Differentiation of myoepithelial cells in the developing rat sublingual gland.

Sublingual glands of rats were prepared for light and electron microscopy and for the histochemical demonstration of myofibrils and alkaline phosphatase (AkPase) activity. Through 17 days in utero, the epithelial cells of the glandular rudiment are relatively undifferentiated. At 18 days, the inner cells of the terminal buds begin to assemble around a lumen and accumulate secretory granules, while the outer cells flatten and form long processes. At 19 days, many of the outer cells have dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum engorged with finely granular material. At 20 days, some of the outer cells have thin bands of microfilaments in their processes, suggesting that they are differentiating into myoepithelial cells (MEC). Though the secretory cells are almost mature at birth, only a few of the MEC have myofibrils detected with an actomyosin reaction, and AkPase activity is very weak. Progressive increases in AkPase activity and in myofibril size and number continue until the acini and intercalated ducts are fully invested with mature MEC at about 14 days after birth. Thus, the MEC and secretory cells begin to differentiate at the same time, but the MEC subsequently differentiate asynchronously with the secretory cells and with each other. Although the sublingual MEC are only partly differentiated in the newborn rat, their overall development occurs somewhat more rapidly than in the adjacent submandibular gland.


Increase in free cholesterol content of the adrenal cortex after stress: radioautographic and biochemical study.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify free cholesterol biochemically and in radioautographs of 3H-digitonin cholesterol complex in fasciculata cells of control and stressed rat adrenal cortex. Stress was induced by ether, laparotomy, and adrenal and intestinal handling. Control rats were anesthetized with nembutal. All animals were killed ten minutes from the beginning of anesthesia. The adrenals were excised and either fixed in glutaraldehyde containing 3H-digitonin or homogenized for biochemical determination of free cholesterol. The plasma corticosterone level of each animal was measured. The fixed adrenals were processed, using different methods of dehydration and embedment, for light and electron microscopic radioautography. The mean number of silver grains (mean) per unit area of zona fasciculata was counted from light microscopic radioautographs. Crystals of cholesterol-digitonide complex were more numerous in stressed fasciculata cells, particularly over SER. Silver grains were localized over or close to the crystals. The mean for stressed rats was significantly higher than control values, indicating more free cholesterol in fasiculata cells of stressed rats. The results were not affected by either the method of dehydration or the type of embedding medium used. The morphologic results were substantiated by biochemical findings of increase in free cholesterol in adrenals of stressed rats. Plasma corticosterone was significantly high in stressed rats. The increase in free cholesterol in stimulated fasciculata cells is consistent with a previously reported increase in cholesterol esterase activity after ACTH stimulation.


The primary group as supportive milieu: applications to community psychology.

The paper reviews evidence documenting the health-protective effects of the informal social support extended by kith, kin, and community gatekeepers. Noteworthy features of a classification scheme describing the substance of informal helping behaviors are reviewed. Implications for future research and action address: (a) the need for professionals to reexamine occasions for the provision of consultation and crisis-intervention services; (b) the potential for using social network analysis to identify vulnerable groups in the community; (c) the merits of advocating on behalf of informal support systems as favorable settings for the accomplishment of primary prevention.


Social-ecological assessment of environments: toward a two-factor model.

A study was conducted to test the usefulness of the two-factor model in assessing social environments. Subjects were residents and staff at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed and/or delinquent boys and girls. Rating instruments consisted of (a) two parallel versions of Moos' Community-Oriented Programs Enivronment Scale (COPES), each worded so as to be appropriate to the setting being measured, and (b) global ratings of satisfaction with the environment. Principal component factor analyses, carried out separately on the youths' COPES-School and the youths' COPES-Cottage, yielded two orthogonal but similar factors in each environment. In a comparison with Moos' three-dimensional formulation of the social milieu, the two factors strongly resembled two of Moos' dimensions but were more independent, had greater validity, and discriminated between the two environments at a higher level of significance. The instruments derived from the factor analyses provide a simple procedure for assessing a variety of treatment programs and populations.


Barriers between mental health services and Mexican Americans: an examinations of a paradox.

The paradox of underutilization of mental health services by Mexican Americans is critically examined. It is argued that Mexican Americans live under high levels of psychological and environmental stress that would ordinarily lead to mental health problems and an increased utilization of mental health services. A number of barriers to the use of mental health services by Mexican Americans are examined. Included among these barriers are such factors as the relationship between social class and treatment offered, stereotypes concerning Mexican American folk psychiatry, limitations imposed by language differences, and the effects of stereotypes between Anglo Americans and Mexican Americans. Paradoxical findings in some studies which show a positive perception of mental health services by Mexican Americans are seen to further underscore the need for more research on the Mexican American's position. Stereotypes and generalizations about Spanish-speaking and bilingual Mexican American's approaches to psychotherapy are challenged in the light of recent empirical findings. Recommendations for future research directions and for improving the delivery of mental health services are presented.


Public policy and human service institutions.

