Effect of interaction of volatile anesthetics and high hydrostatic pressure on central neurons.

Autoactive neurons in the central nervous system of Helix and Aplysia were studied after exposure to several volatile anesthetics and under compression by mineral oil. Voltage clamp studies reveal that halothane will eliminate the slow inward current that underlies oscillatory activity in burster neurons, while high pressure shifts the negative resistance region of the current without causing its elimination. Simultaneous application of the anesthetic and pressure results in the loss of inward current over a time course similar to that of halothane application alone. It is concluded that in this system, pressure and anesthetics are not acting antagonistically at the site in the membrane that controls slow wave conductances.


Bubble production in agarose gels subjected to different decompression schedules.

The relative effectiveness of seven different (military, commercial, and experimental) decompression schedules in reducing bubble formation within aqueous gels has been evaluated quantitatively under rigorously controlled conditions. Specifically, visual counts have been conducted of the bubbles formed in highly purified agarose gels subjected to the different decompression schedules. The order of effectiveness among these schedules in reducing bubble formation in the agarose gel samples was as follows: Model 1 greater than Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory approximately French Ministry of Labor greater than Yount et al. greater than Japanese Department of Labor greater than United States Navy greater than French Navy. It was concluded that the depth at which slow decompression commences is a major factor, along with the total decompression time, in determining the extent of bubble formation.


Correlation between decompression sickness and circulating bubbles in 232 divers.

Doppler monitoring examinations were carried out during 67 simulated helium-oxygen dives in the pressure chambers of the Centre d'Etudes Hyperbares (CEH) COMEX Marseille, and involved a total of 232 COMEX professional divers. Three to five detections were done in each 24-h period, each consisting of an observation at rest and an observation after deep knee bends. Recordings of the Doppler signals were subsequently analyzed by experienced listeners and graded according to the system described by Spencer and Johanson (1974). The two vestibular decompression accidents in this series were associated with bubble scores of grade 3 at rest; one occurred during the rapid initial phase of a bounce dive decompression and the other after return to the storage depth after an excursion dive. Twenty-five cases of muscular or joint pains were observed. A higher incidence of this type of problem was found with higher bubble grades in general, although it was not possible to predict pain.


Radionuclide evaluation of renal function.

The renal scintillation camera study and the excretory urogram should be considered to be complementary studies. The renal scintillation camera study provides an accurate evaluation of changes in total, differential, and segmental renal function but affords only a gross assessment of anatomic changes. The excretory urogram provides superior information about renal anatomic changes but only inferior information about functional changes of the kidney. The advantages of a renal scintillation camera study with regard to the patient are that it is done in a state of normal hydration, it requires no bowel preparation, it is not associated with allergic reactions, it provides a low radiation exposure, and it is a noninvasive procedure for differential renal function which requires no ureteral catheters.


CT scanning in urology.

More efficient patient management, including a decrease in the length of hospital stay and a decrease in patient medical cost, may be achieved in many instances by use of the CT scanner. The clinical efficacy of this noninvasive imaging technique must continue to be judged by comparison with conventional uroradiologic techniques and careful cost analysis, but the CT scan is becoming an accepted means of assessment and diagnosis of urinary tract problems. As the technology continues to improve so will our ability to diagnose and define the extent of disease within the urinary tract.


Torsion of the testis: techniques of assessment.

Results of treatment of torsion of the testicle can be measured only by determining the rate of testicular salvage, which has been low but has improved in recent years. The Doppler instruments and the technique of scrotal imaging with the gamma camera provide noninvasive and rapid diagnostic aids with a high degree of accuracy. There is evidence that these techniques will aid in the differential diagnosis of equivocal cases, and thus lower the incidence of delay in the diagnosis of torsion, a cause of lower than optimal salvage rates in the past. Fluorescein staining can also be used in the operating room if there is a question of testicular viability. The availability of these new modalities, however, is no substitute for early evaluation. Quick referral from primary physicians and a high awareness of torsion as a cause of acute scrotal pain and swelling are extremely important. Reviews clearly indicate that improved salvage rates are achieved with early evaluation and treatment. Therefore the urologist has a continuing responsibility to educate pediatricians, family practitioners, and emergency room physicians in the urgency of diagnosis and treatment in cases of testicular torsion. Although  new diagnostic aids are useful, only early surgical exploration can save a torsive testis.


Immunopathological changes in cadmium-treated rats.

Rats treated with cadmium developed an interstitial pneumonitis with intraalveolar hemorrhage. In the spleen there was marked germinal center formation containing reactive B-cells. Lesions of the kidneys resembled those found in cadmium poisoning in man, primarily a proliferative glomerulonephritis.


The pathology of nephrotoxicity of gentamicin in snakes. A model for reptilian gout.

Two gopher snakes (Pitophis melanoleucus catenifer) each were given 5 mg/kg body weight gentamicin every 72 hours (group 1); two snakes each were given 5 mg/kg/day (group 2). Doses for both groups were given over a 2-week period. After the second week, the dose for one snake in each group was increased to 50 mg/kg/day for 2 more weeks and then discontinued. Weekly renal biopsies taken from snakes in group 1 showed no abnormalities by light microscopy during and at the completion of the experiment. Snakes in group 2 had cloudy swelling of the proximal tubules at 2 and 4 weeks after the gentamicin was administered. Snakes given the high dose of gentamicin had hydropic degeneration of the proximal tubules 2 weeks after the dose was raised to 50 mg/kg/day. This progressed to tubular necrosis 1 week after the gentamicin was discontinued. These snakes (high dose) also developed visceral gout, apparently as the result of the extensive tubular necrosis. Tophi were in the pericardium, serosal membranes and parenchyma of the kidneys, liver, spleen and lungs.


Prognosis after surgical excision of canine melanomas.

One hundred and thirty-four dogs from which melanomas had been excised were studied until death or for at least 2 years after surgery. Seven of 49 (14%) intraoral and lip tumours and 52 of 85 (61%) skin tumours were histologically benign; in spite of this, three of seven (43%) "benign" oral and four of 52 (8%) "benign" skin lesions led to the eventual death of the host. Thirty eight of 42 (90%) dogs with a histologically malignant melanoma of the lip or oral cavity died because of the tumour but only 15 of 33 (45%) with malignant skin melanomas died. Six of 59 (10%) dogs with a tumour of mitotic index 2 or less died from the tumour 2 years after surgery compared to 19 of 26 (73%) dogs having a tumour with a mitotic index of 3 or more.


Anomalous development of the spinal cord in a calf.

A full term Friesian bull calf was born unable to stand. The dam had no signs of illness during pregnancy. In the thoracic spinal cord there was anomalous development of the central canal and a dorsally placed fusiform and longitudinal dilatation. Mild inflammatory lesions were seen in some body organs and central nervous system where they were suggestive of viral infection. Several skeletal muscles had an extended range of muscle cell cross sectional areas and some cells had numerous internal nuclei.


Bovine nasal granuloma. Gross and microscopic lesions.

The anterior nasal mucosa of 21 cattle had small closely-packed polypoid nodules. These had a distribution pattern similar to that of inhaled particles. Acute inflammatory changes consisting of eosinophil infiltration, mast cell and globule leucocyte hyperplasia, and oedema were frequent in the epithelium, terminal gland ducts and adjacent lamina propria. Epithelium over nodules was metaplastic to non-keratinising stratified squamous, whilst epithelium of terminal gland ducts was metaplastic to mucus-secreting pseudostratified columnar. Focal accumulation of granulation tissue between gland ducts caused herniations of the superficial lamina propria to form the nodules.


Juvenile acinar atrophy of the pancreas of a dog.

A dog with juvenile acinar atrophy of the pancreas had degranulation and loss of the acinar cells. Transitional features from normal to degranulation were seen. Electron microscopically, the atrophic pancreas mainly consisted of epithelial cells of duct system, islet cells and multivesicular cells.


Spontaneous cryptosporidiosis in an adult female rabbit.

An asymptomatic adult female rabbit had intestinal cryptosporidiosis. The ileum had blunted villi, a decrease in villus-crypt ratio and a mild edema in the lamina propria. Transmission electron microscopy showed the parasite to be a Cryptosporidium similar to those reported in mouse, guinea pig, lamb, calf, horse, monkey and man. This organism is referred to as Cryptosporidium cuniculus. Scanning electron microscopy on ileal mucosa showed altered intestinal microvilli in the attachment of the cryptosporidia. It is postulated that the organism was enveloped by the microvilli of the ileal epithelial cells which then fused and formed a continuous double membrane around the parasite.


Baccalaureate program in toxicology.

A meaningful baccalaureate program in toxicology will help meet the critical manpower needs in this field. A strong undergraduate program in toxicology also will benefit the science of toxicology by: (1) Relieving PhD toxicologists from more routine tasks they perform: (2) informing bright young scientists, earlier in their careers, about potential careers in toxicology; and (3) developing wider public acceptance for toxicology and safety assessment.


A simple method for the purification of poplar mosaic virus and onion yellow dwarf virus by low centrifugal forces.

A simple method for the purification of poplar mosaic virus and onion yellow dwarf virus by low centrifugal forces is described. The method yields a high concentration of purified virus, avoiding virus aggregation or fragmentation.


Prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs among delivering women.

A survey of 2,500 delivering women revealed a 7.6% incidence of past infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (HBsAg or anti-HBs). Only 5.9% of the anti-HBs-positive mothers had a possible history of parenteral exposure to hepatitis B and none of the 55 HBsAg carriers had such a history. The findings suggest that HBV is endemic and that it is probably spread in part by nonparenteral means. The high rates of HBsAg and anti-HBs point to the possible preventive value of routine screenings for this system among pregnant women.


Prevalence of mycoplasma in the genital tract of pregnant women. Preliminary data.

The prevalence of Myoplasma hominis and "T" strains was investigated in 175 pregnant women in the 12th--40th week of pregnancy. It was possible to isolate the "T" strain from 30.3%, M. hominis from 11.4% and both strains from 9.7% of the women.


Specific prophylaxis of enzootic chlamydial ovine abortion.

