[Primary intestinal lymphangiectasis or Waldmann's disease (author's transl)].

The authors report the observation of a primary intestinal lymphangiectasy diagnosed on a young girl sent for isolated edema of her inferior members, recently appeared. Clinical examination was normal. Biology found a low protein rate at 33 g/l and a low lymph rate : 183 L/mm3. Hepatic and renal records were normal. Test to marked albumin asserted the exsudative enteropathy with a fecal radio-activity of 3.6% (N 1%). Biopsy of the small intestines set out lymphangiectasies of the intestinal mucosa. Referring to this observation and to literature date, the authors realise a clinical and physiopathological analysis of Waldmann's disease or primary intestinal lymphangiectasy.


[Effect and tolerance of Phanurane in the treatment of essential hypertension. (Double blind study) (author's transl)].

A double-blind study of Phanurane and placebo was conducted on 61 patients with mild essential hypertension. Each patient received 2 gelules daily (2 X 50 mg of canrenone) during a 2 month period. Statistical analysis has shown that patients on Phanurane experienced a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with patients on placebo. Clinical tolerance of canrenone was excellent. Uric acid and triglyceride levels remained normal.


[Therapeutic study of Daktacort in dermatological disorders (author's transl)].

The activity of Daktacort was studied in various types of mycotis skin ailments. A total of 40 cases were treated and results were very good in 34 cases and insufficient or nil in 6 cases. Tolerance was excellent.


[Decabromobiphenyl : toxicological study (author's transl)].

The paper presents results of experimental studies on a polybrominated flame retardant. Decabromobiphenyl was found not to be irritant to the rabbit skin or eye. The oral and dermal LD 50' in the rat are greater than 5 g/kg. In a 90 days feeding trial in rats no toxic effect were demonstrated at the levels of 100 and 500 ppm. However, hepatic change occured with diet containing 2.000 ppm. In a 4 weeks dust inhalation study, the no effect level was between 0.005 and 0.05 mg/l of air. The higher concentrations induced hepatic changes. Decabromobiphenyl was not teratogenic or embryotoxic to the rat at 10, 100 and 1.000 mg/kg per os. There was no evidence to indicate that the compound has mutagenic potential. Comparing the toxicological profile of decabromobiphenyl with other polybrominated biphenyl flame retardants would indicate that the toxicity decreases when the number of bromine atoms is increased.


Influence of chronic Cd intoxication on the alkaline phosphatase activity of liver and kidney; biochemical, histochemical and histological investigations.

To distinguish between: (a) the decrease of activity of alkaline phosphatase due to inhibition by cadmium; and (b) the decline of enzyme activity due to cell destruction, 20 adult female Wistar rats were treated 3 times/week with 0.5 mg/kg CdCl2 (by subcutaneous injection) during 28 weeks. Controls received the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution. The animals were killed at different intervals. The liver and kidneys were investigated with biochemical, histochemical, light and electron microscopical techniques. The liver homogenates show an increase of alkaline phosphatase activity after about 12-13 weeks, whereas the activity of this enzyme in the kidney decreases. This activity could not be restored by the administration of Zn ions to the medium of the enzyme assay. However, in previous in vitro experiments the Cd inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity could be totally restored by such a Zn administration. By histochemical assay of alkaline phosphatase in the renal cortex a decrease of enzyme activity was demonstrated. By evaluation of the results obtained with light and electron microscopy, in combination with the biochemical results, the decrease of alkaline phosphatase activity in the kidney should  be considered as a real decrease in the amount of this enzyme due to cell degeneration.


High pressure neurological syndrome: antagonistic effects of helium pressure and inhalation anesthetics on the dopamine-sensitive cyclic AMP response.

The antagonistic effects of helium pressure and certain inhalation anesthetics on the dopamine-sensitive cAMP response in the caudate nucleus of rat brain were examined. Helium pressure suppressed basal, dopamine-stimulated, and anesthetic-stimulated cAMP levels. These data indicate that by reversing the effects of pressure on dopaminergic transmission in the brain, inhalation ahesthetics may account for the improvement of some clinical symptoms of high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS).


[Trial of a hyperimmune serum against para-influenza 3, bovine adenovirus 1, infectious rhinotracheitis and mucosal disease].

A four-valent serum was obtained by parallel hyperimmunization of cattle with live viral suspensions of parainfluenza-3, bovine adenovirus I, the virus of infectious rhinotracheitis and the mucous disease virus. The serum's neutralizing titres are between 1:1280 and 1:2560. The lasting exploitation of serum producing cattle indicates that no competition exists between the four antigens used in the process of hyperimmunization. Experimental testing of the serum on calves and its application in practical work proved its prophylactic and medicative effect. These results confirm the thesis that the use of passive immunoprophylaxis is needed in respiratory diseases of calves under conditions existing in intensive cattle-breeding.


The experimental production of pneumonia in calves by intranasal inoculation of parainfluenza type III virus.

Thirteen colostrum deprived calves were inoculated with a low passage field strain of parainfluenza type III (PI 3) virus. Virus was administered by the intranasal route and the calves were experimentally infected twice daily for four consecutive days. Clinical signs of respiratory disease were noted and pneumonia was present in 12 animals at necropsy. PI 3 virus was isolated from the lung lesions and no other respiratory pathogens could be demonstrated. The pneumonic lesions grossly, histologically and in their distribution resembled those encountered in naturally occurring outbreaks of indoor calf pneumonia.


A histoenzymological study of the saccus vasculosus of the freshwater teleost, Clarias batrachus (L.).

The saccus vasculosus (SV) of C. batrachus is comparatively small and situated latero-dorsal to the pituitary in between the lobi inferiores. It is in open communication with the third ventricle and is made up of coronet and supporting glial cells with interspersed liquor contacting neurons. These cellular constituents are arranged in one to three layers which are not thrown into folds. The PAS positive nature of the apical part of some coronet cells and their continuation with the PAS and AF positive material present in the lumen strongly suggest their secretory role. The coronet cells exhibited strong NADH diaphorase, NADPH diaphorase, cytochrome oxidase and MAO activity. AChE activity was comparatively weak. These enzyme histochemical studies show that SV has a dual function of transport and secretion. The strong MAO activity suggests the probable aminergic control of this organ.


[Significance of hydrocyanic acid formation during fires].

Cyanide concentrations of blood samples from fire victims autopsied in the Institute of Legal Medicine, Munich, have been determined. In 25% of 48 analyzed cases cyanide concentrations from 0.52 microgram to 6.24 microgram Cyanide/ml blood have been detected. These results are compared to former studies and the higher mean level in our collective is emphasized. The importance of hydrocyanid acid in the toxicity of fire gases is evidently greater, than assumed. Hydrocyanic acid may be produced from nitrogen continaing polymers during combustion. The quote of these polymers in clothing, furniture, and also in equipment of cars is increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to take more notice of the formation of hydrocyanic acid during combustion, even though carbon monoxide is in general the main toxic agent in fire gases.


[Morphology of the adult human hyoid bone].

Investigations on 504 human hyoid bones show that there exist three main types, whose occurrence is, to a certain degree, sex-related. The junction between the body and the larger horns of the hyoid often is not ossified even in advanced age. Any determination of age on the basis of the extent of the corpus-cornu maius-ossification is most unreliable.


[Summarized extracellular postsynaptic potential of a single axon, an EEG quantum in the rabbit neocortex].

The possibility to record an EEG quantum following negative spikes with small amplitude was studied in the rabbit's neocortex. In about half of the averagings of the focal post-spike ECoGs recorded with a low-resistance microelectrode the spike was followed by a microsignal of synaptic form. The small amplitude and the negative sign of the spike's main phase pointed to a true extracellular leading off of biopotentials. A relatively small ratio between the amplitudes of the spikes and the post-spike signals shows that the latter are not afterpotentials of the spikes. They do not reflect discrete PSPs of single synapses, because they were recorded with relatively thick microelectrodes. The latency of the post-spike signals corresponded to their monosynaptic nature. Hence, the recorded signals are the EEG quanta. Their recording is a relatively simple procedure.


[Degree of homogeneity of the forms of statistical relationship between the EEG and spike currents of neurons].

The correlation between the spike activity and the waves of surface ECoG was studied in the visual and motor cortex of alert non-immobilized rabbits. A comparison was made between the forms of the obtained correlation functions for the cells with different horizontal and vertical distances between them. The analysis revealed the similarity of such functions in neurones of V-VI cortical layers, situated vertically under each other along the microelectrode track. Similar in form statistic connections between the ECoG and the background spike activity were also found, beginning with the depth of 1.000 mc, in the neurones situated at the same horizontal cortical level; however, with the increased distance between the cells the degree of similarity of these connections decreases in a non-linear way. On the basis of the obtained data a conclusion is made that the tangential sizes of the background functional ensembles of the cortical neurones are within the range of 140-300 mc.


Synaptic function in the nervous system: a theory and its application.

The objective of this paper is to present a new theory of synaptic function in the nervous system. The basis for this theory is the experimental demonstration that a nerve impulse assumes five different forms as it advances through the synaptic region, and that five basic mathematical operations have been identified as being involved in the transformation of one form into another form. As a result of these data, the synaptic region is regarded as a functional unit where information coming to it is unpacked, processed, stored, and retrieved for transit to another synaptic region or effector site. The data also suggests that a nerve impulse is a bolus of energy, therefore, without substance; that it contains information coded in its shape or form; that it is precisely described mathematically. Furthermore, the data suggests synaptic regions process these nerve impulses by applying mathematical operations to them; that function in the synaptic region is highly stereotyped (programmed); that chemical substances are associated with the mathematical operations. The basic approach of this theory is to regard a significant portion of the nervous system as an 'interface' between the external universe and man himself. As an interface, the nervous system receives and processes information from both the external universe and man himself in a programmed manner. The interface functions by converting the information it receives into a bolus of energy, the nerve impulse, then processes the bolus by converting it into numbers or functions and applying mathematical operation to it.


[Suitability and recovery of capillary blood plasma for lipid determinations].

Plasma lipid analysis, particularly in population screening, can be facilitated by the use of capillary blood. A system for serial collection of capillary plasma is described. The concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in heparinized capillary plasma and venous blood, respectively, are compared. No significant differences were found. Using the KAPA-method hemolytic samples are a source of error. They occurred with a frequency of about 3% in mass screening.


