Rhinoplasty record and retrieval system.

The rhinoplastic surgeon must vary technique to fit the anatomic variations of nose and face. Our system to record and correlate preoperative findings with surgical methods could help accomplish this. It includes three forms to record pertinent findings of the history and physical examination, operative findings and techniques, and postoperative evaluations. These forms are numerically coded, and data can be transferred to a punch card system or computer cards for quick and easy retrieval and statistical analysis. The system tries to simplify the many anatomic and surgical variations, yet remain complete. We hope that this system, which has been used in other disciplines, can be applied to rhinoplasty. In this way, more scientific statistical data can be used to support surgical approaches.


Auditory brain stem evoked responses to bone-conducted signals.

Auditory brain stem evoked responses to air-conducted and bone-conducted signals were recorded in subjects with normal hearing and in subjects with conductive hearing loss. In normal subjects, the latency to wave V for bone-conducted signals was approximately 0.5 ms longer than the latency for air-conducted signals delivered at the same sensation level. In conductive hearing loss, the separation of the latency-intensity functions for air conduction and bone conduction (corrected for the 0.5-ms delay) provided a valid estimate of the behavioral air-bone gap in the 1,000- to 4,000-Hz region.


Hearing aid evaluation for persons with postlingual hearing levels of 90 to 100 dB.

Of 20 subjects with profound (90 to 100 dB) hearing loss who underwent a careful hearing aid evaluation, 16 were able to benefit from hearing aid use. With the recommended aids, all subjects could detect speech at levels within the normal conversational range; 75% had some understanding of spondee words; and 56% successfully accomplished tasks in phoneme identification. Two subjects succeeded on a standard speech discrimination test. Ear-level instruments, five binaural, were recommended for 13 of the 16 subjects. Microphones were front-facing in the majority of instances; none were directional. Seven aids used amplitude compression. Subjects were encouraged to relate their subjective impressions, and home trial was an important part of the evaluation. In the majority of instances, lipreading scores were markedly better with hearing aid use than without.


Contour analysis in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Three-dimensional measurements of living objects may be made using various biostereometric techniques. Moire topography provides one-step contour line maps. It is a potential low-cost adjuvant to current photographic and cephalometric techniques for documentation of surface deformities. A relatively simple apparatus may be used with instant-processing film to produce immediate contour maps superimposed on the object image on the film. There is significant qualitative information highlighted by the fine resolution of the system. This immediate had data may be quantitatively analyzed by hand with ruler and/or caliper. In the future, off-line quantitative analysis may be made by computer. Geometric constraints of the system and examples of use of the technique are provided. Emphasis is placed on facial asymmetries that are difficult to analyze from plain photographs and inaccessible to data analysis from lateral cephalometric roentgenographs.


Profile contouring including cheiloplasty.

Profile disharmony exists when there is an unattractive forehead-to-chin contour. An indication for correction arises when the appearance disturbs the patient. Often the patient believes rhinoplasty alone will improve the unpleasant profile. The surgeon must appreciate other deformitied and enlighten the patient of concurrent osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. Profile evaluation and treatment rarely requires complicated diagnostic and corrective measures. Complex mathematical evaluations followed by multistaged surgical procedures are impractical for most patients. My experience with augmentation of the nose and mentum with polyamide mesh in more than 200 cases indicates that it is a simple and safe material for implantation. Modification of the nasofrontal angle and cheiloplasty are minor adjunctive procedures and are readily combined with the basic rhinoplasty.


Origins of the scalp recorded frequency-following response in the cat.

The frequency-following response (FFR) is a short-latency scalp-recorded evoked potential elicited by the presentation of low-frequency acoustic stimuli. It is thought to be the result of the synchronous electrical activity in brain stemauditory nuclei to each wave in the acoustic signal. The present investigation constitutes an attempt to determine the generators of the FFR in the cat by analysis of the response and by section of brain stem auditory nuclei and tracts. Among the results were the following: (1) the cochlear nuclei contribute approximately 50% of the amplitude of the scalp-recordedFFR in the cat. (2) The cochlea also makes a significant contribution, accounting for an average of nearly 25% of the response amplitude. (3) The superior olivary nuclei (and/or the nuclei of the lateral lemnisci) account for about 20% of the response amplitude. (4) The contributions from the inferior colliculi (contrary to earlier studies) were found to be relatively insignificant. (5) As a consequence of the existence of multiple generators, the FFR ample area of hair cell excitation for each stimulus frequency involved in the mediation of the FFR, suggestion that scalp-recorded FFRs could be used to ascertain low-frequency hearingsensitivity in uncooperative human subjects.


Cochlear distribution of frequency-following response initiation. A high-pass masking noise study.

The cochlear initiation of the frequency-following response (FFR) to 500-Hz tone bursts was assessed in 6 normal-hearing subjects by measuring FFR amplitude as a function of the low-frequency cutoff of high-pass masking noise (3 550, 1 800, 900, and 450 Hz). The major fall off of FFR amplitude occurred when the masking noise began to mask the apical portion of the cochlea. This effect was especially apparent at low intensities. The results are interpreted as supporting the view that at low intensities, low-frequency tone bursts evoke the FFR primarily through the apical portion of the cochlea.


Influence of the stimulus repetition rate on brain-stem-evoked responses in man.

In order to record brain-stem-evoked responses as fast as possible, the influence of the stimulus repetition rate was investigated. The repetition frequency was varied from 2.5 to 80 Hz. The amplitudes of N2-N4 diminish uniformly with increasing stimulus rate. The repetition rate has little or no influence on the amplitude of N5; however, increasing the repetition frequency about 10 Hz causes an increase in the latencies of N2-N5. It seems that the decrease in the amplitude of N2-N4 and the increase in the latencies of N2-N5 are of cochlear origin, since the amplitude and the latency of the cochlear responses are influenced in the same way by the repetition rate as the above-mentioned brain stem responses.


Effects of rise time on simultaneously recorded auditory-evoked potentials from the early, middle and late ranges.

The view that the effects of stimulus rise time are qualitatively different for early brain stem components, middle latency components and late vertex components of the auditory-evoked responses was reexamined. The amplitudes and latencies of the brain stem response (Jewett's wave V), middle latency components Na and Pa, and vertex potentials P1, N1 and P2, evoked by tone burts of various rise times, were analyzed. Increases in rise time were associated with smaller peak amplitudes and longer peak latencies for all of the components measured. These effects were comparable in magnitude for all the components. The results are interpreted in terms of a delayed and less synchronized neural discharge from the cochlea as rise time is extended.


The acoustically evoked potential with inverse tone burst stimulation compared to a model experiment.

'Inverse tone burst stimulation' refers to a brief interruption of a continuing tone. Stimulation by such an interruption affects the form and amplitude of the evoked potential. In tone interruption two distinct potentials, an off-potential by the break, and an on-potential by restoring the tone, can be discerned. The amplitudes of these two potentials show approximately equal values with tone breaks less than or equal to 400 ms. The phenomena of super-position with the shorter tone breaks determine the overall acoustically evoked potential (AEP) curve shape as a function of the duration of the break. Model experiments were carried out in which an averaged potential was being time-shifted by different amounts and added to the same potential which, however, was not being time-shifted. These model experiments simulated the phenomena of superposition and brought forth a lucid explanation.


Comparison of the hearing threshold measured by manual pure-tone and by self-recording (Békésy) audiometry.

The hearing threshold of 115 subjects aged 25--63 years and working on a shipyard were determined both by Békésy sweep audiometry and by conventional manual octave pure-tone audiometry at fixed audiometric frequencies. The attenuation rate was 2.5 dB s-1 with pulsed-tone presentation and the sweep time from 0.25 to 10 kHz was 400 s for the Békésy audiometer. Manual pure-tone audiometry was performed in 5-dB steps. The Békésy method gave the lowest values for the hearing thresholds. It has been possible to find a useful linear relation between pure-tone and Békésy hearing thresholds. With the help of a retest experiment, it has been established, that the standard deviations of hearing thresholds obtained under similar conditions in a pure-tone investigation are about twice as large as those obtained in a Békésy investigation.


Speech perception processes and fitting of hearing aids.

A model of speech perception is modified to take into account the adaptational factors involved in speech perception and learning. In connection with fitting of hearing aids, the model permits a description and identification of factors influencing the immediate and long-term benefits of a hearing aid. Various aspects of the model in connection with the rehabilitation process using hearing aids are considered and a new step-wise adjusting procedure for the assessment of hearing aids is proposed. Our observations imply that speech audiometry is a poor indicator of the long-term benefit of a hearing aid.


The manpower debate -- what is the current position in relation to general practice?

With the changing situation in medical manpower, it is important that a close watch be kept on the total number of medical practitioners in the community and their distribution between salaried and self-employed work, between hospital and community practice, between city and country practice, between general and specialist practice and between the general specialties and subspecialties. More accurate manpower data are now being sought by the Medical Boards and what must be emphasized is that the collection of these data has to be regular and ongoing, with surveys being conducted each year at the time of registration, and not just spasmodically as the need arises. The groups involved in planning for medical manpower must be able to work with accurate information. Australia is a long way from defining how many medical practitioners are needed in the community, and the RACGP is certainly a long way from defining the number of general practitioners who are needed. As a result, it is probably inappropriate at present to evaluate the current numbers of general practitioners against any stated level of adequacy.


Cerebrovascular disease.

Cerebrovascular disorders producing transient or permanent symptoms and signs are very common, but they are not the only causes of a sudden neurologic deficit. Careful examination of the cardiovascular system may indicate the likely cause of the lesion, while accurate neurologic localization is also useful in establishing a diagnosis and prognosis. The CT scan is very helpful in distinguishing infarction from haemorrhage. In the management of the acute lesion, treatable disorders such as systemic diseases, potentially fatal rostro-caudal herniation, haematomas and aneurysms always need to be positively exlcuded. Endarterectomy, platelet inhibitors and anticoagulants are advised in certain situations, although their place in the management of cerebrovascular disorders still remains somewhat controversial.