This paper discusses reasons for the apparent lack of interest by both the policy sciences and psychology in human service institutions and provides examples of the relationships between policy and politics and policy and economics in human service institutions. It suggests that two basic assumptions, labeled the professionalism myth and the individualism myth, have been major contributors to this state of affairs. Both the neglect given these institutions and the failure to examine the universe of alternatives in policy formulation are emphasized. Finally, the paper raises the question: Where has psychology been?


Decision versus policy in crises intervention.

The paper describes procedures for contrasting actions taken by crises intervention outreach workers and consumers with administrative policies. The data used to exemplify the procedures came from the outreach projects of six county MH/MR programs in Central Pennsylvania during the year following the flood caused by Hurricane Agnes, in 1972. The procedure identifies and counts the ways through which consumers entered the outreach process; the major outreach worker decision; and the immediate disposition of each consumer's case. The six county MH/MR program administrators were asked to consider program policies and show how they would ideally expect 1,000 hypothetical consumers to come into, to be processed through, and to be referred out of their respective outreach programs. Contrasts of the ideal and actual consumer data, along with consumer follow-up questionnaires, provided the basis for evaluating the six county MH/MR program outreach projects. These experiences provided the basis for a generalized model of evaluating crises intervention activities.


Help-seeking behavior in families of schizophrenics.

To meet the exigencies of coping with the onset of schizophrenia in the family, caregivers sought out an array of professional and nonprofessional supports. The respondents to a questionnaire, all members of a self-help group, reported considerable merit to the help of friends, relatives, and group members. In contrast, the various forms of therapy were valued little; nearly half found no value at all. These findings are better understood when needs of families are expressed. Of highest priority are understanding of the illness, practical guidance in patient management, and community resources such as housing. These are not typical functions of therapy. Self-help groups may serve these needs better.


Reactions to the family of the suicide.

The present study investigated reactions to the survivors of a family member's suicide. One hundred and twenty seven adults, members of a large urban Protestant church, responded to a newspaper account of a suicide in which the following factors were systematically varied: sex of the suicide, causal locus of the suicide, and whether the cause was prior or immediate to the suicide. The design was a 2 (sex of respondent) x 2 (sex of suicide) x 2 (locus of cause internal or external to the individual) x 2 (temporally remote cause or immediate cause). Results indicated a slight tendency for males to be somewhat more socially accepting of the surviving spouse of a suicide. There was also a significant interaction between sex of respondent x sex of the suicide, such that respondents indicated they would feel less tension in talking with the surviving family of a suicide of the same sex.


The effects of self-selection on trainees' verbal helping skills performance.

Self-selected paraprofessional trainees enrolled in a helping skills training program participated in a 6-minute pretraining helping interview from which their frequency of continuing responses was obtained. Continuing responses allow helpees to present their concerns in a nonthreatening, supportive environment and are important in the relationship establishing stage of the helping process. For data analysis purposes only, trainees were divided into three groups, a high, medium, and low group, based on the frequency of continuing responses made. Following training, at posttest, no significant differences were found among the three groups on the amount of continuing responses made during a second identical 6-minute interview. Implications for various selection procedures and training are discussed.


Objective-focused approach for appraising the performance of institutional pharmacists.

The development of an objective-focused performance appraisal method applied to hospital pharmacy management is discussed. Objective-based performance appraisal techniques should match the pharmacy department's goals and management style and be a continuous process. Goals should be established and target dates set jointly by the individual and supervisor, emphasizing employee planning and departmental priorities. Standards by which to measure accomplishment of objectives should be set before the evaluation period begins. Appraisals and rewards should be related to achievement of goals. Objective-focused performance appraisals provide a better system for establishing priorities and improve coordination and integration of departmental plans and activities.


Serum theophylline levels in asthmatic children receiving sustained-release theophylline tablets.

Serum theophylline levels produced in asthmatic children by sustained-release theophylline tablets (TheoDur) were studied. Nineteen patients received for 14 days a dose of 5.5 to 13.1 mg/kg (mean 9.1 mg/kg) of amhydrous theophylline (as sustained-release TheoDur tablets) every 12 hours. Theophylline serum levels were assayed, by cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, immediately before and at 4, 6 and 10 hours after the first day-five dose. Symptoms of asthma and theophylline toxicity were recorded. Mean peak-trough difference for the 6-to-10-years age group (4.5 +/- 1.6 microgram/ml) was not significantly different than that of the 11-to-17-year age group (5.2 +/- 3.2 micrograms/ml) (p greater than 0.1). Therapeutic serum theophylline levels (8 to 20 micrograms/ml) were maintained throughout a 12-hour period in 12 patients. Two patients had side effects possibly attributable to theophylline. Four patients reported asthamtic symptoms on two or more evenings; none required emergency treatment. The study suggests that sustained-release theophylline tablets administered every 12 hours can maintain therapeutic serum levels in children.


Effect of neomycin on the bioavailability of spironolactone: a single-dose study.

