Field-dependence/field-independence and labeling of facial affect.

56 high school students were administered the Group Embedded Figures Test and the Pictures of Facial Affect. A low Pearson product-moment correlation of .02 was obtained between the measures. Data indicated that field-dependent and field-independent individuals were not signficantly different in their skills of labeling pictures of facial affect.


Effects of total sleep loss on sleep tendency.

Effects of two nights of sleep loss were assessed in six young adult (18--21 yr.) volunteers (2 women, 4 men). Performance on the Wilkinson Addition Test fell significantly below baseline values during the sleep-loss procedure and recovered after one or two full nights of sleep. Performance on a Serial Alternation Task also declined during sleep loss. Mood and sleepiness, assessed by subjective self-rating scales, showed a significantly less positive mood and a greater degree of sleepiness during sleep loss, with a recovery to baseline levels after one full night of sleep. Sleep tendency, measured at 2-hr. intervals during all waking periods, was assessed using an objective measure of latency to sleep onset, the Sleep Latency Test. The scores fell to about 1 min. at 0600 on the first night of sleep loss and remained at similarly low values throughout the sleep loss period. After one night of recovery sleep the scores remained significantly below baseline levels, which were not achieved until after the second recovery night. The multiple sleep latency test appears to be a valuable operationally defined tool for measuring daytime sleepiness.


Eye color and judgments of aesthetic value of shapes.

47 university students provided judgments of the aesthetic value of polygon and histogram shapes that were either symmetric or asymmetric. A sigificant over-all preference to symmetric shapes was evident (p less than .05), and judgments were significantly more positive for brown-eyed subjects. Furthermore, the aesthetic values assigned to shapes showed a systematic interaction with eye color such that brown-eyed subjects produced higher aesthetic ratings for symmetric shapes than blue-eyed subjects, while no such differences appeared for asymmetric shapes.


Manifest anxiety and two-point threshold sensitivity.

The present study utilized 27 college students (14 females, 13 males) to investigate the effects of anxiety upon the ability to attend to detail (two-point threshold sensitivity). It was hypothesized that subjects both low and high in anxiety would have a smaller threshold than mild or moderately anxious subjects. A curvilinear correlation of .83 (p less .01) was obtained between anxiety scores and two-point threshold sensitivity. There was no significant difference between mean thresholds for those scoring above or below the median on the anxiety scale. Suggestions for further research are discussed.


Individual differences in visual discrimination of letters.

Research on the distinctive features of letters has been inconclusive. Investigators may have overlooked individual variations in their data which would have supported feature-extraction hypotheses but were concealed by analyses which averaged data into group means. Response latencies from a matching discrimination task with the 26 English capital letters were analyzed with INDSCAL, a multidimensional scaling procedure which weights individual contributions to a psychological space. Underlying a dimensions were linearity, curvature, angularity, and closure. The solution disclosed that individuals utilized these features differentially in the visual discriminations. The results suggest that future research in visual feature extraction will benefit from the examination of individual variations in the perceptual process.


A trimodal behavioral conceptualization of clinical pain.

A trimodal behavioral conceptualization of pain is outlined in the current article. It proposes that pain should be viewed as an interacting cluster of gross motor, cognitive, and physiological responses. Such a conceptual system is thought to contain the basic properties needed to incorporate current divergent views of pain held by medical and behavior science into a common conceptual framework.


Effects of some social variables on field dependence.

The effects of socio-economic status, father's absence, family size, and birth order on the field dependence of Grade 6 elementary school children in Jamaica, West Indies, were examined. To 206 boys and 212 girls from 5 urban schools the Hidden Figures Test and a questionnaire were administered. For girls, but not for boys, field independence correlated significantly and positively with socio-economic status, but significantly and negatively with father's absence. No significant relation existed for the boys. Field dependence had no significant relation with family size and birth order.


Intrahemispheric visual-motor information processing and cerebral functional lateralization.

A series of stimuli, words and faces, were presented tachistoscopically to 24 dextrals and 12 sinistrals. The stimuli were presented to one eye at a time and the subjects were instructed to respond to specific words or stimuli with a specific hand. The results indicate that (1) cerebral functional asymmetry is related to handedness; in the dextrals, the left hemisphere is more specialized in verbal recognition, while in the sinistrals, the right hemisphere is more specialized in recognizing non-verbal material. (2) An ipsilateral hand-and-eye combination is a valid method of measuring intrahemispheric information processing, provided that the tachistoscopically presented visual stimuli are capable of inciting specialized hemispheric function. The dominant relationship among the crossed and non-crossed visual pathways is discussed.


Relative locations among moving spots and visual vector analysis.

How the direction of apparent movement changed with the relative locations among spots was quantitatively measured by the method proposed by Hochberg and Fallon. From the vector-extraction model (proposed by Johansson) expanded as, "The vector to be subtracted depends on the relative location." and the directions of apparent movement, the vector to be subtracted was calculated at each relative location. Consequently data showed (i) the region in which the directions of spots in motion are affected by the frame is finite, and (ii) the degree of the influence is not iniform in the region but is rapidly reduced as spots go away from the frame.


A genetic explanation for no sex difference in spatial ability among Eskimos.

Superior spatial ability may be inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. Since the sex ratio for an X-linked recessive trait depends on the gene frequency of the recessive allele, the absence of a sex difference in Eskimo spatial ability may reflect an unusually high frequency of the recessive allele in the Eskimo population.


Visual-motor problems of adolescents who attempt suicide.

Using the Canter Background Interference Procedure with the Bender-Gestalt Test, a group of 18 adolescent suicide attempters earned test scores indicating they had significantly more problems with visual-motor coordination than did a control group of 21 adolescents. There were also a greater number of school failures and behavior problems among these suicide attempters. The findings suggest that learning disabilities may be an unrecognized factor which increases the risk of suicide attempts by adolescents.


Subjective hypotenuse estimation: a test of the Pythagorean theorem.

The Pythagorean theorem constitutes a normative model for the estimation of the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled figure. Tested with functional measurement methods, this mathematically correct model was inappropriate as a descriptive model. The problem was an orientation effect; hypotenuse estimates for vertically oriented figures were larger than those for horizontally oriented figures composed of the same lengths. Because of this discrepancy, no additive model could describe the judgments.


Eye movements simultaneously recorded by electrooculographic and photoelectric methods.

Three types of eye movements, saccadic, reading, and pursuit, were recorded from 6 college subjects, two in each by the electrooculographic and photoelectric methods simultaneously. A deviation index (DI), which is the standard deviation divided by the mean, was devised to compare the precision of recording amplitude deflection, and a proportion index (PI), which is ml divided by M2, was devised to compare the mean amplitude indirectly between these two methods. Results showed that the proportion indexes of three types of eye movements were comparable, and the mean index of 0.54 indicated that the amplification in the electrooculographic method was about half as much as that in the photoelectric. The mean deviation index of 0.132 vs 0.135 was, again, comparable, meaning that these two methods of recording amplitude deflections are of about the same degree of magnitude and precision. Certain qualitative differences regarding the amplitude and velocity peak deflection between these two methods were also noted.


Imagery rating and recall in congenitally blind subjects.

Imagery ratings, incidental free recall, and intentional free recall of a group of young congenitally blind adults living in an institute for the blind and of control group were compared. Words to be rated and recalled belonged to three categories: (a) high-imagery words whose referents can be sensorially experienced also by the blind; (b) high-imagery words whose referents cannot be experienced; and (c) low-imagery words. In the control group, both ratings of imagery and recall were affected by the category to which the word belonged. For the blind group the category of the word affected only the ratings of imagery which still assumed a peculiar form since words in category b received extremely low ratings. It is concluded that the blind can evaluate the imagery value of a word, but that their recall is not affected by the level of its imagery value. Therefore, the imagery value really seems to describe, as Paivio asserts, the susceptibility of an item to being coded in a specific visuo-imaginal way, which is more available for sighted than for blind people.


A test battery to assess intrasensory and intersensory development of young children.

The purpose of the study was to develop a battery of tests for use in evaluation of intra- and intersensory development of young children. A battery of 15 tests (4 visual, 4 auditory, 4 tactile-kinesthetic, and 3 intersensory) was administered to 109 normally developing 6- and 8-year-old and 32 slowly developing or learning disabled children. Interdependence of test items within each intrasensory and the intersensory category was determined; intercorrelations ranged from .00 to .78. Reliability estimates were also determined. Face validity was claimed for each item. The effects of age or developmental level on test performance were established. Based upon the interdependence of the tests, reliability estimates, and the capacity of the tests to discriminate among groups classified according to age or developmental level, a battery of 10 intra- and intersensory tests was proposed. The battery has 3 tests of visual perception-visual memory, dynamic depth perception, and size discrimination; 3 tests of auditory perception-auditory discrimination, auditory memory of related syllables, and auditory sequential memory of numbers; 2 tests of tactile-kinesthetic perception-tactile integration and movement awareness; and 2 tests of intersensory integration-auditory-tactile intergration and auditory-visual integration.


Reliability and validity of the Group Embedded Figures Test for a grade school sample.

Data on validity of the Group Embedded Figures Test for 22 sixth grade students (9 boys and 13 girls) were obtained. 50 wk. later all subjects were individually screened on the Portable Rod-and-Frame Test and after a period of 2 more weeks, when they were retested on the embedded figures, data on reliability were obtained. Long-term coefficients of stability of .80 and .71 for the 9 boys and 13 girls, respectively, were obtained. Coefficients of internal consistency ranged from .83 to .98 for boys and girls. Coefficients reflecting both construct and concurrent validity were -.60 and .00 for boys and girls, respectively. Customary sex differences with respect to field-dependence--independence were not observed for these small samples.


Individual difference in anticipatory physiological responses to signaled stress: role of locus of control and autonomic balance.

Anticipatory cardiac activity to a signaled stressful event was hypothesized to be related to individual differences in locus of control and to autonomic balance. Subjects experienced 5 trials of a 105-db burst of white noise that was signaled by a milder tone. Significant increases in electrodermal as well as heart-rate responses occurred after the stress tone. While anticipating stress, the 10 subjects designated as having high levels of coherence between heart-rate and respiratory activity (high parasympathetic balance) showed reduced heart-rate and respiratory activity (high parasympathetic balance) showed reduced heart-rate variability over the 10 subjects with low coherence. Locus of control was not related to anticipatory activity. Anticipatory cardiac activity is discussed in light of two current psychophysiological models of attention.