The coronary: "will I have another?".

Awareness by medical practitioners of the need to keep their patients adequately informed of their conditions is of paramount importance in caring for those people who have had a myocardial infarction. This includes a realization that these people have questions to be answered at all stages of the illness, from the initial contact when in pain, throughout the hospital admission, and during rehabilitation.


The alcoholic: "but I haven't got a problem, doctor".

In this progressive disability, the earliest possible intervention gives the best chances of success. The doctor is often faced with alcohol related physical problems. To recognize and confront a patient with early alcohol problems, he needs an awareness of the early behavioural as well as physical markers of excessive drinking. He requires an understanding of the reasons for the denial so often met, and the facility of openness in confronting his patient.


Studies on polydisperse systems using an air-driven ultracentrifuge: application to phosphatidylcholine vesicles.

A high-speed air-driven ultracentrifuge (Airfuge) has been used to determine the molecular weight and effective specific volume of phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The method used to determine the effective specific volume involved varying the solution density until zero sedimentation of the vesicles occurred. The value obtained for the effective specific volume of 0.9885 ml/g agrees well with previously reported values. The determination of the molecular weight of the vesicles is based on a method in which the fraction of vesicles remaining in an upper fraction of the solution column is compared with the values obtained using standard proteins. The values obtained for the molecular weight of the vesicles range from 1.7 X 10(6) to 2.3 X 10(6) and are in good agreement with results obtained using the analytical ultracentrifuge and with previously reported results. Possible effects due to the polydispersity of the solute are assessed using theoretical calculations and the possibility of using the Airfuge for the study of other polydisperse systems is discussed.


Studies on the in vitro metabolism of [3H]cortisol and [3H]oestradiol by sheep skin and wool roots.

The in vitro metabolism of [3H]cortisol, [3H]cortisone and [3H]estradiol-17 beta by adult sheep skin and wool follicle tissue (wool roots) was examined. The main metabolic product of the incubation of [3H]cortisol with sheep skin was [3H]cortisone, and the conversion was reversible. Wool roots were unable to carry out detectable interconversion, nor did this tissue give rise to other significant metabolites. Sheep skin and wool roots both rapidly converted [3H]oestradiol-17 beta to [3H]oestrone and the conversion could be carried out by follicle and non-follicle skin structures. It is suggested that sheep skin contains both 11 beta- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, but that wool follicles contain only the latter enzyme.


Effects of caecectomy in the young adult female rat on digestibility of food offered ad libitum and in restricted amounts.

Caecectomized and sham-operated rats were fed a laboratory chow ad libitum and the effects of caecectomy on the digestibility of the food were studied. Compared with sham-operated controls, caecectomized rats showed a decrease in apparent digestibiltiy of organic matter from 77.8 to 73.0%, of crude protein from 83.0 to 79.4%, and of 'carbohydrate' from 74.6 to 69.0%. However, faecal water content increased from 41.6 to 54.8%. 51Cr-labelled EDTA was excreted faster in the faeces after caecectomy. The colon partly adapted to the loss of caecal mucosa by increased length and thus mucosal surface area. In a second concurrent experiment the effect of caecectomy on the apparent digestibility of food during food restriction was studied. Six caecectomized rats, comparable in all respects to those used in the first study, were fed the laboratory chow ad libitum for 3 weeks. They were then fed submaintenance amounts of food to achieve body weight losses of 40--50% and to maintain these low weights for 4 weeks. Finally, they were again fed ad libitum for 3 weeks. During the period of restriction the apparent digestibility of organic matter increased from 72.7 to 75.4%. This was largely due to the increased apparent digestibility of crude protein which rose from 78.4 to 81.9%. Digestibility coefficients returned to control values immediately upon refeeding ad libitum.


Glucagon responses to exercise in sheep.

Sheep were subjected to moderate (5 km/h) and strenuous (7 km/h) exercise on a treadmill for 45 min. After training, the sheep were again exercised. Glucagon concentrations in plasma increased in all sheep after commencement of exercise. These increases were related directly to the severity of exercise. The glucagon response also was dependent upon training with a lesser increase in trained animals than in untrained animals running at the same speed. Insulin concentrations in plasma decreased significantly only during strenuous exercise in untrained sheep.


Influence of haemoglobin type and selenium status on peripheral plasma progesterone and corticosteroid concentration in ewes grazing oestrogenic pastures.

Peripheral plasma progesterone and corticosteroid concentrations were studied in ewes grazing oestrogenic pastures during oestrus, pregnancy and parturition in 1974 and during pregnancy in 1975. Haemoglobin (Hb) type A ewes had significantly higher mean corticosteroid concentrations than HbB ewes in both years. In 1974 the concentration of progesterone did not differ significantly between Hb types whilst in 1975 the concentration was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in HbA ewes. The mean corticosteroid concentrations were higher in selenium-supplemented ewes of both Hb types than in unsupplemented ewes in 1974 but lower in 1975. Selenium treatment did not significantly influence the progesterone concentration in ewes of both Hb types in 1974 but significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in 1975. It is concluded that the higher concentration of plasma corticosteroids or factors regulating the relationship between corticosteroids and progesterone could be responsible for the higher estimates of embryonic mortality reported in HbA ewes.


Effects of regional hemoconcentration during LBNP on plasma volume determinations.

Blood samples were obtained from forearm vein or artery with indwelling cannula I. before, II. during the last min, and III. about 2 min after lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in 16 experiments to determine whether plasma volume (PV) estimates were affected by regional hemoconcentration in the lower body. Total hemoglobin (THb) was estimated with the CO method prior to LBNP. Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) values from II gave only a 3% (87 ml) loss in PV due to LBNP, assuming no change in THb. However, Hb and Hct values from III showed an 11% loss in PV (313 ml). This 72% underestimation of PV loss with II must have resulted from the sequestration of blood and subsequent hemoconcentration in the lower body during LBNP. The effects of LBNP on PV should be estimated 1-3 min after exposure, after mixing but before extravascular fluid returns to the circulation.


Blood pressure variability of the individual in orthostatic testing.

Within-subject blood pressure (BP) variability was studied in the context of orthostatic testing. Nineteen healthy men volunteered for biweekly orthostatic testing. BP's were taken on alternate minutes during 5 min of supine rest and a subsequent 5 min of quiet standing. Within-subject variance was computed for systole and diastole by protocol condition; respective variances were than pooled (i.e. averaged) across subjects. The within-subject estimate of variance for a single BP reading in either position was approximately 6 torr (i.e. 1 S.D.). This variance estimate was reduced by averaging additional BP readings from the same visit, and more so by averaging BP readings from multiple visits. These findings have use in the design of orthostatic protocols and in the interpretation of BP data derived therefrom.


Thermal conduction effects in human skin.

To determine the maximum permissible temperature any material may attain without causing pain or burn on contact with bare skin, over 2000 observations were made of pain threshold during contact with materials at elevated temperatures. Six materials were used representing the full range of thermal properties from good conductors to good insulators. Time to pain threshold was converted to time to threshold blister on the basis of the relationship between pain and burn established earlier for radiant and for convective heating. Calculated times to blister were used to predict the material temperatures causative of "touch-burn". Experimentally produced threshold blisters at the predicted temperature-times verified the predictions. Graphs and equations were generated for determining safe temperatures for any material in contact with bare skin for 1-5 s solely from a knowledge of its thermal properties. Conversely, the thermal inertia (k rho c) of the optimal material for a specific use and skin contact can be predicted from a knowledge of the maximum material temperature and length of contact time anticipated.


Responses of retinal and visual pathway potentials of the guinea pig to nitrogen and helium at high pressure.

Electroretinographic, optic chiasm, and visual cortex potentials were monitored in the awake guinea pig as nitrogen pressures were raised to 16 ATA and held for 30 min. Pressurization to 90 ATA with helium in 10-ATA increments followed. We sought to (a) quantify the depressant effect of nitrogen on the retina as compared to the central visual pathway, and (b) to test for pressure reversibility. The electroretinogram was reduced approximately 15%, the chiasm potential by 15%, and the cortical response by 32% in 16 ATA nitrogen, and latent periods for the three signals increased an average of 5-8%. Helium at pressure did not restore the amplitude of the electroretinogram or optic chiasm response, but the visual cortex potential returned to control levels near 90 ATA total pressure. Reversal of the nitrogen-induced latency increases by helium was partially effective up to 40 ATA. Control latent periods were not reached. Further attenuation of the electroretinogram and chiasm response amplitudes, and increased latencies of all signals were observed at 50-90 ATA.


Heat- and exercise-induced hyperthermia: effects on high-energy phosphates.

To assess the role of high-energy phosphate compounds in the etiology of heat injury with respect to the release of intracellular constituents, the susceptibility of selected tissues to heat injury, and the shock-like demise of the animals, rats were exercised on a treadmill (9.14 m/min) in a hot environment (34.5-35 degrees C) to a rectal temperature (Tre) of 42.5-43 degrees C. In the heart, kidney, left lateral lobe of the liver, and gastrocnemius muscle extricated from animals immediately upon termination of the treadmill run, levels of glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and creatine phosphate (CP) were unchanged when compared with sedentary controls. In animals which had been resuscitated by infusion of isotonic saline into a jugular catheter, levels of CP were significantly (p less than 0.025) elevated in gastrocnemius muscle. In rats which were unconscious and succumbing to the effects of hyperthermic injury, levels of hepatic G-6-P and ATP were significantly reduced (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.02, respectively). These results indicate that the combination of exhaustive excercise/heat injury had the most deleterious effects upon hepatic metabolism. However, while resuscitation with physiological saline may be accompanied by an increased synthesis of CP, hyperthermic exhaustion and the concomitant efflux of cellular constituents cannot be attributed to a depletion or even a decrement of high-energy phosphates in vital tissues.


Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the blood-bubble interface in decompressed rats.

