malonaldehyde from arachidonic acid by rat platelets in vitro. Sulindac has no influence on this formation. 2. Indomethacin, oxamethacin and sulindac inhibit the action of arachidonic acid on the rat stomach strips in vitro. 3. These three anti-inflammatory drugs suppress the hypotensive activity of arachidonic acid in the rat in vivo. 4. The comparison of the inhibitory activities of these drugs in vivo and in vitro shows that sulindac is converted to a potent anti-prostaglandin-synthetase metabolite and that a part of the action of oxamethacin depends on its conversion to indomethacin in the rat.


[Allergic reaction to topical drugs].

It is important to differentiate worsening of a cutaneous eruption following topical therapy from lack of response to the medication. A study to determine the origin of contact dermatitis secondary to topical therapy was conducted among 87 patients with this kind of contact dermatitis. Sixteen patch tests with chemical compounds known to be allergenic were done. The following eight chemical compounds were responsible for 86.5% of the positive reactions observed: neomycin, ethylenediamine, mercury, benzocaine, iodochlorhydroxyquin, peruvian balsam, nitrofurazone and cinchocaine. More than half of the reactions were to neomycin, ethylenediamine and mercury. It is easier to diagnose this condition if one knows the composition of the topical medications one prescribes and the allergenic potency of their ingredients.


Treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia with neocarzinostatin.

Neocarzinostatin (NCS) is a polypeptide antibiotic which has been shown to have antileukemic activity in Japanese trials. Twenty-two patients, who were in relapse with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia refractory to other agents, were studied with two dose schedules of NCS. Schedule 1, 2000-8000 units/m2/day by continuous infusion for 5-10 days, was given to 12 patients and schedule 2, 2000-6000 units/m2/day by iv bolus every 8 hours, was given to ten patients. Clearing of peripheral blast cell was seen in nine of 12 patients treated with schedule 1 and in four of ten patients treated with schedule 2. Bone marrow effect was variable and appeared to be dose-related. No unequivocal complete remissions were seen with either schedule. NCS perturbations of cycling bone marrow cells were studied in two patients receiving the drug by continuous infusion. Both of these patients showed G2 accumulation of marrow cells following treatment. Immunochemically detectable levels of drug were seen in three patients treated with continuous infusion. In summary, NCS has antileukemic effect in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia refractory to other agents. However, its role in the therapy for acute leukemia required further evaluation.


Continuous streptozotocin infusion: a phase I study.

Streptozotocin (STZ) has shown antitumor activity against various tumors in man, but the clinical usefulness of this drug has been limited, mainly because of renal and gastrointestinal toxicity. Nineteen patients with advanced cancer of various types were given a mean dose of 3.4 g/m2 of STZ by continuous iv infusion over 5-6 days each month for one or two monthly cycles. Basic serum and urine studies were performed immediately before and after each treatment cycle. Following STZ treatment, no significant changes in BUN or creatinine were seen. Four patients in whom initial tests for proteinuria were negative developed grade 1 or 2+ proteinuria after completion of the treatment cycle. No myelosuppression or renal failure was observed. Six patients had no nausea or vomiting, seven patients had nausea only, three patients had nausea and vomiting which were well-controlled with antiemetics, and three patients had uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. Confusion, lethargy, and depression were noted in five patients who had no prior central nervous system abnormalities; these effects appeared during treatment or in the immediate posttreatment period. Two patients with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had complete remission, while several other patients had documented improvement. Although central nervous system toxicity may be a limiting factor, prolonged STZ infusions may have significant clinical promise.


"Adriamycin flare": a skin reaction resembling extravasation.

One hundred consecutive patients were prospectively observed for the development of a local skin reaction to Adriamycin. A frequency of 3% was noted. "Adriamycin flare" is possibly an allergic reaction and could be confused with Adriamycin extravasation.


Intranasal ipratropium: a new treatment for perennial rhinitis.

Eighty micrograms of the topically active parasympatholytic ipratropium were applied intranasally 4 times a day to 20 adult patients with perennial rhinitis and severe watery rhinorrhoea in a double-blind placebo controlled cross-over trial. There was a significant reduction in nasal hypersecretion during ipratropium treatment. Fourteen patients preferred the ipratropium period, 3 the placebo period and 3 had no preference. There were no adverse systemic or local effects. Ipratropium was effective also in patients resistant to glucocorticoids, sodium cromoglycate and antihistaminics. As the drug works immediately it can also be used before exposure to known provocating factors. It is concluded that continuous use of this new medication is of value in the management of severe rhinorrhoea in patients with perennial rhinitis, and that the occasional use is helpful in subjects with infrequent attacks of nasal hypersecretion.


Mucopolysaccharides in osteochondrodysplasias.

Mucopolysaccharide (MPS) metabolism in cultured skin fibroblasts was studied in one case of each of the following osteochondrodysplasias: chondrodysplasia punctata of the rhizomelic type, thanatophoric dysplasia, campomelic dysplasia, and osteogenesis imperfecta congenita. Accumulation of both sulfated and non-sulfated MPS, as well as secretion of total MPS, was normal in chondrodysplasia punctata of the rhizomelic type and in thanatophoric dysplasia. Accumulation of both sulfated and non-sulfated MPS was normal in campomelic dysplasia. Lastly, accumulation of sulfated MPS was normal in osteogenesis imperfecta congenita.


Down syndrome due to 21;21 translocation in a male twin.

A spontaneous 21;21 translocation resulting in features consistent with Down syndrome is reported in the first born of male fraternal twins. No history of twinning or chromosomal abnormalities in the family was noted. Any association between dizygous twinning and Down syndrome due to de novo translocation remains speculative until a sufficient pool of published data is available from study of such families.


[Epidemiologic study of dracunculosis in the Podokwos of the Mandara mountains (northern Cameroon)].

The purpose of the present work is the study of the epidemiological aspects of dracontiasis in an endemic area in Cameroon. The study was undertaken in the central Podokwo settlement in Mora subdivision. It is a mountainous area with a climate characterized by a long dry season, from October to mid-May, and a short rainy season. Two seasonal, streams run across the settlement. The water supply of the community is ensured throughout the year by two well built wells. During the rainy season, shallow unprotected wells are the water sources of about 80% of the inhabitants. Among the 944 subjects studied in our sample, 251 had the disease, corresponding to a prevalence of 26 6%. There is no significant difference between both sexes in the prevalence of the disease in our study. The age group 13-26 years is most affected. The worm load varies from 1 to 5, averagely 1.5. As to the localization of the worms in the body, in 92.7% of cases the worms is located in the lower limbs, the feet alone representing up to 46.8%. Less common sites of localization are the head, the breast, the external genitalia. The maximum rate of infestation is observed between August and September. Desinfection of wells with chemicals would be recommended during this period of time.


Segregation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes according to their affinity for insolubilized histamine. Principal differences between males and females.

An attempt was made to investigate the possible existence of differences in the composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes between males and females. Using affinity chromatography of human peripheral mononuclear cells on insolubilized histamine together with staining by fluoresceinated histamine-rabbit serum albumin (HRSA) we revealed that males possess a significantly higher proportion of mononuclear cells which bind to HRSA. These results are also reflected in sex-related differences in proliferative responses of the HRSA-non-adherent mononuclear cell population to T cell-dependent mitogens antigens and allogeneic mononuclear cells.


Functional studies on T cells in adult human bone marrow.

Bone marrow (BM) lymphocytes were obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the nucleated cells from adult human BM. BM was obtained from rib sections removed routinely during thoracotomy from thirteen patients with a localized lung tumour and from two other patients without tumour (mean age 47 years). The percentage of T cells in BM was high (mean +/- s.d. 27% +/- 17) and increased with age. In eight cases, the function of isolated BM T cells was studied and compared to that of peripheral blood (PB) T cells. BM t cells showed poor helper activity for pokeweed mitogen (PWM) induced Ig production by PB non-T cells, which did not appear to be due to excessive suppressor cell activity. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced thymidine incorporation was only slightly decreased but peak values were only reached after 6 years, in contrast to 4 days for PB T cells. This delay did not seem to be due to a lack of monocytes. PHA, however, failed to induce cytotoxic activity in BM T cells. PWM-induced thymidine incorporation and responder capacity in the mixed lymphocyte reaction were also very poor. These results are interpreted as suggesting that many of the T cells in adult human marrow are immature.


Sound and the visually handicapped baby.

The part played by vision in learning to interpret both speech and environmental sounds and to localize the latter is discussed in the light of observations of the development of sighted and of blind babies. Subsequently, some suggestions of guidance strategies based on these observations, are put forward to help visually handicapped babies acquire localization skills. Preliminary experience using these techniques has been promising and they are being further developed and researched at The Wolfson Centre in London.