Generalization gradients following differential intradimensional autoshaping.

Three pigeons were trained on a differential, intradimensional autoshaped discrimination. A 45 degrees line tilt was always paired with food whereas a 15 degrees line tilt was never paired with food. All subjects learned the discrimination within 17 sessions. The pigeons were then given generalization tests in extinction over seven line tilts (0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees and 90 degrees). The subjects yielded generalization gradients with maxima at 45 degrees and minima at 15 degrees. An area shift, but no peak shift, was found for each subject.


Acephate and methamidophos residue behavior in Florida citrus, 1976.

The half-life of acephate and its hydrolysate, methamidophos, in the rind of Temple and Valencia oranges, and grapefruit, lemons, and tangerines was 10.3 days and 10.5 days, respectively. Half-lives of acephate and methamidophos in citrus pulp were 15.0 days and 6.1 days, respectively based on 7-, 14-, and 21-day data. Seven days after treatment, acephate and methamidophos reached maximum levels in rind and pulp. Acephate residue levels in rind were less than 3.0 ppm 14 days after treatment; acephate residues in pulp were less than 3.0 ppm throughout the experiment. Methamidophos residue levels averaged less than 0.25 ppm after 21 days.


Effects of organochlorine residues on eggshell thickness, reproduction, and population status of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in South Carolina and Florida, 1969--76.

Shells of brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) eggs collected in South Carolina from 1969 through 1975 and in Florida during 1969, 1970, and 1974 were significantly thinner (P greater than 0.05) than eggshells collected before 1947. Thickness of South Carolina eggshells increased in 1975, and mean thickness of eggshells collected in Florida during 1974 was greater than that of eggshells collected during 1969 and 1970, primarily in Gulf Coast colonies. Residues of 13 organochlorines were found in eggs and tissues of pelicans found dead during 1974 and 1975, although residues in brains of these specimens were not high enough to cause death. Residues of organochlorines, except PCBs, declined through 1975. PCBs increased in eggs from Atlantic Coast colonies. Reproductive success and population status of brown pelicans in South Carolina have improved markedly since authors began their studies in 1969. Good reproductive success was reported in 3 of 5 years from 1973 through 1977.


Pesticide contamination of water rats in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, New South Wales, Australia, 1970-72.

Organochlorine pesticides were found in all samples of livers, kidneys, mammary glands, and fetuses of eastern water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) collected in the Murrumbidgee irrigation areas of New South Wales in 1970 and 1972. DDE was the predominant residue. Livers contained 0.01--3.10 ppm sigma DDT air-dried weight; kidneys, less than 0.01--1.12 ppm; mammary glands, 0.14--23.75 ppm; fetal liver, 0.28--0.66 ppm. Variations in residue levels are discussed in relation to the possible effects of environmental and physiological factors.


Pesticide application and cropping data from 37 states, 1972--national soils monitoring program.

This report summarizes pesticide application and cropping data collected in 1972 from 1,402 agricultural sampling sites in 37 states as part of the National Soils Monitoring Program. Pesticide application data are summarized by all sites, states, and crop. Tables generally give the number of sites reporting, number of times a compound was applied, percent occurrence, and arithmetic mean application rate. Pesticides applied most frequently were atrazine, 2.4-D, captan, and trifluralin. Among selected major crops, pesticides were most frequently applied to sites growing field corn and cotton, least frequently to sites growing alfalfa/bur clover and mixed hay.


Pesticide residue levels in soils and crops from 37 states, 1972--National Soils Monitoring Program (IV).

Residue data from the 1972 (FY--73) National Soils Monitoring Program are summarized. Composite samples of agricultural soil and mature crops were collected from 1,483 of the 1,533 selected 4-hectare sites in 37 states. Analyses were performed for organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, trifluralin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); analysis for atrazine was performed only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in 45 percent of the soil samples. The most frequently detected compound was dieldrin, found in 27 percent of all soil samples. Other compounds detected, in order of frequency, included DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and heptachlor epoxide, found, respectively, in 21, 9, 8, and 7 percent of all soil samples. Crop samples were collected from 727 sites. All were analyzed for organochlorines; analyses were performed for organophosphates and atrazine only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. For all crops, 40 percent of the samples contained detectable levels of organochlorines and 10 percent contained detectable levels of organophosphates. Atrazine was not detected.


Organochlorine pesticide residues in soils from six U.S. Air Force bases, 1975--76.

Soil samples collected during 1975 and 1976 from United States Air Force installations in California, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues. Sigma DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin were the pesticides most commonly found. In 1975, sigma DDT residues were significantly higher in samples from residential areas than in samples from golf courses or areas free of pesticide application. Chlordane residues in 1975 were significantly higher in both residential and golf course areas than in areas where pesticides had not been used. No significant differences were found in 1976 in residue levels of any pesticide monitored among various land use areas.


[Clinical use of ketamine-xylazine for anaesthesia in the cat (author's transl)].

Based on experiences from anaesthesia of approximately 7000 cats in a four year period the effects of a combination of 20--25 mg/kg Ketamine and 0.5 mg/kg Xylazine given i/m are described. In the present study the Xylazine has been applied in considerably lower doses, compared with previous reports on these drugs, and this change has reduced the unwanted side effects, without at the same time reducing the effect on the muscular tension and the psychical disturbances induced by the Ketamine. Ketamine and Xylazine were given in one injection after being taken in the named sequence and mixed in the syringe. Indication for anaesthetizing the cats were, besides routine surgery in the out-patient clinic, operations of weakened animals for pyometra, foreign bodies, intestinal invaginations with and without resection, removal of abdominal tumors and urolithiasis. Animals with impared liver function were not anaesthetized with these drugs due to the important role of liver metabolism in their excretion. In spite of the fact that the corneal and laryngeal reflexes normally persist, the combination of the two drugs allowed surgery in these organs after application of local anaesthetics as an extra precaution. Premedication with atropine has not been used routinely, and still only very few cases of increased salivation or vomiting have been observed. Aspiration has not been a complication and in the whole material, only 3 deaths have occurred, none of them with a specific post mortem finding besides shock. In these 3 cases the patient died later than 45 minutes after the injection and after ended surgery. Side effects ascribed to phenomena of interaction have not been observed. One cat was anaesthetized a number of times during pregnancy without any effect on the cat or its kittens. It is concluded, that the Ketamine/Xylazine combination, when mixed as prescribed gives a very safe and pleasant narcosis, and that side effects are minimized, if the corneas are moistened with an ophthalmic ointment and the patient is allowed to recover in dark and quiet surroundings.


Clinical manifestations of overdose of ketamine-xylazine in the cat.

10 cats were anesthetized with high doses of Ketamine/Xylazine combination (50 mg/kg and 6 mg per cat respectively). 10 other cats were given Ketamine alone (100 mg/kg). The drugs were given i/m. Heart rate and respiratory rate were measured with regular intervals for 3 hours and certain reflexes were checked in the same period. Blood parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2) from arterial blood, were studied 10--15 min. after application. The values measured after application of these high doses never reached critical levels and no clinical signs of cyanosis were observed. Physostigmine has been reported to have an antagonistic effect on Ketamine in humans, but this could not be demonstrated in cats. The increase of dose levels did not improve or lengthen the anaesthetic effect of the drugs, but the period of recovery was highly extended. There were no clinical signs of acute toxicity and it is concluded that even severe misjudgements of the bodyweight should not lead to fatal results.


[The microflora in cosmetics and non-sterile pharmaceuticals, and the microbiological standards for these products. I. A case of waterborne contamination of a hand-lotion (author's transl)].

A current case of a dynamic contamination of hand lotion with Pseudomonas cepacia is described. The Ps. cepacia occurred in the hand-lotion as a pure culture in a number of 10(4) bacteria per ml hand-lotion. The contaminant, originating from the tap-water, formed a preliminary reservoir in the deionizer, passed the sterile-filter and entered via the sterile water into the production system, where it formed a secondary reservoir in the top of one of the mixing units.


[Clinical value of the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen in bronchial secretion (author's transl)].

Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by radioimmunoassay was performed in per-endoscopic obtained bronchial secretion. Bronchial CEA values are higher in the case of primary carcinoma of the lung than of metastatic lung cancer or pulmonary benign disease (p less than 0.0005). More interesting is the ratio bronchial CEA/serum CEA which is much higher in primary carcinoma of the lung than in benign disease (p less than 0.0005) and lower in metastatic lung carcinoma than benign disease (p less than 0.0025). In primary carcinoma of the lung, the CEA determination seems to have a prognostic value since higher levels are reported in patients unsuccessfully treated than in treated patients with apparent remission.


[Diagnostic of left-to-right shunt by isotopic angiocardiography (author's transl)].

Isotopic angiocardiography was performed in 60 patients with proven congenital left-to-right shunt. A 99mTc labeled bolus was injected in a peripheral vein, and the first passage in the heart cavities was studied. Time-activity curves of the cardiac chambers were analysed, using a scintillation camera and a data processing system. In our study, we were able to confirm the presence of the shunt in 77% of the cases in which the radioactive bolus arrived well grouped in the vena cava. Quantitative results however remain imprecise. Isotopic angiocardiography indications are compared to radiologic angiocardiography and to right heart catheterism indications. Use of this non invasive technique could render more aggressive examinations unnecessary.


[Massive medullary forms of Hodgkin's disease and acute myelofibrosis (author's transl)].

Ten cases of Hodgkin's disease was massive bone marrow invasion. This particular form of the disease is seen either at the outset or in Stage IIIB with a rapid course. It is reflected by a pancytopaenia with poor marrow with little or no superficial nodes. These very atypical forms of Hodgkin's disease must thus always be considered as a possibility in the context of acute malignant myelofibrosis. They indicate a special and unexplained behaviour of the host to the Hodgkin's tumour.


[Prevention of hospital-acquired infection. Efficacy of isolation procedures in a neurological intensive care unit (ICU) (author's transl)].

