[Valve shunt for use in heart surgery and surgery on the great vessels].

Surgery with extracorporeal circulation must be carried out within temporary limits because of trauma to the blood by the pumping system and partly because of the oxygenators. For vascular replacement extracorporeal circulation can only conditionally be used because heparinization is required. The authors deviced a bypass for certain surgical interventions on the heart and thoracic aorta without the above mentioned drawbacks, which can be used for a longer period without pump and heparinization. This valve shunt stood all trials in experiment.


[Interaction of the cholinergic and adrenergic systems during generation of 2 forms of sleep in Rana temporaria frogs and Emys orbicularis turtles].

Universal role of cholinergic mechanisms has been revealed in triggering of activation during two forms of sleep in cold-blooded animals--the primary sleep (fish, amphibians) and intermediate sleep (reptiles). The intensity of activation phenomenon in the brain during these forms of the sleep is controlled by functional interaction between cholinergic and adrenergic systems of the brain. It is suggested that the vegetative nervous system is the most ancient regulatory system of the cycle awakefulness-sleep in vertebrates. The observed activation phenomenon, developing during sleep in the cold-blooded animals, with respect to its biological role plays presumably the same function as paradoxical stage during slow--wave sleep in warm-blooded animals.


[Distribution of vestibular nerve fiber endings in the ventral vestibular nucleus of the stato-acoustic complex of the medulla oblongata in Rana temporaria frogs].

Electronmicroscopic studies have been made on the distribution of the primary vestibular afferents after sectioning the VIIIth nerve in the frog Rana temporaria. The projections of the vestibular nerve fibers extend ipsilaterally. Some of the primary vestibular afferents are connected with the second-order neurons by means of electrotonic contacts. Degeneration of postsynaptic components was found in axo-axonal synapses. Some of the vestibular neurons send axons to the labyrinth. Possible functional significance of these findings is discussed.


Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension and the Shy and Drager syndrome; Physiological studies in four cases; pathological report of one case.

Five cases of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension are presented. Physiological tests were performed in four cases which demonstrated that the lesion in the sympathetic system was most probably situated in the intermediolateral columns in three cases. In one case the lesion was localized on the efferent pathway either at the preganglionic or the postganglionic level. These four patients had also evidence of parasympathetic dysfunction. In the fifth case the clinical diagnosis of Shy and Drager syndrome was confirmed by pathological examination of the nervous system which revealed intermediolateral cell loss and the pathological findings commonly observed in the striato-nigral and olivo-ponto-cerebellar degenerations.


Electrocardiographic studies in acute pericarditis with specific reference to ventricular involvement of non-specific pericarditis.

The authors investigated electrocardiographic changes minutely in five cases of acute pericarditis, and especially in two cases of non-specific pericarditis. The results indicated that the amplitudes of the R and S waves increased progressively immediately after the disease reached a peak, which was reached after abnormal heart shadow in the chest x-ray returned to normal. This increased curve of amplitude varied in association with changes in the ST segment and T wave, suggesting an inflammatory dilatation of the myocardium. On the other hand, however, the curve was indistinct and took a long time to reach a maximum in case of systemic lupus erythematosus pericarditis, and was found to decrease and remain stationary in cases of pericarditis secondary to lung cancer and/or tuberculosis. These facts should become a useful guideline for diagnosis of acute non-specific pericarditis (due to virus origin). Ischemic changes of the ST segment and T wave were manifested by an exercise test during recovery from acute pericarditis when ST segment and T wave abnormalities had already improved and high voltage was the only abnormal finding on the ECG. In the healing stage, regarding the finding of high voltage, it should be pointed out that the myocardium remains as yet with residual damage revealed by loading with exercise, and treatment may be necessary until the abnormal finding has improved.


Digoxin and congestive heart failure.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the absorption of digoxin in alcoholic solution in normal subjects and in patients on congestive heart failure whose water and electrolyte balances were determined. While the parameters of the distribution kinetics were not significantly different between the two groups, the areas under the serum concentration curve resulted increased in the patients on congestive heart failure indicating a more efficient absorption respect to the normal subjects.


Combination chemotherapy of advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.

Combination chemotherapy in advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck resulted in objective remission in 5 of 8 patients, with a median duration of 9 months. In 4 patients, the intravenous chemotherapy was supplemented by regional intra-arterial short-time infusion chemotherapy, by which one patient obtained a partial remission and 3 a static disease. The most important results of the methods used were the subjective improvements of the patients. The side-effects were acceptable, and no serious complications were observed.


Demonstration of transventricular CSF absorption by computerized tomography.

Four cases are presented of marked periventricular oedema associated with hydrocephalus on CT scan. In one of the patients oedema, as well as the hydrocephalus, subsided after successful re-establishment of CSF absorption. The most likely explanation of the periventricular oedema is increased absorption of CSF by periventricular brain tissue.


Spontaneous rupture of the third ventricle in obstructive hydrocephalus: a radiographic diagnosis.

Two cases of posterior fossa tumours with spontaneous rupture of the third ventricle are presented. In the first case there was dramatic relief of symptoms of raised intracranial tension. Rupture of the supra-pineal recess was demonstrated by Conray ventriculography in both cases.


Influence of dorsal column stimulation (DCS) on spastic movement disorders.

Dorsal column stimulation in two spastic patients with upper motor neurone disease showed the following effects: 1. The subjective feeling of stiffness decreased. During DCS patients were able to walk longer distances without rest. 2. The ability to perform fast alternating or synchronous "pedal-pressing" foot movements improved by 15%. 3. The threshold of H-reflexes was enhanced up to 12%, and outlasted the end of stimulation by two minutes. 4. The H-reflex amplitude was depressed in relation to intensity and duration of DC-stimulation up to 10 minutes after the end of DCS. 5. A late second facilitatory wave at 300 msec in the curve for H-reflexes conditioned by a short tibial stimulus was inhibited during DCS. Although the hyperexcitability of the H-reflex was dampened significantly during DCS the whole motor disturbance improved only slightly.


Aortic root dissection complicating coronary bypass surgery.

Four cases are presented of aortic root dissection after aortocoronary bypass surgery in which the origin of the intimal tear was at or very near the aortic site of saphenous vein anastomosis. Two cases were documented at autopsy. In one of two cases diagnosed with aortography, the patient underwent surgical correction and survived. All patients had long-standing severe hypertensive cardiovascular disease or severe generalized atherosclerotic disease, or both. Clinical awareness of aortic dissection after coronary bypass surgery in this group of patients should make early diagnosis with successful surgical correction feasible.


Myocardial alterations associated with aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass.

Clinical observations and gross and microscopic morphology of the hearts of 50 patients who dies at various intervals following aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass procedures are presented. Time of total cardiopulmonary bypass varied inversely with survival time among these patients. Myocardial necrosis with contraction bands and/or hemorrhagic myocardial necrosis was observed in the hearts of 44 of the 50 patients. Pathogenesis of the acute myocardial necrosis with contraction bands was multifactorial: anoxic arrest, cardiotonic drugs, electrical defibrillation, electrolyte imbalance, microthrombi, and hypoperfusion are incriminated. Subendocardial hemorrhagic necrosis was present in 17 of 40 patients whose postoperative survivals were four days or less. Its frequency increased with duration of survival. Hypoperfusion of the myocardium is suggested as the major etiologic factor of the subendocardial hemorrhagic necrosis. Myocardial lesions observed among these 50 patients did not differ from those in patients who had open-heart surgery for other reasons.


