Immunological cross-reactivity between electric-eel acetylcholinesterase and rat-tail-tendon collagen.

Immunological cross-reactivity between acetylcholinesterase from the electric organ of the electric eel and rat tail tendon collagen was examined both on the cellular and humoral levels. 1. Guinea pigs immunized with rat tail tendon collagen displayed a strong delayed-type skin reaction when tested with the elongated acetylcholinesterase preparation (i.e. 14-S + 18-S molecular forms). However, when the glubular 11-S enzyme was tested, almost no cross-reactivity was obtained. Similarly, guinea pigs immunized with 14-S + 18-S preparation exhibited skin sensitization to rat tail tendon collagen. 2. Using a radioimmunoassay, it was observed that 125I-labeled 14-S + 18-S acetylcholinesterase binds efficiently to rabbit antiserum elicited against rat tail tendon collagen, whereas 125I-labeled 11-S enzyme does not bind at all to this antiserum. Similar results were obtained by passive hemagglutination assay. The experiments suggest that 14-S + 18-S acetylcholinesterase, but not 11-S enzyme, which is devoid of the tail structure, has antigenic determinants in common with collagen from rat tail tendon.


Fast kinetic studies on the allosteric interactions between acetylcholine receptor and local anesthetic binding sites.

Preincubation of receptor-rich membrane fragments from Torpedo marmorata with tertiary amine local anesthetics and several toxins such as histrionicotoxin, crotoxin and cerulotoxin, modifies the amplitude and time course of the relaxation processes monitored upon rapid mixing of the membrane fragments with the fluorescent agonist, Dns-C6-Cho. In particular, the amplitude of the rapid relaxation process, which is proportional to the fraction of acetylcholine receptor sites in a high-affinity state, increases; accordingly, the rate constant of the 'slow' and 'intermediate' relaxation processes also increases up to ten times (except with histrionicotoxin) whereas in a higher range of local anesthetic concentrations the rate constant of the 'rapid' relaxation process decreases. The data are accounted for by a two-state model of the acetylcholine regulator, assuming distinct binding sites for cholinergic agonists and local anesthetics and allosteric interactions between these two classes of sites; local anesthetics stabilize the regulator in a high-affinity state for agonists even in the absence of agonist, and modify the rate constants for th interconversions between the low-affinity and high-affinity states. The model accounts for the 'slow' fluorescence increase monitored upon addition of local anesthetics to a suspension of receptor-rich membranes supplemented with trace amounts of Dns-C6-Cho. The effect of local anesthetics on the apparent rate constant of the 'rapid' relaxation process can be accounted for on the basis of an additional low-affinity binding of local anesthetics to the acetylcholine receptor site. Finally the increase of the apparent rate constant of the 'intermediate' relaxation process can be simply accounted for by assuming the existence of a third state, corresponding to the 'active' state, to which local anesthetics bind and block ionic transport.


Ribosome-protected fragments from sindbis 42-S and 26-S RNAs.

Sindbis virus 42-S and 26-S RNAs labeled with 32P were purified from infected chick embryo fibroblasts. The RNA's were incubated in the presence of a wheat germ cell-free translating system under conditions that yielded 40-S and 80-S initiation complexes. After digestion with RNase A, ribosome-protected fragments were isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and compared with respect to number, size, cap content and oligonucleotide composition. The two RNA species yielded several fragments of chain length about 35--40 nucleotides from 80S complexes and up to 60--65 nucleotides from 40-S complexes. The 5'-terminal capped sequence, m7 GpppA-U-G that is present in both Sindbis virus RNA's, was not retained in any of the ribosome-protected fragments. Fingerprint analyses indicated that the fragments derived from 40S and 80-S initiation complexes of each species of RNA were overlapping, but the fragments from 42-S and 26-S RNAs were unrelated. The complexity of the fingerprints were consistent with protection of a single, different initiation site in each Sindbis virus RNA.


Kinetic estimation of the base sequence complexity of poly(A)-containing mRNA in Ehrlich-ascites-tumor cells and its abundance in nuclear RNA.

Poly(A)-containing messenger RNA was isolated from polysomes of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, and analyzed for sequence complexity by hybridization to its complementary DNA. The results indicate the presence of about 27,000 diverse mRNA species in mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Total nuclear RNA was also hybridized to cDNA transcribed from polysomal poly(A)-containing mRNA up to an rot of 3,000 M . s. It was found that all classes of the polysomal poly(A)-containing mRNA sequences were also present in the nucleus, although the distribution varied. About 2% of the total nuclear RNA sequences were expressed as total polysomal poly(A)-containing mRNA. We also report that the total percentage of the haploid mouse genome transcribed in Ehrlich cells is significantly higher than that found in other mouse cells previously examined for poly(A)-containing mRNA sequence complexity.


Immunochemical studies of partially hydrolyzed lipopolysaccharide from Fusobacterium nucleatum Fev1.

Fusobacterium nucleatum Fev1 lipopolysaccharide was split by hydrolysis with 1% acetic acid into acid-soluble polysaccharide and lipid A. Gel filtration of the polysaccharide on Bio-Gel P-60 gave a high-molecular-weight fraction eluted with the void volume, and a fraction eluted at 2.4 x Vo. The high-molecular-weight fraction contained L-glycero-D-manno-heptose in relatively large amounts, glucose, glucosamine, an unknown amino compound and small amounts of (or no) D-glycero-D-manno-heptose. Phosphorus and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid were not detected. The other fraction contained L- and D-glycero-D-manno-heptose, glucose, glucosamine, 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid and phosphorus. Further fractionation experiments and serological investigations indicated that the high-molecular-weight fraction carried the O-antigenic side chains, whereas the material eluted from Bio-Gel P-60 at 2.4 x Vo represented the core oligosaccharide.


Specificity of diacylglycerol acyltransferase from bovine mammary gland, liver and adipose tissue towards acyl-CoA esters.

1. Microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase from bovine lactating mammary gland, liver and adipose tissue was capable of acylating microsomal-bound 1,2-dipalmitolyglycerol with acyl-CoA of chain length C4--C18. 2. The activity of the liver and adipose enzymes towards butyryl-CoA and hexanoyl-CoA relative to longer-chain acyl-CoA was similar to that of the mammary enzyme. The Km and V values of the three enzymes with butyryl-CoA and hexanoyl-CoA were similar, except for the V values of the adipose enzyme which were higher. 3. Microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase from mammary gland and liver of non-ruminants was also capable of utilizing butyryl-CoA. 4. These results indicate that the unique presence of short-chain acids in ruminant milk triacylglycerols is not caused by differences in specificity between the diacylglycerol acyltransferase from ruminant mammary and other tissues.


A case of neuraminidase deficiency associated with a partial beta-galactosidase defect. Clinical, biochemical and radiological studies.

Neuraminidase deficiency towards fetuin, 2 leads to 3 sialyllactose and 2 leads to 6 sialyllactose was found in cultured skin fibroblasts from a 10-year-old Japanese girl who exhibits craniofacial dysmorphism, a short neck, vertebral and pelvic deformities and macular cherry-red spots. Neuraminidase deficiency in this case seems the primary enzyme defect because the enzyme activity of her parents was intermediate. In addition, beta-galactosidase in leukocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient was found to be severely deficient, but could be detected in serum and urine. In the parents, beta-galactosidase activity was normal. There were moderately increased levels of urinary sialic acid-rich oligosaccharides and glycopeptides in the patient. The clinical and biochemical observations suggest that this case is very close to mucolipidosis I.


Evaluation of long term tobramycin therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis and advanced pulmonary disease.

To nine cystic fibrosis patients with chronic bronchopulmonary infection of severely damaged lungs invaded by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, eleven courses of prolonged tobramycin treatment (5 mg/kg/day) for four to 16 weeks were administered. Pulmonary symptoms improved and a better quality of life was achieved in all but one patient. Objective parameters (chest X-ray, pulmonary function tests) changed to a lesser extent. In only one patient was Pseudomonas eradicated from the sputum but reappeared after discontinuation of therapy. In the rest of the patients Pseudomonas was significantly suppressed or replaced by other pathogens. Four patients showed rises of antibody titres to Candida and two to Aspergillus fumigatus. No nephrotoxic side effects were observed, but vestibular function was reversibly impaired in one patient without corresponding clinical symptoms. No bacterial resistance to tobramycin was observed during therapy.


Comparison between clinical and radiological classification of infants with the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Clinical and radiological classifications of the severity of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were made in 55 infants. According to the clinical classification 17 infants belonged to the first class (mild RDS), 22 to the second (moderate RDS), and 16 to the third class (severe RDS). In the classification based on radiological findings the numbers of infants in classes 1, 2 and 3 were 18, 19 and 18 respectively. On the basis of both the clinical and radiological findings, 11 infants belonged to the mild RDS class, 11 to the moderate, and 12 to the severe RDS class. Thus, 34 infants had the same clinical and radiological classification. In 21 infants there were discrepancies between the clinical and the radiological classifications, but only one infant with the most severe radiological findings belonged to the mild RDS class and only one infant with mild radiological findings belonged to the worst RDS class.


Regulation of aldosterone secretion in dehydrated babies.

The factors controlling aldosterone secretion were measured in 12 patients with moderate to severe dehydration during the first year of life. Secondary hyperaldosteronism was present in all cases (mean plasma aldosterone concentration 414.6 ng/dl), as well as increased plasma cortisol levels (mean 49.7 microgram/dl). Plasma cortisol, an indirect parameter of stimulation of the adrenal cortex by ACTH, showed the highest correlation with plasma aldosterone (r = 0.82). Despite a mean elevation of 168 ng AT/ml/h the plasma renin concentration did not seem to play the dominant role in the regulation of aldosterone secretion in these infants. High serum sodium concentrations have a clearly inhibiting effect on aldosterone secretion as shown by the negative correlation coefficient of r = 0.80.


Assessment of adriamycin cardiotoxicity in children by systolic time intervals.