Isolation procedures were adopted after usual measures failed to control hospital-acquired infection in a neurological ICU. All patients with an intubation or a tracheostomy were treated in individual rooms following the rules of strict isolation. The circulation of contaminated equipments was strictly isolated from the rest of the ICU. The efficacy of this isolation policy was aasessed by comparing the rates of hospital-acquired infections during the year before and the year after its adoption. The rates of pulmonary infections and venous catheters infections were significantly reduced (p less than or equal to 0.001). The rates of septicemias and urinary infections were relatively unaffected. The mortality caused by nosocomial infections showed a 64% fall (p less than 0.001) which accounted for a 29% reduction in the overall mortality (p less than 0.05). The average stay in the ICU was shortened by 20% and antibiotics consumption declined by 64% leading to substantial savings of money. The activity of the ICU as reflected by the number of admitted patients was unaffected.


[Progressive dialytic encephalopathy. Role of the aluminium and neurological study. One case (author's transl)].

Report a typical case of dialytic dementia in a patient treated with aluminium gels. The course was fatal in fifteen months duration. Before interruption of aluminium gel intake, the aluminium blood level measured by atomic absorption spectrography was at 1300 microgram/l (normal less than 40 microgram/l). Cerebral aluminium was studied by the method of Le Gendre and Alfrey. On the three studied specimens of gray matter including, the parieto rolandic cortex, the thalamus, the cerebellar cortex, the mean aluminium concentration was seven times higher than the witness. The optic and electronic microscopy study showed important accumulation of lipofuscin. No neurofibrillary degeneration was observed. In contrast to the intensity of the clinical signs and the fatal course the cerebral lesions were slight.


[Idiopathic haemochromatosis. Pathogenic and genetic aspects. Detection and prevention (author's transl)].

The basic disorder of iron metabolism in idiopathic haemochromatosis finds expression on at least two levels: the intestinal mucosa (increased iron absorption) and the liver. Its exact nature, however, remains obscure. The role of iron overload in the pathogenesis of the disorder seems clear. Lysosome disruption has recently been proposed as a possible pathogenic factor. Phenotypic family studies have lent considerable weight to the hypothesis of a recessive transmission of idiopathic haemochromatosis. Demonstration of a close link between the disease and the HLA antigen A3 and haplotype A3, B14 has made it possible: to remove all doubt as to the hereditary nature of the disease; identify the underlying gene as located on chromosome 6 near the A locus of the HLA system; demonstrate a recessive mode of transmission; and achieve the early detection of individuals at risk in the family of a patient with the disease. Thanks to this possibility of early detection, the feasability of preventive measures is greatly enhanced.


[Valgisation osteotomy in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the hip: 21 cases (author's transl)].

Study of 21 cases of femoral valgisation osteotomy, with a minimum follow-up of 5 years, confirms the value of this operation in the treatment of certain types of osteoarthrosis of the hip, and above all those types in which there is an inferior capital osteophyte. The indications depend upon: --clinical features: as in the case of all osteotomies, mobility must be at least equal to 70 degrees flexion. --radiological findings: reposition films in adduction should show widening of the joint space and above all improved congruence. The presence of geodes and lack of cover of the femoral head are not, in themselves, contraindications. The operation involves, in addition to valgisation inter-trochanteric osteotomy, relaxation of the peri-articular muscles (psoas, adductors, gluteus medius) in order that the relative lengthening of the upper end of the femur related to ventricalisation of the neck should not be in contradiction with the usual principles of surgery for osteoarthrosis. Valgisation osteotomy results in an increase in weight-bearing surfaces and thus a decrease in unit pressure. Indicated and performed in this way, this operation gives highly satisfactory and durable results, as shown by the follow-up period of our own cases.


[Measurements of serum C3d in primitive chronic glomerular nephropathies (author's transl)].

Measurement of serum C3 does not provide precise informations concerning an eventual consumption of this complement component during an immunological process. An increased synthetic rate may compensate an accelerated catabolism. The study of breakdown products of C3, such as C3d is a more sensitive approach of the role of complement in some immunological disorders. Therefore C3d was measured in the serum of patients with chronic non systemic glomerular diseases. High values of serum C3d were found in all cases of hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis. Circulating C3d was also increased to a lower extent, in patients with normocomplementemic nephritis such as minimal change disease, mesangial nephritis with IgA deposits and membraneoproliferative (type I) glomerulonephritis. The data suggested the involvement of complement in a number of glomerulonephritis. Participation of complement in immunological disorders particularly in chronic non systemic glomerulonephritis could require a reevaluation when functional tests are performed in addition to static measurements.


[Right pneumonectomy for carcinoma with resection of the carena and left tracheo-bronchial anastomosis: 3 cases (author's transl)].

Extended pneumonectomy for carcinoma is associated with very poor results. However, a tumour which remains limited to the bronchial tree does not perhaps have such a poor prognosis as those which involve neighbouring organs. Valuable survival periods may be obtained after right pneumonectomy with resection of the carena. The authors here report 3 cases, including 2 with survivals of 10 and 8 years respectively.


[Plasma renin and noradrenalin levels during hypotensive therapy using acebutolol (author's transl)].

The effects of acebutolol (800 mg per day for three days) on pulse rate, blood pressure, plasma noradrenaline and plasma renin activity were measured in nine patients with essential hypertension, at rest in a horizontal position, after five minutes standing upright and after walking for one hour. Acebutolol reduced pulse rate, blood pressure and plasma renin activity in all three positions. Treatment has no influence on plasma noradrenaline in a horizontal position, but significantly reduced its orthostatic stimulation. The inhibition of noradrenergic response to an orthosatic position is compatible with a central or presynaptic effect of acebutolol. This effect would not appear to be essential to its antihypertensive action since acebutolol reduced blood pressure but not plasma noradrenaline in a horizontal position. Blood pressure response to treatment was positively correlated to initial values of plasma renin activity measured after walking for one hour and plasma noradrenaline measured after five minutes in an orthostatic position. On the basis of this correlation, measurement of these two hormonal indices is of predictive value, within the limits of a short period of treatment with acebutolol and strictly defined hospital conditions.


[The pharmacokinetics of nalidixic acid administered parenterally. Towards rational use in severe infections (author's transl)].

Nalidixic acid is effective toward Gram negative infections but its short half-life and potential neurological toxicity explain that its parenteral use is hazardous. Interindividual variations of its pharmacokinetic parameters explain also the absolute necessity of a careful drug monitoring adapted to each patient. The study of plasma kinetics of a single dose of nalidixic acid injected by intravenous route, shows these metabolic variations. With this results, the predicted plasma drug concentrations show that classical dosage regimens are adapted only to a little number of patients. Advantages and inadequacies of a single daily intravenous infusion of nalidixic acid are next analysed.


[Defibrination syndrome during acute pancreatitis: 6 cases. Prospective studies of coagulation in 41 patients (author's transl)].

Studies of coagulation were performed prospectively in 41 patients with mild to moderately severe acute pancreatitis. Six patients (15%) presented with coagulation data suggestive of defibrination; two of them had clinical signs of bleeding. No other cause than pancreatitis was found in these 6 patients to account for coagulation abnormalities. Comparing the patients who presented defibrination to those who did not, no difference was observed in clinical course and admission values of serum amylase, fibrinogen, urea, calcium, glucose, transaminase levels, white blood cell count and arterial partial pressure of oxygen. Platelets counts and serum creatinine levels were respectively lower and higher in the first group of patients.


[Auto-immune hemolytic anemia associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. Report of a new case (author's transl)].

The association of Kaposi angiosarcomatosis and an auto-immune haemolytic anaemia is reported in a 69-year-old woman. The direct Coombs test was "igG complement" type positive. This is the 5th reported case and the 2nd in which haemolysis developed during an acute malignant exacerbation of the disease. The patient died less than 4 months following the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma, after treatment with prednisone and chlorambucil. Lymphoid and  immunological abnormalities are not rare during the course of Kaposi's sarcoma. The reasons are discussed briefly.


[Cervical spine. II. Fractures and dislocations (author's transl)].

Clinical and radiologic investigations in spinal fractures and dislocations must allow assessment of modifications in osteoarticular and neural functions. With respect to osteoarticular function it is necessary to identify the presence of both temporary or permanent instability and impaired static equilibrium. Regarding neural functions we must not only evaluate the neurologic damage but also residual stenosis of the spinal canal and sometimes of the intervertebral foramina. Compression induced by such stenosis is best demonstrated on métrizanide myelography. Management is currently aimed at better and more rapid correction of morphologic damages and disturbed stability. These goals are achieved by reduction and stabilisation using orthopedic or surgical techniques, the later involving an anterior or posterior approach to osteosynthesis. Systematic suppression of factors causing neural compression has led to a greater recovery rate than in the past.


[Blood concentration in glycosylated hemoglobin. Index in diabetic control time (author's transl)].

To estimate during which period of time the degree of diabetes control is integrated by the level of glycosylated hemoglobin two approachs were used. Hb-g was assayed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in insulin-dependent diabetics and compared to the degree of control over a 3 months period. Control was evaluated by the semiquantitative urine test for sugar "Clinitest" three time a day. Hb-g correlated highly with last month glycosuria, but not as well with those of the two preceding months. These later correlation in fact reflected the stability of control over the three months. In 7 incipient insulin dependent diabetics in whom normal glycaemia was achieved abruptly and maintained for more than one month, Hb-g fell to normal within one month and therefore did not reflect the prexisting hyperglycemia. Hb-g integrates precisely the degree of diabetes control, but over a one month period only.


[The use of vasopressin during portal bypass (author's transl)].

Vasopressin was infused intra-arterially or intravenously during 12 portal bypass operations. In comparison with a control group (without vasopressin), there was a very significant reduction in blood loss and portal pressure, and a moderate increase in arterial blood pressure.


[HbA1c: need of its dosage in diabetics (author's transl)].

HbA1c is the product of a slow, virtually irreversible reaction, occurring continuously throughout the 120 day life-span of the erythrocyte, between HbAo and glucose. It has been shown to represent the time-averaged blood glucose concentration of the preceeding 2 month period, and is independant of day to day fluctuations in the blood glucose concentration. HbA1c therefore acts as a biochemical marker and permits clinicans, by one test, to judge the quality of the diabetic control, in their patients.


[Prolactin secreting adenomas: surgical treatment and results. 120 female cases, 30 males cases (author's transl)].