The effect of oral neomycin sulfate on the bioavailability of oral spironolactone in humans was studied. A 100-mg spironolactone tablet was administered alone or with two 500-mg neomycin sulfate tablets to 12 healthy, fasting men in a randomized crossover fashion. Levels of canrenone (an active spironolactone metabolite) in plasma and urine samples collected for 32 and 48 hours after dosing, respectively, were measured fluorimetrically. Neomycin significantly decreased the peak plasma canrenone concentration, significantly increased the time to reach peak concentration of canrenone, and significantly decreased the urinary excretion of canrenone over the first four hours (p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in elimination half-life, area under the plasma curves or 48-hour urinary excretion of canrenone. Single doses of neomycin appear to delay the rate but not reduce the extent of spironolactone absorption. Thus, neomycin may not interfere with the clinical efficacy of spironolactone.


Altered gentamicin distribution in ascitic patients.

Gentamicin pharmacokinetics were studied in eight patients with ascites. Gentamicin serum levels were measured by radioimmunoassay immediately before, 15 minutes after, and at one and two estimated half-lives after intermittent i.v. infusions of gentamicin. Volumes of distributions (Vd) calculated for the eight patients were significantly larger than mean values reported for the drug in normal patients (p less than 0.025). Vd ranged from 20.2 to 53 liters and correlated poorly with lean and total body weights. In patients with ascites or abnormal extracellular fluid volumes, gentamicin dosage should be based on frequent measurements of serum gentamicin levels and on clinical response.


Surface characteristics of plastic intravenous catheters.

The interior and exterior surfaces of four plastic, 18-gauge intravenous catheters (Abbocath-T, angiocath, Cathlon IV and Quik-Cath) were examined to identify physical characteristics that could possibly contribute to clinical thrombogenic activity. For each brand, the surface characteristics of one unused catheter (control) and a catheter placed in the left-cephalic vein of an orthopedic surgery patient for 48 hours were compared by scanning electron microscopy. All catheters had surface imperfections. Fibrinous material was found adhering to all used catheters even though exposure of the interior surfaces to blood components was minimal. It is speculated that imperfections on the surfaces of plastic i.v. catheters may contribute to thrombogenic complications in patients.


Sepsis in rabbits following administration of contaminated infusions through filters of various pore sizes.

The effects of three final filter pore sizes on sepsis and survival times in rabbits infused with contaiminated intravenous fluids were compared. Intravenous fluids were administered for up to 12 hours to five groups of rabbits. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received fluids, contaminated with Gram-negative rods, that were filtered with 0.22-, 1.0- and 5.0-micrometers filters, respectively. Rabbits in Groups 1 and 5 received uncontaminated and contaminated fluids, respectively, neither of which was filtered. Cultures were taken of blood and of fluid below the filters, and rabbit survival times were recorded. At 6, 8 and 12 hours, Group 2 survival time was not significantly different from that of the negative control; the survival times for Groups 3, 4 and 5 were significantly less than for the negative control. Fluid and blood cultures of Group 2 were negative or statistically indistinguishable from those of Group 1. Cultures for Groups 3, 4 and 5 were positive. The study suggests that 1.0- and 5.0-micrometers inline final filters have no beneficial effect on survival following infusion of contaminated fluids, but that 0.22-micrometer inline final filters increase survival time.


Relationship between classroom behavior and achievement of mildly mentally retarded children.

Although the relationship between classroom behavior and academic achievement is well established for nonretarded children, the nature of this relationship is not clear for retarded children. Behavioral observations of 177 students in classrooms for educable mentally retarded children and for educationally handicapped children were compared to their achievement scores. Although significant correlations were found between some categories of behavior and achievement in arithmetic, the general absence of strong correlations was noteworthy when compared to previous findings on nonretarded subjects. Implications for academic instruction were suggested by the particular patterns of significant correlations.


Effects of social and environmental change on institutionalized mentally retarded persons: the relocation syndrome  reconsidered.

The "relocation syndrome" in multiply-handicapped, institutionalized mentally retarded residents was examined in an observational study. Weight change and the initiation and duration of constructive and nonconstructive behavior was observed, as well as resident-staff interactions before and after relocation to a new living unit. The hypothesis that there would be an increase in behavior deleterious to the health of clients after relocation, when compared to two premove baseline periods of crowding, was not totally supported. Although relocation did cause significant changes in a variety of behaviors, not all were deleterious (i.e., no mortalities, weight gains). Results were discussed in terms of a social-situational model.


Effect of peer interaction on the problem-solving behavior of mentally retarded youths.

Educable mentally retarded young adults were given a one-bit logic problem (Experiment 1) or a test of conservation (Experiment 2) and classified as either low or high performers. In a second session the low performers were paired with high performers, and the dyads were required to agree on the solution to the problems presented. A control group of low performers was simply tested individually in a second session. One month later all the low performers were retested on the same logic problems or on an alternate form of the conservation test. No significant differences were observed in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the conservation scores of subjects who participated in the peer interaction were higher than those of controls on the posttest; however, based on responses to the lie item, we concluded that the experimental subjects had simply learned to respond "same" and to parrot a verbal statement. No such mimicking was possible in the logic problem. Results suggest that peer interaction is not a particularly effective method for enhancing the problem-solving ability of mentally retarded individuals.


Factors influencing the interrogative strategies of mentally retarded and nonretarded students.