[Action mechanism of vascular spasmolytics. 5. Drug-related relaxation and adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate content of isolated coronary arteries under conditions of fluoride-induced contracture].

Tetracaine and SKF 525-A as well as stimulators of adenylate cyclase and inhibitors of the nucleoside-3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase have spasmolytic effects. At the fluoride-iuduced contracture -- a form of contracture independent of extracellular calcium -- tetracaine and SKF 525-A effect an additional increase in muscular tension. Their relaxing effect evidently presupposes a functioning calcium exchange. Drugs acting on the cAMP system have invariably spasmolytic effects at this contracture model, although they produced no change of the cAMP content under these conditions. An increase in total cAMP content is not obviously a necessary condition for the occurrence of drug-induced relaxation.


Meningeal carcinomatosis from small cell carcinoma of the lung. Consequence of improved survival.

The cells of oat cell carcinoma of the lung can be identified in sputum because of their characteristic morphologic appearance. The cells from oat cell carcinomas can also be identified in other body fluids but are seen there less often. Spinal fluid involvement with oat cell carcinoma has been seen very infrequently, presumably because of a poor survival rate. Aggressive systemic chemotherapy has improved survival, and meningeal involvement is now being recognized as a complication. Of 62 patients treated by aggressive chemotherapy protocols, six (10%) were found to have leptomeningeal involvement by cytologic evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Involvement was found 6 to 13 months after the initiation of therapy. Two of the six patients had no evidence of CNS metastases by CAT brain scan. Necropsy was performed in three of the six cases and showed excellent histologic correlation with the cytologic findings. Because of most therapeutic drugs' poor penetration into the CSF, and because the spinal cord is not routinely irradiated, cytologic examination of the CSF from patients with oat cell carcinoma is necessary when there are new neurologic signs or symptoms to ensure proper, specific therapy.


Cytologic, histologic and electron microscopic correlations in poorly differentiated primary lung carcinoma. A study of 43 cases.

For 43 poorly differentiated lung carcinomas we compared cytopathologic diagnoses made on specimens obtained prior to biopsy with histologic and electron microscopic diagnoses. Tissues were obtained by transbronchial biopsy, mediastinoscopy o pulmonary resection. Cytologies, tissues and electron micrographs were reviewed independently and blindly by five pathologists and one cytotechnologist. The cytologic, histologic and electron microscopic diagnoses agreed in 27 cases (62.7%), including adenocarcinoma (12), squamous carcinoma (five), oat cell carcinoma (six), mesothelioma (two) and adenosquamous carcinoma (two). In 14 cases the cytopathologic diagnoses had more accurately reflected the cell type ultimately diagnosed by electron microscopy than had the histologic diagnoses. Of ten poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, eight had been interpreted as large-cell undifferentiated carcinomas, one as squamous carcinoma and one as poorly differentiated carcinoma histologically. Four poorly differentiated squamous carcinomas had been histologically diagnosed as giant cell, oat cell, undifferentiated carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In these cases the previous cytologic diagnoses had been in agreement with the ultimate electron microscopic interpretation. The accuracy of cytodiagnoses may exceed that of histologic diagnoses in poorly differentiated lung cancer.


Pharmacology of psoriasis.

Although psoriasis is a genetically transferred disease, little is known of the factors causing spontaneous eruption of a proliferative lesion in apparently normal epidermis. Cell kinetic studies indicate an increased epidermal turnover in clinically normal and involved skin, but the pharmacological events regulating epidermopoiesis remain elusive. Possible candidates for the defect in psoriasis are the cyclic nucleotides with their associated enzyme systems. The cyclic AMP: cyclic GMP ratio appears to be reduced in lesional skin. Further phosphodiesterase inhibitors are reported to improve psoriasis. Since prostaglandins stimulate epidermal cyclic AMP in vitro they have been investigated, but with conflicting results. However, the prostaglandins' precursor, arachidonic acid, appears to be elevated in the psoriatic lesion. Epidermal levels of cyclic AMP are also elevated by histamine via H2 receptors and the possibility that histamine exerts a regulatory role needs to be investigated. In conclusion, the pharmacology of psoriasis is complex. Not only do we need to know which pharmacological agents are present in abnormal amounts but more importantly we need to know more about their interactions with one another and with their specific epidermal 'receptors'.


Thyrotrophin-responsive adenylate cyclase activity in thyroid toxic adenoma.

The adenylate cyclase system was studied in hyperfunctioning autonomous nodules in comparison with normal thyroid tissue. The basal, TSH- and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were tested in purified plasma membrane preparations. Basal enzyme activity in membranes from hyperfunctioning nodules was variable and the response to TSH was either normal, low or absent. The present study demonstrates that an intact adenylate cyclase activity, hyporesponsive to TSH, may exist in the cell membrane of the adenoma.


Needle cytology of the breast. A quantitative and qualitative study of the cells of benign and malignant ductal neoplasia.

Twenty-seven ductal breast lesions, including cases of intraductal hyperplasia, intraductal carcinoma and infiltrating carcinoma, were studied cytologically by means of the Nordenstrom screw technique. Qualitative and quantitative cellular features were evaluated and correlated with histologic findings in sections taken from the region of needle tracts. This analysis indicated that a marked variation in nuclear size, the presence of macronucleoli, chromatin clumping, marked nuclear overlap and cellular disarray were indicators of malignancy. The last two features were the most specific and sensitive indicators of malignancy whereas the others were specific but only mildly sensitive. Some prediction of the degree of hyperplasia was possible with these morphologic criteria. Infiltrating carcinoma could not be distinguished cytologically from intraductal carcinoma.


Responses of aldosterone-producing adenomas to ACTH and angiotensins.

To elucidate the control mechanism of aldosterone production in primary aldosteronism, in vivo and in vitro studies were done in 7 patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas. In the in vivo study, plasma aldosterone was stimulated more significantly by (Formula: see text), synthetic ACTH than by angiotensin II or furosemide. Diurnal variations of plasma aldosterone, which were studied in 4 patients, were similar to those seen in normal controls. In agreement with the results in the in vivo study, the in vitro study also revealed ACTH stimulated aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) from the adenoma more markedly than angiotensin II or III. There was no adenoma which was more sensitivie to angiotenion II or III than to ACTH. From these results it is considered that changes in plasma aldosterone induced by the exogenous administration of angiotensin II or ACTH in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma are mainly based on changes in aldosterone production in the adenoma. Furthermore, in patients with an aldosterone-producing adenoma in whom diurnal variations of plasma aldosterone similar to those in normal subjects are observed, responses of aldosterone to angiotensin II are supposed to be less than those to ACTH.


Effects of enflurane anaesthesia and surgery on endocrine function in man.

Forty-five patients underwent enflurane anaesthesia and surgery. Anaesthesia alone evoked little change in the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol or antidiuretic hormone (ADH), but there were significant increases during surgery. The plasma levels of aldosterone rose during anaesthesia alone, and a further increase was noted during surgery. Neither enflurane anaesthesia nor surgery significantly influenced plasma concentrations of renin activity and thyroxine. A significant decrease in the plasma triiodothyronine levels was detected during anaesthesia alone, and a further decrease was found during and following surgery. Enflurane anaesthesia did not affect the plasma level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in male subjects throughout surgery, but a significant decrease was detected in female patients on the first postoperative day. The plasma concentrations of testosterone decreased during anaesthesia alone and surgery, and a further decrease was noted on the first postoperative day.


The effects of dexamethasone on the growth of gamma-irradiated tadpoles.

A plausible hypothesis as to the mode of action of dexamethasone (DXM) has been proposed. Growth of irradiated tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus, treated daily with the corticoid, is more suppressed. Compared with its antagonism with ACTH, its coordinate promotion of TSH production accelerates metamorphosis. This modulated feedback is consistent with the constant course of the hypothalamic nuclei influence upon the adenohypophyseal hormones.


Intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions (invaginations) in thyroid aspirations. Frequency and specificity.

In order to determine the frequency and specificity of intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions (invaginations), described by some as an important criterion for the cytologic diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma, 258 consecutive thyroid aspirates were reviewed. Intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were present in 91% of the papillary adenocarcinomas but were not seen in any of the benign thyroid lesions or in any of the few nonpapillary adenocarcinomas in the study. It is concluded that the presence of intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions in thyroid aspirates is probably specific to thyroid carcinoma but is not necessarily restricted to the papillary variant.


Intramuscular ACTH or placebo in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Thirty-two women with hyperemesis gravidarum were treated with intramuscular ACTH (0.5 mg) or placebo for 4 days in a randomized double-blind trial. The two treatments were equally effective in relieving hyperemesis, although the function of the adrenal cortex was stimulated only during the ACTH therapy. The administration of ACTH thus appears useless for the treatment of severe vomiting in early pregnancy.


Nephroblastoma. Results and complications of treatment.

Treatment results in 31 patients with nephroblastoma are reported. Survival seemed superior in patients who received Actinomycin-D in addition to surgery and postoperative irradiation. Twelve long-term surviving children were evaluated for side-effects of the treatment. Although inhibition of growth and other abnormalities occurred in most survivors, little permanent disability and dysfunction appears to have resulted from the treatment.


Labetalol-induced Peyronie's disease? A case report.

Peyronie's disease (induratio penis plastica) has been observed in a 58-year-old man 8 months after initiation of treatment with the new combined alpha- and beta-blocking agent, labetalol. During the last 2 months before onset of symptoms he had received 2400 mg labetalol daily. He showed no other signs of abnormal fibrous tissue production and the ANF test was negative. Cessation of the drug revealed no improvement. Peyronie's disease has also been observed in relation to treatment with propranolol, practolol and metoprolol and might be due to an impaired balance between alpha- and beta-receptors in connective tissue, but there may also be an immunological basis for the fibrosis. A possible coincidence is stressed, as the ages of the reported cases are within the range where this disease most often develops.


Vapor detection using adsorptive solids probed by X-rays.