A vaccine against chlamydial ovine abortion was prepared according to an original method and experimentally applied to more than 500,000 animals in large breeding units. The vaccine induced a considerable seroconversion (as demonstrated by complement fixation tests) and reduced by 3--5 times the damage due to chlamydioses. Vaccination of primiparous ewes, followed by 2--3 annual revaccinations, gave good results, conferring resistance on the vaccinated animals.


Stability of antimeasles vaccine under the influence of some physical and chemical factors.

A study on the stability of lyophilized and rehydrated measles vaccines under the influence of temperature and light was undertaken. After rehydration there was a considerable decrease in the potency of the vaccine, even when stored at +4 degrees C-- +8 DEGREES C and in the dark. Out of the several drugs tested, the commercially available drug AS was found to have a stabilizing effect on measles vaccine infectivity.


Influenza hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies in hospitalized children. Distribution of specific activity into IgM, IgG and IgA classes.

Sera from 75 children hospitalized with a clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory virus disease were tested by hemagglutination-inhibition as regards influenza A2 and B antibody shifts. In 48 patients there was an antibody shift during the clinical evolution of the disease (against influenza A2 in 34, B-- in 11, A2 and B in 3cases). A significant proportion of sera with antibody shift associated with a decrease of serum IgG levels and with an increase of serum IgM and IgA levels.


Epidemiological investigations on viral hepatitis in preschool and school communities. Note I. Prevalence and incidence of viral hepatitis and the role of the community in transmission.

A transversal and longitudinal epidemiological follow up was undertaken of the viral hepatitis cases occurring in two types of children communities (kindergartens and schools). The role of organized communities in the spread of hepatitis viruses and the contribution of external factors to the maintenance of hepatitis endemicity are discussed.


Investigations on the presence of antibodies to Tahyna virus in Romania.

Serological results are presented of the HAI reaction to Tahyna virus performed in 1,749 apparently healthy subjects from two countries of Romania where Culex pipiens mosquitoes occur frequently, in 113 febrile patients (some of which exhibited signs of interstitial pneumonia) and in 675 domestic animals (swine, cattle, sheep and goats).


Subfractionation of CsCl-purified H-1 parvovirus on metrizamide gradients.

The different density classes of H-l parvovirus, collected within 30 hr of infection of par-asynchronous cultures, following the standard CsCl purification step, have been shown to be heterogeneous. Rebanding of the denser form (HF, p = 1.46 g/cm3) and the less dense form (LF, p = 1.42 g/cm3) of infectious virus in the nonionic density generating solute, metrizamide, showed that both HF and LF virus bands were heterogeneous in density. The infectivity banded with isotopically labeled virus protein and DNA at 1.32 g/cm3 for both HF and LF virus. Amounts of protein and DNA which varied from preparation to preparation, but which were greater from the HF virus band, were distributed throughout the rest of the gradient, but predominated in a peak at a density of 1.2 g/cm3. The protein in this peak was without hemagglutinating activity but had the molecular weights and proportions of the H-l virion proteins (VPl, VP2', and VPZ). The DNA was of the same size as H-l DNA monomers and its proportion to the protein was similar to that of the infectious peak. The DNA was susceptible to micrococcal nuclease digestion. The nature of this noninfectious viral material thus seemed to be incompletely assembled virus. Radiolabeled H-l virus collected after 72 hr of infection formed a discrete single peak in both CsCl (p = 1.42 g/cm3), and metrizamide gradients (p = 1.32 g/cm3). There was no significant amount of the 1.20 g/cm3 viral protein-DNA complex in these mature preparations.


[Testosterone, epitestosterone and total estrogen excretion in men with cancer of certain localizations].

To obtain more insight into the problem on the concentration of active androgens in the male organism, the diurnal elimination of testosterone, epitestosterone and estrogens in the urine of male patients with cancer of the lung, urinary bladder, larynx and prostate (321 patients), in stage II--III, was estimated. In patients with cancer of the lung and urinary bladder testosterone was found to be lowered, while total estrogens--lowered or unchanged irrespective of age, a relative hyperestrogenization being noted in them. Contrary, in cancer of the larynx and prostate the male hormones were predominating over female ones (hyperandrogenization). In all the examined patients irrespective of the tumor process localization a relative or even absolute predominance of epitestosterone over testosterone was evident.


[State of hypophyseal thyrotropic function in the complex treatment of thyroid cancer].

Radioimmune assay of the hypophyseal thyreotropic hormone (THH) in blood of 89 patients with thyroid cancer in stage II and III indicated that the THH level prior to the treatment did not differ from that in healthy individuals--3,0 +/- 0,6 ng/ml. Subtotal thyroidectomy was associated with a sharp riste of the thyreotropin concentration in blood during the immediately 7--20 days after surgery followed by its normalization in 1--2 months. Immediately after distant gamma-therapy the THH concentration did not differ from the initial value, but in later terms it was dependent on the clinical patient's state i.e. under hypothyreosis it was increased. Increased THH level was also noted in development of the cancer recurrence following the applied therapy (without hypothyreosis).


[Use of hormone loading tests for assessing the source of hyperestrogenism and the functional state of the ovaries in breast cancer patients in menopause].

The source of hyperestrogenia was ascertained in 12 patients by dexametasone-infecundin test, and the ovarian hormonal activity in 5 patients by dexametasone-choriogonin test. The source of hyperestrogenia was found to be the adrenal glands in 50%, ovaries--in 30% and the adrenal together with ovaries--in 20%. Ovarian hormonal activity was retained in 3 of 5 patients under examination. The response to the test concerned was changed in two of them. It is felt that application of hormonal stress tests will make it possible to get detailed indications to castration in menopausal patients with breast cancer.


[Determination of estradiol-17 beta receptors in tumorous breast tissue as an index of the hormonal dependence of the tumor].

To judge the hormone-dependence of mammary tumors the technic of tissue sections was employed, which were examined for the presence of oestradiol-17 beta receptors. Under examination were 192 patients, 78 of them being in their reproductive age and 14 menopausal patients. Oestradiol-17 beta receptors were found in the tumor material from 42.7% of patients.


[Electron microscopic characteristics of serous and endometrioid neoplasms of the ovaries].

Using electron microscopy the authors have studied the operation material of 15 patients with serous (9 cases) and endometrioid (6 cases) ovarian neoplasms. It was demonstrated that the epithelium of endometrioid neoplasms differs from that of serous ones by less polymorphism, the absence of cilia, the signs of secretory activity and more intense development of tonofibrils in the cytoplasm.


[Evaluation of the effectiveness of the radiation component in the combined treatment of cervical cancer].

The author presents an analysis of the issues of different variants of the combination treatment for cervical cancer in 551 patients. In 246 of them the therapeutic schedule included the preoperative irradiation, in 305--the postoperative one. The preoperative irradiation was conducted following the fractional-protracted and large fractional techniques. Use of the irradiation preoperatively made it feasible to increase a 5-year survival in the patients; the fractional-protracted technique, however, yielded a greater number of the postoperative complications. Irradiation conducted in the regimen of large fractionation dose allowed obviating many of these complications and retaining the advantages of the combination treatment with preoperative radiotherapy.


[Effect of hypothalamic electrostimulation on the 11-hydroxy-corticosteroid content in the blood and on the immunological indices in rabbits with Brown-Pearce carcinoma].

In animals with Brown--Pearce carcinoma electric stimulation of the hypothalamus makes it possible to model an increased corticosterone level in blood at early stages of the tumor growth, which conditions more active development of antitumor reactions and consequently an enhanced tumor resorption. The increased level of free corticosterone seems to be essential for "triggering" and an active mode of proceeding of antitumor immune reactions.


[Clonogenic cell response of murine NK Ly/LL solid tumor to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea].

By the in vitro technic for obtaining clones of cells of murine solid tumor NKLy/LL it was demonstrated that clonogenic cells survival rate versus NNU dosage curve in the interval of 12.5--200.0 mg/kg is exponential and characterized by the dosage value D0 = 29.15 mg/kg. In large size tumors (15.0--17.0 g) which higher death rate of clonogenic cells was noted (the survived fraction approximately 0.5%) than in tumors weighing 1.0--7.0 g (the survived fraction--2--4%), that seems to be related to a greater sensitivity of resting tumor cells to MNU.


[Development of a transplantable mammary gland cancer in rats at different thyroid hormone levels].

In experiments on female rats of various age the authors studied the effect of thyroid hormones on the growth of the mammary gland transplantable cancer. In young animals the percentage of spontaneous tumor regression and the survival were found to increase with age, synchronously with a rise in blood thyroxine level. Injection of thyroxine in a dose of 5 mkg into 2-month old animals induces marked inhibition of the growth, and in later terms a complete tumor regression in 78% of cases. In thyroidectomized rats a rapid tumor growth was terminated by death in all animals of this series. It is the authors' opinion that thyroid hormones stimulate the transplantation immunity, correct the functioning of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-genital system.


[Experimental data to substantiate the antitumor action of hydrazine sulfate].

It was found that under the influence of hydrazine sulfate, which in the dosage of 60 mg/kg would induce a 50% suppression of Walker carcinosarcoma in rats, there is the decreased activity of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase and a sharp reduction in the activity of some microsomal phosphatases. Vitamin B6 injection some hours before injecting hydrazine sulfate lessens the rate of suppression of the tumor growth up to 50%. The results obtained indicate that the antitumor effect of hydrazine sulfate may be related to the suppressed monoamine oxidate activity and vitamin B6 deficiency.


[Tropism of radiopharmacologic preparations in lymphogramulomatosis in mice].

In experiments on 75 female mice of line SJL/J with lymphograulomatosis, 75 female mice of the same line without lymphogranulomatosis and intact non-lineal mice, the authors have studied the labelled tumorigenic compounds: indium-111, gallium-67-citrates and sodium selenium-75-selenite. It was found that only sodium selenium-75-selenite possesses an enhanced ability to be accumulated in lymphogranulomatosis involved lymph nodes in mice. Whereas indium-111 and gallium-67-citrates contrary to the literature data available showed no enhanced tropism to lymph nodes of mice with lymphogranulomatosis.


[Cancer of the organs of the pancreatoduodenal region (based on autopsy data from 2 hospitals in the city of Donetsk)].