Aortic dissection complicating aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass.

A high autopsy incidence, 7 of 50 cases (14%), of aortic dissection as the major cause of death in patients who died following aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass is reported. The patients ranged in age from 45 to 61 years, and all had moderately severe aortic atherosclerosis. None was hypertensive, and no significant predisposing aortic medial disease was recognized. Trauma during surgical cannulation with retrograde perfusion through atherosclerotic femoral or iliac arteries was considered the initiating event leading to ileo-aortic dissection in five of the seven patients. Damage secondary to aortic cross-clamping is suggested as the pathogenetic mechanism leading to dissection in the other two patients. In six patients, the dissection was Type I of DeBakey, and in one patient, Type II. Dissection was recognized intra-operatively in five of the seven patients. In older patients, particularly those likely to have atherosclerosis of the aorta and its main branches, vigilance regarding the possibility of aortic dissection developing during the course of cardiopulmonary bypass must be constant.


Pure acute monocytic leukemia. A study of 12 cases.

Twelve cases of pure acute monocytic leukemia in adults were studied. They were selected on the basis of the morphology of the blast cells on Romanowsky-stained smears of blood and bone marrow, as well as positivity of the cells for the naphthol ASD acetate esterase reaction specifically inhibited by sodium fluoride. There was no sex predominance. Neoplastic involvement of the skin and/or gingiva was very frequent. The leukemic proliferation in blood and bone marrow consisted of monoblasts, promonocytes and monocytes. The peroxidase reaction was negative or only faintly positive. Serum and urinary lysozyme levels were increased. The blast cells retained their ability to stimulate, in vitro, colony formation by normal bone marrow cells used as targets. All of these characteristics permit specific identification of this type of acute leukemia. The prognosis is grim: only five of 12 patients achieved complete remission, and four of these five had relapses in less than 14 months; the median survival was five months.


Multiple myeloma terminating in lymphocytic leukemia with B-lymphocyte membrane markers.

The development of lymphocytic leukemia with a rapidly fatal clinical course is reported in a patient with kappa light-chain multiple myeloma treated with alkeran. The leukemic cells lacked the ultrastructural features of plasma cells but bore readily detectable B-cell markers and resembled lymphocytes under the light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopes. The leukemic phase is perhaps best defined as lymphocytic and probably represents a variant of plasma cell leukemia, in which the cells showed a degree of dedifferentiation from plasma cells to B lymphocytes. The possible relation between these 2 proliferative processes is discussed and the nature of leukemias developing in cases of plasma cell myeloma is briefly reviewed.


Observations on the anemia and neutropenia of human copper deficiency.

Following extensive bowel resection, a young woman experienced severe malnutrition; subsequent administration of parenteral nutrition precipitated the copper deficiency syndrome. This consisted of hypocupremia, subnormal ceruloplasmin levels, anemia, and severe neutropenia. The bone marrow was megaloblastic, vacuolated, and sideroblastic; granulocytic maturation was not observed beyond the myelocyte stage. Copper sulfate therapy was followed by a marked reticulocytosis, increase in hematocrit, and recovery of neutrophils. Additional studies indicated that both serum and urinary erythropoietin values were low; serum activity increased after copper supplementation. Abnormal granulopoiesis was demonstrated using the in vitro granulocyte colony assay. The patient's granulcoytic stem cells were normal on two occasions; however, mixing studies showed that culture of the patient's copper-deficient marrow with her copper-deficient serum yielded significantly reduced numbers of granulocyte colonies. Thus, copper appears to be a necessary element for normal hematopoiesis; lack of this trace element may result in ineffective erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis.


ANA-negative systemic lupus erythematosus.

The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in serum is generally considered a decisive diagnostic sign of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ten patients with clinical signs of disease but persistent negative tests for ANA are examined in this study. Hair fall, Raynaud's phenomenon and recurrent oral ulcers were common in the ANA-negative group. ANA-negative SLE seems to be a subgroup of SLE that has not previously been given adequate attention.


Hemophilus influenzae pneumonia in adults.

Hemophilus influenzae pneumonia was diagnosed in 41 adult patients based on cultures of blood, pleural fluid or transtracheal aspirate. Bacteremia occurred in all age groups, but was most frequent in patients over the age of 50 years with severe underlying pulmonary disease. Chest films usually demonstrated multisegmental or multilobar infiltrates without evidence of cavitation. Pleural involvement was evident in half of the patients, although empyema occurred infrequently. Mortality was almost always associated with serious underlying diseases and bacteremia. Encapsulated strains of H. influenzae (usually type B) were identified in 18 of 22 (82 per cent) patients. The use of transtracheal aspirations and the adoption of routine subculturing of blood cultures on chocolate agar appear to be important factors in our increased recognition of this disease.


The use of rhodamine-latex particles in B-cell determinations.

A simple, inexpensive, and easily visible procedure for labeling phagocytic cells in B-cell preparations is discussed. The procedure involves adding rhodamine-latex particles to lymphocyte preparations, then simultaneously looking for the presence of ingested latex particles in contaminating phagocytic cells and for fluorescein labeled surface immunoglobulins. This differentiation of cells allows one to correct for the true percentage of B cells.


Surface markers in leukemias and lymphomas.

Cell marker analysis has contributed to a better understanding of the biology and morphology of the lymphomas, and its application to the lymphomas has provided important insights into the working of normal lymphocytes. In the process, the immunologist, the pathologist, the clnician who deals with lymphomas, and the patient have all benefited. Continued study of cellular differentiation through analysis of the lymphoproliferative disorders should shed further light on this difficult but fascinating area of medicine.


A morphologic and immunologic surface marker study of 299 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphomas and related leukemias.

This study relateds the cytologic types of the classification of malignant lymphoma of Lukes and Collins to the results of immunologic surface marker studies as part of a systematic multiparameter study of 299 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The results support the hypothesis that malignant lymphomas are neoplasms of the immune system and involve the B- and T-cell systems and, rarely, histiocytes. The morphologic features of the cytologic types of Lukes and Collins are predictive of the subtypes of lymphoma and considerably more effective than the immunologic surface marker techniques in identifying homogeneous groups. There are considerable methodologic and interpretive problems that are evaluated in detail. The verification of the B- and T-cell subtypes of the Lukes and Collins classification indicates that the time has come to change from the terminology and classification of lymphomas of the past to a modern immunologic approach.


The nature of childhood leukemia and lymphoma.