In a prospective study, 44 children receiving Adriamycin (ADR) for various neoplastic diseases underwent serial estimations of the systolic time intervals (STI) for the noninvasive assessment of left ventricular myocardial performance. Five of the 44 children developed clinical signs of ADR-related congestive heart failure at a cumulative dose of less than 550 mg/m2 body surface area. Clinical symptoms, changes in the electrocardiogram and in the chest X-ray were preceded in every case by changes of the STI, mainly a prolongation of the left ventricular pre-ejection period (PEP), or a decrease of the ejection time (ET)/pre-ejection period (PEP) ratio (ET/PEP). A continous increase of the PEP and a decrease of the ET/PEP-ratio also gave an indication of myocardial dysfunction during ADR treatment in the other children without clinical signs of congestive heart failure. This subclinical cardiotoxic effect of ADR below the critical cumulative dose of 550 mg/m2 was observed in children with pre-existent myocardial damage, with preceding thoracic irradiation, or during concurrent chemotherapy, of which cyclophosphamide seemed to be most important. Thus, the estimation of the STI proved helpful and reliable in the early detection of incipient heart failure and in the selection of high risk patients in children receiving ADR treatment.


Hyperdibasicaminoaciduria in a Turkish infant without evident protein intolerance.

The first patient of Turkish descent with hyperdibasicaminoaciduria is described. Recurrent diarrhea was observed only during the first three months of life. The infant exhibited low plasma levels of ornithine and arginine. Intestinal absorption of lysine was decreased. Hyperammonemia was noticed only after an i.v. alanine load. It was prevented by addition of arginine.


The development of skeletal muscles in premature infants. I. Fibre size and histochemical differentiation.

Biopsies from various skeletal muscles were taken post mortem from infants with conceptional ages between 25 and 40 weeks. Cryostat sections were analysed quantitatively. The growth of the mean fibre diameter follows an exponential curve, which is mainly due to an initial predominance of type II-fibres. Before the 34th week of gestation only isolated large "Wohlfart"-fibres show type I staining characteristics. A great number of smaller type I-fibres appear suddenly around the 34th week. Their percentage of the total fibre population increases linearly to 40% at term. The development of the "tonic" type I-fibres correlates with certain aspects of gross motor development. The importance of normal data in the diagnosis of certain congenital myopathies is emphasized.


CT-findings in a case of clover-leaf skull.

The authors report a detailed CT-investigation of "clover-leaf skull" and compare the findings with cases reported by others.


Hydrocephalus after subarachnoid bleeding. A correlation of clinical findings, the results of radioisotope Cisternography and computer-assisted tomography.

Out of a group of patients suffering from a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage 27 patients were checked by computer-assisted tomography (CAT), 23 patients by radioisotope cisternography, and 21 patients by both diagnostic procedures. The results were correlated with the clinical observations. The flow of the CSF was normal in 7 patients (30.43%), and pathological in 16 patients (69.56%). Of the 27 patients checked by CAT, 23 (85.18%) showed a ventricular dilatation, which in 17 patients (62.96%) was not connected with a corresponding increase of the cisterns of the convexity. The clinical symptoms of hydrocephalus, the degree of impairment of the circulation of the CSF determined by radioisotope cisternography and the ventricular diameter as determined by CAT correlated well.


Dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin spinal fluid metabolites in temporal lobe epileptic patients with schizophrenic symptomatology.

Cerebrospinal fluid metabolites of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin were studied in two groups of left temporal lobe epileptic patients, the only difference between the two groups being that one group had paranoid schizophrenic symptomatology. Homovanillic acid accumulation was decreased in this group. This finding may be a biochemical indicator of a genetic predisposition to schizophrenic symptomatology in certain epileptic patients.


Effects of taurine, glycine and GABA on convulsions produced by strychnine in the rabbit.

The action of intravenously injected taurine, glycine and GABA has been tested on convulsions induced by strychnine using electroencephalographic and electromyographic recordings. The dose of strychnine necessary to produce a generalized tonic-clonic seizure was 0.55 +/- 0.15 mg/kg intravenously for rabbits pretreated with taurine, which was significantly higher than for control animals (0.38 +/- 0.13 mg/kg). After pretreatment with glycine, the strychnine dose required to evoke convulsions (0.51 +/- 0.22 mg/kg) was also higher than the control values, but the difference was statistically not significant. The convulsive dose of strychnine in animals pretreated with GABA was slightly but not significantly lower than in control animals (0.31 +/- 0.13 mg/kg). These results suggest that taurine is the most effective amino acid to protect rabbits from seizures induced by strychnine.


Detrusor hyperreflexia in multiple sclerosis. Alleviation by a combination of imipramine and propantheline, a clinico-laboratory study.

16 patients with multiple sclerosis, complaining of urgency, frequency and urge incontinence were studied urologically. They all suffered from detrusor hyperreflexia. We managed to improve this disturbance by lowering the parasympathetic tone and at the same time increasing the sympathetic tone of the urinary outlet, using a combination of imipramine and propantheline. The subjective clinical alleviation was also corroborated by cystomanometry and urethral pressure profile before and after treatment.


Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease associated with 'essential tremor' and normal and/or slightly diminished motor conduction velocity. Report of 7 cases.

We present a study of 7 cases of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, associated with a dyskinesia clinically identical with essential tremor, in which motor conduction velocity in the upper limbs was normal or slightly diminished. An analysis of age of onset, sex distribution and clinical signs from cases in the literature is compared with the present series. A family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in which affected members have widely different motor conduction velocity values is reported. Stress is laid upon the fact that categorization of this disease on electrophysiological studies in the upper limbs may present considerable difficulties.


Myasthenia gravis: lung-function studies without and with edrophonium chloride.

25 myasthenia gravis-afflicted patients (14 crisis-endangered and 11 not endangered) were investigated with respect to their respiratory function and reaction of the respiratory parameters to Tensilon (edrophonium chloride). Results show that the vital capacity and the value of respiratory function parameters, measured under forced conditions, were partly significantly lower than those given as predicted values for healthy individuals. Maximal inspiratory flows indicated the greatest decrease. After intravenously administered Tensilon, the pathologically reduced maximal inspiratory flows increased. This positive effect of Tensilon can mark the alteration of the respiratory muscles and also the undertreatment of the patients. The observation that Tensilon may increase -- with some permanency -- the respiratory flow resistance and may decrease the maximal expiratory flow values, draws attention to the side effect (causing obstruction of the bronchi) of the drug, limiting its therapeutic use for patients in myasthenic crisis, especially in those complicated by obstructive lung disease.


Semiological value of the palmo-mental reflex in vascular hemiplegia.

The palmo-mental reflex has been described, together with other neurological signs, in senile dementia. It is, however, found in normal adults, where its frequency increases with age. In vascular hemiplegia it has a considerably higher incidence, nevertheless it is not a sign of mental deterioration.


Histological grading of prostatic carcinoma and its clinical evaluation.

The clinical control of patients with T1--T3, N0--M0 prostatic carcinomas allows us to draw the following conclusions regarding the grading. (1) The grading of the primary tumor is of great help in establishing the prognosis. (2) The results of the various applied treatments, like radical prostatectomy, radiation, and heterosexual hormone therapy, depend on the primary grade. The use of cytostatics in badly or undifferentiated prostatic carcinomas deserves on the contrary, better attention. (3) The changing of the grading at the various check-ups is of great therapeutical significance.


Allopurinol in the prevention of calcium oxalate renal stones. Preliminary results.

The authors report their preliminary results using allopurinol as prophylactic treatment in 30 patients suffering from recurrent calcium oxalate renal stones. The results obtained were generally good, but a longer follow-up period and a larger patient population are required before definite conclusions can be drawn.


Selective pudendal arteriography.

Selective pudendal arteriography is indicated in selected cases of male impotence when there is a strong presumption that peripheral arterial lesions are responsible for it. These lesions are classified as: (a) traumatic; (b) obstructive in thrombo-angiitis or atheroma, and (c) dysplasic. Selective arteriography will confirm the diagnosis and indicate the nature of the obstruction, its degree and extension.


Urinary lithiasis associated with urinary tuberculosis.

In a series of 2,500 patients with urinary tuberculosis, 74 cases evidenced an associated lithiasis (2.96%). Intensifying and amplifying the noxious effects, the association of these affections is misleading. Referring to the published data and their own experience, the authors therefore draw attention to this association which although relatively rare, is important because of the diagnostic problems it involves.


Puncture of avascular renal 'tumour' as a necessary complement of angiography.

12 cases of 'avascular tumour' of the kidney are discussed. Percutaneous renal puncture revealed: 7 cases of malignant tumour; 3 cases of hydronephrosis of the upper segment of a duplicated kidney; 1 case of abscess of the kidney, and 1 case of renal tuberculosis. 10 out of 12 patients were operated on and the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis established by puncture.


Sequential polychemotherapy for advanced prostatic carcinoma. A preliminary cooperative study on 30 patients.

30 patients with advanced prostatic carcinomas received sequential polychemotherapy with association of vincristine (or VM 26), cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil. In addition, 13 of these 30 patients received a dose of adriamycin during the first day of treatment, which did not change the results. This treatment was well tolerated and gave a good relief of bone pains.


Loop cutaneous ureterostomy as a method of urinary diversion in the adult.

A loop cutaneous ureterostomy was performed as an emergency treatment in 6 patients with bladder or prostatic cancer. Out of 9 operated ureters, only one stenosis was observed. Infection is a possible complication which can sometimes alter the renal function.


Metastatic tumors of the penis.

The penis is a rare site of metastatic neoplasm in spite of its rich blood supply, abundant vascular space, proximity of the pelvic organs and interconnections with the pelvic and vertebral veins as well as lymphatics. The location of primary tumor has varied widely. The urinary bladder, prostate, rectum and rectosigmoid were common primary sites. In our series the bladder was the primary site in 3 patients, prostate in 2, and lung in 1. In 1 patient the metastatic lesion was secondary to lymphoma and in another to leukemia. The mode of metastasis, symptoms, treatment and prognosis are discussed.


Results of medical treatment of cystine lithiasis.

Litholytic and prophylactic medical treatment of cystine lithiasis in 42 patients over a 5-year period is reported. Treatment consists of administration of urinary alkalizing agents and alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine. Successful results were obtained in a high percentage of cases.


Abdominal aortic aneurysms and ureteric obstruction.

Ureteric obstruction is rarely encountered in abdominal aortic aneurysms and is due to perianeurysmal fibrosis. 3 cases are described in which aortic aneurysm and retroperitoneal fibrosis are found. Excision of the aneurysm and ureterolysis with intraperitonization of the ureter is the most appropriate surgical procedure but treatment must be individualized according to the patient's condition and the operative discoveries.