Twenty one per cent of the female cases concerned microadenomas discovered because of amenorrhea with or without galactorrhea. Sixty two per cent of these cases were cured by surgery alone, against 40% of the other types of prolactin (Prl) -- secreting tumors with extra-sellar extensions which were not cured. With men, no microadenomas was discovered (although one case demonstrated their possible existence) and in the most frequent cases, tumors exhibited extra-sellar extensions sometimes very large (giant tumors). In these cases, tumoral symptoms were cured by surgery while only 5 out of 30 men recovered a normal plasma Prl. level (30 ng/ml). In all cases the prognosis was established taking into account the volume and invasive characters (at the surgical and histopathological level) of the tumors. The different therapeutical approaches of these tumors (i.e. medical treatment by CB 154, surgery of Rxtherapy) were evaluated. Anyway the necessity of an earlier diagnosis is pointed out allowing the possibility of a selective adenomectomy by a microsurgical approach.


[Acute agranulocytosis after treatment by levamisole. 2 cases (author's transl)].

We describe two patients who had a typical levamisole-induced agranulocytosis and a severe infection; the view of other cases found in the literature shows a fundamental fact: the complication can occur after a variable time of prescription (from thirteen days to eleven months), continuous or intermittent. The accidents are imprevisible, and circonspection must be used, not for its antihelminthic properties, but for its prolonged use for immunological purposes, even if some authors have not observed any cases of agranulocytosis in large series. Naturally, the purpose is quite different in the case of a severe rheumatoid arthritis or inesthetic warts, and our two observations are very demonstrative. Mechanism of agranulocytosis has not been totaly clarified: we have observed biological stigmates of immunological process against levamisole (responsible of agranulocytosis?), but essentially medullary lesions (successive regenerative aspects and necrosis) as has been described with pyramidon, and this could explain why the other blood cells are affected in an apparently isolated agranulocytosis.


Rapid synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides on a grafted polymer support.

Rapid synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides is described by a solid phase method. Polysterene grafted on the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene has been found to be an adequate support. The properties of the support were studied in the synthesis of a number of oligonucleotides 6 to 15 nucleotides long. A flow-type semi-automatic synthesizer has been used. Each nucleotide addition involves seven steps and takes 8 hours. Oligonucleotide isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography amounts to 1-3 mumol per gram of support.


DNA chain length markers and the influence of base composition on electrophoretic mobility of oligodeoxyribonucleotides in polyacrylamide-gels.

The specific influence of the four nucleobases on electrophoretic mobility of oligodeoxyribonucleotides in polyacrylamide-gels under denaturing and nondenaturing conditions has been investigated using homooligomers from the four deoxyribonucleotides as chain length standards. Homooligomers of same chain lengths exhibit remarkable differences in mobility. Specific retardation of any other oligonucleotide investigated was found to be mainly dependent on base composition but not on sequence. A simple procedure is presented for calculating mobilities relative to the standards on denaturing gels. This allows a reliable identification of oligonucleotides on acrylamide-gels by exact chain length determination with respect to base composition and furthermore a detailed interpretation of complex reaction mixtures. The homooligomers also show the same differences in mobility on nondenaturing gels. The significance of this effect for strand separation is discussed.


Isolation and organization of calf ribosomal DNA.

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from calf was isolated by three density gradient centrifugations. The first centrifugation in Cs2S04/BAMD was used to obtain partially resolved dG+dC-rich fractions from total DNA. The second and third centrifugations, in Cs2S04/Ag+, led to the isolation of an rDNA fraction characterized by a symmetrical band in CsCl, p = 1.724 g/cm3. This new procedure appears to be generally suitable for the isolation of rDNA and other dG+dC-rich repeated genes. The organization of isolated calf rDNA has been studied by restriction enzyme digestion and by hybridization with cloned rDNA from Xenopus laevis. The repeat unit of calf rDNA has a molecular weight of 21x10(6) and is split by EcoR1 into two fragments, 16x10(6) and 5.0x10(6), and by BamHI into seven fragments. EcoRI and BamHI sites have been mapped. Most of the 18S and 28S RNA genes and the transcribed spacer are contained in the small EcoRI fragment, while the non-transcribed spacer is localized in the large EcoRI fragment. This spacer showed length heterogeneity within a single individual; such heterogeneity is limited to two regions of the spacer.


Anomalous electrophoretic mobility of Drosophila phosphorylated H1 histone: is it related to the compaction of satellite DNA into heterochromatin?

In embryonic nuclei of Drosophila virilis, 45% of the DNA is satellite, and congruent to 50% of the H1 histone is phosphorylated. In polytene salivary gland nuclei, less than 1% of the DNA is satellite, and less  than  10tion. The phosphorylated H1's migrate 4% slower than the unphosphorylated H1's on SDS-acrylamide gels. The mobility difference may arise because the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated H1's have different conformations in SDS. This putative conformational difference could be essential to the compaction of satellite DNA into heterochromatin.


The influence of terminal 3', 5' phosphates on conformations of dApdA.

Addition of 3' and 5' terminal phosphates to dApdA causes a decrease in conformational flexibility. pdApdAp has much fewer conformers with energies below 2.5 kcal./mole than dApdA. THE A, B and Watson-Crick (34) helices are the most preferred forms. Other important conformations are in the trans domain of psi. Thus, flexibility in psi as well as in omega and omega, and in the sugar pucker is indicated. The transformation from the B helix to the Watson-Crick helix follows a low energy path. This is significant since Watson-Crick conformations may be important for intercalation into nucleic acid polymers (40-42) above the dimer level. The B helix is preferred over the A form in these large DNA subunits.


Changes in nuclear and polysomal polyadenylated RNA sequences during rat-liver regeneration.

Nuclear and polysomal polyadenylated RNA populations of normal and 16 hour regenerating rat liver have been compared by mRNA-cDNA hybridisations and by unique DNA saturation experiments. It was found that nuclear polyadenylated RNA hybridises to 6.8% of unique DNA in both normal and 16 hour regenerating rat liver. However, cross-hybridisation experiments using cDNA have shown that 10-15% by weight of nuclear polyadenylated RNA sequences are specific to 16 hour regenerating rat-liver. Since both unique DNA and cDNA hybridisation have shown that normal and 16 hour regenerating rat-liver polysomal polyadenylated RNA populations are qualitatively very similar sequences specific to 16 hour regenerating rat-liver nuclear polyadenylated RNA are nucleus confined. Polysomal RNA sequences which were abundant in normal rat-liver have become less abundant in regenerating rat liver.


Equilibrium and kinetic aspects of protein-DNA recognition.

The specificity of regulatory protein binding to DNA is due to a complementarity between the sequence of reaction centres on the protein and the base pair sequence in the specific DNA site allowing the formation of a number of specific noncovalent bonds between the interacting entities. In the present communication the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of these interactions are considered. The extent of binding specificity is shown to increase with an increase of the bond stability constants and with an increase in the number of ligand reaction centres. Kinetic analysis is carried out assuming that association process is very fast and that dissociation of nonspecific complexes is a rate-limiting step in the recognition of a specific binding site on DNA. The calculations show that a ligand can recognize its specific binding site on DNA within a reasonably limited time interval if the number of its reaction centres and the corresponding stability constants are strongly limited.


Neighbouring group participation in the unblocking of phosphotriesters of nucleic acids.

Two examples of neighbouring group participation during the removal of protecting groups from phosphotriesters of partially or fully protected intermediates of nucleic acids are presented. The first example shows that ammonolysis of aryl groups from phosphotriesters of partially protected - 5'- hydroxy free - nucleic acids (e.g., 4b approximately to; Ar=2C1C 6H4) gives rise to the formation of unnatural nucleic acids (e.g., 7 approximately to and 8 approximately to). The second one illustrates that fluoride ion promoted hydrolysis of 2,2,2-trichloroethyl groups from phosphotriesters of fully protected nucleic acids (e.g., 18a approximately to), having t-butyldimethylsilyl groups at the 2'-positions, leads to the formation of a considerable amount of side-products (e.g., 20 approximately to and 21 approximately to).


Reverse-phase HPLC of DNA restriction fragments and ribooligonucleotides on uncoated Kel-F powder.

Uncoated Kel-F powder offers some unique features as a support for reverse-phase HPLC of oligonucleotides and DNA restriction fragments. Compounds are eluted from the column by a gradient of acetonitrile (0 tto 18% v/v) in 0.1 M aqueous triethylammonium acetate. In contrast to RPC-5 chromatography, oligonucleotides are not eluted by aqueous salt solutions alone, and the separation of restriction fragments depends only on the chainlength. The packing material is cheap, easy to pack, chemically inert, and does not bleed, so that separations are highly reproducible. The DNA loading capacity for Kel-F is presently inferior to RPC-5, but recovery of microgram amounts of material is typically better than 50%.


The 5' terminal capping of heterogeneous nuclear RNA at different embryonic stages of the sea urchin.

5' Terminal cap structures of hnRNA have been characterized and the extent of capping determined as a function of embryonic development. Sea urchin embryo hnRNA contains only the type-1 cap, m7GpppNmpNp, with the type-2 cap, which has a 2'-0-methylated subpenultimate nucleotide, being associated only with stable small nuclear RNAs. These cap 2-containing RNAs are synthesized at a rate of approximately 70 molecules min-1 nucleus-1 compared to approximately 1000 molecules for hnRNA cap 1. Approximately 70% of nuclear cap 1 is associated with greater than 15S RNA in denaturing solvent, but under non-denaturing conditions the percentage is much higher. Cap 1 in low and high molecular weight nuclear RNA have the same kinetics of methyl labeling. Thus all cap 1 structures may belong to a single class either covalent or H-bonded to high molecular weight RNA. hnRNA greater than 15S is 35% capped; however, adding caps in less than 15S RNA gives an estimate of 50% capping for total hnRNA. In development from early blastula to late gastrula, there is little if any change in the extent of capping of hnRNA. These results coupled with others indicate that the fraction of hnRNA molecules serving as precursor to mRNA does not change quantitatively during embryonic development.


1H NMR investigation of the conformational states of DNA in nucleosome core particles.