Activation of human lymphocytes by supernatants from human thymic epithelium.

Supernatants from human thymic epithelial cells (TS) were found to have a mitogenic effect on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and to potentiate their responses to lectins. This was not observed with culture supernatants from the human cell lines AV-3 and HeLa or from the murine cell line L-929. The maximum potentiating effects were observed with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), whereas the response to concanavalin A (Con A) was only slightly enhanced. TS also potentiated the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) response of normal T cells and thymocytes cultured with mitomycin C-treated B lymphoid cell lines. The mitogenic effect of TS was time-dependent and paralleled the appearance of lymphoid colonies in semi-solid agar. Chromatographical separation of concentrated serum-free TS on Sephadex G-100 yielded an active fraction of molecular weight 15,000--25,000 which had all the activities of unseparated TS.


Role of dialysis in the treatment of severe hypercalcemia: report of two cases successfully treated with hemodialysis and review of the literature.

The role of dialysis in the treatment of patients with severe hypercalcemia is uncertain. The fourteen previously reported cases of hypercalcemia treated with either peritoneal or hemodialysis have been reviewed. Two additional patients treated with hemodialysis are described in this report. Because the use of large volumes of intravenous fluids was contraindicated, each of the patients received a low calcium bath (0-1 mEq calcium per liter) hemodialysis for three and a half hours. After dialysis, the serum calcium fell to normal in both and remained normal thereafter with treatment of the underlying disease (multiple myeloma in one and vitamin D intoxication in the other). Hemodialysis can clear up to 682 mg of calcium per hour as compared to 124 mg per hour for peritoneal dialysis and 82 mg per hour with forced saline diuresis. Low calcium bath hemodialysis is indicated when the presence of renal and/or cardiac failure prevents the administration of large volumes of intravenous fluids to hypercalcemic patients.


Contact allergy to hydrocortisone 17-butyrate.

Two female patients with stasis dermatitis developed allergic contact dermatitis to hydrocortisone 17-butyrate cream. Patch tests with hydrocortisone 17-butyrate were positive, but not with the vehicle. One patient was also allergic to two other commerical corticosteroids, but patch tests revealed positive reactions only to ingredients of the vehicles. Attention is drawn to the frequency of contact allergy to corticosteroids in patients with stasis dermatitis.


Dimethylthiourea, an unexpected hazard for textile workers.

Our patient was a 24-year-old female textile cutter who had a conjunctivitis and an erythematous itching dermatitis of the eyelids, nasal mucous membranes, and the corners of the mouth. The patch tests with the standard series and a pharmaceutical test battery were negative. Further epicutaneous testing revealed a strong positive reaction to the textile cutting patterns she handled, which were duplicated by diazo processing. Specifically, the contact dermatitis reaction was caused by dimethylthiourea, an additive in diazo-sensitized paper.


Nickel, cobalt and chromium sensitivity in patients with pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema).

Sixteen patients with negative routine patch tests were challenged orally in a controlled trial with 2.5 mg nickel, 1 mg cobalt, and 2.5 mg chromium given as salts of the respective metals. All of the patients had symmetrical, vesicular hand dermatitis and in some cases also foot involvement. The dermatitis of two patients flared after challenge with cobalt; in two patients flare occurred following chromate ingestion. Prior to the oral challenge all the patients were patch tested with nickel sulphate, cobalt chloride and potassium dichromate after adhesive tape stripping. Solutions of the same metal salts were used for intradermal testing. The intradermal test sites were read after 20 minutes and 48 hours, the patch tests after 48 h. Skin test reactivity correlated poorly to the results of the oral challenge, possibly due to nonspecific skin test reactivity. It is concluded that oral challenge is a valuable adjunctive diagnostic procedure in patients with pompholyx who have negative routine patch tests.


Macroscopic and microscopic studies of fallopian tube after laparoscopic sterilization.

Histological study was carried out on human fallopian tubes one hour and one month after various methods of laparoscopic sterilization. Ciliated cells were counted and histological lesions were observed. Deciliation is proved at a distance from the site of sterilization. Taking into account these two data, it has been possible to display the substance loss provoked by each of the usual sterilization methods (unipolar electro-coagulation, bipolar electrocoagulation, silicone ring and Hulka-Clements clip) which have to be taken into consideration in case of surgical re-anastomosis.


The probability of side effects with ovral, norinyl 1/50 and norlestrin.

This report provides specific information on the prevalence rates of the most common side effects during the first 3 cycles of use of 3 combination oral contraceptives (OCs) containing 50 mcg estrogen. The probabilities of a symptom occurring for the first time, or persisting once present, during the initial cycles of OC use are given for each of the 3 combined OCs.


Down syndrome: prevalence at birth, mortality and survival. A 17-year study.

Analysis of comprehensive records over a period of 15 yr permits calculation of the total prevalence of Down Syndrome in an industrial city. The prevalence at birth is shown to have fallen from 1.70 per 1000 births in the period 1961--65 to 0.84 per 1000 births in 1971--75. The fall in prevalence can be shown to be largely due to a change in distribution of maternal age. An earlier increase in the number of Down Syndrome children is shown to reflect a greatly improved survival in the first 5 yr of life to a continuing level of 81%. The number of Down Syndrome children is unlikely to increase much even with increase of birth rate unless older mothers have further pregnancies. For these reasons the policies of amniocentesis of older women and termination of affected pregnancies will have progressively less effect on the number of affected children if this demographic trend continues. A further effect is that special schools will have a proportionately greater burden as the younger children being admitted have less prospect of development and may be more demanding of staff than Down Syndrome children.


The epidemiology of severe mental handicap.

Prevalence studies of severe mental handicap in an industrial area in the North West area of the United Kingdom have shown a marked increase between 1961 and 1977, with the hint of a reduction in the most recent years. Further analysis of causes of severe mental handicap shows that the prevalence of Down Syndrome is decreasing, certain causes remain constant in prevalence, and perinatal metabolic causes are shown to be increasing through a period of 15 yr ending in 1975. While improved survival of children influences the total prevalence, high mortality in some conditions makes the analysis of prevalence at birth more significant in considering changes in the pattern of aetiology. These studies are fundamental to the formulation of policies of prevention of severe mental handicap, whether these be social or dependent solely on health care services.


Effect of calcitonin on Ca-ATPase activity of plasma membrane in liver of rats.

The effect of calcitonin (CT) on Ca-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane fraction of rat liver was investigated. CT (80 MRC mU/100 g BW) administered subcutaneously to rats, caused a significant decrease in serum calcium, while increasing liver calcium. The administration of CT produced a rapid decrease of Ca-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane fraction of liver, whereas CT did not cause a significant alteration of p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity. The maximal response of CT was obtained with 80 MRC mU/100 g BW. Meanwhile, the administration of imidazole (30 mg/100 g BW) which has a hypocalcemic effect, like CT, produced a significant increase in liver calcium and a corresponding fall in Ca-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane fraction. The reduction of Ca-ATPase activity produced by imidazole was significantly potentiated by the simultaneous administration of CT, and the rise in liver calcium was enhanced slightly. The present results suggest that the action of CT on liver calcium involves the decrease of Ca-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane of rat liver.


Role of serotonin in tolerance to ethanol and barbiturates: evidence for a specific vs. non-specific concept of tolerance.

The results of our recent investigations have suggested that tolerance and cross-tolerance development to motor-impairing and hypothermic effects of ethanol was slowed when brain serotonin (5-HT) was extensively depleted by treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA). These findings have been extended by the observation that p-PCA also slowed the development of tolerance to motor-impairing effects of barbital whether tolerance was tested repeatedly in the same animal or in separate subgroups being tested only once. Additional support was provided by the demonstration that intracerebral injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (-DHT), which is known to deplete 5-HT markedly, also slowed the development of tolerance to motor-impairing and hypothermic effects of ethanol. In addition, when brain 5-HT level was elevated by administration of L-tryptophan, the rate of tolerance development to ethanol, as measured by motor impairment and hypothermia, was accelerated. In contrast to 5,7-DHT, intracerebral injection of 5,6-DHT was surprisingly found to accelerate the development of tolerance to ethanol. Upon further investigation, however, it was determined that the 5,6-DHT treatment depleted brain 5-HT levels by only 20% and, in addition, resulted in the development of supersensitivity.  These results further confirm and extend the generality of our observations that 5-HT may be involved in the development of tolerance and cross-tolerance to sedatives. The possibility of a non-specific vs. specific effect of the serotoninergic system (as well as other aminergic systems) in tolerance and neuroplasticity deserves further investigation. The possible significance of these findings and the role of 5-HT (and noradrenaline) in the mechanism of tolerance are discussed in terms of analogy to enzyme or receptor mechanism.