Absorption of oxalic acid in rats by means of a 14C method.

13 rats received a daily dose of 0.5 ml of a 1% solution of 14C-marked sodium oxalate (specific activity 29 nCi/ml) administered in one application with a throat probe. Feces and urine were collected every 24 h and the amount of 14C-oxalate was determined by liquid scintillation counting. The average distribution for 13 rats during 7 days showed 25.2% of 14C-oxalate in the urine and 73.4% in the feces. The rate of absorption is considerably higher than values given in literature (2.6--12% urine). These results indicate that in the pathogenesis of calcium oxalate stone formation some possible significance must be attributed to the exogenic oxalate.


Experimental ureteral replacement with a vascularized gastric tubule.

Total ureteral substitution had been performed with a pedicled gastric flap shaped as a tubule in 6 dogs. No dilatation was found at X-ray controls. No metabolic changes were recorded. The HCl secretion diminished the possibility of an infecting reflux.


Pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of muzolimine in cardiac failure.

The pharmacokinetics of a new "high ceiling" diuretic, muzolimine (Bay g 2821), were investigated after a single oral dose of 40 mg in 7 patients with cardiac failure (Stages I-IV, New York Heart Association classification), and in 2 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations peaked 1-3 h after administration and declined according to a two-compartment model. The alpha-phase (distribution phase) lasted until 12-16 h after administration and the mean t 1/2 a was 3.6 h (range 2.3-4.7) in patients, and 2.6 h (range 2.3-2.9) in healthy subjects. The mean t 1/2 beta was 13.5 h (range 7.4-22.4) in the patients and 14.0 h (range 12.4-14.6) in healthy subjects. T 1/2 beta was not correlated with the degree of heart failure or with the area beneath the plasma concentration curve, which varied three-fold. The renal clearance of muzolimine was in the range 2.7-15.3 ml . min-1 in 5 subjects in whom it was investigated. The pharmacokinetics of muzolimine appear not to be significantly altered by cardiac failure. The prolonged half-lives of the drug are probably responsible for the longer duration of diuretic action reported for muzolimine than for furosemide and bumetamide.


Relationship between dose and plasma level of digoxin and patient characteristics.

The correlation between the daily dose of digoxin, its plasma level and clinical characteristics of 213 patients receiving beta-acetyldigoxin treatment has been evaluated. After logarithmic transformation of lognormally distributed variables multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Eight predictor variables were chosen: sex, age, height, weight, glycoside dose, creatinine and potassium level in serum and dose of spironolactone. The resulting correlation coefficient was 0.46, i.e. only 100 x r2 = 21.4% of the variance of the steady state digoxin plasma level could be interpreted with the aid of these variables. For only 4 of the 8 variables (age, glycoside dose, serum level of creatinine, and spironolactone dose) were partial coefficients of regression and of correlation significantly different from zero. Almost 80% of the variance could not be accounted for. This finding is in accordance with conclusions in the literature.


Image of systemic antimicrobial agents as perceived by physicians in a 900 bed hospital.

A survey among hospital staff physicians was conducted in order to evaluate their attitudes towards systemic antimicrobial agents. Direct questions about the value of different agents and choice within pairs of antimicrobial drugs, stating the reasons for the preference, were included in the questionnaire used. Gentamicin, penicillin G and ampicillin were the most popular antibiotics among respondents. On the other hand, ampicillin, penicillin G, sulfonamides, tetracycline and aminoglycosides were the agents perceived as most often associated with side-effects. Low toxicity, bactericidal effect, diffusion in the body and familiarity with the drug were acknowledged as the most important attributes in choice of a systemic antimicrobial agent, but a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity appeared as a major determinant in the choice of these drugs when physicians were asked to select one substance from members of several pairs listed. The results suggest that certain important misconceptions may have played a substantial role in the prescribing habits of the physicians surveyed.


Variability and predictability of the plasma concentration of ampicillin and kanamycin in new-born infants.

The variability and predictability of the plasma concentration of ampicillin and kanamycin in new-born infants being treated for infections are discussed. For kanamycin a standard dose regimen of 7.5 mg/kg/12h is recommended.


Use of a simulation model to study the acute haemodynamic effects of diazoxide in man.

The acute haemodynamic effects of injected diazoxide (Hyperstat Schering) have been studied in 8 hypertensive subjects. Aortic blood pressure was measured and cardiac output and peripheral conductance were assessed continuously using a simulation model. In six of the patients pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure was also measured. Blood pressure fell in all subjects 5-10 min after injection of the drug cardiac output increased in all patients studied. however, the initial change in cardiac output differed, as it decreased in two subjects and did not change in one. The largest initial increases in cardiac output were seen in the subjects with the highest pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure. Patients with an initial decrease in cardiac output were those with the least compliant (stiffest) aortas. We consider that the responsiveness of the baroreceptors determines the size of the increase in cardiac output immediately after reduction of blood pressure by diazoxide. Thus in a patient with a stiff aorta, particularly at low cardiac filling pressure, diazoxide might cause a fall in blood pressure to an unacceptable level.


Relationship between bronchial effects and plasma practolol concentration in man.

A double-blind, balanced and randomised study in 8 healthy volunteers examined the effects of relatively high versus low single doses of practolol on heart rate and ventilation at rest and during standardised exercise. Practolol 1 and 4 mg/kg, a typically non-selective drug propranolol 0.2 mg/kg, and placebo were given intravenously at weekly intervals. Cardiac beta-adrenoceptor blockade was measured by the reduction in exercise heart rate greater than 160 beats/min, and bronchial beta-adrenoceptor blockade by the reduction in exercise peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) up to 4 h after each treatment. Results were assessed by analysis of co-variance. All three active treatments reduced exercise heart rate markedly, practolol 4 mg/kg causing most reduction. Exercise PEFR was significantly reduced by propranolol 0.2 mg/kg compared with both practolol 1 mg/kg and placebo at all times of measurement, and by practolol 4 mg/kg compared with practolol 1 mg/kg and placebo at most times. Mean plasma concentrations after practolol 4 mg/kg were 3.5 to 4.5 times higher than after 1 mg/kg. Practolol may lose its 'cardioselectivity' and cause airflow obstruction at relatively high plasma concentrations above about 2 microgram/ml.


Plasma levels and negative chronotropic effect of metoprolol following single doses of a conventional and sustained-release formulation.

Plasma levels and associated reduction in exercise-induced tachycardia have been examined following the administration of single doses of metoprolol in conventional and slow-release tablets at different times to six healthy male subjects. The study was carried out in two parts. Initially, the tablets were given at 9 a.m. and the subjects were studied up to 14 h and then at 24 h. Subsequently, the same doses were given at 9 p.m. and the subjects were studied 12-24 h after drug administration (i.e. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. the next day). After giving the slow-release tablets the peak plasma levels were significantly lower but the drug persisted in the plasma at higher levels than after the conventional tablet. However, the beta-blocking effect was comparable from the two dosages. The results obtained for the period 12-24 h after the evening dose differed from the corresponding values after morning administration in that the plasma levels were higher and the beta-blocking effects more marked. Furthermore, the half-life values calculated from these data were significantly longer.


Identification of an IgD-like surface immunoglobulin on rabbit lymphocytes.

Rabbit immunoglobulin antigen receptor molecules were analyzed by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. By sequential precipitation, using first anti-mu and then anti-L chain antisera, two different immunogloublins of similar molecular weight could be demonstrated. After tryptic digestion, two fractions were identified: an IgMs and an Fab fragment, the latter appearing after a few minutes of incubation. Thus, as in man and in the mouse, two main immunoglobulin antigen receptors were found in the rabbit. One receptor on rabbit lymphocytes is an IgMs molecule, and the other is easily split in the hinge region like human and mouse IgD receptors. In addition, a molecule similar to the mouse Fc receptor was nonspecifically precipitated.


A search for hapten-binding mouse plasmacytoma proteins.

Six hundred and twelve mouse plasmacytomas were screened for hapten binding by using eleven different bacteriophage-hapten conjugates (phage T4 conjugated with haptens NP, NIP, DIP, DNP,BOC-ABA-Tyr, ABA-NP, ABA-MIP, ABS-HOP, PAB-HOP, penicillin G, cloxacillin). Fifteen ascites fluids (2.4%) inactivated at least one of the phage conjugates at a high dilution indicating binding. The specificity of these reactions was studied by titrating one ascites fluid with phage conjugates carring unrelated haptens, and by inhibiting the phage inactivation with free haptens. Of the 15 myeloma proteins, 10 had high titers (at least 30 times higher than the ascites fluid background) with the NIP-cap phage or the NP-cap phage or both. Four had high titers with the DNP-cap phage and one with the ABA-MIP phage. Thirteen of the 15 myeloma proteins were IgA, one was IgM and one IgG2b.


Mitogenic activity of Mycoplasma pulmonis. II. Studies on the biochemical nature of the mitogenic factor.

The mitogenic activity of Mycoplasma pulmonis has been demonstrated to reside in the membrane of this microorganism. Studies aimed at the identification of the membraneous mitogenic factor have revealed that membrane proteins are essential components of this mitogenic manifestation. In addition, it has been shown that the micro-organism's outer surface membrane proteins are responsible for mitogenic activity. It has  been shown, however, that isolated membrane lipids are not mitogenic for rat lymphocytes and are not required for the membrane's mitogenic potential.


High nonspecific reactivity of normal lymphocytes against mycoplasma-infected target cells in cytotoxicity assays.

Several rat tumor cell cultures were deliberately infected with three species of mycoplasma commonly found as contaminants of cell lines grown in vitro, and the effect of mycoplasma infection on the results of cytotoxicity assays was examined. Lymph node cells and spleen cells from normal animals showed an apparently high spontaneous cytotoxic activity against tumor cells infected with either M. arginini or M. hyorhinis, but the reactivity against cells infected with M. orale was not significantly higher than that against uninfected cells. The high reactivity towards tumor cells infected with M. arginini and M. hyorhinis bore a close resemblence to natural cell-mediated immunity in that spleen cells were much more reactive than lymph node cells, spleen cells from nude mice were as effective as spleen cells from normal mice, and the reaction crossed both strain and species barriers. However, closer examination revealed that the cytotoxic effects were directly caused by depletion of arginine or other essential nutrients from the medium. These findings imply that a cautious approach should be taken when interpreting certain aspects of spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and that the greatest care be taken to ensure that the cells used as targets in any cytotoxicity test are mycoplasma-free.