Scanning and transmission electron-microscopy have been applied for study of the ultrastructural features of the blood-bubble interface in the vasculature of explosively-decompressed rats. In scanning electron-microscopy, the surface facing the bubble appeared smooth, with slight undulation and frequent roundish protrusions. In cross sections of the material between the bubbles, there could be observed a continuous surface layer facing the bubble, a loosely-bound meshwork of fibrous material, and extreme congestion of erythrocytes. In transmission electron-microscopy there were found alignment of platelets along the interface, and a thin (10-20 nm) layer of osmiophilic material, in accordance with earlier ultrastructural studies. The platelets were often rounded. It is concluded that the initial phase of the blood-bubble interaction is the deposition of a plasma protein coat, followed by the attachment platelets, possibly related to activation of the coagulation system.


Cockpit thermal stress and aircrew thermal strain during routine Jaguar operations.

Thermal data have been obtained from Jaguar aircraft flying routine, warm-weather operations in Sardinia. These data have been analysed in terms of the ambient and cockpit wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) and the mean body temperature (Tb) of the pilot. In contrast to similar data previously obtained from Harrier and Buccaneer aircraft, no interrelationships could be demonstrated between ambient WBGT at ground level and either cockpit WBGT or pilot Tb. Relationships which could be described by equations of negative slope were obtained between Tb and sortie time and between cockpit WBGT and sortie time. A model has been derived for predicting aircrew thermal strain in the Jaguar from cockpit temperature and sortie time.


A survey of aerobic fitness levels in a Canadian military population.

Aerobic fitness was assessed for 3171 men aged 17-55 years and for 610 women aged 17-29 years serving in almost every segment of the Canadian Forces (CF). Maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2 max) was predicted from heart rate measured during submaximal exercise. The survey showed that recruit training markedly improved Vo2 max for both men and women but that, after graduates were assigned to their trades and classifications and fitness training was no longer compulsory, fitness returned to pre-training levels. The relationship between daily activity and aerobic fitness was further demonstrated by comparing land, air, and sea elements in the CF. The active life of the young infantry soldiers is reflected in their relatively high Vo2 max. The available evidence indicates that, unless their duties involve compulsory fitness training (recruits) or hard physical work (infantry soldiers), the military in Canada have aerobic fitness levels which are not markedly higher than their civilian counterparts.


Increased survival in experimental dog heatstroke after reduction of gut flora.

A study was undertaken to determine if gut flora contribute to the pathophysiology of experimental canine heatstroke. Fifty animals in four groups were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (25 mg/kg) intravenously. An air temperature of 42-46 degrees C was maintained adjacent to the dog with a water-heated blanket for approximately 2 h until rectal temperatures rose to 43.5 +/- 0.4 degrees C. Animals were then cooled passively in room air (28 degrees C, 20% RH) until death or until 18 h elapsed, and were euthanized. Reduction of intestine stool and bacterial contents with antibiotics, cathartics, and enemas prior to heatstroke increased the incidence of 18-h survival from 20.0% to 70.6%; antibiotics administered after heatstroke did not alter the incidence of survival over control values. These data suggest that gut flora, presumably through endotoxemia, contribute to the evolution of heatstroke pathophysiology.


Reproducibility of +Gz tolerance testing.

The +Gz tolerance of USAF aircrewmen undergoing medical evaluation has been tested at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine since 1973. For various reasons, the test protocol can usually be carried out only once on these patients. Accurate determination of the +Gz tolerance of aircrewmen who fly high performance fighter aircraft is very important in assuring aero-medical safety, since loss of consciousness as a result of exceeding a pilot's G tolerance may result in loss of life and loss of aircraft. It is, therefore, necessary to estimate the variability associated with each profile of the test so that a more accurate assessment of +Gz tolerance can be made. Multiple repeat medical evaluation test protocols were performed on 17 centrifuge acceleration panel members. The standard deviations in the +Gz measurements for the four centrifuge profiles were GOR(1) = 0.38 Gz, ROR=0.22 Gz, GOR(2)=0.34 Gz, and GOR(S)=0.39 Gz. A statistically significant learning effect, which increases +Gz tolerance, was observed in both experienced and inexperienced subjects. Knowledge of the variability associated with each test profile will allow a more accurate definition of an individual +Gz tolerance when only a single centrifuge test protocol can be performed. In addition, possible future use of this centrifuge protocol in the selection of individuals with above- or below-average +Gz tolerance is facilitated with an accurate assessment of the variability associated with the test.


Ejection problems and injuries: their causes, effects and treatments, and suggestions for preventive measures.

A relatively brief discussion of the problems of combat ejections in the I.A.F. is presented, including the injuries found and their prevention where possible; some problems that are known to exist and to some of which no clear-cut solutions are known. Some indications are given of what to expect when confronted with a man immediately after he has ejected from his aircraft.


The treatment of acute accidental hypothermia: proceedings of a symposium held at the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine.

A symposium was held at the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough, Hampshire, on Feb. 28, 1978. The purpose of the meeting was to distill up-to-date expert opinion to provide advice for those faced with the treatment of victims of exposure or cold water immersion. In particular, it was intended to recommend practical measures which could be employed in the field. However, it soon became apparent that there are large gaps in our knowledge of the physiology of hypothermia. These made the formulation of definitive advice extremely difficult.


An improved method for inducing hypothermia and rewarming.

A hypothermia and rewarming system combining body surface and ventilatory heat exchange is described. The method utilizes body surface heat exchange through conduction, convection, and black body radiation, and ventilatory heat exchange across the lung surface through conduction, convection, and water evaporation. The system consisted of a chamber in which the temperature was maintained at a desired level (+/- 2.5 degrees C) using a refrigeration-heat pump unit. Chamber temperatures during cooling and rewarming were -15.5 +/- 2.7 degrees C and 43.2 +/- 2.3 degrees C, respectively. Inhalate temperatures during cooling were -8.2 +/- 6.5 degrees C and during rewarming they were 41.5 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Helium (100%) was supplied to the chamber, while the animal was ventilated with 20% O2 + 80% He. Under these conditions, the cooling and rewarming rates were  0.33 +/- 0.06 degrees C/min and 0.20 +/- 0.04 degrees C/min, respectively, at 38--21 degrees C. The system provided for rapid cooling and rewarming with no evidence of any untoward effects.


Mycobacterium ulcerans infection: treatment with rifampin, hyperbaric oxygenation, and heat.

The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), heat, and rifampin for treating mice infected with Mycobacterium ulcerans was analyzed. Four hundred mice were innouclated in the hind footpads with 10(8) organisms. The seven treatment groups (50 mice each) were HBO (2.5 ATA for 1.5 h, twice a day), rifampin (RIF) (20 mg/kg body weight/d), heat (mice maintained at 37 degrees C), and all combinations of the three treatments. The severity of infection in the treated mice was compared weekly for 20 weeks with that of infected controls. The most effective treatments were RIF/HEAT and RIF/HBO/HEAT, RIF/HBO/HEAT treatment was further evaluated to determine the effectiveness of treating mice at various stages of infection. Three hundred mice were inoculated in the hind footpads, and, as the infection progressed, they were separated into groups (50 mice/group) according to the severity of infection. The treatment groups were compared to positive controls. The effectiveness of therapy was indirectly proportional to the severity of infection.


Deconditioning-induced exercise responses as influenced by heat acclimation.

Five young men were tested on a bicycle ergometer before (Test 1) and after (Test 2) 8 d of heat acclimation (exercise at 50% of Vo2max at 39.8 degrees C DB, 30.0 degrees C WB) and after 8 h of water immersion (Test 3). A control group of five subjects underwent a similar procedure in a temperate environment of 23.8 degrees C. Heat acclimation resulted in the usual decreases in exercise heart rate (30 beats/min) and rectal temperature (0.6 degrees C) and an increase in sweat rate (19%). The control group showed effects of moderate training by decreases in exercise heart rate (11 beats/min), rectal temperature (0.3 degrees C), and sweat rate (24%). Water immersion resulted in substantial diuresis in both groups, despite 1800 ml of water consumed by each subject. In the acclimation group, exercise responses in Test 2 were better than in Test 1, with little improvement shown by the control group. The acclimation group maintained exercise responses in Test 3 as in Test 1, with more adverse responses shown by the control group. The results show that heat acclimation provides an effective method to prevent the adverse effects of water-immersion deconditioning on exercise tolerance.


In-flight measures of stress reduction due to wearing expandable foam earplugs.

Ten low-time pilots (less than 150 h) who did not normally use earplugs flew three flights each in Cessna-152 training planes. The flight routines were all the same, lasting about 45 minutes. Each pilot flew one flight while adapting to earplugs, another flight with earplugs, and a third flight without earplugs. Pilot's breathing rate was the measure of autonomic arousal. A baseline rate was measured before each flight and in-flight scores were expressed as changes from baseline. Half the pilots flew their flights in the order, with-with-without earplugs and half flew in the order without-with-with. Results showed a mean increase in breathing rate above preflight baseline of 30% without earplugs and an increase of only 21% with earplugs (data taken from second flight with earplugs) for a significant savings of 9% (p less than 0.025, Wilcoxsen matched-pairs signed-ranks test, one tailed).


Pulmonary function and maximum exercise responses following acute ozone exposure.

We examined changes in pulmonary function during resting exposure to concentrations of ozone at 0.75, 0.50, 0.25, and 0.00 parts/million (ppm), and determined the effect these exposures had on a subsequent maximum exercise test using filtered air. In order to determine if recovery of pulmonary function would be facilitated by increased ventilation due to maximum exercise, a control condition was conducted with subjects resting for a period equivalent to the maximum exercise condition. Eight males and five females participated in eight different conditions in order to answer these two questions. Resting 2-h exposure to 0.75 and 0.50 ppm ozone caused significant decrements in forced vital capacity of 10% and 5%, respectively. However, 0.00 and 0.25 ppm ozone induced no pulmonary decrement. None of the pollutant conditions reduced subsequent maximum exercise performance (ml O2.min-1.kg-1, heart rate, and total performance time). The pulmonary function responses after the maximum capacity test returned to pre-ozone values for the 0.50 ppm condition, but were still significantly decreased for the 0.75 ppm condition. The increased ventilatory exchanges from maximum exercise did not facilitate the return of pulmonary function. It appeared that increased ventilation during ozone exposure plays a significant role only in inducing pulmonary function decrement, but not in facilitating the return of pulmonary function to normal values.