One hundred consecutive newly diagnosed cases of leukemia and lymphoma in children from 0 to 16 years of age presenting at the University of Minnesota from 1973 to 1977 were studied. Clinical features were correlated with phenotypic features of blast cells, including surface markers and cytomorphology. Four groups with distinct clinical and pathologic features emerged from the study: a) The acute leukemias of the "null" or "undifferentiated" group were those in which the malignant cells carried distinctive null leukemia surface antigen and lacked features of either T cells (E-rosette positivity) or B cells (surface immunoglobulin positivity). These cases occurred most frequently in the series (56% of total cases), peaked in incidence at 6 years, were associated with extensive bone marrow involvement, lacked distinguishing cytomorphologic features, and had the best response to therapy of all groups. b) The acute myelogenous leukemias, including those with myeloid, monocytoid, or erythroid features or a combination of the above, had extensive bone marrow involvement and the characteristic morphology. This group was seen with intermediate frequency and showed an intermediate response to therapy. c) Leukemia-lymphomas of the T-cell group were frequently associated with mediastinal masses and other masses, a cytomorphology which was different from the B-cell group but similar to the null group, and high white cell counts. These cases occurred with intermediate frequency (14%) and had a worse prognosis than the null group. d) Leukemia-lymphomas of the B-cell group had monoclonal surface immunoglobulin with mu-heavy and either kappa or lambda light chain. These patients were least frequent in the series, frequently presented with abdominal masses, and had a characteristic Burkitt cell morphology. Prognosis was the worst of all patients in our series. These data suggest that the major phenotypic groups of childhood leukemia and lymphoma have differing prognoses and should receive differing forms of therapy. Clinical and pathologic features of each group are sufficiently distinctive to suggest that they may have different causes.


Toward assuring confidentiality of records in large-scale assessment programs.

EPSDT, or any similar national health program, will spawn multiple records on millions of children and adults. Multiple providers will need to share more data to provide quality care. Maintaining privacy of child/parent records, avoiding the dangers of labeling, controlling the life of records and insuring their appropriate demise exacerbate record maintenance problems. Principles of record-keeping confidentiality are proposed.


Suggested models of ecotaxopathy in lymphoreticular malignancy. A role for iron-binding proteins in the control of lymphoid cell migration.

In the present paper we apply the "ecotaxis hypothesis" to the analysis of lymphocyte distribution in Hodgkin's disease and other forms of lymphoid malignancy. The results lead us to consider the possiblity that metal-binding proteins, namely ferritin, transferrin and lactoferrin, play a role in lymphocyte ecotaxopahty. It is suggested that in Hodgkin's disease, a failure of lymph node and spleen monocytes to handle iron normally could explain most of the hematologic, immunologic, pathologic, and epidemiologic features of the disease.


Characterization of frog muscle mitochondria.

Studies on oxidative phosphorylation revealed that, in frog skeletal muscle mitochondria (SKMM) from the thigh, the adenosine diphosphate/oxygen ratio (ADP/O) was 2.8 +/- 0.1 SE, and the respiratory control ratio was 9.5 +/- 0.9, with pyruvate/malate as the substrate. Oxygen uptake rate (Qo2) was 225 mumol O2 per minute per gram mitochondrial protein +/- 13; phosphorylation rate (ADP/O X Qo2 X 2) was 1,230 mumol ADP phosphorylation per minute per gram mitochondrial protein +/- 77; and the phosphorylation capacity (phosphorylation rate times tissue mitochondrial protein content) was 3.6 mumol ADP phosphorylated per gram wet weight of muscle +/- 0.2. Tissue mitochondrial protein content was determined by the measurement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase activity. Electron microscopy (EM) revealed intact, isolated, energized twisted mitochondria of a condensed form. Frog sartorius muscle mitochondria gave similar oxidative phosphorylation parameters when investigated independently of the rest of the thigh. These values of SKMM respiration from the frog are similar to those values obtained from pigeon and rabbit heart and rat skeletal muscles. However, because of the low NADH-oxidase activity indicating reduced mitochondrial content (this was verified in low-magnification EM pictures), phosphorylation capacity was significantly reduced in frog skeletal muscle mitochondria.


Portal decompression in infants and children with the interposition mesocaval shunt.

The mesocaval graft for portal decompression is applicable in infants and children with portal hypertension secondary to extrahepatic or intrahepatic causes. It is recommended in patients in whom extensive previous surgery in the portahepatis (Kasai procedure) would make dissection of the portal vein difficult and endanger the integrity of the functioning biliary conduit. It can be performed in patients who have had previous splenectomy or in whom portacaval or splenorenal shunts have failed. Autogenous jugular vein is favored for creation of the shunt.


Vitreoretinal juncture over retinal vessels.

Previous studies have attributed changes in the retinal surface over or adjacent to large superficial retinal vessels to a variety of conditions, the most common being 'anomalous vitreoretinal attachments.' The fundamental nature of the lesions and their pathogenesis, however, has remained controversial. The present study was undertaken to categorize the ultrastructural alterations of the vitreoretinal juncture over retinal vessels in the posterior fundus of man, and to clarify the relationship of these fundamental changes to clinically significant lesions in this region. Results show no difference in vitreoretinal, or more specifically vitreolaminar attachments over vessels when compared with adjacent regions. The cause of the more significant anomalies, notably surface breaks and their sequelae, is apparently multifactorial and related to a sequence of events. Initially three events predispose to or cause small surface breaks: developmental thinning of the inner limiting lamina; subsurface retinal degeneration; and transmigrating macrophages. These small surface breaks, when complicated by vitreous incarceration or by simple epiretinal membrane formation, can during posterior vitreous detachment cause peeling of the retinal surface, and the resulting large surface breaks may in turn provoke more complex proliferative lesions of the vitreoretinal juncture.


[Syndrome of blue sclerae and keratoglobus (ocular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (author's transl)].

Two children born on Crete of consanguinous parents presented the following manifestations of the ocular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS): blue sclerae, keratoglobus and rupture of cornea following minor trauma. In cultivated fibroblasts of one of the patients there was no evidence of defective lysine hydroxylation. The possible relation of our case to a recent similar report by Judisch et al. (1976) is discussed. The ocular type of EDS may be genetically heterogenous. Provisionally, we propose for cases with normal lysyl hydroxylation in vitro the term 'type VIII of EDS'.


Cycloscopy of angle-closure glaucoma.

Cycloscopy was performed in eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma and non-glaucomatous wide-angle. In all eyes of primary angle-closure glaucoma, the ciliary processes were accessible through the small pupil by cycloscopy with minimal or no indentation. In fellow eyes of the previously acute-attack eyes, the ciliary processes were visualized through the small pupil without indentation. On the contrary, in primary angle-closure glaucoma eyes the significant shallow chamber depth was seen in 66%, and the positive prone-position test in 41%. The results obtained seem to suggest that morphological changes of the ciliary processes might be causally related to the manifestation of primary angle-closure glaucoma, and that cycloscopy is a reliable diagnostic method.


[Unilateral aphakia in juveniles. Results of combined correction (author's transl)].