Activated carbon is used widely as a filter medium for trapping gases and vapors from the air. It is effective because of its large capacity even at low concentration levels. X-ray absorption measurements recently have been conducted on activated carbons before and after they have adsorbed certain organic gases. The measurements have shown that the X-ray absorption technique, when applied to porous adsorbing solids, is very sensitive for detecting low levels (less than 1 ppm) of many gases and vapors. The method is especially good for detecting compounds containing atoms having atomic numbers greater than 14. This is due to the increasing interaction of X-rays with matter as atomic number increases.


Problems in the aging of females using the Os pubis.

The Gilbert-McKern method for aging the female Os pubis has attained popularity following Gilbert's ('73) demonstration that the McKern-Stewart male standards are not directly applicable to females. In order to assess the reliability of the method, forensic anthropologists were asked to age a set of 11 pubes of known age. There was a great deal of variability in the responses of the 23 participants. Three, four, and five different responses (out of a 6-scale system) were given for each component of each pubic bone. Only 51% of the assessments yielded age ranges which would include the known age of the specimens. Analysis of the errors showed that one of the focal problems of the Gilbert-McKern system was the difficulty in judging whether the ventral rampart was building up or breaking down.


Giant adrenal myelolipoma and testicular interstitial cell tumor in a man with congenital 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

The occurrence of a giant myelolipoma of the adrenal gland reported in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency). Associated significant findings include a massive proliferation of adrenocortical cells as an integral part of the myelolipoma and coincidental tumor of the interstitial cells of the testis. The clinical, radiologic, endocrinologic, and pathologic features of this case are correlated with a review of the literature. The additional myelolipomas are also reported here for the first time. Similar lesions have been induced experimentally in rats and provide further evidence suggesting a hyperplastic rather than a neoplastic nature for this complex lesion, at least in its earlier stages.


Malignant mixed müllerian tumors of the uterus. A clinicopathologic assessment of 34 cases.

We have analyzed clinical and pathologic features of a series of 34 patients with malignant mixed müllerian tumors of the uterus. This study includes 17 homologous and 17 heterologous lesions. The most significant prognostic indicator in our patients was tumor extent (stage) at diagnosis. Of lesser importance were the presence of heterologous elements, especially chondrosarcoma, high grade of carcinoma and tumor size. Survival rates were 52% at 2 years and 36% at 5 years for homologous tumors; and 47% and 14%, respectively, for the heterologous variety.


Combined epithelial and sarcomatous elements in a liver cancer associated with oral contraceptive use.

A rare mixed malignant hepatic tumor in a 35-year-old woman is presented. Hepatic enlargement regressed and became stable for 3 years after contraceptive pills were discontinued. Exacerbation began 3 months prior to admission, at which time there was a spontaneous rupture of the tumor; this resulted in the death of the patient.


A unique ultrastructural variant of Wilms' tumor. Its possible histogenetic implications.

A report of a Wilms' tumor with hitherto undescribed ultrastructural and histochemical features is presented. The unique features conform structurally, and to some extent chemically to autophagosomes, which occur in similar abundance only in granular cell myoblastoma, recently considered to be derived from neural elements. The implication of this common structural feature readdresses attention to the work of Masson, who originally theorized a neurectodermal origin for the Wilms' tumor.


Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma with nodal metastases. An ultrastructural study.

A case of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma of the lung was studied by light and electron microscopy. Type II granular pneumocytes were seen in the lymph node metastases of the tumor, a finding not reported previously. We feel that the presence of these cells in metastatic foci indicates their neoplastic nature, and provides evidence that bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma arises from type II cells.


Malignant mixed tumor of the lacrimal gland.

This paper reports a case of carcinoma arising in a benign mixed tumor of lacrimal gland following multiple recurrences. The patient had eight recurrences of the benign lesion and after 32 years developed an adenocarcinoma associated with recurrent nodules of still recognizable benign mixed tumor. The literature on malignant mixed tumors of the lacrimal gland is reviewed noting the confusion in diagnostic terminology in early reports. Our patient illustrates the resemblance between malignant mixed tumor (carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma) of lacrimal and salivary gland both clinically and pathologically.


[A case of Hodgkin's disease with thrombocytopenic purpura, polyneuritis, and cytomegalovirus pneumopathy (author's transl)].

A patient with Hodgkins disease developed successively, a thrombocytopenic purpura, a polyneuristis and a pneumopathy, during a period of remission, and over a period of time lasting 3 months. The authors discuss the possibility of cytomegalovirus being the causative agent.


[Comparative value of temperature marker and neutralization test for subtyping of herpes simplex viruses (author's transl)].

Two methods for the differentiation of herpes simplex virus (HSV)--rct and neutralization by specific antisera--have been applied to 8 prototype strains and 105 strains isolated from various clinical cases. The evaluation of the II/I index allows to choose the most specific rabbit antisera. The rct 40 degrees 3 C marker test gives comparable results for HSV grown in RK13 and human fibroblasts as well; it is in agreement with the immunological test in 48% of the cases. The delta tc values used to express the immunological typing allow to differentiate 76% of the strains (types 1 and 2). The others (24%) are equally neutralized by both specific antisera; they represent "intermediate" strains. The infection of man and animal by HSV (type 1, 2 or "intermediate") also produces heterospecific antibodies in variable amount. From clinical and immunological data rises the hypothesis that "intermediate" strains derive from HSV1 strains by antigenic variation during a persistent infection.


Endogenous prostaglandin synthesis and the control of lymphocyte function.

Prostaglandins serve an important regulatory role in immune responses. Much of their activity seems to involve regulating the early stages of lymphocyte or macrophage activation. Besides the capacity of prostaglandins to control lymphocyte activation directly by blocking transformation, at least one type, PGE2 can induce a class of glass-adherent T-cells to produce a suppressive peptide in vitro. The data we have obtained suggest the existence of a feedback loop in which PG production by an activated T-cell serves as the signal that induces a second T-cell to release a suppressor peptide. This peptide can then regulate the ability of the activated T-cell to pass through the cell cycle. Other examples of feedback loops have recently been postulated or shown to exist among immunocompetent cells. It remains to be shown how these various regulatory loops combine to form the integrated network that modulates immunoresponsiveness.


Prostaglandins and their regulation in rheumatoid inflammation.

Prostaglandins, especially PGE2 and PGI2, appear to participate in the development of inflammatory reactions. While these PGs may act to promote inflammation, they may also inhibit immune reactions; this effect is largely related to stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Human rheumatoid synovial tissue explants and derived adherent synovial cells (ASC) in vitro produce large amounts of PG, primarily PGE2, which may participate in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid inflammation and promote the osteoclastic resorption of juxtaarticular bone. Rheumatoid synovial organ cultures are unusual in that they derive a significant proportion of archidonic acid substrate for the PGE2 synthesis from triglycerides, while ASC utilize primarily phospholipids. Aspirin-like, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit PGE2 synthesis by rheumatoid synovial organ cultures at concentrations similar to those achieved in plasma during therapy. Glucocorticoids are also potent inhibitors of PGE2 synthesis, and evidence from experiments with tissue labeled with 1-[14C]arachidonic acid indicates that glucocorticoids do not act to inhibit arachidonic acid release, as has been postulated for other tissues. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells produce a factor (MCF) that regularly stimulates the production of PGE2 and collagenase from resting ASC often by over 100-fold. The MCF appears to be produced by monocytes, and its production by monocytes is enhanced by lectin-stimulated T-cells. The ability of ASC to respond to exogenous PGE2 stimulation of cAMP synthesis is inhibited or stimulated by factors that increase or decrease PGE2 levels, respectively, in the cultures. The MCF augments the responsiveness of cAMP response to PGE2 in indomethacin-treated cultures. These in vitro experiments suggest that the pathogenesis of rheumatoid inflammation involves interactions between monocyte-macrophages, lymphocytes, and synovial cells regulating the production of PGE2, cAMP, and other factors.


[Effects of a phytohemagglutinin extract on growth, nitrogen digestibility and the activity of invertase and (Na+-K+)-ATPase in the intestinal mucosa of the rat].

A phytohemagglutinin extract is prepared from raw kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and incorporated at a level of 1% (dry matter) in the diet of young growing rats. Beside a decrease of feed intakes, the main effects of the experimental diet are the following : growth depression, decrease of dry matter and protein digestibility and hypoglycemia. Biological value, organs weight (liver, kidneys, spleen) did not change significantly. The hemagglutinin extract induces an inhibition of saccharase activity whereas (Na+-K+)-ATPase remains unchanged. Growth depressing effect may be due to an alteration of hydrolysis and absorption mechanisms at the level of brush border of enterocytes.


Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with associated cirrhosis.

During the recent 10 years, 105 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were admitted to our clinic. Seventy of them had an associated cirrhosis of the liver. The therapeutic results of these 70 patients were analyzed according to the mode of treatment. The mean survival periods after admission were as follows; No cancer treatment group (12 patients) 79 days, Chemotherapy group regardless of the mode of administration (25 patients) 97 days, Hepatic artery ligation with chemotherapy group (16 patients) 197 days. Hepatic resection was carried out in 17 patients; partial hepatectomy in 5, left lateral segmentectomy in 1, left lobectomy in 3, and right lobectomy in 8. The 50% survival period of all the hepatectomized patients was 8.5 months. Seven patients are living 5 months to 3 years after operation. Five patients died of recurrence of hepatoma between 4 months and 3 years and 2 months postoperatively. Five individuals died of causes related to the operation; two hepatic failure, two fatal infection, and one massive haemorrhage from acute duodenal ulcer. The results indicated that hepatic resection, from partial to extensive, might be possible even in patients with associated cirrhosis but more exact criteria are mandatory in selecting patients for major hepatic resection. Hepatic artery ligation with chemotherapy should be the first choice for those with nonresectable hepatoma. Continuous infusion of oncolytic agents into the hepatic artery may be considered for those in whom arterial ligation is contraindicated.


Temperature-sensitive 6-aminopenicillanic acid-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli.

Wild-type Escherichia coli cells became spherical in the presence of low concentrations of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (APA). Higher concentrations of APA caused inhibition of cell division (filamentation) and lysis. Spontaneous temperature-sensitive APA-resistant mutants were isolated and characterized. These mutants also possessed increased resistance to mecillinam but not to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, and cephaloridine. They formed round or pleomorphic cells at the nonpermissive temperature and possessed thermolabile penicillin-binding protein 2 activity. Temperature-resistant revertants of these mutants had normal rod-shaped morphology, normal levels of sensitivity to APA and mecillinam, and thermostable penicillin-binding protein 2 activity. The mutation conferring APA resistance cotransduced with lip and mapped, therefore, close to 14 min on the E. coli linkage map. APA appears to be more specific than mecillinam as a selective agent for the isolation of penicillin-binding protein 2 mutants.