Auditory and visual sustained attention during ozone exposure.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different concentrations of ozone at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 parts/million (ppm) on sustained visual and auditory attention tasks (vigilance performance). When the rate of signals to nonsignals was low, approximately 1 out of 30, ozone in concentrations as high as 0.75 ppm did not alter performance to either visual or auditory tasks. However, when the ratio of signals to non-signals was increased, a deficit in performance beyond that of the normal vigilance decline was observed during the 0.75 ppm ozone exposure. However, no changes in false positive responses occurred. The results were interpreted within the framework of an arousal hypothesis, suggesting that high concentrations of ozone may produce overarousal.


Prediction of body temperatures during exercise in flying clothing.

A mathematical model has been used to describe experimental results for core and skin temperatures in subjects undergoing a rest/activity cycle in two aircrew clothing assemblies at two environmental temperatures (wet bulb, globe temperature (WBGT) indices of 25.9 and 28.9 degrees C). The model presented compares well with published data for subjects in standard aircrew equipment assemblies. Aircrew flying at a WBGT of 28.9 degrees C in chemical defence clothing may reach an unacceptable level of mean body temperature within 40 min and deep body temperature will rise at 1 degree C.hr-1. To prevent deterioration in flying performance during repeated sorties, an alteration in the work/rest activity pattern or the introduction of effective cabin or personal conditioning systems may be required,


Estimated body rotation as a predictor of motion sickness susceptibility.

We rotated 36 blindfolded subjects in yaw between 30 degrees and 135 degrees and asked them to estimate the angular displacement they had experienced. An index of a subject's "receptivity" was obtained by calculating the slope of the line relating perceived to actual displacement; his susceptibility to motion sickness was determined by a questionnaire. The product moment correlation between these two measures was not significant, a result which conflicts with the receptivity hypothesis. It is suggested that "adaptability" rather than "receptivity" may be the more impotant determinant of susceptibility to motion sickness.


Self-pacing during sustained, repetitive exercise.

During Exercise Fastball, 25 young French infantry soldiers walked 204 km in 6 d. A different load weight was assigned to each subject to ensure that they all worked at the same percentage of their aerobic power (Vo2max). The actual energy expended during the march was monitored by recording heart rates by ECG telemetry. The results confirmed that adjusting the load weight is a practical means of ensuring the same relative workload for subjects with different Vo2max. Furthermore, fit young soldiers will self-pace at 30-40% of Vo2max and will continue to do so for at least 6 d. The factor limiting performance for many of these subjects was the condition of their feet as a result of walking on the hard road surface.


New inventory for the assessment of symptom occurrence and severity at high altitude.

A new inventory, called the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ), was devised to provide improved assessment of symptoms occurring during exposure to high altitude. The ESQ was field tested with 12 subjects exposed to 4300 m altitude for 4 d, and was compared with responses to the General High Altitude Questionnaire (GHAQ). Both instruments reflected significant symptom occurrence, but the ESQ was more sensitive on certain items focal to altitude conditions, and showed significant responses to items not contained in the GHAQ. Based on this test, the ESQ was judged easier to use, more sensitive, and more comprehensive for assessing medical symptoms at altitude.


Ultrasonic investigations of the soleus muscle after space flight on the Biosputnik 936.

The study was aimed at quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the muscle fibres and the axonal endings of the neuromuscular junctions in the soleus muscle of animals after a space flight on Biosputnik 936. Ultrastructural morphometric studies of the muscle fibres demonstrated diminished volume of sarcomer and accumulation of glycogen granules. The mean number of mitochondrial profiles decreased. The investigations of the axonal endings of the neuromuscular junctions in the soleus muscle showed diminution of the mean number of synaptic vesicles and swelling of the mitochondria. This changing in the fibres and axonal endings we can interpret as the first step of degeneration.


Effect on performance of cycling deep body temperature between 37.0 and 37.6 degrees C.

Previous experiments (1.2) showed that performance of of a pursuit rotor task is worse during heating than during cooling at deep body temperatures of 37.9-38.5 degrees C. Performance of the same task and of a manikin task has now been studied in a similar experiment while core temperature was cycled between 37.0 and 37.6 degrees C. No change in performance was observed between heating and cooling. It is concluded that decrements in performance during heating only develop above a critical absolute level of deep body temperature. The critical level of deep body temperature, above which performance of the rotary pursuit task is degraded, is 37.6-37.9 degrees C, and this can be related to affective thermal sensation.


Molecular sieve oxygen generating system: the argon question--a brief review.

The molecular sieve oxygen generating system (MSOG) is currently being considered as a replacement for liquid and gaseous stores on aircraft for the supply of aviator's breathing oxygen. Incorporation of onboard oxygen generation in aircraft not only increases system safety but also minimizes logistic requirements. However, a unique characteristic of the MSOG is that it concentrates not only oxygen but also argon in the process of removing nitrogen from engine bleed air. Maximum concentrations produced by present systems are in the order of 95% oxygen and 5% argon. These results have precipitated numerous questions relating to the physiological effects of argon in the product breathing gas. This report reviews the current literature concerning argon as a minor constituent (less than 10%) in gas breathing systems and recommends studies prior to human compatibility testing of the molecule sieve oxygen generating systems.


Injuries in air transport emergency evacuations.

Twelve air transport evacuations are reviewed. Injuries are discussed with emphasis on configurational and procedural contributing factors. Recommendations and information about possible methods of reducing injuries are provided.


Spinal injuries in the F/FB-111 crew escape system.

During the years 1970-75, a larger than expected number of aircrewmen, forced to use the F/FB-111 crew escape module, experienced acute spinal trauma during otherwise uneventful ejection. This trend in the incidence and severity of F/FB-111 aircrew spinal injuries attracted considerable attention and stimulated extensive inquiry concerning the ethiology of the trauma in order to implement appropriate corrective measures. In response to the expressed concerns, an investigation was initiated to analyze the biodynamic pathogenetic mechanism associated with ejection in the F/FB-111 crew escape module. The purpose of this retrospective investigation is to identify the frequency and severity of spinal trauma in the F/FB-111 crew escape module and to shed additional light on the patterns and severity along with the orthopaedic biomechanics of spinal injury.


Aeromedical evacuation in Israel--a study of 884 cases.

We analyzed 884 moderately severe and severe casualties evacuated by the aeromedical evacuation unit of the Israel Air Force. Of these, 452 were evacuated during the "Yom Kippur" War in 1973, and 432 during 1974-76. The aeromedical teams performed 24 rescusitations and 13 emergency operations, and provided primary medical care for 37 cases; 95% of the casualties reached the next stage of evacuation without deterioration in their medical condition. These data support our concept that the participation of a flight surgeon in aeromedical evacuation is highly valuable. The advantages of small helicopters for aeromedical evacuation purposes are outlined. The suitability of the aeromedical evacuation system in Israel for wartime as well as for peacetime is pointed out.


Determination of muscle mass changes in legs from 40K measurements.

The 40K content of the upper legs was periodically measured in several subjects whose injured legs had been in a cast for 6 weeks or more. As the subjects began using the leg again, the 40K content increased as the muscle tissue was replaced. A 25% increase in 40K content in 6 months is typical for a normal leg use and recovery. This is equivalent to an original muscle mass loss of 20%. By measuring specific body regions, such as arms or legs, with a high-efficiency detector system, muscle mass changes which exceed a few percent can be measured. These methods could be used in space flight and bedrest studies, and in studying nutritional deficiencies due to disease or diet.


Inbreeding and copulatory behavior in house mice: a further consideration.

Comparisons were made of the copulatory behavior of randomly bred (one population: WRL) and inbred wild (five strains: PAA, ab, ac, ad, and PAE) male house mice. All inbred and randomly bred stocks were derived from a single foundation population. The inbred males tended to have shorter latencies to the first mount and intromission, longer latencies to ejaculation, and more preejaculatory mounts and thrusts than randomly bred males. All these effects parallel those observed in a previous study in which a wild population was compared with various domestic inbred strains. If inbreeding depression is related to adaptive significance, these data suggest that, although rapid initiation of copulation in a novel environment may not be adaptive, it may be adaptive for mice to ejaculate rapidly once copulation is initiated.


A gene-imposed nervous system difference influencing behavioral covariance.

Behavioral and physiological scores from 697 mice sampled from lines at various times during their response to bidirectional selection for divergent caudal nerve conduction velocity suggest broad-reaching behavioral effects of the gene differences among lines. Sciatic nerve conduction velocity differences as well as line differences in reflexive leg withdrawal indicate gene effects general to other peripheral nerves and to behaviors with known dependence on functional by those nerves. Independently replicated line differences for open-field activity and defecation demonstrate effects on more complex behaviors with no obvious direct relationship to peripheral nerve conduction velocity. The direction of line differences in open-field behaviors suggests that genetic variance for peripheral nerve function may contribute to genetic covariance between these behaviors.


Intellectual resemblance among adoptive adoptive and biological relatives: the Texas adoption project.

Intellectual and personality measures were available from unwed mothers who gave their children up for adoption at birth. The same or similar measures have been obtained from 300 sets of adoptive parents and all of their adopted and natural children in the Texas Adoption Project. The sample characteristics are discussed in detail, and the basic findings for IQ are presented. Initial analyses of the data on IQ suggest moderate heritabilities. Emphasis is placed on the preliminary nature of these findings.


Ontogeny of behavior in mice selected for large size.

Development of 13 reflex responses and behavioral components of mice from the Goodale Giant inbred strain (G/Gw) was compared to that of a sample of 61 pups from a random-bred strain. Significant differences were observed between groups for several responses, but the direction of these differences was not consistent. Effects of rapid growth and increased size in G/Gw mice did not directly affect behavioral maturation.