The incidence of cancer of the pancreatoduodenal organs (the pancreas, major duodenal papilla, extrahepatic bile ducts, duodenum) is reported according to the autopsy findings obtained at two clinical hospitals (provincial and municipal) of Donetsk city during the period from 1957 to 1973. There is a tendency to the increased mortality due to cancer of the localization concerned against the background of the reduced total mortality.


[Liver function in lymphogranulomatosis].

In 71 patients with lymphogranulomatosis (35 males and 36 females aged from 19 to 67 years) the hepatic function was studied prior to and during the cytostatic treatment. There were found considerable disturbances in the liver functioning and parallelism between the activity of the mentioned enzymes and the presence of intoxication, the enlarged liver size and intensity of the pathological process. During the treatment in some patients the activity of the enzymes under study was decreased or normalized. Changes in the activity of blood transminase, aldolase and alkaline phosphatase would reflect the gravity of destructive processes and disturbances in the liver function in patients with lymphogranulomatosis. The data obtained are of certain value for the treatment and prognosis of the disease.


[Differential cytological diagnosis of lymph node lesions].

In cytological assay of the material, obtained from 144 patients with different lymph node lesions, the precise diagnosis was established in 119 observations (82.6%), the diagnosis remained unestablished or was erroneous in 25 cases (17.4%). It was found that of primary importance in establishing the differential cytological diagnosis of lymph node lesions are cytomorphological criteria, the role of cytochemical studies is only axilliary.


[Supression of the lymphocyte blast transformation reaction evoked in human subjects by a fat load].

It has been shown that "Intralipid"--triglycerides emulsion, used for parenteral feeding, administered intravenously in the amount of 200 ml would induce within 2 hours in human subjects a metabolic immunosuppression, estimated by a drop in the labelled thymidine and uridine incorporation into phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes. The dosage blood loss (25 ml of blood) would prevent the inhibition of lymphocytic blasttransformation reaction, that seems to prove the functional nature of metabolic immunosuppression, induced by the increased concentration of fatty acids in blood due to hydrolysis of administered triglycerides. The relationship between metabolic immunosuppression and the standard methods of treatment used in oncology is briefly discussed.


[Morphology and the morphogenesis aspects of ovarian cystomas].

Use of the complex of morphological methods (histological, morphometric, electron microscopy and tissue culture technic) in examining the operation material enabled a more precise and full idea to be formulated of the principal stages of the morphogenesis of serous ovarian cystomas and also allowed the validation of their differentiation between benign, boundary (intermediate) and malignant types.


[3-hydroxyanthranilic acid content in the urine of bladder cancer patients].

The work has shown the possibility to determine immunologically 3-OAA-antigen in the urine of bladder cancer patients, which is absent in the urine of healthy individuals. By the identity reaction the authors proved the supposed structure of the detected antigen, i. e. the presence of 3-oxianthranilic acid in it. The data obtained may lie in the basis of the immunodiagnostic test to bladder cancer.


[Morphometric analysis of the ultrastructure of tumor cells with a varying protein synthesis specificity].

The author has studied morphometrically the cell ultrastructure of fibroblastic and smooth muscle human tumors. There were found some differences in the quantitative features of the energetic (mitochondria) and protein-synthesizing (ergastoplasm and polyribosomes) cellular apparatus of these neoplasms. The specific criteria of the malignancy grade were identified for both groups of tumors.


[Evaluation of diagnostic methods in kidney cancer].

Different methods for the renal cancer diagnosis: roentgenological, vasographic, radioisotopic, cytological, immunological and others are assessed comparatively. Among the routine roentgenological methods excretory and infusion urography, retropneumoperitoneum associated with tomography and excretory urography, retrograde pyelography proved to be effective. Kidney scanning with neohydrine is a simple and safe technic of examination. Selective arteriography is the most effective method for recognizing renal cancer, however in 7.2% of patients the response was negative. Cytological and immunological methods are of a secondary value. The scheme of examining patients suspected of renal cancer is recommended.


[Prognostic significance of the morphological signs of the malignancy of a pheochromocytoma].

The authors have studied the prognostic value of such convincing morphological signs of tumor malignancy as cellular and nuclear polymorphism, the mitotic activity, the invasion of tumor cells into the vascular lumen, the presence of metastases in 28 operated patients with a hormone-active tumor of chromaffin tissue. The results of late-term observations within the period from 2 to 17 years indicated that all the patients subjected to radical surgery are alive. Detecting in a histological assay of pheochromocytoma of the aforementioned signs of malignancy except metastases is not an obligatory prognostically unfavourable factor. Such tumor cannot be called pheochromoblastoma, but it should be defined as pheochromocytoma with the morphological signs of malignancy.


[Effect of diethylnitrosamine on the protein-synthesizing cell system of the rat liver].

Diethylnitrosoamine is found to alter the course of the regenerative processes induced by partial hepatectomy, which is manifested in essentially other, than in the control, changes of polyribosomes and mRNA. In early terms following DENA injection one may observe a reduced content of total polyribosomes, a sharp decrease in the amount of membrane-bound polyribosomes, the inhibited incorporation of newly produced mRNA in both classes of polyribosomes. In later terms, a proportion of the membrane-bound polyribosomes is again diminished, while the ratio of the specific radioactivity of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes is raised.


[Prognostic significance of sinus histocytosis of the regional lymph nodes in stomach cancer].

A comparative study was made on different morphological pictures of the sinuses of the regional lymph nodes in gastric cancer patients with T1--4N0M0 with a 5-year survival, also the influence of age, depth of invasion, size and histological structure of the tumor on sinus histiocytosis was studied. Marked sinus histiocytosis, contrary to sinus fibrosis, was found to be a favourable prognostic sign. Sinus histiocytosis is influenced in a somewhat directly proportional way by the tumor size and histological differentiation. The given material rendered impossible to reveal any effect of age and depth of tumor invasion on sinus histiocytosis.


[Characteristics of the action of N-nitrosoethylurea in rat embryogenesis].

Based on the experiments with single intravenous injections of NEU in rats with definite pregnancy terms, it was found the embryos are especially sensitive to embryotoxic effects at the 3d--4th and 9th day, to teratogenic effects--at the 9th--14th day. The carcinogenic effect of NMU (20 mg/kg) is evident following the exposure, starting from the 11th day of embryogenesis, and the former is equally maximum during the subsequent terms until the end of the intrauterine period, their offsprings developing multiple tumors of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The sensitivity of rat embryos to NMU carcinogenic effect, contrary to the embryotoxic and teratogenic ones, showed no strict staging character. No correlation was noted between gross developmental defects and the appearance of tumors.


[Dynamics of the connective tissue changes in rats in the process of tumor formation induced by ethacryl (AKR-15) plastic].

Morphological studies of the rat connective tissue around the implanted plates, made from a plastic Ethacryl (AKP-15) being employed in orthopedic stomatology, have demonstrated a gradual reduction of the proliferative activity of the connective tissue capsule fibroblasts, followed 6 months later by the appearance of diffuse and then focal proliferates in the internal layer with subsequent development of tumors. A histological assay of the collagen-formation revealed no dystrophic changes in the connective tissue characteristic of other types of blastomogenesis. The pattern of diformazane depositing, when histochemically assaying oxido-reduction enzymes, may evidence the cell damage of the connective tissue capsules around the implant in the first months of the experiment.


[Blastomogenic activity of 2-aminoacetophenone in Syrian hamsters].

The blastomogenic activity of 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AAP)--one of the aromatic triptophan derivatives, found in the urine of leukemic patients, was studied on nonlineal Syrian hamsters, 2-AAP would induce the increased total incidence of tumors and raise the frequency of endocrine system tumors, especially adrenal adenomas. The results of the experiment indicate an insignificant blastomogenic activity of 2-AAP and correlate well with the results obtained on lineal mice.


[Ultrastructural changes in the liver of rats with a Yoshida tumor under exposure to cyclophosphamide].

Sixteen Wistar line rats with Joshida tumor were given cyclophosphamide either daily or with two-day intervals. The changes observed were mostly those related with the Golgi complex apparatus, lysosomes, biliary canaliculi as well as hyaloplasma. The degree of pronouncement of these changes was dependent on the duration of cyclophosphamide administration. The ultrastructure of biliary canaliculi changed according to the type, observed in intrahepatic cholestasis, makes it mandatory to be careful while using cyclophosphamide in patients with the cholestatic syndrome.


[Factor analysis of the effectiveness of combined therapy in experimental leukemia].

The effectiveness of the combined therapy of leukemia P-388 with cyclophosphane and diazane was studied. The pattern of administering these substances was selected with due consideration of the cyclospecificity of their action. In a number of cases considerable synergism was observed, resulting in a cure of 100% of animals. Estimation of the effectiveness and the degree of synergism was made by the method of fractionation analysis, which allowed delineating some trends for providing the optimum combined therapy.


[Diet therapy in renal insufficiency].

In renal insufficiency the low-protein diet should be considered of reduction and temporary type. After clinical improvement it is advisable to place the patients on diet with a higher protein content and in this way to avert any further fall in the concentration of essential amino acids in the plasma and thus keep down the progressive protein-caloric fasting. The disturbance of the protein metabolism is, however, provoked not only by the protein-caloric deprivation, but by the disease itself. In this way, the developing upsets distort the picture of the protein-calorie deficiency, which finds its expression in the appearance of the anemic syndrome, disturbed electrolytes metabolism, imbalance of the acid-base equilibrium, etc. Therefore, one should look for other ways for their compensation, not believing that this can be achieved through the dietotherapy alone.


[Natural feeding and its importance in forming local immunological protection in the gastrointestinal tract during the neonatal period].

The immune proteins content in the breast milk at the 1st week of lactation as contrasted to the data obtained by investigating immunoglobulins in feces of newborns breast-fed was studied. Both in the breast milk and in feces the A-class immunoglobulins being of great importance in the immunological protection of the mucosae prevail. A high level of immune proteins resistant to proteolytic enzymes ensures the state of local passive immunity in neonates receiving breast milk.


[Dietary treatment of children with phenylketonuria].