The interrogative strategies of institutionalized mentally retarded young adults and nonretarded first and fourth graders were investigated using a 20-questions type task. Subjects were presented with 8- and 16-cell matrices consisting of geometric forms, and the items that were eliminated by their questions were either covered or left uncovered or left uncovered. A variety of dependent measures was obtained, including information efficiency and proportion of redundant and constraint-seeking questions. In contrast to findings in previous research, results showed that reducing array size and covering eliminated items significantly improved various aspects of children's interrogative strategies, lending support to the idea that reducing cognitive strain can enhance information-processing ability. Despite task simplification, the performance of the fourth graders exceeded that of the first graders on most measures, and the performance of the retarded young adults was comparable to, or poorer than, that of the first graders, who were of appreciably lower MA.


Temporal anticipation of response initiation by mentally retarded persons.

The ability of retarded persons to anticipate a signal to initiate discrete movements of varying complexity was investigated in two experiments. The results revealed an interaction between temporal anticipation and response complexity. Experiment 1 showed no reduction in reaction time (RT) in discrete aiming movements when the foreperiod was changed from a random interval to a fixed interval (1 or 3 seconds). Reaction time did not vary with length of the interval or the difficulty of the movement. Experiment 2 showed a reduction of RT to a simple release response at a fixed 1-second warning interval. The findings reflect the difficulty retarded persons have in programming more complex movements and the interaction of temporal anticipation in this response-initiation process.


Alternative approaches to the measurement of adaptive behavior.

Most measures of adaptive behavior are derived from rating scales. There are only a few instruments that approach the measurement of adaptive behavior through direct testing. In the present study we examined the relative efficacy of rating and testing approaches for predicting criterion behavior. Three tests from the Social and Prevocational Information Battery were selected as a foundation for the development of analogous behavior-rating and applied-performance instruments. All three types of instruments were administered to the same subjects, mildly retarded adolescents, in order to estimate the validity of testing and rating approaches. Although both approaches were found to be valid, the testing approach appeared to be substantially superior. Implications of this finding were discussed briefly.


Establishing equivalence of different list conditions.

Experimental designs frequently involve different lists across conditions, resulting in a treatment-list confounding. If treatment effects are obtained, it is then impossible to assess the contribution of list characteristics to this effect. A simple technique was presented whereby experimenters who must use different lists for different experimental treatments can postexperimentally establish equivalence of list difficulty. The technique involves inclusion of one or more constant words across lists. Data from a previously published experiment (Glidden, 1977) were analyzed according to this technique. Results indicated that the effect obtained was not an artifact of differential list difficulty.


Effects of repeated testing on the reliability of fitness scores of institutionalized mentally retarded individuals.

This study was designed to determine the effects of repeated trials on the reliability of physical fitness performance scores of 36, 12- to 20-year-old institutionalized mentally retarded children. They were tested 2 days a week for 5 consecutive weeks on the physical fitness criterion tests. The statistical analysis indicated no significant differences between trial scores on any variable over the 5 weeks. This lack of significance on all the physical fitness criterion tests suggests that administering all the trials on each item on one occasion is appropriate.


Luminous efficiency in the red-green region of the spectrum.

Monochromatic-test stimuli were produced with a double monochromator with a neutral wedge linked to the mechanism for changing wavelength. Only minor adjustments of the width of the entrance slit were required to produce monochromatic stimuli of equal luminance. For any given wavelength, the radiance of the stimulus was proportional to the width of the entrance slit. These test stimuli were adjusted to equal luminance, using various criteria: (1) flicker, (2) direct comparison, (3) distimulus matching, and (4) step-by-step. For two out of three subjects, measurements made by the distimulus method agree with flicker measurements when the primaries are adjusted to be equal by flicker photometry. They provide a test for additivity. Red and green, which are equal in luminance to yellow by flicker photometry, are brighter than yellow by direct comparison and also by the step-by-step method of assessment. The step-by-step data prove that the discrepancy between flicker and direct comparison involves more than confusion between saturation and brightness and is consistent with the notion of summation of responses in the chromatic and achromatic channels, as proposed by Ives and others.


Changes in back radius of soft contact lenses when flexed.

Mathematical statements are made for the various hypotheses describing the change in radius of curvature of the back surface of a flexible contact lens as it flexes. These hypotheses may now be tested for validity in predicting both optical and physiological behavior of real contact lenses in situ.


Factors affecting peripheral curve design. Part II: Specifying for reproducible performance.

The reproducibility of the in vivo performance of a contact lens depends on how the specifications are determined and how the lens is made. Using reproducibility of edge clearance as a criterion, the peripheral curve design of a contact lens is analyzed. Optimum values of peripheral curve width exist which minimize errors of reproducibility.


Measurement of corneal sensitivity and thickness with PMMA and gas-permeable contact lenses.

Corneal sensitivity and thickness were measured in nine subjects. Two different types of hard contact lenses were fitted to each subject; a traditional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lens on one eye and a gas-permeable cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) lens on the other eye. Corneal sensitivity did not differ significantly between the two eyes after 6 and 10 hr of wear, but PMMA lenses tended to induce slightly more corneal edema than CAB lenses. As oxygen tension behind such contact lenses is different, whereas mechanical stimulation is nearly the same, this would appear to support the view that corneal sensitivity changes are related to mechanical stimulation. However, careful scrutiny of the data does not support this view unequivocally, and other suggestions are made.