Eighty-one unilateral aphakies under 45 years of age, 63 of which had suffered an injury, were analyzed by echometry and intraocular optics. With the aid of a computer, the majority of cases were treated for restoration of nearly equal images in both eyes by combined correction, i.e., an appropriate spectacle -- contact lens combination with both distant and near vision in the aphakie eye taken into consideration. Results with unilateral post-traumatic aphakia (63 cases) : 31 patients with uncorrected vision and 42 with a conventional contact lens suffered from symptoms of binocular confusion as opposed to only one patient with combined correction. Of the 63 patients with uncorrected vision or with a conventional contact lens, 44 had strabismus. After optimal treatment with combined correction, with or without subsegment strabismus surgery, 19 out of 23 patients were cured of their strabismus and regained a useful and comfortable, distant and near binocular vision. Thus, for juvenile unilateral aphakics, a rather good prognosis was achieved by combined correction.


[Chromatic adaptation produces opposite effects on the on and off responses of the photopic electroretinogram (author's transl)].

The electrical response of the light adapted human eye to onset (a-wave) and offset (d1-wave of the positive off-effect) of monochromatic test stimuli between 448 and 654 nm (Ganzfeld stimulation, duration of test flash 0.3 s) was recorded by means of the electroretinogram in 10 normal observers during steady illumination of various wavelengths of 2.2 log Troland. During exposure to white light the spectral sensitivity of the a-wave and off-effect as determined by a criterion amplitude of 25 micronV were similar, the sensitivity of the off-effect being 0.4 log units lower as compared to the a-wave. Blue adaptation (467 nm) decreased the sensitivity of the a-wave and increased the sensitivity of the off-effect within the short wavelengths region of the spectrum. Red adaptation (630 nm) decreased the sensitivity of the a-wave and increased the sensitivity of the off-effect within longer wavelengths. Green adaptation (530 nm) produced only a small decrease of sensitivity of the a-wave for green test light, the sensitivity of the off-effect remained constant. The opposite changes of the a-wave and off-effect during chromatic adaptation demonstrate different participation of these components in the generation of color mechanisms in the human retina.


Concentration of ampicillin in the vitreous after cryocoagulation.

After transconjunctival cryocoagulation rabbits received 100 mg/kg ampicillin intravenously. At different times in serum, aqueous humor, and in vitreous the concentrations of ampicillin were determined by the agar diffusion method. During the first 90 min after injection the concentration of ampicillin in the vitreous of the treated eyes reached 1 microgram/ml. Up to 3 days after coagulation such high concentrations were found. Five and ten days after coagulation the concentration reached 0.48 microgram/ml (mean value). With progressive cicatrization of the cryospots less ampicillin was found in the vitreous. In the vitreous of the untreated control eyes only minimal or no ampicillin was found in all of our experiments.


A search for serum antibodies in Adie's syndrome.

Serum specimens from a large number of patients with Adie's syndrome were checked for virus antibody levels: Measles hemagglutination inhibition (HI), parainfluenza types I, II and III (HI), Epstein-Barr immunofluorescence, Mumps complement fixation (CF), Adenovirus (CF), Varicella-Zoster (CF), Herpes simplex (CF), Cytomegalovirus (CF), Mycoplasma hominis (CF), Toxoplasma gondii passive hemagglutination. These antibody levels were compared with specimens from a control group of similar age distribution and sex ratio. No statistically significant differences between the patients with Adie's syndrome and the control group could be demonstrated. This observation offers some indirect support to Harriman's idea that Adie's syndrome is not due to a viral ciliary ganglionitis but rather to an indolent neuronal degeneration in the ciliary and dorsal root ganglia.


[A new method for calibration of electrophysiological recording systems (author's transl)].

The method described in this paper permits determination of amplification, band-pass properties, and electrode impedance in electrophysiological experimental setups. The battery powered test-signal generator drives square-wave current pulses through a 2 ohm resistance, which acts as a source of 100 muV p-p pulses. The 2 ohm resistor is wired in series with one of the electrode leads and remains there permanently. For calibration of the above-mentioned properties, one need only turn the generator on, without changing the measurement setup. By observing the shape of the square waves after passing through the system, it is possible to judge the band-pass characteristics of the entire system. Electrode impedance may be measured by putting a (variable) resistor in parallel with the preamplifier input. The test signal current is of the same order of magnitude as currents from biological signal sources. This method makes working with electrophysiological measurement systems which are used in electroretinography, electrooculography, and recording of visually-evoked cortical potentials in ophthalmology much easier.


[Depressor effect and primary resistance of the cornea against Pseudomonas pyocyanea (author's transl)].

As Ps. pyocyanea seems to replace previously dominant germs as the main cause of corneal infections, the influence of Chloromycetin and actinomycin D on the primary resistance of the cornea and the so-called depressor effect of corneal superinfection with Ps. pyocyanea was tested. The experimental results showed that primary resistance of the mouse cornea against Ps. pyocyanea could be reduced by local application of Chloromycetin drops, but not by actinomycin D. Likewise, the depressor effect of corneal superinfection by Ps. pyocyanea could be significantly reduced by Chloromycetin, whereas actinomycin D had no influence.


Familial band--shaped keratopathy and spheroidal degeneration. Clinical and electron microscopic study.

Presumptive primary band-shaped keratopathy was described in a 35-year-old man and his 62-year-old paternal uncle. Lamellar keratoplasty was performed in one eye in each of these patients. The light and electron microscopic studies were carried out on both corneal specimens. Histologic stains for calcium were negative. Noncalcific band-shaped keratopathy was confirmed by electron microscopic findings too. Electron-dense globular deposits were found in the region of Bowman's membrane and superficial stroma. These may be characterized as a secondary form of spheroidal degeneration.


[Influencing of the kininogen-Kinin-System by means of a kallikrein-inhibitor during extracorporeal circulation in open heart surgery (author's transl)].

During extracorporeal circulation for open heart surgery an activation of the kininogen-kininsystem occurs with a decrease in plasma-kininogen-levels significantly exceeding the effect of haemodilution, and thus being due to an increased liberation of kinin. This effect could be suppressed by kallikrein inhibition by means of a protease-inhibitor.


[Prevention and treatment of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage with cimetidine and somatostatin in intensiv care patients (author's transl)].

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage is a severe problem in patients in surgical intensive care units. Good experimental and clinical results are reported with somatostatin (somatotropin release inhibitoring factor) and cimetidine (H2-receptor antagonist) in prevention and treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding, by blocking gastric acid secretion. These experiences are confirmed with an open trial in 13 seriously ill surgical patients. First of all cimetidine can be recommended because of its mode of action and application.


[The topology of circular DNA].

A non-orientable structure, said Möbius stripe, is proposed for certain types of circular DNA. This structure could account for particular forms, such as dimers, double length molecules, or catenans which are molecules topologically interwomen. On the other hand, it is suggested that a second structure derived from the same principal of non-orientability could have gendered the dynamics of DNA replication at the origin of life: this is hypothesis of archetype Möbius strip.


[Localization of enolases 1 and 2 on chromosomes 1 and 12 respectively by the analysis of human-mouse hybrids].