The sole method of treating phenylketonuria, a grave hereditary illness, is at present dietary cure. A principle for formulating therapeutic rations in this pathology is set forth, and approximate menus for children of different age groups are presented. Exclusion from the ration of an ill children of basic proteinaceous products securing a normal growth and development of the developing organism, requires a painstaking observence of the proposed rations. As the main source of protein at the time of the patient's treatment various protein hydrolysates are used. A way of correcting curative diets for children of various age is indicated. The treatment should be conducted under a strict biochemical control.


[Soluble milk protein concentrates, casecites, for infant and dietetic nutrition].

A soluble form of caseins, so-called casecites for an infant and dietetic nutrition, is obtained from separated milk by way of solving casein through using freshly precipitated lactic acid terment of 0.1 n HCl, mixed with solts-solvents. The lactoproteinic concentrates-casecites have an elevated biological value, called forth by the content of large amounts (80.0 per cent) of complete lactic protein, the presence of citrate-ions, forming as a physiologically active additive, balanced most important mineral elements. A minimal (not more than 2.0 per cent) of the lactose content in casecites enables the latter to be utilized for nutrition of persons suffering from lactose intolerance as well as to orientally regulate the carbohydrate composition of the products obtained on their basis.


Doa (Dombrock) blood group antigen in the Japanese.

Blood samples from 100 unrelated Japanese were tested for Doa antigen. It was found that the frequency of the antigen in the Japanese (18%) is lower by far than in Caucasians, Negroes or American Indians.


[Protein metabolic indices in young healthy men with regular standardized nutrition].

Total protein and protein fractions in the blood serum, ultimate nitrogen metabolism products in urine and also the assimilation and nitrogen balance in practically healthy male-students, aged 20--25 years, were studied. Investigations proceeded against the background of rations evolved in keeping with approved physiological standard allowances covering the needs of students for nutrients and energy (1968). The registered individual values of the protein metabolism help detail the acceptance of standards for a given group of the population.


[Energy demand of track-and-field weight throwers].

In sportsmen-throwers the matinal exchange of rest in conditions of sport gatherings is found to be fairly high. The energy spent in a single training comprised 723--910 kcal in women and 829--975 kcal in men. In these conditions the diurnal energy spent by throwers, was 4000--4500 kcal in women and 4500--5000 kcal in men. The energy spent for the rest exchange and physical trainings comprised 70--80 per cent of the entire energy spent by the throwers in 24 hours. The caloric value of the diurnal ration was in the range of 4000--5000 kcal.


HLA antigens in genetic neutropenia of Yemenite Jews.

The HLA antigenic system was studied in Yemenite Jews with genetic neutropenia. No deviation in antigen frequency was observed when compared with matched controls from the same ethnic group. HLA antigen frequency and common haplotypes of the Yemenite Jews were found entirely different from those of the African blacks, known to have the same anomaly.


Anti-HBe and subtypes of HBsAg among asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.

Finnish HBsAg positive blood donors were analyzed for the HBsAg subtype distribution and the presence of e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to e (anti-HBe). 88% (159 of 180) of the donors had subtype and ad and 12% (21 of 180) had ay. HBeAg was found in 1% (2 of 180) and anti-HBe in 74% (133 of 180) of the donors. Anti-HBe was significantly (p less than 0.0001) more common among donors with subtype ad than with ay: 80 and 29% respectively. The mean age of donors with both subtype ad and anti-HBe was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower than that of the other donor categories.


[Methods of computing the content of individual fatty acids in food products].

Two ways of calculating the content of individual fatty acids in the foods based on the data of gas liquid and thin-layer chromatography (through average values calculation) or only on those of the first (through addition of standard) are advisable. Most reliable in the last case is addition of trimargarine as a standard. The evaluation of the calculation errors is given. A variation of acidic-alkaline methanolysis of fat and esterification of free fatty acids in a closed system is proposed. By using this procedure the yield of methyl esters of fatty acids forms 90 +/- 7 per cent.


[Lipid metabolic indices in the liver, blood and bile while using diets with a low protein content and varying carbohydrate and fat ratio].

In tests with rats observations over changes in the lipids metabolism in the liver, blood and bile with application of low-protein diets and different proportions of carbohydrates and fat were carried out. The No-1 ration containing 5 per cent of protein and an augmented to 70 per cent carbohydrates (starch) amount led to accumulation in the liver and to increased radioactivity in triglycerides and ether-bound cholesterol, to diminution of the amount and radioactivity of phospholipids in the liver and blood and to a lowered lipids complex concentration in the bile of cholic acid and proportions of glycoconjugates and tauroconjugates. The No-2 ration, where a greater carbohydrates quota was represented by a mixture of starch and saccharose, and also the No-3 ration with an elevated share of fat, produced similar, but to a higher degree, pronounced changes in the liver, blood and bile.


Incidence of allo-immunization and allergic reactions to cryoprecipitate in haemophilia.

38 haemophiliacs who had received frequent cryoprecipitate infusions, were investigated for the presence of antibodies directed against red cell, HLA, Gm, Inv and platelet-specific antigens. 15 had detectable antibodies against one or more antigen systems. 11 experienced allergic reactions following infusions of cryoprecipitate. There was no correlation between allergic reactions and the presence of detectable antibodies.


Another Kell-related antibody, anti-K19.

A new high-frequency antigen related to the Kell system was defined by the serum of a patient, Mrs. Sub. The antigen was lacking from her cells and those of one of her three siblings. All random cells tested were incompatible with her serum as were bloods of other various "null" phenotypes, but Ko bloods were compatible suggesting that the antibody, subsequently called anti-K19, was related to the Kell blood group system.


Sensitivities of radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen.

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) using Austria II (Abbott) was found to be more sensitive for the detection of HBsAg than the Hepanostika Micro-Elisa system (Organon Teknika), by a factor of 5- to 20-fold for subtype 'ad' (with one exception), and 2- to 5-fold for subtype 'ay'. The sensitivities of RIA and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) have also been evaluated in the screening of 178 selected serum samples contributed by 7 different laboratories. Of these, 149 were found to be positive for HBsAg by RIA, 142 were positive by Elisa and 36 were positive by CEP.


Side products of routine plasma fractionation. I. Serum cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8).

Cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) for intravenous use has been obtained from fraction IV, a by-product of ehtanol fractionation. A four-step procedure has been developed associating precipitation by Rivanol and PEG 4000 with chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The yield corresponds to 30--35% of the activity found in fraction  IV. Vials containing 5000 U of CHE stabilized by 2.5% albumin have been prepared. The pyrogen-free product is well tolerated in the human.


Distribution of H antigen in persons of blood groups A, B, and AB.

The distribution of H antigen in tissues of persons of blood groups A, B, and AB was examined. H antigen could be demonstrated in all tissues in which the isologous antigens A and B were demonstrated, although some cells demonstrated isologous but not H antigen. In most tissues, areas were seen that demonstrated H antigen but not the isologous antigen. This was especially true in Brunner's glands of the duodenum and esophageal glands, where the amount of H antigen was apparently greater than the amount of the isologous antigen. Since the results varied greatly from tissue to tissue, it was not possible to interpret the data with respect to the biochemical pathways of blood group antigen formation.


Auto-immune hemolytic anemia caused by anti-K13.

A case of auto-immune hemolytic anemia caused by auto anti-K13 is described. Direct antiglobulin tests using monospecific reagents showed that IgG and the C3 component of complement were present on the patient's red cells. Eluted auto-antibody did not react with Ko or with K:--13 cells. Kell blood group antigenicity of the patient's red cells did not appear to be reduced.


Oka: an erythrocytic antigen of high frequency.

Clinically significant antibodies to a 'new' high-frequency antigen on red blood cells have been detected in the serum of a Japanese woman. The notation Oka has been given to this antibody and its corresponding antigen. Two of the patient's siblings are Ok (a--) but a large number of red cell samples lacking common antigens were tested and found to be Ok (a+). The antibody reacted by the antiglobulin test with blood samples from random blood donors and with more than 4,000 red cell samples from Oriental blood donors and patients.


The influence of ionic strength, albumin and incubation time on the sensitivity of the indirect Coombs' test.

The sensitivity of the indirect Coombs' test was investigated using saline, albumin, or low ionic strength (LIS) in the incubation phase and an incubation time varying from 5 to 120 min. Titration of 41 antibodies showed that LIS always resulted in a higher or almost the same mean scores as the other solutions after the same incubation time. The maximum mean score was always higher with LIS than with saline and was reached after a shorter period of incubation, only 20--40 min even with the weakest antibodies. With LIS, a longer incubation time than 40 min resulted in a sudden decrease in mean score. The maximum mean score using saline or albumin was reached after 40--60 min incubation. The same mean score was obtained after only 15--20 min, when LIS was used. Albumin gave only slightly higher mean scores than saline.


Distribution of subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen in Western India.

HBsAg subtype distribution of 105 positive samples showed 91.4% as ay type. The ay was predominant in different disease conditions, healthy carriers and posttransfusion hepatitis. The prevalence of ay in the Bombay sample is in contrast to the predominance of ad reported from North India. These findings may suggest multifocal infection in different regions of India.


Mechanisms of vasomotor reactions in the use of SPPS.

Vasomotor reactions have been reported during infusions of stable plasma protein solutions (SPPS). Possible mechanisms of this phenomenon have been studied using rabbit ear vein preparations. Most samples of SPPS were found inactive but could be activated by proteolytic enzymes. Two factors appear to be responsible: one has kinin-like properties and the other behaves as kininogen. The latter could be activated by proteases released from both granulocytes and platelets and it is suggested that such activation may occur in clinical use. The bioassay employed in this study provides a basis for modifications in production of SPPS to eliminate these factors.


Acquired B antigen, Tk activation and A1 destroying enzyme activity in a patient with septicaemia.

During the course of septicaemia, a group A1 patient developed several RBC antigenic modifications. Acquired B antigen, Tk transformation and a partial disappearance of A1 receptors associated with an increase of H reactivity were observed.


Studies on the preservation of red blood cells. Attachment of the third component of human complement to erythrocytes during storage at 4 degrees C.

