Late spontaneous disruption of a porcine xenograft mitral valve. Clinical, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and pathological findings.

A case is presented of failure of a Hancock porcine xenograft mitral prosthesis secondary to disruption of the prosthetic leaflets. Clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic evidence of prosthetic dysfunction has been correlated with operative, pathological, and ultrastructural findings. Other instances of dysfunction of this prosthesis have been reviewed. Echocardiography should be routinely employed when the diagnosis of xenograft dysfunction is entertained.


Endocarditis related to transvenous pacemakers. Syndromes and surgical implications.

Two cases of microbial endocarditis related to transvenous pacemakers illustrate syndromes whose pathogenesis we consider to be distinctive. Acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis related to a pacemaker developed in a 75-year-old man, an event which to our knowledge has not been previously described. There was no evidence of generator site infection, and the sequence of events indicated metastatic implantation of bacteria on traumatized endothelium. A 76-year-old women with a 3 year history of local generator site infection and recurrent fever was found to have extensive vegatative Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis at cardiotomy. The sequence of events indicated gradual spread of infection locally, related to the contaminated foreign body. Awareness of these separate pathogenetic mechanisms should facilitate recognition and appropriate management. Removal of the entire pacing system and prolonged antibiotic therapy were considered to be essential to cure of infection in both instances.


Increased production of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins after partial biliary diversion in the rhesus monkey.

An interrelationship between bile acid and triglyceride metabolism is suggested by observations in patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia and in subjects treated with bile acid-binding resins or chenodeoxycholic acid. We investigated this possible interrelationship in the rhesus monkey. The effect of 14 days of partial bile diversion on plasma concentration and secretion rates of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was studied by means of a stream-splitting device that permitted controlled interruption of the enterohepatic circulation. Diversion of 25% of the enterohepatic circulation resulted in increased bile acid synthesis and decreased bile acid secretion and pool size, and was associated with a 75% increase in fasting serum triglyceride concentration and a twofold increase in the rate of secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins into plasma. Intraduodenal replacemtn of cholic acid during the period of bile diversion completely prevented the increase in lipoprotein secretion and partially prevented the increase in fasting plasma triglycerides, suggesting that these changes resulted from loss of bile acid rather than other components of bile. These studies show that partial removal of bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation augments the secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein into plasma in the rhesus monkey. Elucidation of the mechanism of this effect may provide important new information concerning the control of hepatic lipoprotein secretion.


Studies on the bacterial spore coat 6 effects of alkali extraction on the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus.

Thin sections of the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus Matsukawa and Misawa show a characteristic surface structure with five ridges, and a series of three district layers. The outer layer of the spore coat was peeled off by SDS sonic treatment, and than the middle layer was solubilized by alkali extraction of the SDS sonic-treated spore. The spores subjected to these treatments were still refractile, heat resistant, and contained dipicolinic acid, but lost their resistance to mechanical shock.


Synergistic activity of gentamicin plus carbenicillin upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa: its relationship with pyocin and antibiotic susceptibility.

The synergistic effect of combinations of gentamicin and carbenicillin, as well as the type or subtype of the pyocins produced, were investigated in 170 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens. A high proportion of strains were synergistically inhibited (73.5%), but among strains producing pyocins 7, 14 and 31, synergy was infrequent or absent. The synergistic effect was more frequent upon gentamicin- or carbenicillin-susceptible strains. However, among untypable strains, synergy was more frequent among gentamicin-resistant strains. Susceptibility to both gentamicin and carbenicillin must be considered if antibiotic susceptibility is to be related to synergy.


HLA and the genesis of autoimmune diseases.

In general, evidence of autoimmunity increase with age. The following explanations are proposed: Somatic mutations causing progressive changes in cell surfaces lead to progressive increase of antibodies which cross react with normal cell surfaces (auto-antibodies). The HLA antigens (and to a lesser extent other cell surface antigens) bind foreign molecules creating a hapten-carrier relationship which will direct the immune response to the surfaces of cells, which will most commonly be the blood and tissue leukocytes. However the HLA antigens on the surfaces of cells of some solid tissues may, for reasons intrinsic to the particular antigen and cell surface, bind haptenic material leading to an immune response directed in part against the tissue. This may be a short term event while the hapten is present, or it may continue in the absence of the hapten, directed at the carrier (cell surface) molecule alone. It may be perpetuated in some tissues (e.g. joint tissues) by the presence of immune complexes or other products of inflammation.


[Possible clinical importance of the activation of diamine oxidase (histaminase) in heparin treatment of renal diseases (author's transl)].

Heparin up until now has been in renal diseases for its anticlotting effect. An additional property of heparin is the activation of the diamine oxidase (histaminase). Whether a possible clinical importance of the diamine oxidase activation in heparin treatment of renal diseases exists or not remains unknown and is discussed.


The effect of various conditions of chromatin isolation on the nucleosomal structure of the isolated chromatin.

Chromatin from calf thymus isolated under hypotonic conditions in the presence of various agents was investigated by methods of electron microscopy prior to and after EDTA treatment. It is shown that the presence of chelating agents and, especially, the application of considerable mechanical forces in the course of isolation may cause damage to the nucleosomal structure of the chromatin. Moreover, sufficiently great mechanical forces are liable to destroy the structure of the chromatin nucleosomal fibres even when they are packed in structures of a higher order of organization of the chromatin.


[Renovascular hypertension in neurofibromatosis von Recklinghausen (author's transl)].

The course of the illness in a six-year-old boy is reported. His recurrent headaches led to the detection of arterial hypertension (170/135 mmHg). Clinical and histological examination revealed neurofibromatosis von Recklinghausen. A bilateral paraumbilical murmur hinted at a renovascular form. Arteriography showed an aneurysm of the right renal artery and multiple bilateral intrarenal stenoses and aneurysmatic dilatations. Under conservative treatment with Propranolol and Dihydralazine blood pressure remained almost normal over two years. 38 paediatric cases of renovascular hypertension in childhood reported in the literature are analyzed with regard to clinical manifestation, morphology and localisation of the renovascular lesions.


[Pyruvate-dehydrogenase deficiency. Lethal course of the disease during infancy (author's transl)].

The course of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency in an infant is described. During pregnancy fetal movements were reduced, and since birth severe neurologic involvement was noticed. Permanent metabolic acidosis due to lactic acidemia as well as hyperpyruvic acidemia and hyperalaninemia were present. Alanine accumulated in CSF and urine, urinary excretion of lactate and pyruvate was highly elevated. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in a liver biopsy was only 5% of that for normal controls, and pyruvate decarboxylation by cultured fibroblasts was equally decreased. Therapy required permanent administration of bicarbonate. The administration of thiamine had no effect. The infant died within three months. Recently prenatal diagnosis during a subsequent pregnancy of the mother revealed normal results when pyruvate degradation with cultured amniotic fluid cells was investigated, and a healthy child was born.


[The importance of interferon for rabies prophylaxis (author's transl)].

The importance of interferon for the prophylaxis of rabies is not yet fully understood. About 50% of cynomolgus monkeys infected with rabies virus could be protected from the disease with human interferon which was administered at a total dose of 1--10 million units per animal either intramuscularly 24 hours after infection or by intralumbar injection up to 11 days after. The clinical relevance of the findings is discussed.


Mutagenic evaluation of clonazepam using in vitro and in vivo bacterial tests.

The mutagenicity of an anti-epileptic drug, clonazepam, and its metabolites was studied by three repair (rec, pol and uvr) assays and reversion (Ames') tests. No detectable induction of mutation could be found in any tests by them per se or via metabolism in rat and mouse.


Bone marrow and lymphocyte cytogenetics of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) treated with the clastogen Mitomycin C.

Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were used to determine their effectiveness as experimental animals for different cytogenetic tests with mitomycin C (MC). The micronucleus test (MNT and/or chromosome analysis of blood and bone marrow were made before and/or after the treatment with mitomycin C. Thus, the controls data and treated data were obtained from the same animals. With the employed methology, the micronucleus test could not be performed on living animals. Less chromosomal damage was detected in the micronucleus test of post-mortem samples than in the chromosome analysis of bone marrow. No influence by the mutagen could be observed in lymphocyte chromosomes at any of the different times of analysis. In contrast to this, bone-marrow chromosomes seemed to be highly affected by mitomycin C at day 1, 2 and 3 after injection. However, before treatment and at day 14, 16 and 17 after treatment there was no visible increase in chromosomal aberration in bone marrow.


Granulocyte transfusions for the prevention of infection in patients receiving bone-marrow transplants.

Prophylaxis by granulocyte transfusions against infection associated with granulocytopenia was studied in 69 patients receiving bone-marrow transplants for the therapy of hematologic neoplasia or aplastic anemia. Patients were randomized to receive or not to receive granulocyte transfusions when their circulating granulocyte levels fell to less than 200 per cubic millimeter during the period between transplantation and the development of graft function. During the first 21 posttransplant days, there were two local infections and no septicemias in 29 transfused patients. Seven local infections and 10 septicemias developed among the 40 controls. This protection was afforded by granulocytes collected by reversible leukoadhesion as well as by cells collected by continuous-flow centrifugation.


Radioprotective effect of Aspergillus flavus.

A study designed to determine the extent and intensity of radioprotective effects of the mold conidium A. flavus in white mice revealed a higher survival rate with irradiation doses in the range of LD70-LD90; with irradiation with supralethal doses there is no difference in survival by stimulated and control mice. The radioprotective effect is independent of whether the strain A. flavus had been isolated from environment with enhanced radioactivity or not. It depends on a structure of the wall of conidia and not on the toxin produced by mold cells.


Time dependence of radioprotective effects of A. flavus conidia.