The study of enolase in man-mouse somatic hybrids confirms synteny between ENO1 and the markers on human chromosome 1 (AK2, PGM1, Pep-C) and synteny between ENO2 and the markers on human chromosome 12 (LDHB, Pep-B). The study also shows that the different enolase bands observed in mouse cell strains (Cl1D, R4, A9, 3T3), in hamster cell strains (CH, V79/4, A3), and in 3 of the different bands observed in human fibroblasts have a dimeric structure. The formation of these enolase bands depends on genes at two different loci alpha and beta. The hamster cell line CH (HGPRT) showed a rare enolase phenotype with a two-banded pattern in the intermediate region, a triple-banded pattern in the slow region, and one single isozyme in the fast region. This hamster strain is heterozygous for the first locus and homozygous for the second one. The relationship between these different enolase bands is as follow: in the slow "a" zone, alpha1alpha1,alpha1 alpha2,alpha2alpha2; in the intermediate "i" zone, alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1; and, in the fast "b" zone, beta1beta1. It appears that the frequency of heterozygotes for the alpha or beta loci in man is very low. Of 32 unrelated fibroblast strains investigated, none was found to be heterozygous for the alpha or beta locus.


Familial partial trisomy 15.

A family, including two sibs with partial trisomy 15 is described. Maternal chromosome analysis revealed 46,XX/47,XX,+15q-, mosaicism. These findings are discussed in relation to seventeen previously published cases, some of which were sporadic and others due to maternal balanced translocation.


[Multi-oocytic follicles in 2 related female hamsters and an in vitro study of their meiosis. A possible explanation of heriditary twinning].

Multi-oocytic follicles containing 2 to 6 oocytes were observed in two female hamsters, a mother and daughter pair. Cultivation rarely permitted more than one oocyte to reach maturation. These findings, which could explain the hereditary character of dizygotic twinning, are compared with observations made in other mammalian species.


Ear anomalies associated with renal dysplasia and immunodeficiency disease. A histopathological study.

The histopathologic study of the temporal bones of a case with low-set rudimentary auricles, without preauricular pits or cervical fistula is presented. Abnormalities of the middle and inner ear, fusion of the kidneys, hydrocephalus, short-limbed dwarfism and immunodeficiency are described. An abnormally low position of the middle cranial fossa in relation to the petrous pyramid was observed. The cochlea was of normal length. The modiolus was poorly developed with apparently normal population of ganglion cells and moderate diffuse hydrops of the cochlear duct and saccule. The stria vascularis was partially degenerated in the upper apical coil. Vestibular abnormalities included bilateral absence of common crus of the vertical canals and unusually high origin of endolymphatic aqueduct with no medial dilation present, the convoluted portion of the sac located beneath the dura.


Comparison of rapid methods of antimicrobial susceptibility in Haemophilus influenzae.

A method is described for the rapid, simultaneous determination of the MIC's of chloramphenicol and ampicillin to Haemophilus influenzae. Excellent agreement was observed between the Autobac method and the agar dilution method for antimicrobial susceptibility. All ampicillin resistant Haemophilus isolates produced beta lactamase and none of the suceptible strains produced this enzyme.


[Comparative cytogenetic study of 7 types of mammary cancer].

Cytogenetic analysis of 58 cells originating in 7 mammary carcinomas indicated the existence of characteristic numerical and structural modifications, concerning the long arm of chromosome 1, chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 14, 15 and X, and the short arm of chromosome 16. Establishing the alterations of chromosomal "markers" could not only depend on selective phenomena relating to modifications of the genome but also on the preferential reassociations of heterochromatic segments.


X chromosomes attached by their long arm: replication autonomy of the short arm adjacent to the inactive centromere.

A 16 years old girl with Turner syndrome was found to have a 45,X/46,X,t(XqXq)?(q27q23) constitution. The two X chromosomes are attached by their long arms with loss of chromosome material and have one active and one inactive centromere. Analysis of replication patterns with autoradiography and BrdU treatment showed that the abnormal X is always the late replicating one and that the short arm of the second X which is adjacent to the inactive centromere maintains a degree of replication autonomy from the rest of the long arm.


[Dicentric Y chromosome in a male pseudohermaphrodite 45,X/46,X, dic (Y)/47, XYY].

The mosaicism 45,X/46,XY,terrea(Y,Y)(pterpter)/47,XYY was observed in an 8-month-old child with male pseudohermaphroditism. The presence of a 47,XYY population points to a post-zygotic origin of the rearrangement. The loss of Yp material is in favor of localization of masculinization factor(s) to the proximal segment of Yq. Twenty-two relevant observations reported in the literature previously are discussed.


[Trisomy 4q26--4qter by t(4;18)(q26;q23)mat translocation].

Partial trisomy 4q and perhaps monosomy 8qter was observed in a malformed girl, due to malsegregation of a t(4;18)(q26;q23)mat. Her phenotype was in agreement with the partial trisomy 4q syndrome, and she died 5 months after birth.


Reduced phenotypic effect on partial trisomy 1q in a X/1 translocation.

A girl with psychomotor retardation and minor physical abnormalities, had an unbalanced X/1 translocation resulting in a partial trisomy 1q and partial monosomy for Xp. The four cases of partial trisomy for the distal segment of 1q reported in the literature showed a much more severely affected phenotype. In the present case the translocated X/1 chromosome is preferentially late replicating and there is spreading of late replication to the translocated 1q segment only in a minor proportion of the cells. The possibility of a non univocous correspondence between spreading of genetic inactivation and cytological spreading of late replication is discussed.


[Partial trisomy 13 due to maternal translocation t(2;13)].

The authors report an observation of partial trisomy 13p13 leads to qter and suggest a clinical map of chromosome 13. Increase of fetal hemoglobin seems to be controlled by region 1 of 13q. Bands q13 q14 and q21 seem to be responsible for inner organ malformations. Lastly, the distal segment q22 leads to qter is responsible for trigonocephaly and limb abnormalities.


[Partial trisomy 10p of paternal origin. 2 new cases in 2 different families].

Two unrelated patients with partial trisomy 10p due to a paternal balanced translocation are reported. Though the sizes of the trisomic segment are not identical, both patients show: severe growth retardation, important psychomotor retardation and a dysmorphic mouth recalling a "tortois mouth". These observations are compared to twelve others from the literature.


[Distal trisomy 15q].

A patient with distal 15q trisomy resulting from malsegregation of a maternal t(13;15)(q33;q21.2) showed the following symptoms: micro-dolichocephaly, palpebral fissures slightly oriented downwards and outwards, a large nose, pronounced micrognathia, prominent authelices, ligamental abnormalities, osseous malformations evocative of diastrophic dwarfism, severe congenital heart defect, and profound encephalopathy. He died at five months of age. This observation is compared with two others from the literature.


Light-activated, -inhibited and -independent denitrification by a denitrifying phototrophic bacterium.

Effects of illumination on denitrification by a freshly isolated denitrifying phototrophic bacterium were investigated. Denitrification activity was induced when cells were grown in either light or darkness in the presence of nitrate without oxygen. Denitrification of nitrate with malate as the electron donor by cells at a phase of exponential growth occurred independently of illumination while that by cells in a stationary phase was activated. Effects of illumination on denitrification varied with electron donors. Using malate or succinate, denitrification by cells in a stationary phase was accelerated by illumination, inhibited when glucose or lactate was used, and independent of illumination when pyruvate was used. Denitrification by cells in an exponential phase was independent of illumination when succinate, malate or pyruvate was used and inhibited by it when glucose or lactate was used. Effects of illumination on the denitrification of nitrite were similar to those involving nitrate. Effects of various inhibitors on denitrification were examined in light-succinate and dark-lactate systems. Differences between the two systems are discussed.