In this study 1H NMR has been used to investigate the conformational state of DNA in nucleosome core particles. The nucleosome core particles exhibit partially resolved low field (10-15 ppm) spectra due to imino protons in Watson-Crick base pairs (one resonance per GC or AT base pair). To a first approximation, the spectrum is virtually identical with that of protein-free 140 base pair DNA, and from this observation we draw two important conclusions: (i) Since the low field spectra of DNA are known to be sensitive to conformation, the conformation of DNA in the core particles is essentially the same as that of free DNA (presumably B-form), (ii) since kinks occurring at a frequency at 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 base pairs would result in a core particle spectrum different from that of free DNA we find no NMR evidence supporting either the Crick-Klug or the Sobell models for kinking DNA around the core histones. Linewidth considerations indicate that the rotational correlation time for the core particles is approximately 1.5 X 10(-7) sec, whereas the end-over-end tumbling time of the free 140 base pair DNA is 3 X 10(-7) sec.


DNA-binding properties of the major core protein of adenovirus 2.

The major adenovirus core protein (P.VII) binds to various species of duplex and single-stranded DNA molecules as a linear function of P.VII concentration. P.VII progressively condenses 32S Ad2 DNA into rapidly sedimenting forms having an S value of around 2,280. P.VII does not coat DNA like cytochrome C, instead DNA-protein beads are visualized in the electron microscope at low protein concentration. These beads appear to interact forming larger structures and at high P.VII concentrations the DNA molecule becomes highly compacted. Analysis of DNA fragments formed after digestion of P.VII-DNA complexes and isolated cores with micrococcal nuclease suggest that the organization of the DNA in the two structures is essentially identical. The initial P.VII and DNA interaction is sensitive to both ionic and hydrophobic environments, whereas the in vitro DNA-P.VII complexes are extremely stable and are not disrupted in the presence of 3 M NaCl, 1% sarcosyl or 5% deoxycholate. Properties of these in vitro DNA-protein VII complexes share striking similarities to isolated viral core particles.


Evidence that populations of Dictyostelium single-copy mRNA transcripts carry common repeat sequences.

Two recombinant plasmids, M4 and KH10, carrying Dictyostelium DNA inserted into the Eco RI restriction endonuclease site of pMB9 by poly(dA)-poly(dT) tailing, were selected for study because they are complementary to abundant mRNA populations from Dictyostelium. Both plasmids have been shown to hybridize a heterogeneous size class of mRNAs which, in the case of KH10, comprise 5-10% of the pulse-labeled poly(A)+ RNA from vegetative cells. Analysis of the sequence organization of the two pieces of Dictyostelium DNA shows that they consist mostly of single-copy sequences with a short DNA sequence which is repeated in the genome and interspersed with single-copy DNA. These and other results suggest that the majority of the hybridization of pulse-labeled mRNA to M4 and KH10 is to the short "repeated" DNA sequences. In the genome, members of these repeat families appear to be transcribed onto a population of different single-copy mRNAs. Additional results show that M4 DNA contains a sequence which is entirely complementary to a discrete mRNA.


Conservation of sequences in related genomes of Apodemus: constraints on the maintenance of satellite DNA sequences.

Satellites from two related species of the Apodemus genus, A. sylvaticus and A. flavicollis, have been analysed with restriction enzymes Taq I, Alu I and Hind III. The restriction maps are closely conserved between species and show a novel feature of two differing internal periodicities within a 375 base pair repeating unit detected by two different restriction enzymes. This places constraints on the introduction of the observed restriction sites according to current models such as unequal crossing-over. The implications of such a conserved sequence and its presence in other species are discussed.


Rat growth hormone gene: intervening sequences separate the mRNA regions.

Rat genomic DNA was digested with various restriction endonucleases, separated by gel electrophoresis and hybridized to 125 I-labeled mRNA for the precursor protein to growth hormone. Restriction sites were found within the genomic DNA that were not found in the previously reported DNA sequence corresponding to the mRNA (19). It appears that the gene for growth hormone contains intervening sequences separating the DNA regions that specify mRNA sequences.


Restriction endonuclease mapping of the human gamma globin gene loci.

The restriction endonuclease sites in and around the human gamma globin gene loci have been mapped using the gel blotting technique of Southern, in both normal DNA and DNA from an individual with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). In normal DNA, the gamma genes are linked to the delta (and beta) globin genes, and the orientation of these genes with respect to transcription is (5') G gamma leads to A gamma leads to delta leads to beta (3'). The distance between the G gamma and A gamma genes is 3.5 kb and that between the A gamma and delta genes is 16 kb. In both normal DNA and HPFH DNA, the gamma genes are interrupted by an intervening sequence, approximately 1 kb in length that is situated between codon positions 99 and 121 of the coding sequence. In different DNA samples, there is polymorphism for the presence or absence of a Hind III site in the intervening sequence of either gamma golbin gene. In HPFH DNA, a deletion of at least 16 kb of DNA has been detected. This deletion starts at a point approximately 12.5 kb from the 3'-end of A gamma gene and extends through the delta and beta globin genes to a point at least 3 kb beyond the 3'-end of beta globin gene.


A strategy of DNA sequencing employing computer programs.

With modern fast sequencing techniques and suitable computer programs it is now possible to sequence whole genomes without the need of restriction maps. This paper describes computer programs that can be used to order both sequence gel readings and clones. A method of coding for uncertainties in gel readings is described. These programs are available on request.


Polynucleotides. LVII. Synthesis and properties of poly (2'-chloro-2'-deoxyinosinic acid).

Poly (2'-chloro-2'-deoxyinosinic acid) [poly(Icl)] was synthesized from Icl 5'-DP by polymerization with polynucleotide phosphorylase. UV absorption properties of poly(Icl) are very similar to those of poly(I). Poly(Icl) adopted a multi-stranded ordered form in the presence of 0.95M Na ion. The Tm value of this form was 36 degrees, which resembles that of poly(I) quadruple-stranded form at high salt. CD spectra also suggested presence of these two forms. Upon mixing with poly(C), poly-(Icl) forms a double-stranded 1 : 1 complex, which had very similar Tm-log[Na+] relationship to that of poly(I) . poly(C). Thus it was concluded that the chlorine substitution at 2'-position of the polynucleotide had the similar effect to OH on physical properties of polynucleotides.


Isolation of the lysozyme gene of chicken.

The lysozyme gene has been purified by molecular cloning from two chicken gene libraries. Several recombinant phages harbouring sequences homologous to a plasmid carrying a double stranded lysozyme cDNA have been isolated. One recombinant appears to carry an entire lysozyme gene. Electron microscopic studies show that the latter is split by at least three introns. The length of the gene is about 3.9 kb, 6 times longer than lysozyme mRNA.


The nucleotide sequence of a UGA suppressor serine tRNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The UGA suppressor tRNA produced by Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain sup3-e was purified to homogeneity. It can be aminoacylated with a serine by a crude aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase preparation from S. pombe cells. By combining post-labeling fingerprinting and gel sequencing methods the nucleotide sequence of this tRNA was determined to be: pG-U-C-A-C-U-A-U-G-U-C-ac4C-G-A-G-D-G-G-D-D-A-A-G-G-A-m2G2-psi-U-A-G-A-N-U-U-C-A-i6A-A-psi-C-U-A-A-U-G-G-G-C-U-U-U-G-C-C-C-G-m5C-G-G-C-A-G-G-T-psi-C-A-m1A-A-U-C-C-U-G-C-U-G-G-U-G-A-C-G-C-C-A OH. The anticodon sequence u ca is complementary to the UGA codon.


Cloning of double stranded DNAs derived from polysomal mRNA of maize endosperm: isolation and characterisation of zein clones.

Starting from polysomal RNA of developing maize endosperm and applying the cloning procedure of integrating dsDNA into the Pst I site of plasmid pBR 322, clones containing sequences complementary to endosperm mRNAs were obtained. 25 per cent of these clones were identified as containing zein specific DNA sequences which hybridized either with the zein mRNA coding for the 22 000 Mr protein or with the zein mRNA coding for the 19 000 Mr protein. The zein-specific DNA inserts of the recombinant plasmids were further characterized by restriction enzyme analysis.


The chicken conalbumin gene: studies of the organization of cloned DNAs.

The construction of a double-stranded conalbumin cDNA plasmid (1) has allowed us to investigate the structure of the conalbumin gene. Restriction enzyme mapping of chicken genomic DNA reveals that the conalbumin gene is split and is contained in three EcoRI fragments "a", "b", "b" and "c" which have sizes of 10.7, 4 and 2.5 kb, respectively. Analysis with specific probes shows that the orientation of these fragments with respect to transcription is 5'-"b", "c" and "a"-3. The fragments Eco "b", Eco "c" and part of Eco "a" have been isolated by molecular cloning from three different "libraries". Electron microscopic studies of hybrids between cloned DNA's and conalbumin mRNA show that one of the isolated clones, lambda C4-conl, contains the coding sequences for the first 940 nucleotides of the mRNA (out of 2400). This region is highly split, since it contains seven short exonic sequences separated by six intervening sequences. The DNA region coding for these 940 nucleotides is 5 times longer than the mRNA coding sequences, a ratio very similar to that found for other chicken genes.


The structure of the human beta-globin gene in beta-thalassaemia.

Twenty-one cases of beta 0 and beta +-thalassaemia have been analysed by restriction endonuclease mapping. In most cases no deletion in the regions surrounding the beta- and delta-globin genes could be detected. However, in a single Asian case of beta 0-thalassaemia, homozygous clinically, one of the homologous chromosomes contained a beta-globin gene with a deletion of 600 base pairs of DNA and comprising most or all of the 3' end of the structural gene including the EcoRI restriction site within the beta-globin coding sequence.


Heterogeneity of the chromosome fiber.

Evidence is presented that the 250 A thick chromosome fiber consists of clusters of nucleosomes (superbeads) which are heterogeneous in size. In bovine lymphocyte chromatin their number average corresponds to about 12 nucleosomes.


Parental adenovirus DNA accumulates in nucleosome-like structures in infected cells.