[Establishment of a colony of Japanese white rabbits free from coccidia and their breeding performance (author's transl)].

A colony of rabbits free from coccidia was established in 1974 by weaning young at 25 days of age from dams infected with coccidia. Until now Bordetella, Pasteurella and Psoroptes cuniculi have not been detected either, and neither diarrhea nor death has occurred in weanlings of the colony. However, the mortality of sucklings was significantly high owing to cannibalism and tread by their dams. The weaning rate was effectively improved by use of a large nursing cage (3,100 cm2) and sterilized hay on a stainless steel mesh floor of the nursing cage.


[Induction of tolerance by the intrathymic injection of antigen in mice (author's transl)].

Immunological tolerance can be easily introduced in mice by a direct injection of antigen into the thymus. Comparing the efficiency of tolerance induction by intrathymic injection of antigen with that by intravenous one, the former has proved to be far more superior than the latter, and the state of tolerance brought about by the former was more complete than that by the latter. One of the reasons why the intrathymic injection of antigen is an useful means for tolerance induction is considered to be ascribable to the appearance of large amount of suppressor T cells stimulated by the direct contact of antigen and thymocytes, the evidence of which being shown in the present study.


Herpetic keratitis in athymic (nude) mice.

The inflammatory response to herpes simplex virus infection of the cornea was studied in athymic nude (nu/nu) and heterozygote (nu/+) BALB/c mice. Although athymic mice were highly susceptible to HSV infection and died 13 to 17 days after corneal inoculation, they failed to develop necrotizing keratitis of the cornea. Heterozygote mice survived the initial virual infection, but many of these mice developed necrotizing keratitis and permanent corneal scarring. Light and electron microscopy showed numerous inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes) in the corneas of heterozygote mice, but not in the athymic mice. These studies suggest that the immune system plays a dual role in herpes simplex virus infection of the cornea: protection against dissemination of the virus and immunopathogenesis of necrotizing keratitis in the cornea.


Susceptibility to adjuvant-induced arthritis among germfree, specific-pathogen-free, and conventional rats.

Germfree F344 rats developed severe arthritis with 100% incidence after a single intradermal inection of either squalane containing 0.5 mg of heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis BCG or a water-in-oil emulsion containing 0.2 mg of peptidoglycan derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conventional F344 rats developed less-severe arthritis with 20% incidence for heat-killed BCG and 0% incidence for peptidoglycan. Specific-pathogen-free rats showed an intermediate susceptibility between germfree and conventional rats. Interestingly, both unimmunized specific-pathogen-free and conventional rats. but not unimmunized germfree rats, showed weak delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to peptidoglycans derived from either S. epidermidis or Lactobacillus plantarum, suggesting that a bacterial flora may furnish a stimulus for induction of cell-mediated immunity to ubiquitous bacterial peptidoglycans. It is thus possible that although a bacterial flora is not necessary for development of adjuvant arthritis, it may have some suppressive effect on the development of the disease in specific-pathogen-free and conventional F344 rats, possibly through modulation of the immune response.


Comparison of natural killer cells induced by Kunjin virus and Corynebacterium parvum with those occurring naturally in nude mice.

Natural killer (NK) cells are rapidly elicited in the spleen and peritoneal cavity of mice inoculated intravenously or intraperitoneally with live Kunjin virus, and more slowly in the peritoneal cavity of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with Formalin-inactivated Corynebacterium parvum. NK cells induced by either agent display cytotoxicity for a similar spectrum of syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic cultured cell lines. By contrast, the cells occurring naturally in the spleen of congenitally athymic (nude) mice show substantially lower NK activity and are cytotoxic for a more restricted range of target cell lines. The distinction suggests that there may be more than one type of NK cell or that activation enhances the cytotoxicity and perhaps broadens the range of target specificity of endogenous NK cells.


Chemical analysis of changes in membrane composition during growth of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Changes in the structural components of the Streptococcus pyogenes membrane between exponential and early stationary phases of growth are reported. The overall protein composition ranged from 70 to 73% of the dry weight of the membranes, irrespective of the phase of growth from which they were isolated. Amino acid analyses of membranes isolated from streptococci in either the exponential or stationary phase of growth demonstrated that two amino acids, cysteine and tryptophan, were absent. Further analysis of the membrane proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis demonstrated that there were proteins unique to a particular phase of growth as well as differences in the amount of specific proteins from the various growth phases. In addition, membranes isolated from exponential-phase cultures contained a higher percentage of peripheral protein than did stationary-phase membranes. There also appeared to be an increase in the amount of outer surface proteins during this growth phase. The phosphorus content of the membranes increased during the stationary phase of growth, whereas the sugar composition remained constant. The only sugar found under various conditions of growth in any of the strains was glucose. Total fatty acid content and the mole percent composition of various fatty acids did not change in the different phases of growth. However, the mole percent composition of fatty acids in the membranes of various group A streptococci did differ between strains. Therefore, these results provide evidence that the composition of membranes of S. pyogenes does not remain constant throughout the growth phases of the culture.


Quantitative immunoelectrophoretic analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes membrane.

The antigenic composition and molecular structure of the plasma membrane of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A; M type 6) were studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (XIE) and other related quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques. After establishment of a reference pattern of 29 immunoprecipitates, the relative differences in amounts of individual antigens contained in membranes isolated from cells that were harvested during the exponential or stationary phase of growth were examined. Relative increases and decreases in amounts of individual antigens were estimated from the areas subtended by immunoprecipitates after XIE of Triton X-100 extracts. The asymmetric distribution of antigens on the inner and outer surfaces of the membrane was established in absorption experiments with intact, stable protoplasts. Of the 29 immunoprecipitates, 8 appeared to contain antigens exposed on the outer surface of the membrane, whereas 11 appeared to contain antigens either located on the inner surface or unexposed. Six antigens appeared to have limited exposure on the outer surface, and four others remain to be assigned. Certain immunoprecipitates were characterized with respect to enzymatic activity or interaction with the lectin concanavalin A. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.99.3), adenosine triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.3), and polynucleotide phosphorylase (EC 2.3.7.8) were demonstrated by zymogram techniques. The latter two activities were present within the same immunoprecipitate, suggesting the occurrence of a multienzyme complex. In addition, the areas under the immunoprecipitates containing the three enzymatic activities were not affected by absorption of antimembrane immunoglobulin with intact protoplasts and thus appeared to be located on the inner surface of the membrane. The results from absorption experiments also suggested that the exposure of outer protoplast surface antigens was greater on protoplasts from exponential-phase cells than on those from stationary-phase cells, even when found in increased amounts in the latter.


Novel iron uptake system specified by ColV plasmids: an important component in the virulence of invasive strains of Escherichia coli.

The enhanced virulence of invasive strains of Escherichia coli carrying ColV plasmids was shown to be due to a novel plasmid-mediated iron uptake system. Possession of a ColV plasmid conferred strong selective advantage on the host bacterial strain in experimental infections unless excess iron was administered in the inoculum. Moreover, supplementation of defined minimal medium with transferrin to complex available iron caused marked limitation of the growth of plasmid-free strains but had no effect on strains carrying a ColV plasmid. The activity of an efficient iron uptake process was clearly shown by experiments with a mutant of E. coli deficient in enterochelin biosynthesis. Although the mutant was dependent on the presence of citrate in the growth medium to facilitate iron transport, colicinogenic derivatives did not require added citrate for growth. Radioactive iron was shown to be taken up rapidly by nongrowing cells of the plasmid-carrying strain. Furthermore, it was observed that repression of the synthesis of specific outer membrane proteins normally induced by conditions of iron deficit was maintained after a shift of the colicinogenic strains from a rich medium to a medium low in iron. The ColV plasmid-mediated iron uptake system was independent of the active iron transport mechanisms known in E. coli, but like them it required tonB activity as a source of energy.


Models for study of the specificity by which indigenous lactobacilli adhere to murine gastric epithelia.

A Lactobacillus strain isolated from a mouse (indigenous) and another strain isolated from swine feces (nonindigenous) were compared in two model systems for their ability to adhere in vitro and in vivo to keratinizing squamous and columnar epithelia of mouse stomachs. In one model, stomachs dissected from specific-pathogen-free or germfree mice were injected with suspensions of lactobacilli labeled with [(3)H]thymidine and incubated at 37 degrees C. Thereafter, the non-secreting and secreting tissues were separated and washed vigorously. The radioactivity remaining with each tissue was counted by liquid scintillation spectrometry. When the radioactivity remaining with these tissues ranged between 500 and 100,000 cpm, the calculated radioactivity (disintegrations per minute) was related linearly to the number of lactobacilli adhering to the tissue. The estimate of the number of bacteria adherent to the tissue was not influenced significantly by artifacts in the techniques used. In this model, both Lactobacillus strains adhered in equally high numbers to both types of epithelial surfaces from stomachs from germfree mice. In contrast, in the second model, in which germfree mice were monoassociated with one or the other of the Lactobacillus strains, only the strain indigenous to the mouse formed dense layers on the epithelia of the nonsecreting portions of the stomachs, although both strains maintained high population levels throughout the gastrointestinal tracts of the animals. The capacity to adhere to the mucosal surface is undoubtedly necessary for lactobacilli to colonize gastric epithelia in mice. Our findings suggest, however, that nutritional or environmental conditions dictate whether particular Lactobacillus strains can colonize particular surfaces in the stomachs of living animals.