Cross-tolerance to centrally injected barbiturates.

Hypnotic responses to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injections of either barbital, pentobarbital, R(-) and S(+) mephorbarbital, or racemic metharbital were compared to those produced by phenobarbital. Dose--response relationships were obtained for all except S(+) mephorbarbital and metharbital. Chronic i.c.v. phenobarbital administration resulted in tolerance to the drug's hypnotic effects. However, chronic barbital administration using an identical regimen did not produce tolerance, nor were phenobarbital tolerant rats cross-tolerant to barbital. Chronic i.c.v pentobarbital resulted in an irreversible decrease in responsiveness to its own effects and to those of other barbiturates. This was attributed to the high alkalinity of the solution (pH 9.6) since i.c.v. injection of saline adjusted to the same pH also reduced responsiveness to i.c.v. barbiturates. However, rats tolerant to i.c.v. phenobarbital were tolerant to acute i.c.v. injection of pentobarbital. Similar cross-tolerance was observed on systemic administration of the barbiturates. The efflux rates of i.c.v. phenobarbital or barbital and their distribution to different brain areas were identical in tolerant and nontolerant rats. Awakening phenobarbital brain levels of the tolerant rats were approximately three times higher than those in nontolerant controls. The conclusion is reached that central administration of phenobarbital provides a valid model for studying functional tolerance.


Dopamine--acetylcholine "balance" in nucleus accumbens and corpus striatum and its effect on hypothalamic self-stimulation.

Three experiments investigated the suppression of hypothalamic self-stimulation in rats by neuroleptics and its restoration by centrally acting anticholinergic agents. Scopolamine (0.1--1.0 mg/kg i.p.) and benztropine (1.0--10.0 mg/kg i.p.) each enhanced self-stimulation when administered alone, and partially restored performance suppressed by spiroperidol (0.05--0.15 mg/kg i.p.). Benztropine strongly inhibits transmitter reuptake at DA synapses but scopolamine does not, thus inhibition of DA reuptake cannot fully account for the stimulant or antineuroleptic action of anticholinergic drugs. Neuroleptic and anticholinergic effects on self-stimulation rate were mutually subtractive, and statistical evidence of interaction was not obtained. Scopolamine was shown also to restore performance extinguished by discontinuation of the stimulating current. Smaller doses of scopolamine (50 nmol; 19 microgram) injected directly into the nucleus accumbens septi partially restored responding suppressed by spiroperidol, though similar doses of scopolamine injected bilaterally into the caudate-putamen were ineffective. These findings suggest that hypothalamic self-stimulation may be influenced by ACh-and DA-containing systems which exert independent effects on a third system controlling performance. These effects appear to reflect the level of arousal or motivation rather than the reinforcement process itself.


Morphine and naloxone: effects on conditioned fear as measured with the potentiated startle paradigm.

Morphine (0.6 to 10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent reduction of the potentiated startle effect where acoustic startle amplitude is normally increased in the presence of a light previously paired with a shock. The effect was selective since the same doses did not appreciably depress baseline levels of startle. Naloxone (2 mg/kg) did not significantly affect potentiated startle, but antagonized the ability of morphine (10 mg/kg) to block potentiated startle. Morphine did not block potentiated startle by accelerating extinction. The advantages of this paradigm for studying fear or anxiety were discussed.


Paradoxical short-term effects of cyproheptadine on insulin and glucagon release in the rat.

The administration of cyproheptadine (25 mg/kg; i.p.) resulted in an increase of plasma insulin and glucagon (measured using 30 K antibody) 30, 60 and 120 min after injection to fasted rats. This dose of cyproheptadine also induced a hyperglycemia whereas a lower dose (5 mg/kg; i.p.), which did not alter plasma hormone levels, was associated with a hypoglycemia. Fed rats showed a reduction of plasma insulin with a similar elevation of blood glucose after cyproheptadine. Administration of an exogenous load of arginine resulted in increases of plasma insulin and glucagon of a greater magnitude than induced by cyproheptadine, however, cyproheptadine pretreatment (25 mg/kg) completely suppressed the pancreatic response to the amino acid, resulting in blood hormone levels similar to values seen after cyproheptadine administered alone. Cyproheptadine pretreatment also prevented the hyperinsulinemia and hypoglucagonemia resulting from glucose loading. alpha-Adrenergic receptor blockade (with phentolamine), beta adrenergic receptor blockade (with propranolol) and adrenodemedullation did not alter pancreatic responsiveness to the drug.


Pharmacologic response to pentobarbital in passively immunized mice.

Rabbits were actively immunized using a barbiturate--BGG conjugate as the immunogen. The antiserum obtained from actively immunized rabbits was administered intravenously to mice to accomplish passive immunization. The antibody binding capacity for 3H-phenobarbital was shown to be sustained in passively immunized mice for periods of up to three weeks. Serum levels of 3H-phenobarbital in passively immunized mice and control mice were compared following drug administration and found to be altered in the antibody-containing mice. There was a 4-fold higher amount of 3H-phenobarbital present in the serum of passively immunized mice compared to control animals. The higher barbiturate levels were due to binding of 3H-phenobarbital to globulin fraction of serum in passively immunized mice. Additionally, decreased pentobarbital-induced ataxia was demonstrated in passively immunized mice. The decreased responsiveness was selective for barbiturates in passively immunized mice and did not modify the ataxia produced in these animals by another depressant agent, ethanol.


The effect of saline loading on blood pressure and catecholamine secretion in the rat and the cat.

The effects of acute and chronic saline loading on blood pressure and catechalomine (CA) response in the rat and cat were studied. In the rat, both acute and chronic saline loading stimulated urinary CA excretion without affecting blood pressure; adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was increased. Pentolinium bitartrate abolished the increase in CA excretion. Chronic saline loading reduced the plasma renin concentration (PRC) and the heart noradrenaline concentration and elevated the plasma cholesterol. Acute infusion of isotonic or hypertonic saline in the cat stimulated adrenomedullary CA secretion. This response was not significantly affected after bilateral cervical vagotomy, but was totally abolished following bilateral nephrectomy. Blood pressure was increased only during the isotonic saline infusion but not during hypertonic saline administration. It is concluded that stimulation of adrenal CA secretion by saline loading is mediated through a renal factor.


Noradrenergic processes involved in the locomotor effects of ethanol.

Male albino Wistar rats were depleted of forebrain noradrenaline by intracerebral injection of 4 microgram of 6-hydroxydopamine into the noradrenaline bundles in the mesencephalon. The locomotor response was examined in response to intraperitoneal injection of ethanol. The locomotor stimulation by 0.1 g/kg ethanol was not altered by the lesion, whereas the sedation found in response to 1 g/kg in controls failed to occur in the lesioned rats and instead a stimulation was seen.


The effect of enkephalins on the intramural inhibitory non-adrenergic nerve responses of smooth muscle.

The study concerned the effect of enkephalins and naloxone on the inhibitory non-adrenergic nerve responses of the taenia coli and the stomach smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig. Met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin and D-ala-enkephalin (10(-8)10(-5)M) did not affect the muscle tension or membrane potential measured simultaneously using the sucrose-gap method. Naloxone (5x10(-8)--5x10(-6)M) relaxed the stomach strip, but did not modify the inhibitory junction potential. These results indicate that enkephalins are not involved in the nonadrenergic inhibitory nervous system, except possibly as neuromodulators at an interneuronal synaptic level.


Inhibitory effect of tripeptides containing L-Phe-L-Tyr on neuronal excitability.

Eight tripeptides containing L-Phe-L-Tyr were synthesized, and their effects on the excitability of a giant neurone (tonically autoactive neurone, TAN), identified in the suboesophageal ganglion of an African giant snail (Achiatina fulica Férussac), were examined. Of these tripeptides, the following three showed a marked inhibitory effect: L-Glu-L-Phe-L-Tyr (most effective; critical concentration: 3 X 10(-6)--10(-5) M), Gly-L-Phe-L-Tyr and sarcosine-L-Phe-L-Tyr. The TAN inhibition caused by L-Glu-L-Phe-L-Tyr was not due to an increased membrane permeability to chloride ions.


Digoxin-induced decrease in intraocular pressure in the cat.

A constant intravenous infusion of digoxin (2 micrograms/kg/min) to alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats produced a progressive decrease in intraocular pressure with increasing doses of digoxin between 60 micrograms/kg and drug-induced ventricular arrhythmia which occurred at a mean dose of 172 micrograms/kg. Digoxin elicited a 40% decrease in intraocular pressure just prior to ventricular arrhythmia compared to a decrease of only 10% with a control infusion of diluent in the same animal (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference (P less than 0.1) between changes in blood pressure and heart rate observed in the experimental versus the control infusions. The decrease in intraocular pressure may result from inhibition of the Na-K-ATPase in the ciliary body.


Cholinergic-mediated gastric mast cell degranulation with subsequent histamine H1-and H2-receptor activation in stress ulceration in rats.

The effects of atropine, mepyramine, metiamide or NaHCO3 on gastric ulceration, gastric secretion and gastric mast cell degranulation were studied in stressed pylorus-occluded rats. The influence of dexamethasone pretreatment on stress ulcers in animals without pylorus occlusion (intact rats) was also examined. Stress produced a high glandular lesion incidence and ulcer index, and markedly lowered gastric secretion and glandular wall mast cell counts. Injected 0.5 h before stress, atropine, mepyramine or metiamide strongly antagonised ulceration. Atropine or metiamide, but not mepyramine, reduced gastric secretion. Only atropine prevented stress-induced mast cell changes. NaHCO3, given intragastrically before stress, did not prevent ulceration or mast cell degranulation despite complete neutralisation of gastric acid. Dexamethasone-induced gastric mucosal mast cell depletion could reduce stress ulceration. The findings show that stress degranulates stomach mast cells via a cholinergic pathway; released histamine from this source is largely responsbile for gastric ulceration through H1- and H2-receptor effects. Histamine H2-receptor-mediated gastric acid may play only a small contributory role in stress ulcers in rats. The antiulcer mechanisms of histamine H1- and H2-receptor blockade are discussed.


