Characterization of a histone-like protein extracted from yeast mitochondria.

Analysis of proteins isolated by affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose from highly purified yeast mitochondria shows that these organelles do not contain histones but have in abundance a DNA-binding protein of 20,000 daltons. The purification yield of this protein, called HM, indicates that mitochondria have at least an equal mass of HM relative to DNA. The amino acid composition and its electrophoretic characterization reveal that HM, rich in lysine, is slightly basic and heat stable. HM appears to be coded by the yeast nucleus, as shown by its presence in several "petite" mutants. We have shown that HM, like histones or histone-like proteins, is able to introduce superhelical turns into circular relaxed DNA in the presence of a nicking-closing activity.


Oncogenicity of simian virus 40 deletion mutants that induce altered 17-kilodalton t-proteins.

Plaque-purified viable simian virus 40 deletion mutants containing deletions between map positions 0.54 and 0.59 induced tumors in 21--92% of LSH hamsters inoculated during the first 24 hr of life. HinfI restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of the genomes of virions rescued from the tumor cells and the distribution of simian virus 40 early proteins in these cells associated tumor induction with the inoculated mutants. These results imply that the DNA sequences comprising that portion of the early simian virus 40 genome between map positions 0.54 and 0.59 are not essential for simian virus 40 oncogenicity.


A general priming system employing only dnaB protein and primase for DNA replication.

Priming of phage phi X174 DNA synthesis is effected simply by dnaB protein and primase when the DNA is not coated by single-strand binding protein (SSB). The five prepriming proteins (n,n',n'',i, and dnaC protein) required for priming a SSB-coated phi X174 DNA circle are dispensable. The dnaB protein-primase priming system is also active on uncoated phage G4 and M13 DNAs and on poly(dT). Multiple RNA primers, 10--60 nucleotides long, are transcribed with patterns distinctive for each DNA template. Formation of a stable dnaB protein.DNA complex in the presence of primase and ATP supports the hypothesis that dnaB protein provides a mobile replication promoter signal for primase.


Splicing as a requirement for biogenesis of functional 16S mRNA of simian virus 40.

Simian virus 40 deletion mutants were constructed lacking specifically the intervening sequences for a late viral mRNA. The construction method involved the replacement of portions of the late simian virus 40 genes with the DNA segment from reverse transcription of the viral mRNAs. Restriction endonuclease cleavage and sequence analysis confirmed the precise structure of the mutant DNAs and demonstrated that they contained the genetic information for VP1, including all potential 5' ends for the late viral RNAs. Thus, the primary late transcription product(s) of this mutant should have the structure of functional 16S mRNAs. Complementation analysis as well as immunoprecipitation showed, however, that deletion of the intervening sequences from this mutant prevented the expression of VP1. The nature of this failure appears to be a defect in the posttranscriptional processing of the viral RNA. These results indicate that splicing is an essential function in the biogenesis of certain mRNAs.


Conserved primary sequences of the DNA terminal proteins of five different human adenovirus groups.

The 31 human adenoviruses (Ad) from five groups (A-E) whose DNAs are <20% homologous by molecular hybridization. Ad5 (group C) DNA contains a 55,000-dalton protein probably covalently bound to each 5' terminus. This covalently bound protein may be analogous to polypeptides found in other viral and nonviral systems that are covalently bound to genomic DNAs or RNAs and that are thought to function in DNA or RNA replication. Because of the importance of proteins linked to nucleic acids, we have investigated whether DNAs from all five groups of human adenoviruses have terminal proteins, as well as the peptide relationships among the different terminal proteins. We show here that DNAs from Ad12, 7, 2, 19, and 4, representing Ad groups A-E, respectively, all contain covalently bound proteins of about 55,000 daltons. To investigate the peptide relatedness among the terminal proteins, we prepared microgram quantities of covalently bound protein from Ads in groups A-E and compared their chymotryptic and tryptic (125)I-labeled peptide maps. We find that the covalently bound protein maps of the five Ad groups are highly related and possibly identical. On the other hand, the tryptic and chymotryptic peptide maps of the major virion protein II and the core proteins V and VII of groups B, C, and E Ads show considerable heterology. Assuming that the covalently bound protein is virally coded, the conserved primary sequence of these proteins suggests a major functional role for the protein in Ad replication. Because the genetic origin of the Ad covalently bound proteins is not established, our data are also consistent with the possibility that the protein is coded by a cellular gene.


DNA synthesis in temperature-sensitive mutants of the cell cycle infected by polyoma virus and adenovirus.

tsAF8 cells are a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of BHK cells that are arrested in G1 at the nonpermissive temperature. When made quiescent by serum restriction, they can be stimulated to enter S phase by 10% serum at 34 degrees C but not at 40.6 degrees C. The same results can be obtained if quiescent cells are infected with polyoma virus or adenovirus 12 instead of serum. However, adenovirus 2 infection stimulates DNA synthesis in tsAF8 cells at both 34 degrees C and 40.6 degrees C. The DNA synthesized after adenovirus 2 infection has been shown to be cellular DNA by CsCl density centrifugation. By density labeling it can be shown that adenovirus 2-induced DNA synthesis is due to semiconservative replication. The difference between adenovirus 2 and polyoma (or serum) is also evident with another ts mutant of BHK cells, ts13 cells. These results open the possibility of identifying the viral or cellular mechanism at the basis of this difference in the induction of host DNA synthesis between adenovirus 2 and polyoma or serum.


Phospholipid methylation stimulates lactogenic binding in mouse mammary gland membranes.

Addition of the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine to membranes prepared from mammary glands of lactating mice results in increased binding of 25I-labeled human growth hormone to the lactogenic receptors. This stimulation is dose dependent and specific for S-adenosyl-L-methionine and is partially inhibited by simultaneous addition of S-adenosyl-homocysteine to the reaction. Pretreatment of the membranes with S-adenosyl-L-methionine for 30 min at 37 degrees C is sufficient to cause enhanced binding. Scatchard analysis shows that treatment with S-adenosyl-L-methionine results in an increase in the number of lactogenic binding sites without changing the apparent affinity constant for 125I-labeled human growth hormone. The increase in the number of binding sites is believed to be due to alteration in the phospholipid composition of the membrane because methylation of phospholipids is observed under these conditions.


Molecular genetics of herpes simplex virus: the terminal a sequences of the L and S components are obligatorily identical and constitute a part of a structural gene mapping predominantly in the S component.

In herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) DNA, a small sequence, designated the a sequence, flanks the reiterated sequences at the ends of both the L and S components. The a sequence is the only sequence shared by the termini of all isomeric arrangements of HSV-1 DNA that arise from inversions of the covalently linked L and S components. We report that the a sequence, although present in both components, is a part of a structural gene mapping predominantly in the reiterated sequences of the S component. This conclusion is based on the observations that the mutant HSV-1(13)tsC75 is rescued by transfection of cells with the mutant DNA and any one of the four terminal or four L-S junction fragments of wild-type DNA. Furthermore, in doubly infected cells, this mutant shows little or no recombination or complementation with other ts mutants previously mapped within the reiterated sequences of the S component. Because it is otherwise difficult to explain the isolation of a mutant with several independent, equivalent mutations, the data argue for a mechanism that maintains the identity of the multiple copies of the a sequence.The paradox arising from the two observations that all termini rescue the ts mutant but that in coinfection tests the ts lesion is closely linked to the reiterated sequences of the S component could be accounted for by postulating that either recombination occurs while the DNA is in a circular form-in which case all a sequences would be adjacent to the reiterated sequence of the S component-or recombination can occur while the DNA is in a linear form. In this case the only effective substitution of the a sequence that is perpetuated is the one occurring at the L-S junction or in the S component. In light of the observations that tsC75 and the other mutants tested in this study map in the reiterated sequences and fail to yield appreciable recombinational frequencies, it is unlikely that isomerization of the DNA occurs by intramolecular recombination between reiterated sequences.


Identification of DNA fragments carrying ecotropic proviruses of AKR mice.

The proviruses of the N-tropic, ecotropic virus (AKV) of AKR mice (Akv-1, Akv-2) have been studied by the Southern gel--filter transfer technique. These proviruses can be detected by cleavage of cell DNA by BamHI endonuclease, which yields characteristic subgenomic DNA fragments upon cleavage of this type of provirus. Proviruses integrated into different sites in the mouse genome can be resolved with EcoRI endonuclease, which does not cleave the AKV proviruses. Use of congenic and backcrossed mice and a radioactive DNA probe enriched for AKV sequences has allowed identification of the EcoRI fragments carrying the proviruses of the genetically defined Akv-1 and Akv-2 loci. Novel proviruses introduced by superinfection of cultured AKR cells with AKV and present in leukemic cells from AKR mice have also been identified. Comparison of substrains of AKR mice indicates some heterogeneity in their spectra of proviruses.


Catabolite inactivation of gluconeogenic enzymes in mutants of yeast deficient in proteinase B.

Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae bearing nonsense mutations in the structural gene for proteinase B (EC 3.4.22.9) have been examined for the ability to make the transition from growth on acetate to growth on glucose and for the ability to inactivate three glucoeogenic enzymes during the transition because proteinase B has been proposed by others to be responsible for the inactivation of the three enzymes during the growth transition. The mutant strains make the growth transition normally. Catabolite inactivation of hexosediphosphatase (D-fructose-1,6-biphosphate 1-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.11), malate dehydrogenase (L-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ATP) [ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.49] occurred in prb1 mutants with kinetics similar to those seen in wild-type strains. We infer that proteinase B activity is not essential for the process of catabolite inactivation.


Selective and unidirectional membrane redistribution of an H-2 antigen with an antibody-clustered viral antigen: relationship to mechanisms of cytotoxic T-cell interactions.