The disintegration of surgical sutures on exposure to pancreatic juice.

The loop-breaking strength of various suture materials was tested over a period of 14 days during which time the sutures were incubated in vitro in saline or canine serum, bile, activated or nonactivated pancreatic juice. Under the conditions of the study, silk and nylon maintained their strength in each environment. Polyglycolic acid maintained its strength in saline, bile or serum, but gradually lost much of its strength when exposed to pancreatic juice. Catgut, both plain and chromic, disintegrated almost completely within 24-48 hours respectively when exposed to enterokinase activated pancreatic juice. Inhibition of trypsin by aprotinin (Trasylol) resulted in preservation of catgut strength but inhibition by soybean inhibitor did not. The latter findings suggest that proteolytic enzymes, other than trypsin, may be responsible for the disintegration.


Monomeric methylmethacrylate (MMA) acts on the desheathed myelinated nerve and on the node of Ranvier.

The influence of monomeric methylmethacrylate (MMA) on resting and compound action potential of the isolated desheathed sciatic nerve of the frog (sucrose gap method) was determined. Above 10 mM there was a dose-dependent decrease of the compound action potential and a hyperpolarization of the membrane which was augmented with increasing MMA concentrations (4.1 mV +/- 0.2 S.E.M. after 50 mM MMA). The depolarization in low [Ca2+]0 solutions or with veratrine was reversed by MMA. The homologous ethyl, allyl and n-butyl esters were more effective than MMA, and the isobutyl ester less effective, whereas Na-methacrylate and methacrylamide showed no influence. Voltage clamp experiments on the node of Ranvier indicated that 50 mM MMA led to a decrease of the Na+ and K+ currents.


[The problems of electronystagmography in the clinical diagnosis of vestibular diseases (author's transl)].

The aim of a documentation in electronystagmography, that is to record as complete and definite as possible the information of a nystagmus relative to all its distinctive marks, hitherto has been reached just as little as the attempt, to develop a fine-quantitative investigatory method suitable for standardization for medical practice. The sources of error caused by the equipment and of physiological nature within a recorded nystagmus trace are exposed and illustrated by respective examples. Outgoing from the theory of the rotatory nystagmus based on the rotation test of the human vestibular system the fundamentels are developed for a complete evaluation method of an electronystagmogram including the elimination of artefacts by the authors' own research work in this field. However the pointed out problems of the electronystagmography are not yet answered in the clinical diagnostic of vestibular diseases, the systematic examination of spontaneous nystagmus and provoked nystagmus still represents the most important, most profitable and well-grounded part of the vestibular investigation in the medical practice.


Antigen-initiated B lymphocyte differentiation: non-specific stimulation changes the physical properties of virgin AFC-progenitors in neonatal mouse spleen.

While the virgin AFC-progenitors for an adoptive immune response in neonatal germ-free CBA mouse spleen are small, dense cells, the equivalent cells in the adult are a larger, lighter density population. The effects of injections of unrelated antigens on the physical properties of the AFC-progenitors in neonatal spleen were investigated to test the postulate that the physically distinct "virgin" AFC-progenitors in the adult arose by a process of non-specific activation. Spleen cells from 7-day-old germ-free CBA mice were separated by sedimentation at unit gravity or by density on continuous albumin gradients, and the fractions were tested for NIP-specific AFC-progenitor activity using an adoptive immune assay which gave a direct linear measure of B cell activity. If the donor neonatal animals were injected one day previously with POL or PPD, the NIP-specific AFC-progenitor activity shifted from the typical small, dense lymphocytes to larger, lighter cells. The physical properties of these stimulated AFC-progenitors resembled those of IgM AFC-progenitors in normal adult mice. These results experimentally confirm the theory that environmental stimuli induce a non-specific "activation" of a particular subset of "virgin" B cells.


[Aprotinin and induction of sarcoma with methylcholanthrene in rats].

Considering the immunodepressive properties of aprotinine, the influence of this protease inhibitor on the induction of methylcholanthrene sarcoma in rats has been investigated. The results of the investigation showed that aprotinine failed to modify the experimental tumour induction process. This observation provides further confirmation that immunodepression is not a position to favour the growth of a tumour as a result of chemically induced oncogenesis.


The influence of dietary protein insufficiency on the murine thymus. Evidence for an intrathymic pool of progenitor cells capable of thymus regeneration after severe atrophy.

Low protein diets initiated at wearning in Balb/c mice cause a rapid and profound reduction in thymus weight and cellularity. Thymus weight falls to less than that of involuted thymus of adult mice and remains depressed for as long as diets are fed. Although most peripheral T cell functions do not appear to be depressed, suppressor cell activity was not as vigorous in deprived animals despite the presence of functional suppressor populations. Thymus growth was reinitiated promptly when high protein diets were fed to deprived animals. Thymus regeneration appeared to be due to both a resident population of stem cells which persisted in the thymus through the period of deprivation and a second, probably bone-marrow derived, population of stem cells. It is suggested that in normal mice the synchronized growth of the first population produces the characteristic innate growth pattern of the thymus. This is superimposed on the growth of the second population which continuously seeds the thymus and is constantly replaced. Protein deprivation severely restricts the growth of the first and second population, but both maintain their capacity for growth during long periods of protein restriction.


[Effects of aprotinin on the grafting of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma in rats].

The influence of aprotinin on the taking of MCA-induced sarcoma in the rat was examined. Local application resulted in involution of the tumour in animals in which the syngeneic graft tended to grow. Histological investigation showed that this biological reaction was due to marked activation of the macrophages.


Some requirements for the response of separated T-cell sub-populations to the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A.

The proliferative response of various separated populations of mouse spleen and thymus lymphocytes to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was not a direct function of the level of responsive T cells, but was governed by other regulatory effects. These included a stimulation by adherent macrophages, an inhibition by a separate population of adherent cells and an adherent cell independent restriction of proliferation at high cell concentration. In contrast, the proliferative response to Concanavalin A (Con A) was more closely related to the level of responsive T cells. All density and electrophoretically isolated sub-sets of splenic T cells appeared capable of a proliferative response to PHA and Con A, although under some conditions the PHA responsiveness of certain fractions was suppressed. In the thymus, the minor low theta sub-population appeared capable of response to both mitogens, and accounted for all the activity of the unfractioned thymus cells. No response to either mitogen could be obtained from the major, high theta thymocyte population.


Coriolis cross-coupling effects: disorienting and nauseogenic or not?

Nausea and disorientation are sometimes produced by head movements during turning maneuvers in aircraft. These responses are usually attributed to Coriolis cross-coupling stimulation of the vestibular system, although it has been indicated recently that many turning maneuvers of aircraft have insufficient angular velocity to generate such effects. The purpose of the present study was to further distinguish conditions in which Coriolis cross-coupling effects are disorienting and nauseogenic from conditions in which they are neither.


