Distribution of corrosion products in teeth restored with metal crowns retained by stainless steel posts.

The nature and distribution of corrosion products in teeth restored with metal crowns retained by stainless steel posts were examined by means of energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, microradiography, and electron microscopy. The corrosion products consisted of calcium, phosphorous, iron, chromium, nickel, zinc, stannum and other elements. A possible root fracturing mechanism is discussed.


Oxidation of noble metal alloys for porcelain veneer crowns.

It has been found that oxide-forming elements in the alloy are important for the blood strength between the metal and the procelain. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the formation of oxides during pretreatment and firing of porcelain. Four commerically available Ceramo-Metal alloys were studied. The specimens were heated at 980 degrees C for five hours in air, and the weight was continuously recorded. In addition porcelain was fired on to the alloys. Metallographic examinations were conducted on both oxidized and fired speciments. The weight gain data also indicated an increased oxygen uptake with a larger amount of oxidizable elements in the alloy. Most of the oxygen gain and time indicated that the oxygen uptake was diffusion controlled. The weight gain data also indicated an increased oxygen uptake with larger amount of oxidizable elements in the alloy. Most of the oxygen in the oxidize alloys was located as oxide along grain boundaries in the metal.


Age-related differences in thermoregulatory responses to endotoxin in rabbits.

E. coli endotoxin evokes fever in rabbits immediately after birth. In 0--3 day-old rabbits the fever is monophasic and brown fat thermogenesis is mainly responsible for the reaction. In 6--10 day-old animals the fever is usually biphasic and increased heat conservation also contributes to the response. An inverse relationship exists between the endotoxin dose and the latent period before the onset of fever, while the height of the fever is independent of the endotoxin dose. The response is similar as that of adult rabbits, except that after all endotoxin doses the latent period is longer and the magnitude of the response slightly smaller in the newborn.


Effect of prostaglandins on hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function in vitro.

The effect of prostaglandins (PG) A1, E1, E2 and F2 alpha in the concentration range of 10(-7)--10(-4) M were studied in vitro on a rat hypothalamic tissue, collagenase-digested isolated anterior pituitary cell and Leydig cell suspension system by measuring the testosterone production of incubated Leydig cells. PGs did not change the testosterone production and the hCG sensitivity of the Leydig cells, nor the LH secretion and the LHRH sensitivity of the anterior pituitary cells. PGE2 at concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M significantly increased the hypothalamic tissue-induced pituitary-testicular activation, and this stimulatory effect of PGE2 was dose dependent. PGA1, PGE1 and PGF2 alpha did not alter hypothalamic LHRH release measured in vitro. The results suggest that PGE2 has a direct stimulatory effect on hypothalamic LHRH release.


Is actinic granuloma a specific condition?

Evidence is presented that actinic granuloma is not a specific connective tissue disorder as it is thought to be by O'Brien. Granulomatous inflammation does not result simply from a response to elastotic fibers, but is a consequence of primary pathologic processes that are unrelated to damaged elastotic material. Twenty-one of 30 lesions in our series that fulfill O'Brien's criteria of his concept of actinic granuloma were clinically and histologically examples of granuloma annulare. The other nine lesions were of other granulomatous diseases such as foreign-body reaction and late secondary syphilis.


[Does the insulin-secretion capacity of non-diabetic subjects possess a prognostic value? (author's transl)].

Twenty-two patients, whose initial oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was not diabetic, but who possibly had predisposition for diabetes, underwent iterative OGTT with plasma insulin determination and estimate of insulin-secretion capacity (plasma insulin area/blood glucose area ratio, and insulin-secretion coefficient). With a 30 months mean time interval between the two tests, a highly significant negative correlation was found between insulin-secretion capacity of the first test and blood glucose area of the last one. Glycemic curve of the OGTT was diabetic in 3 cases at the final test. Thus, it seems possible to select subjects most prone to future diabetes with simple parameters estimating insulin-secretion capacity during OGTT.


Phosphorylcholine antigens from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. I.--Anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies in infected rats and location of phosphorylcholine antigens.

The anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibody synthesis was investigated in the rat after infection with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Serum IgM and IgG antibodies were demonstrated from day 2 or 3 post-infection. Intestinal IgA-antibody synthesis began shortly after the worms reached the intestine. Antigens containing PC were located with the fluorescent antibody technique in L3 infective larvae, adult worms and eggs of the parasites. They were always found to internal structures such as intestinal tract or gonads. It seems, therefore, that the anti-PC antibody synthesis resulted from the release of PC antigens by the parasite (moulting fluids, excretion, secretion or breakage products).


Studies on the derivatives of 2-amino-4-p-chlorophenylthiazole-5-acetic acid. I. Syntheses and pharmacological analysis of acylderivatives of 2-amino-4-p-chlorophenylthiazole-5-acetic acid.

A number of new acyl and imidoderivatives of 2-amino-4-p-chlorophenylthiazole-5-acetic acid (II) and its methyl ester (VII) were synthesized. Methyl ester VII heated in benzene solution with acid anhydrides was transformed into adequate acyl derivatives (VIII, IX, X, XIII, XVI). Some of them (X, XIII, XVII) by heating with acetic anhydride underwent cyclization and were transformed into the imido derivatives (XI, XIV, XVIII). Compounds XI, XIV and XVI heated with diluted aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide underwent selective hydrolysis giving the respective dicarboxylic acids XII, XV, XVII. Pharmacological analysis revealed that some of the synthesized preparations exert an anti-inflammatory effect and allow to draw limited relations between chemical structure and pharmacological activity in this group of compounds.


[Negative antinuclear antibodies in disseminated lupus erythematosus. Report of 3 cases].

There are described 3 cases of patients with LED in which the obtained results of AAN's research, by means of IFI, were negative in a transitory or a permanent way. This situation can motive the doubt at the diagnostic, even though it exists in a little patients' group. In this work there are revised its causes and mechanisms.


Studies on the derivatives of thiazole acetic acid. II. Syntheses and pharmacological analysis of 2-N-aralkylidene and 2-N-aralkyl derivatives of 2-amino-4-p-chlorophenylthiazole-5-acetic acid.

A number of 2-N-aralkylidene, 2-N-aralkyl and 2-N-aralkyl-alpha-sulphoderivatives of 2-amino-4-p-chlorophenylthiazole-5-acetic acid (I, R = H) and its methyl ester (I, R = CH3) were synthesized. As a result of condensation of methyl ester I with various aromatic aldehydes in boiling benzene solution, the Schiff-bases (anils) II--VIII were obtained. After reduction with NaBH4 compounds II--VIII were transformed into adequate amino esters IX--XV. Esters IX--XV heated with diluted aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide underwent selective hydrolysis giving the respective amino acids XVI--XXII. Some of Schiff bases (II, III, V, VII, VIII) reacted with aqueous alcoholic solution of sodium bisulphite after its several (XXIII--XXVII). alpha-sulphoderivatives had been obtained. Several tests were performed in order to detect the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity of the compounds. The pharmacological analysis allowed us to draw conclusions concerning the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity in this group of compounds. The most efficacious immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity exhibited 2-aralkyl-alpha-sulphoderivatives.


[Implantation of mitral valve prosthesis with continuos suture].

The results obtained in 20 patients with the use of continue suture technic for prosthetic implantation of the mitral valve were compared to those observed in other 20 patients in which the prothesis were implanted with isolated suture technic. With the first one the aortic clamp time was reduced in average about 50 minutes; the extracorporeal circulation time also diminished in the same proportion. One patient died in each group, meaning a 5% of hospital mortality. The going after time in the first group was 2.5 years and in none was found prosthetic dysfunction or perivalvular lickage. We conclude that prosthetic implantation technic for mitral valve with continue suture, offers the following advantages: a) Important reduction of the transoperative myocardial ischemia. b) Reduction also, of the hole estracorporeal circulation time. c) Minor possibilities of periprosthetic lickage. d) Minor risk of valvular thrombosis in the suture line.


Daunorubicin reductase activity in leukemia leukocyte homogenates.

Daunorubicin reductase activity was estimated in peripheral leukocytes drawn from 23 patients with acute or chronic leukemia. Since the enzyme converts daunorubicin to daunorubicinol, a derivative exposing higher cytotoxic action than daunorubicin, it is important for leukemia treatment to know its leukocyte level. Calculations of reductase levels were based on the presumption that one enzyme unit equals an activity which is producing 1 nanomol daunorubicinol per 1 mg homogenate protein during 30 minutes of incubation. It was found, that blasts of different patients with the same leukemia type displayed different reductase levels, ranging between 11.0 and 74.8 U.


The effect of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs on lymphocyte population and MIF in glomerulonephritis.

The effect of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs on the T and B lymphocyte populations, as well as cellular hypersensitivity in relation to GBM antigens (measured by MIF activity) in 60 patients with different types of glomerulopathy has been tested. The results were compared with a control group of 47 untreated patients and 32 healthy subjects. The treatment was carried out using the following drugs: azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, ibuprofen and indomethacin. In a sample of 14 patients receiving ibuprofen and in 7 receiving arathioprine, indomethacin and prednisone, the T and B lymphocyte kinetics as well as MIF activity were repeatedly tested before and during the treatment of 150 days. In the patients under this treatment, a decreased percentage of lymphocytes with receptors for a complement as well as, in some cases. MIF suppression was observed. A comparison of healthy subjects and untreated patients with a group of 39 subjects tested for T and B lymphocytes as well as MIF activity after several months of the above treatment was made. It was found that supportive therapy with azathioprine and prednisone led to a normalization of B lymphocytes (EA and EAC rosettes) and to a small increase of T lymphocytes number. On the other hand, treatment with indomethacin and ibuprofen led to an increased B lymphocyte count (EA and EAC rosettes). Cyclophosphamide given with azathioprine caused a decrease in the proportion of T lymphocytes and an increase in the number of null cells. In addition, it was found that immunosuppressive drugs as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, even when administered in supportive doses caused in some cases, the suppression of cellular immunity as measured by MIF activity.


Studies on the experimental therapy of iridocyclitis.