Presumed ocular toxoplasmosis: some clinical observations.

Ophthalmoscopic appearances of congenital and acquired presumed ocular toxoplasmosis are described. Four illustrative cases of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis are discussed, with some emphasis on related general health history. Some speculations are offered to account for the varied ophthalmoscopic appearances of these lesions.


The relationship of age, keratometry, and miscellaneous physiological factors in hydrogel lens wear.

A retrospective study of 94 soft contact lens patients was performed to determine the relationship of a number of physiological and lens-fitting characteristics. Results yielded only medium to low relationships, the highest correlation being between age, Schirmer, and K readings. Persons with dry and excessively mucoid eyes were found to be older and to have flatter corneas and lower Schirmer results. Older patients also tended to have more acidic tears and a shorter tear film breakup time. The group was studied from three aspects: (1) as a whole to establish means, (2) the relationship of physiological conditions, and (3) the relationship to hydrogel lens surface coating.


Water-provocative tests of selected patients.

Thirteen patients with suspected glaucoma were subjected to the water-provocative test for glaucoma. Intraocular pressures were measured over a 1-hr period, and characteristic rises were compared with those of four glaucomatous eyes (in two patients). Glaucoma was subsequently ruled out for the 13 patients. Criteria are suggested for confirming the presence of glaucoma.


Lipid domains in biological membranes: their structural and functional perturbation by free fatty acids and the regulation of receptor mobility. Co-presidential address.

We have studied the interaction of free fatty acids (FFAs) with cell membranes and lipid bilayers by monitoring changes in the emission polarization of the fluorescent probes diphenylhexatriene (DPH) and anilino-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS). We found that the FFAs readily intercalate into membranes and produce significant changes in the packing of the lipid molecules. The membrane alterations could be divided into two patterns: the cis-unsaturated FFAs (designated Group A) disorder the membranes' interior (as reported by DPH) and order the head group region (as reported by ANS); the trans-unsaturated or saturated FFAs (Group B) do not alter the bilayer interior but also order the head group region. Using solution theory, the shift in transition midpoint temperatures as a function of fatty acid type was used to infer that the Group A FFAs partition into fluid domains, while Group B FFAs partition preferentially into gel-like domains. These results are explained in terms of a domain model of membrane lipid structure. Low concentrations of Group A FFAs inhibit the capping of surface immunoglobulin (Ig), whereas no effect was seen with Group B FFAs. The capping inhibition caused by Group A FFAs was reversible with increasing doses of extracellular calcium. Fluorescence photobleaching recovery showed that the Group A FFAs do not inhibit receptor immobilization associated with patch formation but rather inhibit the final energy-dependent movement of the patched receptors into a cap. We have also shown that the Group A FFAs cause a shift in membrane-bound calcium to the lipid phase from probably protein calcium-binding sites. The data have generated a model of receptor mobility invoking a trans-membrane, calcium-binding, receptor-anchoring protein, linked to the cytoskeleton. Inhibition of capping by Group A FFAs is postulated to be due to perturbation of specific lipid domains associated with this protein, such perturbation leading to conformational changes in the protein, and consequent intramembraneous calcium sequestration in the lipid phase, rendering the calcium unavailable for activation of the cytoskeleton.


Cadmium necrosis in transplanted testicles as evidence for persistence of original vessels in the graft.

The testicles of newborn rats were transplanted subcutaneously to the external ears of mature male rats. Four and 8 weeks later the hosts received a subtoxic dose of cadmium chloride. Forty-eight hours thereafter focal, but evidently cadmium-induced necroses occurred in the grafts. As is the generally acknowledged, the tissue selectively sensitive to cadmium is the original endothelium of testicular vessels. Therefore the results of the study can be summarized as follows: 1) In the transplanted testicles the original vessels and their endothelium survive for at least 8 weeks. 2) Under the experimental conditions used here, the original vasculature of the graft joins with the vascular system of the host.


Light- and electron-microscopic evaluation of the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on bone of thyroparathyroidectomized rats.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-[OH]2D3) was administered in doses of 1 (65 picomoles) or 5 (325 picomoles) units daily for 7 days to adult thyroparathyroidectomized rats fed a normal rodent diet. Both dose levels significantly increased serum calcium, decreased serum phosphorus, and increased urinary calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Numbers of osteoblasts were significantly increased in rats given 5 units 1,25-(OH)2D3. Ultrastructurally, these osteoblasts were larger and interpreted to be more active in bone matrix synthesis and mineralization, compared with osteoblasts in control rats. The number of osteoblasts in rats given 1 unit 1,25-(OH)2D3 was not increased, compared with controls, but they were morphologically similar to the osteoblasts in rats given 5 units 1,25-(OH)2D3. A granular electron-dense material, interpreted to be mineral, was present in the pericellular space of osteocytes in rats given 1 and 5 units 1,25-(OH)2D3. The size of osteocytes, organellar development, and contour of osteocytic lacunae were not affected by 1,25-(OH)2D3. The number of osteoclasts was not significantly elevated in 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated rats and their morphology was similar to that of osteoclasts in controls. It is concluded that in metaphyseal bone 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased the number and synthetic activity of osteoblasts without significantly enhancing osteoclasis or osteocytic osteolysis. This response was independent of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in rats fed a normal diet.