No essential difference in radioprotection results when conidia of A. flavus are applied to mice within a time lapse of a few minutes up to 48 hours prior to irradiation. When applied 72 hr before irradiation, they fail to affect mouse resistance. Application of conidia provide no protection to mice irradiated for 18-20 hr at the dose rate of 1 R/min; similarly ineffective are the chemoprotectors cistafos and mexamine. A combined administration of conidia and the two protective substances increases survival in mice and prolongs the mean survival period.


Is coronary artery surgery so expensive?

Severe angina may lead to complete invalidism, with reliance on social security payments and accumulated savings. The average cost of this situation to the patient is $4-6000 pa and to the State $3-4000 pa. Reputedly expensive cardiac operations are cheaper, at under $2000, than unoperated invalidism, and thus rapidly repay their cost in addition to their non-financial attributes.


A study on the use of fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate adhesive as a hemostatic agent and dressing after exodontia.

A fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate is shown to be a very effective hemostatic agent in routine extractions in rhesus monkeys. Clinical and histologic observations of the healing sockets at selected intervals revealed uneventful healing, even when the tissue adhesive was placed directly against the alveolar bone within the extraction socket. The quantity, quality, and rate of bone replacement were not different between the experimental and control groups. When polymerized cyanoacrylate is entrapped within the connective tissue above the healing socket, it is effectively removed by normal tissue phagocytes.


Histologic response of replanted teeth pretreated with acidulated sodium fluoride.

Central incisors in the vervet monkey were extracted, endodontically treated, and replanted into their original sockets after immersion in a 2 per cent acidulated sodium fluoride solution (pH 5.5) for 30 minutes. Histologic examination at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively showed that by the second week resorption had taken place and that ankylosis, first seen by the fourth week, along both the buccal and palatal root surfaces, was well established by the eighth week. Under the conditions of the study, pretreatment of the tooth roots with 2 per cent acidulated sodium fluoride did not reduce root resorption and ankylosis.


Preservation of rat liver tissue by endodontic therapeutic agents.

The preservation action of seven endodontic therapeutic agents has been tested on rat liver tissue. Such agents can be divided into three catagories: formaldehyde-containing, parachlorophenol-containing, and miscellaneous compounds. Besides their bactericidal and fungicidal effects, they also have a fixative action on tissue components. Because of this double action, they are called preservatives. In this series of experiments 25 percent formalin in 80 percent ethanol gave the best combination of bactericidal, fungicidal, and fixation properties.


Intramural diverticulosis of the esophagus in an eight-year-old boy.

A third pediatric case of intramural diverticulosis of the esophagus is reported in an 8-year-old boy. A hiatal hernia, chronic nonspecific esophagitis and defective esophageal motility was also documented in his 10-year-old brother.


Diverticula of the bladder in children.

Diverticula of the bladder in infants and children are common and occur when vesical mucosa protrudes through a congenital defect in the muscle wall. Most are primary. Diverticula secondary to obstruction or neurogenic dysfunction are not as common as was once thought. The majority of diverticula are asymptomatic but they can cause vesico-ureteral reflux, obstruction or residual urine. Diverticula also occur after bladder surgery and in association with some syndromes. Voiding cystourethrography is the most reliable method for detection.


Quantitative analysis of nuclear population in muscle from malnourished and recovered children.

Muscle tissue obtained by needle biopsy from the quadriceps femoris of eight malnourished and eight recovered children were examined histologically. In both groups about two-thirds of the total nuclear count was due to muscle nuclei. The remaining one-third was made up of vascular, nerve, and interstitial cells and isolated nuclei in similar proportions in the two groups. A significantly greater percentage of muscle nuclei consisted of myogenic cells in recovered children as compared to malnourished children (20.7 +/- 6.4 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.4%).


Standardised antimicrobial sensitivity testing in veterinary practice.

A standardised antimicrobial sensitivity testing method for veterinary use is described. The method makes use of Neo-Sensitabs tablets, and is based in a quantitative technique relating, diameter of inhibition zones to MIC values, and to serum concentrations for the different antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine. The sensitivity testing method has been standardised with 4 different media: Danish Blood Agar, Mueller-Hinton Agar, DST Agar, and Iso-sensitest Agar and with two different inocula (according to ICS and Kirby-Bauer respectively). Information is given on cross-resistance between different antimicrobials, and basic sets of drugs are recommended for routine use. Interpretation tablets are given for both inocula (semi-confluent or confluent colonies), and a quality control procedure using two standard strains (E. Coli ATCC 25922 and Staph, aureus ATCC 25923), enables the regular control of the media and inocula used in the test.


Separation of very large DNA molecules by gel electrophoresis.

Very large DNA molecules were separated by electrophoresis in horizontal slab gels of dilute agarose. Conditions of electrophoresis were developed using intact DNA molecules from the bacterial viruses lambda, T4 and G. Their DNAs have molecular weights (M) of 32 million, 120 million, and 500 million, respectively. Several electrophoresis conditions were found which give sufficiently high mobilities and large differences that these DNAs are separated in a short time. Electrophoresis in 0.1% agarose at 2.5 V/cm of gel length separates T4 and lambda DNAs by 2.0 cm, and G and T4 DNAs by 1.0 cm in only 10 hr. With some conditions DNA mobilities are directly proportional to log M for M values from 10 to 500 million. The procedures used will allow rapid molecular weight determination and separation of very large DNA molecules.


Yeast seryl tRNA synthetase: interactions between the ATP binding site and the sites for tRNASer and L-serine.

T1 ribonuclease digestion of yeast tRNASer in the presence of seryl tRNA synthetase was used for monitoring the relationship between the substrate binding sites on the synthetase. It was found that (a) ATP displaces the tRNA from the synthetase with an effector affinity constant corresponding to the Km for ATP of 10 micron; (b) AMP and a number of nucleoside triphosphates, while influencing the rate of aminoacylation, do not displace the tRNA from the enzyme; (c) ADP and PPi inhibit the aminoacylation and the binding of tRNASer; (d) adenylyl diphosphonate is bound to the synthetase and lowers the protection of the tRNA against the nuclease attack in a similar way as does ATP; (e) interactions between the sites of L-serine and tRNASer could only be shown when both sites for serine were saturated and, in addition, the ATP analog or ADP was present. It is concluded that in seryl tRNA synthetase binding sites for ATP interact with the ones for tRNA as well as with the ones for serine. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of aminoacylation.


[Value of gastrostomy in the prevention of food inhalation].

Gastrostomy can have both a preventive and curative effect for patients particularly exposed to food inhaling, especially the heavy casualties with loss of initial consciousness and prolonged intubation or tracheotomy. In these patients stopping the forcible feeding led to frequent mishaps and to recurrent pulmonary complications. Gastrostomy prevents them while enabling the seriously injured patients to receive 2.500 calories daily. These cases showed the different circumstances where gastrostomy done rapidly under L. A. and with assisted ventilation gave good results.


Studies on pyrazine derivatives. Part XIII. synthesis and tuberculostatic activity of some 6-alkyl-amino- and 6-dialkylhydrazinopyrazine-2-carboxylic acids derivatives.

6-RNH- and 6-R2NNH-pyrazine-2-carbothioamides 1--3, 5, 6, 9 and 14 were obtained from 2-cyano-6-chloropyrazine. In the in vitro screening the thioamides were active against Myc. tuber. H37Rv at the conc. range of 15.6--250 microgram/cm3. The most active thioamides 1 and 8, however, do not act in experimental tuberculosis in guinea pigs.


Isolation and characterization of glycosaminoglycans from the Furth murine mastocytoma.

New methods for isolation and fractionation by partition are described and compared with existing techniques. Substantially purer products were isolated by partition as compared to precipitation with hexadecylpyridinium chloride. The glycosaminoglycans isolated fron Furth murine mastocytoma tumor were found to consist of 78-80% heparin, 12-13% chondroitin sulfate, and 8-9% hyaluronate. Dermatan sulfate was not detected. Two heparin-like glycosaminoglycans could be isolated by partition fractionation in the phase system 1-butanol/aqueous NaCl containing hexadecylpyridinium chloride. The composition of one was typical of heparins. However, the other glycosaminoglycan contained only 0.47 moles N-sulfate/mole uronate, but had electrophoretic and partition properties characteristic of heparin.


Affinity chromatographic purification of beta-glucosidase of Candida gulliermondii.

A beta-glucosidase was isolated from Candida guilliermondii, a yeast capable of growth on cellobiose. The enzyme was partially purified by treatment with polyethyleneimine and ammonium sulfate precipitation. Further purification was achieved by affinity chromatography using a Sepharose 4B matrix to which oxidized salicin was coupled through adipic dihydrazide. The final product was a 12.5-fold purification of the crude extract with a recovery of 27% of the initial enzyme activity. Polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis of the purified enzyme gave a single band. A km of 1.25 x 10(-4)M was obtained using p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside as the substrate. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was 6.8. Maximum activity  was observed at temperature of 37 degrees C. Enzyme activity was completely inhibited by Hg++, Pb++, and Zn++ ions. The molecular weight of the enzyme is 48,000 as estimated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation.


Purification and characterization of human prostatic acid phosphatase.

Human prostatic acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrase, EC 3.1.3.2) is purified to homogeneity by standard procedures which include CM-Sephadex, Con A affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The purified enzyme is antigenically specific and has a M.W. of 100,000 with subunit M.W. of 48,000. However, the enzyme exhibited charge heterogeneity. Two major electrophoretic or chromatographic isozymic forms of PAP were separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and their immunochemical identity was studied by immunodiffusion before and after the neuraminidase digestion. Quantitative precipitin and inhibition experiments showed immunological identity of the two chromatographic isozymes. Immunologic specificity of this enzyme resides on the protein moiety rather than the carbohydrate residue, although the latter group is mostly responsible for the charge group heterogeneity of the enzyme.


Spontaneous colonic adenocarcinoma in marmosets.