Establishment and characterization of human B-lymphocytic lymphoma cell lines (BALM-3, -4 and -5); intraclonal variation in the B-cell differentiation stage.

This study describes the establishment of three non-Burkitt B-lymphoma cell lines (BALM-3, BALM-4 and BALM-5) originating from the pleural effusion of a patient with a poorly differentiated diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma. The cells of BALM-3, -4 and -5 exhibited a number of properties which distinguish them from the usual B-cell type lymphoblastoid cell lines. Thus, they lacked the Epstein-Barr virus genome and had abnormal chromosome constitutions including a 14q+ marker. The presence of the identical surface immunoglobulin isotypes (gamma and chi chain determinants), and Ia-like B-cell-associated antigen in the cultured cells and in the "fresh" lymphoma cells in vivo was demonstrated. These findings strongly suggested that these cell lines have B-cell characteristics and were derived from the original tumor cell population. BALM-5 cells, however, showed somewhat different growth, cell surface marker profile and functional characteristics compared to those of BALM-3, and -4 cells. These variations suggest that the BALM-5 cells were probably at different stages of B-cell maturation than those of BALM-3 and -4, even though all three cell lines (established in three separate flasks) originated from the cells of the same pleural effusion of a lymphoma with monoclonal B-cell characteristics.


Suppression of T cell-mediated immunity by tumor cells: immunogenicity versus immunosuppression and preliminary characterization of the suppressive factors.

In studying the immunogenicity of spleen cells and tumor cells in the generation, of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) or mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture (MLTC) reactions, we have found that the tumor cells not only appear to be poorly immunogenic, but are also immunosuppressive. This was shown by the ability of the tumor cells or their cell-free extracts to suppress standard MLC reactions. This suppression was acting mainly at the induction phase of the cytotoxic response. It could not interfere with the killing activity of the fully generated CTLs. In a Friend virus-induced leukemia FBL-3 system, at least two major components could be attributed to the cause of immunosuppression; one was of viral origin and the other was of non-viral origin. The viral component was sensitive to UV-irradiation and could be pelleted after ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g. The non-viral component was UV-resistant and was retained in the supernatant fraction after ultracentrifugation. Friend virus and 12 commonly found murine viruses have been excluded as the possible candidates causing the immunosuppression. The immunosuppressive viruses are very likely of endogenous origin and are defective in replication as shown by electromicroscopy, and by the virus focus-inducing and reverse transcriptase assays. These findings indicate that probably all tumor cells possess the immunosuppressive factor(s) which may account for their apparent lack of immunogenicity and the lack of proper immune responses in the tumor-bearing hosts.


Fixed drug eruption: a lesson in drug usage.

Fixed drug eruption, a common finding in Lagos, was observed among patients being treated with two heavily promoted drugs: a pyrazolone analgesic and a benzodiazepine. Offending drugs should be considered in general classes rather than as individual compounds.


New videodensitometric method for measuring renal artery blood flow at routine arteriography: validation in the canine model.

A contrast medium was injected in the aortic arch and selectively in a renal artery to estimate the renal blood flow as a percentage of the cardiac output by the videodensitometric (VD) method. Twenty-six paired VD measurements in four mongrel dogs were obtained and the results compared to electromagnetic (EM) flow readings from the aortic arch and a renal artery. The relative renal blood flow estimated by the VD method averaged 9.1% and correlated with the EM flow average of 9.6% with r = 0.96. Previous in vitro investigations of relative flow in a model have now been validated in vivo. These results suggest that videodensitometry could be a clinical tool for measuring renal blood flow in conjunction with routine arteriography.


Semiautomated method for niacin and niacinamide in food products: collaborative study.

A collaborative study was conducted comparing a semiautomated colorimetric niacin method with a manual colorimetric and a microbiological method for 10 food products. Seven laboratories used the microbiological method, 7 laboratories used the manual colorimetric method, and 6 laboratories used the semiautomated method. The semiautomated method was more repeatable within a laboratory and more reproducible between laboratories than was either of the other methods. The semiautomated method results compared favorably with both the microbiological and manual colorimetric method results.


High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in cereals.

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for determining ochratoxin A and zearalenone in cereals. The sample is extracted with phosphoric acid and chloroform. The extract is cleaned by washing on a silica gel column with cyclohexane-ethylene dichloride-ethyl ether. After eluting zearalenone with chloroform, ochratoxin A is eluted with chloroform-formic acid. Zearalenone is extracted into alkaline solution, washed with chloroform, the pH is adjusted, and the zearalenone is extracted back into chloroform. Ochratoxin A is purified by chromatography on aqueous sodium biarbonate-Celite. The mycotoxins are determined by using a liquid chromatograph with 2 columns in series packed with Spherisorb ODS 10 micrometer and 5 micrometers, respectively. Ochratoxin A is detected with a speftrophotofluorometer, coupled in series with an ultra-violet detector for estimation of zearalenone. Detection limits are 1-5 micrograms/kg for ochratoxin A and 2 micrograms/kg for zearalenone.


Heavy meromyosin from skipjack tuna, Euthynus pelamis. Preparation and enzymic properties.

A method was developed to obtain heavy meromyosin (HMM) from the tryptic digest of skipjack tuna dorsal myosin. The tuna HMM thus obtained was shown to be homogeneous on gel filtration-gel electrophoresis, and on ultracentrifugation. The sedimentation constant (S20,w) was estimated to be 6.1S for tuna HMM. The ATPase activity of tuna dorsal HMM was found to be very similar to that of rabbit skeletal HMM in many respects: KCl concentration dependence, pH dependence, effect of pCMB, kinetic parameters (Vmax and Ka) in actin activation, and Arrhenius activation energy. The only difference found between tuna HMM and rabbit HMM was in heat denaturation behavior: the ATPase activities of tuna HMM were approximately four times as sensitive to heat inactivation as those of rabbit HMM. Thus, tuna HMM should represent a good experimental material for investigations of the molecular basis of susceptibility to denaturation, and of the characteristics of fish myosins in general. A new type of heat denaturation of myosin was observed. It occurred in a very early stage of heat treatment of either tuna dorsal myosin or rabbit skeletal myosin; however, it did not occur upon heat treatment of HMM of either tuna or rabbit, and it was detectable in terms of the Mg-ATPase activity only when the activity was measured in the presence of untreated actin.


Myosin-linked calcium regulation in squid mantle muscle. Light-chain components of squid myosin.

As reported by Kendrick-Jones et al. (1976), myosin from squid mantle muscle contains two types of light-chain components, different in size but similar in net charge. We were able to separate the two types of light chains by a five-step procedure, yielding LC-1 (17,000 daltons) and LC-2 (15,000 daltons). It was found that squid mantle LC-1 and LC-2 function exactly like SH-light chains and EDTA-light chains of scallop adductor myosin, respectively. In functional tests, we used "desensitized" myosin of scallop adductor muscle, simply because "EDTA washing" removed neither LC-1 nor LC-2 from squid mantle myosin. The removal and recombination of light chains were examined by gel electrophoresis, and Ca or Sr sensitivity was determined by measuring the Mg-ATPase activity of skeletal acto-scallop or squid myosin. It was found that EDTA washing readily released the EDTA-light chains of scallop myosin completely, and that the EDTA-washed scallop myosin was capable of regaining its full content of EDTA-LC as well as its full sensitivity to calcium. We also found that as regards combining with, and conferring calcium sensitivity on the EDTA-washed myosin of scallop adductor, squid mantle LC-2 could effectively replace scallop adductor EDTA-LC. In addition, calcium or strontium ions were found to induce changes in the UV absorption spectrum of scallop adductor EDTA-LC, although the apparent binding constants estimated from the difference spectrum were too low to account for the Ca or Sr sensitivity of scallop actomyosin-ATPase. The divalent cations also induced changes in the UV absorption spectrum of squid LC-2, and the apparent binding constants estimated from the difference spectrum were sufficiently high (1.5 X 10(5) M-1 for Ca binding, and 1.6 X 10(3) M-1 for Sr binding) to account for the Ca and Sr sensitivities of squid mantle myosin B-ATPase. The findings with scallop adductor myosin are in conflict with those reported by Kendrick-Jones et al., and must be accounted for in formulating the molecular mechanism of myosin-linked calcium regulation in molluscan muscles.