Efficiency of several micro-fiber glass filters for recovery of poliovirus from tape water.

Micro-fiber glass filters from Gelman, Filterite, Johns-Manville, and Whatman were compared with Millipore membrane filters on the basis of their virus adsorbancy, flow rate, clogging resistance, and virus concentration efficiency by using tap water at 2 nephelometric turbidity units. As virus adsorbants the Johns-Manville D39, Filterite 0.25-micron, Filterite 0.45-micron, and Millipore 0.45-micron filters were the most efficient, retaining more than 99% of the added virus in water at pH 3.5 and 0.0005 M aluminum chloride. The Johns-Manville D79 and D49 filters retained 92 and 96% of the virus, respectively, whereas the Whatman GF-D, Whatman GF-F, Gelman A-E, and Millipore AP-20 filters retained only 28, 78, 56, and 34% of the virus, respectively. The best flow rate and clogging resistance were obtained with the Johns-Manville D79 filter or with this filter acting as a prefilter to the Johns-Manville D49, Johns-Manville D39, or Filterite 0.45-micron filter. Finally, poliovirus experimentally seeded in 20 liters of tape water was recovered from Johns-Manville D79-Johns-Manville D39 or Johns-Manville D79-Filterite 0.45 micron 142-mm filter combinations was a efficiencies of 86 and 85%, respectively.


Immunological evidence for an ACTH-like antigen in the nervous ganglion of a protochordate Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea).

Nervous fibers and neurons containing an ACTH-like antigen could be demonstrated in the nervous ganglion of a Protochordate Ciona intestinalis, using indirect immunofluorescence and anti (17-39)-ACTH and anti (25-39)-ACTH antisera.


[Structure of calf rotavirus. 1. Hydrodynamic and electron microscopic parameters of the virus].

Rotavirus was isolated from the faeces of calves afflicted with diarrhoea and purified. Isolation was preceded by chloroform treatment, oxide wax A-precipitation, as well as differential and density gradient centrifugation. Virus density in CsCl solution was 1.38 +/- 0.01 g/ml. Cell culture virus prepared without chloroform (Nebraska-type isolation) would be 1.37 +/- 0.01 g/ml in density, for comparison. The mean capsid diameters measured were 55 nm and 60 nm, sedimentation coefficents being between 450 and 478 S. The mean core diameter was 40 nm. Structure of capsid is discussed.


A role of red cell pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase in experimental lead poisoning.

Intravenous administration of lead acetate to rabbits for 10 weeks at 2 week intervals resulted in significantly elevated blood lead levels, slight anemia with marked microspherocytosis and moderate basophilic stippling, and marked depression of red cell delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase activity. However the decrease in red cell pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N) activity was slight when compared to the red cell P5N activity of comparable reticulocyte-rich blood, and intracellular accumulation of pyrimidine nucleotides could not be demonstrated. In the in vitro inhibition test the same degree of inhibition of red cell P5N activity seen in hereditary red cell P5N deficiency was obtained by using a lead concentration 200--400 times higher than the lead levels detected in human plumbism. Most importantly, there were no differences in the lead-induced inhibition of human and rabbit red cell P5N. From the results of the in vitro inhibition test, lead-induced red cell P5N deficiency appears to be one of several pathogenic mechanisms in chronic lead exposure associated with the accumulation of lead in bone marrow. A decrease in rec cell P5N activity could not be demonstrated despite the marked depression in red cell ALA dehydratase activity, and slight anemia with marked microspherocytosis and moderate basophilic stippling in this experiment. These results suggest that lead affects red cells at multiple metabolic loci.


[Ocular myopathy, Kiloh-Nevin type; study of a case with histochemical and ultrastructural changes].

A non-familiar case of Kiloh-Nevin ocular myopathy with important histochemical and ultrastructural abnormalities is reported. The patient, a 43 year-old male presented with 10 year long, pregressive ocular ophtalmoplegia, myasthenic symptoms and severe muscular pain, an uncommon finding in this type of myopathy. The histochemical study showed muscular atrophy, mainly in type I fibres and a great amount of ragged-red fibres. Of particular interest, in this case, was the ultrastructural finding of severe mitochondrial abnormalities with a lot of inclusions in the cristae matrix; nevertheless these changes are not specific. The authors suggest a possible abnormality in the neuro-muscular transmission system and a genetically controlled enzimatic factor as responsible for the aethiology and pathogenesis of the Kiloh-Nevin ocular myopathy.


[Reaction of the fibrose eyeball covering upon the suture material synthetic and absorbable "Dexon". (Experimental study) (author's transl)].

The present paper deals with the results of 20 eyes of experimentally operated laboratory animals, whose perforating wounds (of cornea and those of sclerocorneal region) have been suturated with a new type of absorbable synthetic suture material "Dexon" thickness being 6-0. The synthetic absorbable suture material "Dexon" is made of polyglycol acid, and it has been introduced to market by the firm Davis and Geck (U.S.A.). The inflammatory tissue reaction to the presence of the suture material "Dexon" is prominent and can by compared to the reaction to chromic resorbable suture materials (catgut or collagen). The suture material "Dexon" start to resorb in the course of the 2nd-3rd weeks after operation. The suture material "Dexon" can be used at an advantage in the operation where it is possible to cover the knots by a conjuctival lobe (in sclerocorneal region or in strabismus surgery) in this way the tendency to overgrowing of epithelial cells along the suture channels can be prevented. The "Dexon" material is sufficiently flexible and firm and has no antigenic properties, therefore it appears very prospective for ophthalmosurgery.


Experimental oxalate urolith formation in rats.

Urinary calculi composed of calcium oxalate were produced in male hooded Wistar rats fed a vitamin B6 deficient diet over 16 weeks. This basic diet was modified by doubling the phosphate content or loading with vitamin C or D3 in three treatment groups. The number of rats developing oxalate stones was not altered by the addition of vitamin D3 or phosphate, but there was a significant increase in total weight of stone formed and histological evidence of extensive renal damage in rats on the high vitamin D3 diet. The addition of vitamin C to the vitamin B6 deficient rats resulted in a reduction in the number of rats with uroliths and a fall in urinary oxalate excretion, while similarly loaded vitamin B6 supplemented controls were free of oxalate calculi. It is concluded that the oxalate urolithiasis induced by vitamin B6 deficiency was exacerbated by added vitamin D3 and reduced by vitamin C.


Cyclic nucleotide metabolism in tumours.

Many hormones act by combining with cell surface receptors and stimulating adenylate cyclase activity. The cyclic AMP generated is the mediator of a number of cellular metabolic processes. Other processes may be influenced by changes in cyclic GMP levels. Although much evidence from cultured cells suggested that low cellular levels of cyclic AMP and high levels of cyclic GMP are a feature of rapid cell growth and of malignant transformation, review of the data reveals many inconsistencies. Thus in established tumours growing in vivo, for example, cyclic AMP levels appear to be unrelated to tumour growth rates. It seems that tumour cell cyclic AMP is more likely concerned with the regulation of tumour cell function than of growth. This would have implications for therapy, in that drugs which influence cyclic nucleotide metabolism could influence tumour cell function. The control of cyclic nucleotide production in normal and tumour cells is discussed, together with the possible ways in which abnormalities of this may occur.


Spinal canal stenosis in adult with hypophosphataemic vitamin D-resistant rickets.

A case is described of a 55-year-old male with hypophosphataemic vitamin D-resistant rickets, who presented with long-standing back pain and paraesthesiae in both legs considered to be due to osteoid encroachment on an already narrow spinal canal. Marked symptomatic improvement has followed extensive lumbar laminectomy.


An immunofluorescence diagnostic test for avian infectious laryngotracheitis.

An antiserum to a recent field isolate of infectious laryngotracheitis virus was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and used to detect viral antigen to infected chorioallantoic membranes and trachael epithelium by the direct fluorescent antibody technique. In experimentally infected birds, viral antigen was detected with the fluorescent antibody technique from 2 to 14 days post-inoculation but histological evidence of tracheitis was only observed from day three to day ten. The fluorescent antibody test detected 22 of 23 histologically confirmed cases of ILT and was more accurate than virus isolation when used in the diagnosis of respiratory disease from field outbreaks. It was concluded that the speed, accuracy and sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody technique make it a useful tool in the diagnosis of infectious laryngotracheitis.


Comparison of 4 serological tests--complement fixation, neutralization, fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen and immune adherence hemagglutination--for assay of antibody to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus.

Four tests for antibody to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus were compared; these were tests of complement fixation (CF), neutralization (NT), fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) and immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA). Fifty-two sera from patients with varicella and zoster and from recipients of live varicella vaccine were examined by the 4 tests. The CF test was least sensitive, but the antibody titers by the NT, FAMA and IAHA tests were roughly comparable. The IAHA test was the simplest and fastest to perform, and appeared suitable for routine serological assay to V-Z virus. The correlation between the IAHA antibody titer and susceptibility of individuals to clinical varicella was investigated retrospectively using sera obtained during 2 outbreaks of varicella in an institution for children, where all the unvaccinated children had developed varicella symptoms. Most of the 25 pre-exposure sera from unvaccinated children examined by the IAHA test had tiers of less than 1:2. In contrast, all the 23 sera from vaccinated children who did not develop varicella had detectable antibody titers of 1:2 to 1:64. These results indicate that the IAHA titer reflects the susceptibility or resistance of individuals to clinical varicella.


Epidemiological and virological studies on outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with rotavirus in primary schools in Osaka.