Cholinergic mediation of motor effects of ethanol in rats.

The role of cholinergic neurons in the motor depressant effects of ethanol was examined. Choline chloride pretreatment (30-90 mg/kg i.p.) potentiated the hypomotility produced by 2 g/kg of ethanol. Physostigmine pretreatment (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) also enhanced the motor depression produced by ethanol. Conversely, in animals pretreated with scopolamine (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) the depressant effect of ethanol was less. The potentiation produced by choline was not associated with changes in levels of ethanol in blood. It is concluded that cholinergic neurons are involved in the motor activity changes produced by ethanol. Such a mechanism may operate in conjunction with the dopaminergic neuronal system.


Mechanism of mesaconitine-induced contractile response in guinea pig vas deferens.

Mesaconitine (MA) caused contraction of the isolate guinea pig vas deferens in a dose-dependent manner (3 x 10(-6) - 10-(-4) g/ml) and nonspecifically potentiated the contractile response to norepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine, histamine and tyramine. Tachyphylaxis developed during the repeated application of MA. The contraction produced by MA was prevented by treatment with phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, procaine, bretylium or tetrodotoxin, pretreatment with reserpine or 6-hyroxydopamine, or denervation. Atropine or hexamethonium did not abolish the effect of MA, excluding the possibility that the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are the site of action of MA. MA elicited a dose-dependent release of NE from the isolated vas deferens which had been blocked by treatment with tetrodotoxin, pretreatment with reserpine, or the exclusion of calcium ion from the bath medium. Consequently, it is concluded that MA-induced contraction was brought about by the release of NE from pre-synaptic neuronal sites and by excitation of the post-synaptic membrane.


Disparity tuning and binocularity of single neurons in cat visual cortex.

Activity from single neurons in the visual cortex of anaesthetized and paralyzed cats were recorded in response to monocular and binocular stimuli of different retinal disparities. Three different types of disparity sensitive neurons were found, characterized by (1) a response maximum near zero disparity, (2) a response minimum near zero disparity, and (3) an asymmetric disparity sensitivity. Usually, neurons of the first type receive about the same monocular input from the two eyes; the other disparity sensitive neurons respond better to monocular stimulation of one eye as compared to the other. The results closely resemble those obtained recently in the rhesus monkey.


Characteristics of transcriptionally active and inactive neuronal and nonastrocytic glial rat brain chromatin fractions.

Rapid and reliable fractionation of neuronal and nonastrocytic glial (NAG) cerebral rat brain chromatin in transcribable and repressed portions was achieved employing the DNAase II/Mg++-solubility method of Gottesfeld et al. (1974). Compositional and transcriptional properties of these fractions have been investigated. Compared to transcriptionally repressed fractions, template-active neuronal and NAG chromatin fractions are associated with an increased content of nonhistone chromosomal (NHC-) proteins. Both of the transcribable as well as both of the repressed fractions are strikingly different in their composition as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparative acid urea gel electrophoretic patterns of histones revealed that histone fraction H 1 is almost completely absent in actively transcribed neuronal chromatin and reduced in the corresponding NAG fraction while in template-inactive neuronal and NAG chromatin all five main histone fractions are present in equal amounts. The total number of RNA initiation sites available for exogenously added homologous RNA polymerase on template-active and -inactive neuronal and NAG chromatin was quantitatively measured under assay conditions completely eliminating reinitiation. Unlike the template-active neuronal and NAG fractions which are differently enriched in RNA initiation sites, transcriptionally more repressed neuronal and NAG fractions demonstrated a minimal ability to initiate RNA synthesis. Under assay conditions allowing repeated initiation of RNA chains at the same initiation site, rat brain RNA polymerase molecules were found to utilize neuronal initiation sites more frequently than NAG ones.


Ascending projections of nociceptor-driven Lamina I neurones in the cat.

Single unit activity has been recorded from nociceptor-driven Lamina I neurones in the lumbar spinal cord of chloralose anaesthetized and gallamine paralysed cats. Ninety-four nociceptor-driven Lamina I neurones were identified by their superficial location in the dorsal horn and their ability to respond only to noxious stimulation of their cutaneous receptive fields. One-third of the Lamina I neurones responded only to noxious mechanical stimulation of the skin (Class 3a) and two-thirds responded to both mechanical and thermal noxious stimulation (Class 3b). Lissauer's tract was stimulated electrically two and three segments rostral to the recording sites. Ninety percent of the neurones tested showed a post-synaptic excitation mediated by fibres conducting at a mean velocity of 5.2 m/s (range 0.9--13.3 m/s). It is concluded that A delta and C afferent fibres running in Lissauer's tract excite nociceptor-driven Lamina I neurones. Ninety-six percent of the neurones tested showed a long period of inhibition (100--200 ms) following stimulation of large afferent fibres in the dorsal column. This inhibition was increased when the intensity of stimulation recruited Lissauer's tract fibres. Fifteen percent of the neurones tested were antidromically activated by Lissauer's tract stimulation from up to 3 segments rostal to their origin. A further 18.5% were antidromically excited by stimulation of deeper tracts. The mean conduction velocity of the axons of these projecting neurones was 8.6 m/s (range 3.8--16.5 m/s) and thus are small myelinated axons. The Class 3b neurones exhibited a significantly lower conduction velocity (7.5 +/- 2.8 (S.D.) m/s) than the Class 3a neurones (10.7 +/- 3.7 (S.D.) m/s). It is concluded that at least two-thirds of the population of nociceptor-driven Lamina I neurones are segmental interneurones.


Multichannel evoked potential fields show different properties of human upper and lower hemiretina systems.

Scalp potential fields in human subjects were evoked by checkerboard reversals to the upper and lower hermiretinae, using 1.6 and 3.2 reversals/s. Averaged fields were sampled along a saggital midline row of electrodes (field profiles) in 20 subjects, and from a 47 electrode array (field maps) in five subjects. In five subjects, profile peaks and troughs between 84 and 128 ms latency resided within the recorded electrode row surrounded by lesser potential values, and thus met the evaluation criteria. Response latency defined as maximal voltage difference between two electrodes within the profiles was significantly shorter (medians 12 and 11 ms, respectively) for upper than for lower hemiretina stimuli at both frequencies. There was a significant difference between latencies to 3.2 and 1.6 stimuli/s in the upper but not in the lower hemiretina system, suggesting different system behavior of the two retinal halves. Pertinent anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral data are reviewed.


Collageless collages - photographic reconstructions, the easy way, of neurons and other extended objects.

A small, movable aperture placed at or near the Köhler field diaphragm location of a light microscope permits making composite high contrast, high clarity photographs of objects, such as Golgi stained neurons, whose extensions in depth are greater than the depth of field of the microscope's objective. The technique is described.


Neurophysiological mechanisms of recovery from visual cortex damage in cats: properties of lateral suprasylvian visual area neurons following behavioral recovery.

Damage to visual cortical areas 17, 18, and 19 in the cat produces severe and long-lasting deficits in performance of form and pattern discriminations. However, with extensive retraining the animals are able to recover their ability to discriminate form and pattern stimuli. Recent behavioral experiments from this laboratory have shown that a nearby region of cortex, the lateral suprasylvian visual area (LS area), plays an important role in this recovery (Wood et al., 1974; Baumann and Spear, 1977b). The present experiment investigated the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of the recovery by recording from single neurons in the LS area of cats which had recovered from long-term visual cortex damage. Five adult cats received bilateral removal of areas 17, 18, and 19. They were then trained to criterion on two-choice brightness, form, and pattern discriminations. Recording from LS area neurons was carried out after the behavioral training, from 3 to 7 months after the visual cortex lesions. The properties of these neurons were compared to those of LS area neurons in normal cats (Spear and Baumann, 1975) and in cats with acute or short-term visual cortex damage and no behavioral recovery (Spear and Baumann, 1979). The results showed that all of the changes from normal which were produced by acute visual cortex damage were also present after the behavioral recovery. Moreover, all of the response properties of LS area neurons which remain after acute visual cortex damage were present in similar form after the behavioral recovery. There was no evidence for any functional reorganization in the LS area concomitant with its role in the behavioral recovery. These results suggest that functional reorganization plays little or no role in recovery from visual cortex damage in adult cats. Rather, the recovery of form and pattern discrimination ability appears to be based upon the functioning of residual neural processes in the LS area which remain after the visual cortex damage.


Polarity-sensitive perceptual adaptation to temporal sawtooth modulation of luminance.

Exposure to a large uniform field modulated in luminance by a sawtooth function, repeating between 1 and 5 times per second, raised the threshold for detection of a test stimulus of similar waveform by a factor of 2 to 4.5. In comparison, the threshold elevation for a test stimulus of the inverse waveform was only half as great. This polarity-sensitive adaptation fits with Jung's hypothesis that separate channels signal 'brightening' and 'darkening' in the human visual system. Introduction of spatial contrast such as random noise does not affect adaptation to temporal luminance gradients, but does lead to some interocular transfer. The transferred component, however, shows no sensitivity to the polarity of the test stimulus.


Isolated catecholaminergic projections from substantia nigra and locus coeruleus to caudate, hippocampus and cerebral cortex formed by intraocular sequential double brain grafts.

Sequential intraocular grafting of defined areas from fetal rat brain to adult host rats was used to explore the possibility that such double grafts would become interconnected. Norepinephrine- containing neurons of the locus coeruleus were grafted together with either parietal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, or the caudate nucleus. Dopamine-containing neurons of the substantia nigra were transplanted together with either parietal cerebral cortex or the caudate nucleus. The brainstem grafts showed good survival and development in oculo, using both histochemical and electrophysiological criteria. Locus coeruleus neurons were found to innervate cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and the caudate nucleus. Substantia nigra neurons invaded cerebral cortex abundantly, with a terminal distribution typical of cortical DA terminals in situ. The innervation of the caudate nucleus from substantia nigra transplants was variable, but areas of dense confluent terminals were observed. We conclude that sequential brain grafting in oculo permits generation of isolated yet defined catecholaminergic projections, which are suitable for electrophysiological, pharmacological, and histochemical studies.