Utilizing an automated antiglobulin test, we have investigated the presence of the third and fourth components of human complement on normal red blood cells (RBCs). Only negligible amounts of the fourth component, C4, could be detected on either freshly collected or stored RBCs. The fragment C3d of the third component, C3, was detectable on both freshly collected and stored normal RBCs. A product derived from C3 and reacting with anti-C3c antibody was only barely detectable on freshly collected normal RBCs. During storage of blood at 4 degrees C, increasing quantities of this material were detected on the RBC membrane. Bromelin treatment rendered stored RBCs completely nonreactive with anit-C3c antibody, whereas only partial loss of reactivity was observed following incubation with heated plasma. In contrast, incubation of EC43 with heated plasma completely abolished their ability to react with anti-C3c antibody. We suggest that the presence of this C3 fragment on stored RBCs may contribute to the development of "preservation injury".


Lognormal distribution of HBsAg strengths in an English population.

The frequency distribution of reverse passive haemagglutination titres for HBsAg in the sera of 78 positive blood donors found furing 2.5-year period closely follows a lognormal distribution curve. This lognormal distribution suggests that the total population of HBsAg-positive donors during this period was approximately 84. The modified Hepatest now in use will be expected to detect 82 of these, and to miss only 1 HBsAg-positive donor in 50,000 screening tests of Manchester blood donors.


Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen with the miniature centrifugal fast analyzer. A modified reversed passive hemagglutination procedure.

A modified reversed passive hemagglutination test for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg is described. Sera and reagent cells coated with antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) are loaded separately into the rotor of a miniature centrifugal fast analyzer. The rotor is centrifuged briefly to transfer the components into its cuvettes. After mixing, the suspensions are allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 min, following which the rotor is again centrifuged and the absorbance of each cuvette is monitored. Cells suspended in serum containing HBsAg leave the light path more rapidly than cells suspended in sera free of antigen. The magnitude of change in absorbance varies directly with the concentration of the antigen. In 45 sera tested by the conventional V-plate technique, findings were as follows: 21 positive, 19 false positive and 5 negative. The automated procedure unequivocally differentiated the 21 positives; results for the false positive and negative specimens were identical and clearly distinguishable from the positive results. The automated procedure enhances specificity, offers equivalent sensitivity, and results that are quantitative and objective.


Influence of glygerol on ATP and 2,3-DPG levels of human erythrocytes.

Glycerolization of freshly collected human erythrocytes leads to a reduction in ATP levels which return to their original values following deglycerolization. The reduction in ATP levels is largely prevented by pyruvate but not by inosine and glucose, singly or in combination. This implies that the ATP lesion associated with glycerolization reflects mainly a decrease in the NAD/NADH ratio and accordingly a reduced glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. 2,3-DPG levels were not influenced by glycerolization and deglycerolization. Erythrocytes depleted of ATP in the presence of glycerol can have their ATP levels repleted by either pyruvate or inosine, but require the presence of both compounds for maintenance during a post-rejuvenation incubation period. This indicates that the prolonged presence of glycerol influences both the NAD/NADH ratio and the carbon-containing intermediates of glycolysis. Glycerol did not influence ATP repletion of erythrocytes stored at 4 degrees C for 20 days by inosine in combination with pyruvate, but substantially decreased the repletion of their 2,3-DPG levels.


A new low incidence red blood cell antigen, Pe.

A new low incidence red cell antigen (Pe), and its identifying IgG antibody are described. The antigen is destroyed by enzymes and is absent from serum, urine, saliva, and platelets. The Pe gene frequency is estimated to be less than 0.0003, and the Pe locus does not appear to be linked to Rh or Fy, nor carried by the X or Y chromosomes. The clinical significance of this antibody remains to be determined.


Antibody-mediated immunosuppression. Comparison of syngeneic and allogeneic antibodies.

Two major histocompatible strains of rats differing at 'minor' antigens including immunoglobulin allotype disparity were used in experiments to study antibody-mediated suppression of a primary antibody response against third party allogeneic red cells. Antibodies against red cells were raised by repeated injections in the two strains of rats, and the effects of the two pools of serum to suppress antibody response upon intravenous injection of a small test dose of blood were assessed and compared in in vitro titrations. It was concluded that allotype differences, as suggested by others, were not necessary and they were not amplifying the suppression. The observations are discussed in relation to the Rh immunoprophylaxis in man.


Development of large scale fractionation methods. VII. Preparation of antithrombin III concentrate.

A large scale method for preparation of antithrombin III (AT III) concentrate from plasma or from Cohn fraction IV-1 (Fr. IV-1) has been described. It consists of the following steps: (a) partial purification by precipitation of impurities with 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000; (b) isolation of AT III from the PEG supernatant by batch adsorption and elution on heparin-Sepharose at a ratio corresponding to 45 vol of plasma or 80 vol of 10% Fr. IV-1 solution to 1 vol of gel; (c) concentration and desalting of the eluted AT III on a Pellicon ultrafiltration system; (d) pasteurization of AT III concentrate by heating for 10 h at 60 degrees C in the presence of 0.5 M sodium citrate at pH 7.5; (e) removal of excess citrate by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50; and (f) sterile filtration, filling and lyophilization. The recovery by activity was 32% from a 113-liter plasma batch and 16% from a 42-kg Fr. IV-1 batch. Both AT III concentrates, derived either from plasma or from Fr. IV-1, had similar specific activity and electrophoretic purity, were nonpyrogenic and met all other FDA requirements for biologic products. Pasteurization induced changes in disc gel and isotachophoretic patterns of AT III preparations.


Improved yields of factor VIII from heparinized plasma.

The Factor VIII procoagulant activity in plasma, cryoprecipitate, and their polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitates is markedly increased if blood is collected into heparin rather than into citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD). There is a 34% increase in the initial level of the Factor VIII activity in the heparinized plasma with 78% of this initial activity (184 U) recovered in the cryoprecipitated. As well, the stability of the Factor VIII activity is improved: after 24 h of incubation at 22 degrees C, 99% of the initial activity is retained in heparinized plasma whereas only 64% remains in CPD plasma. The cryoprecipitate prepared from heparinized plasma is equally stable after 24 h. The PEG concentrate prepared from the cryoprecipitate of heparinized plasma is increased to 128 U compared to only 54 U from CPD plasma. Relative recoveries were 531 U/l for heparinized plasma versus 215 U/l for CPD plasma. This represents a 147% increase in yield.


A simple method for the preparation of human serum albumin.

A simple method, based on ethanol fractionation, for the preparation of highly purified human serum albumin with a higher yield than that of the conventional ethanol procedures is described. It consists of two purification steps, namely, precipitation of most of the other plasma proteins from a 3-fold diluted plasma with ethanol at 42% concentration, pH 5.75 and -5 degrees C, leaving over 96% pure albumin in the supernatant, followed by isoelectric precipitation of albumin from the supernatant at pH 4.8 and -5 degrees C. The paste thus obtained was processed to the final albumin solution according to the conventional methods. The yield of the final albumin with a purity of over 99% was equivalent to 29.5 g/l of plasma representing a recovery of over 93%. The possibility of recovering other plasma proteins and the suitability for large scale preparation are also discussed.


[Analysis of the RNA in different strains of the influenza A virus].

The degree of affinity of influenza A/WSN/33 and A/Singapore/57 virus genomes was studied by the method of molecular hybridization which showed the presence in their genomes of 54--57% of analogous sequences. The electrophoretic analysis of RNA--RNA hybrids formed in hybridization of both homologous and heterologous virion and virus-induced RNAs of influenza viruses revealed significant differences in base sequences of the IV, V, and VIII fragments of influenza A/WSN/33 virus RNA and the corresponding fragments of influenza A/Singapore/57 virus RNA; the III and VII fragments of these strains have sites also differing in base sequences at the ends of molecules.


[Structure of the genomes of recombinant strains of influenza A viruses with various antigenic and biological properties].

Genomes of influenza A/WSN/33, A/Singapore/57 and recombinant X-7 and X-9 viruses were studied by the method of molecular hybridization followed by electrophoretic separation of RNA-duplexes in polyacrylamide gel. The genome of the recombinant X-7 influenza virus strain was found to contain fragments V and VII of RNA corresponding to fragments of A/Singapore/57 RNA, whereas fragments III, IV, and VIII were derived from influenza A/WSN/33 virus. Recombinant X-9 had fragments III, IV, and VII of RNA similar to those of A/Singapore/57, and fragments V,VIII of RNA derived from influenza A/WSN/33 virus. Resistance to rimantadine in influenza viruses correlated in X-7 and X-9 recombinants to the strain appurtenance of fragment VIII.


[Ribonucleic acids and proteins of influenza A/USSR/90/77 viruses].

The "return" of influenza A (HINI) virus after 20 years of absence raised the question of the sources and mechanisms of emergence of epidemic influenza viruses and, particularly, of a new HINI virus (A/USSR/90/77). Two alternative hypotheses answer this question differently: the new HINI virus is the progeny of old HINI viruses retained in the human population or is a newly arising recombinant between numerous human and animal influenza viruses circulation in the biosphere. For the acceptance of one or the other hypothesis further accumulation of facts is required and, first of all, comparative investigations of RNAs and proteins of various influenza viruses. This paper presents the results of comparative studies of RNAs and proteins of old and new influenza A (HINI) viruses.


[Analysis of the nature of virus-associated DNA in the influenza virus].

DNA sequences comprising about 5% of virus RNA were found to be present in nucleoids of influenza virus grown in chick embryos. DNA was found in two influenza virus strains under study belonging to different antigenic groups: HONI and H3N2. No DNA was demonstrated in nucleoids of a paramyxovirus, Newcastle disease virus, grown under analogous conditions. The virus-associated DNA belongs to unique sequences of cell DNA.


[Antigenic and biological characteristics of influenza A1 viruses isolated in the 1977 pandemic].

Investigations of the antigenic and biological properties of the causative agents of the 1977 influenza epidemic revealed their appurtenance to the old subtype A1 of influenza virus which had disappeared from circulation 20 years ago. A comparative study of A1 viruses isolated in 1947--1956 and A1/77 established closer relationship of the latter to the causative agents of 1949 and 1950 epidemics. The "old" and newly isolated viruses 4ere also closely related biologically. The similarity of influenza A1/77 viruses with the agents of the pandemic cycle of A1 in 1947--1956 is a convincing confirmation of the hypothesis of Francis-Davenport and Smorodintsev-Luzyanina.