There have been three recent outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in primary schools in Osaka prefecture caused by rotavirus: one in a school (TA) in April, 1974 and two in two other schools (TE and K) in May 1975. The morbidity from the disease was 2.4--15.8% for all age groups in the schools, and 20.1--34.1% for a certain age group. The disease lasted for 4 (K) to 14 days (TE). The first cases in schools TA and TE were followed by successive cases. The main clinical symptoms were higher frequencies of diarrhea (68--71.4%) and fever (78%) than in winter vomiting disease. There was no difference in the incidences of the disease in boys and girls. From observation on the disease in individual families, the incubation period seemed to be 3 days. Using paired sera and Neonatal Calf Diarrhea Virus (NCDV) as antigen, positive seroconversion was demonstrated by the complement fixation test and marked seroconversion by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique. With these techniques, specific antibody to NCDV was detectable in the sera from an early stage of illness. Rotavirus was found on electron microscopic examination of some fecal specimens of patients in TA, but not in those of patients in TE or K, although adenovirus was isolated from one patient. A serological survey of healthy children aged 0 to 12 showed that rotavirus is a common virus in Osaka.


Marek's disease virus and herpesvirus of turkey noninfective to chickens, obtained by repeated in vitro passages.

The relation between the passage level of Marek's disease virus, C2 strain, and of herpesvirus of turkey (HVT), O1 strain, in cell culture and the level of the serological response of chickens to these viruses was examined. In both cases the immune response of chickens to these viruses decreased with increase in the number of in vitro passages of virus. Virus was not recovered from chickens inoculated with HVT highly passaged in vitro, which had become a high producer of cell-free virus in vitro, and grew equally well at 37 C and 41 C.


Studies on the polypeptides of varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus. 1. Detection of varicella-zoster virus polypeptides in infected cells.

Virus-induced polypeptides in cells infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography. When human embryonic lung (HEL) cells infected with the Oka strain of VZV were labelled with 35S-methionine or 14C-glucosamine from 40 hr to 46 hr after infection, at least 18 VZV-induced polypeptides and 10 glycoproteins could  be identified in the infected cells. The molecular weights of the polypeptides and glycoproteins ranged from about 145,000 to 23,000, and from about 105,000 to 48,000, respectively. Lysates of VZV-infected cells were treated with specific antisera prepared in green monkeys or guinea-pigs, and analysed by SDS-PAGE and fluorography. In all, 33 polypeptides (with molecular weight of about 145,000 to 22,000) and 13 glycoproteins (molecular weight, about 105,000 to 38,000) were found in the immunoprecipitates. None of these polypeptides and glycoproteins were detected when infected cells cultured in the presence of phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) were treated in the same way.


The presence of herpes simplex virus DNA in hamster embryo cells transformed by a temperature sensitive mutant, TS-4.

Hamster embryo cells transformed with a temperature sensitive mutant of HSV-2, ts-4T, were examined for the presence of viral genomes. DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics showed that only a small portion (11 +/- 4%) of HSV-2 was present in the transformed cells.


Kinetics of 5--nucleotidase in sera of liver cirrhotic and normal Iraqi individuals.

5'-Nucleotidase activity was elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis; greater values of 5'-Nucleotidase activity were found in biliary cirrhosis, 5'-Nucleotidase from liver cirrhotic sera was less stable than from normal sera. The velocity of 5'Nucleotidase from liver cirrhotic sera per minute, at t = 10, was greater than normal controls. The optimum (S) for 5'-Nucleotidase was found to be 1.0 mM A-5'-MP, for both normal and liver cirrhotic sera. Km (A-5'-MP) and (2'-d-A-5'-MP) of 5'-Nucleotidase was found to be significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis than normal controls.


Calcium-induced fusion of proteoliposomes and protein-free liposomes. Effect of their phosphatidylethanolamine content on the structure of fused vesicles.

The acidic phospholipid cardiolipin was shown to be very efficient in promoting calcium-induced fusion of proteoliposomes. The degree of fusion was dependent on the phosphatidylethanolamine content of the vesicles. Addition of CaCl2 to proteoliposomes containing phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin but without phosphatidylethanolamine did not induce fusion. Fusion of cytochrome oxidase vesicles, containing less than 50 mol% phosphatidylethanolamine resulted in monolamellar vesicles with a diameter of about 200 nm. The vesicles could be induced to fuse further by establishing an osmotic pressure across their membranes. When proteoliposomes containing more than 50 mol% phosphatidylethanolamine were fused, large vesicles with a diameter exceeding 1 micrometer were formed. They appeared in the electron microscope as a mixture of multilamellar and monolamellar vesicles. Fusion of corresponding liposomes resulted in formation of even larger structures appearing as dense multilamellar bodies and paracrystalline honeycomb-like lattices.


Subcellular targets of the soluble SiO2-liberated macrophage factors in experimental granulation tissue.

The supernatant from SiO2-treated macrophages increased the incorporated radioactivity of collagen in the incubated experimental granulation tissue slices, especially in the rough endoplasmic reticulum fraction, markedly over that in the respective control preparation. The effect was observed after a 20 min incubation and increases linearly at least up to 3 h. The amount of RNA and phospholipids in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, calculated per protein, increased simultaneously in the incubated slices. The incorporation of the radioactive precursors into DNA in the slices and in the nuclei from proliferating granulation tissue was enhanced significantly by the soluble fraction from SiO2-treated macrophages. This effect could be seen after a 40 min incubation in the slices and after 5 min in the nuclei, when the incorporated radioactivity in DNA began to decrease in the control experiments.


Cyanide reactivity of cytochrome c derivatives.

The kinetic rates and equilibrium association constants for cyanide binding have been measured for a series of cytochrome c derivatives as a probe of heme accessibility. The series included horse and yeast cytochromes iodinated at Tyr 67 and 74, horse cytochrome formylated at Trp 59 in both a low and high redox potential form, the Met 80 sulfoxide derivative of horse cytochrome and the N-acylisourea heme propionate derivative of tuna cytochrome. Native cytochromes c are well known to bind cyanide slowly in a reaction simply first order both in cytochrome and cyanide up to at least 100 mM in cyanide. The derivative demonstrate markedly different kinetics which indicate the following conclusions. (1) In spite of chemical modification at different loci, all the derivatives have highly similar reactivity, suggesting common ligation structures and mechanisms for reaction. (2) Compared to native cytochromes, reaction rates are 10-20 fold greater. This is in accord with a more accessible heme crevice, but not a completely opened crevice. For the completely opened case, rate increases are expected to be between three and five orders of magnitude. (3) Reaction rates are either independent of cyanide concentration (zero order) or show only slight variation. A mechanism which accounts for the data over four orders of magnitude in concentration postulates a protein conformation step, opening of the heme crevice, as the rate determining step. This conformation change has a limiting rate of 6 . 10(-2) s-1.


The redox properties and heme environment of cytochrome c-551.5 from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans.

The environment of the three heme groups in cytochrome c-551.5 from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans was investigated by the technique of solvent perturbation difference spectroscopy. The hemeoctapeptide from cytochrome c plus added imidazole was used as a model compound for the fully exposed chromophore. The average heme exposure in both the ferric and ferrous cytochromes c-551.5 was found to be considerably greater than that previously observed for the monoheme mitochondrial cytochrome c and Prosthecochloris cytochrome c-555. Differences in the average heme exposure for ferric and ferrous cytochromes c-551.5 suggested that a change in oxidation state is accompanied by a change in conformation. A spectrophotometric redox titration of the protein yielded a sigmoidal plot of the potential versus the logarithm of the ratio of oxidized to reduced heme. The resolved plot indicated that two hemes were characterized by a E'o of -177 mV and the third E'o of -102 mV. Each of the resolved steps had an n value of 1 indicating that cytochrome c-551.5 transfers electrons singly.


Modification of human serum albumin with N-(2,5-dinitro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinooxy radical.

Human serum albumin has been treated with the spin-labeling reagent indicated in the title. Ultraviolet spectral studies of the protein so modified suggest that reaction takes place at lysine and tyrosine sidechains; kinetic experiments indicate that there are two especially reactive amino groups of the protein which are preferentially modified. Evidence is presented that these groups include the one acetylated by aspirin (Lys-199) or those arylated by 2.6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate. Esr experiments show that bound spin labels have about the same correlation time expected for overall tumbling of the protein; ESR observations indicate that molecular freedom near the spin labels is not increased when the protein is transferred to 8 M urea.


[Monkey liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase].

Kinetic studies indicate that glucose-6-phosphatase is a multifunctional enzyme. a) Phosphohydrolase activities. The mannose-6-phosphatase activity is low (Km = 8 mM, VM = 90 nmoles. min-1mg-1). The enzyme shows a strong affinity for glucose-6-phosphate (Km = 2.5 mM, VM = 220 nmoles.min-1mg-1). beta-glycerophosphate (K1 = 30 mM), D-glucose (Ki = 120 mM) are mixed type inhibitors; pyrophosphate (Ki = 2 mM) is a non competitive one. b) Phosphotransferase activities. Di and triphosphate adenylic nucleosides or phosphoenol pyruvate are not substrates. Carbamylphosphate serves as a phosphoryl donor with D-glucose as acceptor. The phosphate transfer is consisstent with a random mechanism in which the binding of one substrate increases the enzymes affinity for the second substrate. Apparent Km values for carbamyl-phosphate range from 5.2 mM (D-glucose concentration leads to infinity) to 8 mM (D-glucose concentration leads to 0). The corresponding apparent Km values for D-glucose are 59 mM (carbamyl-phosphate concentration leads to infinity) to 119 mM (carbamyl-phosphate concentration leads to 0). Maximal reaction velocity with infinite levels of both substrates is 270 nmoles.min-1.mg-1. Pyrophosphate is a poor phosphoryl donnor (Km = 55 mM with D-glucose concentration 250 mM). In addition we do not find any latency; detergents, namely sodium deoxycholate, Triton X 100 do not affect or inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase activity.


Isolation and identification of mutants constitutive for aspartokinase III synthesis in Escherichia coli K 12.

We devised a procedure in order to isolate, in Escherichia coli, constitutive mutants for aspartokinase III synthesis, the first enzyme of the lysine regulon. It consists of the introduction of a limiting step in lysine biosynthesis, by the use of the partial suppression of a nonsense mutation. For the first time we could isolate many constitutive mutants. Their characteristics (cotransduction with the lysC structural gene; no effect on the synthesis of other enzymes of the regulon; cis-dominance) lead to classify these mutations as operator-type. The fact that no repressor mutations could be isolated is discussed.


[Study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of a phosphonic ester using microcalorimetry].