Inhibition of galactosamine induced edemas in the rat by drugs preventing macromolecular leakage from the hamster cheek pouch microvasculature.

We have shown that terbutaline and dimethpyrindene, 2 drugs which prevent macromolecular leakage in the in vivo--bio-assay of Hamster Cheek Pouch, either by direct action onendothelial cells or by blocking histamine receptors at the microvascular leakage sites, can also prevent macromolecular leakage in vivo in 2 different models of generalized edema.


Importance of microcirculatory alterations in the initial hypertensive, oligoanuric phase of acute post-infective glomerulonephritis in infancy.

By applying the blood gas analysis to the venous blood of 17 children affected by DPGN, the authors have observed an increase of the PvO2 and a reduction of the PvCO2 in the oligoanuric and hypertensive phase, which is attributed to a minor utilization of O2. The authors relate a probable cellular respiratory defect with the initial skin tumefaction in these cases. This respiratory dysfunction would be due to intravascular red cell aggregation, to the reduction of perfusion of the exchange vessels and to the passage of the blood through preferential circuits.


An evaluation of biomicroscopy of the conjunctival vessels.

Human clinical biomicroscopy is an aid to the assessment of the microcirculation in health and disease. It has only limited diagnostic value but in some important conditions gives helpful clues and in a few conditions pathognomonic information. Features which can be evaluated include intravascular red cell aggregation, small blood vessel patterns, diameter of vessels, stasis pools, microaneurysms, petechiae and vasomotion. Red cell aggregation correlates well with sedimentation rate. Some of these factors, or combinations of them, correlate well with arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension. The apparatus required is relatively simple, and the method is noninvasive.


Polycythemia, viscosity and blood flow in working and non-working skeletal muscle in the dog.

The relationship between hematocrit and blood flow in the vasodilated working and non-working skeletal muscle at different perfusion pressures was studied. After acutely induced polycythemia in the flow decreased by 35% in the non-working muscle which was proportional to the increase of viscosity measured in vitro. In the working muscle there was only a small non-significant decrease of flow after polycythemia indicating flow improvement at increased hematocrit by rhythmic muscle contractions.


Hemorrheological abnormalities in different states of diabetic retinopathy. Effect of metabolic control and subsequent diseases.

The flow properties of blood are abnormal in diabetes. The red cell deformability (RCD) is reduced and depends on the metabolic state, the red cell aggregation (RCA) and plasma viscosity are increased independent of the metabolism. 157 diabetics were studied according the following nosological factors: duration of diabetes, type of therapy, ophthalmoscopic status, metabolic state and general health status. Although a deterioration of the flow properties of blood can be observed in long-term diabetics, in patients receiving antidiabetic drugs or insulin and in cases of pronounced retinopathy, these changes can all be attributed to a higher incidence of insufficiently controlled metabolism and the presence of subsequent diseases. There is some evidence that the rheological changes cannot be neglected considering the development and progression of diabetic microangiopathy.


Microcirculation of the epimyocardial layer of the rat heart: no recruitment after hypoxia.

1. In vivo microscopic studies of the microcirculation of the beating mammalian heart are accomplished by use of small needles connected to the operation table, restricting excessive movement of the cardiac surface. 2. Fluorescence microscopic techniques combined with a highly sensitive TV tape system, enable to determine microvascular diameters, intercapillary distances, as well as directions and velocities of capillary flow in the epimyocardial layer of the mammalian heart. 3. During acute hypoxia, no recruitment of previously resting capillaries could be observed. 4. The capillary flow pattern of the epimyocardial layer reveals a mixed countercurrent system.


Permeability of composite chondrocyte-culture-millipore membranes to solutes of varying size and shape.

A model connective-tissue system was developed that is amenable to the determination of permeability coefficients of diffusing solutes. The system involves the culture of 13-day chick-embryo chondrocytes on a Millipore filter (HA:0.45 micron pore size) to form what is, in effect, a confluent, extremely thin cartilage slice of uniform thickness. These cultured chondrocyte membranes were used to measure the steady-state flux of radioactively labelled low-molecular-weight solutes and micro-ions. Similarly, the permeability coefficients of either radioactively labelled or enzymically active proteins across the membranes were determined. The membrane was found to have no marked effects on the diffusional behaviour of low-molecular-weight non-electrolytes (water, proline, ribose, glucose, sorbitol, raffinose). For micro-ions (Na+, SO42-, Cl-, glutamate, glucuronate,), the diffusive behaviour was found to be markedly affected by the ionic strength of the solvent used in a manner which was consistent with a Donnan distribution resulting from the immobilized proteoglycans. Globular proteins permeated the membrane at rates which decreased as the molecular size of the diffusing solute increased. The apparent diffusion rates of fibrinogen and of collagen through the membranes were greater than would be expected on the basis of their diffusion coefficients in free solution. Reasons for this behaviour are discussed.


Genetics of the mammalian phenylalanine hydroxylase system. Studies of human liver phenylalanine hydroxylase subunit structure and of mutations in phenylketonuria.

Phenylalanine hydroxylase was purified from crude extracts of human livers which show enzyme activity by usine two different methods: (a) affinity chromatography and (b) immunoprecipitation with an antiserum against highly purified monkey liver phenylalanine hydroxylase. Purified human liver phenylalanine hydroxylase has an estimated mol. wt. of 275 000, and subunit mol. wts. of approx. 50 000 and 49 000. These two molecular-weight forms are designated H and L subunits. On two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel under dissociating conditions, enzyme purified by the two methods revealed at least six subunit species, which were resolved into two size classes. Two of these species have a molecular weight corresponding to that of the H subunit, whereas the other four have a molecular weight corresponding to that of the L subunit. This evidence indicates that active phenylalanine hydroxylase purified from human liver is composed of a mixture of sununits which are different in charge and size. None of the subunit species could be detected in crude extracts of livers from two patients with classical phenylketonuria by either the affinity or the immunoprecipitation method. However, they were present in liver from a patient with malignant hyperphenylalaninaemia with normal activity of dihydropteridine reductase.


Amino acid sequences around the sites of phosphorylation in the pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

1. When pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was phosphorylated to completion with [gamma-32P]ATP by its intrinsic kinase, three phosphorylation sites were observed. The amino acid sequences around these sites were: sequence 1, Tyr-Gly-Met-Gly-Thr-Ser(P)-Val-Glu-Arg; and sequence 2, Tyr-His-Gly-His-Ser(P)-Met-Ser-Asp-Pro-Gly-Val-Ser(P)-Tyr-Arg. 2. When phosphorylated to inactivation by repetitive additions of limiting quantities of [gamma-32P]ATP, phosphate was incorporated mainly (more than 90%) into Ser-5 of sequence 2. Phosphorylation of this site thus results in activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. 3. If Ser-5 is phosphorylated with ATP and the enzyme then incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP, phosphorylation of the remaining sites occurred. Ser-12 of sequence 2 is phosphorylated about twice as rapidly as Ser-6 of sequence 1. 4. Incubation of pyruvate dehydrogenase with excess [gamma-32P]ATP with termination of phosphorylation at about 50% complete inactivation showed that Ser-5 of sequence 2 was phosphorylated most rapidly, but also that Ser-12 of sequence 2 was significantly (15% of total) phosphorylated. Ser-6 sequence 1 contained about 1% total P. 5. These results suggest that addition of limiting amounts of ATP produces primarily phosphorylation of Ser-5 of sequence 2 (inactivating site). This also occurs during incubation with excess ATP before complete inactivation occurs, but a greater occupancy of other sites also occurs during this treatment.


An analysis of the polypeptide composition of bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase by two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.

Purified preparations of Complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) from bovine heart mitochondria may be resolved into 26 polypeptides by two-dimensional analysis combining isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. Similar analyses of the fragments obtained from chaotropic resolution of the enzyme show that each of these fragments contains a distinct and non-overlapping set of polypeptides. Evidence that the polypeptides seen in the intact enzyme are true constituents comes from analyses of immunoprecipitates obtained by allowing Complex I or solubilized submitochondrial particles to react with antisera directed against the whole enzyme and a subfragment of the enzyme.


Isolation, properties and structural studies on a compound from tunicate blood cells that may be involved in vanadium accumulation.

A novel compound, for which the trivial name tunichrome is proposed, was isolated from the vanadium-rich blood cells of the tunicate Ascidia niga. Preliminary structural studies suggest a molecular weight of about 390, the presence of conjugated vinyl groups, and an acidic group, possibly carboxyl, with an apparent pKa of 3.0. Elements C, H, N and O comprise 98.4% of the sample weight, the number of atoms per mol of tunichrome being 14.1, 22.2, 1.5 and 10.6 respectively, which indicates some heterogeneity in the sample. Tunichrome readily reduces Fe(III) and V(V). In an initial fast step, 2 mol of V(V) are reduced, or 4 mol of Fe(III)-phenanthroline per mol of tunichrome; in a further slow reaction, another 9 mol of Fe(III)-phenanthroline or Fe(III)-bipyridine are reduced. The initial reaction is first-order with respect to tunichrome and Fe(III). Above pH 3.5, tunichrome is rapidly hydrolysed, 13 mol of OH- being consumed per mol of tunichrome. The hydrolysis involves polymerization and loss of the characteristic absorption peak at 325 nm. It is suggested that the presence of tunichrome may be linked to vanadium accumulation by the blood cells. The mechanism involves entry of vanadate via an anionic channel into vacuoles of the blood cells, where it is reduced to V(IV) or V(III), both of which, being cationic, cannot escape from the vacuole.


The reaction of rabbit muscle creatine kinase with diethyl pyrocarbonate.

The reaction of rabbit muscle creatine kinase with diethyl pyrocarbonate was studied. It was found that up to five of the sixteen histidine groups per enzyme subunit could be modified, and under the conditions employed, there was no evidence for formation of the disubstituted derivative of histidine. Evidence was obtained for small but significant amounts of modification of lysine and cysteine groups; tyrosine groups were not modified. Modification of the enzyme led to inactivation; this could be protected against by inclusion of substrates or, more effectively, by inclusion of the combination MgADP plus creatine plus nitrate, which is thought to produce a 'transition-stage-analogue' complex. Analysis of data on the rates of inactivation and the stoicheiometry of modification suggested that there was one essential histidine group per enzyme subunit, modification of which led to inactivation.