Micrococcal-nuclease digestion of adenovirus 2(ad 2) infected HeLa cell nuclei early after infection has been used to investigate the nucleoprotein nature of parental viral DNA. Viral DNA is more susceptible to nuclease digestion than cellular DNA. The pattern of digestion products changes as digestion proceeds from an indistinct pattern 1 hour post infection(pi) to a nucleosome-like pattern at 6 hours pi. The major differences between viral and cellular nucleoprotein products were i) a subnucleosome fraction from viral DNA and ii) the repeat size of DNA in viral nucleosomes was 165 base pairs and in cellular nucleosomes, 195 base pairs. Up to 50% viral DNA in nuclei 6 hours pi seems to be in nucleosome-like structures. Such patterns are not seen on digestion of partially-uncoated virus or isolated cores.


Influence of nucleotide sequence on dA.dT-specific binding of Netropsin to double stranded DNA.

Using CD measurements the complex formation of Netropsin (Nt) with poly(dA-dC).poly(dT-dG) and its stability against high salt concentrations is compared with that of poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dA-dT).POLY(DT-dA). It is experimentally shown that the insertion of a dG.dC pair in dA.dT sequences strongly reduces the specific interaction of Nt with DNA duplexes. The specificity of the interaction is strongly increased by two or more consecutive thymine residues as present in thymine isostichs of double stranded DNA's.


Effect of 5-alkyl substitution of uracil on the thermal stability of poly [d(A-r5U)] copolymers.

The thermal transition of poly[d(A-r5U)] polydeoxynucleotides (where r was a hydrogen atom, or a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl or n-pentyl group) was studied by measuring the derivative melting profiles of the polymers in the range of 0.01--0.36 M K+, at pH 6.8. According to the Tm values, polydeoxynucleotide analogues show lower thermal stability than poly[d(A-T)] at any counterion concentration applied. At a given salt concentration, Tm of the alkyl analogues decreased as the number of carbon atoms (n) in the r substituent of poly[d(A-r5U)] increased. 1/Tm plotted against against 1/n yielded a linear relationship. Cooperativity of the melting of all poly[d(A--U)] analogues decreased with the increase of salt concentration in the solution. This change depended again on 5-substitution of the uracil moiety of poly[d(A-U)]. Smallest decrease was observed in the case of poly[d(A--U)] whereas largest decrease was shown by poly[d(A-pe5U)] (pe=pentyl group).


Cations and the accessibility of chromatin to nucleases.

When rat liver nuclei prepared with polyamines as stabilising cations are digested with DNAase II, release of both inactive chromatin and Mg-soluble, active chromatin is greatly reduced, in comparison to digestion of liver nuclei prepared with Mg2+ as stabilising cation. Chromatin release from polyamine stabilised nuclei is also inhibited relative to Mg-stabilised nuclei following digestion with micrococcal nuclease under two very different cation conditions. Nuclei prepared with polyamines and monovalent ions as stabilising cations exhibit properties intermediate between these two extremes with both nucleases. These effects are due to residual binding of polyamines to chromatin, which is thus maintained in a condensed state, inaccessible to nucleases. Since polyamine binding is not easily reversed, concentrations of polyamines and other cations must be rigidly controlled in experiments on chromatin structure if artefacts are to be avoided. The significance of these findings to the nature and properties of active chromatin within the intact nucleus is considered.


The value of nerve biopsies.

A short review on the usefullness of nerve biopsies is given. After a short description of the features of axonal degeneration and demyelination the possibility of diagnosing neurolipidoses from nerve biopsies is stressed.


Some remarks on assessing morphologic changes in old, demented people.

Some aspects of quantitative assessment of senile and vascular changes in brains of old, demented people are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed upon neuritic plaque count and upon the amount of softened brain parenchyma relative to the degree of intellectual deterioration. The functional significance of the topography of ischemic lesions is stressed in some cases.


Morphologic findings in central bronchi correlated to lung function data in obstructive airways disease.

Quantitative analyses of morphologic findings are the condition of clinico-pathological correlation studies. These quantitative analyses are possible by morphometry. The present correlation study shows that morphometry may therefore contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of obstructive airways disease: decreasing bronchial lumen and increasing volume of grandular ducts are correlated to increasing airways resistances (clinical parameters: RAW, FEV1). Increasing volume of bronchial muscles is correlated with resistance of airways at quiet breathing (RAW) and less with increasing residual volume (RV). Increasing volume of bronchial glands and glandular ducts is correlated with increasing resistance at forced expiration which is clinically shown by decreasing FEV1. These findings can be interpreted as follows. Airway resistances are mainly influenced by airway narrowing. At quiet breathing, muscle constriction is an additional cause of increasing airflow resistance due to bronchial narrowing. At forced expiration, however, mucus plugs probably limit the airflow because thickening of bronchial glands points to increased secretory activity. Until now it is not possible to understand why bronchial muscle volume correlates with residual volume.


The morphologic diagnosis of analgesic (phenacetin) abuse.

A number of different morphologic characteristics were examined to determine their relative values in establishing a purely morphologic diagnosis of phenacetin abuse. These included hyperpigmentation of the skin, the costal cartilages, the liver, and the renal tubules, and capillarosclerosis of the lower urinary tract. Hyperpigmentation of the skin, liver, and renal tubules cannot be used in the diagnosis of phenacetin abuse. Massive brown pigmentation of the costal cartilages in patients under 60 years of age suggests phenacetin abuse, but even this morphologic parameter, when used alone, is insufficient to establish a definite diagnosis. Capillarosclerosis in the lower urinary tract does, however, permit one to diagnose phenacetin abuse with certainty, as it is found exclusively in this condition.


[Diagnostic progress in familial nephropathy. Alport's syndrome, nail-patella syndrome and benign familial hematuria (author's transl)].

Progress in the field of morphology and new insights in human genetics, have led to the early diagnosis of hereditary nephropathy in growing number of cases. Light microscopic findings are not specific. Using electron microscopy, however, cases with primary lesions of the peripheral glomerular basement membrane (Alport's syndrome, benign familial hematuria, nail-patella syndrome) exhibit pathognomonic morphologic changes even in early stages of the disease. Electron microscopy is thus the only effective diagnostic method in suspicious cases.


Lung biopsy: methods, value, complications, timing, and indications.

Six methods of lung biopsy are discussed on the basis of literature reports: 1. Aspiration biopsy by fine needle, 2. split needle biopsy (Vim-Silverman), 3. cutting needle biopsy (Travenol), 4. trephine biopsy by rotating needle, 5. transbronchial biopsy, 6. open biopsy. Because of the high risk, biopsies with thick needles (methods 2--4) should be abandoned. Transbronchial biopsy is renounced because reliable results are only achieved in sarcoidosis which can be clearly diagnosed in high percentage of cases by other less dangerous procedures. In solitary tumors which could not be diagnosed by any other means aspiration biopsy is indicated because of its low risk and its diagnostic accuracy of more than 80%. In disseminated pulmonary disorders which cannot be diagnosed by any other means open lung biopsy is the most reliable method. The lung specimens can be taken under eye control. They should contain tissue from the transitional zone between diseased and unchanged areas, however. The specimens are usually big enough for additional electron and fluorescence microscopic examinations as well as dust analyses. The pathologist must be aware of all clinical data including X-ray pictures, laboratory findings, case history, and history of occupational and nonoccupational dust exposure. If these conditions are fulfilled and adequate methods are applied, lung biopsy provides diagnosis and prognosis, makes causal therapy possible, and amplifies the medical knowledge of pulmonary diseases.


Effect of cortisone and X-irradiation on cellular depletion and regeneration in the thymus of mice: experimental discrimination between thymus lymphocyte precursors in the bone marrow and in the thymus.

The effect of cortisone treatment on the ability of bone marrow cells to repopulate X-irradiated thymus was investigated. In one experimental series, groups of mice were treated first with cortisone and then irradiated with or without bone marrow protection. Mice treated with either cortisone or radiation alone served as controls. During an initial, bone marrow independent phase of thymus regeneration, cortisone had a stronger inhibitory effect on the cellular regeneration of the organ than irradiation. On the other hand, during a subsequent bone marrow dependent phase, thymus regeneration was impaired by radiation exposure but not by cortisone treatment. In another experimental series, irradiated mice were transplanted with bone marrow cells in different numbers from syngeneic donors which had either been treated with cortisone or were left untreated. Twenty days later the cell number was consistently larger in the thymus of animals which has been transplanted with cortisone treated bone marrow than in the animals transplanted with untreated bone marrow. It is concluded that the thymus lymphocyte precursors in the bone marrow and the early precursors of thymocytes in the thymus differ with regard to their sensitivity to cortisone and radiation and, therefore, may represent two distinct cell types.


Morphologic and cell kinetic investigations of the spleen after repeated in situ freezing of liver and kidney.

In order to evaluate a possible primary or secondary immunologic response of the spleen after single or repeated in situ freezing of parenchymal organs such as liver and kidney within a four week period, light microscopic and cell kinetic investigations with tritiated thymidine were performed on spleens of non-germfree rats. Sham operations served as controls. The sham operations did not induce any significant morphological or cell kinetic changes in the splenic white pulp. After cryolesions were produced in the liver and kidney, the percentages of activated germinal centers, labeled germinal center cells, and cells in the perifollicular area of the lymphatic mantle and marginal zones increased, with maxima during the first 3 days. The investigations show that the cellular reaction of the spleen starts earlier and is more prominent after repeated in situ freezing than after a single cryolesion. These findings point to an immunologic response of the anamnestic type, and correspond to results after repeated freezing of normal and malignant tissue of the urogenital tract. These cell kinetic results are important in the evaluation of further immunologic studies involving the cryotherapy of malignant tissues.


Iron negative foci and nodules in safrole-exposed mouse liver made siderotic by iron-dextran injection.

A procedure for the production of mouse hepatic siderosis is described which results in extensive iron deposition in all lobular zones. Mice exposed to safrole for 24 weeks displayed basophilic and acidophilic foci which did not accumulate iron. 36 weeks of dietary safrole exposure resulted in nodular lesions comprised of basophilic and hyalinized cells. The nodules displayed decreased or negative reactions for iron in hepatic parenchymal cells when the surrounding liver was siderotic.


Chronic anterior tibial compartment syndrome. A light-microscopic, histochemical and electronmicroscopic analysis.