We find that colonic adenocarcinoma, which is an extremely rare neoplasm of all animals except man and carcinogen-treated rodents, occurs spontaneously in some marmosets. The cotton-topped Saguinus oedipus oedipus is particularly prone to develop it, but we have found it also at necropsy in Callimico goeldii (Goeldi's marmoset). Numerous metastases to regional lymph nodes develop. The cancers arise de novo in the mucosa and early invade the submucosa and lymphatic apparatus and paracolonic lymph nodes. These findings and the continuing occurrence of this cancer in our colony suggests that the marmoset may be the long-sought primate model for experimental intestinal carcinogenesis.


Marmoset evolution: the molecular evidence.

We report here the results of comparative immunological and electrophoretic studies of the serum proteins of the New World monkeys. Specifically, we find that the New World monkeys share a long period of common ancestry with the Catarrhini and that the divergence between these two groups occurred some 35-40 million years ago. The extant New World monkey lineages are then seen as sharing a long period of common ancestry subsequent to that divergence, with their radiation beginning in the early Miocene. We see seven distinct lineages stemming from this radiation: (1) Aotus, (2) Callicebus, (3) Cebus, (4) Saimiri, (5) Ateles-Lagothrix-Alouatta, (6) Pithecia-Cacajao and (7) Callimico-Callimico with Cebuella-Saguinus-Leontideus. Within those Ateles with Lagonthrix, and Callimico with Callithrix-Cebuella form further subgroups. The marmoset radiation appears to have begun some 7-10 million years ago.


Lymphocyte functions and subpopulation distribution in marmosets.

Marmoset lymphocytes were highly reactive to general mitogens, participate in direct cytotoxicity (purportedly mediated by T-cells) and particpate in an antibody dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity assay (K-cell). The distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations among various species showed that the percent T-cells ranged from 46.4 to 66.6% in different species while complement receptor cells ranged from 10.3 to 19.0%. Surface immunoglobulin (SIg) stable B-cells ranged from 10.6 to 16.4% while the SIg labile L-cells ranged from 26.9 to 37.5%. A fourth receptor, Fc, was demonstrated on 23.7 to 31.7% of the marmoset lymphocytes.


Structure and synthesis of hemoglobin in marmosets (Saguinus fuscicollis).

Marmoset reticulocytes and bone marrow provide a valuable tissue resource for the study of primate hemoglobin structure and synthesis. The amino acid sequence of the marmoset hemoglobin has been determined, and the close homology between it and that of the human suggest it may be a valuable model for study of the effects of chemical modification on hemoglobin function. Hemoglobin synthesis by fetal bone marrow has been reported to be stimulated by physiologic levels of l-thyroxine. Differences in hormone responsiveness between fetal and adult red cell precursors have tentatively been ascribed to differences in permeability of the fetal and adult clones of cells.


Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in somatic and germ cells of the male marmoset.

The induction of chromosome aberrations by low LET radiations was studied in peripheral lymphocytes and spermatogonial stem cells of the male marmoset. The data showed that there was not significant difference in the sensitivity of the lymphocytes whether they were irradiated in vitro or in vivo, but the frequency of heritable translocations recovered in the primary spermatocytes were considerably lower than that calculated to occur in the lymphocytes. The data are used to make estimates of human genetic risk from radiation based on limited interspecific comparisons.


Callitrichids in Brazil and the Guianas: current conservation status and potential for biomedical research.

Brazilian and Guianan callitrichids are categorized as endangered, vulnerable, common or status unknown. Endangered species should not be used in biomedical research and a continuing supply of wild-caught vulnerable species is also out of the question. Common species, on the other hand, could withstand limited sustained yield cropping without difficulty. Species categorized as status unknown should not be used until more data on them become available. Callitrichids have a higher reproductive potential than other New World monkeys, are for the most part quite adaptable, and are rarely hunted for food or captured as pets locally. Widespread habitat destruction is the major threat to their survival and species with naturally small ranges in areas of high human activity (e.g. Leontopithecus, Callithrix flaviceps) are in the greatest danger.


Pathogenesis of adjuvant-induced destructive periodontitis in marmosets.

The histologic reaction of the marmoset periodontium to a single intragingival injection of CFA was followed sequentially over a 2-week period. The earliest lesions were nonspecific and similar to IFA-induced responses. After 4 days the CFA-produced lesions were markedly destructive of periodontal bone, whereas the IFA reaction was not, indicating that the alveolar bone destruction that stemmed form the CFA injection may have been immunologically mediated.


Human spongiform encephalopathies in marmoset monkeys (Saguinus sp.).

Brain homogenates (10% w/v) from five of seven kuru patients inoculated intracerebrally (i.c., 0.1 ml) into marmosets (Saguinus sp.) induced a rapidly progressive CNS disease 26, 31, 36, 76 and 94 months postinoculation. Serial marmoset passages of kuru were accomplished by i.c. inoculation of neonatal marmosets with brain homogenates from marmosets with experimentally induced kuru. The incubation periods ranged from 1.5 to 11 months (average 7.3) in 19 animals, 20-25 months in four animals and greater than 26 months in two animals. Symptoms and brain lesions of the induced disease were compatible with kuru as observed in humans and other nonhuman primates. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has been induced by i.c. inoculation of marmosets with brain homogenates from two of four human CJD patients with incubation periods of 43 and 54 months and is in serial passage.


A paramyxovirus causing fatal gastroenterocolitis in marmoset monkeys.

A paramyxovirus has been isolated, identified and characterized. The virus causes a disease characterized clinically by severe diarrhea, dehydration and death. Microscopically the disease is characterized as a proliferative gastroenterocolitis with focal necrosis of the mucosa, by giant syncytial cells and eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions. The virus is closely related to measles virus antigenically.


Use of the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, in reproductive research.

A self-sustaining colony of common marmosets, Callithrix jacchus, was established for reproductive research. Methods of management were developed to ensure optimal breeding conditions for marmosets in captivity. Studies of the reproductive biology and endocrinology of this species suggest that the common marmoset may be a suitable model for the human in certain aspects of the ovarian cycle, pregnancy, puberty and the hypothalamic and pituitary control of luteinizing hormone secretion. The rapid rate of reproduction of C. jacchus in captivity allows a relatively large colony to be maintained at moderate cost and also makes this species a most suitable laboratory primate for longer term studies of the safety and efficacy of new contraceptive methods.


Reproductive and social behavior of marmosets with special reference to captive breeding.

The field studies reviewed above raise some doubts about the laboratory concept of the extended family as the basic social unit of the Callithricidae. As Dawson [6] suggests, wild groups might more closely approximate artificial laboratory groups. They probably consist of a dominant, monogamous breeding pair, its dependent offspring and separate hierarchies of subdominant males and females who stay associated with the group for various lengths of time. Some of these subdominants might be offspring or relatives of the breeding pair. As the field studies show, these groups are more or less open to immigrants coming from other groups. They possibly tolerate transient relatives more easily and for longer periods of time than nonrelated individuals. In spite of the relative tolerance of wild groups towards strange conspecifics, it appears most practical to maintain laboratory breeders as families and remove the offspring after they have participated in the care of their younger siblings. In this way their reproductive capacities can be utilized as soon as their parental behavior has developed adequately. Moreover, possible losses caused by keeping nonrelated adults of the same sex together are avoided. As pointed out above, some species are very aggressive towards strange adult conspecifics and some seem to defend territories in the wild. It seems advisable therefore to house them in cages which provide a certain degree of isolation from neighboring groups. We have found this to be more important in S. fuscicollis than in C. jacchus, particularly in densely populated colony rooms. We therefore house our animals in cages which allow no visual contact with any other group, and by doing so have reduced the general level of excitement in the colony room. We believe that aggressive displays between groups are responsible for a large amount of redirected aggression between mates and for some of the abortions we have seen in our colony. Moreover, Rothe's [28, 29] observation that the parturient female withdraws from her group and gives birth in relative isolation should be taken into consideration when designing breeding cages. Although not all individuals of all species might show this behavior [see 32] it seems to be widespread enough to be an important factor in breeding efficiency and might figure in some of the infanticides observed by us and other authors.


Observations on a colony of cotton eared marmosets Callithrix jacchus with some plans for future expansion.

The current and proposed colony design and management are described. In an effort to increase the neonatal survival of marmosets, an outdoor-indoor housing arrangement is planned.


Notes on comparative reproduction of selected Callitrichidae in the laboratory.

Analysis of reproductive performance for four species of callitrichids maintained in our laboratory shows conception rates to vary from 3.14 for S. weddelli to 1.01 for S. fuscicollis lagonotus. Delivery rates vary from 0.55 for S. fuscicollis nigrifrons to 0.90 for S. weddelli. There is no seasonal pattern of births for any of the species maintained in the laboratory. Abdominal palpation of females has proven useful for predicting the date of parturition and assessing development of the fetus. Abortions occur among all species and tend to occur during the first third of gestation in C. jacchus and the last third of gestation in S. oedipus.


Structure of psoralen-crosslinked ribosomal RNA from Drosophila melanogaster.

Ribosomal RNA from Drosophila melanogaster photoreacted with hydroxymethyltrioxsalen has been examined by electron microscopy. Reproducible patterns of hairpins were found in both the 26S and 18S RNA. The frequency of these hairpins and the amount of incorporated drug were dependent upon the conditions under which the crosslinking was performed. A prominent central hairpin occurs in the 26S RNA and the break that interrupts the continuity of the RNA chain is located within it. In addition to several small hairpins, the crosslinked 18S RNA contains a large open loop.


[Effect of thyroliberin (thyrotropin releasing hormone) on the proliferation of adenohypophysis cells in monolayer culture].

Autoradiographic and immunohistochemical experiments were conducted to study the action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the cell proliferation in 7--8-day monolayer culture or the rat adenohypophysis. There was an increase of the epithelioid and fibroblast-like cells of the S-period of the mitotic cycle 24 hours after the TRH treatment. There were no thyrotropin-positive cells labeled with 3H-thymidine.