A "Batch" microcalorimeter is used at 30 degrees C for the study of the hydrolysis of 4-nitro-phenylphenylphosphonate with a calf-intestinal phosphonate esterase, in a tris buffer, pH 8. The yield of enzymatic hydrolysis is estimated by spectrophotometric determination of the p--nitrophenol evolved; we have then calculated the apparent molar enthalph of the reaction. (delta Happ = -72,2 kj. mol-1). Phenylphosphonic acid, the second reaction product, is not transphosphonylated on tris. The second acidity of phenylphosphonic acid was studied at 30 degrees C by sodium hydroxide electrotitration (pKa2 = 7,13) and by "Flow" microcalorimetry (delta Hionization = 19,8 kj.mol-1). In the same manner at 30 degrees C, we measured the heat of ionization of p-nitrophenol (delta Hionization = 26,75 kj.mol-1). These findings allow a calculation for the actual heat of hydrolysis of 4-nitro-phenyl-phenylphosphonate (delta Hrho = -29,7 kj.mol-1).


Biological and immunological aspects of small cell carcinoma of the lung in relation to ectopic hormone production.

Small cell carcinoma share morphological and functional characteristics with normal Kulchitsky cells (K-cells) of the bronchial tree. This tumor is thought to reflect a neoplastic transformation of the pulmonary APUD cells because of the morphological similarities with K-cells, the association with paraneoplastic syndromes and the high incidence of ectopic hormone production. The peptide hormones produced and secreted by small cell carcinoma can be used as tumor markers to guide diagnosis and to monitor chemotherapy. They may be of particular value in following the course of a patient and in detecting early recurrences. Some of the hormonal substances produced by the tumor have the biochemical characteristics of prohormones. The difference between the abnormal hormones and their physiological counterparts probably will lead to the development of more specific marker assays. On the other hand, some of the atypical hormones have autoantigenic properties, as they occur in circulating immune complexes of patients with small cell carcinoma. The correlation between ectopic hormone production and host immunity might be of importance for the development of future treatment modalities.


Corticosteroid-dependent alterations of human myelopoiesis in vitro.

We have demonstrated in this study that corticosteroids modify cellular interactions enhancing CSA production. This phenomenon may contribute to the leukocytosis-promoting action of these hormones, although at present it is unknown whether this mechanism is more important in vivo than steroid-dependent changes in the circulation and redistribution of phagocytic cells. The observation that corticosteroids impair phagocyte functions is difficult to reconcile with the well known fact that hypercorticism as a part of the normal body defense to stress (6). In view of our data it appears, however, that these possible detrimental effects of corticosteroids on mature white blood cells are counteracted by their stimulatory action on the production of new phagocytic cells. Such a conclusion is in accord with Joyce and Charvenick (20) who showed that those hormones enhance the return of GM-CFU in cyclophosphamide-treated mice and improve tolerance to infection.


Cutaneous cholesterol and plasma lipoproteins in young subjects.

The present report concerns the biochemical and anatomo-pathological study of the skin and the plasma lipoprotein fractions in a young population (average age : 22 +/- 1.5 years). The levels of cutaneous cholesterol and the ratio HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol are closely linked even through the histological structure of the skin is still normal; the level of cutaneous cholesterol giving a good indication of the degree of vascular ageing. The observations confirm the usefulness of measuring these two parameters in the detection of early atherosclerosis.


[Chronic polyarthritis: role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the destruction of pannus-free articular cartilage].

The synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients contains large amounts of PMN which are well equipped with neutral enzymes to degrade articular cartilage: elastase and cathepsin G, which both destroy proteoglycans and native collagen, as well as 2 types of collagenoases. Indirect evidence suggests that PMN might be important in the destruction of RA articular cartilage. In 19 SF of RA patients no free elastase or collagenase was found. Using immune histochemical methods, we observed that PMN and macrophages of SF contain both elastase and alpha 1-anti-trypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Peripheral PMN - but not monocytes - contain elastase, however both types of cells lack alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Elastase is demonstratable in the superficial layer of pannus free RA articular cartilage. These findings suggest that neutral proteinases from PMN in RA SF are generally neutralized by physiologic inhibitors and removed by phagocytes. The enzyme-inhibitor interaction might be bypassed during "frustrated phagocytosis" so that enzymes like PMN elastase can damage RA articular cartilage.


Collagenase and prostaglandin in connective tissue destruction: cell-cell and humoral interactions.

Connective tissue destruction is a major characteristic of chornic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This process is accompanied by local cellular and humoral inflammatory reactions. Long-term cultures of adherent synovial cells (ASC) from patients with RA produce large amounts of collagenase and prostaglandin (PGE2), two substances that play a role in the degradation of joint structures. Lvels of collagenase and PGE2 can be stimulated (up to several hundred-fold) with a soluble factor (MCF) from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MW approximately 14,000). The monocyte-macrophages alone produce MCF but can be stimulated directly with Fc fragments of immunoglobulin or concanavalin A to increase MCF production. Addition of T lymphocytes in the presence of lectin or antigen significantly enhances the production of MCF. MCF affects other biological processes in synovial cells such as the rate of collagen synthesis, cell proliferation and sensitivity to PGE2 as well as collagen itself can further modulate collagenase release by the synovial cells and function in an amplificative loop. The understanding of these interactions between cells, mediator-effector substances and connective tissue substrates may provide a basis for devising more rational approaches to therapy of the destructive lesions which characterize RA.


[Arthropathies due to calcium pyrophosphates].

Articular chondrocalcinosis results from the deposits of calcium pyrophosphate microcrystals in the articular hyalin and fibrocartilages, the synovium and at times the tendons. In our area it is seen most frequently as isolated cases in the elderly and may be asymptomatic. When the affected joints present clinical manifestations, they vary from acute to subacute or chronic recurrent arthritis. A marked articular destruction can be observed in some cases. There is a classical radiological picture: linear opacities are most frequently seen localized in the mid-zone layer of the hyalin cartilage running parallel to but at a certain distance from the bone cortex. A part of our research has shown that in contrast to urate gout, articular chondrocalcinosis results from a metabolic disturbance of the calcium pyrophosphate localized almost exclusively in the same articular structures. Precise information is lacking at the present time to explain why calcium pyrophosphate mycrocrystals accumulate in the cartilage, the synovium and at times at the tendons; nor do we understand the precise role played by the pyrophosphate in bone and cartilage destruction.


Hierarchical and parallel mechanisms in the organization of visual cortex.

We argue that it seems fruitful to regard the retino-geniculate-cortical pathway, and perhaps the visual pathways in general, as comprising distinct neuronal channels which begin with the major groupings of ganglion cells, and subserve distinct functions within the overall operation of the visual system. One problem for future work is to determine the extent and, equally importantly, the limitations of the idea of independently functioning neuronal channels operating within the visual system. Some evidence of those limitations is already available. Kulikowski and Tolhurst have provided evidence suggesting that pattern detection is mediated by the X-like system at high spatial frequencies and by the Y-like system at low frequencies, but that at intermediate frequencies, both systems are likely to contribute to this function. Again, there is already physiological and psychophysical evidence of inhibitory interaction between X- and Y-cell systems, which may contribute to their functioning. That is, although there is little evidence of excitatory interaction between W-, X- and Y-cell systems, at least up to the first cortical synapse, the functioning of, say, the X-cell system may depend on the inhibitory influences impinging on it from Y-cell activity. Further, it may prove to be the case that one cell 'system' may be involved in several distinct functions and considerable work may be required to establish whether or not these functions can be considered constituent parts of an overall function, such as 'ambient' or 'foveal' vision. In the following section we suggest a classification and terminology for visual neurones which may provide a framework for future work on these lines.


[Immunohistochemical study of the adenohypophysis of the monkey Macaca irus with the use of antibodies anti 1-24-ACTH, anti 17-39-ACTH, anti alpha-and beta-endorphins, anti beta-LPM].

Indirect immunofluorescence technique with anti1-24- and anti17-39 ACTH, anti alpha- and anti beta-endorphins, anti beta-LPH sera has allowed us to detect a cellular type in the anterior lobe of the hypophysis of Macacus irus which react simultaneously with these five antisera. These cells are especially localized in the ventro-medial zone, but there are also present in the pars distalis, under the glandular capsule, and in the lateral lobes, amid the other cellular types. The cells of the intermediate lobe react on the whole with anti1-24-, these antisera are also immunoreactive with the anti alpha- and anti17-39ACTH and anti beta-LPH ; SOME CELLS, WHich react with anti beta-endorphin antisera. The adenohypophysis of Macacus irus contains therefore two categories of cells reacting with the above mentioned antisera : one of this type, localized in the anterior lobe and in the intermediate lobe, react simultaneously with the five antisera, the other type, localized only in the intermediate lobe does not react with the antiendorphins antisera.


[Presence of UTP:D-GLUCOSE-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase in liver microsomes of the eel (Conger vulgaris)].

An activity UTP : D-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase is located in the microsomal membranes of conger liver. The properties of this enzyme are studied and compared to the soluble activity. The microsomal activity is partially liberated from the membrane by freezing and thawing and by the means of a neutral detergent, Triton X-100. The enzyme is latent in the membranes and totally inhibited by phospholipase A2. This microsomal enzyme could be the last of a membranous biosynthetic pathway for UDP-glucose, as conger liver microsomes contain also a membranous glucokinase and a membranous phosphoglucomutase.


Polioviruses as indicator of virological quality of water.

Viruses were found in 47 out of 53 samples of raw domestic sewage collected over a 13-month period from a high socioeconomic level community. At least 39 out of these 47 samples contained polioviruses as was expected in a population where children were receiving Sabin live-attenuated vaccine. Polioviruses could then be used as a suitable indicator of the virological quality of water in communities where Sabin vaccine is used.


Aggregation during sexual development in Dictyostelium discoideum.

A microcinematographic analysis of the behaviour and movements of cells and cell masses in mated cultures (NC4 X VI2) of Dictyostelium discoideum indicates that a chemotactic process directs cell aggregation during macrocyst development. Zygote giant cells form before aggregation begins and act as the aggregation centres. Young multicellular macrocyst stages are sources of cyclic AMP, and amoebae from macrocyst cultures orient chemotactically to cyclic AMP. The data, coupled with other characteristics such as pulsatile streaming, suggest that the aggregation process leading to macrycyst development is the same as that occurring during fruit construction. Other aspects of sexual development are also discussed. Based upon these data, we propose a model for the sequence of events leading to macrocyst development in D. discoideum.