A case of chronic anterior tibial compartment syndrome is reported where the entity was accompanied with a primary neurogenic type of muscle atrophy. Histology, histochemistry and electronmicroscopy indicated the diagnosis. The authors concluded that in a moderate case of leg trauma with peroneal nerve involvement, when it is complicated by intermittent arterial spasm, the anterior tibial compartment syndrome may develop chronically.


Tritiated thymidine autoradiographic study on histogenesis and spreading of intestinal metaplasia in human stomach.

The non-diseased portions of the antral mucosa of patients suffering from gastric cancer or ulcer were biopsied. The biopsy specimens were then labelled with 3H-thymidine in vitro, and distribution of the labelled epithelial cells in the normal pyloric and in the intestinalized mucosa was studied with autoradiography, and modes of histogenesis and spreading of the intestinal metaplasia were studied, and kinetic characteristics of the intestinalized mucosa were discussed. In the normal pyloric mucosa, the labelled cells were confined to the isthmus region (the middle one-third level of the mucosa), indicating that the surface epithelial and the pyloric glandular cells are normally replaced from the isthmus region. On the other hand, a zone of the labelled cells was found at the lower one-third level in the intestinalized mucosa. The absorptive and the goblet cells in the intestinalized mucosa appear to be renewed by about 70 hours in a fashion similar to that of the small intestine. Microscopic and autoradiographic analysis of the antral mucosa in the course of intestinalization indicates that the intestinal metaplasia begins in the isthmus region of the pyloric glandular tubules of an intact mucosa unaffected by gross injury through transformation of the generative cells from a pyloric to an intestinal pattern. This permits the pyloric lining cells to be replaced with intestinal villous cells and also permits the generative cell zone of the intestinal tubules to shift from the isthmus to the base of the gland until the process is complete. The downward shift of the intestinal tubules occurs in a framework of one of the branched pyloric glands and other glands disappear, resulting in a change of mucosal architectures of the antrum from a branched to a simple tubular gland. The intestinal metaplasia spreads in the mucosa through multi-focal (and sporadical) transformation of the neck generative cells in individual glandular tubules.


Relation of adenomatous hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa to carcinogenesis.

Experimental studies of stomach carcinogenesis were carried out in two series of Wistar rats (66 and 174 animals). In both series submucosal foci of adenomatous hyperplasia were observed either without atypia, or with atypia at different, gradually increasing degrees. The number of these focal lesions in the submucosa (87 in the first series) was smaller than that of focal dysplastic changes with varying grades  of atypia within the mucosa. On the basis of different degrees of atypia observed in these adenomatous hyperplasias, we have to assume that a phase shifting occurs in those areas that show lower grades or absence of atypia. In the framework of carcinogenesis this kind of adenomatous hyperplasia is interpreted as an incomplete or incompletely persisting carcinogenesis. In analogy to our experimental findings we found identical lesions in three human cases where different grades of atypia were observed distant from the primary stomach cancer. These results are discussed with reference to the animal experiments and to the literature.


Loss of differentiation in intestinal metaplasia in cancerous stomachs. A comparative morphologic study.

229 stomachs resected for duodenal and gastric ulcer and carcinoma were examined with special regard to the morphological and histochemical pattern of intestinal metaplasia (IM). The results of qualitative and semiquantitative studies were analysed statistically. Whereas duodenal and gastric ulcer cases are best discriminated by the presence or absence of IM, the strongest discriminating factor between carcinoma and gastric ulcer is the content of goblet cells in metaplastic crypts. Metaplastic crypts lined exclusively with goblet cells producing sulfated acid glycoproteins could be identified in more than one third of the cancer cases. The increase in goblet cells coincides with a loss of the more differentiated cells in the metaplastic glands, such as enterocytes, APUD cells, or Paneth cells. This "enterocoli metaplasia" seems to be specific for cancer bearing mucosa and occurs more often in cancer of intestinal type; it may represent a form of a derepressive dedifferentiation. The significance of enterocoli metaplasia as a premalignant lesion remains to be elucidated.


Gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia versus benign ulcer in stomach and duodenum and gastric carcinoma -- a histotopographical study.

In histological examination of gastrectomy specimens from patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and early and advanced cancer, both chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were identified in 54% of the cases with duodenal ulcer. At 90 to 100%, respectively, these mucosal changes were approximately twice as frequent with gastric ulcer and early and advanced gastric cancer. Mild dysplasia occurred in 54% of the cases with duodenal ulcer; occurred somewhat more frequently with gastric ulcer, in 75% of the cases; and in almost all cases with early and advanced gastric cancer, at 90% and 100%, respectively. Whereas 27% of the cases with duodenal ulcer, 62% with gastric ulcer, and 90% and 95% of the respective cases with early and advanced gastric cancer showed moderate dysplasia, only severe dysplasia in early gastric cancer (40%) and advanced gastric (81%) was clearly more frequent in comparison to duodenal ulcer (9%) and gastric ulcer (12%). In the cases with duodenal ulcer chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were limited mostly to the antrum; with gastric ulcer and cancerous stomach disorders, they also occurred in other stomach sections. Mild and moderate dysplasia conformed to the same distribution pattern. Severe dysplasia, which was only detected in two ulcer cases, was not only substantially more frequent in cases with early and advanced gastric cancer, but also showed a clear topographic relationship to cancer localization in the stomach.


Incidence of epithelial dysplasia after partial gastric resection.

Because of the higher risk of cancer in the gastric stump, an increased incidence of pre-cancerous conditions should be exspected also in the resected stomach. Therefore, a combined endoscopic and bioptic study was performed in order to investigate the incidence of dysplasias in the gastric stump after resection for benign conditions. Among 101 patients with gastric resection, 2 cases were excluded from this study because of preceeding gastric cancer and one because of cancer of the gastric stump. In 43 of the remaining 98 patients, a Billroth-I-resection (gastroduodenostomy) had been carried out. In the remaining 55 patients with a Billroth-II-resection (gastroenterostomy) 9 had an additional enteroanastomosis of Braun whereas in the residual 46 patients this enteroanastomosis was lacking. This distinction was made because of a facultative or obligatory bile reflux. The average age of the B-I-group was 68 years, of the B-II-group with enteroanastomosis 69 years, and the B-II-group without enteroanastomosis 62 years. A non-operated group matched for age served as control group. Biopsy particles from the anastomotic region were gained by endoscopy and cut in step sections. The classification of dysplasias (degree I-III) followed the criteria given by Nagayo as modified by Grundmann. Inflammatory reactive changes were separated from these. A few changes could not be classified definitely and were listed as unclassified dysplasia. While dysplastic changes of low degree were quite numerous in every group, the dysplasias of higher degree were only found in a small number of cases. In the 46 cases with B-II-resection without Braun's enteroanastomosis, there were 5 dysplasia II and 3 dysplasia II. In the 9 cases with B-II-resection and with Braun's enteroanastomosis, there was 1 dysplasia I and no dysplasia III. In the 43 patient with B-I-resection only 2 dysplasia II and no dysplasia III were found. In the control group of 98 patients matched for age there were only 5 cases with dysplasia I and 1 case with dysplasia III. Patients with higher degrees of dysplasia showed a higher age and a longer interval after operation. There was also a correlation between higher degrees of dysplasia and severe atrophic changes in the mucosa. Correlating the degree of dysplasia with the reason for gastric resection, most of the dysplastic changes occurred in patients resected for gastric ulcer, whereas cases resected for duodenal ulcer showed only 2 dysplasias I. The discussion refers to the few data about dysplasia of the gastric stump available from the literature. Atrophic and increased regenerative changes obviously play a role in the pathogenesis of these dysplastic changes. As a causative factor the role of bile reflux is discussed. A further diagnostic and therapeutic regimen for the different forms of dysplasia is proposed.


Early gastric cancer: a morphological study of 144 cases.

Within 144 early gastric cancers (EGC), the ulcerated type was most frequent (54.2%), followed by the superfical (29.9%) and protruded types (16%). 10.4% of EGC originated from adenomatous polyps of gastric mucosa. No positive correlation between hyperplastic polyps and occurrence of EGC could be stated. Antrum and corpus regions were preferred localization of EGC, harboring about 90% of the tumors. Histologic classification according to Laurén (1965) proved to be very reliable, revealing an intestinal type of EGC in 53.1% and a diffuse type in 32.4%. Primary anaplastic tumors seem to be very rare. Intestinal types were predominant in males, especially in the elderly patient. In about 50% the tumor was still limited to the mucosa with the exception of Type I, since those tumors originating from polyp infiltrated submucosa above and those without evidence of a preceding polyp, below average.  Regional metastases were found in 4.2% with one primary tumor still limited to the mucosa. In the pure intestinal type of EGC metastases did not occur at all. Multicentricity of EGC was, with 2.8%, remarkably low, compared with the findings of others. Excluding malignancies, the only other noteworthy concurrent lesions were ulcer scars or chronic ulcers with 6.9% and B II resection for benign disease with 2.8%.


Is there a carcinoma in situ of gastric mucosa?

Carcinoma in situ, a precancerous lesion in the strict sense, was first recognized in stratified squamous epithelia. It is characterized by markedly atypical cells replacing the autochthonous epithelial cells without stromal invasion, the basement membrane being well preserved. Notwithstanding gradual transitions between carcinoma in situ on the one hand and dysplasias and invasive cancer on the other hand, its histological separation from the latter is feasible in the uterine portio. Its recognition has decisive therapeutic and prognostic implications, particularly in view of the frequently observed latent period between purely superficial spread and early invasive growth. In contrast difficulties are encountered in applying the concept of Carcinoma in situ to mucosal lesions of the stomach, though an analogous replacement stage has to be postulated, because the gastric and cervical mucous membranes differ fundamentally in their structural characteristics. The epithelial cells of the surface, pits and tubular glands do exhibit progressive atypia during cancerization. However, the single-layered epithelium offers far less distinctive criteria than the stratified squamous epithelium. Newly formed glandular complexes cannot be accepted as evidence for in situ growth. The latent period between purely superficial replacement by atypical cells and invasion appears to be considerably shorter in the stomach than in the portio, probably because the mechanical resistance of the loosely textured gastric lamina propria is small. In addition, stromal invasion may originate from any one epithelial cell in the gastric mucosa, whilst it is just the basal layer from which invasively growing cells may emanate in the uterine portio. The occurrence of dysplasia in the mucosa of the stomach does not justify a gastrectomy, according to our current experience, there being no intervention in gastric surgery equivalent to that of conization.