Structure of the anion-transport protein of the human erythrocyte membrane. Further studies on the fragments produced by proteolytic digestion.

The topology of the human erythrocyte membrane anion-transport protein (band 3) has been investigated by isolation and peptide 'mapping' of the major and minor fragments derived from proteolytic cleavage of the lactoperoxidase 125I-labelled protein in erythrocytes and erythrocyte membranes. The content, in each fragment, of lactoperoxidase 125I-labelled sites (which have a known location in the extracellular or cytoplasmic domain of the protein), together with the location of the sites of proteolytic cleavage yielding the fragments, has allowed us to determine the alignment of the fragments on the linear amino acid sequence and to infer the topology of the polypeptide in the membrane. The results suggest that a region in the C-terminal portion of the polypeptide forms part of the cytoplasmic domain of the protein in addition to a large N-terminal segment. The membrane-bound regions of the protein are located in the C-terminal two-thirds of the molecule. In this region the polypeptide chain traverses the membrane at least four times and an additional loop of polypeptide is either embedded in the membrane or also penetrates through it to the other surface. The location of the lectin receptors on the protein and the site of binding of an anion-transport inhibitor have also been studied.


Crystallization of the Fv fragment of mouse myeloma protein M315.

The Fv fragment of mouse myeloma protein M313 was crystallized from poly(ethylene glycol) solution in the form of monoclinic crystals, space group C2 and unit cell dimensions a = 5.96 nm (59.6 A), b = 5.66 nm (56.6 A), c = 13.79 nm (13.9 A) and beta = 99.7 degrees. Some unusual effects of poly(ethylene glycol)on protein crystals were noted and are discussed.


High-molecular-weight nuclear polyadenylate-containing ribonucleic acid isolated from the lactating guniea-pig mammary gland contains milk-protein messenger ribonucleic acid sequences.

1. Steady-state poly(A)-containing nuclear RNA was isolated from the lactating guinea-pig mammary gland and analysed by sucrose-gradient centrifugation under denaturing conditions. 2. Nucleic acid-hybridization studies demonstrated the presence of small amounts of high-molecular-weight RNA species containing milk-protein mRNA sequences sedimenting at 25S. These were not found in the post-nuclear supernatant, where milk-protein sequences sedimented only between 12S and 15S; these were also the predominant species in the nuclear fraction. 3. The results are consistent with the transcription of milk-protein genes as high-molecular-weight precursor RNA species, 3-4 times as large as the active mRNA species isolated from the post-nuclear fraction.


Analyis of met-form haemoglobins in human erythrocytes of normal adults and of a patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia due to deficiency of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase.

Isoelectric-focusing analysis on an Ampholine/polyacrylamide-gel plate revealed that met-form haemoglobins are present as half-oxidized haemoglobins such as the (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 and (alpha 3+ beta2+)2 forms rather than as methaemoglobin in the erythrocytes of normal human adults and also of a patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia due to deficiency of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase.


The distribution of glutathione in the rat liver lobule.

A quantitative cytochemical method was developed for measuring the GSH (reduced glutathione) content of hepatocytes in different regions of the rat liver lobule. Use of this method enabled us to show that GSH is not evenly distributed within the rat liver lobule. The hepatocytes located within 100 micrometer of the central vein contain much less GSH than do those in other regions of the rat liver lobule. We suggest that this partially explains the peculiar susceptibility of these cells to electrophilic attack by toxic metabolites formed via the microsomal cytochrome P-450 system.


The effect of inhibitors on the oxygen kinetics of terminal oxidases of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

1. Respiration of growing cultures of Acanthamoeba castellanii is inhibited less than 60% by azide (35 mM); the respiration of early-exponential-phase cultures differs from that of late-exponential-phase cultures in being stimulated by up to 120% by low concentrations (less than 1 mM) of this inhibitor. Azide (0.5 mM) plus 1 mM-salicylhydroxamic acid gives 80% inhibition of respiration in early- or late-exponential-phase cultures. 2. Lineweaver-Burk plots of 1/v against 1/[O2] for growing and stationary-phase cultures give values of less than 1 muM for the apparent Km for oxygen. 3. These values are not significantly altered when determined in the presence of 1 mM-salicylhydroxamic acid. 4. Higher values (greater than 7 muM) for apparent Km values for oxygen were obtained in the presence of azide, which gives non-linear Lineweaver-Burk plots. 5. Competitive inhibition of respiration by CO occurs with Ki 2.4 muM. 6. The results are discussed in terms of the presence of three terminal oxidases in this organism, namely two oxidases with high affinities for oxygen (cytochrome c oxidase of the main phosphorylating electron-transport chain and the salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive oxidase) and a third oxidase with a low affinity for oxygen, sensitive to inhibition by cyanide but not by azide or salicylhydroxamic acid. The relative contributions to oxygen utilization by these oxidases change during the growth of a batch culture.


The mechanism of hepatic iron uptake from native and denatured transferrin and its subcellular metabolism in the liver cell.

Hepatic iron uptake and metabolism were studied by subcellular fractionation of rat liver homogenates after injection of rats with a purified preparation of either native or denatured rat transferrin labelled with 125I and 59Fe. (1) With native transferrin, hepatic 125I content was maximal 5 min after injection and then fell. Hepatic 59Fe content reached maximum by 16 h after injection and remained constant for 14 days. Neither label appeared in the mitochondrial or lysosomal fractions. 59Fe appeared first in the supernatant and, with time, was detectable as ferritin in fractions sedimented with increasingly lower g forces. (2) With denatured transferrin, hepatic content of both 125I and 59Fe reached maximum by 30 min. Both appeared initially in the lysosomal fraction. With time, they passed into the supernatant and 59Fe became incorporated into ferritin. The study suggests that hepatic iron uptake from native transferrin does not involve endocytosis. However, endocytosis of denatured transferrin does occur. After the uptake process, iron is gradually incorporated into ferritin molecules, which subsequently polymerize; there is no incorporation into other structures over 14 days.


Effect of oestradiol on progesterone receptors in normal mammary glands and its relationship with lactation.

Mammary glands of lactating mice, either intact or ovariectomized, do not contain detectable amounts of progesterone receptors and this lack of receptors persists also in tissues of animals treated with oestradiol. In contrast with lactators, mammary glands of virgin mice contain progesterone receptors whose amounts are augmented by oestradiol administration.


Tissue-culture cell fractionation. Fractionation of membranes from tissue-culture cells homogenized by glycerol-induced lysis.

1. The disruption of various types of tissue-culture cells by (a) incubation in solutions of 1.2 M-glycerol and (b) transfer of the glycerol-loaded cells to relatively hypo-osmotic solutions of 0.25 M-sucrose was studied. 2. Bivalent cations (2mM-Mg2+) were generally included to preserve the nuclei, but some cells (polyoma-virus-transformed baby-hamster kidney cells) failed to be disrupted adequately under these conditions. 3. Other cells (mouse-embryo fibroblasts) required additional gentle Dounce homogenization to effect complete cell breakage. 4. Purification of the whole homogenate was carried out by a combination of differential centrifugation and sedimentation or flotation through sucrose gradients. 5. Enzyme analysis showed that plasma-membrane, endoplasmic-reticulum and mitochondrial fractions were obtained in good yield and purity.


Tissue-culture fractionation. Zonal centrifugation of Lettrée cells homogenized by glycerol-induced lysis: subfractionation of membranes in sucrose gradients.

1. Lettrée cells were grown intraperitoneally in MF-1 mice. 2. Cells that were loaded with glycerol were swollen in 0.1 M-sucrose and disrupted by Dounce homogenization. 3. Early-passage Lettrée cells were more easily disrupted than late-passage cells by this method, and the former produced larger fragments of plasma membrane. 4. The membranes were fractionated initially in sucrose gradients (on the basis of sedimentation rate) in a BXIV zonal rotor. 5. Fractions from this gradient were further resolved in isopycnic sucrose gradients. 6. Plasma-membrane and endoplasmic-reticulum fractions were recovered in good yield and high purity.


Tissue-culture cell fractionation. Fractionation of cellular membranes from 125I/lactoperoxidase-labelled Lettrée cells homogenized by bicarbonate-induced lysis: resolution of membranes by zonal centrifugation and in sucrose and metrizamide gradients.

1. Lettrée cells were grown intraperitoneally in MF-1 mice and labelled extrinsically by the 125I/lactoperoxidase technique. 2. The cells were swollen in 1 mM-NaHCO3 and disrupted in a Dounce homogenizer. 3. Crude fractions of endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and mitochondria were separated from a post-nuclear supernatant by sedimentation-rate gradient centrifugation in a BXIV zonal rotor. 4. Further resolution of these membranes was carried out in isopycnic sucrose gradients. 5. Bands of material from the latter were subfractionated in gradients of metrizamide. Some very pure subfractions of plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum were obtained. In addition, one subfraction containing 125I and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase but no Na++K+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase and another containing these two enzymes but no 125I were resolved.


The subcellular distribution and some properties of the cytochrome b component of the microbicidal oxidase system of human neutrophils.

A novel cytochrome b has recently been described in human neutrophils. The subcellular distribution of this cytochrome was investigated by analytical fractionation on continuous sucrose gradients and it was found to have a dual localization, the major component having a similar distribution to the plasma-membrane marker [3H]concanavalin A, and a denser peak located with the specific granules. The two components were separated on discontinuous gradients and studied independently.


Uptake and degradation of mast-cell granules by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

35S-labelled mast-cell granules isolated from mouse mastocytomas were added to mouse macrophages in vitro. The granules were avidly phagocytosed, and subsequently the radioactivity was released to the medium as inorganic [35S]sulphate. After pulse-labelling, a total of about 80% of the cell-associated radioactivity was thus released in the course of 24 h, indicating an extensive breakdown of the sulphated polysaccharides, mainly heparin, present in the granules. The uptake of the mast-cell granules caused pronounced, but reversible, spreading of the macrophages.