Cytoplasmic microtubular images in glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue culture cells by electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Electron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using monospecific tubulin antibodies were performed in parallel on glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue culture cells without osmium fixation. In order to reduce the excess aldehyde groups of the strongly crosslinked cellular matrix, which normally interfere with subsequent immunofluorescence microscopy, a mild NaBH(4) treatment was introduced during or after the dehydration steps. Cells processed through the NaBH(4) step show, in transmission electron microscopy, normal cytoplasmic microtubules approximately 250 A in diameter. When such cells are subjected to indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using monospecific tubulin antibody they reveal a complex system of unbroken, fine, fluorescent fibers traversing the cytoplasm between the perinuclear space and the plasma membrane. Thin sections of cells processed through the indirect immunofluorescence procedure show antibody-decorated microtubules with a diameter of approximately 600 A. This decoration is not obtained when non-immune IgGs are used instead of monospecific antitubulin IgGs. Thus, a direct comparison of cytoplasmic microtubules in glutaraldehyde-fixed cells by both electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy can be obtained.


Sequence variation among heavy chains from inulin-binding myeloma proteins.

The entire sequences of the variable region of four heavy chains from BALB/c inulin-binding myeloma proteins have been determined. Among the four proteins there are six amino acid differences, all of which occur in the framework portion of the variable region. All of the six amino acid substitutions can be explained by single base mutations at the DNA level. The pattern of diversity in these proteins is compared to a previously reported group of heavy chains from phosphorylcholine-binding myeloma proteins. Unlike the phosphorylcholine-binding proteins, which (with the exception of two that are identical) have size and sequence differences in their complementarity regions, the inulin-binding heavy chains all have identical complementarity regions with H3 being extremely short. The pattern of variation observed in the anti-inulin heavy chains appears to be most easily explained by a somatic mutation mechanism. However, because none of the substitutions occur in complementarity-determining regions, they presumably would have no selective advantage and would not alter binding specificity. These proteins have further been shown to have crossreacting antigenic determinants (idiotypes). Five of the six sequence differences observed occur at positions that are internal in the molecule and thus presumably would not account for the idiotypic differences. These results suggest that most of the observed idiotypic crossreactivities will be due to differences in the light chains of the anti-inulin proteins.


Antipyrine plasma half-life. In vivo indicator of oxidative metabolic capability in Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Antipyrine plasma half-life (APH) has been used as an indicator of hepatic oxidase activity in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Plasma disappearance of 14CH3-N-antipyrine (AP) was measured radiometrically. AP and 3 metabolites were detected using high pressure liquid chromatography. APH was assessed during a 300-day control period and following phenobarbital (PB) pretreatments. Significant interindividual variability was observed requiring that animals be used as their own controls. PB (15 mg/kg i.m., 2/day X 4 days) reduced mean APH values from 81 +/- 12 to 41 +/- 2 min. PB treatment also increased monooxygenase catalyzed aldrin epoxidation, dihydroisodrin hydroxylation and benzo(a)pyrene oxidation measured using liver biopsy homogenates. These parameters permit 'continual' assessment of HMO activity in rhesus monkeys under a variety of experimental conditions.


Neutron uniformity studies related to clinical total body in vivo neutron activation analysis.

Methods of assessing the uniformity of thermal and fast neutron fluence in relation to total body in vivo neutron activation analysis are described. Results are presented for 14 MeV neutrons emitted by sealed tube generators housed in a massive concrete shield, representing a substantial source of neutrons degraded in energy. Optimisation of conditions for patient irradiations is discussed and it is shown that acceptable uniformity of fluence can be achieved with little or no premoderation of the incident neutrons.


[Episodic psychoses in epileptic juveniles with reference to electroencephalographic findings].

The present paper describes three juveniles affected with epilepsy, who suffered from episodic psychoses. Such disorders are a very rare occurrence in young persons. The patients had grand mal epilepsy with "secondary temporalization". Clinical and electroencepholographic aspects are discussed by reference to these particular cases. Also, the authors deal with questions of classification and etiopathogenesis. Finally, possible causes producing such psychoses and giving rise to the psychopathological character thereof are pointed out within the framework of a multiconditional approach.


Effects of piracetam on regional cerebral blood flow and mental functions in patients with organic dementia.

The effects of piracetam (Nootropil, UCB6215) on mental functions and on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were investigated in eight patients in the presenile age who displayed symptoms of moderate dementia. The double-blind crossover design included nine measurement occasions, each involving rCBF measurement by the 133-Xe inhalation method, ratings of symptoms of dementia, personality changes, and side effects, and a psychometric investigation. Three investigations were included in each of three treatment periods. The first investigation in a period was made without medication. Then either placebo or piracetam 4.8 g/day or 9.6 g/day was given during four weeks with measurements after 2 weekks and 4 weeks. There were intervals of 4 weeks without medication between the treatment periods. Piracetam had no significant effect on either mental functions or rCBF.


Effect of intraventricular gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on discrimination learning in rats.

Rats were trained to perform light-dark discrimination learning for a period of 6 consecutive days. GABA, an inhibitory transmitter, was administered into the lateral ventricle either immediately or 60 min after the completion of each training session. GABA, in dose levels of 100 and 150 microgram and injected immediately after the completion of the session, significantly increased correct responses in comparison with the corresponding control group, while 200 microgram of the drug had no further effect on the correct responses. When the administration of the drug was delayed by 60 min, neither 100 nor 150 microgram of GABA significantly increased correct response. Intraventricular GABA did not affect total activity or water intake which could be considered indexes corresponding to motility and motivational state, respectively. It was concluded that under these conditions GABA improves discrimination learning by its action as an inhibitory transmitter.


Effects of medial raphe and raphe magnus lesions on the analgesic activity of morphine and methadone.

The effects of lesions of the raphe nuclei on opiate-induced antinociception and brain serotonin (5-HT) levels were investigated. Lesions of the medial raphe nucleus effectively antagonized the analgesic effects of morphine, but not methadone, and lowered brain 5-HT. The decrement in analgesic activity of morphine was reversed by pretreatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Lesions of the raphe magnus, a descending 5-HT system, antagonized the analgesic potency of both morphine and methadone. These experiments indicate a differential effect of 5-HT manipulation on opiate-induced analgesia, suggesting a different mechanism of analgesic action for morphine and methadone.


Effect of baclofen on tardive dyskinesia.

Eighteen chronic psychiatric patients with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia of 1/2-9 years duration participated in a double-blind crossover study on the effect and side effects of baclofen and placebo in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Each treatment phase lasted 3 weeks. Evaluation of the results included an assessment of video-tape recording. Baclofen (20-120 mg daily) reduced the hyperkinesias (median score from 5 to 3, P less than 0.05) and increased the parkinsonism (median score from 5 to 7, P less than 0.01). The effect on the oral movement pattern of tardive dyskinesia was characterized by a reduced frequency, an unchanged or slightly reduced amplitude, and an increased duration of each separate mouth opening and tongue protrusion, a response pattern very similar to the response pattern of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, an inhibitor of the catecholamine synthesis. Sediation, muscular weakness, and confusion were observed in 50% of the patients. These side effects, appearing mainly in elderly patients, sometimes set in before the anti-hyperkinetic effect, thus limiting the practical usefulness of baclofen in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.


Ethanol, pentobarbital, and chlordiazepoxide effects in squirrel monkeys responding under fixed-ratio food presentation and stimulus-shock termination schedules.

Ethanol, pentobarbital, and chlordiazepoxide were administered to squirrel monkeys responding under a multiple schedule comprised of two fixed-ratio 100-response schedules (FR 100). Under one FR schedule, the one-hundredth response produced food. Under the other schedule, the one-hundredth response terminated the prevailing stimuli and accompanying schedule of electric shock presentation (stimulus-shock termination). Comparable high response rates were maintained under the two schedules. Each drug produced dose-related decreases in response rates. With all three drugs the effects on all aspects of performance were quantitatively similar for both stimulus-shock termination and food-maintained responding.


Alcohol influence on hemisphere differences and signal detection thresholds.

Six right- and six left-handed subjects were run in a repeated measures design to determine the influences of alcohol on hemiretina detection thresholds. Stimuli were presented tachistoscopically to the hemiretinae at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0, 50, and 100 mg%. The nasal hemiretinae had higher thresholds than the temporal hemiretinae and this difference was independent of alcohol. Alcohol interacted with visual field and handedness. The results showed that the highest alcohol dose (100 mg%) raised detection thresholds more for the hemifield contralateral to the subject's preferred hand than the ipsilateral hemified. Results are discussed in terms of lateral dominance and attention.


Behavioural studies on the effects of d-amphetamine and estradiol benzoate alone and in combination.

The effects of d-amphetamine sulphate on grooming, rearing, and ambulatory behaviour in the T-maze was studied in rats. Low doses (0.25-2.0 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent change in behaviour; ambulatory behaviour was increased while grooming and rearing behaviour was decreased. The results suggest that the behavioural changes are a direct effect of amphetamine rather than a secondary consequence of a competition between different types of behaviour. The effects of d-amphetamine sulphate and/or estradiol benzoate on grooming, rearing, and ambulatory bheaviours in the T-maze and open field were also studied. Rats chronically treated with estradiol or oil were injected with amphetamine or saline just prior to evaluation in the maze or open field. Amphetamine treatment, irrespective of environment or hormone treatment, stimulated ambulatory behaviour while inhibiting grooming behaviour. Estradiol specificially antagonized the amphetamine induced reduction of grooming in the maze only. The results suggest that amphetamine has an independent action on T-maze behaviour whereas estradiol has an effect that depends on the environment for its manifestation.


Activating and anesthetic effects of general depressants.