Approaches towards rational antiviral chemotherapy.

Present epidemic influenza is uncontrolled by immuno- or chemoprophylaxis. Mutants of varying antigenic composition arise with relatively high frequency in nature and are able to circumvent herd, or induced, immunity. Also, drug-resistant viruses can be selected in vitro and this resistance can be exchanged to other viruses by gene reassortment. Combined immuno- and chemoprophylaxis may provide a more effective approach to the ultimate control of the disease. Most antiviral compounds have been selected by random screening in the laboratory. Application of more specific enzyme assays such as the virion-associated RNA transcriptase assays may produce other compounds with a defined mode of action - semi-rational chemotherapy. RNA and polypeptide sequence studies are in progress elsewhere to define transcription and translation initiation sites or virus adsorption sites. Such knowledge could lead to a new generation of antiviral compounds. Specific delivery of virus inhibitory compounds is an interesting problem. Liposomes are lipid spheres, and these have been used for the delivery of antiviral compounds.


The human enteric coronaviruses.

A coronarirus was seen in the faeces from 15 (4.2%) of 355 adults with diarrhoea and from 5 (5.2%) of 96 adults without diarrhoea. Similar particles were seen in the faeces from 5 (2.2%) of 227 children aged 1--14 years with gastroenteritis, but in none of those from 230 infants under one year of age with gastroenteritis. There was no evidence that the coronavirus was responsible for any of 34 outbreaks of gastroenteritis, although it possibly caused diarrhoea in patients admitted to a psycho-geriatric unit. Excretion of the virus often continued for many months. One strain was propagated in human embryo kidney monolayers and human embryo intestinal organ cultures, although serial passage could not be accomplished.


The search for the ideal influenza vaccine.

The history of the development of influenza virus vaccine is traced from its origin with experimental studies of influenza virus in ferrets and mice and the first trials in man. Knowledge of the basis of immunity to the viruses in experimental animals and in man has grown steadily over the years and has been essential to successful immunization. Virus variation affecting the surface antigens of the virus is seen as the principal obstacle to the application of vaccines in man. So significant are the changes occurring during antigenic drift that former concepts of a polyvalent vaccine cannot provide a solution of the problem of the composition of vaccines. Disrupted virus vaccines appear to provide the answer to the prevention of vaccine reactions.


Antigenic memory to influenza A viruses in man determined by monovalent vaccines.

This study was conducted to test the limits of the doctrine of 'original antigenic sin' in influenza A. The design included use of zonal purified 1000 CCA (chick cell agglutinating) units monovalent vaccines consisting of H0N1, H1N1, H2N2 and H3N2. Age cohorts with different primary influenza A infections were established for the 687 volunteers. The vaccines administered to each age cohort were selected to test the responsiveness of original antigenic sin antibody to homologous and heterologous challenge. Anamnestic responses were demonstrated with Hsw1n1,H0N1, and H1N1 and with H2N2 and H3N2 but not between the groups. The synthesis of these findings is that there are 2 original antigenic sins - 2 families of influenza A viruses.


Pancreatitis in childhood.

Follow-up of 25 cases of pancreatitis in childhood ascertained from the Hospital Activity Analysis in Newcastle and Wales showed that the majority of the children thrived after their illness. Only one child died. Only 2 children developed diabetes mellitus and 3 had significant malabsorption. There were 13 idiopathic cases (9 acute, 4 chronic relapsing), 3 of which were obese girls of pubertal age. It is speculated that obesity, puberty and female sex together may predispose to acute pancreatitis.


Bile acid, neutral sterol and faecal fat excretion in subjects treated with fenfluramine and its relationship to fenfluramine-induced diarrhoea.

Bile acid, neutral sterol and faecal fat excretion was studied over a period of 9 weeks in a group of 16 healthy subjects before, during and after administration of fenfluramine. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in bile acid excretion during the drug phase (P less than 0.02); and during recovery period of 3 weeks (P less than 0.05). Faecal neutral sterol, as the total of coprostanol and cholesterol elimination was also enhanced after fenfluramine. Coprostanol was replaced by cholesterol in 12 subjects. Faecal fat was studied in 6 subjects, the excretion increased during the drug phase (P less than 0.05), and remained elevated during the post-drug period (P less than 0.01). The composition of the bile acids remained unaltered in all the subjects except 3 who had a fenfluramine-induced watery diarrhoea; and these excreted chenodeoxy and cholic together with smaller amounts of secondary bile acids. A higher excretion of bile acids was found in the 8 overweight subjects (P less than 0.01) before ministration of fenfluramine. These results are discussed in an attempt to correlate the effect of fenfluramine with changes in bile acid and neutral sterol excretion, and its relationship to fenfluramine-induced diarrhoea.


Influenza in a geriatric unit.

An outbreak of influenza A (resembling A/Victoria/3/75) occurred in 2 geriatric wards in February 1976 and, out of 19 patients, 3 died. Of the patients who were at risk, 30% were affected. Immunization for influenza in the elderly just before the winter is suggested. The procedure is simple and inexpensive. The recommendations of the DHSS (U.K.) for the use of influenza vaccine to practising doctors is, therefore, welcome. The suitable treatment appears to be that of repeated immunization with inactivated vaccine. Amantadine in the elderly population may also be effective, and is worthy of trial.


Progressive systemic sclerosis in the elderly.

There is evidence to suggest that the incidence of progressive systemic sclerosis in the elderly is more common than in younger age groups. As in younger patients, late onset cases may have minimal skin changes and this can cause difficulty in diagnosis. The case histories of 2 patients are presented to illustrate these points.


Riedel's thyroiditis leading to severe but reversible pituitary failure.

This patient with histologically proved Riedel's thyroiditis had hypothyroidism of sufficient severity to cause panhypopituitarism, and it was this which first brought him to medical attention. The beneficial effects are described of surgery in relieving severe dysphagia and stridor, and of prednisone in softening and shrinking the hard neck mass. The extent of pituitary failure, and the degree of recovery on treatment with thyroxine are reported, together with details of 4 other cases of Riedel's thyroiditis seen by one of the authors (S.T.).


Ventricular fibrillation following high potency intravenous vitamin injection.

A 67-year-old woman developed ventricular fibrillation following Parenterovite injection. Subsequent post-mortem revealed normal coronary arteries. It is postulated that the high potency vitamin injection caused the arrhythmia.


Sarcoma obstructing right ventricular cavity: clinical, echocardiographic, haemodynamic and angiographic features.

Right atrial hypertension and pericardial effusion developed 2 years after mastectomy for fibrosarcoma. Clinical and echocardiographic features suggested right ventricular tumour. At catheterization the right ventricular cavity was almost obliterated, with an infundibular gradient of 13 mmHg, and biopsy of the mass was attempted. Post-mortem revealed extensive infiltrating and intracavitary right ventricular fibrosarcoma without extracardiac tumour.


Interatrial abscess.

A large abscess of the interatrial septum developed during the course of acute bacterial endocarditis affecting the aortic valve. Septic involvement of the cardiac conducting system produced atrioventricular dissociation, and subsequent abscess rupture resulted in an aorto-right atrial communication. The clinical presentation of this rare complication of acute bacterial endocarditis is correlated with the post-mortem findings.


Isolated perforation of the gall bladder following blunt abdominal trauma.

Isolated perforation of the gall bladder as a consequence of blunt abdominal injury is rare. A single case is described which illustrates several features which may characterize this lesion.


Chronic ulcerative jejunitis without symptoms.

A patient is presented who, in addition to subtotal villous atrophy, had superficial ulcers of the jejunum, as well as a wide band of granulation tissue deep to the crypts suggesting recurrent past ulceration. In spite of these changes she had no intestinal symptoms at the time of her presentation with reflux oesophagitis, and her only nutritional abnormality was a mild folate deficiency. Withdrawal of dietary gluten produced some improvement of the jejunal mucosa but this was not sustained on continued low-grade ingestion. She has containued to be virtually symptom-free over a 3-year period of follow-up.


Leiomyoma of the duodenum--an unusual presentation of a rare tumour.

A case of leiomyoma of the duodenum presenting with sub-acute intestinal obstruction and a palpable abdominal mass is described. Both the siting of the lesion in the duodenum and a presentation other than gastro-intestinal bleeding are unusual for this type of tumour.


[Psychosomatic medicine in intensive care units (author's transl)].

Psychosomatic medicine in intensive care units is essentially characterized by problems arising from the emotional involvement of the intensive care unit team. That is why the functions of a psychosomaticist are not only the diagnostics of psychosyndromes and the psychotherapy of dangerously ill patients, but especially the study of psychological interrelations within the unit team. Hypochondriac depressive psychosyndromes caused by the experience of dread, confusion, exhaustion and communication problems, as well as psychosyndromes characterized by a reduction of consciousness and orientation are discussed. Anaclitic psychotherapy, i.e. supporting and encouraging care, and emergency psychotherapy actually required in precarious situations, are described. The specific interrelations within and between the individual groups of the intensive care unit team (physicians, female and male nurses), which are important to the working conditions in the unit, and the possibilities of their psychological activation (e. g. in Balint groups) are outlined. The status and responsibility of a psychosomaticist within the unit team is critically reflected. Finally, the permanent confrontation of the team with death and dying is emphasized, and the psychological aspect of discontinuing intensive care is discussed.


[A retrospective study of the impressions and psychic reactions experienced by patients in a traumatological intensive care unit (author's transl)].

30 persons who had been treated for an average of 22 days on a traumatological intensive care unit were asked to comment on their impressions and experiences. 80% of the patients had been in need of artificial respiration; but this had not unduly distressed them and they remembered it only vaguely. The major worry in 30% of the cases was awareness of their condition and the fear of permanent physical and mental disablement. 25% had greatly suffered from thirst. There was no mention that finding themselves in an intensive care ward, being dependent on a respirator or monitoring equipment or being disorientated had caused distress. None of them had seriously contemplated the possibility of his own death. The frequent visits by relatives were regarded as great comfort and help towards achieving mental equilibrium. All these critically ill persons were highly impressed by the constant and dedicated medical and nursing care they had received.