Nature of adenosine triphosphatase accelerating peptide from hydrolysate of fur seal muscle.

Ultrafiltered fur seal muscle hydrolysate was divided into eleven fractions by gel filtration on Sephadex G-15. One of the fractions (Fraction G9) accelerated the ATPase activity of carp myosin B to a rate about two-fold faster than that of the control. Fraction G9 showed a single ninhydrin spot in its silica gel thin layer chromatograph, and gave a positive test for tryptophan by the p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde method, while tests for tyrosine, and for arginine were negative. The ion exchange amino acid analysis of its acid hydrolysate showed a predominant content of lysine, nearly equivalent to the amount of tryptophan determined from its UV absorbancy and the p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde method. The N-terminal amino acid analysis gave di-DNP-Lys as the sole DNP-amino acid. The structure of the ATPase accelerating peptide fraction, Fraction G9, was deduced to be Lys-Trp.


Interaction of myosin subfragment-1 with actin. III. Effect of cleavage of the subfragment-1 heavy chain on its interaction with actin.

To determine the reason why the Mg2+-ATPase activity of subfragment-1 prepared with chymotrypsin was activated more by actin than that of subfragment-1 prepared with trypsin was and the reason why the former could enhance the polymerization of actin and the latter could not, we digested subfragment-1, prepared with chymotrypsin, with trypsin and examined the actin activated Mg2+-ATPase activity and the ability to polymerize actin. It was found that cleavage of the heavy chain decreased the actin activated Mg2+-ATPase activity of subfragment-1 prepared with chymotrypsin but did not affect its ability to polymerize actin. Trypsin attacked the subfragment-1 heavy chain at two sites and produced 26 K, 50 K, and 21 K fragments. From the comparison of the time course of tryptic digestion with that of the decrease in actin activation, it was deduced that cleavage of the 50 K-21 K junction was mainly responsible for the decrease in actin activation. We also measured the length and the amount of F-actin polymerized by the addition of different amounts of subfragment-1. It was found that the amount of F-actin increased with the increase in the amount of subfragment-1 added and that the length of F-actin also increased though slightly. We concluded from the results that subfragment-1 enhanced the polymerization not only by facilitating the nucleus formation but also by strengthening the bond between actin monomers in forming F-actin.


Induction of enzyme-altered islands in rat liver by tryptophan pyrolysis products.

Two new gamma-carboline derivatives, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), isolated from the pyrolysis products of tryptophan, were found to be potent mutagens. When weanling rats were injected with Trp-P-1 and then given diet containing phenobarbital, they developed enzyme-altered islands in the liver. Since these islands are considered to be formed by immediate progeny of "initiated cells" and cell precursors in hepatocarcinogenesis, Trp-P-1 may well be carcinogenic in rat liver.


Activities of four glycolytic enzymes (HK, PFK, PK, and LDH) and isozymic pattern of LDH in mouse lung tumor induced by urethan.

In the lungs of CFLP mice the activities of glycolytic key enzymes (HK, PFK, PK) and LDH as well as LDH isozymic pattern change in the course of life. The activities of these glycolytic enzymes in the lung tumors induced by urethan in CFLP mice are significantly higher than those in the normal adult lung and they are similar to those in the normal fetal lung. The isozymic pattern of LDH of pulmonary adenomas resembles that of the normal fetal lung, too.


An improved and easy technique for polyamine determination in biological samples. Application to cell-free system from hypertrophied rat heart.

An accurate, improved cation-exchange chromatographic method using o-phthalaldehyde and ultraviolet detection at 280 nm for the determination of free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) has been developed. Different samples, such as the 105,000 g supernatant of reticulocyte or heart muscle, and KCl ribosomal wash containing initiation factors, can be analysed. The minor modification of reagents results in a good precision and sensitivity, which is demonstrated by a relative standard deviation of 5--9% and recoveries of 98%. This technique is of particular interest because it allows polyamine determination in biological samples with high concentrations of salt.


Colonization and infection of newborn infants caused by bacteriophage-group II Staphylococcus aureus strains.

A staphylococcal strain which exhibited weak lytic reaction with group II phages was isolated from a newborn infant with a skin infection. Subsequent investigations established that this weakly reacting strain was responsible for an endemic level of infection and colonization within the hospital nursery. The use of consistently appearing weak lytic reactions in the evaluation of this episode is described.


The edema of fiddler's neck.

Fiddler's neck is a dermatosis of violinists and violists. It characteristically presents as focal lichenification and pigmentation on the left side of the neck. Edema may also occur in the same area and lead to cosmetic concern or fear of malignancy. The edema apparently results from pressure on the patient's neck by the base of the violin or viola and is worsened by holding the instrument in a drooping position.


Effect of experimental magnetic storm on the production of lambda phage.

1. Sharp fluctuation of the intensity of the vertical component of the MF amounting to +/- 0.1 Oe changing the sign over each 3 min causes variability of both lysogenic and indicator strains of E. coli. This testifies to an extremely low threshold of their magnetic susceptibility and to biological importance of fluctuations of natural parameters of the geomagnetic field as an ecological factor of the environment. 2. A change in the intensity of the vertical component of the MF, not any higher than +/-0.1 Oe, inhibits phage production in the lysogenic system of E. coli K = 12 lambda and is also reflected in the morphological peculiarities of negative phage colonies as well as in the phage-susceptibility of the E. coli indicator strain.


Avoidance of the handicapped: an attributional ambiguity analysis.

We demonstrated a general strategy for detecting motives that people wish to conceal. The strategy consists of having people choose between two alternatives, one of which happens to satisfy the motive. By counterbalancing which one does so, it is possible to distill the motive by examining the pattern of choices that people make. The motive used in the demonstration is the desire we believe most people have to avoid the physically handicapped. Because they do not wish to reveal this desire, we predicted that they would be more likely to act on it if they could appear to choose on some other basis. In two studies we found that people avoided the handicapped more often if the decision to do so was also a decision between two movies and avoidance of the handicapped could masquerade as a movie preference.


L-Thyroxine effects upon ATPase activities of several subcellular fractions of liver of the rat and the guinea pig.

The effect of thyroxine administration upon ATPase activity of several subcellular fractions of livers from rats and guinea pigs has been studied. To determine a patho-physiological dose of levo thyroxine [T4] for guinea pigs, a dose-response curve was examined of T4 effect upon oxidative phosphorylatin of guinea pig liver mitochondria. Maximum stimulation of mitochondrial respiration without uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation was found with 15 microgram of T4 per 100 g body weight per day. This dose of T4 stimulated Mg++ activated ATPase of plasma membranes of guinea pigs and slightly stimulated Mg++ activated ATPase of guinea pig liver nuclear membranes. Rat liver nuclear membrane ATPase was not responsive to thyroxine at doses from 5 to 150 microgram per 100 g body weight. T4 significantly stimulated Ca++ or Mg++ ATPase of mitochondria and microsomes from both rat and guinea pig liver. Microsomes from both species were maximally activated by Mg++ and no significant additional stimulation with Ca++ was found. Mitochondrial ATPase from both species showed significantly greater Ca++ plus Mg++ ATPase activity than did Mg++ alone. Ca++ activated ATPase was approximately equal to dinitrophenol stimulated mitochondrial ATPase. Maximum activation of microsomal ATPase in both species was found with 1 mM calcium. We conclude that at physiological-intracellular concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++, thyroxine probably stimulates Mg++ activated microsomal ATPase and Ca++ activated mitochondrial ATPase. A potential role of Ca++ as a moderator of thyroxine stimulated activity in mitochondria and the relation of calcium to other metabolic reactions that are thyroxine sensitive is discussed.


Changes in rodent muscle fibre types during post-natal growth, undernutrition and exercise.