The long-sleep (LS) and short-sleep (SS) lines of mice were derived by selective breeding with respect to ethanol sleep time. We found that in current generations LS mice also have longer sleep times than SS mice to trichloroethanol and paraldehyde. Two subsequent experiments tested our hypothesis that mice that are relatively insensitive to the hypnotic effects of depressant drugs might be relatively activated by low doses of these drugs. Both experiments failed to support the hypothesis. First, although SS mice were more activated than LS mice by subhypnotic doses of paraldehyde, the lines did not differ in the degree of activation produced by low doses of trichloroethanol. Second, among mice from a genetically heterogeneous population (HS), there was no relation between the degree of activation induced by a low dose of ethanol and sensitivity to the hypnotic effects of a higher dose.


GABA involvement in memory consolidation: evidence from posttrial amino-oxyacetic acid.

In order to assess the possible effects of central GABA activation on the consolidation of shock avoidance, the GABA-T inhibitor amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) was administered posttrial to adult male rats. Learning was assessed over nine widely spaced sessions of 20 trials each. AOAA-treated animals showed learning within sessions and a lack of consolidation across sessions. Controls, on the other hand, showed learning both within and across sessions. This evidence agrees with previous reports suggesting GABA involvement in memory processes.


Alterations of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and total blood serotonin content during clozapine treatment.

Cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid level, and total blood serotonin content was measured in groups of manic and schizophrenic patients before and after 2, 4, 6, 10, 20, and 30 days of clozapine treatment. CSF 5-HIAA values were elevated after 2 and 4 days and returned to baseline levels after 6 days or more. Blood serotonin content, in contrast, increased gradually and remained high even after 30 days. Neither CSF 5-HIAA nor blood 5-HT correlated with age, drug dose, or clinical effectiveness, but some relationship between these and the sedative component of the clozapine action was observed.


The effects of dextroamphetamine on kinesthetic figural aftereffects.

The effect of dextroamphetamine, primarily a central stimulant, on kinesthetic figural aftereffects (KFAEs) was examined. The subjects were selected after preliminary testing with the Eysenck Personality Inventory and were classified into three groups: extraverts, ambiverts, and introverts. d-Amphetamine was used at three dose levels and a control group was included for purposes of comparison. The 3 X 4 randomized block design was replicated ten times. KFAEs were measured under two sets of conditions, i.e., before and after the induction experience. The results support the following conclusions: (1) neither personality grouping nor drug treatment during preinduction trials significantly affected KFAE; (2) both types of variables were, however, significantly related to behavior during the postinduction trials; (3) the extraverted subjects showed larger KFAEs than ambiverted and introverted subjects under placebo condition; (4) the extent of KFAE was reduced in extraverted and enhanced in introverted subjects under the influence of the drug; (5) there were significant interactions between the drug treatments and personality variables in effects on KFAE.


Changes in brain catecholamine turnover and receptor sensitivity induced by social deprivation in rats.

Catecholamine turnover was compared in two brain areas of rats housed under different social conditions. Rats reared in isolation for 6-8 weeks had a significantly lower noradrenaline turnover in the brainstem and lower noradrenaline and dopamine turnover in a brain segment comprising all other areas except the cerebellum, pineal gland, thalamus, and subthalamus. In the open-field test, isolated rats were much more active than group-housed animals. Noradrenaline turnover increased in both brain areas of isolated rats but not in grouped animals after exposure to the open field. Hyperactivity was selectively reduced in isolated rats by chronic oral treatment with d-amphetamine, 5 mg/kg/24 h. It was also reduced 15 min after pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine 200 mg/kg. It is suggested that a prolonged period of reduced noradrenaline release may sensitise post synaptic receptors in isolated rats. Hyperactivity appears to be associated with an increase in transmitter release onto sensitised receptors.


Some effects of chlordiazepoxide and d-amphetamine on response force during punished responding in rats.

Rats were reinforced with water on a continuous reinforcement schedule and were also punished with electric shock for every fifth response applied to a silent, isometric, force-sensing manipulandum. Oral doses of chlordiazepoxide (3.0, 9.0, 27.0 mg/kg) increased both conventional rate and force of punished responding. In contrast, d-amphetamine (0.8, 1.6, 3.2 mg/kg, by gavage) further decreased conventional rate and force of response, but this latter drug increased the rate of recorded responses that were lower than the 15-g force criterion for response consequences. The results for chlordiazepoxide are viewed in terms of its anxiolytic properties, while the d-amphetamine data appear to support a theory of amphetamine effects based on the concept of stereotyped behaviors.


Effects of cannabis intoxication on primary suggestibility.

Thirty-five subjects of known hypnotizability were tested for primary suggestibility in the waking state with and without marijuana intoxication. The drug caused an increase in suggestibility similar to that produced by the induction of hypnosis. The effect did not persist when subjects were retested one week later in their normal waking state.


Polygraphic evaluation of ethchlorvynol (14 days).

Ethchlorvynol 500 mg was administered to four young insomniacs for 14 days as part of a standard 22-day sleep laboratory protocol. Subjects slept more while receiving drug, but these benefits were not statistically significant. Ethchlorvynol impaired mood during both drug and withdrawal periods as compared to baseline, and serious side effects were reported. Stage REM and stage 1 were suppressed by ethchlorvynol, and stage 1 (but not stage REM) showed withdrawal rebound.


Clinical and plasma level characteristics of intramuscular and oral loxapine.

The intramuscular and oral forms of loxapine succinate were compared in their clinical, side effect, and blood level characteristics in ten hospitalized chronic schizophrenic patients. The first phase of the study determined the single dose that produced moderate sedation (i.e., the sedation threshold), and this dose was essentially the same for the two forms. Continuous administration of the two forms using the individualized sedation threshold dosage also failed to indicate any clinical or side effect differences in the two forms. The blood level characteristics, however, did differ between the two forms. The kinetic studies indicated that there was a larger are under the loxapine curve with the intramuscular form than with the oral form, while the 8-OH loxapine area was larger with the oral form. The steady-state studies also showed that the i.m. form had higher loxapine levels than the oral form. The significance of these findings, both clinically and in terms of the relative activity of loxapine and its metabolites, is discussed.


A gradual score to evaluate the climbing behaviour elicited by apomorphine in mice.

Mice treated with apomorphine tend to adopt a vertical position in a stereotyped manner. A quantal evaluation of this behaviour, taking into account its frequency and duration, leads to a biphasic dose-response curve that reveals opposite actions of the dopamine agonist.


Inhibition of pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in rats by prostaglandin E1: role of brain monoamines.

Prostaglandin E1-(PGE1-) induced inhibition of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) convulsions in rats were significantly antagonized after pretreatment with drugs known to reduce brain serotonin activity, but not by pharmacological agents that decrease brain catecholamine activity. PGF2alpha also significantly inhibited PGE1 action. The results suggest that PGE1-induced inhibition of PTZ convulsions is not a direct effect, but an indirect one mediated through increase in brain serotonin activity.


Radiotherapy of orbital pseudotumor.

Recent advances in ultrasound and computed tomography have permitted localization of orbital lesions, and sophisticated high-energy irradiation techniques facilitate improved dose distribution without significant damage to normal tissue. Three patients treated for orbital pseudotumor are discussed.


Real-time ultrasound as an aid in intrauterine transfusion.

Real-time ultrasound was used as an aid in intrauterine transfusions for patients with Rh isoimmunization. It was preferred to fluoroscopy and x-ray control to identify the placental site and fetal abdomen and to direct the insertion and placement of the transfusion needle. The technique was used 22 times in 12 patients and resulted in increased efficiency and safety, including decreased radiation to the fetus.


Spherical lead shields for megavoltage teletherapy.

A new method of manufacturing individualized, focused lead shields for megavoltage teletherapy is described. Computerized film dosimetry demonstrated that in contrast to nonfocused shields, the new focused shields exhibit good maintenance of penumbra width as the distance between the edge of the beam and the central axis is increased.


[Whole-body retention studies of 167Tm-citrate.--Estimation of radiation dose to human from 167Tm-citrate--(author's transl)].

For the purpose of calculating absorbed dose to humans from 167Tm-citrate, the whole-body retention studies using 5 rats were carried out. Up to 40 days following intravenous injection of 167Tm-citrate, the whole-body counts were monitored with a animal counter. The whole-body retention curve was obtained with three exponentaial components. Namely, the 26% of the injected 167 Tm-citrate had a biological half-time of 3.4 hours, 12.5% had a biological half-time of 99 hours and 61.5% had a biological half-time of 106 days. These results indicate, that three components consist of the rapid clearance from the kidneys, the retention in the liver and other soft tissues with relatively long half-time and the retention in the bones with long half-time. Based on these biological data and the MIRD Committee method, the average dose estimates to the bone and whole-body from intravenous administration of 1 mCi 167Tm-citrate were 7.08 rads and 1.28 rads, respectively.


[About the comparison of closely related species chimpanzee-man and fox-dog in respect of the possibility of xenotransplantation (author's transl)].

Although the transplant combinations chimpanzee-man on one hand and fox-dog on the other hand have nearly the same phylogenetic development within their zoological family, it is not quite correct to compare the immunological reactions and patterns of rejection of xenogeneic transplants within these systems. The differences in immunochemistry of serum proteins between these two systems confirm that chimpanzee and man are more closely related than fox and dog concerning their genetic disparity. This and other mentioned examples demonstrate the possibility of obtaining qualitative informations of genetic constellations between xenogeneic species combinations by comparing immunochemistry of serum proteins.


[A genetic study of familial epilepsy (author's transl)].

The authors studied 3 generations of a family in which 4 members presented with classical grand mal epilepsy. The propositus and all his descendents were examined clinically and electroencephalographically. 19 markers were tested. The EEG criteria used are discussed. A relation between the different markers and the clinical and EEG presentation was studied using Morton's scores.


[Temporal variations of excitability in photosensitive papio papio after series of intermittent light flashes (author's transl)].