Effectiveness of selected anti-inflammatory drugs on the experimental model of uveitis was evaluated. Studies on the biochemical parameters of inflammation in the aqueous humor and biomicroscopic evaluation of the clinical condition of the anterior chamber of the eye, carried out in the therapy course, allowed to establish the following order of the studied drugs, according to their therapeutical effectiveness (from the most effective): indomethacin greater than ibuprofen greater than hydrocortizone greater than 6-mercaptopurine.


[Fiftieth anniversary of Hans Berger's publication of the electroencephalogram. His first records in 1924--1931 (author's transl)].

For the fiftieth anniversary of Berger's first EEG publication, some of his early recordings obtained between 1924 and 1931 are discussed and illustrated. Examples of his protocols from the Freiburg Berger Archives are reproduced. Three types of Berger's early investigations are described: (1) String-galvanometer recordings obtained between 1924 and 1926, mainly from trephined patients with cerebral diseases, which usually showed brain waves slowed to 6--8 per second; (2) Direct recordings from the cortex and white matter proving the cortical origin of the EEG in 1930; (3) Typical unpublished EEG recordings of epileptics and of petit-mal attacks obtained in 1930 and 1931. Berger's first six papers published between 1929 and 1933 described nearly all the main EEG findings of cerebral diseases and the EEG alterations of normals during attention, sleep, and narcosis, but they did not report on convulsive potentials in the EEGs of epileptics. Berger had, however, obtained excellent records of epileptic EEG features, here depicted in Figs. 4 through 7. These remained unpublished until 1933 and 1938, because Berger suspected that they contained artifacts caused by blinks and facial movements which he had recorded in his controls (Fig. 4). Only in 1933, after other authors had described large amplitudes of convulsive potentials in the cortex of animals, did Berger publish parts of the EEGs of a petit-mal attack and of focal attacks in progressive paresis. In 1938, Berger presented the EEG of the beginning of a petit-mal attack with large 3/s spikes and waves recorded in 1931 which were similar to those described by Gibbs and coworkers in 1935. In 1933 and 1938, Berger interpreted the abnormal brain potentials of epileptics as signs of a preconvulsive state of the forebrain and suggested that the periods of 3/s waves were cortical correlates of an epileptic absence.


Pathways of energy metabolism required for phenotypic expression of nif+Kp genes in Escherichia coli.

In E. coli K12 (F'nif+Kp) hybrids, electron-transport-dependent phosphorylation is not necessary for anaerobic nitrogen fixation, and substrate level phosphorylation can provide sufficient ATP from glucose for nitrogenase activity. The fumarate-reduction system, however, is essential in these hybrids for the transfer of electrons to nitrogenase. This system is probably also involved in maintaining the membrane in the energized state, thereby allowing nitrogen fixation to occur. The nitrate-reduction system, which can energize the membrane like the fumarate-reduction system, is not necessary for nitrogenase activity in the E. coli K12(F'nif+Kp) hybrids. However, two nitrate reductase genes, chlA, and chlB, are essential for inhibition of nitrogen fixation by nitrate. Moreover, nitrate inhibits nitrogenase activity and this inhibition is most probably effected through a regulator factor coded by chlA and chlB.


Antibody responses of human lymphocytes in vitro. Specificity and physical properties of plaque-forming cell precursors.

When human tonsillar lymphocytes are cultured with pokeweed mitogen they generate a larger number of antibody-secreting cells. A substantial number of the plaque-forming cells generated have specificity for sheep erythrocytes but very few are specific for either bovine or horse erythrocytes. We have investigated the physical properties of sheep erythrocyte-specific precursors and have found that they have the characteristics of larger lymphocytes and are heterogeneous with respect to density. Our results support the concept that the percursors which can be induced by pokeweed mitogen to develop into plaque-forming cells belong to a pre-activated sub-population of lymphocytes.


Antibody responses of human lymphocytes in vitro. Enhancing effects of hydrocortisone.

Cultures of human tonsillar lymphocytes stimulated by pokeweed mitogen in the presence of hydrocortisone succinate generate more sheep red blood cell-specific plaque-forming cells than when the hydrocortisone is absent. Such enhancement is even more marked when sheep red blood cells and pokeweed mitogen are present in cultures. This contrasts with the inability of sheep red blood cells to enhance pokeweed mitogen-stimulated response in cultures lacking hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone causes greater enhancement when the concentration of cells in culture is high than when it is low. These data are consistent with hydrocortisone inhibiting the activity of suppressor cells which would otherwise mask helper effects.


Immunoprecipitation of biosynthetically-labelled products in the identification of antigens of murine red cells infected with the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium berghei.

In this methodological paper an immunoprecipitation technique has been optimised for the identification of antigens of Plasmodium berghei-infected blood which react with antibody specificities in a host-protective antiserum. Extracted 3H-leucine biosynthetically-labelled products of infected blood were sequentially reacted and precipitated with sera from mice which had been exposed to P. berghei but which were either non-protected or protected against lethal infection, protection having been shown to be transferable to naive recipients with the appropriate serum. As analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, a small number of molecular species was detected in immunoprecipitates using host-protective sera which were apparently not quantitatively precipitated out of the complex mixture of labelled products of infected blood using sera from non-protected mice.


Inhibition of the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma in syngeneic mice by Salmonella antigens.

Administration of a protein antigen preparation from Salmonella enteritidis 11RX at the site of challenge with Lewis lung carcinoma inhibited tumour development in mice previously immunised with live bacteria, but not control mice. The kinetics of tumour growth indicated that the inhibition of tumour development was due to a reduction of the initial tumour inoculum rather than the development of specific anti-tumour immunity.


[Control of anticoagulant therapy with coumarin derivatives. Evolution of the tests used and their standardization].

Levels of hypocoagulabity induced with coumarin derivatives (aconocoumarin) were determined in 10 patients Quick's test was used to calibrate commercially available thromboplastin reagents against a reference reagent. The results were then standardised in the form of a correct prothrombin ratio. It was found that comparable results could be obtained, even with poorly sensitive thromboplastins, by determining a thromboplastin sensitivity index and using it to convert the prothrombin ratio obtained with each thromboplastin into a "correct" ratio, i.e. one that allowed for the depressed sensitivity of the thromboplastin concerned. It was found that thrombotest was more sensitive than the commercial thromboplastins; it was also superior to the reference reagent in expressing the level of drug-induced hypocoagulability. Attention is drawn to the soundness of expressing prothrombin times in terms of the correct ratio to cut out the effect of variations in sensitivity on the part of commercial thromboplastins. At the same time, stress is laid on the superiority of thrombotest in the monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy.


[Intestinal occlusion caused by endometriosis].

Three cases of intestinal occlusion due to endometriosis, presenting as surgical emergencies, are reported. After a review of the literature on the incidence of endometriosis, the mechanisms underlying the occlusive process and the various anatomopathological pictures are presented. The reasons why no correct preoperative diagnosis was possible and the problems encountered in differential diagnosis, particularly with respect to carcinoma of the colon and the sigma-rectum, are discussed. It is considered that correct preoperative diagnosis is very important to avoid subjecting the non-cancer patient to destructive surgery. The therapy recommended for intestinal occlusion due to suspected endometriosis is presented.


[Special aspects of the curve of the oral glucose tolerance test].

The insulin response of 10 lean and 23 obese subjects with lag-type and borderline O.G.T.T. has been studied. The O.G.T.T. was interpreted according to the criteria of Fajans and Conn. The maximum increase and the area of increase were examined both for blood glucose and plasma I.R.I., and the corresponding I.R.I./glucose ratios calculated. The shape of the insulin response curve is similar to that of glucose curve. The I.R.I./glucose ratios are decreased in the lag-type curves as compared to borderline in the lean subjects while we observed opposite results in obese ones. A possible physiopathological interpretation of this curves is proposed.


[Examination of the early phase of insulin secretion with 3 successive small overloads of glucose (5 g) in normal and obese subjects].

We studied the E.I.R. in eight normal subjects and fifteen obese ones with three successive small glucose pulses (5 g.) e.v. at 30' interval. In normal subjects the three successive loads gave rise to identical responses for both glucose and I.R.I. Obese could be divided, on the basis of their E.I.R. to the first load, into normal responders (group I), hyper-responders (group II) and hypo-résponders (group III); on the basis of the E.I.R. to the second load, group I could be divided in two subgroups: Ia and Ib. We found an identical E.I.R. to all glucose loads in group Ia; a reduced E.I.R. to successive loads in groups Ib and II. Group III didn't have any insulin response to all glucose loads.


[Double test of insulin sensitivity in normal and obese subjects].

13 normal and 16 obese subjects have been chosen for a double insulin tolerance test: 0,02 U/Kg of insulin were administered i.v. with an interval of 60'. The glycemic curve of the normal subjects show an identical lay out after both pulses; on the contrary the obese subjects could be divided into two subgroups. In the first one the lowering glucose action can be compared after both pulses, while in the second one the first stimulus causes a weather lowering glucose action, than in the first group, which is furtherly reduced during the subsequent pulse. An insulin resistance in these subjects is thus stressed. In the obese subjects the NEFA have a higher concentration in both groups than in the normal ones, show a normal decrease, but a certain delay is observed in the rebound phase.


[Comparison of the radioimmunological and immunoenzymatic methods in detection of HBsAg].

We have compared the solid-phase radioimmunoassay(SPRIA) with a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) in the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). 708 sera from blood donors and 500 sera from patients with various diseases (acute and chronic hepatitis, chronic renal failure in hemodialytic treatment) were tested for HBsAg with both methods. 208 sera (17,2%) were found to be positive in SPRIA and 209 sera (17,3%) in EIA. Two HBsAg positive sera were tested in dilution series with both methods, too. The results show that the sensitivity and specificity of the EIA compare very favourably with those of the SPRIA.


Methylation patterns of tRNA at different concentrations of dimethylsulphate.

The methylation patterns produced in E. coli B tRNA by various concentrations of dimethylsulphate were found to differ with a predominant formation of 7-methylguanine and 1-methyladenine at low concentrations and of a methylated compound not yet identified at high concentrations of methylating agent. The analysis by Scatchard plot of dimethylsulphate interaction with the nucleic acid suggested the presence of high and low affinity sites.