Serological incidence of avian reovirus infection in broiler-breeders and progeny in Nova Scotia.

The plaque neutralization test and the agar gel precipitation test were used to detect neutralizing and precipitating antibody to avian reovirus strain WVU2937 in sera from 14 commercial broiler breeder flocks and eight progeny flocks. Ten breeder flocks (71%) possessed positive agar gel precipitation reactors (598 sera tested) and 12 (86%) possessed plaque neutralization reactors (114 serum pools tested). All broiler flocks possessed agar gel precipitation reactors, but these were not examined for neutralizing antibody. As no avian reovirus vaccine had been used in Canada prior to this survey these reactions were presumably due to natural infection. Clinical evidence suggested that such infection was asymptomatic in most cases. The development and persistence of antibody to reovirus strain WVU2937 was followed in chicks exposed to the virus by oral inoculation or by contact. Neutralizing antibody was demonstrated in all birds by postinoculation day 17 and this persisted for at least six months. Precipitating antibody was also demonstrated in most chicks by postinoculation day 17, but by six months only 12% of the chicks were still agar gel precipitation positive.


Synthesis of choline and ethanolamine phospholipids with thiophosphoester bonds as substrates for phospholipase C.

Spectrophotometric assays of esterases are sensitive, rapid, and quite specific when thioester substrates are used. Glycerophospholipids with thiophosphoester bonds may be useful as substrates for phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3). These have been made from mercaptoglycerol and mercaptoethanol. The thiols were oxidized to disulfides, acylated, and reduced with dithiothreitol. Phosphocholine derivatives were made by the classical methods for oxyphosphoesters. The phosphatidyl choline analogue was converted to the phosphatidyl ethanolamine analogue by transphosphatidylation with cabbage phospholipase D and ethanolamine. Structures were proved with enzymic hydrolysis, infrared spectra, TLC behavior, and elemental analyses. The synthesized compounds were rac-1-S-phosphocholine-2,3-O-didecanoyl-1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, 1-S-phosphoethanolamine-2,3-O-didecanoyl-1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol, and 1-S-phosphocholine-2-O-hexadecanoyl-1-mercapto-2-ethanol.


Relationship between plasma prolactin concentration and pituitary function in patients with a pituitary adenoma.

The influence of hyperprolactinaemia on endocrine functions in forty-two consecutive patients with untreated pituitary tumours was studied. Patients with acromegaly, Cushing's disease and Nelson's syndrome were excluded. Sixteen patients (eleven men and five women) had a pituitary adenoma with suprasellar extension and twenty-six (eleven men and fifteen women) had a small intrasellar tumour. Basal plasma prolactin concentration was measured in all. Thyroid function was assessed by plasma thyroxine (T4) and TSH concentrations, adrenocortical function and growth hormone (GH) secretion by the maximum plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and GH concentrations, respectively, during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (tITT). Gonadal function was studied by measuring plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol-17 beta and in men, testosterone. On the basis of computer assisted tomography of the sella turcica, the tumour volume was calculated. The basal plasma prolactin concentration was elevated in 69% of the patients. Decreased GH secretion was the most frequent pituitary dysfunction (78%) followed in men by gonadal insufficiency (77%), adrenocortical insufficiency (31%) and thyroid insufficiency (21%). There was no difference between patients with elevated and normal plasma prolactin concentration as to the tumour volume and any of the endocrine variables.


[Generalized and lethal pentastomiasis due to Armillifer grandis (Hett, 1915)].

The authors described a case of generalised and lethal Pentastomiasis by a five years old girl. The most heavy parasitised organs are the lungs and the brain. Considering the age of the child and the uncommon density of the parasites, the authors suggest that the symptoms may follow the casual ingestion of a gravid female worm.


Variable effect on peripheral blood leucocytes during JE virus infection of man.

The peripheral blood leucocytes of twenty-four cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) were studied and the findings were compared with those in twenty-five normal health controls of matching age and sex. In the early phases of the disease marked neutrophil leucocytosis was seen which returned to almost normal levels by the fourth week. Lymphopenia was associated with diminished T lymphocytes but the number of B lymphocytes remained within the normal range. Though the number of T lymphocytes was reduced, their function of leucocyte migration inhibition in the presence of JE virus antigen was significantly higher. The phagocytic activity of the neutrophils, as shown by the uptake of neutral red dye, was diminished but the phagocytic activity of monocytes as shown by the uptake of neutral red dye, was diminished but the phagocytic activity of monocytes as shown by the uptake of neutral red dye or ingestion of latex particles remained unaffected. HI antibodies against JE virus were significantly higher in cases of encephalitis as compared with the control group. Thus, JE virus infection in man has a variable effect on different components of the peripheral blood leucocytes.


Osseous lesions and pathologic fractures in congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease: report of a case.

A newborn infant with congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease had spontaneous fractures of the distal radii bilaterally, and involvement of the metaphyseal portions of the humeri, ulnas, femurs, and tibias. The fractures healed promptly without complications under ordinary management. At the present time, one can only speculate on the cause of these lesions. Viral osteomyelitis, osteomalacia secondary to hepatitis and malabsorption and a disturbance of endochondral ossification are all possibilities. There is a need for additional cases with histologic and biochemical studies of the bone lesions in congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease.


In vivo transcription and translation of R-plasmid 538-1 DNA in Escherichia coli.

In vivo transcription and translation of R-plasmid 538-1 in E. coli was analyzed. Transcription of individual restriction fragments was determined qualitatively by utilizing the techniques developed by Southern (27), and quantitatively by carrying out DNA-RNA filter hybridization. The most active region of R-plasmid transcription in strains repressed for conjugal transfer was found to occur in the region of the R-plasmid carrying the antibiotic resistance genes. In plasmids derepressed for conjugal transfer, a high level of transcription from the transfer gene region was also observed. When strains carrying R538-1drd were induced with Hg++ a high level of transcription was observed from the region of the R-plasmid carrying the genes for Hgr. Hybrid ColE1 plasmids carrying restriction fragments from the antibiotic resistance region of R538-1 were segregated into minicells. Labeling of the minicells with 35S-methionine allowed identification of the proteins coded by the fragments. A limited number of proteins were detected, and several of these have been correlated with the antibiotic resistance genes carried by R538-1.


The exploitation of lambda tra transducing phages in the study of bacterial conjugation.

A set of lambda tra transducing phages have been isolated from an abnormal lysogen in which the lambda prophage was inserted into the traB gene of Flac, and characterised both genetically and physicochemically. The phages were used in several ways to facilitate studies of bacterial conjugation: (a) they aided the identification and mapping of four new transfer genes, traU, traN, traV and traW: (b) they gave information about the location and orientation of the promoters for traM, traJ and traI: (c) a more precise physical map of the transfer region was developed from the lengths of the tra segments that they carried, and (d) the molecular weights of the traM and traJ proteins synthesised by a lambda ptraMJALEK phage were determined.


Restriction of resistance transfer in Staphylococcus aureus.

The transduction frequency of wild type resistance plasmids carrying the modification of a defined donor strain into a series of acceptor strains with different restriction systems and into restriction-deficient mutants was studied. Plasmids carrying resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and penicillin were in general as sensitive as the transducing phage to restriction and modification. Plasmids carrying penicillinase of type A and C could be transferred into strains of group II.


Lipid accumulation in the rat liver: a histological and biochemical study.

The sequential pattern of lipid accumulation and associated biochemical changes were studied in two commonly used experimental models of nutritional fatty liver in rats. Female rats were maintained for 8 weeks on high fat, low protein diets containing adequate methionine and choline, and drinking water ad libitum (Diet 1), or deficient in methionine and choline and containing 20% ethanol as a substitute for drinking water (Diet 2). Histologically, there was a progressive increase in liver lipids, mainly in the periportal areas. Occasional foci of liver cell necrosis with lipogranuloma formation occurred in areas of severe fatty change. These changes appeared earlier and were more marked in rats maintained on Diet 2. Electron micrographs revealed large lipid droplets in the liver cells, which sometimes contained myelin figures. The mitochondria were enlarged, distorted and appeared as amorphous structures with disorientated cristae in rats on Diet 1, whereas they had a condensed conformation in rats maintained on Diet 2. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was fragmented and degranulated particularly in rats on Diet 1, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum showed hyperplasia and vesiculation in rats on Diet 2. There was a progressive increase in the total liver lipids and triglycerides in both the groups of rats. This fatty change was accompanied by a significant increase in hepatic 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, malate, 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, lactate, ammonia, glutamate, alanine and aspartate, and a significant decrease in oxaloacetate, urea and glucose concentrations. The mass action ratios for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase, generally moved in a parallel direction. Hepatic ATP content was considerably reduced accompanied by a decrease in [ATP]/[ADP] ratios and a significant increased in [lactate]/[pyruvate] and [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratios. There was a corresponding decrease in the [NAD+]/[NADH] ratios both in the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments. These biochemical changes were particularly severe in rats maintained on Diet 1 and Diet 2 for 8 weeks. There was a very good relationship between impaired mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum functions, redox and phosphorylation states, and the relevance of their changes to the fate of fatty liver cells.


Significance of biochemical markers in Morbus Hodgkin.

Statistically significant changes of the values of biochemical tests can be utilized in complex clinical and laboratory diagnosis and in appreciating the status of the disease in Hodgkin's lymphomas. Considering the increasing number of biochemical tests and their common nonspecificity, urgent necessity appears to verify their importance in malignant diseases. The authors analyzed 2626 biochemical examinations in 39 patients with M. Hodgkin. The results were evaluated in untreated patients, in patients in remission with and without BCG vaccination, in relapse, in the course of successful and unsuccessful therapy and the contribution of individual laboratory tests for the diagnosis and the course of the disease was verified. Suitable for the diagnosis are those tests which do not deviate from physiological limits in the sense either of the increase (alpha 2-, beta-, gamma-globulins and transaminases) or the decrease (albumins and albumin-globulin quotient). Statistically insignificant were the changes of the values of total protein, alpha1-globulins, N-urea, thymol turbidity reaction, cholesterol, phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenase. The results presented can be an aid for the clinician in the choice of individual biochemical markers.