We have studied the co-redistribution of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) antigen and of individual H-2 antigens on the surfaces of mouse cells, and in parallel we have also used these VSV-infected cells as targets in cytotoxic T-cell killing experiments. Antibody-induced patching and capping of the VSV antigen caused an extensive co-patching and co-capping of the H-2Kb antigen but not of the H-2Db antigen. In reciprocal experiments, the antibody-induced patching of the H-2Kb or H-2Db antigen did not result in a co-patching of the VSV antigen. Radioimmunoassays showed that the relative numbers of H-2Kb, H-2Db, and VSV antigens on the surfaces of the cells exhibiting such nonreciprocal co-redistributions were closely similar. Furthermore, the H-2 restricted cytotoxic T-cell lysis of these target cells showed a marked preference for H-2Kb compared to H-2Db compatibility. We propose that the VSV and H-2 antigens are molecularly independent entities in the unpreturbed target cell membrane but that the antibody-induced clustering of the VSV antigen causes a selective and unidirectional co-redistribution (which we designate as syn-capping) of H-2Kb with the VSV antigen clusters. It is suggested that such a T-cell-induced syn-capping process involving an antigen and an H-2 molecule on the target cell may play a critical role in the mechanism of cytotoxic T-cell killing.


Sodium transport inhibitor from bovine hypothalamus.

A low molecular weight, basic, nonpeptidic factor that possesses sodium transport inhibitory properties has been prepared from bovine hypothalamus by acid/acetone extraction and gel filtration. Concentration and partial purification was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography. This substance inhibits active Na+ transport across anuran membranes, inhibits ouabain binding to frog urinary bladder, and directly inhibits renal Na+,K+-ATPase. This substance thus possesses the putative characteristics of a natriuretic factor of hypothalamic origin.


Endogenous digitalis-like activity in mammalian brain.

A fraction of brain has been prepared that contains a substance mimicking actions of the digitalis glycosides. It both blocks the binding of [3H]ouabain to Na+,K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) and inhibits the uptake of 86Rb+ into human erythrocytes. Partial isolation was achieved by Sephadex G-10 fractionation and subsequent desalting. This activity is potentially capable of regulating ionic fluxes and concentration gradients across the cell membrane.


Clonidine reverses the amnesia induced by dopamine beta hydroxylase inhibition.

The role of noradrenergic (NE) mechanisms in amnesia induced by the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC) was examined by studying the antiamnestic characteristics of the alpha-NE receptor stimulator clonidine. DEDTC (250 mg/kg) administered 3 hr prior to training to C57BL/6J mice resulted in marked deficits when retention of a multiple trial food motivated spatial discrimination task was measured 24 hr after learning. Investigation of the temporal aspects of recovery indicated that the agonist was an effective antiamnestic agent when administered 0, 1, 3, 21 and 23 hr after training. No recovery was observed when the drug was administered 6 and 18 hr posttraining. A dose response study of the effectiveness of clonidine administered 1 hr prior to testing indicated recovery of memory at doses ranging from 10-500 microgram/kg. The clonidine induced recovery was not a result of general performance facilitation, but specific to the memory tested. In addition, the clonidine effect was pharmacologically specific to its actions on NE receptors, as recovery was blocked by pre-treatment with the alpha-NE antagonist, phentolamine. No recovery from DEDTC induced amnesia was seen with post-training or pre-test injection of d-amphetamine.


Effects of two neuroleptic drugs on focal somatoparietal rhythms in free awake cats.

In freely moving cats, systemic administration of Chlorpromazine (CPZ) and Haloperidol (HP), two neuroleptics which presumably block catecholamine receptors, leads to a suppression of the waking mu-type rhythms. There is a clear difference, however, in that CPZ leads to slow wave sleep while HP only induces sustained drowsiness. The difference in their action is tentatively explained by their differential effect on an enzyme that is not involved in the metabolism of biogenic amines, tryptophan pyrrolase. We suggest that it is through this pathway that CPZ might increase and HP might decrease brain tryptophan and thereby lead to opposite changes in brain 5-HT content.


[The small nodular pattern of primary and secondary lung neoplasia (author's transl)].

The radiographic pattern of multiple disseminated pulmonary nodules is especially difficult to interpret. There are some special forms of primary and secondary lung neoplasia which present as small nodular lesions of various distribution. Alveolar cell carcinoma and bronchogenic carcinoma with intracanalicular spread or small nodular or even miliary type lesions serve as well known examples. The radiographic morphology of small disseminated nodular foci of pulmonary metastases of primary lung tumors as well as of tumors outside the lung is being discussed. Even very subtle film analysis, observation of all radiological signs, as well as the clinical picture and the laboratory data, provides only limited help for the differential diagnosis.


[Primary and secondary perosteal reactions (author's transl)].

Radiological and histological comparative analysis of the morphological changes of periosteal reaction. A distinction is made between secondary periosteal reaction (so called periostitis ossificans or osseous periostosis), primary periosteal lesions (due to inflammation, trauma, fibrosis and neoplasia) and soft tissue lesions involving the adjacent periosteum. Secondary periosteal reactions are most frequent, indicating the need for search of its cause. Here biopsy of the periosteal reaction is often important for establishing an early diagnosis.


[Radiographic findings of periosteal reactions in systemic bone disorders (author's transl)].

Periosteal reaction is frequently the first sign of systemic disease affecting the skeleton, including generalized osteopathia. It can be generalized, focal, monostotic or polyostotic and shows solid, lamellary or interrrupted spiculae-like reaction. A reliable diagnosis is possible from the interpretation of these changes, as for instance with spiculae: Very dense and evenly arranged spiculae are only seen in hemolytic anemias and metastases of neurogenic tumors. Onionskin like periosteal reaction with simultaneous transformation of the diaphyseal cortex are difficult to interpret. However, in case of hyperparathyreoidism, subperiosteal resorption and transformation of the diaphyseal cortex permit precise diagnosis. Follow-up examinations have prognostic and therapeutic value. The knowledge of the different morphology of periosteal reaction associated with systemic disease (including generalized osteopathias) is important in diagnostic radiology.


Pulmonary interstitial changes following bone marrow transplantation.

Observations of 20 consecutive bone marrow transplantation recipients disclosed two distinctive categories of pulmonary interstitial changes. Interstitial infiltrates occurring less than 14 days after transplantation were observed in 13 of 20 patients and are believed to represent pulmonary edema. A late pulmonary interstitial process, which appears more than 30 days following transplantation (median 57 days), was encountered in 10 of 14 patients with successful grafts; the late changes represent interstitial pneumonia, a common cause of morbidity and mortality following bone marrow transplantation. It is probably attributable to a combination of factors including the preparatory chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and delayed immunologic reconstitution following transplantation.


99mTc-PP and 67Ga imaging following insertion of orthopedic devices.

Deposition of 67Ga in bone does not explicitly imply osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis complicating insertion of orthopedic devices is manifested by lack of congruence in the distribution patterns of 99mTc-PP and 67Ga. Congruent patterns can reflect the increased bone reaction to implantation or loosening of the device, not necessarily osteomyelitis. Both (a) nonseptic synovitis secondary to reactive bursa formation and (b) cellulitis exhibit an affinity for 67Ga and virtually none for 99mTc-PP, whereas the reverse is true for heterotopic bone. Thus combined sequential 99mTc-PP/67Ga imaging is necessary for evaluation of complications associated with internal orthopedic devices.


Effects of prostaglandins on the action of luteinizing hormone in dispersed rat intestitial cells.

Prostaglandins E1, E2, A1 and A2 at 10(-5) and 10(-4)M stimulated basal testosterone production in dispersed rat interstitial cells in vitro. They effectively inhibited steroidogenesis induced by ovine pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) (0.2 nM), dibutyryl cyclic AMP-(DBC 0-5 mM), and cholera toxin (100 ng). PGF2 alpha (10(-3) to 10(-12)M) had no effect on either basal or hormonal or non-hormonal stimulated steroidogenesis in the cells. PGA1 and PGA2 were more effective inhibitors than PGE1 and E2. None of the PG's had any influence on 125I LH-receptor interaction. In view of this and the inhibition of DBC stimulated testosterone production, it may be suggested that the PG inhibition lies beyond the receptor-cyclic AMP formation step.


Studies on the mechanism of the hypotensive action of SQ-14225, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in anesthetized dogs.

Intravenous administration of SQ-14225, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, to pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs resulted in significant decrease in the arterial blood pressure with no changes in the heart rate. Pressure-flow curves obtained in the perfused hind limb vasculature were shifted significantly to the right following SQ-14225 indicating a decrease in the hind limb vascular resistance. Neither the denervation of the hind limb nor bilateral nephrectomy prevented the decrease in the hind limb vascular resistance produced by SQ-14225 indicating that the vasodilator action of this agent was unrelated to either the sympathetic nervous system or the renal renin-angiotensin system. The reflex vasodilatation in the hind limb observed during the administration of pressor agents was significantly attenuated by SQ-14225. Similarly this agent also antagonized the reflex increases in the systemic blood pressure, hind limb perfusion pressure and heart rate observed during bilateral carotid occlusion. These results suggest that the hypotensive action of SQ-14225 in the pentobarbital-anesthetized dog may be unrelated to the renal renin-angiotensin system.


Effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on synaptic transmission in the electric eel electroplaque.

When the innervated membrane of the electric eel electroplaque is exposed to concentrations of delta 9-tetracannabinol of 50 to 100 microM synaptic transmission is blocked in approximately 30 minutes. During the block, the chemosensitivity of the innervated membrane to cholinergic agonists remains unaltered. Direct stimulation of the innervated membrane after synaptic transmission had failed did not elicit any postsynaptic membrane action potentials. The passing of hyperpolarizing currents across the electroplaque caused the nerve terminals which innervate the electroplaque to produce subthreshold potentials which resemble endplate potentials with a prolonged falling phase. With further incubation in the tetrahydrocannabinol solution the subthreshold potentials decreased in size and eventually disappeared. These results indicate that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol does not affect the acetylcholine-mediated membrane permeability changes, but instead, reduces the excitability of nonsynaptic membrane of both the pre- and postsynaptic elements.


Preliminary observations on transplacental infection of bluetongue virus in sheep-a possible overwintering mechanism.