Synthesis of membrane glycoproteins in rat small-intestinal villus cells. Redistribution of L-[1,5,6-3H]fucose-labelled membrane glycoproteins among Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes in vivo.

The biogenesis of plasmalemma glycoproteins of rat small-intestinal villus cells was studied by following the incorporation of l-[1,5,6-(3)H]fucose, given intraperitoneally with and without chase, into Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes. Each membrane fraction showed distinct kinetics of incorporation of labelled fucose and was differently affected by the chase, which produced a much greater decrease in incorporation of label into Golgi and microvillus than into lateral basal membranes. The kinetic data suggest a redistribution of newly synthesized glycoproteins from the site of fucosylation, the Golgi complex, directly into both lateral basal and microvillus membranes. The observed biphasic pattern of label incorporation into the microvillus membrane fraction may be evidence for a second indirect route of incorporation. The selective effect of the chase suggests the presence of two different pools of radioactive fucose in the Golgi complex that differ in (1) their accessibility to dilution with non-radioactive fucose, and (2) their utilization for the biosynthesis of membrane glycoproteins subsequently destined for either the microvillus or the lateral basal parts of the plasmalemma. The radioactively labelled glycoproteins of the different membrane fractions were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-slab-gel electrophoresis and identified by fluorography. The patterns of labelled glycoproteins in Golgi and lateral basal membranes were identical at all times. At least 14 bands could be identified shortly after radioactive-fucose injection. Most seemed to disappear at later times, although one of them, which was never observed in microvillus membranes, increased in relative intensity. All but two of the labelled glycoproteins present in the microvillus membrane corresponded to those observed in Golgi and lateral basal membranes shortly after fucose injection. The patterns of labelled glycoproteins in all membrane fractions were little affected by the chase. These data support a flow concept for the insertion of most surface-membrane glycoproteins of the intestinal villus cells.


Synthesis of membrane glycoproteins in rat small-intestinal villus cells. Effect of colchicine on the redistribution of L-[1,5,6-3H]fucose-labelled membrane glycoproteins among Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes.

To define the role of cytoplasmic microtubules in the biogenesis of plasmalemma glycoproteins of rat small-intestinal villus cells, we studied the effect of colchicine on the incorporation of L-[1,5,6-3H]fucose into Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes. Colchicine was administered intraperitoneally before or after injection of radioactive fucose. The incorporation of radioactivity into Golgi membranes was little affected by colchicine, which did not prevent the redistribution of most of the labelled glycoproteins from the Golgi complex into other parts of the villus cell. The incorporation of labelled glycoproteins into the microvillus membrane was greatly inhibited by colchicine given 2 h or 10 min before the radioactive fucose: all labelled glycoproteins present in this membrane were equally affected. In contrast, the administration of colchicine considerably increased the incorporation of radioactivity into the lateral basal part of the plasmalemma, and prevented the disappearance of most of the labelled glycoproteins from this membrane at late times after fucose injection. These results suggest that cytoplasmic microtubular structures are important for the polarization of the intestinal villus cell and the biogenesis of the microvillus membrane, although playing little or no role in the movement of membrane components from the Golgi complex to the lateral basal part of the plasmalemma.


Enhanced stability of the Na+-dependent amino acid-transport system after lymphocyte activation.

The Na+-dependent transport system for the amino acid proline in unstimulated lymphocytes decays with a half-life of about 4 h when protein synthesis is inhibited by cycloheximide, but the system in mitogen-activated lymphocytes is more stable. However, the early increase in activity of this transport system after mitogen addition is not due to a direct effect on its stability, but is a secondary effect requiring protein synthesis.


Uterine oestrogen-receptor binding to oligo(dT)-cellulose. An inhibitor from hypothalamic cytosol.

The binding of rat uterine cytosol oestrogen receptor in vitro to oligo(dT)-cellulose is mediated by an activating factor in the cytosol [Thrower, Hall, Lim & Davison (1976) Biochem. J. 160, 271-280]. A potent inhibitor of this binding is present in hypothalamic cytosol. This inhibitor may have a role in vivo in regulating receptor translocation in the hypothalamus.


Endocytosis of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from sections of mucolipidosis-II and-III fibroblasts by non-parenchymal rat liver cells.

beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase isolated from the secretions of fibroblasts of mucolipidosis-II and -III patients is internalized by cultured non-parenchymal rat liver cells. The rate of endocytosis compared with that of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from control fibroblasts was 11 and 19% for the enzyme from mucolipidosis-II and -III patients respectively. The inhibition of endocytosis by mannan indicates that the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from mucolipidosis-II and -III patients is recognized by cell-surface receptors specific for mannose.


Rapid effects of isoprenaline, glucagon, pacing and potassium arrest on post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity in the perfused rat heart.

The amount of lipoprotein lipase activity released by heparin into the perfusion medium of isolated rat hearts could be increased within 60s by isoprenaline, glucagon or pacing. Potassium arrest and propranolol inhibited the effects of isoprenaline and pacing respectively.


Enhanced transport of natural amino acids after activation of pig lymphocytes.

Na+-dependent uptake of the amino acids L-proline and L-methionine was greatly accelerated when pig lymphocytes were activated with phytohaemagglutinin or other mitogens. The increased influx was apparent after incubation with phytohaemagglutinin for 1 h, and reached a maximum after 24 h. The lymphocytes appear to possess at least three different transport systems for neutral amino acids with properties similar to, but not identical with, those described for other cells. The activity of a system resembling the A system of other cells was increased most dramatically after activation, its activity in unstimulated lymphocytes being extremely low or absent. A second Na+-dependent system, which has properties similar to those of the ASC system in other cells, but with a broader specificity for amino acids, was more active in unstimulated lymphocytes, and uptake by this system was also accelerated after incubation with phytohaemagglutinin. The activity of a third system, very similar to the L system in other cells, was increased to a much smaller extent after lymphocyte activation.


Changes in the sensitivity of chick fibroblasts to Ricinus lectin (RCA I) toxicity in relation to the stage of embryo development.

The toxic effect of Ricinus lectin RCA I, as estimated by the inhibition of [3H]leucine incorporation, was investigated on chick-embryo fibroblasts at different stages of development. There appeared to be a differential susceptibility of chick-embryo fibroblasts to lectin RCA I. Fibroblasts from 16-day embryos were the most sensitive to its toxic effect in terms of both concentration and time, and cells from 8-day embryos were the least sensitive. This differential sensitivity to the toxic effect of lectin RCA I was closely related to the binding of the lectin: fibroblasts from 16-day embryos had more binding sites (1.5 x 10(7)/cell) with a high affinity than did 12-day (0.45 x 10(7)/cell) or 8-day embryos (0.2 x 10(7)/cell). Studies on the specificity and the removal of bound lectin RCA I by D-galactose indicated that the lectin binding was necessary but not sufficient in itself to cause the toxic effect and that the lectin needed to enter the cells in order to be toxic. The amount of lectin RCA I needed to induce a 50-60% toxicity enters fibroblasts of 16-day embryos more rapidly than those of 12- and 8-day embryos.


Haem transport to the liver by haemopexin. Receptor-mediated uptake with recycling of the protein.

Rat [(59)Fe]haem-(125)I-labelled haemopexin complexes (700pmol/rat) associate rapidly and exclusively with the liver after intravenous injection into anaesthetized rats. The two isotopes exhibit different patterns of accumulation. Liver (125)I-labelled haemopexin is maximum 10min after injection (20+/-4.9pmol/g of liver) and then declines by 2h to the low values (about 3pmol/g of liver) seen after injection of the apoprotein. In contrast, [(59)Fe]haem accumulates in the liver for at least 2h. Haemopexin undergoes no extensive proteolysis during 2h of haem transport as shown by precipitation with acid (98%) and specific antiserum (92%) and by electrophoresis. Moreover, only 1-2% of the dose is located in extrahepatic tissues, and there is no significant urinary excretion of either (125)I or (59)Fe. Hepatic uptake at 10min is saturable, reaching 200pmol of haemopexin/g of liver and 350pmol of haem/g of liver at a dose of 9nmol/rat, whereas uptake of the apoprotein is 3-5% of the dose. This suggests that the interaction of haem-haemopexin with the liver is a specific receptor-mediated process. The complex probably interacts via the protein moiety, since the haem analogues mesohaem and deuterohaem do not affect association of the protein with the liver but the species of haemopexin does. Increasing amounts of protein are associated with the liver 5min after injection in the order: human>rabbit>rat, and haem uptake is consistently increased. For both rat and rabbit haemopexin saturation is reached at the same concentration of protein, i.e. 180-200pmol/g of liver, indicating that the different protein species bind to a common receptor. We propose that haemopexin transports haem to the liver by a specific receptor-mediated process and then returns to the circulation.


Clofibrate-induced increase in coenzyme A concentration in rat tissues.

1. When clofibrate [ethyl 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionate] was administered subcutaneously to rats (600mg/kg per day for 5 days), the concentration of CoA and its acyl derivatives increased in several tissues. The increase in total CoA was 3.2-fold in the liver, 1.8-fold in the kidney, 2.7-fold in the heart and 2.4-fold in skeletal muscle. 2. To study the mechanism of this phenomenon, clofibrate-treated rats were injected with [(3)H]pantothenate intracardially and killed after 15min, 30min, 1 and 2h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days for the determination of the incorporation of radioactivity into CoA and its precursors. Incorporation into CoA after 2h was 6.2-fold in the liver as compared with the control values and 4.6-fold in the kidneys. 3. The disappearance of the label from CoA was very slow compared with the rate of incorporation; it exhibited exponential kinetics, and was slower in the livers of the clofibrate-treated rats (t((1/2)) 18.2 days) than in the controls (t((1/2)) 5.6 days). 4. The rate of CoA degradation, calculated from the calculated rate constants of the apparent first-order kinetics of the disappearance of the label and from the CoA pool sizes, was approximately the same in the clofibrate-treated animals (11.5pmol/min per g), and the controls (11.6pmol/min per g). 5. These rates of CoA degradation indicate that the effect of clofibrate on CoA concentration may be mainly due to inhibition of the enzymes of CoA degradation, although recycling of the label cannot be excluded. The increase in the rate of pantothenate incorporation into CoA suggests that clofibrate also increases the synthesis of CoA.