1. Using histochemical staining methods for myosin ATPase oxidative and glycolytic enzymes, three major types of muscle fibre could be identified in the skeletal muscle of hamsters and mice. 2. Muscle fibre counts showed that the proportions of the different fibres were not entirely stable with age. In the hamster biceps brachii which is predominantly composed of ATPase-high fibres there was a decrease in the number of ATPase-low fibres. In the soleus muscle which is predominantly composed of ATPase-low fibres there was a decrease in ATPase-high fibres with age. 3. Although there was a change in the proportions of fibre types there was no change in the total number of fibres within the muscles with age. It is suggested that some reinnervation may take place during growth and that this is why the less dedominant fibre type decreases. 4. The response of the different fibre types to partial starvation was studied. The ATPase-high fibres showed  the greatest decrease in size. Of these, the ATPase-high glycolytic type responded more than the ATPase-high oxidative type. The effects of the under-nutrition on the different fibre types were found to be completely reversible. Starvation did not affect the total number of fibres or the numbers of any fibre type. 5. The response of the different types to high intensity exercise (weight lifting) was studied. This type of exercise resulted in hypertrophy of all three major fibre types. However, the extent of the response varied according to the fibre type and the exact nature of the exercise. In most cases the ATPase-high fibres underwent hypertrophy more readily than the ATPase-low fibres. Where distinction was made between the two types of ATPase-high fibres, the ATPase-high glycolytic were found to hypertrophy more than the ATPase-high oxidative fibres. The effects of post exercise recovery (return to relative inactivity) were also studied and the changes in size of the fibres were found to be completely reversible.


[Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in adults. Cardiovascular symptomatology (author's transl)].

The authors describe seven patients operated upon for mediastinal bronchogenic cysts and emphasize the problems of differential diagnosis from cardiac and vascular affections: enlarged left auricle and aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. They review the published literature on atypical bronchogenic cysts with cardiac or vascular symptoms, and the diagnostic problems they raise in adults.


[Clinical experience of cefoxitin in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (author's transl)].

Cefoxitin was given to the 7 patients of infections in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and the following results were obtained: 1) The clinical response was excellent in 2 patients, good in 4 and poor in 1 patient with the efficacy rate of 85.7%. Out of the 4 patients resistant to the previous therapy with other antibiotics, 3 patients responded to cefoxitin, and all the 3 patients of anaerobic infections responded satisfactorily to cefoxitin. 2) Microorganisms isolated were 2 strains each of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, 3 strains of Peptococcus and 1 strain of Eubacterium lentum. All the 8 strains isolated were sensitive to cefoxitin. As to bacteriological response, all the strains isolated were eradicated except 1 strain of Staphylococcus aureus which recurred on the 9th day after completion of the therapy with the eradication rate of 87.5%. 3) No subjective nor objective side effects were noted. Especially, the elevated GOT and GPT observed on a patient complicated with hepatitis prior to the initiation of cefoxitin treatment were found to be normal upon completion of the treatment.


Immunologic aspects of renal lesions associated with malaria.

Studies on experimental models of infections and observations in man indicate that immune complexes (IC) play an important role in the pathogenesis of nephropathies associated with malaria. All present evidence suggests that IC preformed in circulation localize in the glomeruli and initiate the lesions. In acute lesions, typical of falciparum infections in man, the depositions of IC are found quite soon after infection; glomerular injury is reversible, and these cases respond well to antimalarial therapy. Chronic lesions, typical for quartan malaria, are more progressive and do not respond to antimalarials. Deposits of IC in glomeruli have shown the presence of malarial antigens at the beginning, but the perpetuation of the lesions does not seem to be due to constant supply of malarial antigens. The possibility that malarial IC in these chronic lesions trigger a pathogenic sequence in which other mechanisms (perhaps autoimmune?) are later involved is discussed.


Influence of SOS repair on the specificity of radiation mutagenesis in bacteriophage phiX174.

The ochre mutant oc9 of bacteriophage phiX174 was irradiated with gamma-rays and the revertants were assayed on unirradiated and UV-irradiated host bacteria carrying an amber suppressor. The yield of revertants (amber + wild type) was higher on UV-irradiated than on unirradiated bacteria, showing that gamma-irradiated phiX174 was subjected to W-mutagenesis. For oc9 gamma-irradiated in the presence of oxygen the fraction of amber mutants among the revertants was lower when mutants were scored on UV-irradiated bacteria than when assayed on unirradiated indicator cells. The same fraction of ambers was obtained when mutants were assayed on unirradiated and UV-irradiated samples of a recA indicator strain. UV-irradiated phiX174 showed a similar phenomenon. These results suggest that the specificity with regard to insertion of bases opposite radiation damage in phiX174 DNA is different for host cells in which SOS repair has been induced and cells in which SOS repair is not operative.


Mini-muduction: a new mode of gene transfer mediated by mini-mu.

We compared the transducing properties of Mucts62 and Mucts62/mini-Mu lysates, using Mu immune and non immune Recqnd recA recipient strains. The Mu/mini-Mu lysates transduced all bacterial markers tested 10 times more efficiently than the Mucts62 lysates in Rec + recipients. Most of the transductants obtained after infection with the Mu/mini-Mu lysates result from the substitution of the mutated gene of the recipient by the wild type allele from the donor, most probably carried on the gigantic variable end linked to the mini-Mu genome. Moreover the Mu/mini-Mu lysates gave a new type of Rec-independent transduction that we called mini-muduction. Mini-muduction requires the activity of Mu gene A and provides transductants which carry the transduced marker surrounded by two mini-Mu genomes similarly oriented, and inserted at random location in the recipient chromosome. The mini-Mu/transduced DNA/mini-Mu structures are able to transpose spontaneously, for instance into a transmissible plasmid, in the presence of Mu gene A product.


[Distribution of dracunculiasis in Mali. A survey of the Cyclops habitat (author's transl)].

The authors report the distribution and the incidence of dracunculiasis in the seven administrative regions of Mali. They describe the various types of Cyclops habitat and the seasonal variations in transmission. They discuss the resulting effects of dryness and rural water development on this endemic parasitic disease.


Genetics of oxidative phosphorylation: mitochondrial loci determining ossamycin-, venturicidin- and oligomycin-resistance in yeast.

With a view towards identifying new ATPase loci on the mitochondrial genome a large number of oligomycin-, ossamycin- and venturicidin-resistant mutants were isolated after MnCl2 mutagenesis. The mutants were subjected to mass-screens which divided them into different cross-resistance phenotype-classes and also distinguished the common OLI1 mutations from the mutations at all other loci. Allelism tests between examples of the different classes of phenotype indicated that the majority of mutations in the population mapped at the previously known loci OLI1, OLI2, OLI3, and OLI4. Mutations conferring specific ossamycin resistance defined two new loci, namely OSS1 and OSS2 which are linked to the OLI2 and OLI1 loci respectively. A few rare mutations comprise a new locus OLI5 which is linked to the OLI1 locus (12.6% total recombination). In conclusion we can now say that that there are two unlinked segments of the mitochondrial genome, each of which is composed of several distinct, genetically-linked loci. One segment contains the OLI1, OLI3, OLI5 and OSS2 loci and the other the OLI2, OLI4 and OSS1 loci. The phenotypically-distinguishable mutations described herein should facilitate fine-structure mapping of these two segments.


The origin of the DNA in transducing particles of bacteriophage Mu. Density gradient analyses of intact phages.

The origin of DNA in transducing particles of bacteriophage Mu was investigated by density labelling techniques. Unlabelled plaque-forming and leu+-transducing particles were of about the same density. Preinfection labelling of DNA with 5-bromodeoxyuridine increased the density of the transducing particles, but not that of the infective ones. Postinfection labelling increased the density of the infective particles twice as much as that of the transducing particles. We conclude that half of the transducing DNA is synthesized before infection and half is synthesized after infection, similar to the results obtained with P1kc transducing phages (Ikeda and Tomizawa, 1965).


Mixed-lymphocyte culture response in a related and an unrelated Australian population.

In 256 related combinations in an Australian Caucasian population, the relative responses in one-way mixed-lymphocyte cultures can be divided into four different groups: (i) HLA zero-haplotype different; (ii) HLA-D homozygous-versus-heterozygous; (iii) HLA one-haplotype different: and (iv) HLA two-haplotype different. The median relative responses of the groups were 0.78%, 20%, 64% and 86.5%, respectively; 17.7% of HLA-A, HLA-B identical siblings were found to stimulate significantly in mixed-lymphocyte culture, and 6.3% of HLA one-haplotype different combinations had weak responses. The median relative response of 225 unrelated random combinations was 100%. One mixed-lymphocyte culture combination in this group gave a relative response of 20%, which was found to be a HLA-D homozygous-versus-heterozygous response. A relative response of 20% in mixed-lymphocyte cultures may be taken to indicate relative HLA-D compatibility and would, therefore, predict a favourable outcome in kidney transplantation. The use of mixed-lymphocyte cultures as a routine in selecting suitable donors in living related transplants and, retrospectively, in monitoring the results of cadaveric transplants, is advocated.


Some peculiarities of osteomedullary interrelations at the level of the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus.