[Biological effects of distamycin A].

In the present review are examined different biological effects of Distamycin A, an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces distallicus. This drug is moderately active on bacteria but it is strongly active on DNA viruses and on some Oncornaviruses, moreover it possesses antineoplastic and antimitotic activity at high doses at which it can result tossic and cause immunodepression.


Regulation of N-acetylglucosamine uptake in yeast.

Various yeasts have been investigated for their ability to grow on N-acetylglucosamine as the sole carbon source and only those which are associated with the disease, candidiasis, gave positive results. The yeasts unable to grow on N-acetylglucosamine lacked the capacity to transport the aminosugar across the cell membrane. In pathogenic yeasts, two systems of different affinity for substrate were found to operate in the uptake of N-acetylglucosamine. In glucose-grown cells a constitutive, low affinity uptake system was present, but upon addition of inducer, a specific high affinity uptake system was synthesized. Experiments with the inhibitors of macromolecule synthesis suggested that the synthesis of RNA and protein is necessary for induction whereas the synthesis of DNA is not. In glucose-grown Candida albicans cells which are devoid of N-acetylglucosamine enters into the cells as phosphorylated form using a constitutive uptake system. Uranyl acetate (0.01 mM) which binds to cell membrane-associated polyphosphates, inhibited completely the inducible uptake of N-acetylglucosamine. Labelling experiments, designed to determine the temporal sequence of appearance of N-acetylglucosamine in intracellular free sugar and sugar-phosphate pools, indicated that N-acetylglucosamine first appeared in the cells as pohosphorylated form. Similar results were obtained with Saccharomyces phosphorylated form. Similar results were obtained with Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3059 and some other yeasts which are devoid of N-acetylglucosamine kinase in both uninduced and induced conditions. These results are consistent with the model of van Steveninck that involves phosphorylation during transpost. Furthermore, inhibitors of energy metabolism (arsenate, azide and cyanide), proton conductor (m-chlorocarbonylcyanide phenylhydrazine) and dibenzyl diammonium ion (membrane permeable cation) inhibited the inducible N-acetylglucosamine uptake in C. albicans.


Use of tetramethylammonium hydroxide to determine the total fatty acid composition of microorganisms.

A destructive chromatographic method of identifying microorganisms is described. The method is based on hydrolysis of the biomass of the microorganisms in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, followed by introduction of the hydrolyzate into the heated injector of a gas chromatograph. The main products in this case are methyl esters of fatty acids, the composition of which is used as a diagnostic criterion. Chromatograms of the residues after chloroform-methanol extraction and the dynamics of the change in total fatty acids in the process of growth can also be used for identification. The dynamics of total fatty acids was studied in E. coli strain K-12, and destructive chromatograms for bacteria and yeasts are cited.


Progress in space biology.

Over the past two decades there has arisen a new branch of biology--space biology. This short review is devoted to a discussion of its achievements. It considers the results of research in the area of gravitation biology, and an account is made of studies in those areas of radiobiology which have relevance to the study of the cosmos. There is a brief summary of the results of the search for the upper and lower limits of the biosphere, and information is presented regarding the measures employed to maintain planetary quarantine. A great deal of attention has been given to the search for extraterrestrial life, one of the most important of problems. The results obtained with the aid of the American Viking probes on Mars are given special attention. The review presents experimental data based both upon data obtained in experiments on biological specimens during space flights of satellites and space vehicles, and also upon the results of laboratory research.


Mutagenic effect of 1.1'-hexamethylene-bis-[(5-p-chlorophenyl)-biguanide].

The strongly effective bactericidal compound 1.1'-hexamethylene-bis-[(5-p-chlorophenyl)-biguanide] (HCG) induces mutations with a slight inactivation rate in the auxotrophic strains Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 and TA 1538 in 0.4 microM solution. The mutagenic effect could be confirmed by using the plate incorporation test and the repair test. As phenylethylbiguanide at different inactivation rates does not show any mutagenic effect, the biguanide structure does not seem to be responsible for chemical mutagenesis. A hypothetic mutation mechanism is proposed and compared with the corresponding reaction mechanism of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitro-soguanidine (MNNG).


Platinum(II) complexes block the entry of T4 phage DNA into the host cells.

The efficiency of multiplicity reactivation of T4 particles inactivated by platinum(II) complexes is very low. The same is true for marker rescue and functional survival of genes. This can be at least partly explained by the inability of most inactivated virus particles to introduce their DNA into the host cells as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Conformational changes in the DNA, formation of DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links and the damage of proteins participating in the injection process could be responsible for the phenomenon observed.


[Acute granulomatous appendicitis. (Contribution to preventive appendectomy in acute ileitis)].

Starting with one case of acute granulomatous appendicitis of their own observation, the authors review the scant literature on the subject (only 23 published cases to date) and advocate systematic appendicectomy in all isolated appendicular localizations of Crohn's disease. On the grounds that no post-appendicectomy fistulization has ever been reported in such patients, the authors recommend prophylactic appendicectomy also in the far more frequent cases of acute ileitis, to forestall the possibility of evolution into chronic Crohn's disease and the risk of missing a nongranulomatous acute appendicitis appearing with the same clinical symptoms.


The regulation of methionine biosynthesis and metabolism in plants and bacteria.

The amino acids biosynthetically derived from asparate including methionine are all essential in the diet of monogastric animals. Most of this requirement is met by plant foods. The methionine biosynthetic pathways in plants and bacteria are outlined and compared. Regulation in bacterial systems is by a combination of repression and feedback inhibition whereas in plants repression is unimportant. Several enzymes in the branched pathway to methionine in plants are regulated by feedback inhibition; others are yet to be investigated. In plants may amino acid biosynthetic enzymes are localized in plastids and this is also likely for methionine biosynthesis. Methionine occupies an important position in cellular metabolism where the processes of one-carbon transfer via S-adenosylmethionine, protein synthesis, protein initiation and ethylene synthesis are interlocked. Attempts to increase the levels of free methionine have been made by selecting for plant mutants resistant to lysine plus threonine. One dominant mutation causes elevation of free amino acid levels in vegetative tissues but also has undesirable side-effects. The potential of such approaches is discussed.


The oxidation of sulphite in animals systems.

In animals the terminal step in the pathway for degradation of sulphur-containing amino acids is the oxidation of sulphite to sulphate. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme sulphite oxidase. The enzyme contains molybdenum and a cytochrome b5 type haem, is localized in the mitochondrial intermembrane space and transfers electrons from sulphite to cytochrome c on the inner membrane. The sulphite oxidase protein has a molecular weight of 110 000 (chicken) to 122 000 (human) and exists as a dimer of identical subunits. The haem and molybdenum cofactors are present on separate domains of the molecule. The structure of the molydbenum cofactor has not been worked out in detail, but this cofactor is known to be present in many other molybdoenzymes including xanthine oxidase and nitrate reductase. Three cases of genetic sulphite oxidase deficiency in humans have been reported. The three affected children displayed mental retardation, neurological abnormalities and dislocated ocular lenses. The biochemical basis for lack of enzyme activity in each case has been studied. All three have been shown to lack the sulphite oxidase protein, but in one case this appears to be secondary to a defect in synthesis of the molybdenum cofactor. Sulphite oxidase deficiency has been produced in the rat by administration of high levels of tungsten. Sulphite oxidase-deficient animals are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of sulphite and atmospheric sulphur dioxide.


Observations on the biological roles of sulphatases.

Until recently little was known about the biological roles played by sulphatase enzymes, owing in part to the selection of assay substrates that were convenient but only removely related to the natural substrates. Once this was recognized the elucidation of function proceeded more rapidly. Microbial sulphatases appear to have roles to play in the nutrition of individual microorganisms whilst collectively they enable sulphur, returned to soils and waters in the form of sulphate esters, to be made available for recycling. In contrast, with one or two important exceptions, mammalian sulphatases are concerned, in association with other enzymes, with the turnover of macromolecules. Still defying understanding are the roles of sulphatases acting on adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (APT) and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPA). APS sulphatases have now been purified from ox-liver lysosomes and cytosol and from a strain of Comamonas terrigena. The lysosomal enzyme shows wide specificity and can hydrolyse ATP, ADP, FED and pyrophosphate. The cytosol enzyme is apparently specific and may be active only when cellular concentrations of ATP are low. The bacterial enzyme is also specific and has properties and a cellular localization that suggest the possibility of its involvement in sulphate transport.


Studies on the nature and regulation of the cellular thio:disulphide potential.

Microsomal fractions separated from homogenates of liver, kidney and corpora lutea contain a monooxygenase (dimethylaniline monooxygenase [N-oxide forming], EC 1.14.13.8) that catalyses NADPH- and oxygen-dependent oxidation of cysteamine to cystamine. The monooxygenase purified to homogeneity from hog liver also catalyses oxygenations of diverse xenobiotics, but it does not catalyse oxidation of any other physiological sulphur- or nitrogen-containing compounds. All the available evidence indicates that cysteamine is the physiological substrate for the monooxygenase, and the oxidation of this thiol to the disulphide may be a significant source of disulphide maintaining the cellular thiol:disulphide potential. The concentration of protein-low molecular weight mixed disulphide is a function of this potential. Changes in concentration of this protein-mixed disulphide reflect changes in thiol:disulphide balance. At constant substrate concentrations the potential would depend primarily on activity of the cytosol glutathione reductase (NAD(P)H: oxidized-glutathione oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.4.2) relative to that of the membrane-bound monooxygenase. In hepatic tissue from adult mice and hamsters there is a correlation between the concentration of protein-mixed disulphide and the activity of the monooxygenase relative to the reductase. Hepatic glutathione reductase is relatively constant in mice, but the monooxygenase is much higher in the female than in the male. After gonadectomy monooxygenase activity decreases in the female and increases in the male. Activities are restored to control levels by treating males with testosterone and females with progesterone. Testosterone decreases and progesterone increases activity. These two hormones apparently regulate the level of this enzyme in hepatic tissue.