Visual counteraction on nauseogenic and disorienting effects of some whole-body motions: a proposed mechanism.

It has been indicated that the nauseogenic and disorienting effects of several kinds of provocative motion stimuli can be ameliorated by visual reference to the Earth. The purpose of the present experiment is to investigate a hypothesis concerning the mechanism of this beneficial effect. The results demonstrate that the aftereffects of large-field optokinetic stimulation can nullify the nauseogenic and disorienting effects of Coriolis cross-coupled vestibular stimuli. It is hypothesized that large-field optokinetic stimulation in a particular head plane modifies activity in the vestibular nuclei as though the semicircular canals in that plane had been stimulated. A previous study illustrated that such semicircular canal stimulation would completely nullify the disturbing and disorienting effects of Coriolis cross-coupled stimulation according to theoretical expectations. The results provide inferential support for the hypothesis and suggest that predictability of disorientation and nauseogenic disturbance is reasonably well handled by current theory when the conditions of motion are fairly well specified.


Vision during angular oscillation: the dynamic interaction of visual and vestibular mechanisms.

A review is presented of the dynamic behaviour of two oculomotor control systems--the vestibulo-ocular and pursuit reflexes--responsible for the spatial and temporal stabilization of the image of an observed object on the fovea of the retina, and mathematical models adduced in which the contribution of physiological components of the systems can be identified. With angular oscillation of the head below 1-2 Hz, retinal information is used to maintain unity gain of the head/eye system, but at higher frequencies stabilization is determined primarily by vestibular inputs. When the observed target moves with the head, as in a head-mounted display, the suppression of inappropriate vestibulo-ocular responses is dependent upon the dynamic performance of the pursuit system. With such a display, impairment of visual acuity may be detected at frequencies of oscillation as low as 0.5 Hz.


Pharmacological properties of the anti-inflammatory agent pyridyl-biphenylyl-acetamide (diphenpyramide).

Pyridyl-biphenylyl-acetamide (diphenpyramide, Z-876) is a new bisphenylalcanoic derivative with marked anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and uricosuric properties. It is more active than phenylbutazone in the adjuvant polyarthritis in the rat when given prophylactically or therapeutically. It is thrice as active as phenylbutazone and ten times as active as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the carrageenin-induced edema of the hind-paw. Diphenpyramide is characterized by low acute toxicity and by weak ulcerogenic activity. On the carrageenin-induced edema the therapeutic index of diphenpyramide is 30 times higher than that of indometacin and the ratio between the ED50 and the UD50 (ulcerogenic dose in 50% of the treated rats) is 39 times higher than that of ASA.


Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and other related actions of 4'-chloro-5-methoxy-3-biphenylylacetic acid (DKA-9).

4'-Chloro-5-methoxy-3-biphenylylacetic acid (DKA-9) is a novel phenylacetic acid derivative with marked anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. DKA-9 was approximately 2 times and 25 times more effective than ibuprofen in inhibiting carrageenin-induced paw edema and adjuvant-induced arthritis, respectively, in rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of DKA-9 was observed also in adrenalectomized rats. In the Randall-Selitto test in rats, DKA-9 was about 2 times more potent than ibuprofen and equipotent to indometacin. In lowering brewer's yeast-induced fever in rats, DKA-9 was almost 1/2 times more effective than ibuprofen. Considering from therapeutic index (ED50 in ulcerogenic effect/ED50 in carrageenin-induced edema), DKA-9 was found to be much superior to indometacin or ibuprofen.


Impaired immunoglobulin synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL) from 33 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was compared to that synthesized by PBL from 22 normal individuals. Short-term unstimulated culture of SLE-PBL immediately after separation from PB revealed Ig synthesis 4 times that of normal PBL. However, SLE-PBL had a depressed PWM-induced Ig synthetic response that was partially, but not totally, related to active disease and was not correctable by co-culture with normal lymphocyte populations. In both the short-term-unstimulated and the PWM-stimulated cultures, IgM was the major Ig class synthesized by normal PBL, while IgM synthesis by SLE-PBL was depressed more than the other Ig classes. These results can best be explained by a preactivated PBL population in SLE.


An account of pleural effusions, pulmonary nodules and cavities attributable to rheumatoid disease.

Nine case histories and references to published reports are used to illustrate the manifestations and management of pleural effusions, lung nodules and lung cavities which may occur in cases of rheumatoid disease. Repeated aspiration of effusions seldom is useful. They often are chronic and symptomless. What is taking place in some turbid and purulent effusions is debatable, since there can be an associated leucocytosis without infection. In the presence of acute symptoms, such as rigors, careful evaluation of such effusions is required, since there have been fatal examples with rather uncertain bacteriological findings. Lung nodules ordinarily cause a radiographic blemish without symptoms but may predispose to small haemoptyses or may rupture into the pleural cavity to cause a pneumothorax, usually requiring surgical resection of the nodule, whether or not a pleural effusion is present. Some nodules and lung cavities do not have the histology of the typical necrobiotic nodule but it is unlikely that they are fundamentally different. Large cavitated lung lesions which closed on azothioprine treatment are described, together with similar untreated cavities which became secondarily infected with a fatal outcome. It is suggested that the history of possible rheumatoid disease, even of 'aches and pains' must be sought if this aetiology for pleural effusions, lung nodules and unusual lung cavities is not to be overlooked, with the penalty of diagnostic thoracotomy or wrong treatment for the patient.


Blood lymphocytes surface markers and clinical findings in chronic lympoproliferative disorders.

Surface receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes have been studied in 43 cases with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and five cases with lymphoma and overspill. One quarter of the cases with CLL had lymphocytes with no detectable surface immunoglobulin (SIg) by direct fluorescent antibody staining. The remainder had SIgM, which was associated with SIgD in one third of the cases. 70% of the SIg negative group had extensive extramedullary involvement (EMI) compared with 35% of the SIg positive group at presentation; correspondingly more of the SIg negative group were treated. 46% of the SIg negative group were CLL patients of more than 3 years standing compared with 9% of the SIgM+D group and 32% of the SIgM group. Some explanations for this pattern are discussed.


Procoagulant specificity of factor VIII inhibitor.

Nine haemophilia A patients with an inhibitor to factor VIII procoagulant and eight without an inhibitor were studied for the presence of an inhibitor to von Willebrand factor (vWf) in a quantitative ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation system. The mean vWf, factor VIII related antigen (FVIII Ag) and vWf:FVIII Ag ratio were not significantly different in the two groups (P greater than 0.6). The inhibitor plasmas did not reduce the wWf level in normal plasma after a 2 h incubation. The factor VIII inhibitor is highly specific for the procoagulant function of the factor VIII complex.


Hairy cell leukaemia: seven cases with probable B-lymphocytic origin.