[Express method for determining blood coagulation time].

The author established that coagulation time of capillary blood is the shorter, the longer time has elapsed from the time of pricking till the moment of blood withdrawal. That shortening of time is considerably less if the small wound made it deeper and wider. The first escaping drop coagulates most slowly. The author established that the investigation with it gives identical data with the venous blood investigation not only in healthy but also in patients with hemophilia and those treated with heparin or indirect anticoagulants. Based on those data, the author elaborated and recommended a method with capillary blood, providing identical data as those with the venous blood investigations.


[Interaction of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus ts-mutants with cells].

An acute infection of HeLa cell cultures with a ts mutant of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus may have different outcomes ranging from formation of a chronic virus-carrier state to complete elimination of virus from the culture. One of the possibilities is also a short-time carrier state (up to 10 passages) of the virus genome apparently existing in the form of DNA-provirus. The carrier state of virus genetic material in this case is indicated by the infectivity of cellular DNA and the presence in it of sequences homologous to those of virion RNA. The genetic material of VEE virus in HeLa cell cultures with signs of infection of the integrative type is also demonstrable by its complementation with exogenous ts-mutants.


[Argyria in the prolonged use of adsorgan].

One case of agryria is reported that developed after a long-term administration of adsorgan in a patient with dyspeptic manifestations after cholecystectomy. The developed skin syndrome -- ashen-grey discolorization of the skin of the face and bare parts of the hands and the neurological symptoms -- right monoparesis and vestibular-disturbances with clinical manifestations of chronic cholangiohepatitis, pancreatitis and gastroduodentitis -- provided considerable diagnostic difficulties. The problem of argyria is discussed as a state of intoxication in chronic use of silver-containing medicaments. The necessity of differentiating argyria by the internists is stressed upon in order to avoid it as a complication in the administration of drugs-containing silver, adsorgan resp., being applied in the physician's practice.


[Modelling of viral-chemical carcinogenesis in chronic infection in mice caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus].

The influence of chronic herpetic infection of white mice caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) on the blastomogenic effect of a polycyclic hydro-carbon, 20-methylcholanthrene (20-MCA), was studied. Solid tumors developed in 20-MCA-treated mice on the side of the carcinogen administration within 81--89 days. The simultaneous administration of 70 intracerebral LD50 of HSV-2 subcutaneously into a hind leg pad and 0.1 mg 20-MCA subcutaneously into the inguinal area was accompanied by a synergistic action of the two factors. The number of tumors in the animals treated with HSV-2 in combination with 20-MCA at all intervals of observation was 1.5--2.5 times greater than in mice treated with 20-MCA alone. Mice weighing 10--12 g were more sensitive to the synergistic effect of HSV-2 and 20-MCA, whereas animals weighing 25--30 g were more sensitive to the carcinogenic effect of 20-MCA alone. No tumors developed in mice infected with HSV-2 alone by 167 days (the observation period). Mice weighing 10--12 g were found to be more sensitive to the fatal effect of HSV-2 and HSV-2 plus 20-MCA, particularly in the first 2--3 weeks after inoculation. Six months after inoculation with HSV-2 the virus was isolated from posterior root ganglia of the sacral and lumbar spinal cord by cocultivation of the ganglia with human embryo skin-muscle tissue cells.


[Comparative functional, scintigraphic and angiographic studies in pancreatic diseases].

Pancreas scintigraphy with 75selenomethionine, pancreocimine-secretin test and selective abdominal angiography was carried out in patients with chronic pancreatitis, pancreas carcinoma and subjects without any pancreas diseases. Scintigraphic changes in pancreas were found in 95.6 per cent of the patients with chronic pancreatitis (136 patients) in 92 per cent of them with pancreas carcinoma (25 patients) and in 53.4 per cent from the subjects without pancreas diseases (30 examined). Pathological changes in pancreatic secretion was found in 93.4 per cent of the patients with chronic pancreatitis (105 patients) in 93.8 per cent of the subjects with pancreas carcinoma (32 patients) and only in 3.3 per cent from the examined without pancreatic diseases. The angiographic examination is informative mainly in case of tumours and cysts of the pancreas. The diagnostic potentialities of the separate methods for pancreas examination were critically assessed. The basic diagnostic problems, in pancreas diseases are solved to a great extent with the combined examination with scintigraphy, pancreocimine-secretin test and angiography (76 patients).


[Age-related aspects of gastric secretion in duodenal ulcer during the exacerbation phase (a pentagastrin study)].

The age characteristics of gastric secretion were studied in 145 patients with duodenal ulcer and 32 healthy subjects via pentagastrin. With age advancing of the patients, a gradual reduction of gastric secretion and acidity are found, being statistically significant after the age of 49. Apart of that, the average values of the indices for each age group remain considerably higher than the normal. The age, at which the disease originated, has also a certain effect on gastric secretion. Significant reduction is observed after the age of 49, concerning only secretion volume and acidity elimination at basic conditions. The changes found in the gastric secretion and acidity are admitted to possibly play a definite role for the rather unusual course and relatively rare duodenal ulcer origination at the age of 50.


[Changes in the small intestine mucosa in liver cirrhosis].

A morphological examination was carried out of 33 patients with cirrhosis of liver and 10 clinically healthy subjects. Chronic jejunitis, with the prevalence of its atrophic forms (in 59.1%) was established to develop in 86.4 per cent of the patients. The morphological characteristics of the changes observed (prevalence of dystrophic-destructive processes with marked lesions of the specialized structures, presence of hypore-generative and moderately manifested inflammatory reaction) allow that they be considered as endogenously conditioned forms of chronic jejunitis.


[Accelerated method of determining the antiviral activity of interferon inducers in experimental infection].

By the example of trials of two typical interferon inducers: a double-stranded complex of synthetic polyribonucleotides poly (I).poly (C) and polyacrylic acid the use of the proposed rapid method for the determination of the antiviral activity of interferon inducers in an experimental infection of mice with an alphavirus is described. The method permits to perform a statistically treated evaluation of the antiviral effect of a group of preparations within 96 hours. The mean standard error of the method is +/- 0,333 1g PFU per 1 ml of 10% brain suspension.


[Echocardiographic indices of the pumping and contractile functions of the left ventricle and left ventricular cardiac insufficiency].

EchoC-indices for the left ventricle function and the degree of left ventricular insufficiency are confronted in 148 patients with various degree of left ventricular insufficiency determined by clinical and instrumental non-invasive examination, right and/or left heart catheterization and the method of dye dilution. It was established that in the differentiation of the initial left ventricular insufficiency, EchoC-indices of the pump and contractility function of the left ventricle have a diagnostic sensitivity of 94 per cent and give a relatively low false positive (12%) and false negative results (6%). EchoC-indices, which are with the highest diagnostic sensitivity in the determination of the initial left-ventricular insufficiency, are the telediastolic size and left ventricular volume; the fraction of shortening, average rate of contraction of the circumferential fibrils and the fraction of forcing out.


[Impedance cardiography. Studies on healthy subjects. Notes on methodology and its clinical importance].

The authors draw the attention to certain technical details in recording the impedance cardiography and the reading of the records, being of essential importance for the method accuracy. A new method is proposed for the measuring of (dZ/dt) min and T. Seventy healthy subjects were examined. The reliability of impedance cardiography in the determination of stroke volume (gammacardiographic controls) and the significance of the method for the dynamic follow up of cardiac and pulmonary state are discussed.


[Heart rupture as an outcome of myocardial infarct].

The authors studied the incidence and character of cardiac rupture in 109 deceased of myocardial infarction. Rupture was encountered in 21.1 per cent. Out of the 23 ruptures -- 21 were external and 2 -- internal at the intraventricular septum. Cardiac rupture is an occurence mainly in subjects over 60. Extensive transmural infarction was diagnosed in all cases of external rupture. The diagnosis was made while still alive in a little more than a half of the cases. In seven of the cases, the external rupture was with a protracted progress with the following clinical manifestations -- preceeding strong, refractory, continuous pain and anxiety, protracted shock state, prolonged pericardial friction. Characteristic ECG changes are described in case of protracted ruptures enabling the admittance of the rupture while still living. The authors express the opinion that in cases with protracted rupture, surgical life-saving intervention is possible.


[Changes in renal function in middle and old age established by isotopic nephrography].

The authors analyse the isotope-nephrographic examinations of 112 subjects, aged over 40, their clinical, paraclinical and X-ray examinations excluding an urological ailment. In 75 (67%) of the examined, isotope-nephrography proved to be pathological. Age advancing is accompanied by an increase of the patients with isotope-nephrogram deviations. Whereas at the age of 41--50, the pathological isotope nephrograms cover only 23.1 per cent of the examined, in the age groups over 60 that per cent is four times higher. Males are 1.8 times more frequently affected as compared with the females. After the qualitative and quantitative analysis three types of pathological curves were differentiated: with disturbed vascular and secretory phase: with disturbed vascular, secretory and excretory phase and nephrectomic type. In 57.3 per cent the deviations were bilateral and in 42l7 per cent--unilateral. The disturbances of the secretory function on the background of a reduced vascularization, is most frequently encountered (65.3%).


[Embolisms and thromboses in the lesser circulation and disseminated intravascular coagulation].

Investigations were carried out on 601 deceased with embolism and thrombosis in pulmonary circulation (ETPC), in 53 of the cases (8.82%) a generalized, in two or more organs, disseminated intravasal coagulation (DIC) was found. Generalized DIC develops most often in autochthon pulmonary thrombosis (in 30.91%) and more rarely in pulmonary embolism with additional autochthon thrombformation (in 15.19%). In a great part of pulmonary embolism with additional autochthon thromb-formation (96.62%) and autochthon pulmonary thrombosis (87.27%) DIC develops locally only in pulmonary microcirculation. The local DIC in lungs is characterized morphologically by the formation of multiple fibrin microthrombus (2--3 microthrombuses per square cm section) in the microcirculatory system of lungs. The development of local or generalized DIC aggravates the course of ETPC and could play an essential role in thrombogenesis, both by mechanic occlusion of pulmonary vessels and by serotonun elimination from the destroying thrombocytes.


[Differences in the evaluation of the iodine fibrinogen test (author's transl)].