Sulphydryl oxidase: oxidation of sulphydryl groups and the formation of three-dimensional structure in proteins.

Sulphydryl oxidase, an enzyme isolated from milk, catalyses the de novo synthesis of disulphide bonds. Thiol groups in amino acids or their derivatives, peptides, and proteins are oxidized; molecular oxygen serves as the electron acceptor and undergoes a two-electron reduction to hydrogen peroxide. Michaelis constants vary considerably amongst various substrates; glutathione is a particularly good substrate. Inhibition studies and oxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran suggest a mechanism involving an electron transfer to singlet O2 forming an enzyme-bound hydroperoxy group. Evidence for a direct interaction of the enzyme with horseradish peroxidase was also obtained. Although protein-folding appears to be thermodynamically favoured, rates of spontaneous acquisition of functional three-dimensional structures in disulphide-containing proteins have appeared disturbingly slow. In the presence of sulphydryl oxidase, functional structure is rapidly acquired by both reductively unfolded ribonuclease A and reductively denatured immobilized chymotrypsinogen A as judged by restoration of native fluorescence characteristics and biological activity. Preliminary data suggest that unlike thiol:protein-disulphide oxidoreductase, protein-disulphide isomerase, or GSSG/GSH redox systems, sulphydryl oxidase does not permit a 'reshuffling' of disulphide bonds.


Diseases of sulphur metabolism: implications for the methionine-homocysteine cycle, and vitamin responsiveness.

Sixteen inherited human diseases are now recognized, affecting most of the major steps in sulphur metabolism. Studies of patients with three types of homocystinuria have demonstrated unequivocally the major role of cystathionine formation in degradation of homocysteine, and the importance of homocysteine remethylation. Methionine balance studies of normal subjects and of a sarcosine oxidase-deficient subject have shown the predominant role of creatine synthesis in methionine utilization and permitted assessment of the rate of oxidation of the methyl group of methionine. Together, the results demonstrate that once regulatory adjustments have been made the rate of methylneogensis is nicely controlled so that labile methyl groups are made available in amounts just sufficient to meet the needs for methionine. When excess methionine is ingested the four-carbon moiety is diverted into cystathionine, the methyl group is oxidized via sarcosine and the flow of partially oxidized one-carbon units is diverted away from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate toward CO2. Studies of cystathionine synthase-deficient patients demonstrate that the capacity to respond or not to respond to pyridoxine administration is genetically controlled, probably through structural differences in mutant cystathionine synthases. However, the properties of the enzyme crucial in conferring responsiveness have not yet been identified.


The sulphur cycle: definitions, mechanisms and dynamics.

The principal biochemical processes of the sulphur cycle are described and the types of organisms known to catalyse the reductive and oxidative phases of the cycle outlined. Attention is drawn to the shortcomings in our current knowledge of the scale of turnover of the sulphur cycle and of our understanding of the microorganisms involved in specialized environments. Examples of some special habitats are used to illustrate these points. The role of sulphate-reducing bacteria and sulphur-oxidizing chemolithotrophs in the formation and recycling of sulphide minerals is described.


Pathways of assimilatory sulphate reduction in plants and microorganisms.

Assimilatory sulphate reduction, largely restricted to plants and microorganisms where it provides reduced sulphur for the formation of amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids, and various sulphur-containing coenzymes, begins with the activation of sulphate through reaction with ATP to form adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (APS) and adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPS). Two pathways of assimilatory sulphate reduction are known. One, found in some blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and in all oxygen-envolving eukaryotes, begins with APS where the sulpho group is transferred via APS sulphotransferase to a thiol acceptor (glutathione (G-S-) in Chlorella) to form the organic thiosulphate (G-S-SO-3). The organic thiosulphate appears to be reduced further by an organic thiosulphate reductase employing reduced ferredoxin to form G-S-S-. The terminal sulphur is then thought to be reductively transferred to O-acetylserine via O-acetylserine sulphydrase to form cysteine. A second pathway, found in bacteria and fungi, begins with PAPS where the sulpho group is transferred via PAPS sulphotransferase to an acceptor thiol to form an organic thiosulphate. Since thioredoxin is indispensable, this molecule may be the carrier or may serve to reduce the carrier. NADPH via thioredoxin reductase or glutathione and glutathione reductase reduces thioredoxin. These reactions release sulphite which is further reduced to sulphide by sulphite reductase, employing NADPH. Sulphide is then thought to react with O-acetylserine to form cysteine via O-acetylserine sulphydrase. The cellular location and evolution of these pathways is discussed.


Synthesis of L-cysteine in Salmonella typhimurium.

In Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli the biosynthesis of L-cysteine from L-serine and inorganic sulphate proceeds along a branched convergent pathway along one arm of which sulphate is reduced to sulphide, while on the other L-serine is acetylated to O-acetyl-L-serine. This system is subject to positive genetic control in which growth on a poor sulphur source, O-acetyl-L-serine and the product of the cysB regulatory gene are all required for derepression. The final step consists of the formation of L-cysteine from O-acetyl-L-serine and sulphide. We find that in S. typhimurium this reaction is catalysed by two different enzymes, O-acetylserine sulphydrylase A and O-acetylserine sulphydrylase B, coded for by cysK and cysM respectively. Both enzymes are under the control of the cysteine regulon, and either alone is sufficient for cysteine prototrophy during aerobic growth. Although the advantage to the bacterium of having two separate enzymes to carry out the same reaction is unclear, preliminary data suggest that O-acetylserine sulphydrylase B is preferentially utilized for cysteine biosynthesis during anaerobic growth. We speculate that one enzyme may prefer free sulphide as a substrate while the other may use a bound form of sulphide.


Markers of macrophage heterogeneity. I. Studies of macrophages from various organs of normal mice.

A unique subpopulation of macrophages (M phi) was identified among the spleen and bone marrow M phi of normal mice. After 24 h of culture, approximately 2.5% of the adherent cells cluster into "foci" of 10-30 cells. On the basis of their phagocytic and morphologic characteristics, these focus-forming M phi (FF-M phi) appeared to be highly activated. Uncoated sheep erythrocytes (E) were ingested by FF-m phi indicating that opsonization was not a prerequisite for phagocytosis. However, IgM-coated E (EIgM) were more readily phagocytosed by FF-M phi than were E suggesting that IgM is recognized as an effective opsonin by these cells. EIgM and E coated with IgM and complement (C) (EIgMC) were ingested by approximately the same percentage of FF-M phi; thus, if these cells possess complement receptors in addition to structures which bind EIgM, the C receptors do not enhance the ability of FF-M phi to ingest opsonized particles. The non-focus-forming M phi, e.g. individual M phi (I-M phi), in the spleen and bone marrow can, themselves, be divided into various subpopulations distinguished by their ability to bind and ingest E, EIgM ana EIgMC. These may represent various subpopulations of M phi or M phi at various stages of activation or differentiation. While spleen and bone marrow M phi contained FF-M phi and I-M phi which vary in their ability to ingest E, EIgM and EIgMC, theM phi of the peritoneum and blood of normal mice were far more homogeneous. Peritoneal and blood M phi did not form foci, ad did not ingest E or EIgM in significant amounts although a small percentage were able to ingest EIgMC. These data suggest that the population of M phi in the spleen and bone marrow are far more heterogenous than those found in the peritoneum or blood and that binding and phagocytosis of various coated and uncoated erythrocytes can be studied to elucidate this heterogeneity.


Surface Ig on rabbit lymphocytes. Rabbit B and T cells are distinct populations.

Rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were analyzed by immunofluorescence using anti-T cell conjugates and anti-Fab, anti-a1 allotype, anti-IgM and anti-IgA conjugates. In addition, T cells were demonstrated by rosetting with papain-treated homologous erythrocytes. Control experiments, using acid treatment and incubation at 37 degrees C for 18 h after or without pronase treatment, revealed the endogenous origin of all surface determinants tested. A good correlation was found between results obtained with the two anti-T cell conjugates used and the T rosette test on PBL and on lymphoid cells isolated from various organs. In lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood and from various lymphoid organs, the percentages of T and B cells were respectively 45 and 38 for PBL, 10 and 46 for bone marrow, 27 and 31 for appendix, 40 and 45 for spleen, 42 and 46 for Peyer's patches, 96 and 0.3 for thymus and 70 and 16 for peripheral lymph nodes. The percentage of "null" cells in lymphocyte populations derived from bone marrow and appendix is rather high. The final percentages of T and B cells in rabbit PBL depend to a significant extent on the method of isolation, especially isolation by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation results in a depletion of T cells. Moreover, a rather impure lymphoid cell suspension is obtained. In double incubation experiments, T cells (as defined by T cell antigen(s) or rosette formation) and B cells (Fab-bearing cells) were entirely different subpopulations. Allotypes of the a locus could not be detected on the surface of T cells. The results are discussed with respect to genetic coding of antigen receptors on B and T cells.


[Nocturnal asystolia revealed with Holter monitoring in asymptomatic hypokinetic arrhythmia. Report of two cases (author's transl)].

The Authors report on two cases of hypokinetic arrhythmia with good ventricular rate during the day. In these cases the Holter monitoring showed, during the night, a marked slow down of the cardiac rhythm with short period of cardiac arrest up to 4280 ms. The Authors would like to underline the prognostic and therapeutic importance of the above said remarks, also mentioned by others in the most recent literature, and the necessity to go deeply in to the meaning of these events specially about possibility of sudden death and cerebral hypossia, during the slow down of cardiac rhythm. In both cases a good therapeutic effect, consisting in a complete normalization of the cardiac rate, has been optained with sustained preparation of sympaticomimetic and vagolitic drugs. On the basis of their experience, the Authors think that, in these cases, the pharmacologic therapy, neglected during the last years, could give a good therapeutical result.


[Diaxozide-induced acute stimulation of plasma renin activity in renal veins for diagnosis and prognosis in hypertensive patients (author's transl)].