Sheep infected mid-gestation with bluetongue virus type 4 and type 16 produced clinically normal lambs that were viraemic at birth. Viraemia persisted for two months in some lambs even though they received colostrum. It is suggested that transplacental infection of bluetongue virus in sheep may be an overwintering mechanism for the virus in some areas of the world.


PAS-positive inclusions in the alveolar type II cells of the caprine lung.

Histochemical analysis of inclusions in the alveolar type II cells was done with the alcian blue-PAS technique. PAS-positive inclusions, which were absent in the sheep and buffalo, were detected in the alveolar type II cells of the goat lung. Mixed diamine-sodium chloride did not stain these inclusions which also showed orthochromatic blue reaction with toluidine blue. The high percentage of alveolar type II cells showing these inclusions suggested that this difference could be explained by the environmental habitat of the goat.


The aetiology of diarrhoea in pigs weaned at two days of age.

When pigs are weaned at two days of age large numbers of Excherichia coli appear in the anterior gut and the incidence of diarrhoea rises. The two phenomena do not appear to be directly related because the strains of E coli isolated are not serotypes previously found to be associated with neonatal pig scouring. Representative strains of the non-enteropathogenic serotypes did not produce enterotoxin and did not adhere to small intestine brush borders. Moreover when antibiotics were fed to eliminate E coli from the gut, the pigs still scoured. Rotavirus was detected in the gut contents and gut epithelium of scouring pigs and a bacteria-free filtrate of gut contents produced diarrhoea when administered to germ-free pigs. It is suggested that rotavirus may be one of the causes of the scouring seen shortly after weaning pigs at two days of age.


Replication of turkey herpesvirus and Marek's disease virus in chick embryo skin organ culture.

Turkey herpesvirus (HVT) and an attenuated Marek's disease virus (MDV) replicated in organ cultures of chick embryo skin as assessed by immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopy. HVT-specific immunofluorescent antigen was detected in the feather follicle epithelium (FFE) and in the surface layer of the skin epidermis. Electron microscopy of infected explants revealed herpes-type cytopathology. Immature particles of both viruses appeared first in the nucleus. Oval or horseshoe-shaped non-enveloped particles of HVT and enveloped virions of MDV were seen in the cytoplasm of some transitional cells. The difference in the ability of HVT and MDV to form an envelope was believed to account for the difference in their transmissibility in chickens. The results indicated that HVT replicated in the FFE and in the epidermis of the skin. However, attempts to localise the site(s) of MDV replication by electron microscopy were unsuccessful.


Cyclic AMP-induced changes in the electroencephalogram and in behavior during morphine dependence and abstinence in the rat.

Rats were prepared with permanent electrodes for recording activities of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) and made morphine dependent by the subcutaneous implantation of two morphine pellets. Abstinence was then precipitated by removal of the pellets 72 hr later. During the first 2 days after pellet implantation, high voltage slow activity appeared in the EEG during behavioral wakefulness and stupor, and sleep and REM sleep were greatly reduced. By the third day, tolerance to these effects developed. After pellet removal, REM sleep time during the first day was reduced. Wet dog shake activity reached a maximum during the second day of abstinence. Treatment of rats with cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally once daily prior to and during induction of morphine dependence and during withdrawal, markedly reduced the appearance of morphine-induced high voltage EEG slow activity after implantation of the morphine pellets. Behavioral arousal during the first 2 days after pellet implantation, on the other hand, was increased. After removal of the morphine pellets, sleep episodes occurred less frequently during the first day than in the control rats. The incidence of wet shakes at this time was also elevated. These results provide direct evidence for an involvement of brain cAMP in the mediation of the central effects of morphine.


Auditory arousal thresholds of good sleepers and poor sleepers with and without flurazepam.

Auditory arousal thresholds of good (N = 12) and poor (N = 12) sleepers (sleep onset insomniacs) were obtained during stage 2, stage 4, and REM sleep at various times of the night. Despite claims of being "light" sleepers who are easily awakened by noise, poor sleeper auditory arousal thresholds were the same as those of good sleepers. Flurazepam (30 mg) increased the auditory arousal thresholds of poor sleepers (N = 6), but the increase was statistically significant only during the period of peak effect which occurred 1--2 hr after ingestion. Consistent with poor sleeper complaints of trouble falling asleep, the return to sleep (i.e., sleep latency) was significantly longer for poor than for good sleepers following stimulus arousals during the first stage 2 and first stage 4 periods of the night. Sleep latencies for good and poor sleepers did not differ significantly following subsequent arousals. The sleep latency following the first stage 2 stimulus arousal was significantly reduced in poor sleepers during flurazepam-induced sleep.


Effects of a short light-dark cycle on the sleep-wake patterns of the cat.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of a short, 106 min, light-dark (LD) cycle on the sleep-wake (SW) patterns of the cat. Eight cats prepared for chronic sleep studies were observed with electrographic tracings for 48 hr on a regular 12:12 hr LD schedule and again after 2 weeks of adaptation to a 27 min light and 79 min dark schedule. Each 1 min of data was scored as either alert, drowsy, slow wave sleep (SWS) or REM sleep. The parameters studied were percent electrographic state, state epoch length, polycyclic SW cycle, and mean vigilance. The short LD cycle caused a significant increase in alert state accompanied by reductions in drowsy, SWS, and REM sleep states. Although the effect was more pronounced during lights-on intervals, the trend was also present in dark intervals. Alert episodes of about all lengths increased. There were decreases in longer episodes of the other three states and a tendency for shorter episodes to increase in number. Episodes of the polycyclic SW cycle did not tend to follow the short LD cycle. The mean length of both sleep and wake episodes increased rather than decreased. However, mean vigilance values increased toward wakefulness at or near the light interval. Analyses showed that both the amplitude and phase relationship of this increase was significantly related to the 27 min light interval in comparison to base-line data. It was hypothesized that both light-dark and dark-light transitions represent alerting cues to the cat. Differences between the SW response of the cat and the rat to LD cycles are discussed.


Automated measurement of alpha, beta, sigma, and theta burst characteristics.

An automatic system was used for the selection and analysis of alpha, beta, and theta waveforms occurring in the awake and REM sleep states and sleep spindles occurring in stage 2 sleep. Two nights of sleep were analyzed for each of five normal subjects in each of five age groups: 3--5; 13; 25--34; 43--53; and 67--79 years of age. The waveform frequencies, length, and rate of occurrence were measured. No age-related changes were found in the alpha frequency (except for the younger group). No significant age differences were found in the beta and theta frequencies in the awake state. During REM sleep, the average beta and theta frequencies of the two youngest groups were significantly different from those of the three older groups. The average frequency of stage 2 sleep spindles of the two youngest groups was less than that in the middle group; the average spindle frequency of this group was significantly less than that of the two older groups. The number of spindles per minute was significantly less for the younger group and significantly more for the 25- to 34-year-olds.


A method for transition smoothing of sleep--waking states.

A method was developed for sequential redistribution of short-duration sleep--waking states into the long-duration behavioral state(s) that surrounds these intervals. This methodological approach is useful in determination of general sleep--waking patterns such as state durations, interstate intervals, and sleep--waking cycles. The redistribution sequences had no effect on total amount of sleep or waking categories, but did decrease stage 1 with successive redistribution steps. Examination of the slope of the curve (number of occurrences or mean epoch duration divided by successive redistributions) can be used to determine the appropriate "smoothing" for electroencephalogram (EEG) state data via location of the breakpoint in the curve. The low-pass redistribution technique has been particularly useful for smoothing large volumes of EEG state data for subsequent analyses without significantly changing the various sleep-waking states.


Adenosine-adenosine deaminase modulation of histamine release from human basophils in vitro.

Since extracellular adenosine is a physiologically important regulator of adenylate cyclase and cell function in various mammalian tissues, we have examined the effect of adenosine on histamine release from human basophils. Adenosine inhibited IgE-mediated histamine release by its ability to increase leukocyte cyclic AMP levels; the same concentrations of adenosine which inhibited histamine release increased the cyclic AMP level of mixed leukocytes. Inhibition of histamine release was also observed with an adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor [erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine: EHNA] in the presence of autologous serum. We suggest that the adenosine-ADA system normally modulates histamine release and that this contributes to the severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) associated with a lack of ADA.


Serum lipoproteins in children with anaemia.

Plasma and erythrocyte lipids were estimated in 9 children with different types of anaemia and in 9 healthy control children. The anaemic children had rather high plasma triglcerides, but low total cholesterol and phospholipids. The levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were particularly low, with a mean of only 70% of the controls. A positive correlation was found for haematocrit with HDL cholesterol, but not with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Plasma albumin was at the same level in both groups of children, however, suggesting that the diluting effect of increase in plasma volume could only partly explain the lowering of HDL cholesterol. A striking, inverse correlation between HDL cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides was present in the anaemic children. Anaemia in children adds to previously recognized pathophysiological condditions which induce inversely interrelated changes in HDL and VLDL.


[Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase anomalies in 2 cases of gout beginning at an early age].

On the basis of a study of the action of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase (EC 2.7.6.1.) in 22 hyperuricemic and 9 normal subjects, the authors report two cases of gout with anomalies of the kinetics of this enzyme. The anomaly consists of an increase in affinity for inorganic phosphate (iP) in the absence of inhibitors, and a decrease in inhibition by low concentrations of ADP in the presence of iP. These patients show no other anomaly of intraerythrocyte PRPP (dosage and production "in vitro"), hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl-transferase and APRTase (overall activity and apparent Km). These two cases of gout are characterized clinically by their early occurrence, appearing in one case in a pre-menopausal woman, their family character and their normal sensitivity to allopurinol.


Altered erythrocyte membrane protein phosphorylation in an unusual case of hereditary spherocytosis.

Membrane protein phosphorylation was examined in several members from a family with an unusual form of hereditary sperocytosis. After incubation of membrane ghosts with (gamma-32 P) ATP, the phosphorylation of spectrin component II was diminished both in the absence of cAMP. In the presence of this nucleotide, the phosphorylation of components IV5 and IV8 was also decreased. Along with a previously reported alteration of a membrane neutral phosphatase in this family, these abnormalities remove the present condition from the usual form of hereditary spherocytosis.