The effects of unilateral cortical and tectal lesions on retinal ganglion cells in rats.

The ganglion cell layer of the retina was examined for retrograde transneuronal degeneration after removing the striate cortex unilaterally in infant or adult rats. No significant degeneration occurred, even after a survival time of 15 months, and the rat is therefore unlike other mammals in which the phenomenon has been studied. A possible explanation that most optic axons bifurcate in rats and that the tectal branch can sustain the ganglion cell after the branch to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus has degenerated following removal of striate cortex was ruled out by the demonstration that combined unilateral removal of striate cortex and superior colliculus in adults was similarly ineffective. Unilateral removal of the superior colliculus alone also failed to affect ganglion cells of adult rats but produced conspicuous degeneration in infants. The greater vulnerability of the infantile developing visual system casts doubt on the common assumption that the effects of brain damage are less severe in infants than adults.


Development of X- and Y-cells in kittens.

A contrast reversal stimulus was used to classify the retinal ganglion cells of kittens 3--12 weeks of age. At 3 and 4 weeks of age, the majority of the units were classified as Y-cells. The percentage of X-cells was similar to that of the adult at 5--6 weeks of age although other response properties were not adult-like. The angular size of the receptive field center was significantly larger than that of the adult through 5--6 weeks of age. An estimate of the position of the vertical meridian was obtained from the positions of the receptive fields in the visual field which permitted the calculation of the posterior nodal distance in kittens of various ages. From the posterior nodal distance, the linear extent of the receptive field center was determined. This showed that there is only a very slight increase in the linear size of the receptive field center from 3 weeks to adulthood.


Changes in the retino-fugal pathways following cortical and tectal lesions in neonatal and adult rats.

Several months after unilateral removal of the striate cortex or superior colliculus, or both, in infant and adult rats the retinal projections were studied autoradiographically. The retinal projection areas in adult-operated animals were not different from those of unoperated controls, but aberrant pathways were found in the infant group. Following removal of striate cortex there was a small aberrant pathway to the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus (LP) and possibly to the pretectum. After removal of the superior colliculus there was a conspicuous aberrant projection to LP, which was even more prominent after combined removal of striate cortex and superior colliculus. The results support the proposal that when the normal field of termination is damaged, either directly by a tectal lesion or indirectly by a cortical lesion, axons grow and innervate LP, which has been partly deafferented by the lesion and which consequently possesses vacant synaptic space. Although the different consequences of early and late lesions may indicate that only infantile damaged terminals can redistribute themselves an alternative is that in infants many axons have not yet reached their normal terminal sites at the time of operation and that only those axons have the ability to continue growing and to form an aberrant pathways. The role of the aberrant pathway in vision is unknown.


Sounds evoked by brain stimulation in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau L.

Various regions in the brains of anesthetized oyster toadfish were electrically stimulated. Temporal properties of evoked sounds formed a continuum from simple to complex. One-to-one responses (one sound pulse for each stimulus pulse) and buzzes, elicited by stimulation in the caudal medulla and cervical spinal cord, were simpler than natural sounds. Natural grunts vary from individual pulses to long variable interval series of pulses called growls. Grunts were elicited by stimulation in the diencephalon, midbrain, medulla, and spinal cord. Evoked grunt pulses varied in duration from short to long and series of grunts varied from individual pulses to bursts approaching a boatwhistle, the courtship call of the male. Boatwhistles were elicited in male as well as in one female fish by stimulation in medullary and midbrain areas. Sites evoking sound production appeared to be part of an integrated system so that boatwhistles and grunts could be evoked from a single stimulation in various parts of the brain.


Ingrowth and ramification of retinal fibers in the developing optic tectum of the chick embryo.

Onset, temporal sequence, and pattern of ingrowth of retinal fibers into the developing optic tectum of the chicken were investigated with histological procedures including the Golgi technique. Invading fibers could first be detected by stage 34 (eight days of incubation) at a specific locus which is the central area of the optic tectum. Compared to other tectal regions the central area is distinguished at this time by its advanced cytoarchitectural development and by the maturation of dendrites of radial cells located within superficial laminae. Immediately after their arrival at the central area some fibers can be observed invading the outer tectal layers and forming side branches. These observations permit the conclusion that fibers do not wait at their termination site for several days, as has been suggested earlier. Retinal axons start to invade the tectum at the site which is most advanced in its structural development. This early maturation of neurons in a specific tectal region might be a sufficient explanation for the central retinal fibers connecting to neurons of this area, which, propter hoc, is called the central tectal area.


The fine structure of neurones and cellular relationships in the abducens nucleus in the cat.

Light and electron microscope studies of the abducens nucleus in the cat have disclosed two populations of neurones: large neurones 25 to 75 micrometer in diameter and small neurones 10 to 25 micrometer in diameter. Characteristic of the large neurones are a highly developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and a large number of axo-somatic synapses. The small neurones have a poorly developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and comparative by few axo-somatic synapses. Injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the ipsilateral lateral rectus muscle has been used to identify abducens motoneurones which represent 65% of the total number of cells in the abducens nucleus and form part of the large cell population. The remaining unlabelled large neurones (30% of the large cell population) probably represent motoneurones of the retractor bulbi muscles, abducens motoneurones which have failed to transport the HRP, and possibly internuclear neurones. The small neurones (5% of the total cell population) were never labelled by HRP. Axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses are numerous. Many of the synaptic terminals form contacts with two or more different postsynaptic elements. Axo-axonic synapses and synapses on the initial segments of large neurones are also present. Nodal synapses and branching of myelinated axons are common findings. Finally, extended areas of close apposition between dendritic membranes are frequently observed.


Development of spinal motoneuron innervation of the upper limb muscle in the rat.

Horseradish peroxidase was injected into the biceps brachii muscle of rats at various stages of development, from 10 days to 50 weeks. The retrogradely labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral ventro-lateral column of the cervical cord, C4--C8, of all stages studied, but the number of labeled neurons decreased according to exponential curve as the age advanced. A striking finding was that the contralateral ventral horn cells were also labeled in the 10- and 14-day-old rats.


The morphology of microtubules in incubated synaptosomes. Effect of low temperature and vinblastine.

A time-dependent rise in the percentage of microtubule-containing synaptosomes was observed reaching a 41--47% peak after 30 min incubation at room temperature (22--25 degrees C) in a saline medium. Fixation at low temperature or incubation with vinblastine decreased markedly the number of synpatosomes containing microtubules. It was concluded that incubation with cations and processing at room temperature were prerequisites of optimal preservation of synaptosomal microtubules. Their spatial orientation relative to the synaptic cleft was deduced from statistical examination of profiles in different orientations.


Studies on the metal-complex of acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin).

The present communication deals with the isolation of acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin complexes with Bi+3 Zn+2 and UO2+2. The characterization of 1:2 complexes have been carried out with the help of conductometric, pH met;ric, elemental analysis and IR spectral studies. Spectrophotometric studies in case of UO2+2 (the only colored complex) in range of 4.2 to 5.5 pH show absorption at 490 nm and complex obey Beers Law at the concentration range of 0.01 M to 0.1 M.


Transition metals in an experimental tumour system.

In this report we present an analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry of some of the transition metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Ni in tissues and nuclear fractions in an experimental tumour system.


Distribution of repetitive DNA sequences in the polytene chromosomes of Rhynchosciara americana.

The distribution of fast, intermediate and slow renaturing fractions of Rhynchosciara americana DNA was examined in the polytene salivary gland chromosomes by in situ hybridization. Heterochromatic areas readily hybridized but hybrid formation in the euchromatin depended more on the repetitiveness of the RNA probe.


Karyotype and DNA content of Pharctolaemus ansorgei Blgr. (Teleostei: Gonorynchifomes).

The diploid DNA content of Pharctolaemus ansorgei spinosus (Phractolaemidae) is estimated by Feulgen cytophotometry at 3 pg. The karyotype has 28 chromosomes and 54 chromosome arms; it significantly resembles the karyotype of Chanos chanos (Chanidae).


Biodegradability of Tioctilate.

The biodegradability of Tioctilate (octylthiobenzoate), a new pesticide, has been examined by means of 5 tests. The compound appears to be susceptible to microbial metabolism.


[Effect of sodium ribonucleate on the growth and the hemolytic activity of Treponema hyodysenteriae].

Liquid cultures of different strains of Treponema hyodysenteriae, when supplemented with sodium ribonucleate show an increase in the hemolytic activity titers while the number of colony forming units remain constant.


Increased activity of the ribosomal dissociation factor in the pre-replicative phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

The activity of the ribosomal dissociation factor and the formation in vitro of free 60S and 40S subunits increased in the first 12--48 h after partial hepatectomy. This suggests an accelerated reconversion into active subunits of ribosomes that complete a translation cycle in the early phases of liver regeneration.


Degradation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide by gut juice os the snail Helix pomatia.

Lipopolysaccharides from several bacteria were selectively degarded by gut juice of the snail Helix pomatia with extensive loss of anticomplementary activity and changes in the electrophoretic pattern in polyacrylamide gels. The gut juice had little effect on ketodeoxyoctonate content or immunodominant sugars. The lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharide appeared to be the main site of attack.


Thiamin turnover rate in some areas of rat brain and liver: a preliminary note.

Thiamin turnover rates in some nervous structures and liver of rats were evaluated in a steady state condition, using thiamin- 14C as a tracer. The radioactivity contents were analyzed by means of a mamillary type compartmental model. Excluding the liver, turnover rate values of the nervous structures were ordered in the following sequence: sciatic nerve (0.58 microgram/g . h) less than cerebellum less than hypothalamus less than midbrain less than corpus striatum less than cerebral cortex (0.16 microgram/g . h).


Oscillatory after-potentials and triggered-automaticity in mammalian ventricular muscle fibres at high resting potentials.

Oscillatory after-potentials and triggered-automaticity were observed in dog ventricular muscle fibres when the fibres were exposed to K+-free,high-Ca++-solutions after K+-free,Ca++-free perfusion. They appeared at membrane potentials more negative than--60 m V.


A simple method for observation of capillary nets in rat brain cortex.