Vena cava and renal veins PRA were measured and their ratios calculated (Ra/Rc and Rc/P) in 15 hypertensive patients before and after diazoside infusion (300 mg i.v.). Among the 4 patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis, 3 had both ratios significant in basal conditions. After diazoxide infusion, the ratios became significant in the 4th case, successfully operated. Surgery induced normalization of blood pressure also in 2 of 3 cases affected by renoparenchimal alterations: of these patients 1 had ratios significant in basal conditions and both after diazoxide. One patient had unilateral renal artery stenosis and controlateral small kidney: his ratios was significant in favour of small kidney both before and after diaxozide infusion. The correction of renal artery stenosis gave no results in blood pressure. In patients with essential hypertension the PRA values in renal veins were not significantly different either before and after diazoxide. In conclusion the acute diazoxide stimulation seems to improve the prognostic value of renal veins PRA and their ratios for the detection of surgically curable forms of renal hypertension.


[Changes in plasma renin activity induced by acute administration of nifedipine in hypertensive patients (author's transl)].

In the present study we assessed plasma renin activity (PRA) variations induced by Ca++ antagonist antihypertensive drug Nifedipine in 8 normoreninaemic or hyporeninaemic hypertensive patients. On two successive days three venous blood samples were sampled, two in clinostatic position and the last one 120 min later in orthostatic position; on the second day 20 mg of nifedipine were administered sublingually. Nifedipine increases significantly PRA after orthostatic position compared with starting conditions (p < 0.01) and compared with the values recorded without the drug at the same times (p < 0.01). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased 15 and 120 min after nifedipine administration while heart rate increased at the same times. Acute nifedipine administration augments PRA in hypertensive subjects; explanatory hypoteses are proposed.


[Early exercise testing after myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

203 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction performed a cycloergometric submaximal exercise test before leaving hospital. The causes for stopping the test were fatigue or submaximal heart rate (24,1%), angina (14,2%), ischaemic S-T changes (28,08%), arrhythmias (4,9%) and changes of blood pressure (17,2%). No important complications were observed. The test proved useful for the definition of more objective criteria in order to prescribe an individualized rehabilitation programme. Above all it was possible to prescribe treatment which would not have otherwise been prescribed at the time of discharge. The short term prognostic value is not, however quite clear as yet.


[Monitoring of NEFA and other biochemical parameters in acute myocardial infarct].

Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, NEFA and cortisole behaviour as well as insulin activity have been studied in the A.M.I. NEFA were found to be in most cases arrhythmy inducers; especially when the NEFA exceed 1200 muEq/l; in this cases, they bring to an unfavourable development of the acute coronary episode. The Authors observed that the peak of NEFA frequently precedes the peak of MB-CPK, while no relation was found between their amplitude. Prognosis becomes unfavourable when cortisole levels are high. Therapeutical utility of insulin-glucose-potassium solutions is confirmed; this because of NEFA high levels found in the first period of A.M.I.


Disappearance from blood and urinary excretion of 35S-thiamin in sheep. A kinetic study.

In seven experiments with two adult sheep a single dose of 35S-thiamin was injected intravenously. Blood and urine samples were taken at short intervals after dosing and analyzed for 35S-radioactivity. The data obtained were subjected to a curve fitting computer program. The disappearance of 35S-thiamin from blood followed a three-exponential function; the average half-times of the three components were 0.4, 3.7 and 93.7 minutes. Urinary excretion of the tracer was also three-exponential and amounted to 19--32% of the injected dose over 150 minutes.


Restoration of endodontically treated teeth. A discussion out of reviews.

Cores, dowels and pins provide retention and support for restorations and protect the residual tooth substance. Their use is essential in restorative dentistry.


Pulp capping (a review).

Pulp exposure remains a source of great frustration to the dental practitioner, because the outcome of any pulp capping procedure is marked with uncertainty. The clinician is often unaware of the coexistence of possible pulp pathology at the time of damage to the pulpal wall. Until a more accurate clinically and histologic diagnosis can be made, pulp capping as a clinical treatment, can only be rendered on an empirical basis.


Pathologic conditions of the oral mucosa associated with ill-fitting dentures: III. Epulis fissuratum and flabby ridge.

Denture-induced changes of the oral mucosa comprise, besides denture stomatitis and inflammatory papillary hyperplasia, the so called folds and redundancies in sulci and flabby ridges. The present article deals with these two tissue reactions which are associated with chronically ill-fitting dentures.


The bending strength of acrylic resin samples repaired under pressure.

The bending strength of heat-cured resin samples was found to be 49% higher than that of autopolymerizing resin samples cured under room conditions. Curing the latter resin in a pressure vessel at 32psi and 30 degrees C increased its strength by 4.5%. For this reason and because a less porous material is obtained, pressure-curing may be employed with advantage for the preparation of various appliances from S.C. resin. The effect of pressure-curing in increasing the strength of the repaired samples was not significant. It would also appear that pressure affects the porosity of small quantities of repair material less than when appliances are made from S.C. resins only. The increase in strength achieved by pressure-curing repairs, in which only small quantities of S.C. resin are used, is therefore questionable.


Recent trends in research on occupational cervicobrachial disorder.

Recent rapid development of mechanization and automatization in many industries in Japan have increased simple and repetitive tasks that have resulted in some new types of occupational health hazards, in particular among young female workers. One of them is occupational cervicobrachial disorder, the concept of which was established by the committee organized by the Japan Association of Industrial Health in 1972. The committee demonstrated that the disorder resulted from repetitive upper limb manipulation in punching and operating various kinds of business machines, and concluded that the disorder was closely related to chronic fatigue in the shoulders, neck, lower back and other parts of the body. In 1975 a study team was organized with a grant from the Ministry of Education. The team was divided into four working groups. Topics of these groups were 1) etiology of the disorder, 2) natural history of the disorder in various kinds of jobs, 3) mass examination techniques for the disorder, and 4) a health care system to be provided for the workers. The persent report summarizes the results of group discussions with a view to indicating the current problems of occupational cervicobrachial disorder and the necessary future steps for its care treatment and prevention.


Statistical forecasting in a hospital clinical laboratory.

Three forecasting methodologies were applied to monthly laboratory test count data in order to arrive at a best procedure for forecasting ahead to cover the next fiscal year. The purpose of the forecasting was, first, to aid in reimbursement and income decisions and, second, to assist in operations management decisions within the laboratory itself. The Box-Jenkins ARIMA models were found to be superior in all cases, and forecasts for individual test counts (as opposed to packages of tests billed as a unit) were improved if forecasts for inpatients and outpatients were done separately and then aggregated. With 2 years of experience to go on, the annual forecast error stands at around 4.5%.


Preparatively useful reactions involving nitrogenous sugars and some applications with carbohydrate-containing antibiotics.

This work describes the development of useful synthetic methodology with simple sugars, practical applications for conversion of abundant precursors into modified sugars (especially amino and deoxy sugars) of importance in various groups of natural products, and the conversion of such products into compounds of biological or pharmacological interest, especially carbohydrate antibiotics and their analogs. Examples of synthetic methodology illustrate various routes to deoxygenated (saturated, alkenic, and acetylenic), and oxidized (carbonylic, aldehydic, and carboxylic) functionality from hydroxyl and amino precursors. Unusual modes of sugar protection by such procedures as kinetic acetonation are discussed, together with the use of diazo and hydrazino groups for access to novel structures, including extended carbon-chain sugars and sugar--heterocycle conjugates. The broad utility of 5-membered benzylidene acetals in regiospecific routes to alpha, beta-deoxycarbonyl sugars is the basis of general methodology for practical, large-scale synthesis of aminopolydeoxy sugars, with daunosamine as the prototype, of widely varied substitution-mode and stereochemistry. Implications of the foregoing are discussed in relation to several classes of antibiotics, especially the anthracyclines and analogs thereof. A range of 7-O-(amino sugar-substituted)daunomycinones have been synthesized, together with 3'-hydroxy-daunorubicin and adriamycin, and their antitumor and toxicological properties evaluated; prospects for useful total synthesis will be mentioned.


Sequence of the amino-terminal region of rat liver ribosomal proteins S4, S6, S8, L6, L7a, L18, L27, L30, L37, L37a, and L39.

The sequence of the amino-terminal region of eleven rat liver ribosomal proteins--S4, S6, S8, L6, L7a, L18, L27, L30, L37a, and L39--was determined. The analysis confirmed the homogeneity of the proteins and suggests that they are unique, since no extensive common sequences were found. The N-terminal regions of the rat liver proteins were compared with amino acid sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins. It seems likely that the proteins L37 from rat liver and Y55 from yeast ribosomes are homologous. It is possible that rat liver L7a or L37a or both are related to S cerevisiae Y44, although the similar sequences are at the amino-terminus of the rat liver proteins and in an internal region of Y44. A number of similarities in the sequences of rat liver and E coli ribosomal proteins have been found; however, it is not yet possible to say whether they connote a common ancestry.


[Effect of L-tetramisol associated with rifampicin in patients with lepromatous leprosy. L-tetramisol in patients with lepromatous leprosy].

In this work are presented results obtained in the treament of thirty patients suffering of lepromatous leprosy. In a group of fifteen patients L-tetramisol was administrated in association to antimocrobian drugs. The control group received only the last medication. Immunological modifications were not observed in any case. However, in six patients treated with L-tetramisol associated to rifampicin during three months it was possible to observe a notable improvement of the clinical state. In the patients that received L-tetramisol associated to other drugs or in those that received only antimicrobian drugs the clinical improvement was very low or null.


[Structural lesions of human hair caused by permanents].

A study is carried out on the alterations produced in the cuticle of women's hair treated regularly for a period of more than 12 years with hair - lighteners, hair - dyes and perms. Assays have also been carried out "in vitro" on the effect of the perms on locks of hair. The scanning electron microscope has been used for observation of the samples.


[Comparative study of 2 topical steroids preparations: desoximetasone and betamethasone dipropionate].

Effectiveness of two creams, one containing desoxymethasone 0.25%, the other betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% was compared double blind, intraindividually. The preparations were used in symmetric areas of psoriasis. Final evaluation shows desoxymethasone cream to be significantly more active concerning reduction of erythema and overall improvement of lesions.