BK virus DNA: complete nucleotide sequence of a human tumor virus.

The complete DNA sequence of the human papovavirus BK is presented. From the 4963 base-pair sequence of BK virus (MM strain), the amino acid sequence of at least five proteins can be deduced: a T antigen and a t antigen, which share amino terminal peptides; proteins VP2 and VP3, which share 232 amino acids; and protein VP1, whose coding sequence overlaps those for VP2 and VP3 by 113 nucleotides but is read in a different frame. The gene loci and the arrangement of genes are strikingly similar in BK virus and simian virus 40 (SV40). The sequence of the deduced proteins in BK virus shares 73 percent amino acid homology with those in SV40, whereas the DNA sequence of the two viruses shares 70 percent homology, suggesting close evolutionary relationship. However, the repeated DNA sequences in the noncoding regions of these viruses are different.


Intrathecal capsaicin depletes substance P in the rat spinal cord and produces prolonged thermal analgesia.

A single intrathecal injection of capsaicin depletes substance P from primary sensory neurons and causes a prolonged increase in the thermal and chemical pain thresholds of the rat but no apparent change in responses to noxious mechanical stimuli.


The dielectric constant of phospholipid bilayers and the permeability of membranes to ions.

The Born charging equation predicts that the permeability of a phospholipid bilayer membrane to ions should depend markedly on the dielectric constant of the membrane. Increasing the dielectric constant of an artificial bilayer increases its permeability to perchlorate or thiocyanate by a factor of 1000, to a value comparable to that of mitochondrial membranes.


Generation by insulin of a chemical mediator that controls protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Deproteinized skeletal muscle extracts free of major nucleotides from control and insulin-treated rats were fractionated and assayed for inhibition of protein phosphorylation by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-dependent and -independent protein kinases. A differential effect of insulin on a particular fraction was observed on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase but not on cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases. This fraction that inhibited cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase also stimulated glycogen synthase phosphoprotein phosphatase. It is proposed that this fraction may contain a mediator substance generateed in the presence of insulin.


[Renal lesions in myelofibrosis (author's transl)].

In 26 cases of myelofibrosis, the authors investigated for possible renal impairment that can be appraised from the usual clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic signs. No anomalies were demonstrated in 12 of these cases. In 14 (or 53%) of the patients, some anomaly was discovered : essentially proteinuria with minor alteration of renal function, but also, two cases of poorly functioning left kidney evidenced on intravenous urograms, one case of acute anuric renal failure connected with hyperuricemia, one case of hypokalemic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, and one case of glomerulonephritis with, nephrotic syndrome. This study, when compared to the literature, indicates that besides nephropathy specific to myelofibrosis and attributed to myeloid metaplasia in the kidney, serious consideration must be given to lesions due to (1) compression of the left kidney by the enlarged spleen, (2) urate precipitation in the urinary passages, and (3) a possible glomerular disorder whose mechanism remains undefined.


[Renal oncocytomas (author's transl)].

The authors report their experience of a rare tumor of kidney : oncocytoma. This tumor was made of polygonal cells separated by an endocrinoid stroma. They report pathological feature and clinical course and pronostic who is better than in carcinoma. Other names have been given : proximal tubular adenomas, true kidney hypernephroma, Riopelle tumor.


[The left ventricle at different stages of a two steps mechanical overloading. Electron microscopic study in the rat (author's transl)].

The left ventricle myocardium of rats subjected to a two steps mechanical overloading (abdominal aorta constriction + aortic insufficiency) was examined in the light and electron microscopes at several stages of the load, and particularly after 3 to 6 months when the animals exhibited congestive heart failure. In these conditions, the heart weight exceeded the control by more than 100%. In the later stages, the absence of parallelism between heart weight and cell diameter was compatible with a process of hyperplasia. Cellular lesions looking like recent were found more and more frequently with time. Within apparently normal cells proliferation of small mitochondria, nucleoli and Golgi apparatus are compatible with some deficit in energy balance, which is usually encountered only in early stages of the load.


[Secondary effects of Dimer X radiculography after premedication. A study of hundred patients (author's transl)].

The authors describe side effects of Dimer X radiculography after premedication. The side effects in a study of hundred patients are divided in early complications (during the examination : dizziness, radicular pains and collapse) and in late complications (noted during the first day following the examination : headache, meningismus, myocloni, epileptic seizure, cauda syndrome, increase of radicular pains). After premedication with tiapride the rate of dizziness is decreased, the rate of headache is not diminished, but the headaches are very slight. Nausea and vomiting are suppressed by the premedication.


[Chemotherapy of multiple bone myeloma. Prognostic features and response criteria (First part) (author's transl)].

The authors reviewed the recent data about prognostic factors, criteria of response and chemotherapy in multiple myeloma of bone. They insist on the new staging of durie and salmon and on the interest of polychemotherapy.


[Decrease of the erythrocyte filterability and cerebrovascular accidents. Study in eighty patients (author's transl)].

Erythrocyte filterability has been studied in 80 patients (44 men and 36 women) with recent stroke (mean age of patients was 68). 200 adults were studied as reference. The filtration time is significantly higher in patients than in normal subjects (p less than 0,001). High individual variations are found in patients, in relation with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, the role of erythrocyte deformability in cerebrovascular disease is discussed.


[Acute abdominal syndromes and anisakiasis. A new case (author's transl)].

To the list of the well known parasitic diseases which are expressed by acute abdominal syndromes and which need laparotomy, we may now add the anisakiasis. At the end of a complex cycle, the ingestion of herring can infected man : frequently the parasite is fixed at the level of the stomach, or of the ileum and seldom at the level of the bowel. Its presence gives rise to pain, hemorragy, tumor or occlusion in relation with the parietal granuloma. From one personal case the authors analyse the originality of this parasitic disease, the difficulty of its diagnosis before surgical time and its good prognosis.


[Cystic dystrophy of the urinary tract excretory mucosa. A report of six new cases (author's transl)].

The authors report 6 cases of kystic dystrophy of the upper urinary tract. A review of the literature and the discussion of the described cases leads to some comments about the pathogeny, the diagnosis and the treatment of this poorly defined syndrome which is due to injuries to the mucosae under the influence of phenomenous more probably inflammatory than vascular.


[Gall-bladder troubles and oral contraceptives (author's transl)].

On the basis of about one hundred and fifty cases, the authors study the effect of oral contraceptives on the gall-bladder. After having showed their results, they discuss the mechanism of the action of oral contraceptives on the gall-bladder, showing their favouring effect on gallstones and pointing out the delay in gall-bladder emptying induced by them.


[A new therapeutic approach of associated metabolic diseases. 1 000 patients treated with benfluorex (author's transl)].

Multiple metabolic factors of atherosclerosis frequently associated in the same patient proves the interest of a multifactorial treatment of atherosclerosis. In the paper the authors studied the results of the treatment with benfluorex of 1 000 patients suffering one or more metabolic risk factors. After a 3 month treatment, a highly significant and simultaneous reduction of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia is observed. The treatment is the more efficient that initial values are higher and that the diet is better observed. The results remain significant even in patients who have not lost weight.


[Small intestine intubation during operative treatment of primary or recurring intestinal obstructions (author's transl)].

The author reports eight cases of recurrent obstruction treated by intubation of the small bowel. This technic, possible in any cases, avoids other long and often difficult technics. The tube used in those cases intends to maintain a normal circumference to the small bowel on all its length and to secure its permanent evacuation till it begins to function normally.


[Multiple primary malignant melanomas. A report of five cases (author's transl)].

The authors present 5 cases of primary malignant melanomas occurring simuatlneously or successively, diagnosed at Institut Gustave Roussy over a period of 10 years. This work emphasizes the need for searching possible changes of nevi in melanoma patients.


[D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis : hematological incidents and accidents (author's transl)].

From literature data and their own experience, the authors comment hematological complications, related to the use of D-penicillamine, mainly in theumatoïd arthritis. Hypereosinophilia is more common than thrombopenia, but, both complications are usually benign. Anemia alone is very rare. Leukopenia appears in 6% of treated patients, but pancytopenia is rare. Leukopenia and pancytopenia are the most severe complications, even fatal in some cases. The safest dose of D-penicillamine seems to be between 600 and 900 mg per day, provided that, however, regular hematological controls may be achieved.


[Acute nephritis and allergic vasculitis due to phenindione (author's transl)].

The authors report a case of acute nephritis which appears during a treatment with phenindione. The nephropathy described after this medication are now well known. Their manifestations are either a proteinuria associated or not with a nephrotic syndrome or an interstitial nephritis whose pronostic is reserved. In this observation the mechanism is different : the lesion is glomerular and complicates an allergic vasculitis which was secondary to the phenindione's therapy. The pronostic was good.


[Association for ankylosing spondylarthritis multiple myeloma. A case history (author's transl)].

The authors describe a patient treated 16 years by phenylbutazone for ankylosing spondylarthritis and in whom appeared an IgA multiple myeloma with a Kappa light chain. This pathological association is rare and we can wonder about the respective etiopathological roles of spondylarthritis and its treatment by phenylbutazone in the occurrence of multiple myeloma.


[Two cases of traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum (author's transl)].

The authors report two cases of traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum and have insisted on the early repair of the tunica albuginea best guarantee of adequate cure without erection impairement.


[Bronchopulmonary adenocarcinomas of apparently primary origin. A retrospective study of sixty-six patients (author's transl)].

A retrospective study of sixty-six case-reports confirmed the traditional factors described in this histological type of cancer, particularly the age, a slight predominence of males, and the very poor prognosis. A selection was made of 42 cases in which extensive investigations had been carried out to search for a possible extrapulmonary primary adenocarcinoma, but only one case of renal cancer and one of thyroid cancer were demonstrated. Autopsy had revealed the presence of 3 prostatic lesions and their relation to the pulmonary affection is discussed. Thyroid cancer had been found in 2 cases, which emphasizes the value of scintigraphy for this organ, whereas the authors felt that other investigations were of no value in the absence of clinically oriented signs.