Several structural aspects in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus are shown, revealing the existence of some peculiarities of the osteomedullary relationships at this level, as for instance: a) a great density of vascular canals, b) a marked collagen density and a high degree of polymerization of the ground substance pleading for a great stability of the osseous structure, and c) a relative cellular scarcity inside the marrow-like spaces as an expression of a reduced reactive ability of bone marrow. It is considered that these peculiarities are not merely determined by specific functional needs of the bone as a tissue, but mainly by subordination of the latter to the requirements of the higher-ordered structural and functional levels served by a certain osseous zone.


[Dynamics of the action of cyclophosphamide. Studies in the chick embryo].

The dynamics of the Cyclophosphamide (CPA) effect was investigated in the chick embryo by a vital fluorochroming method worked out previously. In the 4-day-old embryo the morphological changes (at the level of light microscopy) in the limbs and in the mesencephalon induced by 100 microgram CPA appeared after a period of latency of about 10 hours. Successive blood control in the same embryo, treated with 50 microgram CPA, revealed three consecutive modifications of the blood cells: a great number of abnormal mitoses, the appearance of a great number of multinucleated, nonviable cells and the recovery of the lost cells. No difference could be detected between the effect of freshly prepared and stored CPA solutions. The fate of CPA (a bifunctionally alkylating agent) in contact with living tissues is discussed.


The concept of chronic pathological processes.

The chronic pattern of lesions and the behaviour of each process as a whole, the internal relationships between sequences, the dynamics of factor assemblies determining the sequences and development of lesional chains, the propelling and cohesional factors are analysed in the morphopathogenic modalities of chronic processes, the chronic transformation of acute lesions and the primary chronic processes. This structural analysis lends support to the consideration of chronic pathological processes as systems and their investigation by the methods of the systemic conception applied to pathology. Key words: chronic pathological processes, chronic pattern of lesions, chronic transformation of acute lesions, primary chronic processes, sequential development, assemblies of factors, propelling factors, cohensional factors, proliferative dominance, self-perpetuation and auto-aggression mechanisms, stereotyping of chronic processes, systemic conception.


The Kupffer cells. Ultrastructural and functional features.

The Kupffer cells, as fixed macrophages, belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), the former reticulo-endothelial system (RES). Their ultrastructure has some characteristics, i.e. ergastroplasmic peroxidase activity and worm-like structures, which allow a very sharp identification. Some particular "bridge-like" arrangements of Kupffer cells in the capillary lumen seem to provide them with a special ability of "trapping" the passing white blood cells. The important endocytotic function is analysed from the viewpoint of ultrastructural features, and with particular reference to the phagocytosis of damaged red blood cells. Several drugs and particulate substances acting as Kupffer cells stimulants are presented. This stimulation reaction concerns woth increased number and enhanced endocytotic activity. The origin and kinetics of Kupffer cells are discussed, with reference to own results which substantiate the theory of local proliferation and blood supply, the bone marrow being however the main source of hepatic macrophages. A few ultrastructural data on Kupffer cells involved in pathological processes are presented.


On the mechanisms of ischaemic myocardial lesions.

The examination of the myocardium in 609 natural and violent death cases by using Lie's histochemical method revealed recent ischaemic lesions, extended or microfocal, in 511 cases. These lesions were prevailingly extended in sudden cardiac deaths, alcoholic intoxication and electrocution, while in the various kinds of shock, in asphyxia and pesticide poisoning cases they were of a predominantly microfocal nature. According to these morphological changes, the vascular and metabolic factors involved in producing ischaemic cardiomyopathy are discussed.


Sarcoma of the urinary bladder in the adult. Pathomorphological considerations.

The author discusses problems of morphological diagnosis and pathogenesis with reference to a case of sarcoma of the urinary bladder presenting the following particularities: exulcerated pedunculate macroscopic aspect, histological leiomyo- and myxosarcomatous differentiation, angiomatous hyperplasia and a late favourable course after partial cystectomy.


The effect of low temperatures on the viability of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

By using rapid freezing-rapid thawing procedures on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells the authors succeeded in maintaining the viability of these cells, ascertained by two methods: a) trypan blue dye-exclusion test, and b) grafting in experimental animals of cells maintained for three days at -80 degrees C.


Light microscopic observations on fibrous plaque histogenesis in the coronary arteries of children.

An attempt was made to reconstruct the succession of structural changes which lead to the onset of fibrous plaques in the coronary arteries of children. The results show that certain branch pads or cushions act as precursors of the first fibrous plaques. The conversion of branch pads into atherosclerotic lesions includes edema, histolysis (elastolysis, collagenolysis, ground substance depletion and degenerative cell changes) and in a final step nodular proliferation of smooth muscle cells and abundant neoformation of collagen fibers. This conversion is followed by both reorganization and homogenization of the preexisting heterogeneous microarchitecture. The intermediate steps of pad conversion into atherosclerotic lesions were revealed in 4% of children 1 - 5 years old, 14% of children 6 - 10 years old and 24% of children and juveniles 11 - 15 years old; small, non-raised fibrous plaques were already present in 2% of children 6 - 10 years old and in 4% of children and juveniles 11 - 15 years old.


Effects of the "reverse" administration of sexual hormones on the lymph node structure in irradiated Wistar rats.

The whole-body irradiation of adult Wistar rats with a single dose of 800 r X-rays intensifies the lymph node changes and the decrease of the colloidopexic capacity of hepatosplenic macrophages established by the "reverse" administration of sexual hormones. The modifications observed after estradiol administration to the male rat are more marked after a 6 months' interval than those caused in the same interval by testosterone in the female rat lymph nodes.


Influence of deuterium on the spleen immune system.

Following administration of deuterium to white rats changes of dysimmunitary-immunitary depression occurred. At the beginning the changes involved the whole spleen parenchyma, with marked lymphocyte depopulation of the red pulp and a decrease of the lymphod follicles. After about 4 - 7 days important amorphous deposits were formed, located exclusively perifollicularly and only in the spleen. The authors suggest the dysimmunitary globulinic-paraamyloidic nature of these deposits which, in their opinion, are produced by deuterium through a chemical mechanism. The differential diagnosis was only made with Gamma-Gandy nodules, because no such changes are found in pathology. It is not known why this deposition takes place exclusively in the spleen and especially around the lymphoid follicles. The authors raise the question whether some methods could be found which might direct the immunitary blockade to certain organs.


[Circulating immunocomplexes in patients with various morbid conditions].

The polyethylenglycol (PEG) precipitation technique has been employed for the measurement of immune complexes in the circulation of 100 normal subjects and in 14 patients suffering from a variety of diseases (systemic lupus erythematodes, nephrosic syndrome, cryoglobulinaemia, Buckley's syndrome). Values higher than 0.80 UA on the absorption scale were considered pathological, namely 2 standard deviations above the mean (0.32 UA) in the subjects examined; in the patients, values between a minimum of 0.98 UA and a maximum of 2.38 UA were observed. Longitudinal study of these cases also pointed to the disappearance of immune complexes during therapy. The results suggest that the PEG precipitation technique can play an important part as a screening test in situations in which circulating IC pathology is suspected; it is also a sensitive means of monitoring treatment.


Kainic acid binding in human caudate nucleus: effect of Huntington's disease.

Kainic acid binding was measured in crude membrane fractions prepared from postmortem human caudate tissue of control persons and patients afflicted with Huntington's disease. A significant reduction in binding sites with no change in affinity was found in the Huntington's tissue, the apparent dissociation constants (Kd) and maximal binding (Bmax) values were: 6.4 nM/119 fmol/mg protein (control) and 5.9 nM/53 fmol/mg protein (Huntington). The kainic acid binding showed a remarkable specificity for L-glutamate.


In vivo cytogenetic screening for determination of the mutagenic potential of cyclophosphamide.

Among the in vivo cytogenetic tests employed for chemically induced mutagenicity, a recent screening method was selected - the micronucleus test. The micronuclei were investigated, comparatively with chromosome breaks, on the bone marrow of Wistar rats after intraperitoneal administration of different doses of Cyclophosphamide (CY) applied in one or two injections at 24 hrs interval. The good relationship between these two tests was proved in evaluation of cytogenetic risk.


Barbiturates and calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase.

Anaesthetic barbiturates potentiate and convulsant barbiturates inhibit the calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATPase) activity in rat brain synaptosomes. Such differential effects and consequent modification of transmitter release may be important in the contrasting actions of these classes of barbiturates in vivo.


[Slowed saccades in various neurological disorders].

4 patients suffering from different neurological disorders are presented, exhibiting a striking slowing down of all saccades. According to their clinical features the problem of slow saccades of supranuclear origin is discussed, to elucidate the question whether these eye movements are saccadic at all. Electro-oculographic traces served to distinguish these particular eye movements, and a computer calculated duration, velocity and acceleration of these saccades, to identify their saccadic nature. 1 patient with Wernicke syndrome showed a remarkable improvement of saccadic velocity following thiamine administration. The findings are reconciled with known saccadic behavior, and a model of the pathophysiological mechanism is cast. The adaptability of the system nearly back to normal in the case of Wernicke syndrome is stressed.