E rosettes in the uranium miners with lung cancer.

Rosette forming cells (RFC) were evaluated in the peripheral blood of healthy persons, patients with lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Simultaneously the levels of RFC in persons with and without radiation exposure were compared. Two types of rosettes were enumerated: 1) lymphocytes binding 1 or 2 sheep red blood cells (SRBC), 2) lymphocytes binding 3 or more SRBC. Then the sum of both types was calculated. The patients with lung cancer were divided according to the TNM classification and histological types. The relative and absolute numbers of RFC in 1 microliter of peripheral blood proved depressed capacity of peripheral T-lymphocytes to form rosettes not only in patients with cancer or chronic bronchitis but also in controls with radiation exposure. Furthermore, there was established that the control group with radiation exposure was not different from the patients with cancer or chronic bronchitis.


Soluble and membrane-bound protein kinases in newborn and mature rat brain.

We studied the developmental changes of soluble and membrane-bound protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37) in rat brain and found that the elution profiles from a DEAE-cellulose column by NaCl of adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) dependent protein kinase from cytosol were not significantly different in newborn (0.19 M NaCl) vs. mature (0.21 M NaCl). In addition, there was little change in Kd for cyclic AMP binding of newborn and mature soluble enzyme. In contrast, using endogenous protein as the phosphate acceptor, cyclic AMP dependent and calcium-dependent protein kinases from brain synaptic membranes of mature rats were significantly higher than that of newborn rats.


Postnatal activity of angiotensin converting enzyme in rat brain.

The specific activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was studied in eight brain regions in rats 2--65 days of age. At 65 days of age the activities in various regions relative to the cortex were: neostriatum, 1,200%; hippocampus/amygdala, 430%; hypothalamus, 190%; cerebellum, 140%; and midbrain, thalamus and pons/medulla, 110%. Significant linear increases were found in the neostriatum, hippocampus/amygdala and cortex at 2--65 days of age, in the pons/medulla and thalamus at 2--42 days of age and in the midbrain at 2--21 days of age. The increase with age was greatest in the neostriatum and the data are consistent with the occurrence of ACE in neurons in this area.


Cerebral blood flow and sleep state in the normal newborn infant.

The cerebral blood flow (CBF) index measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in 12 normal newborn infants was found to vary significantly with sleep state. Criteria for definition of sleep state are described. The cerebral blood flow index in active sleep was 23% higher than in quiet sleep, and there were smaller, but consistent and significant, differences between intermediate and active or quiet sleep.


Gluconeogenic key enzymes in normal and intrauterine growth-retarded newborn rats.

Intrauterine growth retardation was induced in rats by ligation of the artery of one of both uterine horns. Activities of pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver were measured at 0, 1, 3 and 6 h after delivery in newborn rats from normal and sham-operated litters, and from ligated and contralateral uterine horns. Lower activities of fructose-1,6-diphosphatase were found in small-for-gestational-age animals in comparison with animals from contralateral horns. When small-for-gestational-age animals were compared with animals from sham litters (which could be regarded as more satisfactory controls), the activities of two other gluconeogenic enzymes (pyruvate carboxylase and glucose-6-phosphatase) appeared to be lower as well. It is concluded that a delay in the development of these gluconeogenic enzymes could play a role in neonatal hypoglycemia in small-for-gestational-age rats.


The ultrastructure of the pituitary gland under chronic stimulation of the ACTH-cells in human pathology and animal experiments.

Chronic stimulation of the ACTH-cells in rats was undertaken by adrenalectomy, chemical adrenostasis, by application of a CRF-analog and by non-specific means. The ultrastructural findings of the ACTH-cells were compared to those of the human pituitary gland in Cushing's disease. The pituitaries of 12 patients with the hypothalamic-hypophyseal form of Cushing's syndrome were studied by electron microscopy. A good correlation of the experimental observations to those in human pathology could be seen in the first steps of reaction. There was an enlargement of the ACTH-cells with well developed organelles and there was a simple hyperplasia. The following forms of reaction, nodular hyperplasia and adenomas, were only observed in the human pituitary glands. Chronic suppression by steroids leads to a diminution of the single ACTH-cell and their organelles and a reduction. The appearance of Crooke's cells is specific for the human pituitary and is not reproduced in animal experiments.


Regulation of sterol synthesis in leukaemic blast cells: a defect resembling familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Leucocytes from normal subjects and from patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia incubated for 9 h in the absence of lipoproteins increased their rate of sterol biosynthesis from [2-14C]acetate threefold. Subsequent addition of complete serum, low density lipoprotein or cholesterol in a non-lipoprotein form suppressed sterol synthesis in leucocytes from normal subjects. In contrast, complete serum or low density lipoprotein totally failed to suppress sterol synthesis in leukaemic blast cells. However, when these cells were incubated with cholesterol in a non-lipoprotein form suppression of sterol synthesis occurred as in normal leucocytes. These results suggest that leukaemic blast cells behave like cells from patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia in showing failure of regulation of sterol synthesis by low density lipoprotein.


Plasma equilin concentrations in an oophorectomized woman following ingestion of conjugated equine oestrogens (Premarin).

The plasma equilin concentration was 25.2 nmol/l (6.7 ng/ml) 4 h after an oral dose of Premarin (1.25 mg), and a maximum concentration of 20.5 nmol/l (5.5 ng/ml) was recorded 3 h after a smaller dose (0.625 mg) was given. 24 h later, the plasma equilin was still considerable, being 6.1 nmol/l (1.6 ng/ml) and 3.7 nmol/l (1.2 ng/ml) for the larger and smaller dosages respectively. The findings for equilin are considerably higher than physiological oestrogen concentrations and in addition show that daily therapy with Premarin could lead to cumulation of the steroid.


Prevalence of antibodies to soluble antigen of Epstein-Barr virus-producing cells (P3HR-1) in the sera of hamadryas baboons of the high lymphoma incidence stock.

Soluble antigen of P3HR-1 cells (SA-P3HR-1) was identified in indirect double immunodiffusion enhanced with tannic acid using serum of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient containing high-titer antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens. SA-P3HR-1 was nonidentical to soluble antigen of Raji cells. Human and baboon sera containing antibodies to all the known antigen of EBV and HVP respectively were anti-SA-3HR-1-positive. Human and baboon sera containing antibodies to all the known antigens of EBV and herpesvirus Papio (HVP) were also anti-SA-P3HR-1-negative. Prevalence of anti-SA-P3HR-1 was very high in two groups of the high-lymphoma incidence stock of hamadryas baboons of the Sukhumi monkey colony. 54% (15 of 28) and 38% (13 of 34) of clinically lymphomatous and clinical normal monkeys, respectively, were anti-SA-P3HR-1-positive.. Only 1 of 30 normal baboons studied, living in the forest and having no contacts with the baboons in the main stock of the Sukhumi monkey colony, was anti-SA-P3HR-1-positive (3%).


Increased agglutinability and haemadsorption of Marek's disease HPRS line 1 lymphoblastoic cells after concanavalin A treatment.

The HPRS line 1 lymphoblastoid cells derived from an ovarian lymphoma induced by Marek's disease virus in chickens displayed increased agglutinability and haemadsorption when incubated with Con A. The increase was proportional to the concentration of Con A used. The same Con A-untreated cells and normal chicken lymphocytes incubated with Con A exhibited no increase in agglutinability and haemadsorption, however.


[Blood serum cortisol, insulin and somatotropin concentration in children with hypothalamo-hypophyseal insufficiency].

In 22 patients with restricted growth the consecutive stimulation with arginine and insuline was applied for the diagnosis of somatotropic insufficiency. 13 children showed GH insufficiency. Simultaneously cortisol level during hypoglycemia for ACTH reserve and insulin level after arginine application were estimated.


Neuropsychological dysfunction in acute viral hepatitis.

Neuropsychological dysfunction may precede, occur simultaneously with, or follow the icteric phase of viral hepatitis. Encephalitic and meningitic involvement appears to precede the onset of clinical hepatitis while the tremor syndrome usually follows the onset of illness. The Guillain-Barré syndrome, peripheral nerve disorders, and behavioral abnormalities may occur at any stage of the disease. Neuropsychological alterations noted during the prodrome of viral hepatitis usually clear without sequelae but abnormalities which follow the onset of jaundice may persist during the convalescent phase for prolonged periods. Neither occurrence, type, nor severity of neuropsychological dysfunction appear to be related to specific hepatitis viruses since both type B and non-B infections have been implicated. Furthermore, neuropsychological dysfunction does not appear to be related to the severity of the hepatitis as assessed by clinical or histological features. Although direct viral invasion of nervous tissue and immune complex-mediated damage have been postulated, the mechanism(s) of neuropsychological abnormalities remains to be determined.


Tumor cell aggregation and mode of cancer spread in linitis plastica type of gastric carcinoma.

Spread of tumor cells in linitis plastica type of gastric carcinoma was studied in relation to features of tumor cell aggregation which were classified into two types: free-cell type and small nest type. Free-cell type was accompanied by a larger amount of fibrous stroma in submucosal layers than in small nest type. In the gastric wall lymphatics and regional lymph nodes, small nest types was more prominent than the free-cell type. Lymphatic permeation was noted predominantly in the submucosa. In the mucosa, both free-cell and small nest types were frequently present. In carcinoma with free-cell type predominance, diffuse infiltration with infrequent lymphogenous spread was noted, while in carcinoma with small nest type predominance, spread via the lymphogenous route was observed more frequently. The mode of cancer spread in this type of carcinoma appeared to be affected by the type of tumor cell aggregation dominant in the mucosa.


Histopathological studies on renal tubular cell tumors in rats treated with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine.

Administration of a diet containing 0.2% N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) for 2 weeks induced hepatocellular carcinoma in 3 and renal tubular cell tumors in 7 of 9 Wistar rats. Diet containing 0.1% EHEN induced renal tubular cell tumors in 6 of 10 rats, but no hepatocellular carcinomas. Both diets induced atypical cell population of tubules in the kidney, but no nephroblastoma.