The ultrastructure of transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia.

Transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia was examined ultrastructurally by sequential sampling after inoculation with the etiologic agent, Citobacter freundii. Light-microscopic changes in the descending colon of inoculated mice were correlated with scanning and transmission electron-microsopic findings. Bacteria were attached to the surface of the mucosa between 4 and 10 days after inoculation. Hyperplasia was most severe at 16 days and thereafter underwent regression. Regression was preceded by extrusion of infected cells from the surface mucosa and replacement by immature hyperplasia epithelium. Hyperplastic epithelium throughtout the crypt resembled undifferentiated crypt cells of controls. By 45 days, the mucosa had reverted to near normal structure. The results suggest that severe mucosal proliferation with minimal inflammatory change resulted from attachment of bacteria to the surface mucosal epithelium. The hyperplastic response appeared to be a defense mechanism of replacing infected cells with newly migrated, uninfected epithelium.


Comparative late effects of X-rays and negative pimesons on the mouse kidney.

A system is described for comparing various modalities and fractionation schedules of radiation by means of their long-term morphologic effects upon the mouse kidney. The comparison system utilizes a grading scale for histopathologic changes in which a given histologic grade depends upon meeting defined threshold criteria, rather than quantitation of a particular measurement. Renal tubular alterations served as the basis for comparison, since they appeared more reliably defined than glomerular changes. The radiation dose that induced a specific threshold effect in kidneys from 50% of the animals at 6 months was defined as the effective dose-50%, or ED50.ED50 was found for x-rays and negative pimesons administered in 1, 2, or 5 fractions. From these data, the relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) of negative pi-mesons with respect to x-rays was determined for each fractionation schedule.


Kidney lesions in Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a light-, immunofluorescence-, and electron-microscopic study.

The essential pathologic lesion in Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a vasculitis that may involve the kidneys as well as the heart, brain, skin, and subcutaneous tissues. Histopathologic information concerning the response of the kidneys in RMSF is rather limited, however. In this study renal tissue from 17 children who died of RMSF was examined by light, electron, and immunofluorescence microscopy. A lymphocytic or mixed inflammation, or both, involving vessels and interstitium of the kidney was found in all patients. In addition, 10 patients had histologic evidence of acute tubular necrosis, and another 3 had glomerular lesions consisting of focal segmental tuft necrosis or increased cellularity secondary to neutophilic infiltration, or both. Immunofluorescence- and electron-microscopic studies failed to demonstrate immune-complex deposition within glomeruli, a finding that suggests that immunoglobulin and classic immune complexes were not involved in the pathogenesis of the renal lesions at the time of death. These findings suggest the possibility that the pathogenesis of the renal lesion in RMSF may be due to a direct action of the organism (Rickettsia rickettsii) on the vessel wall.


Correlative studies on sarcolemmal ultrastructure, permeability, and loss of intracellular enzymes in the isolated heart perfused with calcium-free medium.

Effects of calcium-free perfusion and calcium-free perfusion followed by reperfusion with calcium on sarcolemmal structure, sarcolemmal permeability, and creatine phosphokinase loss were investigated in isolated perfused rat hearts. Release of creatine phosphokinase was significant (P less than 0.0002) after 4-5 minutes of perfusion with Ca++-free medium, but later releases in comparison to their immediately preceding periods became significant only after more than 20-minute perfusion. Poor correlation between enzyme loss and lanthanum permeability prior to 20 minutes of Ca++-free perfusion was noted. After 20 minutes of Ca++-free perfusion, the basal lamina was separated from the plasma membrane, and lanthanum was seen in the cytoplasm. The intramembranous particles began to aggregate at that time. The morphologic and enzymatic changes were dramatic following reperfusion of calcium-free perfused hearts. Morphologic changes in these hearts included separation of basal lamina, cellular separation at the intercalated disk, dissolution of actin filaments at the region of I band, contraction bands, cell swelling, and staining or filling of mitochondrial membranes with La+++. Increased sarcolemmal permeability was associated with tears and aggregation of intramembranous particles in the sarcolemmal lipid bilayers. These results suggest that reperfusion of Ca++-free perfused cells causes irreversible damage to the sarcolemmal lipid bilayer, and the degree of alterations induced in the cells is dependent upon the initial duration of Ca++-free perfusion.


Zona reticularis in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats: a quantitative ultrastructural study of 70- and 95-week-old animals.