[In vivo stereomicroscopy of various cutaneous lesions].

"In vivo" morphological characteristics of some cutaneous lesions predominantly pigmented, examined under a stereoscopic microscope are described. An unusual analysis of the surface and the interior (when possible) of 590 lesions which are not able to be examined by the simple clinical observation was made. This method allowed to carry out a right and opportune treatment. A biopsy and histological study of 424 lesions of the total number examined was made. Stereomicroscopic and histological comparative diagnoses  allowed to abtain 87.2% accuracy with the former before the practice of biopsy. The clinical diagnosis was improved in 17.2% when utilizing the stereoscopic microscope instead of the one suggested by the naked-eye inspection.


[Pityriasis lichenoides associated with ischemia of distal location].

A case of acute pityriasis lichenoides associated with a distal ischemia and a similar evolution is reported. The vasculitic cause is demonstrated by angyologic exploration. The gross vascular afectation other than dermal vessels is suggested.


[Comedo-nevus of the palmoplantar and scalp regions].

A case of naevus comedonicus on the palms and soles and scalp is reported. A similar case was previously reported by Leppard. The rare localization of this folicular hamartoma is commented.


[Juxta occipital epithelioid sarcoma].

A 24 years old female patient with a juxta-occipital epitheloid sarcoma is reported. The lesion, a slow growing assymptomatic nodule, started 5 years ago reaching 4 cm in diamter. It was deep seated in the cervical muscles but easy to surgically remove. No evidence of metastases or local recurrence was detected for the next six months in spite of the limited excision performed. Clinical and histological features of the tumor were reviewed and its differential diagnosis discussed, particularly with synovial sarcoma and clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses. Histogenetic hypothesis were briefly considered and the relevant literature was reviewed.


[Epidermolysis bullosa letalis].

A case of epidermolysis bullosa letalis in a newborn is described by the authors. The girl had numerous lesions for all the tegument except on the face, palms and soles. Something of them were bullous. The histopathological examination revealed a bulla with detachement dermoepidermic. Without infiltrate in dermis. The roof of the bullae is conservate. In the PAS stain we show the detachement over of the basal membrane.


[Oral treatment of various dermatosis with the aromatic derivative of retinoic acid Ro 10-9359].

Twenty eight patients with various dermatological conditions were treated orally with the new aromatic derivate of retinoic acid, Ro 10-9359. The initial average dose was 48,3 mg/day and the maintenance dose was 26,6 mg/day. Duration of treatment ranged between 3 to 6 months. Evolution of erythema, infiltration and hyperkeratosis showed changes statistically significant (p < 0,05) and excellent to good results were obtained in 23 out of the 28 treated patients. On the basis of this study it is concluded that Ro 10-9359 is a promising drug for the treatment of several skin diseases, specially ichthyosis, Darier's disease, oral lichen planus, erythrokeratoderma variabilis and psoriasis. No serious side effects were reported; dryness of the lips, scaling of palms and soles, pruritus and thinning of the skin were the most common. In no case treatment was discontinued due to side effects. Laboratory controls did not show deviations from the normal values.


[Congenital syphilis (Statistics of the Hospital del Niño de Buenos Aires of the years 1975 and 1976)].

After their study carried out in 24 patients with congenital syphilis, assisted at the Buenos Aires Children's Hospital during 1975-1976, the authors pointed out some epidemiological patterns for the control of syphilis. These patterns, in short are: 1) To create a National law forthe control of the venereal diseases.


[Prurigo strophulus (concept, interpretation, therapeutic approach, prevention and clinical studies)].

The authors in this work analyse the Prurigo Strophulus in detail, starting with its clinical study up to its therapy and prophylaxis, emphasizing two main points. It is a hypersensitivity syndrome to insects appearing in genetically predisposed individuals, partly belonging to the hyperreactive group. As to etiology, they believe it to be a sensitization to insect bites, chiefly due to diptera such as blood-sucking mosquitoes, flies and sometimes ticks and bugs.


[Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis (a paraneoplastic system?)].

A case of "Multiple Minuta and Digitata Hyperkeratosis" related to a carcinoma of the larynx is reported. The improvement of the cutaneous lesions after surgical treatment of the carcinoma suggests the possibility of considering this peculiar skin disorder as a paraneoplasic symptom.


[1st epidemiologic study of contact sensitivity in Spain. Year 1977].

This work shows the results of the first epidemiological study on Contact Dermatitis in Spain. 2,806 (9.08%) cases on contact dermatitis were studied from 30,873 patients coming to nine Spanish Dermatological Services, during 1977. Some comments are done on it.


[Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus. Clinical and histopathological aspects of 7 cases].

The inflammatory linear verrucous nevus is a recently described variety of epidermal nevus clinically and histologically characterized by an inflammatory component. The lesion stars at birth or at early age, pruritus is constant. Histologically the picture is psoriasiform. The therapeutic response is poor. Seven cases are presented. Associated extracutaneous alterations were presented in four of them.


[Combination of 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B in the treatment of chromomycosis].

The authors discuss the problem of resistance of chromomycosis to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), observed in a previous study in 7 patients initially treated with the drug and subsequently treated with 5-FC associated with other medicaments. All  the associations, including that with amphotericin B, failed to overcome resistance. Experiments in mice and "in vitro" show a synergism between 5-FC and amphotericin B against "C. albicans", "C. neoformans" and "Fonsecaeae pedrosoi" already confirmed in human subjects infected with the above mentioned fungi. Resistance to 5-FC seems to be irreversible, as shown in previous experiments. The mechanism of action of the drugs on the fungi is discussed, as well as the fact that amphothericin B prevents the development of resistance to 5-FC. Results obtained with the use of the above association in 5 cases of chromomycosis are presented; all the patients had old and well established lesions, and in three cases these lesions were large and disseminated, conditions probably associated with the development of resistance to 5-FC used alone. The drugs were given in small doses, inferior to those usually recommended. The good therapeutic results seem to confirm the synergism observed in laboratory trials. Four cases were discharged as cured and one abandoned treatment for personal reasons. The association seems to act more rapidly than 5-FC alone. Tolerance was excellent in all cases.


[Actinic prurigo. Treatment with antifibribolytics].

Preceded by a brief commentary about the clinical characteristics of actinic prurigo, the qualities of anantifibrinolytic medication and its possible machanism of action in allergic conditions and atopias are analysed. An earlier experience with five familiar cases of actinic prurigo given 1 g of tranexamic acid or 3 g E. ACA, within a period of three months has been effective remarkally exceeding the results obtained with other therapeutic agents. The proposed therapeutic scheme may or may not be, modified, according to the response to the response of each individual case.


[Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome. Therapeutic trial with corticosteroid].

A brazilian housewife, descendant of japanese (both parents), 37 years aged, affected with Vogt-Koyanagi's syndrome (uveitis, dysacousia, alopecia, madarosis, poliosis, vitiligo) was treated with prednisone. During the course and at the end of the treatment an almost complete regression of alopecia, poliosis, madarosis and a total involution of the dysacousia could be observed, meanwhile the vitiligo and the sequels of uveitis remained unchanged. Taking into account that Vogt-Koyanagi's syndrome is susceptible of expontaneous involution, no definitive conclusion about the efficiency of therapeutic agent may be drawn in this singular case. However, it must be considered as valid the possibility of a favourable action of a systemic treatment with corticosteroides in the initial stages of the disease chiefly for preventing its more harmful consequences, i.e. deafness and blindness.


[Toxic epidermal necrosis. Review of the theme and presentation of 20 cases].

Twenty cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis were studied. 14 male and 6 female. The peak incidence by age was in the first two decades. All of them were related to drugs. Twelve of the cases had received antibiotics and, therefore an infection existed. The remaining 8 cases did not receive antibiotics and had no concomitant infection. We emphasise the clinical observation that in 11 cases the first symptom was an increase in cutaneous sensitivity, and then a rise in temperature, malaise, and extensive cutaneous sloughing resembling extensive burns. As for complications, only in 4 patients could we demonstrate disseminated intravascular coagulation (haematological tests were carried out in only 14 patients). The commonest complication observed was glomerular nephritis. Blood counts, blood chemistry and urine tests were altered more in relation to complications than to TEN. Protein electrophoresis, conversely, showed an increase of gamma globulin in 53.3% of cases, and inverted A/G ratio in 80%. S. aureus was cultured in 12 cases (not all of them children). E.S.R. was increased in 18 cases. Pathological findings with those already described: "in toto" epidermal necrolysis, intra and subepidermal blisters, and occasional inflamatory reaction at the level of the papillae, and the non-uniform presence of melanin in basal cells and Lyell cells. Prognosis was excellent, since we only had one death and one case of blindness due to bilateral ocular perforation. This could be due to the general medical care of the patient, nursing them with D.I.C., which in certain cases substituted by heparin with excellent results. Antibiotics were used in those infected.


[Halo nevi and vitiligoid phenomena in a case of melanoma].

This paper reports a case of malignant Melanoma in a 53 year old man with simultaneous development around the lesion of an acromic area with the characteristics of the so called Halo Navi phenomenon. Furthermore the patient presented lesions in other skin areas not related to apparent nevi. Microscopic tissue examination showed an inflammatory infiltrate in the depigmented zone which tended to surround and to include the melanoma periphery. This  supports the conclusions of other publications linking these infiltrates with immunological phenomena tending to eliminate the tumor. A review is made of the new physiopathogenic criteria of the development of vitiligo.


[Bullous pemphigoid and lymphoblastic lymphoma].

We present a 66 years old patient with bullous pemphigoid which appeared two years before a lymphoblastic lymphoma. According to the bibliography, there appear to be a causal relationship between lymphoma and pemphigoid.


[Bullosis diabeticorum].

Three cases of Bullosis Diabeticorum, entity described by Rocca and Pereyra, are reported by the authors. The review of the published literature after the original article shows the importance of recognizing these symptoms for the diagnosis of an occult diabetes. The most outstanding features of the studied cases were: a) the bullosis traumatica present in the 3 observations; b) the finding of an unknown diabetes in two of the three patients; c) the association with stellate pseudoscars. The histopathologic findings were similar in all three patients.