By the authors' technic, the profiles of capillaries in rat brain cortex were clearly demonstrated. The capillaries formed complicated nets by sprouting of their finer branches and anastomosing with each other. Further, a kind of perivascular cells with yellow autofluorescent granules was distributed close to capillaries, arterioles or venules. The seemed to be a special form of macrophage in the brain cortex.


Experimental data on the neurotoxicity of methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK).

A severe potentiating effects of methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) on the peripheral and central neurotoxicity of n-hexane could be demonstrated in a chronic inhalation study in rats.


Sexually dimorphic response of the mouse submandibular gland to fasting.

The submandibular gland of male mice contained 18% more DNA, 34% more RNA and 63% more protein than that of female mice. After a 48-h fasting, the percent loss of gland weight, protein, RNA and DNA was greater in the female than in the male.


Movements of supernumerary hindlimbs after innervation by single lumbar spinal nerves of Xenopus laevis.

Lumbar spinal nerves S8, S9, and S10, together innervating normal hindlimbs in Xenopus laevis, were tested to cause coordinated movements in grafted hindlimbs. It could be shown that this ability is mainly restricted to lumbar nerve S9.


Effect of pylorus ligation on gastric mucosal mast cell population in normal and adrenalectomised albino rats.

Pylorus ligation in normal albino rats acts like a stressor leading to degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa, thereby decreasing their number. This decrease is less pronounced when pylorus ligation is done in adrenalectomized rats. This implies that action of a stressor on gastric function involves the adrenal steroids which liberate the powerful gastric stimulant histamine from gastric mucosal mast cells.


The influence of the sex-hormone testosterone on body temperature and metabolism of the male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Testosterone causes a significant body temperature decrease in male quails. Oxygen consumption/g b. wt remains the same, however.


Effects of isoproterenol and dopamine on the myocardial hexose monophosphate shunt.

Long-term exposure of rats to isoproterenol and dopamine resulted in an increase of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and a greater availability of 5-phosphoribosyl-l-pyrophosphate in the myocardium. These results are interpreted to indicate an enhanced flow through the hexose monophosphate shunt.


Baroreceptor function changed by breathing.

The efferent sympathetic activity (ESA) of the carotid nerve is related to breathing, and can be driven by stimulation of the latter, e.g. by airway occlusion. The ESA controls both carotid wall stiffness and the excitability of nervous receptor elements. Therefore, breathing is capable of changing the carotid baroreceptor function.


Brominated benzene induction of hepatic porphyria.

Unlike the highly porphyrinogenic fungicide hexachlorobenzene, hexabromobenzene was a poor inducer of porphyria. Similarly, 1,2-dibromobenzene and 1,2,4-tribromobenzene, while causing small increases in hepatic porphyrins, did not increase ALA synthetase or the urinary excretion of porphobilinogen (PBG), aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or porphyrins.


Nerve growth factor selectively stimulates the degradation of chondromucoprotein in the embryonic cartilage in vitro.

Nerve growth factor specifically stimulates the degradation of chondromucoprotein in the chick embryonic cartilage cultivated in vitro, with little effect on chondromucoprotein, RNA, DNA and protein synthesis.


Lead metabolism in lactation.

A 2-fold increase in lead absorption was observed in lactating animals which received 2 mg Pb/l in drinking water. About one-half of the absorbed lead was transferred to the litters.


Transdermal uptake of a peptide hormone: inhibition by calcitonin eardrops of induced osteolysis in guinea-pig ossicles.

In view of a recent proposal that calcitonin injections may arrest the bony pathology of otosclerosis, we have tested the possibility of obtaining locally effective concentrations by giving salmon calcitonin in eardrops. Osteolysis of guinea-pig ossicles induced by injecting parathyroid hormone shortly before explantation was markedly inhibited by 3 days prior instillation of the calcitonin in an aqueous vehicle or in dimethyl sulphoxide, but not by a solution in propylene carbonate.


Preliminary report on toxigenic fungal isolates of Aspergillus niger in market foods and foodstuffs.

14 out of 22 fungal isolates of A. niger from market foods and foodstuffs were toxigenic to weanling rats. Approximately 2/3 of these cultures were highly toxigenic. Histopathologic changes were observed mostly in kidney with necrosis of the tubular epithelium and to a less extent in liver with centrolobular necrosis of the hepatic cells.


Levamisole inhibits mineral mobilisation, lactate production and lysosomal enzyme release from cultured bones.

Levamisole added to cultured calvarial bones inhibited spontaneous bone resorption, as indicated by reduced release of calcium and inorganic phosphate to the medium. In addition, levamisole reduced lactate production and release of lysosomal enzymes.


Penetration of oximes across the blood-brain barrier. A histochemical study of the cerebral cholinesterases reactivation.

The comparison of the effects of 4 oximes upon the cerebral cholinesterases reactivation after intoxication with paraoxon shows that the best results are obtained with toxogonine and 1574 [(carbaldoxime-4 pyridinium)-1(methyl-1 imidazolium-3)-3 propane]. The reactivation power of this latter compound seems due to the ease with which it can pass through the blood-brain barrier.


Lysosomal enzymes in the juxtaglomerular cell granules.

In addition to the already known acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, 2 other lysosomal enzymes: aryl sulphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were localized by histochemical methods in the renin-containing granules of the mouse juxtaglomerular cells.


Ultrastructural study of somatotroph cells from mice bearing a fast growing transplanted hepatoma, in different periods of the tumor development.

The presence of a transplanted, fast-growing hepatoma (SS1-K) produces conspicuous ultrastructural changes in pituitary STH cells of C3H-S male mice. These changes are suggestive of an increased secretion of growth hormone only during the first stages of the tumor development. The hepatoma influence does not seem to be clearly related to the illumination regimen or time of killing.


Effect of synthetic polynucleotides on the growth of transplantable tumours in BALB/c mice.

The effect of BALB/c mice pretreatment with tumour cells (a mammary adenocarcinoma, ADK-1t and an IgA secreting plasmocytoma, MOPC-315) adsorbed with poly I:C, poly I and poly C is examined. Only mice pretreated with cells of both tumours adsorbed with poly I:C and poly C proved to be extensively protected against challenge by homologous untreated tumour cells, whereas this was not so in the case of poly I. A possible explanation of this phenomenon is discussed.


Uptake of exogenous protein by supraependymal cells of the feline area postrema.

Supraependymal cells occurring on the surface of the feline area postrema were examined for phagocytic ability. It was shown that they could ingest exogenous horseradish peroxidase that was experimentally introduced into the brain ventricular system. The cells thus bear functional as well as ultrastructural attributes of macrophages, similar to those found in the third ventricle and subarachnoid space.


X-irradiation of mice in early fetal period influences dose-dependently sex ratio of offspring until weaning.

Fractionated X-irradiation of mouse fetuses on gestation days 11-13 resulted in a significantly increased postnatal mortality of female litters. This occurred only at 3 x 110 rad, which was the threshold for the formation of typical neuroepithelial, rosette-like malformations.


Follicles development in the foetal human ovary.

In the foetal human ovary, diameters of oocyte and follicle, as well as those of oocyte and nucleus, are found to be positively and linearly correlated with each other. Follicle diameter and number of granulosa cells also show a positive and linear relationship. Finally, in all ovaries examined, from 5 months after conception onwards, small antral follicles were assessed.


Preparative separation of nucleated cells from human bone marrow.

A comparison has been made between the separation of nucleated cells from human bone marrow aspirates by high mol. wt polymers and the buffy coat techniques.


Evidence for synergism in steroid hormone-receptor association.

A number of glucocorticoids stimulated oestradiol binding to liver cytosol receptor; oestradiol activated glucocorticoid receptor association at a time when it reversed triamcinolone mediated increase in liver glycogen synthesis.


Estrogen action in the male.

Estrogen administration induces a migration of eosinophil leukocytes to ductus deferens.


Influence of light on the plasma gonadotropin concentrations in the newborn rat.

The physiological increase in plasma gonadotropin (LH and FSH) levels in newborn rats is indisputably influenced by light. Permanent illumination accentuates this increase, whereas darkness decreases it in 16-day-old female rats. In male rats of the same age, only permanent illumination was tested with the same results.


Colchicine-estrogen interactions.

Colchicine does not block estrogen-induced recognition of uterine blood vessel surface by eosinophils, but interfers with their migration through endothelial lining and therefore blocks estrogen-induced uterine eosinophilia and edema.


Allotransplantation of rat parathyroid glands: effects of organ culture and transplantation into the adrenal gland.

Allotransplantation of fresh, 1 or 2 week cultured parathyroid glands from Wistar rats (AgB2) to Fischer rats (AgB1) resulted in prompt rejection of the transplant in the muscle site; whereas transplantation into the adrenal site offered slightly prolonged survival, suggesting that the latter is a privileged transplantation site.


Thyroid morphology and activity does not respond to ELF electromagnetic field exposures.

The hypothesis that the thyroid is the sensitive organ for extremely low freqency electromagnetic field effects was tested. Rats that had been exposed either preinatally or as adults to several intensities of 0.5 Hz magnetic fields displayed no significant alterations in thyroid morphology or circulating hormone measures.


Sertoli cells of adult rats in vitro. II. Effect of different steroid precursors on estradiol 17 beta-synthesis.

The estradiol 17 beta-synthesis by delta 4 pathway has been studied in homogenous cultures of Sertoli cells isolated from adult rat testes. The data reported clearly demonstrate that progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and estrone induce an increase of the estradiol 17 beta-production.


Theoretical prediction of carcinogenicity: quasi-quantification by quasi-valence.

We have shown the recently proposed method for prediction of carcinogenicity by "average quasi-valence number" to be neither a good predictor of carcinogenicity, nor of non-carcinogenicity.


Simple theoretical criterion of chemical carcinogenicity - a refutation.

The quasi-valence number criterion for chemical carcinogenicity has been shown, through several examples, to be untenable.


A rapid micro radial electrophoretic method of protein separation on cellulose acetate membranes.

A new rapid micromethod for protein separation under a radial electric field is described. As many as 12 rabbit serum samples could be separated in 4--6 min.


Circumplex model of marital and family systems: III. Empirical evaluation with families.