After several trains of intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) each lasting 10 seconds and sometimes inducing paroxysmal electrical activity, isolated flashes or salves of 2 or 3 light flashes are capable of inducing bifrontal paroxysmal discharges in photosensitive Papio papio, an effect which is augmented by allylglycine or the use of highly photosensitive animals. Use of these salves repeated every second enabled the authors to demonstrate two types of changes in cortical excitability after intermittent photic stimulation: 1. responses which were more frequent and of greater amplitude appearing in the first 3 or 4 seconds after IPS; after paralysis of the animal amplitude and frequency of the responses are augmented. 2. if trains of intermittent photic stimulation are repeated regularly a seizure occurs after 5 to 15 trains. In the paralysed animal, more trains are required although large responses are seen after each train whereas in the non-paralysed animal the seizure occurs rapidly but the responses are on average weaker and less frequent than in 1. The relationship between photosensitive epilepsy and these responses is discussed as well as that of somatic afferents.


[The role of large portal- and shielding-techniques in radiotherapy (author's transl)].

Since electron linear accelerators with energies up to 20 MeV were introduced to radiotherapy it has become easier to irradiate large portals than was previously possible with 60Co unites or betatrons. The reasons for this are: 1) More favourable depth dose distribution resulting in better field homogeneity 2) Considerably smaller penumbra 3) Higher and more constant dose rates 4) Larger portals. The indications for the following large portal techniques are discussed: 1) Total nodal irradiation 2) Total lung irradiation 3) Abdominal bath 4) Irradiation of larger segments of the extremities 5) Whole body irradiation.


Functional plasticity in the immature striate cortex of the monkey shown by the [14C]deoxyglucose method.

Autoradiographic representation of the local rates of cerebral glucose utilization and local cerebral functional activity by means of the [14C]deoxyglucose technique reveals the existence of the ocular dominance columns in the striate cortex of the monkey in the first day of life. In contrast to the stability of these columns in more mature brain, monocular deprivation for 3 months from the first day of life results in their complete disappearance and a reversion of the autoradiographic pattern to that seen in animals with normal binocular vision. These results are consistent with a reorganization of the representation of the visual fields of the two eyes in the striate cortex and provide additional evidence of the plasticity of the striate cortex of the monkey in early life.


Potency in male rhesus monkeys: effects of continuously receptive females.

Ejaculations decreased and mount latencies increased when intact males were paired regularly over a 3.5-year period (3180 tests) with ovariectomized females made constantly receptive by daily injections of estradiol. The deterioration in potency was abruptly and completely reversed by substituting a group of new but similarly treated females for the original ones.


Dyskinesias evoked in monkeys by weekly administration of haloperidol.

In two cebus (Cebus albifrons) monkeys given weekly oral doses of 0.25 milligram of haloperidol per kilogram, movement disorders appeared 1 to 8 hours after drug administration following the tenth weekly dose. These disorders included oral movements, peculiar postures, writhing, and stretching. Such reactions faded in intensity after the next two doses. Increasing the dose to 0.5 milligram per kilogram has elicited the disorders reliably after each weekly dose for almost 2 years. Similar reactions also developed in a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciurea) treated weekly with haloperidol and in a third cebus monkey previously maintained for a year on a regimen of 0.25 milligram of haloperidol per kilogram on 5 days per week. These findings suggest an experimental model for determining the etiology of drug-induced movement disorders. They also suggest an unrecognized clinical problem.


The quality of medical care.

This article classifies the major approaches to the assessment of the process and outcomes of medical care. The apparent need to safeguard and enhance the quality of care has led to the institution of mechanisms that subject care to constant review so that deficiencies may be found and corrected. The article reviews the developments that led to the involvement of the federal government in this activity through its sponsorship of professional standards review organizations (PSRO's). The major features of the PSRO's are described and their possible effects discussed. It is too early to say how the PSRO's will fare, but should they fail to accomplish their objectives the pressure for more radical solutions will be difficult to resist.


National health insurance: comments on selected issues.

The primary objective of national health insurance is to make sure that good medical care is available to everyone at a price he or she can afford. Any plan when first adopted will have a role for both private and government insurance but, regardless of the mix, the combined system should meet the following goals: (i) to the extent possible the needs of low-income people should be met through plans that cover others; (ii) the part of the plan to be operated by government should be built on the administrative structure of Medicare, but with changes in reimbursement to encourage more efficient delivery of care; (iii) direct capital and manpower controls should be included; and (iv) rather than acting primarily as an insurer protecting people against the cost of medical care, the plan should be an aggressive buyer of health services, defining the product it is willing to buy and the price it is willing to pay.


Evaluation of medical practices.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a medical intervention requires valid measurements of both its benefits and risks as compared to those of alternative forms of management. The requisite measurements are more difficult to make than this simple description suggests, and the accumulation of information is further inhibited by certain characteristics of our pattern of health care. These features include, for example, discontinuous care by a variety of unrelated providers, inadequate records, the autonomy of physicians as decision-makers, financial disincentives, ambiguities in what we mean by "experimental" and "accepted" forms of therapy, and failure to see continuing evaluation as a necessary component of the cost of providing good medical care. Although no single change will solve all the problems of evaluation, several offer promise of improving our ability to choose from among medical interventions those most likely to be useful.


Care of the aged: old problems in need of new solutions.

Long-term care for the aged in the United States is overly dependent upon the nursing home. This hospital-like model for long-term care is particularly inappropriate since it imposes a medical solution on a variety of social problems. An adequate long-term care program requires a range of resources in the community as well as in institutions; sheltered housing options seem a desirable alternative to the nursing home. To ensure the quality of nursing home care, the present focus on setting standards for care activities should be abandoned in favor of a focus on care outcomes (physical, mental, and social). In an effort to change our present perverse incentives in the nursing home industry, the proposal is made that nursing homes be reimbursed according to the degree to which patient outcomes meet predicted outcomes.


Primary urethral malignancy: review of 22 cases.

Twenty-two cases of primary urethral malignancy have been diagnosed at the Medical University Hospital from 1955 to 1976. These lesions are uncommon and prognosis is poor except when disease is diagnosed in the early stages and treated aggressively. Anterior lesions are more often diagnosed at an early stage but may be mistaken for benign processes, delaying appropriate therapy. Our experience with urethral malignancies is reviewed and includes an association of carcinoma with urethral caruncles and diverticula. The first reported association of a urethral diverticulum with carcinoma in the male is presented and two additional cases of adenocarcinoma in female urethral diverticula are reported. Excision of urethral caruncles and diverticula is encouraged.


Arachnoiditis from experimental myelography with aqueous contrast media.

Myelography was performed on 80 monkeys to study postmyelographic arachnoiditis. Metrizamide myelography caused arachnoiditis when high concentrations were used, but not with the usual clinical concentrations. Arachnoiditis resulted after myelography with meglumine iocarmate; however, the risk of arachnoiditis was reduced by diluting the contrast medium. Prophylactic intrathecal methylprednisolone was not effective in preventing arachnoiditis. Blood in the cerebrospinal fluid did not affect the degree of arachnoiditis.


Protein energy malnutrition and nutritional anaemia in preschool children in rural KwaZulu.

The prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and nutritional anaemia was investigated in 392 black children, aged 13--60 months, living in a poor rural area. Breast feeding was practised extensively in the population (median duration 14 months). The overall prevalence of PEM was 16,4%, but severe PEM occurred in only 2,7% of the children. Anaemia was present in 6,7% of children, and was almost invariably associated with iron deficiency. Biochemical evidence of iron, folate and vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in 36%, 14,8%, and 0,3% of children respectively. Anaemia was almost confined to the 1-year-old group, but biochemical evidence of iron deficiency, while highest in this age group, continued into the 2-4-year age group. No relationship was found between ecological factors such as income, educational status, etc. and any of the anthropometric, biochemical or haematological variables. The prevalence of PEM and anaemia in these poor rural children is lower than that of a comparable group of underprivileged urban children, thus emphasizing that city slum conditions are producing considerable nutritional problems in their wake. It is of importance to investigate further why some children who are severely deprived in many ways do not necessarily manifest a proportional degree of nutritional deprivation.


Intensive surgical and chemotherapeutic management of advanced ovarian cancer.

We have presented the background and rationale for initiating a program of intensive surgical and chemotherapeutic management of advanced ovarian cancer. Our goal of excising all tumor masses larger than 1.5 cm in diameter has been explained and our operative approach described. The necessity for nutritional support has been emphasized. Preliminary results among patients with Stage III disease treated by optimal operation and Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy are encouraging. Aggressive operations have been unsuccessful when employed as secondary treatment. The single most important contraindication to extensive operation is the inability to initiate effective chemotherapy in the postoperative period.


An effective, simplified medium for the culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A new culture medium for Neisseria gonoorhoeae is described. The frequency of isolation of gonococci was significantly higher when this medium was used than when Thayer-Martin medium containing vancomycin, colistin, and nystatin was used in a study of cervical, urethral, and analy specimens. In a similar comparative study, Thayer-Martin medium containing trimethoprim and polymyxin B as antimicrobial agents gave a significantly lower frequency of isolation of gonococci than did the new medium. A modified McLeod medium containing human placenta was found to have the same high performance as the new medium, but, like the modified Thayer-Martin medium, the modified McLeod medium is more expensive and more difficult to prepare.


Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in broth cultures by immunologic methods.

The feasibilities of use of coagglutination, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and indirect enzyme-labeled antibody techniques for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in broth cultures were evaluated. Six-hour broth cultures of 47 subcultures of recent clinical isolates of N. Gonorrhoeae were used for the tests. Positive coagglutination reactions were obtained with 43 of the broth cultures. Precipitin lines were observed with 45 cultures when counterimmunoelectrophoresis was used. All 47 broth cultures gave positive reactions with the indirect enzyme-labeled antibody technique.


Evaluation of glutaraldehyde-tanned human umbilical cord vein as a vascular prosthesis for bypass to the popliteal, tibial, and peroneal arteries.