The zona reticularis of 70- and 95-week-old female Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats was studied by quantitative stereologic techniques. The zona reticularis in the adrenal gland of 70-week-old SH rats was virtually identical to that of 70-week-old WKY rats. In both SH and WKY rats at 95 weeks of age, however, there was hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum reflected quantitatively in increased volume and surface area, as compared with that of WKY rats or SH rats at 70 weeks of age. Ninety-five-week-old WKY rats had a significantly greater mitochondrial volume/cell and surface area of mitochondrial membranes than SH rats. Inclusion of lipid droplets within mitochondria was seen in zona reticularis cells from SH and WKY rats at 70 weeks of age; mitochondria-lipid-droplet association was more frequent at 95 weeks of age. The volume of lipofuscin per cell was significantly greater in WKY than in SH rats at 95 weeks of age. Thus, by quantitative techniques, one can see that the zona reticularis of 95-week-old SH rats differs from that of WKY rats, principally in the presence of smaller cells with a smaller surface area of mitochondrial cristae and a reduced volume of mitochondria, lipofuscin, and lipid droplets.


Redistribution of body heat during anaesthesia. A comparison of halothane, fentanyl and epidural anaesthesia.

Epidural anaesthesia and high dose fentanyl (50 micrograms/kg) when used to supplement nitrous oxide and oxygen anaesthesia for a standard lower abdominal operation were associated with a mean fall in deep body temperature, as measured in the external auditory meatus, of 0.46 degrees C and 0.6 degrees C/hr respectively. This is significantly different from the mean values of 0.14 degrees C and 0.2 degrees C/hr which were recorded when moderate dose fentanyl (10 micrograms/kg) or 0.5% halothane were used to supplement anaesthesia. When mean skin temperature is combined with the core temperature to provide an estimate for total body heat, there is no difference between the groups. Redistribution of body heat occurs and this may be related to reduced adrenergic stimulation and altered regional blood flow. Where the facilities and environments are inadequate for the maintenance of normothermia, care should be taken in the choice of anaesthetic technique. In the recovery period mean body heat gain showed a wide scatter of results but those patients receiving epidural anaesthesia were slow to rewarm despite a high incidence of shivering in this group. The implications of this are discussed.


Evaluation of the anti-emetic action of domperidone.

The findings of a study into the anti-emetic properties of domperidone are reported. When the drug was given prophylactically with either morphine or pethidine the study revealed that any anti-emetic property of domperidone was of short duration and that it would not be suitable as a prophylaxis against opiate-induced emesis. Domperidone is not being introduced into clinical practice in the United Kingdom on the basis of current study.


Day case anaesthesia and memory.

Two simple anaesthetic techniques were administered to forty healthy women undergoing minor gynaecological surgery. There was a significantly shorter immediate recovery period following the use of a fentanyl and methohexitone technique. Memory function testing revealed an impairment of the ability to retain new information following anaesthesia. This returned to normal within 3 hr.


Anaesthesia for carotid body tumour resection. A case report and review of the literature.

Anaesthetic management is described for the resection of a non-secreting carotid body tumour in a woman who had previously had a pneumonectomy. A brief review of the literature includes mention of some of the complications associated with the resection of carotid body tomours.


Day care surgery under general anaesthesia in a purpose built unit.

A survey of 200 patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia in a purpose-built day case unit is described. The response rate was 80%. The results demonstrate a high incidence of minor post-operative morbidity, but, despite this, there was a very high degree of patient satisfaction with the service provided in the unit. Suggestions are made with regard to day care surgery under general anaesthesia.


The establishment of the Anaesthetic Department in Benghazi.

The author has worked in Benghazi for 2 1/2 years. He has contributed in the establishment of the deparment of anaesthesia of the University of Garyounis. The problems of establishing the Department of Anaesthesia in Benghazi are reported and their solution discussed. Some recommendations for the future progress of the specialty in Benghazi are also included.


[Regurgitation and aspiration of gastric juice during delivery. Aetiology, prophylaxis and treatment (author's transl)].

This paper is concerned with the aetiology, prophylaxis and treatment of the Mendelson-syndrome. It serves as a quick reference to anaesthesists and obstetricians who are faced with this problem and therefore helps them to decrease the maternal mortality resulting from regurgitation and aspiration of gastric juice.


[Clinical and experimental investigations concerning to positoning of head injured patients (author's transl)].

Changes of ICP and CVP during different elevated positionings of the upper part of the body, rotation of the head, and compression of the jugular veins were investigated in 21 patients. Upward positioning leads to ICP-decrease and slight increase of CVP, whereas head rotation and jugular vein compression lead to increased ICP, the CVP remaining almost constant. The pressure changes in the model are equivalent to those in the patients. Therefore it can be assumed that the ICP changes according to positioning are mainly physical phenomena. The conclusion in clinical use: Slight upward positioning with straight head position is optimal in head injured patients.


[The effects of halothane-, nitroprusside- and trimethaphan-induced hypotension on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure (author's transl)].