This study was designed to test the circumplex model of family systems that hypothesizes moderate family cohesion and moderate adaptability to be more functional than either extreme. Thirty-one Catholic family triads with daughters ranging in age from 14 to 17 years participated in a structured family interaction game (SIMFAM)  and filled out questionnaires that measured the variables of cohesion and adaptability and the facilitative variables of support and creativity. All families were considered normal but were subdivided into those that had more and less difficulty with this adolescent. Analysis of the data yielded considerable support for the circumplex model. High family functioning was associated with moderate family cohesion and adaptability, and low family functioning had extreme scores on these dimensions. As predicted, high family support and creativity were also related to high family functioning. Implications of these findings for family therapy are discussed.


Circumplex model of marital and family system: I. Cohesion and adaptability dimensions, family types, and clinical applications.

The conceptual clustering of numerous concepts from family therapy and other social science fields reveals two significant dimensions of family behavior, cohesion and adaptability. These two dimensions are placed into a circumplex model that is used to identify 16 types of marital and family systems. The model proposes that a balanced level of both cohesion and adaptability is the most functional to marital and family development. It postulates the need for a balance on the cohesion dimension between too much closeness (which leads to enmeshed systems) and too little closeness (which leads to disengaged systems). There also needs to be a balance on the adaptability dimension between too much change (which leads to chaotic systems) and too little change (which leads to rigid systems). The model was developed as a tool for clinical diagnosis and for specifying treatment goals with couples and families.


Task effects in family interaction.

The effect of different experimental tasks on emergent patterns of family activity, conflict, and influence was assessed by means of multivariate analysis procedures on a sample of 30 family triads. Although a task effect did emerge for the family activity measure, the overall pattern of findings indicates marked consistency in family interaction across the three experimental tasks. Findings are discussed in terms of methodological and theoretical explanations that could account for obtained results.


Role structure and subculture in families of elective mutists.

This study of ten case records points to a common role structure and subculture in families of elective mutists. The paper describes a theory of treatment based on breaking down the family's distrust of the outer world before social training of the identified patient is started.


Marital conflict and marital intimacy: an integrative psychodynamic-behavioral-systemic model.

A conceptual model of some of the intrapsychic and interpersonal forces that stimulate and maintain repetitive, nonproductive marital conflict behavior is presented. In this model, concepts derived from psychoanalytic and social-learning theory and integrated within a family systems framework. Implications for conjoint therapy with conflictual couples are discussed.


The corporate executive wife's coping patterns in response to routine husband-father absence.

The routine absence of corporate executive husband/fathers in intact families is a variation of father absence. Though not prolonged, frequent exits and reentries may stress the family system. To determine how nonclinical family members deal with routine father absence, a coping inventory was administered to 66 corporate wives. Factor analysis revealed wives coped with the stress of routine father absence by (a) fitting into the corporate lifestyle; (b) developing self; and (c) establishing independence. Though a pilot study, findings offer empirical support for a premise more traditionally accepted by family therapists than by family sociologists: Individual psychological variables need to be considered along with systems variables in the development of family stress theory.


Transfer of therapeutic effects from institution to home: faith, hope, and behavior modification.

Effective transfer of therapeutic results from institutional to home settings is a demanding problem facing family therapists. The issues involved and one approach to their solution are examined through the case of a 10-year-old boy hospitalized for severe antisocial behavior. Once results were obtained in an institutional setting, the therapeutic program there was faded out and concurrently faded into the home. Three- and 12-month follow-ups revealed continued improvement.


Learning multiple family therapy through simulated workshops.

Multiple Family Therapy (MFT) can be learned more rapidly through simulated workshops. A chronological approach to a simulated workshop is outlined describing mechanics and techniques. The hardest parts of simulated and real MFT are taking off and landing. Specific exercises are detailed to facilitate the early phases when professionals tend to simulate excessive psychopathology. However, recovery is usually rapid and dramatic in simulations; thus, the workshop leaders appear impressive. How to end "healthily" is the final challenge. Group input for assessment of simulated and real MFT is essential. From this feedback, subassertives and schizophrenics may be at the highest risk for deleterious effects from real MFT.


[Effect of neurotropic drugs on the excitability of the structures of the striopallidal complex].

The results of investigations into the effect of microinjections of a number of adrenocholino- and dophaminergic agents on excitability of the pale globe, caudate nucleus and shell are reported. The non-uniformity of the effects produced by the agents of the mediator type action is established both in different segments and in individual zones of the extrapyramidal system with continuous concurrent antagonism between the mimetics and the corresponding blocking agents. The presence of alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors and also of M- and N-cholinoreceptors in the structures of the striopallidal complex is suggested.


[Effect of droperidol, aminazine and diazepam on the analgesic activity of leucine-enkephalin].

In experiments on rats it was shown that the neuroleptics droperidol (0.6 mg/kg) and aminazin (10 mg/kg) can potentiate the analgetic action of the endogenous morphine-like pentapeptide leucin-enkephalin administered into the brain ventricles at a dose of 50 micrograms. A statistically significant increase in the analgetic activity lf leucin-enkephalin given at a dose of 100 micrograms was induced only by droperidol. The tranquilizer diazepam (5 mg/kg) had no effect on the action lf leucin-enkephalin. Naloxon (2 mg/kg) removed the analgetic effect of leuchin-enkephalin administered both alone and after a preliminary injection od droperidol or aminazin.


[Effect of glycerin on several indices of intracranial hemodynamics and the electroencephalogram of wakeful cats with experimental intracerebral hemorrhage].

An intravenous infusion of glycerin to cats 24-48 hours after an intracerebral hemorrhage contributes to normalization of the EEG, Intensifies the local blood flow in the visual cortex, thalamus and reticular formation of the midbrain in both hemispheres (predominantly in the regions of the right affected hemisphere). The drug produces a fall in the absolute values of the intracranial pressure without its secondary rise after infusion is discontinued and causes a moderate rise of the perfusion pressure. The intravenous infusion of glycerin is more effective than its single injection.


[Effect of papaverine on the energy processes of myocardial mitochondria].

In experiments with dog's myocardial mitochondria the influence of different doses of papaverine on the succinate, glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate oxidation was studied. The drug effect depended on its dose, it not being related to the substrate transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane and not resulting from the block of the respiratory chain between NAD.H and cytochrome b. The papaverine action is possibly due to the inhibition of specific dehydrogenases. The glutamate oxidase system proves most sensitive to inhibition produced by papaverine, while the alpha-ketoglutarate oxidase system is less susceptible to the effect of this drug. The succinate oxidase system is found to be least sensitive to the action of papaverine.


[Relationship between the structure, affinity for phospholipid membranes and anti-arrhythmic activity of 10-acylaminopropionyl derivatives of phenothiazines].

The interaction of thirteen 10-acylaminopropionyl derivatives of phenothiazine with phospholipid membranes was investigated. A correlation between the affinity of these substances to membranes and their antiarrhythmic activity was found. A molecular model of a complex of the substance-membrane is proposed. It shows how the molecular structure of the study substances affects their affinity to phospholipids and thus influences the activity of the former. The affinity chiefly depends on the accordance between the structure and the disposition of the lateral substitute, on the one hand, and the structure of the phospholipid bis-layer, and also of the hydrophobic nature of the 10-acylaminopropionyl group, on the other.


[Effect of heparin complexed with urea on tumor growth and the ultrastructure of malignant cells].

Sarcoma 45 cells were inoculated subcutaneously to rats and carcinosarcoma. Walker 256 cells implanted intramuscularly in the Wistar rats. The injections of the heparin-urea complex with a simultaneous blocking of the vegetative nerves system created an anticoagulant and fibrinolytic background in the organism of these animals and produced an antitumorigenic effect, i.e. the inhibition of growth of primary tumors and metastases, the mitotic activity decline in the malignant tissue and a change in the submicroscopic structure of the sarcoma 45 cells (greater chromatin density, prevalence of the fibrillar component in the nuclei, swelling of the reticulum channels, condensation of mitochondria and reduction of polysomes). All this shows the physiological activity of malignant cells to decline through imitating the hyperfunction of the anticoagulation blood system.


[Effect of several anti-arrhythmic substances on ion currents in from atrium].

On trabeculae of the frog's atrium it is shown by the method of the potential fixation with the use of a double saccharose bridge that novocainamide, quinidine and oxylidine mainly reduce the steady output membrane current and virtually have no effect on the input peak current. And, conversely, novocain significantly suppresses the input peak current and affects but little the steady membrane current.


[Effect of several diuretics on ischemic damage to the kidneys].

Furosemide, etacrynic acid and mannitol administered to the survival of rats. However, these drugs prove ineffective in the event they are indicated after the action of the ischemic factor is discontinued. Etacrynic acid and novurit inhibit the functional activity of isolated mitochondria incubated under hypoxia and at a temperature of 37 degrees C.


[Stabilizing effect of the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and sodium selenite following phospholipase damage to mitochondrial membranes in a model of anoxia].

The kinetics of the free fatty acids accumulation in membranes of isolated mitochondria of the brain, heart and liver of rats, with their incubation in a medium containing no substrates and ATP, was studied. The intensity of the phospholipase damage, measured by the rate of free fatty acids accumulation, augments in the sequence of: the liver-heart-brain. The amassment of fatty acids in the mitochondrial membranes is shown to give place to their penetration into the inner space of the mitochondria. A relationship between the content of the intramitochondrial calcium and the concentration of free fatty acids in in the membranes, on the one hand, and the degree of passive swelling of the cardiac mitochondria, on the other, was revealed. It is suggested that the free fatty acids or their derivatives act as carriers of calcium to the mitochondrial membrane. A preliminary administration to rats of the vitamin E and sodium selenite protects the mitochondria of the heart against the phospholipase damage. These agents display a synergic action and are effective with administration of physiological doses. It is presumed that the protective action of these substances is due to the stabilization of biological membranes.


[Effect of phenobarbital on the embryotoxic action of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid].

Single administration of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (2M-4C) to albino rats on the 9th and 10th day of gestation produces a teratogenic and embryotoxic action. A preliminary administration of phenobarbital in a dose of 80 mg/kg for 3 days largely reduced the embryotoxic effect of the drug, this manifesting itself in a lower general embryonal and post-implantation mortality, greater size and mass of the fetuses. It is suggested that the stimulation of the microsomal oxidation with phenobarbital led to a higher speed of the 2M-4C molecule decomposition and, consequently, to its lessened embryotoxic effect.