[Sarcoidosis associated with tuberculosis. A study of seven patients (author's transl)].

The authors studied seven patients with sarcoidosis and tuberculosis: the affections co-existed in 3 cases but were separated by varying intervals of time in the 4 other patients. They discuss the diagnostic, therapeutic, and nosological problems posed by these cases, and review the various hypotheses that have been suggested to explain these associations in relation to the pathogenesis of the sarcoidosis.


[Complications of anticoagulant treatment. Report of 98 accidents and incidents (author's transl)].

According to an estimation on 1 587 patients under anticoagulant treatment, 84 of them have caught a therapeutic accident so a frequency of 5,3 per cent. It concerns 98 therapeutic accidents : 89 haemorrhagic spontaneous accidents (11 digestive haemorrhages, 5 cerebro-vascular accidents, 54 hematomas with 18 retro-peritoneals and 11 in musculis rectis abdominis, 9 hematuries, 2 serous haemorrhages, 8 various haemorrhages) ; 8 "induced" haemorrhages, in which 5 after arterial catheterism, and an accident allergic to the phenyl-indane-dione. Nine deceases were revealed : in which 5 are directly attributed to the hemorrhagic accident (3 cerebro-vascular accidents and 2 serous haemorrhages).


[Chemotherapy of multiple bone myeloma. Historical and present day aspects. (Second part) (author's transl)].

The authors reviewed the recent data about prognostic factors, criteria of response and chemotherapy in multiple myeloma of bone. They insist on the new staging of durie and salmon anf on the interest of poly chemotherapy.


[Folate and the nervous system (author's transl)].

The responsibility of the folate deficiency in some neuropsychiatric disorders is recent knowledge. The role of the folate on the nervous system is not yet well definite, but the action on the metabolism of the amino-acids, on the purine and the pyrimidine synthesis and on the metabolism of the catecholamins are certainly essential. The neuropsychiatric diseases secondary to the folate deficiency are numerous: dementia, schizophrenia like syndromes, insomnia, irritability, forgetfulness, endogenous depression, organic psychosis, pueperal psychosis, peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy (spinal cord syndrome and/or pyramidal tract damage), restless legs syndrome. Clinically the diagnosis may be difficult with sub acute combined degenration secondary to the pernicious anaemia, and the dosage of the folate (in serum, in red-cells and in cerebrospinal fluid) is necessary. The congenital defects in the uptake or utilization of the folate are associated with neuropsychiatric disturbances. The treatment is easy and safe if the vitamin B12 deficiency is eliminated and if employed with caution in epileptic patients because folate can induced seizures.


[Alexia without agraphia, colour "agnosia" and right visual field defect: a syndrome of the posterior cerebral artery (author's transl)].

Two cases of alexia without agraphia are reported, with differences in the characters of the alexia and in the accompanying signs. The visual field defect was limited to quadranopia in both cases which was upper quadrantic and mild in one, lower quadrantic and severe in the other. These differences make it unlikely that a similar anatomical location of the lesion and a unique mechanism are responsible of all cases of alexia without agraphia. Persistance of visual inputs in the right visual field is partial in our cases, but alexia without hemianopsia does exist. These facts are against the mechanism of "splenio-cortical" disconnection proposed by Geschwind as the only explanation. A "cortical", or agnosic mechanism has been also claimed, with lesions of the lingual and fusiform gyri on the dominant side, as well as "subangular", mechanism, with intrahemispheric disconnection by a lesion located between the visual associative areas and the angular gyrus: in these last two situations an hemianopsia is not necessarily associated to the alexia without agraphia.


[About 2 cases of "dry syndrome" associating xerophthalmy, xerostomy and cutaneous dryness. A new entity or an unrecognized diagnostic? (author's transl)].

Two cases, in children of distinct families, of a particular form of "dry syndrome", are described. This syndrom, which associates xerophthalmy, xerostomy and cutaneous dryness, is congenital and familial. He looks different from previously described diseases or syndroms which include one or several of these three components.


[A clinical study in neurosurgical diseases. A report on eighty cases (author's transl)].

The authors describe 80 patients with neurosurgical disorders treated with tiapride, either during neurosurgical investigations including radiological examinations after removal of cerebrospinal fluid, or for agitation following alcoholism or meningeal haemorrhage. The authors stress the value of tiapride for patients undergoing radiculography and especially gas myelography procedures. The effect of tiapride on the various manifestations of agitation was also spectacular and rapid, and the authors confirm the excellent tolerance of the product.


[Sexual transmissible diseases (author's transl)].

Following a paper in the issue of the Annales d'Urologie of September 1978, the author recalls some of other essential present facts, in diagnosis and treatments of sexual transmissibles diseases (STD) : importance of clinical examination ; a few pecularities of bacteriology ; problems of suffering patients (urethra or prostate), without injury nor infection ; what must be avoided ,and what behaviour must be adopted ; epidemiological problems caused by general present sexual behaviour.


[Two cases of gluten intolerance presenting as dwarfism (author's transl)].

Two patients with dwarfism were found to have intolerance to gluten. The authors describe the clinical, biological and radiological signs which enable the growth disorder to be related to its true cause, when obvious signs of a celiac syndrome are lacking. In fact, a small intestine biopsy is the essential diagnostic procedure. The hormonal changes found in such patients are discussed, and include normal HGH levels, reduced somatomedin activity which becomes normal after a gluten-free diet, and low blood insulin levels in the basal state as in insulin tolerance tests.


[Homogeneity of the erythrocyte volume distribution during chronic alcoholism macrocytosis (author's transl)].

The increase in volume of human erythrocytes during chronic alcoholic intoxication and its decrease after alcoholic deprivation was studied with a multichannel analyzer. When fractions of the population of red cells were separated by differential centrifugation the macrocytosis was found to be uniformly distributed. The presence of macrocytes was not related to changes of plasma osmolality or hyperhydration of red cells. A central origin was evoked, however, the role of the folic acid deficiency could not explain the macrocytosis, the mechanism of which remains to be elucidated.


[Secondary pericarditis after myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

Our study concerns 480 observations about myocardial infarctions. In 10% of the cases, we have found a premature pericarditis diagnosed on the pericardic friction, electric and biologic signes. Some complications such as rythmical troubles, left ventricular dificiency, parietal anevrism are more frequent and increase the prognosis. In 1,2% of the cases, we find a post-infarction syndrom of Dressler, the prognosis of which is mild. The diagnosis is founded on the revival of the thoracic pain, the fever, the pericarditis and an inflammatory syndrom. The corticothérapy is efficient but seems to favour relapses.


[Idiopathic cyclic edema in Klinefelter syndrome (author's transl)].

After a minor abdominal traumatism, M. B., 53 years of age, presents a sudden and acute edematous syndrome. Cardiac, renal, hepatic, nutritional and thyroid etiologies ares rapidly eliminated. A cavography and lymphography reveal the integrity of the drainage pathways. The idiopatic cyclic edematous syndrome is therefore evoked by few clinical details (diurnal weight gain, diurnal oliguria...). Exploration of the renin - angiotensin - aldosterone system, the Landis test and the marked radioactive serum albumin test attest to the exaggeration of capillary permeability. Likewise, it was discovered in this patient, a Klinefelter syndrome which was, until now, unknown. This case poses interesting pathogenic problems since the idiopathic cyclic edematous syndrome is a predominantly feminine disease. Only a few cases were described in the masculine sex and, to our knowledge, this syndrome has never been associated with Klinefelter syndrome.


Operative approach to pancreatic carcinoma.

It is apparent that we are dealing with a very lethal disease. It is also apparent that this disease is increasing in frequency. In terms of treatment, it is clear that the survival figures between carcinoma of the pancreas and carcinoma of the common duct, papilla of Vater, or duodenum present great differences. The pancreatic tumors do very poorly by comparison. A comparison of the survival figures following a Whipple resection and following a bypass procedure reveal similar results, except when dealing with a very small pancreatic head lesion or when dealing with a malignancy of the papilla of Vater, lower end of common duct, or duodenum. The latter tumor types do better with a Whipple resection than a bypass. A comparison between total pancreatectomy and a Whipple resection for ductal carcinoma of the pancreatic head reveals better results in terms of length of survival following total pancreatectomy as long as one considers only Stage I or Stage II disease and excludes Stage III disease. A Whipple procedure is advocated for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater, common duct, or duodenum, because survival figures are quite good and many patients escape the need for insulin and pancreatic extract replacement. It is too early to evaluate the survival figures that follow regional pancreatectomy.


[A hospital problem: agitation in the elderly (author's transl)].

Tiapride was prescribed for 10 elderly patients with severe behavioural disorders : agitation, disturbed conduct, and agressiveness at the limits of dementia. The dosage was 300 mg orally per day in three divided doses, and treatment was maintained for 30 days. Excellent results were obtained in 8 cases, and 17 of these patients were able to resume normal activities outside the hospital. There was no effect in the other 2 patients. The product was very well-tolerated and in particular there were no sedative manifestations affecting sleep or altertness.


[Salmonella osteomyelitis (authors transl)].

A case of osteomyelitis due to Salmonella Dublin is reported by the authors who underline the features which distinguish this affection from typhous osteomyelitis, which is completely different.


Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands metastatic to the hand.

An unusual case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands of the nasal cavity metastasizing to the hand is presented. The problem of differentiating this lesion from the sweat gland tumor is described and the assistance of special stains is pointed out.


[Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and cystadenocarcinoma of the kidney. A report of one case (author's transl)].

The association between chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a solid tumor is well known. When the leukemia appears before the tumor a question may be asked : is the tumor a cancer or a localisation of the leukemia ? When the cancer is diagnosed before the leukemia, an other question may be asked : is it a true leukemia or is it a paraneoplasic leukemoid reaction ?


[Calcification and hernia of an intervertebral disc in a child (author's transl)].

Cervicobrachial neuralgia and torticolis in a 7 year old child were found to be due to calcification and hernia of an intervertebral disc. Similar cases reported in the published literature are reviewed.


Nephroblastoma and multilocular cyst simulating hydronephrosis. A case report.