One hundred and thirty-one reconstructions to the popliteal (n = 80), tibial (n = 26), and peroneal (n = 25) arteries were performed using glutaraldehyde (GA)-tanned human umbilical cord veins. Cumulative patency rates to 20 months, calculated by the standard life-table method were 84.8%, 74.0%, and 49.6% for popliteal, tibial, and peroneal reconstructions, respectively. The latter included many of the early cases with extremely advanced obliterative atherosclerosis and gangrene. These results are equivalent and even superior to those obtained with saphenous veins, particularly when the cases are analyzed in distinct clinical and pathological categories. The quality of the runoff was the major determinant in obtaining long-term patency and limb function. The primary factor accounting for graft closure was progression of the atherosclerotic process in the distal circulation. No failures could be attributed directly to the graft. This clinical experience confirmed previous data showing the unique properties of the GA-tanned umbilical vein. It is anticipated that longer-term follow-up will continue to show the superior qualities of this new vascular substitute.


Systemic toxic reactions to procaine penicillin G.

Systemic toxic were encountered in eight of 10,469 patients during or immediately following the intramuscular injection of 4,800,000 units of procaine penicillin G for the treatment of gonorrhea. Fear of imminent death, visual and auditory disturbances, violent combativeness, confusion, disorientation, and restlessness, disturbance in taste, cardiovascular changes, and grand mal seizures are the principal manifestations; these usually subside in two to 10 minutes spontaneously or after treatment. Symptoms and signs closely parallel systemic toxic reactions to local anesthetics. Pharmacokinetic analysis in dogs using 14C-procaine and 14C-procaine penicillin G showed rapid distribution of labeled drugs from plasma to cerebrospinal fluid for the intravenous as compared to the intramuscular route of administration. The animal studies were consistent with the hypothesis that the inadvertent intravenous administration of procaine penicillin G is responsible for the systemic toxic reactions. Plasma procainesterase (pseudocholinesterase) activity was assayed with an ultraviolet spectroscopic method. Substrates were procaine and procaine penicillin G. The plasma procainesterase activity of patients who had experienced systemic toxic reactions was significantly decreased as compared to that of controls, an observation not previously reported.


Determination of viability of ischemic intestine by Doppler ultrasound.

Doppler ultrasound was used to determine the viability of ischemic small intestine and to select the optimum point for resection of nonviable bowel. Twenty ischemic segments of small intestine were produced in dogs by ligating the vascular supply. The Doppler ultrasound probe then was used to determine the last point of arterial flow within the bowel wall. The dogs were reexplored after 24 hours. Histological examination of full-thickness biopsies showed the intestine to be normal in all 20 segments at the last audible Doppler signal, and in 19 of the 20 segments at 1 cm distal to the last signal. Progressive degrees of necrosis were observed at 2 and 3 cm distal to the last signal. Twenty-five segments of ischemic intestine were resected in baboons. All resections performed at the last Doppler signal or 1 cm distal to it were normal 1 month later. Of 15 resections performed at 2, 3, and 4 cm distal to the last signal, 10 showed evidence of stricture or anastomotic disruption. Doppler ultrasound is a reliable method for determining the viability of ischemic intestine and for selecting the optimum point for resection of nonviable bowel.


Calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine xenograft.

The clinical and light and electron microscopic findings are reported in a 14-year-old patient who died 12 months after mitral valve replacement with a Hancock prosthesis. Severe cusp calcification had led to immobilisation of the valve and stenosis. Calcification involved the substance of the valve cusps. The cause of the calcification in this patient is unknown.


Tuberculosis and mediastinoscopy.

Biopsy of lymph nodes at mediastinoscopy has been the method of diagnosis of tuberculosis in 14 patients; Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the nodes in nine cases, and in five there was histological evidence of the disease but cultural confirmation was lacking. All patients had radiographic abnormality of the superior mediastinum, and a frequent finding at mediastinoscopy was mediastinal fibrosis involving the fascia and lymph nodes. No cause other than tuberculosis could be demonstrated to account for the mediastinal fibrosis, and the patients made clinical recoveries in response to standard courses of antituberculosis chemotherapy. The development of superior vena caval compression was not observed.


Total body and exchangeable potassium in chronic airways obstruction: a controversial area?

Potassium deficiency is an important complication in the treatment of heart disease. However, there is a serious dichotomy in the literature. Severe potassium depletion has been reported in this condition when exchangeable potassium was measured whereas normal levels or marginal depletion were found in measurements of total body potassium. To clarify this situation, simultaneous measurements of total body potassium by whole-body counting, and of exchangeable potassium by isotope dilution using 43K, were made in 10 male subjects with established airways obstruction. Sequential determinations showed that exchangeable potassium increased up to 68 hours after administration, and values obtained at only 24 hours would have been a substantial underestimate. In this group of subjects neither total body nor exchangeable potassium at 48 hours was significantly different from the expected normal value.


The effects of metal ions on esterase activities of urokinase.

The esterase activity of highly purified human urokinase on Nalpha-acetylglycl-L-lysine methyl ester is strongly inhibited by 1 X 10(-5) to 1 X 10(-2)M Cu++, Hg++, Ni++, Co++, Fe+++, and Mn++ solutions, whereas Na+, K+, Ca++, and Mg++ are weakly effective. This inhibition is parallel with the inhibition of activation of plasminogenby urokinase. There is no simple linear relation between inhibiton and concentration. Addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetate or electrodialysis fully reactivates the inhibited enzyme. These results are discussed in relation to similar effects of ions on trypsin.


A modified milk ring test for detecting Brucella agglutinins in bulk tank coolers.

The Milk Ring Test (MRT) can be used to detect Brucella antibodies in tank milk if the following points are considered: (1) Before testing, the milk must be stored at least 72 hours at 6 degrees C. (2) To obtain a reliable reaction one must use 8 ml milk and 0.8 ml antigen, instead of 1 ml milk and 0,05 ml antigen. (3) The 4 vol.% antigen appears to be more sensitive than the 5 vol.% antigen. (4) A standard negative milk sample should be included in a batch to be examined. It can help to determine doubtful results. (5) For further determination of a doubtful result obtained from the 1 ml milk reaction, 3 ml milk and 0.05 ml antigen can be used.


Tissue distribution and residues of oxytetracycline in normal and emergency-slaughtered ruminants.

The concentration of oxytetracycline (OCT) in the blood, kidneys urine and meat was determined in a group of clinically normal dairy cows slaughtered at different times after treatment. Drug concentrations were similarly determined in a group of emergency-slaughtered dairy cows and calves. Distribution pattern of the drug in the body, expressed as muscle-drip-to-serum and kidney-cortex-to-serum ratios of the drug concentrations were determined in clinically normal cows and these ratios were compared with the corresponding ratios found in the emergency-slaughtered cows. Attempts were also made to relate changes in the expected ratios to the clinical and pathological findings in the emergency-slaughtered cows. High and persistent levels of the drug in the serum and a slower drug elimination from the body were the main characteristic findings in the sick cows. Drug persistence could not be related to specific tissue uptake or to better drug distribution, although the actual drug concentration in the muscle and the kidney of cows with different clinical pathological findings varied widely and was quite unpredictable. It is concluded that the kinetics of the oxytetracycline residues follow the same pattern as the drug residues in the serum, and these principles seem to apply in normal and in emergency-slaughtered dairy cows.


Effects of hypertonic glucose and amino acid infusions on pancreatic exocrine function.

Inhibiting effects of hypertonic glucose and amino-acids on pancreatic exocrine function were studied using mongrel dogs with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulae. Under the basal stimulation with secretin and pancreoxymin, 20% glucose, 30% glucose and 12% amino acids were given intravenously. Infusion of these substances caused the maximal decreases in pancreatic juice volume and amylase output, to 23% and 11%, respectively (20% glucose), 32% and 29% (30% glucose), and 53% and 42% (12% amino acids). But no significant changes were noted in bicarbonate concentration. When glucose was infused, the rise in levels of blood sugar and IRI was associated with the inhibition of pancreatic exocrine secretion. Aminoacid infusion produced the greatest inhibitory effect on the pancreatic secretion and markedly elevated both the levels of IRI and IRG. Intravenous infusion of glucagon suppressed notably the exocrine function of the pancreas.


[Radiation therapy in myasthenia gravis (author's transl)].

The etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of myasthenia gravis are discussed. We treated 16 patients, 13 of them with conventional X-rays and three by megavoltage irradiation. Our results show that radiotherapy has a definite role in the management of patients with myasthenia gravis and should be considered more frequently in future.


Xenon enhanced CT for analysis of cerebral integrity, perfusion, and blood flow.

Enhancement of the brain substance for CT evaluation using inhaled Xenon is confirmed. This technique was applied to the study of the normal and the embolized adolescent baboon. Healthy cerebral tissue enhances symmetrically, while abnormal areas show significantly diminished enhancement. At maximal enhancement, an indication of gross comparative cerebral perfusion to obtained. By obtaining serial CT scans over a 10 minute time interval, the clearance rate of Xenon (cerebral blood flow) may be evaluated. Xenon-enhanced CT enables a visual and numerical analysis of both brain morphology and physiology.


Is there a real treatment for stroke? Clinical and statistical comparison of different treatments in 300 patients.

In the absence of universally accepted criteria for the medical treatment of stroke, we made a rigorously randomized comparative study of different treatments in 300 patients. One group of patients received only a general supportive treatment designed to ensure adequate supplies of water, electrolytes and calories, plus whatever was needed to prevent infection and correct extant associated pathology. Three other groups of patients were treated in the same way but were also given, respectively, one of the following medications: Hydergine (Sandoz) (a mixture of three ergot alkaloids), dexamethasone, and mannitol. No statistically significant difference emerged among any of the treatment groups and the reference group in terms of objective therapeutic results. The authors concluded that, at least with the dosage used in this study, none of the treatments proved more useful than conventional supportive therapy in the first 10 days after a stroke.


Prevention of cerebral infarction in the monkey by omental transposition to the brain.