[Destructive diaphysitis in early congenital syphilis].

X-ray observations of bone lesions produced by Syphilis Connata Praecox have been reviewed. 15 cases of this condition are presented of which six show mucous and cutaneous lesions. One planus condylomata; three cases of pemphigus, one with paronychia; one perionixis and one rhinitis. Bone lesions appeared in X-ray observations in all cases excepting one in which lesions had already reacted to therapy. Concerning these 15 cases of Syphilis Connata Praecox we consider important to inform about X-ray discoveries both frequent and infrequent concerning this condition. We point out one exceptional case of destructive diaphysitis associated with a typical metaphyseal osteolysis.


[Nerve grafts. Experimental study. Importance of number of suture points (author's transl)].

An experimental study about 36 nervous grafts on laboratory rats is reported. This study emphasizes the interest of microsurgical technique and, further more, the role of the number of stitches improving the results of each anastomosis and, thus, the quality of neural regeneration. In each animal, after sectioning tibial nerve, a graft (sciatic nerve same side) is interposed and sutured in three different ways; in a first lot of animals 6 stitches at the level of each anastomosis; in a 2nd lot: 2 stitches and in a 3d one a single stitch. The animals are tested at the end of the 20th week, with an electrophysiological control before being sacrified. The pathological controls take in account the number of regenerated nervous fibers below the graft. Our study confirm the superiority of results in the 6 stitches lot. The authors emphasize the role played by a watertight suture to prevent an anarchic growth of regenerating axones outside the graft.


[Malignant hyperthermia. Review of literature and case reports].

Malignant hyperthermia may appear during surgery. It has at least three features: 1) an anesthesiological trigger, usually the association of halothane and succinylcholine; 2) rapid increase in body temperature; 3) widespread muscle hypertonia. The literature is reviewed in an assessment of the physiopathological mechanism underlying the syndrome, with particular reference to the part played by calcium. Experimental data are cited and their similarity with the clinical, laboratory, anatomical, and histopathological picture in man is discussed. A detailed account is also given of two personal cases. Lastly, questions associated with the prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia are examined.


[Adenomatous polyposis of the stomach associated with familial adenomatous polyposis of the colon].

A case of adenomatous polyposis of the stomach associated with familial polyposis of the colon is presented. The relevant literature is reviewed and the data thus collected (with the exception of definitely non-adenomatous, extracolic cases) are presented in tables, depending on whether familial polyposis of the colon or Gardner's syndrome was the accompanying form. A systematic account is given of the association and reference is made to simple polyposis of the stomach, and that of the duodenum. Close attention is paid to the question of diagnosis, the risk of cancerous transformation, and treatment. Stress is laid on the importance of optic fibre endoscopy in diagnosis and therapy (by means of the surgical fibroscope). Examination of the literature, it is felt, substantiates the need for: 1) routine systematic investigation of the digestive apparatus in all subjects with FPC and GS, and the report of even isolated cases to establish the true frequency of the association; 2) histological assessment of radically resected formations in the correct determination of both diagnosis and prognosis; 3) preventive and systematic endoscopic control as a means of investigation and postoperative surveillance; 4) correct strategy based on the nature, extent, number and size of the polyps and the polypogenetic capacity of the gastric mucosa.


Influence of primary prostaglandins, prostacyclin and arachidonic acid on mesenteric hemodynamics in the pig.

In anesthetized young pigs the influence of intraarterial infusion of prostaglandin E2, prostacyclin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and arachidonic acid on mesenteric vascular resistance was studied. Infusion of PGE2 and prostacyclin induced a dose-dependent direct decrease in resistance. Infusion of PGF2 alpha resulted in a dose-dependent difference in response. Infusion of lower doses provoked a decrease in mesenteric vascular resistance, whereas infusion of higher doses resulted in an increase. Lower doses of arachidonic acid induced a gradual decrease in resistance, while higher doses provoked biphasic or triphasic responses. After previous blockade of the PG synthetase and lipoxygenase pathways with indomethacin and ETA, arachidonic acid only provoked a decrease in vascular resistance. The resultssuggest a possible role of prostaglandins and their precursors in autoregulation of mesenteric blood flow in the pig.


The influence of the composition of the selective medium on convertogenic activity of ethyl methanesulfonate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4.

The frequency of prototrophic recombinants produced by mitotic gene conversion at the trp5 and ade2 loci were observed using the plate test. The yeast cells were exposed in the concentration gradient of ethyl methanesulphonate--EMS (10 microliter/plate). Selective media with addition of a small amount of tryptophan (for the selection of the convertants trp+) or adenine (for the selection of the convertants ade+) were used. The use of medium with addition of tryptophan or adenine considerably increased the sensitivity of the plate method as compared with the use of the medium deficient in either tryptophan or adenine. The above results suggest possible usefulness of testing for mutagenic activity various chemical using growing cells of yeast.


The use of immobilized ligands and [125I]protein a for immunoassays of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin D2, 13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin E2, 5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin I2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, 15-hydroxy-9 alpha, 11 alpha(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic acid and 15-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic acid.

Immunoassays were developed for quantitative determination of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin D2, 13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin E2, 5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin I2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, 15-hydroxy-9 alpha, 11 alpha (epoxymethano) prosta-5, 13-dienoic acid and 15-hydroxy-11 alpha, 9 alpha (epoxymethano) prosta-5,13-dienoic acid. Ligands immobilized by covalent linkage to a solid support, bound homologous rabbit antibodies. [125I] Protein A was used to measure the bound IgG antibody. Increments of homologous and heterologous fluid-phase ligand completed with solid-phase ligand for antibody and resulted in decreasing amounts of bound [125I]-Protein A. The serologic specificity for each immune system was determined. Immunoassays for thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and 5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin I2 were used to identify their respective homologous ligands that were separated by normal phase and reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography.


Tranylcypromine induced hypertension is not mediated by the inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis.

Tranylcypromine (TCP) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used extensively in the treatment of patients with reactive depression. Hypertensive crisis can complicate drug therapy, but the mechanism through which TCP causes high blood pressure is unknown. The present study was undertaken because recent investigations have shown that TCP can inhibit production of a potent vasodilator hormone, prostacyclin (PGI2), by  blood vessels, possibly explaining the mechanism of pressor effects by the drug. Heart rate, left atrial, pulmonary artery and aortic pressures were monitored in dogs under control conditions and continuously following the IV infusion of TCP at the rate of 1 mg/kg over a period of one minute. Right femoral and the left internal mammary arteries were obtained during the control period and the left femoral and right internal mammary arteries resected between 6 and 30 minutes following drug infusion for PGI2 studies. Concentrations of the drug that caused significant elevation of the mean systemic pressure to 203 +/- 8 mmHg had no inhibitory effect on PGI2 production. Therefore, the influence of TCP on the hemodynamic parameters does not appear to be mediated through the inhibition of vascular PGI2 synthesis.


Prostaglandin I2 partially inhibits human platelet aggregation stimulated by antithymocyte globulin.

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG), which is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ transplantation, has the side effect of inducing platelet aggregation. The present in vitro studies show that a component of ATG induced platelet aggregation can be inhibited by prostaglandin I2.


Comparative study of mutagenic, inductive and transforming activities of ledakrin.

Mutagenic activity of Ledakrin in microbial testing as well as its inductive effect on the release of free phages in lysogenic bacteria were compared with its transforming ability in human cell system. It has been found that Ledakrin is highy mutagenic both without metabolic activation and when activated in vivo. Ledakrin induces the release of free phages in E. coli K12(lambda +), but does not transform human fibroblasts in cell cuture in vitro.


The relationship of urinary prostaglandins and plasma renin to sodium balance and diuresis in normal man.

The significance of changes in sodium balance and urinary sodium excretion for renal PG excretion was studied in normal man. In protocol B a strongly negative sodium balance was produced in 5 healthy young subjects by a low sodium diet given for 7 days (lo mmol Na/day) with 80 mg furosemide p.o. added on the last two days. 24 hour urinary PGE2 excretion remained constant, while plasma renin increased. In protocol A the effect of i.v. furosemide (1 mg/kg bwt) on urinary PGE2 and PGF2 alpha excretion rates was examined in 5 healthy young subjects. Rapid but short-lasting increases in PG excretion rates ran in parallel with the changes in urine flow rate. The study suggests that PGE2 is not of importance for the sodium homeostasis in normal man. Renal prostaglandins may play a modifying role for the renal response to loop diuretics but are hardly instrumental for the diuretic effect.


Shortening of the bleeding time in thrombocytopenic rabbits after exposure of jugular vein to high aspirin concentration.

Aspirin, in doses which inhibit platelet thromboxane A2 production, prolongs the bleeding time but this effect on the bleeding time is lost when doses of aspirin which also inhibit vessel wall prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) production are used. PGI2 is both a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and a powerful vasodilator. We have investigated the contribution of the vascular effect of PGI2 on hemostasis by studying the effect of high concentrations of aspirin on the jugular vein bleeding time in severely thrombocytopenic rabbits and on the loss of non-platelet-containing fluid from standard puncture wounds in aspirin-treated veins perfused under constant pressure. After aspirin treatment, the bleeding time was significantly shortened in both normal and thrombocytopenic rabbits. This effect was associated with a decreased production of PGI2-like material by the vessel wall and a reduction in the volume of fluid lost from the standard puncture wound in the jugular vein. The effect of aspirin on the bleeding time and on PGI2 production was relatively short-lived and the bleeding time returned to normal within 2-3 hours. These observations indicate that PGI2 can influence hemostasis by mechanisms independent of platelet aggregation.


Libidinal cathexis and emotional growth in the analytical treatment of psychosomatic patients.