An unusual variant of nephroblastoma occurring in association with a multilocular cyst of the kidney is described in a 4-year-old black child.


Surgical treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left main bronchus and trachea by left pneumonectomy, resection of 7.5 cm of trachea, and direct reanastomosis of right lung.

A 23-year-old woman, who had suffered recurrent acute bronchitis, dyspnoea, and stridor, was found to have a tracheal stenosis and complete left main bronchus obstruction. Biopsy of the tumour showed an adenoid cystic carcinoma. After pneumonectomy the trachea was closed through tumour tissue. Two weeks later a right thoracotomy showed that a tumour had invaded the trachea from the carina up to 6 cm and the right stem bronchus for 1 cm. Under extracorporeal circulation 7.5 cm of the trachea and right bronchus were resected. A direct tracheal anastomosis was easy to perform. Spontaneous respiration with efficient coughing returned after five days. Unfortunately, one month later, high fever caused by a lung abscess developed, which provoked a massive haemoptysis with fatal outcome.


[Effect of chronic Phenoclor DP6 ingestion of some liver enzymatic activities in rats (author's transl)].

Rats were fed diet containing 100 ppm (wet weight) of Phenoclor DP6 for 4 weeks. The influence of DP6 was studied by determining the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes namely : aniline hydroxylase, P-nitroanisole O-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, methylaniline N-demethylase. The cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 liver contents were measured. The activities of Na+ K+ and Mg++ATPases and of G6Phosphatase in the liver were also determined. In the liver of treated rats, the results show a large increased activity of microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome b5 and P450 contents and decreased ATPases and G6Pase specific activities. However total liver activities of ATPases and G6Pase were little modified by ingestion of Phenoclor DP6. The spectra given by cytochrome P450-DP6 binding was a typical type I.


Coxsackie B viruses and heart muscle disease in Nigerian adults.

In 44 Nigerians with heart muscle disease, the percentage of patients who had a fourfold rise or fall to at least one of the Coxsackie B viruses was greater than controls. Patients with heart muscle disease also had significantly higher levels of antibody titres. Antibodies to Coxsackie viruses B2, B3 and B6 were more frequent in their sera than in controls. While these results do not prove a Coxsackie B viral aetiology it is concluded that these viruses could be the cause of cardiac damage and heart failure in some Nigerians. It could also be one of the many adverse factors which produce repeated myocardial damage and thus weaken the heart to the point of failure.


[Relationship between Rous sarcoma virus production in golden hamster cells and the cell cycle].

The axon terminals of neurosecretory cells, containing elementary granules of neurosecretory materials, have been described on the basis of light and electron microscopy. No allochthonous neurosecretory elements were found in the sinus gland. The discharge of the granules from some terminals of the sinus gland occur with the changed salinity of the environment. There is a great difference in the structure of the sinus gland when salinity is changed. The structure of the sinus gland and its modification under experimental conditions indicate a possibility of neurohormonal regulation of the hydromineral balance.


Role of adrenergic nerves in blood-induced cerebral vasospasm.

Cerebral arteries have an abundant supply of adrenergic nerve fibers which are believed to release vasoactive substances responsible for the induction of cerebral vasospasm. To assess the importance of adrenergic nerves in this phenomenon, high doses (600 microgram/ml) of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) were used to produce in vitro chemical sympathectomy in bovine middle cerebral artery. 6-OHDA reduced catecholamine fluorescence to undectable limits. H3-norepinephrine re-uptake was reduced to 1.5% of intact controls. Arterial norepinephrine content was reduced by 92%. Contractile responses to norepinephrine, serotonin, and fresh human whole blood were modestly reduced after denervation. This reduction was probably due to alpha receptor inactivation by 6-OHDA, because after protection of the alpha receptors with phentolamine the vessel response was the same as in untreated controls. Contractions in response to aged human whole blood were not affected by denervation. The results suggest that the endogenous release of catecholamines does not play a major role in the initiation or spread of blood-induced vasospasm in large cerebral arteries.


Experiences with the measurement of inhibitory activity of urine and crystallisation inhibitors by different techniques.

The effect of urine, pyrophosphate (PPi), citrate and diphosphonate on the formation, the growth rate or the aggregation of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate crystals was measured by 4 different methods. The degree of supersaturation and the area of crystal surface present in the test systems were found to be limiting factors for the action of inhibitors. Citrate and PPi proved to be important urinary inhibitors of the growth of calcium oxalate crystals. Comparison between stone formers and healthy controls revealed a significant lack of PPi in urine of male patients. The inhibitory effect of PPi in urine of healthy people was enhanced by unknown factors. This enhancement could not be found in about 60% of the stone patients. Problems relating to measurement and clinical importance of inhibitors are discussed.


[Evaluation of unilateral renal function in urinary obstruction. A comparison of various radioisotope methods (author's transl)].

The catheter-free determination of the unilateral 131I-hippuran clearance correlates well with the unilateral clearance determination with 99mTc-DMSA in patients without obstruction. In patients with unilateral chronic obstruction the clearance of 131I-hippuran on the average is 13% higher than the clearance determined by the DMSA method. After successful correction of the obstruction the two values are identical. 123I-hippuran is foundin the renal pelvis already after 90 seconds in some cases of marked chronic obstruction. The functioning part of the involved kidney is therefore possibly overestimated whereas the DMSA uptake reflects the actual function. Both radioisotope methods should be applied preoperatively in order to evaluate the individual renal function. Functional scintigraphy in patients with obstruction should preferably be carried out with 123I-hippuran.


Cytology of canine cutaneous round cell tumors. Mast cell tumor, histiocytoma, lymphosarcoma and transmissible venereal tumor.

Sixty-four canine cutaneous round cell tumors were divided into 25 mast cell tumors, 15 histiocytomas, nine cutaneous lymphosarcomas and 15 transmissible venereal tumors. The final diagnosis was made from cytologic, clinical and histologic findings. Cytologic features were significantly distinctive in mast cell tumor, transmissible venereal tumor, and most cases of histiocytoma and lymphosarcoma to allow a diagnostic opinion. This opinion was supported by subsequent histologic examination. In some instances cytology was considered essential in rendering a diagnostic opinion even though histology was available.


[Purification of coronaviruses from contaminated cattle feces].

A scheme was worked out for the obtaining of purified Corona viruses from fecal extracts, which include: centrifugation in an discontinued gradient of sucrose 20--45 per cent, gel filtration through a Sephadex 4B column, and centrifugation in a linear gradient of sucrose 10--50 per cent. By means of such purification the virions remain morphologically intact in sucrose density of 1.11--1.14 gr/cm3, containing no ballast proteins. As many as five polypeptides are demonstrated in polyacrylamide electrophoresis.


[Participation of phosphopeptides in oxidative amino acid exchange in brain tissue].

Specific proteins and phosphopeptides of nervous tissue soluble in acidified organic solvents have been shown to have an active participation in the metabolism of ammonia. Nitrogen phosphopeptides (amides) bound to phosphate residues which are non stable in acids. It was shown that acid-labil nitrogen (amide group) of phosphopeptides, bound to phosphate risidue, participates in the metabolism of ammonia formed during the oxidative deamination of amino acids. The data obtained indicate that 3'--5'-AMP dependent proteinkinase participates in the phosphorilation of phosphopeptides.


[Possible role of neuropeptides in regulating nucleic acid biosynthesis in the brain].

It has been studied the role of intracysternal administration of neuropeptides--five analogous of 8-lysinvasopressin (LVP) [Des-9-Gly-cine-amide-LVP (DGLVP), Tri-Gly-LVP, deamino-LVP (1--beta-mercaptopropionic acid-LVP), Leu4-LVP, Asn1,6-LVP] and two cardiotrop hexapeptides (acetylated and non) separated from the hypothalamus in the regulation of various types of RNA (GC and AU types n-RNA, r-RNA, t-RNA) biosynthesis in the brain. Using the combined method of phenol extraction, differential ultracentrifugation, gel-filtration and ultraviolet spectroscory of various types of RNA has been shown the increase in the content of r-RNA and t-RNA under the influence of DGLVP, Leu4-LVP and cardiotrop hexapeptide. Deamino-LVP, Tri-Gly-LVP and acetylated hexapeptide stimulate the rise in the content of r-RNA and AU type n-RNA (precursor of m-RNA). Ans1,6-LVP shows a nonspecific influence on the biosynthesis of the brain RNA. It has been suggested a hypothesis about a participation of the neuropeptides in the regulation of various types of the brain RNA biosynthesis, as a primary messanger (starting signals) during the stimulation of the initiation of cycloadenylate- and cycloguanylate-sensitive transcription, via phosphorylation of diverse RNA-polymerases. It was given a scheme of interaction between the messanger conception of neuropeptides and cyclic-3', 5'-monophosphate nucleotide-dependent transcription by which the cycloadenylate-dependent transcription appears to play a great role in the r-RNA and t-RNA biosynthesis and the cycloguanylate-dependent transcription -- in the biosynthesis of m-RNA.


[Copper-containing brain proteins].

Three copper-containing proteins were obtained from bovine brain soluble fraction. Two of them were purified to electrophoretically homogenous states. Some physicochemical properties of these proteins were studied. From mitochondrial fraction of grey matter of bovine brain cytochrome oxidase was obtained, which was similar to that obtained from cardiac muscle.


[Chemistry and biology of hypothalamic cardioactive proteins and peptides].