Aortic glycopeptide sialic acid, hexose and hexosamine in a genetically selected (WC-2) strain of atherosclerosis-susceptible pigeon.

The aortic content of glycopeptide sialic acid, hexosamine and hexose was studied in a genetically selected strain of White Carneau pigeons (WC-2) with significantly more severe atherosclerosis than randomly bred White Carneau pigeons (RBWC). Pigeons were fed an atherogenic diet for 3 months and examined to determine differences in content of glycopeptide-sugars between WC-2 and RBWC, changes with the progression of atherosclerosis and the relationship of aortic cholesterol to glycopeptide-sugar content. In animals with mainly normal aorta (cholesterol content of 0.2-0.3 mg/cm2-aorta) sialic acid was significantly lower in WC-2 pigeons. The progression of atherosclerosis was associated with increased aortic glycopeptide sialic acid (r = 0.78; p less than 0.05) in WC-2 pigeons whereas an inverse relationship was suggested in RBWC pigeons. In WC-2, but not RBWC pigeons, significant positive relationships were seen for aortic glycopeptide hexosamine and aortic cholesterol and for aortic glycopeptide hexose and aortic cholesterol. The findings implicate a possible role of aortic glycoproteins in either the initiation or modulation of atherosclerosis of the WC-2 pigeon.


Carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in mitochondrial fractions isolated from aortas of rabbits fed cholesterol-supplemented diets.

beta-Oxidation of long-chain fatty acids increases many-fold in atherosclerotic aortas; this may be due to an increase in the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme hexadecanoyl-CoA: carnitine O-hexadecanoyltransferase EC 2.3.1.23 (trivial name: carnitine palmitoyltransferase, CPT). To investigate this possibility, an assay for arterial CPT was developed and used to measure CPT activity in mitochondrial fractions isolated from aortas of rabbits fed high-fat (HF) or high-fat plus cholesterol (HFC) supplemented diets. The arterial CPT assay was linear with respect to mitochondrial protein between 0.03 and 0.30 mg and assay time between 3 and 12 min. Maximum CPT activity was observed at concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA between 5 and 25 micron, higher concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA inhibited CPT activity. CPT activity was measured in mitochondrial fractions isolated from aortas of rabbits fed the HFC-supplemented diet for up to 48 days. No visible lesions were observed in aortas of rabbits fed HFC-diet for 3,9, or 21 days, however, by 48 days atheromatous lesions covered in excess of 60% of the intimal surface of the aorta. No lesions were visually observed in aortas of rabbits receiving the HF-diet. Despite the development of gross atherosclerotic lesions, there were no changes in CPT activity observed that could account for a dramatic increase in fatty acid oxidation. It is concluded that the increase in beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in atherosclerosis is not attributable to an increase in CPT activity.


Effect of feeding the shell fish (Corbicula japonica) on lipid metabolism in the rat.

Rats were maintained for 2 weeks on 3 different diets; a basal diet, one containing 0.1% cholate, and one containing 0.1% cholesterol and 0.1% cholate. Each dietary group was further divided into subgroups whose diet contained 0, 5 or 10% (dry weight) of minced corbicula (Corbicula japonica Prime). Feeding corbicula significantly reduced the increase of cholesterol levels in rats fed the cholesterol diet. Though corbicula contains several sterols, sterols other than cholesterol were almost not absorbed. Serum and liver triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by feeding corbicula meat in all the dietary groups. Activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were also markedly reduced by feeding corbicula. The results suggest that corbicula is a hypolipidemic food.


Increase of serum cholesterol in man fed a bran diet.

The effects of wheat bran and other sources of dietary fibre on serum total and high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol were investigated in a group of 62 subjects, with rigid control of dietary intake. It was found that a high-fibre diet with vegetables and fruits as well as a low-fibre diet, to which isolated citrus pectin had been added to the same level as present in the vegetables and fruits diet, caused a small decrease in the concentration of serum cholesterol after 5 weeks. Surprisingly, addition of bran (on average 38 g/day) to a low-fibre diet caused an increase in the level of serum cholesterol by on average 0.34 mmol/l (P less than or equal to 0.005). The amount and type of dietary fibre had no substantial effect on the HDL-cholesterol concentration.


"What's new about independent living?".

The major purpose of this article is to examine important differences between independent living and traditional rehabilitation models of service provision, including comprehensive medical rehabilitation programs, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and group homes designed to deinstitutionalize developmentally disabled individuals. The article is introduced by an overview of types of independent living programs in this country and their evolution. Goals, methods of service delivery, and program management techniques in independent living programs are contrasted with those of traditional models. Finally, trends that may develop as independent living becomes a standardized service entitlement are addressed, and the potential usefulness of some independent living concepts and methods in traditional rehabilitation programs are suggested.


Acute renal failure in Tupaia belangeri and rats.

Acute renal failure in man can best be simulated in model experiments by using either temporary occlusion of the renal artery or perfusions of noradrenaline into the renal artery. The kidney of the Tupaia belangeri, a primitive primate, is more resistant to temporary occlusion of the renal artery than of the rat. In Tupaia as in rats, anuria developing 48 hours after temporary ischemia is brought about by intratubular proteinaceous casts blocking the flow of urinary filtrate, most likely at Henle's loop. As proof that the proteinaceous casts block the tubular lumina, we found that when two micropipettes are inserted into the same nephron and that nephron perfused, the intratubular pressures rise, approaching systolic pressures.


Diagnosis of fat absorption with 14C-tripalmitate/3H-palmitic acid.

In 44 normal subjects, in 89 patients with chronic pancreatitis, of whom 23 had elevated faecal fat, and in 19 patients with various diseases of the small gut investigations with 14C-tripalmitate and 3H-palmitic acid, dissolved in 1.0 g Indian corn oil/kg, were performed. Serum lipid activity of 14C and 3H was measured 4, 6, and 8 h later. Compared with absolute values of triglyceride absorption (percentage dose of 14C-lipid activity/l serum), relative values (14C/3H ratio of the serum lipids) led to a significantly better discrimination between the control group and patients, attributable to a much smaller normal range. Compared with fatty acid absorption, triglyceride absorption was lowered in all cases of pancreatic steatorrhoea, in most cases of chronic pancreatitis, and in some cases of intestinal malabsorption. While the proposed procedure seems to be sensitive and reliable in the detection of maldigestion, a distinction between maldigestion and malabsorption is apparently uncertain.


[Production of infarction model in dogs by several brain arteries occlusion. Part 1: Production of hemispheric non blood supply model (author's transl)].

Experimental brain infarction in model animals should most ideally be constant in the site of occurrence, be of severity that is controllable by the occlusion time of blood flow and, moreover, be reproducible at a high rate to desired extent and severity. However, among infarction models elaborated in animals so far, only thalamus infarction model in dogs which were reported by us previously have been proven to satisfy almost all of these requirements. In experiments with these model dogs we found that an extensive infarction can be produced at a high frequency in the involved hemisphere by a transient occlusion of blood flow at such intracranial levels as the internal carotid artery, the junction of the anterior cerebral artery and ophthalmic artery, the middle cerebral artery, the origin of the segment A2 of the anterior cerebral artery, and the junction of the posterior communicating artery and posterior cerebral artery. During about one hour following the releasing of the arteries approximately 2 hours occlusion, the development of severe brain edema resulted involving the whole hemisphere on the affected side invariably in all cases. This method for experimental production of brain infarction permits to control the degree of resultant brain edema by changing the duration of occlusion of blood flow, requires simple manipulations only and ensures production of a constant lesion. With these advantage it can be anticipated to prove of great benefit in the study of postischemic brain edema.


Survival of microorganisms and helminth eggs in green pills and cobs processed from a green crop irrigated with sewage.

A grass crop which was contaminated with domestic sewage was dried in a hot air drying plant in order to observe the effect of the drying on pathogenic bacteria, virus and parasite eggs. The investigation showed, that pathogenic bacteria and virus were reduced with a factor 10(5)--10(6), and that parasite eggs were reduced with at least a factor 200, which is sufficient to secure that grasis irrigated with sewage and pre-served with hot air drying is used without hygienic risks.


[Diagnosis and treatment of cerebellar hemorrhage: comparison of hypertensive hemorrhage with hemorrhage caused by small angiomas, and CT findings (author's transl)].

In spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage emergency surgical intervention is often life-saving. Clinical features and the operative results of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage (18 cases) were compared with those of hemorrhage caused by small angiomas (7 cases). Hypertensive hemorrhage occured most frequently in the seventh decades. Two thirds of the patients developed brainstem compression syndrome within a week from onset. One third remained awake or drowsy throughout their clinical course. Surgical removal of a hematoma was carried out in 13 patients with four deaths. Of note, two comatose patients regained consciousness after surgery, and were discharged with residual ataxia. Rupture of a small angioma occurred in younger patients. Their clinical course was sub-acute or chronic associated with focal cerebellar dysfunction. All seven surgically treated patients subsequently regained independent function. CT findings have been found helpful not only for diagnosis but also in defining appropriate therapy. Hematomas larger than 3 cm in diameter produced signs of rapidly progressing compression of the brainstem. Thereby, regardless of the cause of bleeding, emergency removal of a clot is indicated even in awake patients. Hematomas of 2 to 3 cm produced brainstem compression or prolonged cerebellar dysfunction, and occasionally require surgical decompression. Hematomas smaller than 2 cm can be managed conservatively, since they were absorbed spontaneously in three weeks without residual functional disturbances. However, in case of a young patient exploration should be performed for a probable "cryptic" angioma.