The iodine fibrinogen test was evaluated using 13 different methods in 5 patients. The great variation in obtained results to assess the data makes standardization of evaluation methods imperative.


[Facultative wound myiasis of man in Austria (author's transl)].

Three cases of contingent wound myiasis (traumatic myiasis) in man in Austria caused by Lucilia sericata (2 cases) and Sarcophaga argyrostoma and Lucilia sericata (1 case) are reported.


[Operative treatment of vesico-vaginal fistulae in the University Hospital, Lomé (Togo, West Africa) (author's transl)].

This publication draws attention to the importance of knowing about the existence of vesico-vaginal fistulae with or without disturbance of normal sphincteric control of the bladder. The repair procedure and avoidance of urinary incontinence after successful anatomical closure of the fistulae depends on the preoperative assessment of sphincteric function. A classification is presented in schematic form of the various types of vesico-vaginal fistulae with the appropriate surgical method of choice, according to our experience in this field, to obtain optimum functional results. In particular, our own operative procedure for substitution of absent sphincteric bladder control is detailed and discussed. Finally, attention is drawn to the balloon catheter test and the possibility of obtaining improvement in the surgical management of vesico-vaginal fistulae by a combination and modification of established operative procedures.


[Standardised radiological investigation of the stomach with double contrast and fluorography (author's transl)].

The aims are presented and the technical equipment and application of different contrast media (barium sulphate and gas) are discussed. The steps of examination are divided into 5 phases. Thus, each part of the stomach is shown both by extreme filling and relief technique and by double contrast. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed. It is important to point out that the advantages of the double-contrast method could be fully realised only by fluorography.


[Controlled hypotension with sodium nitroprosside in patients placed in the sitting position during intracranial operations (author's transl)].

Sodium nitroprusside was used to induce hypotension during continuous neuroleptanalgesia in 11 neurosurgical patients aged between 13 and 53 years placed in the sitting position. No patient had cardiovascular disease. 14 patients aged between 18 and 72 years without induced hypotension were used as controls to compare the action of our standardized method of anaesthesia on the same parameters that were also monitored during blood pressure lowering. Cerebral perfusion of these 14 patients with highly elevated intracranial pressure with or without cardiovascular disease already seemed to be threatened by the upright position. Therefore, induced hypotension was not performed. The average dosage of sodium nitroprusside was 2.08 mcg/kg/min. The initial medium arterial pressure was lowered by a mean of 32.4%, associated with an average increase in pulse rate of 38.9%. The values of arterial PO2 never fell below 100 mmHg and the PCO2 remained between 25 and 35 mm Hg, indicating adequate cardiovascular function and gas exchange. Careful monitoring of the patients during and after blood pressure lowering with sodium nitroprusside made it possible to take advantage of the induced hypotension also in strictly-selected neurosurgical patients who have to be operated on in upright position.


[Animal experiments on combined local immunization against influenza (author's transl)].

Mice in ether narcosis were immunized 10 times by means of an inhalation spray with Begrivacs S (Behring-Werke) and then infected nasally with the virulent A/PR8 virus 7 to 12 days after the last immunization. A significant protection was achieved as gauged from the mortality rate. Furthermore, mice were nasally immunized with the polyvalent bacterial lysate vaccine IRS 19 (Sarbach, Chatillon) and subsequently infected nasally with the virulent influenza virus. A significant degree of non-specific protection also developed under these conditions, but was less effective than that after specific immunization. The best protective effect can be gained by applying both vaccines (Begrivac S and IRS 19) in combination. In this case, the mortality rate of the test animals decreases from 68% in the control to 31% in the animals receiving combined vaccination.


[Oral administration of insulin by means of liposomes in animal experiments (author's transl)].

Liposomes are an effective vehicle for the oral administration of insulin. They are prepared from lipid emulsions by sonication and particles of homogeneous size are generated by elution through sepharose columns. Liposomes are taken up into the gastric mucosa by endocytosis and then transported to the liver via the portal circulation. Oral administration of 10 U insulin/kg body weight to rats is followed by a reduction in blood glucose to 67% of the initial value. When liposome-trapped insulin was injected intravenously a decrease in blood glucose to 40% of the initial value was obtained by the administration of 5 IU insulin/kg body weight. While the effect of orally-administered liposome-trapped insulin is obvious, the problems of standardization of the insulin content of the liposomes and the great variability of liposome uptake into the gastric mucosa by endocytosis remain unsolved.


[Diagnostic and epidemiological features of a coxsackie virus epidemic in newborn infants (author's transl)].

This report deals with a hospital outbreak of Coxsackie virus infections in a neonatal ward. Most infections were mild, but one boy died from severe toxicosis. Six children had an abnormal ECG. Virus was isolated from 3 children, including the fatal case. One virus was Coxsackie B5, the two others Coxsackie A9. A rise in titre in the neutralisation test with respect to Coxsackie B5 virus was found in the sera of 13 patients and to Coxsackie A9 virus in a further two cases. Four cases were diagnosed using a Coxsackie B mix antigen and 10 by means of a picorna mix antigen in the CFT. Thus the picorna mix antigen proved to be very useful in the diagnosis of Coxsackie infection in newborn infants. Coxsackie viruses were also isolated from the faeces of ward personnel and serological evidence of recent infection was found by means of the CFT. The epidemiological implications of these findings are discussed.


[Administration of 15-(S)-15-methyl prostaglandins F2 alpha in intrauterine fetal death, missed abortion and hydatidiform mole (author's transl)].

10 patients with missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death or hydatifidiform mole were given 15-(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha intramuscularly for the induction of labour or, in 2 cases, to obtain softening of the cervix prior to curettage. The mean time interval between induction and abortion was 6 h 9 min, with a mean dosage of 890 mcg prostaglandin per patient. Vomiting or diarrhoea occurred in 7 patients. Apart from a drop in haemoglobin concentration in 1 patient and a temporary increase in white cell count in 6 patients, no other pathological laboratory findings were detected. We conclude from these results and the relevant literature that the intramuscular administration of 15-(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin is an effective and safe means of inducing labour in missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death and hydratidiform mole.


[The diagnostic accuracy of the dipyridamole test in coronary heart disease (author's transl)].

The diagnostic accuracy of the dipyridamole test in provoking coronary insufficiency was investigated in 79 patients with chest pain and the results were compared with the findings on angiography and exercise electrocardiogram. 58 patients had documented severe coronary artery stenosis, 21 had patent coronary vessels (cardiomyopathy 8, aortic stenosis 1, ectopic origin of coronary artery 1, normal 11). Anginal pain after dipyridamole was a non-specific finding. Approximately half the subjects in whom coronary insufficiency would be expected according to the coronary angiographic and ventriculographic findings evidenced ischaemic ST-segment depression after dipyridamole, which was comparable to the number of positive exercise electrocardiograms. In 23 patients, most of whom had shown an inadequate frequency response during the initial exercise test, ergometry was repeated after the administration of dipyridamole. This resulted in an increase in ischaemic ECG response from 26 to 70%. It is concluded that a stress test combining dipyridamole and submaximum exercise increases the incidence of ischaemic ST-segment depression in comparison with ergometry alone. Anginal pain without ST-segment depression proved to be without diagnostic value.


[Radioimmunological determination of parathyroid hormone: regional localization in hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)].

Angiographic or scintigraphic localization of parathyroid adenomas is successful in only a small number of patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism. This report is concerned with the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas by regional catheterization of the thyroid veins in patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism (n = 7). PTH was determined radioimmunologically, using an antiserum specific for PTH1-84 and the carboxyl-terminal fragment of the hormone. Determination of regional differences in the plasma concentration of PTH permitted the preoperative localization of PTH secreting adenomas. The preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas was confirmed in each instance by surgery. Thus, the regional determination of plasma PTH represents a tool to improve the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism and, hence, to reduce the risk of an unsuccessful operation.


[Investigation of bone growth into porous metal implants (author's transl)].

Stainless-steel cylinders of different pore size were implanted into the tibia, and small tubes, 500 micrometers diameter, of the same material into the iliac crests of 19 rabbits. It was found that after three weeks ingrowing bone tissue anchored the cylinders if the pore size was adequate. The same applied to the tubes. A stable implantation was the prerequisite for the ingrowth of fibre-bone trabeculae. Additionally, the use of fibrinogen adhesive system seems to be advantageous for this anchorage. These results were established by mechanical tensile tests and morphological examinations.


[The radioprotective effect of iodine and its preventive action on renal calcification (author's transl)].

The protective effect of iodine against injurious damage caused by ionizing radiation was studied in 26 rats irradiated with cobalt-60 gamma rays as a single dose of 1000 rads (10 joule/kg). Twelve rats were pretreated 13 times every second day before irradiation. After irradiation they were treated daily during 21 days with 2.5 to 3.0 mg iodine given subcutaneously along with 9 mg Ca2+ (as gluconolactobionate) intramuscularly. In addition, they received 500 micrograms of iodine in their food daily. 67% of the iodine-treated rats remained alive after 30 days in contrast to 36% of the control rats which received Ca2+ only. 10 further rats which received neither iodine nor Ca2+ died within 3 to 5 days after irradiation. Deposition of calcium in the renal parenchyma was observed in 12 out of the 14 control rats, but only in 2 out of the 12 iodine-treated rats. It can be concluded from the results that iodine has a protective effect on ionizing radiation. It is assumed that iodine promotes the energy-conserving mechanism in mitochondria and also prevents the irradiation-induced decrease in calcium efflux.


[Feedback by objective tests for coordination of medical teaching (author's transl)].

Within the framework of an experimentally introduced curriculum in Medical Physiology during the past three years, voluntary tests of the multiple-choice type were offered at the end of each term in order to provide students with feedback on their achievements. Positive results contribute to the final grade. Analysis of test results reveals improvement after the first year; results of subsequent tests are fairly stable. Selected items are presented in detail in order to show the distribution of choices. As revealed by item analysis the attractivity of distractors seems to be of a specific nature. Statistical results and interpretation of content of questions derived from different fields indicate that valuable feedback might be obtained from objective tests when interdisciplinary coordination of the curriculum is to be achieved.