The data presented concern the chemistry and biology of cardiotrop peptides and proteins isolated by us from the hypothalamus. The molecular mechanisms of the effect of neurohormone "C" (NC) as well as of a new cardiotrop hexapeptide from cattle hypothalamus are discussed. In in vitro studies on homogenates NC has been found to inhibit greatly not only 3'--5'-cyclo-AMP phosphodiesterase activity of brain and heart but also 3'--5'-cyclo-GMP phosphodiesterase activity. NC has been shown to be bound to specific proteins and to the regulatory unit of cyclo-AMP-dependent histone kinase of brain. It seems to compete with cyclo-AMP for the same proteins and is considered to be a regulator of intracellular cyclic nucleotides. NC has been shown to be combined to specific proteins in brain with non covalent bonds. A new cardiotrop hexapeptide has been shown to be present in bovine hypothalamus and its chemical structure has been found to be Tyr-Leu-Gly-Arg-Pro-Gly-amide. The acetylated form of this hexapeptide, which may be also present in brain, is much more active. The radioimmunochemical experiments carried out with antiserum 744 (from prof. Schally) by us have confirmed the existence of this hexapeptide and other fragments of LH-RH in the bovine hypothalamus. The effect of this hexapeptide on cardiac function and metabolism has been compared with a number of polypeptides (luliberin fragments). The hexapeptide has been shown to have not only cardiotropic but also a hypoglycaemic effect. It enhances the secretion of insulin and counteracts the inhibitory action of somatostatin on the insular apparatus. The hexapeptide produces significant changes in the activities of phosphorylase a and b as well as in that of phosphoprotein phosphatases. It reduces the amount of kinines in blood. Certain fractions of substance P, have been shown to have cardiotrop actitivty--they increase the rate of blood leaving the heart. The organotrop effects of a number of peptide neurohormones are discussed in connection with the hexapeptide. The results obtained have shown that the mechanisms underlying the effects of the cardioactive substances found by us are quite different. The data presented show that in brain a number of chemical factors (mainly peptides) are formed, which are involved in the regulation of heart function.


[Properties and isoenzyme contents of glucose-6-phosphatase of normal and tumor cell microsomes].

Studies on the properties and isoenzymic content of glucose-6-phosphatase (E. C. 3.1.3.9.) of normal and tumor cells microsomes allowed the following conclusion to be made: the localization of the enzyme in the membranes of endoplasmatic reticulum of both types of cells is identical. The tumor microsomes are characterized (irrespective of the blastomogenic factor inducing them) by a decreased activity of the enzyme at pH 6.75, a relatively increased activity of the latter at pH 7.5. Solubilization of the enzyme was performed by a new technic i. e. the acetone treatment of microsomes. Rechromatography of most active fractions on Sephadex G-200 has revealed less number of the enzyme isoforms of tumor cell microsomes.


[Concentration of the poliomyelitis virus from water on FP-brand material].

A method of filtration through FP cloth (Petryanov's cloth) has been suggested for concentration of small virus quantities from large volumes of water. The effectiveness of virus removal from water of different degrees of contamination at virus concentrations of 0.05--0.1--0.5--2.5--12.5 PFU/ml was studied. About 88--100% of the initial virus content was removed from sewage, 80--90% from river water, 10--90% from tap water. When the effect of the eluting solutions for the removal of the virus retained on the filter was compared, 1 M NaCl solution in glycocol buffer, pH 11.5, was found to be the most effective. The procedure is characterized by a high rate of filtration, low labour consumption, and simple equipment for filtration.


[Initial stages of the interaction of murine interferon with L929 cells].

After contact with mouse culture interferon in the cold, the resistance to viruses in L cells develops only after the cells are placed into a thermostate at 37 degrees C. The use of colcemide destroying microtubules prevents the development of this resistance at an early (actinomycin-sensitive) stage of interferon-cell interaction. In the actinomycin-resistant stage, however, colcemide practically exerts no influence on the interferon-induced resistance to viruses.


[Interferon-producing activity of bone marrow cells treated with mRNA for interferon when transplanted to irradiated mice].

Inoculation into irradiated (800--850 r) mice of syngeneic bone marrow cells treated with mRNA for interferon (mRNA-If) obtained from chick cells induced with UV-irradiated Newcastle disease virus was accompanied by the appearance in the blood of the animals of a substance with the properties of interferon, inhibiting the cytopathic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus in chick embryo cells but not in mouse L cells. Chicken interferon was detected in the blood of the experimental animals for 7--10 days after transplantation of mRNA-If-treated cells.


[Benign multilocular cystic nephroma versus cystic nephroblastoma. A review and classification of cystic metanephric neoplasms (author's transl)].

A review of reported cases of cystic metanephric tumors is given. It is shown that among these neoplasms two distinct pathologic entities exist: the cystic nephroblastoma and the benign multilocular cystic nephroma. The former, a benign variant of Wilms' tumor, is found in children of younger age. Its possible precursor is the infantile form of nephroblastomatosis. The second neoplasm, a clinically and biologically benign tumor, occurs in older children and in half of the cases it is also encountered in adults. It derives from metanephric hamartomas which have their origin in the huvenile form of nephroblastomatosis.


[Passive protection tests in the mouse with pertussis immunoglobulin (author's transl)].

A reproducible method for potency-testing of pertussis-sera and - immunoglobulines in a neutralisation test in the mouse is described. The tests were done on two human immunoglobulines, one crude immune serum from the rabbit, and two purified resp. concentrated rabbit immune sera, one of which - the US-Standard for Pertussis Sera - was used as the standard preparation for the potency evaluation. There is no correlation between the results of the neutralisation test and the agglutination titer among the different preparations. That means, the agglutination titer is not suitable for comparing the potency of pertussis sera resp. - immunoglobulines. It seems necessary to establish a uniforme method as well as a standard preparation for potency testing of pertussis sera and - immunoglobulines on the basis of the neutralisation test in the mouse - at least on the European level.


[Microbial emission, immission and changes in the germ count in the cooling water during operation of wet cooling towers ii. communication: measuring methods, emission values and changes in the germ count in the cooling system (author's transl)].

The second in the series "Microbial emission, immission and changes in the germ count in the cooling water of wet cooling towers" describes measuring methods and results of the measurements for determining the emission values and the changes in the germ count in the cooling system. The content of colony-forming units (KBE) in the cooling water varied widely, depending on the germ content of the surface water and the preparation of the cooling water (filtration, chemical conditioning). In summer the KBE values were as a rule higher than the values recorded in winter (factor of about 10). The introduction of cooling tower water into the surface water thus did not result in any noticeable changes in germ content, either in summer or in winter. An emission rate of 8.3 10(7) KBE/s (CSA) measured at the top of the cooling tower was the maximum emission value recorded. This resulted in a total germ content in the plume of 1.2 . 10(4) KBE/m3. In order to place this finding into perspective, it should be noted that fluctuations in the KBE values of the air of considerably more than 1000 KBE/m3 can occur because of biological release and meteorological conditions alone (see IVth communication). The KBE-P values recorded (content of particles with units which are capable of forming colonies) in the plume were of the same order as the KBE values. From this it can be concluded that the drops of cooling water which are swept away with the plume are normally only charged with individual colony-forming units. It is worth noting that the KBE values of the plume are only indirectly dependent on the KBE values of the cooling water used in the cooling tower.


[Development of a cellular immune response in a highly cancer-susceptible C3H/He strain of mice and its nonfactor substrain C3H/f after the transplantation of a syngeneic mammary gland tumor].

Syngeneic mammary gland tumor (MMT-1) grew slower in non-factor C3H/f (MTV-L) mice than in wirus-positive C3H/He (MTV-S) mice. The immunization of mice with tumor (MMT-1), inoculated and later excised, revealed a higher immune reactivity in the mice of the non-factor substrain. In studying the dynamics of the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes in regional lymph nodes cytotoxically active lymphocytes were found to appear in C3H/f mice on day 6 after the inoculation of tumor (MMT-1), while the areactive state of lymphocytes was observed in C3H/He mice on days 3 and 24 and in C3H/f mice on day 24 after the inoculation of tumor (MMT-1). Spleen lymphocytes in C3H/f mice had no cytotoxic effect on tumor cells.


The distribution of degenerative changes in INH neuropathy. Further evidence for focal axonal lesions.

Rats were given isoniazid either in a single large dose or continuously in drinking water and killed 5--105 days later. The distribution of degenerating fibres in various nerves (sensory and mixed) and in various sites along nerves and spinal roots was studied by light and electron microscopy. It was found that sensory nerves tended to be less affected than motor, and degeneration was more proximal in the latter. It was concluded that the pattern of degeneration and regeneration supported the view that the initial metabolic lesion is in the axon, rather than in the cell body.


Neuronal degeneration in the brain of the brindled mouse. I. Chromological studies on the long-surviving group.

Brindled mutant mouse (MObr) is clinically closely similar to kinky hair syndrome (KHS) in humans. Hemizygous males (MObr/Y) of this mutant usually cannot survive beyond the 15th -- 16th postnatal day. However, some were found to survive into the adult life. Extensive neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex was a prominent neuropathological feature of MObr/Y (Yajima and Suzuki, 1979a). In the long surviving one, however, such neuronal degeneration gradually disappeared and cortical neuronal loss and axonal degeneration of the underlying white matter were the predominant neuropathological features. which are closely similar to those of KHS, in particular in those patients who survive for more than 1 year. On the basis of our observations on the brain of MObr/Y mice, we hypothesized the possible chronological events on the development of neuropathological lesions in KHS in humans.


Neuronal degeneration in the brain of the brindled mouse. II. Ultrastructure of neuronal inclusions in the cerebral cortex.

Two types of intra-cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in many cortical neurons of hemizygous brindled mutant mice (MObr/Y) which survived for more than 1 month. One type is an electron-lucent vacuole containing numerous vesicles and membrane fragments, some arranged concentrically, and the other consisted of electron-dense matrix with myelin figures. These inclusions were, as a rule, found near the axonal hillock where abnormally enlarged mitochondria were often present. In view of the presence of many features suggestive of autophagic vacuoles and absence of such inclusions in the oldest mice (91 days old), we hypothesize that these inclusions probably represent a focal repairing process of neurons from the sublethal injury.


Morphological observations in the nervous system of prenatal mucopolysaccharidosis II (M. Hunter).

Light and electron microscopic finding in the nervous system of a 23-week-old fetus are reported, in which MPS II was diagnosed prenatally. The degrees of myelination and neuronal differentiation were similar as in a normal fetus of the same age. A storage of mucopolysaccharides in typical vacuolar inclusion bodies was present throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, mainly in cells of mesenchymal origin. "Zebra" bodies and granulo-membranous bodies, which are thought to represent secondard ganglioside accumulation were only found in the well developed neurons of the spinal cord and spinal ganglia, but not in the poorly developed neurons of the cerebellar and cerebral cortex. Mucopolysaccharide storage in endothelial cells of cerebral bood vessels precedes the appearance of lipid storgae in cerebral neurons.