The paper deals with a form of analytical therapy in psychosomatics, which was developed and applied for many years in a model research ward. The therapeutic arrangement, or setting, was designed to make provision for all 3 elements of a person's make-up - his environment, his mind and his body. At the heart of the model is the therapeutic team, which offers the patient empathatic 'holding' and encourages his emotional growth. The members of the team have learned to offer themselves to the patient as a unit with a common inner attitude towards him. This means that they must first have worked out a unified approach, a hermeneutic structure, with which to understand him. Against the background of a special genetic conception of a mother's function for her child, the ward was turned into a setting that confronts the patient, in psychodramatized form, with a specific form of 'physical ambience'. In coming to grips with the team's physical, sensual presence, the patient is stimulated into developing a transference relationship to the empathizing, maternal father-figure, the 'père maternel'. In this way he can break loose from his clinging dependency on an 'omnipotent object', his dyadic partner, and, through internalizing the therapist both in his female and his male aspects, create a libidinal object in his inner world.


Liaison psychiatry as a systems approach to behavior.

In this overview, the psychosomatic theory is discussed from an evolutionary perspective. From its initial concern with relationship between emotions and physiology through psychopathology and anatomo-physio-pathology to socio-psycho-pathophysiology, psychosomatic medicine and its theory is presently viewed as an empiric science utilizing a number of conceptual approaches derived from developmental psychology, classical psychiatry, physiology, sociology and anthropology. These are applied to the study and care of patients in ambulatory and inpatient settings, which are the arenas of the consultation-liaison activity and may be viewed as the clinical laboratories of psychosomatic medicine. In these laboratories, a new language has developed which is largely phenomenological and which attempts to utilize theoretical concepts from several disciplines in explaining the illness illness phenomenon in the present. As such, the practitioner of Liaison Psychiatry is a general systems analyst who analyzes the illness situation of the patient and his attendants in an attempt to decipher the identified problem, explaining it by utilizing selected theoretical concepts from the basic sciences of behavior. Psychosomatic theory is seen as an evolving and bridging science attempting to integrate and combine particulate theory into a more comprehensive synthesis.


Consultation--liaison psychiatry activities in a renal transplant unit.

We describe the consultation--liaison psychiatry activites in the renal transplant unit at Hannover Medical School. The activities with regard to patients' care include: the group session, with particular regard to dealing with the patients' denial; the indirect and direct psychotherapeutic interventions, the latter concerning psychotherapeutic consultation and counselling ('supportive psychotherapy'); and dealing with live donors and potential renal transplant patients. The second consultation--liaison psychiatry activity includes the teaching procedures: firstly, Balint-group-work with the nurses, secondly, the nurses' presence in the group sessions, and finally, Balint-group-work with students working as auxiliary therapists. In the authors' view, the field of surgery can represent a very promising one with regard to consultation--liaison psychiatry.


Psychogenesis of somatic disorders. An overview.

Psychogenesis, considered as a linear sequential process by which psychological influences lead to somatic disturbances, is only a link in a larger bio-psycho-social interactional field. Therefore, in practice, a multilateral approach of the whole person, in his psychological, social and somatic aspects, in health and disease, in his habitual and his therapeutical contacts, should be stressed. it seems unlikely that the somatic symptoms we are confronted with can be considered as pure psychogenetically determined phenomena. This does not exclude that in the complex psychosomatic interaction, there exists at one or more stages a transition from the sphere of psychological functioning to the somatic area, ending up in somatic symptoms. This process, which we call psychogenesis, is not a single event but should be considered as an abstraction, grouping a number of component processes possibly occurring at different moments in the total system. We have distinguished four components: a psychopathological component, a psychophysiological component, a phychophysiological component, a physiopathological component and a 'somatic illness experience' component. For each of these components, a number of conceptions are proposed according to the different theoretical models of psychosomatic connections. Most of these formulations are largely hypothetical or based only on fragmentary observations. Still, they offer guidelines for further research.


Self-management training for children with chronic bronchial asthma.

We have described examples of behaviors that occur antecedent to, concurrent with, or as a consequence of childhood asthma. Ways these patterns can be altered have also been described. Three points should be emphasized: first, social learning techniques can contribute to a child acquiring self-monitoring and self-management skills over his or her affliction. Thus, youngsters with asthma can learn self-responsibility over their affliction. Second, while we do have follow-up data indicating that youngsters continue to perform similar behaviors once they leave the Center and return to their families, such generalization does not automatically occur. For this reason, we have initiated several programs for working with a child's family. Finally, what about the youngster who is never admitted to an asthma facility such as the national Asthma Center? It is here where we are beginning to focus most of our efforts. By teaching a child and his or her family ways that the youngster can learn to manage asthma means that the disease will become less of a disruptive influence within the home, that costs of the affliction can be contained, and that the youngster can remain within the mainstream of both his or her family and community. Future reports from the Center will describe efforts we are making in this direction.


Psychotherapeutic strategies in the treatment of psychophysiologic disorders.

The outlined treatment strategies are based on research findings. The techniques include repeated physical examinations to reassure patients with hypochondriacal concern and continuous empathy with the partient's distress; explanatory therapy which includes emphasis on the innocuousness of the phenomena, accurate information about the psychophysiologic processes involved, making the patient aware of his selective perception; deliberate suggestion when this is in keeping with accurate predictions and appropriate treatment of coexisting psychiatric disorders.


[The use of the Knott technic in an endemic area of filariasis in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica].

One hundred and nineteen people living in the Roosevelt county of Puerto Limón were submitted to the Knott technique for diagnosing microfilaremia bancrofti. This was the first time the technique was applied in Costa Rica. A 17.6% positivity was obtained. Some considerations on filariasis spreading to other regions of the country with the possibility of outbreaks of tropical eosinophilia or filariasis without microfilaremia are made.


[Bacteria studies on 32 patients with acute inflammatory pneumopathies].

Thirty two patients admitted to the "Gral. Calixto García" Hospital for infectious pneumonopathies acquired outside and within hospital were studied. Each patient underwent 8 blood cultures in order to determine most frequent causal agents in our environment thus enabling the institution of an adequate antibiotic therapy. Grampositive germs, specifically staphylococcus, prevailed in extra hospitalary bronchopneumonopathies and gramnegative germs, specially Klebiella, prevailed in the case of intra-hospitalary infections. The negative effect of the antimicrobial therapy prior to sample obtention on the results of bacterial examinations is stressed.


[A new psychopediatric syndrome of toxoplasmic origin].

A preliminary exposition on the existence of a new syndrome which is of interest to pediatrics and psychiatry and has been called "chronic dystrophying adenic syndrome" or "CDA syndrome" is made. The syndrome is the clinical expression of the lymphochronic variety of the toxoplasmic disease in the child and it is clinically expressed by the triad: dystrophies, psychiatric disorders and adenopathies with a chronic course. In these patients adenopathies have a toxoplasmic origin and they represent the pathogenic factor which determines the syndrome. Atypical forms of the syndrome are pointed out. Most frequent and important atypical forms are correlated.


[Urinary schistosomiasis. Clinical study of 20 patients in Cuba].

Twenty patients involving three Cubans coming foreign countries with a diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis are studied. The importance of laboratory diagnosis and radiographic study, mainly simple study and post-mictional cystography, is stressed. The lesions found during cystoscopies are described and it is attempted their classification. In all cases the diagnosis was corroborated from biopsy samples. The usefulness of the ambilhar therapy is pointed out.


[Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of indol alkaloids].

In pursuing the study of the antimicrobial properties of alkaloids prepared from Cuban plants the activity of 10 indol alkaloids and 4 semisynthetic variables obtained from three plants--Catharanthus roseus G. Don., Vallesia antillana Wood and Ervatamia coronaria Staph, of the family Apocynaceae--growing in Cuba was assessed in vitro. The alkaloids and the variables used were catharantine, vindoline, vindolinine, perivine, reserpine, tabernaemontanine, tetrahydroalstonine, aparicine, vindolinic acid, reserpic acid and vindolininol. These were faced to 40 bacterial strains from the genera Salmonella, Shigella, Proteus, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium as well as to fungi and yeasts from the genera Aspergillus, kCunnighamella, kCandida and Saccharomyces. The method involving cylindric sections in a double agar layer was applied and lectures were obtained at 24-48 hours of incubation at 25 degrees C for fungi and yeasts and 37 degrees C for bacteria. Inhibition zones are reported in millimeters.


[Reactivity of the intradermal test with toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients].

A hundred schizophrenic patients admitted to the "10 de Octubre" Clinical-Surgical Teaching Hospital and 158 schizophrenic patients admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital, both in Havana, and 100 control healthy individuals who did not consume psychopharmacons were studied. They underwent intradermal tests with toxoplasmin. Differences in reactor percentages between patients and healthy individuals were statistically significative as it has been reported in the foreign medical literature. The highest percentage of reactors in the group admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital where most advanced schizophreniacs are found leads to the conclusion that the more severe the patient state the higher the frequency and intensity of test reactivity among patients. Other factors as the dwelling conditions, age and sex are analyzed.


Cardiorespiratory and metabolic patterns in multiple trauma patients.

During the last 3 years we have performed a detailed study in 50 patients using the Swan-Ganz catheter to provide prognostic haemodynamic and metabolic values at an early stage. There was a total of 320 severe injuries in these 50 patients with a statistical mean of six to seven. The severity of injuries is documented by the volume replacement necessary within the first 24 hr. On average more than 8 litres of whole blood, albumin and dextran were given intravenously. Out of 50 patients, 28 survived. During the first 2h there was a significant difference between survivor and non-survivor in systolic blood pressure and shock index. From the very beginning the surviving patients demonstrated a higher cardiac index than non-survivors. Pulmonary artery pressure and total pulmonary resistance were also elevated from the very beginning. The right ventricular stroke work index was increased; the left ventricular stroke work index was decreased in the group of non-survivors. The arteriovenous oxygen content difference as well as oxygen extraction ratio was elevated, and the oxygen availability was decreased in the group of the non-surviving patients. Of the metabolic parameters, an increase in the lactate/pyruvate ratio as well as in serum glucose and a decrease in base excess values permit an early prediction of a favourable outcome. There were significant differences in the enzymes SGOT, SGPT, LDH, CHE, as well as bilirubin concentrations between survivors and non-survivors from sixth day on.