[Laboratory methods of examination of porous vascular prostheses].

The author discusses applied methods of investigation of porous vascular prostheses with special attention to physical methods and proposes some heretofore unused criteria for the evaluation of polyester prostheses such as: quantitative determination of oligomers catalist residues, inor ganic fillers and manufacturer's oil and identification of the degree of crystallization and molecular orientation. The evaluation of these parameters in conjunction with the results of physical, mechanical, hematological, toxicologic and preclinical testing may form the basis for further improvement of vascular prostheses.


The effects of dietary niacin and riboflavin on voluntary intake and metabolism of ethanol in rats.

The effects of dietary deficiency and excess of niacin and riboflavin on voluntary drinking of 10% (v/v) ethanol were studied in male rats. The effectiveness of dietary deficiency and excess of both niacin and riboflavin on tissue levels of these vitamins was demonstrated by measurements of urinary N1-methylnicotinamide and blood glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) activity. A high-niacin diet containing 75 mg niacin/kg food decreased ethanol intake by about 36% compared to the control diet containing 15 mgniacin/kg. Niacin or riboflavin deficiency and a high-riboflavin diet containing 40 mg rtary levels of niacin or riboflavin did not influence on ethanol elimination rate or levels of blood acetaldehyde during ethanol oxidation. Therefore, blood acetaldehyde was not responsible for the decreased ethanol intake of rats fed with a high-niacin diet. It was concluded that the increased ethanol intake caused by dietary deprivation of B-vitamin complex found in earlier studies is not a result of deficiency of niacin or riboflavin but niacin may be involved in the decrease in ethanol drinking, which follows dietary B-vitamin complex supplementation.


The measurement of cerebrospinal fluid flow.

A technique for the measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) velocity-flow is described. It enables the flow of CSF in response to pressure pulses to be measured whilst allowing the simultaneous measurement of pressure through a lumber puncture needle. The physical principles which govern the operation of the flow probe are presented together with practical forms of the probe. The application of the technique is demonstrated by experiments on dog.


Digestive structural modifications in rats submitted to 15 days of hypokinetical conditions.

Restraining rats for 14 days in special cages in order to determine a hypokinetical state decreased mucopolysaccharide secretion in submaxillary glands and gastric mucosa. In the small intestine and in the colon, concomitantly with an enzymatic (leucine-aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase) hypersecretion as results from specific histochemical reactions. These modifications show maximum intensity at the end of the interval. The corticosterone plasmatic level determined in the same interval also increased, suggesting this way to a causal relation. The histomorphological changes presented delayed reaction. This material is in accord with our previous investigations as well as with some literature data.


[Postero-lateral bone grafting in the lumbar and lumbo-sacral spine (author's transl)].

78 arthrodeses of the lumbar and lumbo-sacral region were performed by a postero-lateral approach. The technique is described and the results. The patients were reviewed after an average follow-up of 4 years. Fusion was obtained in 83 p. 100 of cases. The operation was performed for low back  pain, spondylolisthesis, or lumbar arthrosis. Indications are discussed in  relation to the etiology.


[The prediction of growth in long bones in poliomyelitis (author's transl)].

The authors have studied 15 cases of unilateral poliomyelitis and have compared the growth of the intact lower limb with that of the paralysed limb. It is concluded that no accurate prediction can be made except by multiple measurements. In most of the cases, growth was steady, the rate of shortening increasing by regular degrees. However, in very young children the degree of shortening was more consistent and was similar to that in congenital abnormalities.


[Subtalar dislocations with medial or lateral displacement (author's transl)].

The authors have observed 20 cases of subtalar dislocation, 16 with medial displacement and 4 with lateral displacement. The treatment given and the results are described. An experimental study has also been made which confirms that in medial dislocations the talo-navicular joint dislocates first whilst in lateral dislocations the talo-navicular joint dislocates last. The severity of assoicated lesions is emphasised. It is concluded that in severe displacement with complete extrusion of the talus, tibio-calcaneal arthrodesis gave better results than excision of the talus.


[Odontoid process fractures associated with fractures of the pedicles of the axis (author's transl)].

The authors report their experience concerning eleven cases of that original and frequent association of fractures. The ligamentous lesions associated with those fractures are considered, justifying the necessary dynamic X rays. The eleven cases are reviewed and a classification supported by an iconography is given, according to the unstability of the odontoid or of the pedicles. The complications after orthopaedic or surgical treatment are analysed and the authors give their conclusions. The proposed treatment is conservative when the fractures are neither displaced nor unstable, and surgical when one of the two fractures is unstable. The best procedure is bi-pedicular screwing associated with C1/C2 wiring.


[Arthrodesis of the ankle. A study of the complications and long term results (author's transl)].

The authors have studied the complications and long term results of 91 cases of tibio-talar arthrodesis and 43 cases of tibio-talar arthrodesis associated with subtalar arthrodesis. Minor complications such as limited skin necrosis were noted in 13 p. 100 of the cases, and no-fusion occurred in 7 p. 100. The results were satisfactory in 75 p. 100 of the cases, fair in 13 p. 100, poor in 12 p. 100. Most of the poor results were related to painfull subtalar joints after isolated tibio-talar arthrodesis. This happened often following conditions : excessive equinus, protrusion of screws in the subtalar joint, preoperative lesions of the subtalar joint. In cases of associated tibio-tarsal and subtalar arthrodesis, the long term study revealed moderate and painless secondary arthrosis of the mid-tarsal joint. It is concluded that associated fusion of the subtalar joint should always be considered when tibio-talar arthrodesis is indicated.


[Fracture of the coracoid process (author's transl)].

The authors have treated 10 cases of fracture of the coracoid process of the scapula. The case histories have been reviewed. The mechanism was an indirect one in most cases. Associated lesions such as fractures of the clavicle were frequent. The diagnosis may be difficult and special X-ray techniques were needed. In most of the cases, conservative treatment was indicated. Only one case associated with an acromio-clavicular dislocation was treated operatively.


[Regeneration of a diaphyseal segment of the radius (author's transl)].

The osteogenesis potential and the subsequent skeleton reconstruction are well known in young children. Our case illustrate these two features. A six years old patient had lost the entire radial diaphysis during an open trauma of the forearm ; after the debridement of the wound, the limb was simply immobilized in a cast leaving off the radial diaphysis. Six months later an antomical reconstruction of the radius was obtained with a very good function.


[Tumour-like bone manifestations in Hodgkin's disease. A report of two cases (author's transl)].

Two cases are reported in which the diagnosis of Hodgkin's Disease was revealed after a bone biopsy of an apparently primary lesion. In fact, the disease was already generalised and the authors question the existence of purely osseous varieties of the disease. Of the two reported cases, one died rapidly and the other had a long-term remission.


[Treatment of Paget's disease paraplegia with diphosphonates : preliminary results (author's transl)].

The authors describe the results of treatment of four cases of spasmodic paraplegia from Paget's disease of the vertebrae with diphosphonates (EHDP and CL2 MDP). The quality and long duration of the functional results obtained by this new treatment of Paget's disease indicate that medical treatment is essential for the medullary complications of this affection.


[Aneurysmal vertebra cyst (observation on two cases with neurological findings) (author's transl)].

The authors report 2 cases of aneurysmal cysts of the spinal cord with neurological manifestations. The first case was a young girl of 16 years of age with a lesion at the D6 level and spasmodic paraparesis. The second case was a boy aged 5 years with a lesions at the L3 level and lumbar pains. The characteristic "one-eyed vertebra" appearance was present in the radiological images in both cases, and was confirmed histologically on operation, which produced good results.


A review of spontaneously reported adverse drug reactions with diclofenac sodium (Voltarol).

The author reviews the worldwide picture of adverse reactions reported with diclofenac during the four-year period ending in December 1977, at which point he estimates that some ten million patients had received treatment with the drug. A total of 447 unwanted effects were reported in 194 patients, the most frequently reported side-effects being gastrointestinal in nature, followed by dermatological and central nervous system effects. Thirteen cases of liver function abnormality were reported, although there was reason to believe that 11 of these were not ascribable to diclofenac. Twenty haematological effects were reported, including two cases of agranulocytosis and two cases of fatal aplastic anaemia; one patient in each of these groups was taking concomitant pyrazolone compounds. Evaluation of adverse reactions reported with diclofenac suggest a profile in which gastrointestinal side-effects predominate; however, the risk of serious side-effects of this nature is slight, and the impression of good tolerability which emerges from this review is confirmed by the findings of comparative clinical trials.