Adrenergic and novel non-adrenergic neuronal mechanisms in the control of smooth muscle activity in the human oviduct.

The isthmic portion of human Fallopian tubes was excised during surgery and the ampullary-isthmic junction was identified. The external, longitudinal and the inner, circular muscle layers of this structure were then mechanically separated. The contractile activity of thin strips from these layers was studied isometrically in organ bath experiments. Administration of various adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists revealed that the responses of the longitudinal smooth muscle are primarily mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors while there is a marked dominance of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated effects in the circular layer. Transmural nerve stimulation to those caused by exogenous noradrenaline, although nerve-mediated inhibition of circular muscle activity was not abolished entirely by propranolol, atropine or guanethidine, but by tetradotoxine, indicating the existence of a hitherto unknown non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic, inhibitory neurogenic mechanism. The results support the concept of a specific sphincter-like function controlling ovum transport at the human oviductal isthmus, and that this sphincter may be controlled by both adrenergic nerves and nerves liberating an unidentified transmitter substance.


Release of 3H-nucleosides from 3H-adenine labelled hypothalamic synaptosomes.

[3H]adenine was taken up by a crude hypothalamic synaptosomal fraction and incorporated into mainly nucleotides. The synaptosomes were superfused and after the initial washout a steady fractional release rate of 0.5-1% of the content/min was found. Electrical pulses (2 ms, 50 Hz, 10-20 mA, 4 min) and veratridine (10 microM, 4 min) induced a Ca++-dependent increase in purine release rate. K+ (30 mM, 4 min) caused a largely Ca++-independent increase. Most of the released material co-chromatographed with adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine, while little or no nucleotide material was detected. Release of endogenous adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. However, following hypo-osmotic shock most of the released material was in nucleotides. The removal of glucose from the medium increased the fractional release rate 2-3 fold. Histamine, acetylcholine and glutamate were without effect. High amounts of noradrenaline caused an EGTA-inhibited release of purines, which was un-affected by propranolol or phentolamine. It is suggested that purines are released from neuronal structures and that the release reflects increased energy consumption and/or decreased energy production.


Central effects of octopamine administered into the lateral ventricle of rats. Acta physiol. pol., 1979, 30 (4): 445--453. Octopamine (100, 250 and 500 micrograms/rat i.v.c.) exerted a stimulating effect on the central nervous system in rats, which was evidenced by increased spontaneous and basal motor activity, increased exploratory activity in the free-field test, and also increased motor activity in reserpinised rats pretreated with alpha-MT or nialamide. Octopamine decreased the body temperature and prolonged the duration of hexobarbital-induced sleep, and increased amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. Locomotor agitation after octopamine injection was inhibited by phenoxybenzamine and yohimbine in a dose of 10 mg/kg i.p.


Dynamics of beta adrenoceptor induced amylase release and cyclic AMP accumulation in the guinea pig submandibular gland.

The dynamics of amylase release from the guinea pig submandibular gland were studied in vitro by applying a multi-channel microperfusion set. This technique makes it possible to measure time related enzyme release more accurately and to take samples of perifused tissue at short intervals. Stimulation of the beta-adrenoceptor with norepinephrine gives rise to a rapid initial enzyme discharge, detectable within 15 s. Administration of propranolol inhibits enzyme release, which is not restored after removal of the agent. Simultaneous measurements of tissue cyclic AMP during norepinephrine stimulation at various time intervals display a significant increase of cAMP as early as 15 s after stimulation of secretion. This increase of cAMP thus coincides with the discharge of amylase. In addition, cAMP continuously accumulates during 30 min of norepinephrine perifusion of the slices. The present study describes a valuable tool with high sensitivity for visualizing the relations between enzyme secretion from the salivary gland and the intracellular biochemical processes. The data obtained further indicate a close correlation between amylase and cAMP during the initial phase of enzyme discharge.


The gliovascular interphase in irradiated brain tissue. Electron microscopic investigations on location of specific phosphatases.

In the brains of rats exposed to a dose of 800 rads of gammma radiation the location of phosphatases hydrolysing the following phosphate esters: adenosinetriphosphate (ATP), cytidinetriphosphate (CTP), guanosinetriphosphate (GTP) and inosinediphosphate (IDP) was determined in the ultramicroscopic structures. Changes were observed in their location in the gliovascular interphase. Early after the exposure (6 hours) the activity of specific phosphatases decreased in brain capillaries, then (48 hours) the reaction product disappeared from the basal membrane of the capillaries and appeared in the endothelium. Later (72 hours -- 7 days) the intensity of the reaction increased in the processes of the astrocytes adhering to the capillary. These changes took place concomitantly with an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and suggested that specific phosphatases participate in the barrier mechanisms.


Abdominal CT in the evaluation of small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Upper abdominal CT scans were performed on 45 consecutive patients with biopsy proven but previously untreated small cell carcinoma of the lung. Evidence of metastases was found in 16 (36%) patients. The most common site of metastases was the liver (27%). CT had a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 94% as compared with biopsy results. Evidence of retroperitoneal metastases was found in seven (16%) patients.


Expression of monocytic--histiocytic cytochemical markers in epithelial neoplasia.

The diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis is usually based upon typical light microscopic features of the neoplasm. Supplementary cytochemical and immunologic features have been suggested as typical of malignant histiocytosis. The present study was prompted by an unusual erythropagocytic hepatocellular carcinoma having immunologic and cytochemical markers suggesting mononuclear phagocytic origin. Twenty-four neoplasms of unquestionable epithelial origin were prospectively evaluated for activity of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, a cytochemical marker useful in distinguishing between the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and malignant histiocytosis. The epithelial tumors represented a broad spectrum of tissue origins and consistently demonstrated alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity. Thus, erythrophagocytosis and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positivity may be misleading in the unusual instance in which the histopathologic differential diagnosis includes malignant histiocytosis and epithelial neoplasia. Ultrastructural assessment is useful in the exclusion of poorly differentiated carcinoma.


Persistent falsely positive rapid tests for infectious mononucleosis. Report of five cases with four--six-year follow-up data.

In many laboratories, rapid slide tests incorporating differential absorption have replaced heterophil antibody tube tests in the investigation of suspect infectious mononucleosis. The present report describes serologic data from five individuals whose Monospot tests remained falsely positive for four years or more without other evidence of infectious mononucleosis or underlying disease states. Three of the five had never been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. All five had negative results when studied with the ox cell hemolysin and the horse cell differential absorption tube tests. False-positive test results have also been encountered in healthy controls, as frequently as in patients with underlying disease states. The authors are unable to attach any clinical significance to the findings of an isolated falsely positive Monospot test even when it persists for many months or years.


The effect of tocopherol on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A clinical observation.

A significant redistribution of cholesterol in lipoproteins following ingestion of large doses of D,L-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) is documented. In persons with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol a complex response occurs, which includes cholesterol redistribution in favor of the HDL fraction, with decreases in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels and total triglycerides. The response was studied in five persons with average cholestrol distributions and five persons with cholesterol distributions associated with high risk of coronary heart disease. The mean elevation of the HDL cholesterol concentration in the former group was 168% of the initial value, while the latter group experienced post-therapy levels 375% of initial levels.


Pulmonary silicatosis. A case diagnosed by needle-aspiration biopsy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.

The diagnosis of silicatosis was made by observing birefringent crystals in needle-aspiration biopsy specimens of bilateral basilar pulmonary masses in a clay worker, initially suspected of having metastatic neoplasm. Subsequently the crystals were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, which gave supportive evidence for their silicate composition. This experience indicates that needle-aspiration biopsy in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis may be used in the diagnosis of benign pulmonary diseases, especially those of the inhalational fibrogenic variety.


Extrarenal Wilms' tumor.

Extrarenal Wilms' tumor is a rare entity usually seen as a mass in the retroperitoneal area. It may surround and distort otherwise normal kidneys and ureters. Like many other abdominal masses, its true nature remains uncertain until microscopic examination has been performed after surgery. The tumors appear to behave clinically like intrarenal Wilms' tumors, though in the cases reviewed there was a relatively higher incidence in older patients. The prognosis of extrarenal Wilms' tumor is difficult to evaluate due to the small numbers of cases reported and the differing tumor therapy used. However, those cases treated most recently appear to have a good response to therapy.


Fabry's disease in a black kindred.

In a 16-member black kindred with Fabry's disease, four hemizygous males had plasma alpha-galactosidase levels less than 6% and seven heterozygous females had plasma alpha-galactosidase levels between 10% and 50% of normal. A 16-year-old index male had hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal renal function, tortuous retinal veins, "myelin" inclusions in bone marrow macrophages, and intraepithelial inclusion bodies in the kidney. Scrotal angiectasia developed a year after diagnosis. The three other affected males had left ventricular hypertrophy and retinal vein tortuosity. Of the seven carrier females, five had frequent headaches, four had retinal vessel changes, three had proteinuria with normal renal function, and two had bundle-branch blocks on ECGs. There was no deuteranomalopia in this family, although the inheritance pattern of the Fabry gene is X-linked recessive.


Amebic liver abscess. Report of a case presenting with nonreactive serologic tests for Entamoeba histolytica.

We present a patient with an acute amebic liver abscess with nonreactive serologic tests. Motile hematophagous trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were seen microscopically in scrapings from the wall of the abscess. Postoperative serologies revealed rapidly rising then falling titers by SAFA and IHA antibody assays. Serologic tests for amebiasis may be reative in greater than 95% of patients with invasive amebiasis. Nevertheless, a reactive serologic test should not be relied upon exclusively to establish the diagnosis. Sequential serologic testing and surgical intervention to obtain material for microscopic examination, gram stain and bacteriologic culture are warranted in patients with hepatic abscess and nonreactive serologic tests for antibodies to E. histolytica.