[The effect of high-heeled shoes on the venous pressure of the legs (author's transl)].

The influence of high-heeled shoes on the venous pressure in the lower limbs is studied. In a test series on an exercise band subjects with high heels showed a significantly smaller drop in pressure than subjects wearing flat shoes.


[Psycho-physiological effects of pop music on cardiovascular parameters at rest and during exertion (author's transl)].

The effects of pop music on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest, during exercise on a bicycle ergometer and in the recovery phase were investigated. The psychological effects of the music were analysed by means of a question sheet and correlated with the physiological effects. The psychological effects of the music points to a reduction of monotony and of fatigue. During exercise, especially during low physical strain, there was a good correlation between the psychological and the physiological parameters. The significant decrease of the cardiovascular parameters in the recovery phase demonstrates, that emotional stimuli are influencing the heart rate not only at rest and work, but also in the recovery phase. The results of the psycho-physiological experiments give rise to the conclusion, that individual attitude to music doesn't primarily influence the effects of music on physiological reactions.


[Diagnosis of cerebral atrophy on the basis of the cerebral angiogram (author's transl)].

An increased distance between the brain surface and the skull causes the appearance of a broad avascular band in the carotid angiogram, which -- apart from other criteria -- has been valued as a sign of cerebral atrophy. 54 patients (60 to 79 years old), suffering from cerebrovascular diseases, were examined. Carotid angiography of the afflicted hemispheres were carried out within 4 to 90 days after the stroke. The initially mentioned distance between the skull and the brain surface, represented by the terminal arterial branches, was measured in frontal and lateral projection. The influence of alterations of the wall of extracranial vessels, of the number of attacks, of the severity of the stroke as well as of the patient's age on the distance was statistically evaluated. The results were compared with those of cranial computerized tomography. Only limited correlations between the mentioned parameters and the distance between the vessels and the skull have been found. Thus the distance is only of limited diagnostic value for the verification of senile cerebral atropy on a vascular basis.


[The localization of postthrombotic changes in the different levels of the venous system of the leg (author's transl)].

In 173 legs with crural ulcers and postthrombotic syndrome proved by phlebography the frequency of involvement of the 4 levels of deep venous system was assessed. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of patients with acute or subacute deep vein thrombosis. The partly very distinct discrepancies may probably be explained by long lasting dynamics of the venous changes (spontaneous lysis, recurrent thrombosis). For the development of severe signs of venous insufficiency the involvement of the lower leg level may be the only cause in many instances.


[Anorectal manometry in childhood (author's transl)].

Anorectal manometric studies with open-ended and water-filled tubes are useful in the diagnostic of many anorectal diseases. The electro-manometric investigation is together with X-ray and histologic examinations an important method in the diagnosis of Morbus Hirschsprung, especially in cases with short segment. Moreover a manometric differentiation of other forms of constipation is possible.


[Acute rupture of the interventricular septum in posterior wall infarction (author's transl)].

A rupture of the interventricular septum, as described in a case report, is found in 2% of myocardial infarctions. Clinical symptom loud systolic murmur audible at the left sternal border associated with a thrill and with signs of cardiogenic shock. The diagnosis is made by right heart catheterisation which shows a typical oxygen stepup between right atrium and right ventricle, by which the rupture of the interventricular septum can be differentiated from acute papillary muscle rupture. The therapy should be at first hemodynamic stabilisation by drugs and intraaortic balloon pump for 4 to 6 weeks and then closure of the ventricular septal defect by operation.


[Normal pressure hydrocephalus (author's transl)].

Report on 21 patients with the syndrome of normal pressure hydrocephalus. All patients were treated by implantation of a shunt-system (ventriculo-atrial shunt). In only 50% of the cases to result was good (complete remission of the clinical signs). The prognosis depends upon the etiology and the duration of the disease. The best results can be expected in cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus following subarachnoid hemorrhage.


[Post-traumatic meningioma (author's transl)].

Report on a post-traumatic meningioma diagnosed 37 years after the trauma. Reference to relevant cases and the value of computed tomography for medico-legal opinion in post-traumatic sequelae.


[The locked-in-syndrome (author's transl)].

On the basis of two cases some problems of the locked-in-syndrome are discussed. In most cases the cause of the syndrome is an infarct in the ventral part of the pons due to an occlusion of the vertebral or basilar artery. There is a total loss of movement exept for the movement of the eyes in all directions and the eye-closing. Although vigilance is almost not disturbed the complete loss of movement often results in a false diagnosis of cerebral coma. The EEG is an important diagnostic aid.


[Chronic thallium poisoning (author's transl)].

A rare case of criminal, chronic thallium poisoning is described. In spite of the general prohibition of the cosmetics, drugs and rodent exterminators containing thallium thallium intoxications are still observed occasionally. In the reported case typical symptoms as initial pain, dryness of the skin, constipation and insomnia were missing. The clinical picture was dominated by a polyneuropathy more pronounced in the lower extremities, a lesion of the optic nerve and the psychic symptoms of organic damage. A particular feature was the early loss of sensitivity of the anterior rami of the intercostal nerves.


[Three years behaviour therapy in a general hospital (author's transl)].

On the basis of 172 cases a report is given on the experience with behaviour therapy in a general hospital. Diagnostic and therapeutic proceedings as well as the fundamentals and methods of practically applied behaviour therapy are discussed. The results indicate that the dilemma of the so-called "healthy" discharged patients following organic thorough examination may be rendered less harmful by this proceeding.


[Meningitis carcinomatosa (author's transl)].

On the basis of a case report the clinical picture of meningitis carcinomatosa is discussed. The cerebrospinal fluid is the most important criterion for the diagnosis. All other examinations (EEG, brain-scan, X-ray) yield only imperfect information. The clinical picture of meningitis carcinomatosa is similar above all to meningitis tuberculosa. If cerebrospinal fluid shows inflammatory signs and there is a breakdown of cerebral nerves (blindness, deafness) meningitis carcinomatosa always should be considered, even if thorough examination does not succeed in proving a primary tumour.


[Oral treatment of acute dehydration in infants by an electrolyte-glucose-solution (author's transl)].

For oral treatment of acute dehydration in infants a solution of electrolytes and glucose in water is indicated. Selfmixing of this solution is not advisable. 30 infants with dehydration caused by acute diarrhoea were treated with a granulat (Normolyt) dissolved in water resulting in a solution of appropriate composition. The solution was well accepted and well tolerated. All babies without clinical signs of shock were successfully rehydrated by the solution. No untoward effects were observed.


Increased production of endogenous pyrogen and lysozyme by blood monocytes in sarcoidosis.

Blood monocytes from patients with sarcoidosis were incubated in vitro, and secretion of endogenous pyrogen (EP), the protein which mediates fever, and lysozyme (L) were measured. After incubation with endotoxin, monocytes from 5 patients with sarcoidosis released twice as much EP as did monocytes from normal individuals (p < .001). Initial 24-hr secretion of L by monocytes from 6 of 11 additional patients with sarcoidosis exceeded the normal range of values for cells from 11 age- and sex-matched control individuals. Cells with initially augmented secretion rates continued to secrete increased amounts of L for 3 days. A correlation was noted between in vitro secretion of L by monocytes and serum levels of L in the same patient. These studies indicate that circulating mononuclear cells in some patients with sarcoidosis have an increased capacity to secrete EP and/or L prior to tissue localization.


Association of anemia with reduced central respiratory drive in the piglet.

Central respiratory drive was studied in 13 piglets of both sexes varying in age from 19 to 67 days. The distal trachea was cannulated and the maximum rate of isometric inspiratory pressure change (dP/dt)(max), was measured at the airway. Curves were constructed relating this measurement to changes in arterial PCO(2) during carbon dioxide rebreathing. Data were obtained at intervals corresponding to stepwise reductions in central respiratory drive produced by added chloralose anaesthesia. Laryngeal reflex activation was achieved by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerves (SLN). This caused permanent respiratory arrest at a critical level of central respiratory depression expressed as the slope of the curve relating (dP/dt)(max) to arterial PCO(2). Severely anemic piglets showed markedly decreased central respiratory drive at a given dose of anesthesia compared to controls. This was consistent with the observed greater sensitivity to laryngeal nerve stimulation in these animals. It is concluded that anemia may be associated with impaired functional maturation of central respiratory mechanisms and consequent susceptibility to laryngeal reflex apnea and asphyxial death. These observations may pertain to factors associated with the sudden infant death syndrome.


[BCG-vaccination in GDR (author's transl)].

Report on the development of BCG-vaccination in GDR, appreciating the initiative and the contribution of Prof. Hans Knöll. BCG-vaccination has a great portion of the steady reduction of tuberculosis morbidity among children and young adults and the practical disappearance of mortality in these age groups.


[Contribution to the spontaneous pneumothorax from the surgical point of view (author's transl)].

The number of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax has increased in the last years. Above all young asthenics, often very tall, are affected. Smokers seem to be more endangered due to their cough-attacks in the morning. Beside them also patients with traumatic or iatrogen pneumothorax were more frequently seen. The therapy of the different form of pneumothorax is becoming more and more a surgical one, thus shortening the treatment time and diminishing the rate of recidives. In the first attack thorax-drainage is preferred; the second stage of therapy in the case of recidiv-pneymothorax is the thoracotomy. The so-called "idiopathic-spontaneous pneumothorax" which is to be seen in young people, is very seldom.


[Antibacterial activity, place of action and mechanism of resistance of pulmonal effecting antibiotics (author's transl)].

Antibiotics are of high importance in iatrogenic pathology. The emergence of resistent strains is a sanitary problem of remarkable consequences particularly under hospital conditions. Modern pulmology is not imaginable without antibiotic and chemotherapeutic drugs. A rational and economic therapy is possible only if the mechanisms and sites of antibacterial action and of drug resistance in bacteria are known.


[Anatomy, diagnostics and therapy of diaphragmatic lacunae in infants and children (author's transl)].

The various forms of diaphragmatic lacunae and hernius find their explanation in the development of the diaphragm. The classification of Vos, Eijgelaar and Kuijjer should by used for typification of intraoperative findings and comparison of the therapeutic results. Own experiences are discussed concerning diagnostics, differential diagnostics and therapy.