Mononuclear cells from seven patients with hairy cells leukaemia were examined for features suggestive of either a lymphocytic or monocytic origin. Immunofluorescent staining of both methanol fixed and incubated cells, using monospecific antisera, revealed a predominant cell-associated immunoglobulin in each case. Three were positive for mu and kappa chains, two for gamma and kappa chains, one for delta and kappa chain determinants and one reacted only with antigamma chain serum. Formation of EAC rosettes, a feature of both B lymphocytes and monocytes, was variable. T cells, as judged by E rosettes, were not elevated in any patient. Phytohaemagglutinin reactivity was normal in six and depressed in one case. With the exception of minimal activity in assays for glass adherence and latex particle phagocytosis, none of the cells showed features typical of monocytes. Hairy cells were negative by peroxidase stain and lacked the electron microscopic characteristics of monocytes. They did not react in either rosette or phagocytic assays with anti-A or anti-D coated erythrocytes nor did they elaborate granulocyte colony stimulating factor, a monocyte-derived in vitro granulopoietin. Although unequivocal classification of these abnormal cells is not possible, the data storngly suggests that this represents a variant of a B lymphocytic neoplasm.


F20C, a new fluorescent membrane probe, moves more slowly in malignant and mitogen-transformed cell membranes than in normal cell membranes.

New fluorescent probes of membrane mobility can be introduced into cell membranes at single points with particles of a membrane mobility agent, A2C. The initial entry of fluorescence from the particle into the cell membrane and the subsequent lateral spread of fluorescence have been observed for cells in suspension. A dramatic difference between the behavior of normal lymphocytes and that of mitogen-transformed and mastocytoma cells is found. Both the initial entry and the spreading of fluorescence are much slower in the transformed and tumor cells than in the normal cells at 18 degrees C. Entry and spread of fluorescence in normal cells become slow enough to be observed only at 12 degrees C or below.


Evidence for highly stable nuclear poly(A) in cultured mammalian cells.

The kinetics of turnover of nuclear poly(A) were determined under conditions which facilitated the detection of relatively stable classes of the molecule. Growing 3T6 or HeLa cells were labeled with [3H]adenosine for several hours. The turnover of nuclear poly(A) was then followed over long time intervals using a variety of chase conditions. When a cordycepin chase was employed, a class of nuclear poly(A) with a half life of 2.5 h was observed. When the chase was effected by allowing the intracellular ATP pool specific activity to decay as a result of normal metabolic processes, a more stable class of nuclear poly(A) was detected (half life = 8--12 h). These results indicate that a significant portion of poly(A)-hnRNA has a long half-life.


An investigation of the complement system in patients with periodic disease (results from 29 cases).

The complement system was investigated in 29 patients suffering from authentic periodic disease. A statistically significant increase in C4, also in total complement and C3 could be demonstrated. It is possible that the increase in C4 was due to the macrophages which are always present in the infiltrates of periodic disease. This biological observation is of clear practical importance for the diagnosis of the condition both before and after colchicine therapy.


The relationship between the transverse and longitudinal nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rates of muscle water.

Whole frog sartorius and gastrocnemius muscles were incubated in Ringer's solutions, either unenriched or enriched with H2 17Oor 2D2O. Subsequently, the rates of transverse (1/T2) and of longitudinal (1/T1) nuclear magnetic relaxation were measured for 17O, 2D, and 1H at room temperature and at 8.1 MHz. The ratio (T1/T2) for 17O was measured to be approximately 1.5-2.0, close to the value roughly estimated from the Larmor frequency dependence of 1/T1 alone over the range 4.3-8.1 MHz. On the other hand (T1/T2) for 2D and 1H were both measured to lie in the range 9-11. Insofar as the entire 17O signal was detected, the data indicate the presence of an exchange mechanism between the major fraction of intracellular water and a minor fraction characterized by enhanced rates of relaxation. Possible molecular mechanisms are presented.


Lymphocyte receptors for concanavalin A in Hodgkin disease.

The number of lymphocytes with mobile receptors for concanavalin A (Con A) on their surface membrane (forming visible caps after the addition of fluorescein-conjugated Con A) was determined in the peripheral blood of 53 patients with Hodgkin disease. Of 29 individuals studied prior to treatment, the level of capped cells was found to be below the normal range in 9 of 13 in stages I and IIA, 6 of 8 in stage IIIA, and all 8 in stages IIIB and IV. Even among patients in remission 2 yr after successful treatment the level was below the lower normal limit in 9 of 16. The number was also reduced in 7 of 8 individuals with recurrent lymphoma. The level of lymphocytes that cap with Con A may prove to be a more sensitive measure of active Hodgkin disease than the total peripheral lymphocyte count or the level of T cells. This lymphocyte parameter merits further study as a correlate in vitro of cellular immunity.


Human cell lines that elaborate colon-stimulating activity for the marrow cells of man and other species.

We have established two human cell lines which elaborate colony-stimulating activity (CSA) for at least four species: man, mouse, rabbit, and dog. One, GCT, was isolated from a lung metastasis of a fibrous histiocytoma; the other, RC4, from a monocyte-enriched fraction of normal blood. Medium conditioned by either GCT or RC4 cells was more potent in stimulating human marrow growth in vitro than was monocyte-conditioned medium or human leukocyte feeder layers. Fractionation of cell-line-conditioned medium by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography indicated that the maximum activity of the CSA for human marrow cells is eluted within the range of 30,000-40,000 daltons. These cells lines provide a continuous source of large quantities of conditioned medium for purification of CSA. Moreover, the invariable growth-supporting activity for all species tested and the high potency of cell-line CSA facilitates studies of its elaboration and biologic effects.


[Mathematical model of the immune reaction. III. Description of the infectious process in relation to changes in the number of B-lymphocytes].

A model of humoral immune reaction which takes into account explicitely the time lags in the immune response is considered. Possible regimes are described.


The antipyretic effect of tilorone hydrochloride in the cat.

1 The antipyretic activity of tilorone hydrochloride was studied in conscious, unrestrained cats provided with implanted jugular venous catheters, third cerebral ventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae and retroperitoneal thermocouples. 2 In afebrile animals, 10 mg/kg i.v. or 1 mg i.c.v. tilorone hydrochloride did not alter body temperature, but 20 mg/kg i.v. or 2 to 5 mg i.c.v. caused hypothermia and various behavioural responses. 3 Non-hypothermogenic doses of tilorone (i.v. or i.c.v.) antagonized hyperthermic responses to leucocytic pyrogen (i.v. or i.c.v.), bacterial pyrogen (i.c.v.) and sodium arachidonate (i.c.v.) but did not antagonize prostaglandin E1 (i.c.v.). 4 These results indicate that tilorone has an antipyretic action within the central nervous system that is distinct from its hypothermogenic action. Although there is no published evidence to indicate that tilorone can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis peripherally, its ability to reduce hyperthermic responses to arachidonate suggests that it can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis within the brain.


The emergency surgical management of massive and persistent intestinal haemorrhage due to typhoid fever: a report of 3 cases.

The classic approach to the management of intestinal haemorrhage due to typhoid infection has been conservative, with sedation, rest to the intestine, blood transfusion and antibiotics. However, in the event of massive and persistent haemorrhage which does not respond to conservative measures, emergency resection should be considered. Surgical resection by removing the major ulcer-bearing areas will stop the bleeding and the intestine is not friable.