The intact omentum of 13 monkeys was lengthened, placed subcutaneously, and laid on the left cerebral hemisphere prior to occluding the left middle cerebral artery. Two of these 13 monkeys developed left cerebral infarct and a right hemiparesis. Nine other monkeys had their left middle cerebral artery occluded without omental protection. All of these 9 developed a left cerebral infarct and 8 of them a right hemiparesis. Intact omentum may prevent a cerebral infarction when placed on the brain prior to MCA occlusion.


The major histocompatibility complex of rhesus monkeys. VIII. Isolation and partial characterization of SD antigens.

The structure and chemical nature of the serologically defined (SD) antigens coded by the major histocompatibility complex (RhLA) of rhesus monkeys was studied. The use of specific anti-SD sera allowed the selective isolation of the corresponding antigens from crude antigen preparations. These were obtained by detergent solubilization after incorporation of 3H, 35S, and 14C amino acids in lymphocytes or mitogen-stimulated lymphoblasts. The results indicate that the SD antigens are of proteinaceous nature and are composed of two polypeptide chains with molecular weights of 44,000 and 12,000, the latter being beta 2-microglobulin. No differences in molecular size and subunit composition were detected between antigens of both segregant series. The results are discussed in relation to similar data available for the analogous human and murine histocompatibility antigens.


The risk of abbreviating the major crossmatch in urgent or massive transfusion.

The risk of abbreviating the major crossmatch in urgent situations by issuing blood after an "immediate spin" phase was evaluated by a retrospective study of 82,647 crossmatches performed on serum from approximately 13,950 patients. Although the initial screening test for unexpected antibodies for all patients failed to show agglutination or hemolysis of the reagent red blood cells, agglutination was subsequently noted during at least one crossmatch performed for 148 of them. Further evaluation of these patients' serums indicated that most positive reactions were due to weakly reactive low thermal amplitude antibodies. Eight of the incompatible crossmatches were related to antibodies in the Kell, Kidd or Rh systems, and a ninth antibody, anti-E, was identified through subsequent evaluation of a cold antibody-induced crossmatch incompatibility. Issuance of blood in urgent situations after an "immediate spin" phase of the crossmatch, for patients whose red blood cells have been typed, and whose serums have been screened for unexpected antibodies, has a low level of risk.


Granulocyte transfusions for patients with severe thermal burns.

Ten severely burned (greater than 50% BSA) pediatric and young adult patients developed 19 episodes of clinical sepsis of four or more days duration. During eight of the 19 septic episodes the patients received granulocyte transfusions (median, four; range, two to seven). Risk variables, types and prevalence of infections, mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antibiotic regimens were similar for all the septic episodes studied. All eight episodes (100%) resolved in the transfused group while eight of 11 (72%) episodes resolved in the nontransfused group. Patients survived four episodes of ecthyma gangrenosum when granulocyte transfusions were used and the single episode in which they were not used was fatal. Granulocyte transfusions may be helpful in severely burned patients with sepsis.


Quantitative studies of specific and nonspecific second antibody uptake by sensitized erythrocytes.

Experiments were conducted using the technique of quantitative hemagglutination with an electronic particle counter to study the specific and nonspecific uptake of blood group antibodies by previously sensitized erythrocytes. Specific attachment of a second antibody was impaired by prior RBC sensitization. It was found possible to quantitate simultaneously the amount of both specific and nonspecific second antibody uptake.


The effect of an immune RNA (RNAi) against Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice.

Immune ribonucleic acid (RNAi) was extracted with phenol from the spleen of mice immunized with the avirulent PF strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. These preparations were able to induce immunocompetent cells to answer as a secondary response to later challenges with the virulent Y strain of the same parasite. The preparations of RNAi were"immunogenic" and free of proteins. The RNAi preparations were sensitive to pancreatic RNAase and lost their immune effect when pretreated with this enzyme. The injections of normal RNA (RNAn) obtained by the same method showed that this polymer acts as an immuno supressor or competitive agent. The electrophoretic profiles of the RNAi preparations in polyacrylamide gels showed normal and characteristic migration patterns (28S, 18S and 4.5S). These results demonstrate the development of an immune state against T. cruzi infection in mice injected with RNAi, in the absence of living parasites.


T cell-specific activity in rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin. Correlation with immunosuppresive activity in nonhuman primates.

Spotaneous E rosette-forming (T) lymphocytes were monitored in the peripheral blood of rhesus monkeys receiving a 5-day course of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (RATG) after skin allotransplantation. Mean graft survival in RATG-treated recipients was 32.3 +/- 7.6 (SD) days compared with 8.2 +/- 1.7 (SD) days in controls. The percentage and total number of circulating T cells fell precipitously after RATG treatment and recovered slowly. Linear regression analysis showed that the recovery pattern of the total number of circulating T cells, but not the percentage of T cells, was significantly correlated with rejection. Specific antihuman T cell antibody was detected in RATG preparations after extensive absorption with human erythrocytes, platelets, and B lymphoblastoid cells. The cytotoxic titers of B cell-absorbed RATG preparations to human peripheral blood lymphocytes showed a significant correlation with the mean skin allograft survival times obtained in RATG-treated primates. Overall the data suggest that the immunosuppressive potency of RATG in the primate skin graft assay is related in large part to its anti-T cell activity.


Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon involving anti-ampicillin.

A 47-year-old group A, Rh1Rh1 woman treated with intravenous ampicillin for chronic pyelonephritis received two units of blood and also received oral cephalexin. Three months after the transfusions she was noted to have allo-anti-E and anti-c, and a 2+ positive direct antiglobulin test. Anti-E and anti-c could be eluted from her cells, yet neither antigen could be demonstrated on the patient's circulating red blood cells. Also present in the serum and in the eluate was anti-ampicillin antibody. Studies of the patient's red blood cell eluates using ampicillin-treated R1R1 and untreated R2R2 cells demonstrated anti-E complexed with anti-ampicillin in a drug-related example of the Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon. Artificially created mixtures of anti-E and drug antibody could reproduce the effect in vitro. No effect of cephalexin could be demonstrated. The variability of the Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon is discussed with regard to the sequence of antibody attachment, and the possible relationship to cephalexin is discussed. Drug antibodies may be involved in the Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon in cases where another red blood cell antibody cannot be shown to be present.


Specific IgM and IgGAntibodies in cattle immunized or infected with Theileria annulata.

Antibodies of the IgM and IgG classes were detected in cattle inoculated with living or dead Theileria annulata. Both types of antibody appeared from 18 to 36 days after inoculation and persisted for up to 120 days, the longest period tested. No diagnostic application could be assigned to the differentiation of the 2 classes of antibody.


Procainamide-induced hemolytic anemia.

The paper reports a case of hemolytic anemia induced by procainamide hydrochloride treatment. Decreases in hemoglobin concentration are correlated with 11 months of procainamide treatment along with a marked increase in hemoglobin following cessation of the drug. The patient exhibited no symptoms suggestive of drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus that has been frequently reported as a sequela of procainamide therapy. Direct antiglobulin tests were consistently positive throughout the clinical course, and an ether-eluate prepared from the patient's red blood cells showed panagglutinability. The antibody in the eluate reacted with Rhnull, D--, LW negative, and U negative red blood cells without addition of procainamide or pretreatment of red blood cells with the drug. It is noted that this antibody reacts similarly to the antibody produced as a consequence of alpha-methyl-dopa therapy.


Abnormalities of the ureteral bud.

The development and incorporation of the ureteric bud into the developing bladder is a complex process, and it is influenced by events occurring at the same time in the development of other systems in the perineum. Knowledge of the embryology of the ureteric bud and associated wolffian duct is the key to understanding the development of the entire genitourinary system. If the normal embryology is understood, the dysembryogenesis that results in many of the common anomalies of the lower urinary system is simplified. Many of the concepts proposed in this discussion are well substantiated, others are more difficult to prove conclusively. It is believed, however, that the embryologic approach provides a simplified understanding of many of the common problems encountered in pediatric urology. The key in clinical practice to the diagnosis and understanding of these defects is the cystoscopic examination. Careful assessment of the orifice's position, appearance, and tunnel length will allow the interpretation of how the abnormality came about, and also provides valuable information concerning the state of the associated renal segment. This in turn allow better therapeutic management of the problem based on the knowledge of the severity of the renal anomaly associated with the abnormality found in the bladder.


The acute effects of various cytotoxic compounds injected into the prostate glands of dogs.

The acute effects of direct injections with various cytotoxic compounds into the prostates of adult dogs were studied microscopically. The effects remained localised to the site of injection, with no diffusion of the agents into other areas of the prostate. No systemic effects were observed despite the high concentrations used. The main histological changes consisted of local aseptic necrosis at the injection site surrounded by atrophy of the acinar epithelium.


Immunoglobulin production by human-mouse somatic cell hybrids.

Studies on immunoglobulin production in human-mouse somatic cell hybrids suggest: 1. The structural genes for heavy chain immunoglobulins are carried on chromsome 6, probably on the short arm or the proximal half of the long arm of the chromosome. 2. The structural gene for kappa light chain immunoglobulin may be carried on chromsome 11. 3. The occurrence of immunoglobulin molecules on the cell surface requires the presence of chromosome 2.


[Complications after total endoprosthesis of the hip joint].

On the grounds of the literature data and his own findings the author analyzes the complications occurring in total endoprothetics of the hip joint. The following complications were observed: formation of para-articular ossifications (7), wound infection (1), dislocation of the endoprothesis socket from the acetabulum (1), fracture of the femur (2), laxity of the prothesis pedicle (1), thrombophlebitis (2), postoperative bleeding (1). Various aspects of this problem are covered in the article.


Recovery of Brucella abortus in culture from a 5 ml sample of bovine blood.

Calvings in a herd infected by Brucella abortus were monitored by cultural examination of milk and mucus and by serological and cultural examination of 5 ml samples of the blood. Out of 129 samples from which culture of B abortus was attempted, only one yielded a positive result.