Arterial hypotension to about 50 mm Hg mean pressure was induced in anaesthetized and artificially ventilated dogs by halothane, nitroprusside, and trimethaphan to study their effects on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure during hypotension. During nitroprusside induced hypotension there was a 32% increase in cerebral blood flow above control and a marked decrease in cerebral arteriovenous oxygen content difference indicating luxury perfusion of the brain. Cerebral blood flow remained high even 30 min after termination of hypotension. During halothane and trimethaphan hypotension cerebral blood flow remained unchanged. In all groups epidural pressure did not change substantially during hypotension but increased during recovery from nitroprusside hypotension by a maximum of 72% above control. It is concluded that during and after nitroprusside hypotension loss of cerebral autoregulation occurs which may result in a marked rise in intracranial pressure. Special vulnerability seems to exist shortly after termination of induced hypotension when arterial pressure begins to rise and brain perfusion follows a pressure-flow relationship.


[Material changes of plastic syringes (author's transl)].

During storage of syringes changes can develop in the material possibly depending on surrounding conditions. This can lead to precipitation of oleic acid amide into the lumen of the syringe. This material floats in corpuscular form on the injection fluid.


[Practical aspects of training in spinal anaesthesia (author's transl)].

The current "renaissance" in regional anaesthesia finds many institutions poorly prepared. Since the various methods of conduction anaesthesia can not adequately be acquired from journals or lectures alone, the main responsibility for the dissemination of the necessary technical skills rests with the training programs. The standard of care available to our patients depends upon the quality of the residency training and the practically oriented postgraduate courses, which we are able to provide. Unfortunately, teaching methodology, especially in the area of conduction anaesthesia, has sofar not attracted much attention. Initial sporadic investigations [1, 2, 3] have shown, that even in centers with a long tradition of training residents in spinal anaesthesia the results largely fall short of reasonable expectations. Systematic work in this area appears urgently needed. Teaching methods used within the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of Alabama are briefly outlined.


[Postspinal headache -- a clinical problem (author's transl)].

A prospective study was made in 255 patients following spinal anaesthesia to detect the incidence of post operative headache, reference also being made to the size of needle used for lumbar puncture. There was a difference in the frequency of headache related to the size of needle used (9.7% with 22 gauge needle as against 6.7% with 25 gauge needle). Also the value of prophylaxis of headache by means of an epidural blood patch was shown (1.3%). Age also played a role, the older the patient, the less the risk of headache. The social class of the patient played no role at all.


[Density of cerebrospinal fluid and local anesthetics (author's transl)].

The densities of cerebrospinal fluid and of local anesthetics, applicable to isobaric spinal anesthesia, were determined by using the Digital Density Meter DMA 02. The density of CSF showed little variation and at 37 degrees C was 1.00021 +/- 0.00024 g/cm3 (mean +/- SD, n = 22). The density of the local anesthetics bupivacaine 0.5%, carticaine 2%, lidocaine 2%, mepivacaine 2% and prilocaine 2% varied at 25 degrees C between 1.001 and 1.005 g/cm3, at 37 degrees C between 0.997 and 1.001 g/cm3. Tetracaine 0.5% in CBF increased its density by 0.00046 g/cm3. The addition of the vasoconstrictors adrenaline and ornipressine (POR 8) increased the density of the local anesthetic solutions insignificantly. On the basis of the narrow range of variation of CSF density, reliable statements may be made on the density dependent spread of local anesthetics in spinal anesthesia.


[A comparative study on the effect of halothan-N2O-anaesthesia and neuroleptanalgesia on plasma catecholamines during the intra- and postoperative period (author's transl)].

The influence of neuroleptanalgesia and halothane-N2O-anaesthesia on the activity of the sympathetic nervous system was studied continuously in the intra- and postoperative period in 2 groups of 10 patients undergoing abdominal operations. In the neuroleptanalgesia-group the noradrenaline level in plasma rose continuously during the course of the operation and this increase was highly significant. The adrenaline level in plasma increased as well, however this increase did not depend on the duration of the operation. In the halothane-N2O-group only a small increase of both adrenaline and noradrenaline in plasma could be demonstrated intraoperatively. One hour after the end of the operation the plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline were elevated in both groups. The noradrenaline level was even higher after neuroleptanalgesia. Four hours after the end of surgery the levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline started to decrease, but were still above the preanaesthetic level. The increase of the concentration of catecholamines in plasma indicating an activation of the sympathetic nervous system was not associated with a corresponding increase in heart rate and blood pressure intra- as well as postoperatively in either group. Only in the neuroleptanalgesia-group was there a small, but insignificant increase of the systolic and diastolic pressure postoperatively.


Use of encephabol in anaesthesia and post-anaesthesia resuscitation.

On the basis of good results in a pilot study of 40 patients who had undergone anaesthesia for various surgical operations, infusions of pyritinol was tested under controlled double-blind conditions on 60 further patients. Pyritinol 600 mg was infused immediately after anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to verify the favourable effect on the post-anaesthesia phase. It was shown that pyritinol significantly shortens the wakening time and, furthermore, positively influences the subjective feeling of the patients after anaesthesia.


[The alveolar-arterial oxygen quotient. standard norms, clinical findings (author's transl)].

From the practical standpoint of view the A-aDO2 proved to be a good parameter for evaluation of global gas exchange. The endexspiratory oxygen pressure, recorded by mass spectrometry, is set equal to the alveolar oxygen pressure. Therefore it is possible for clinical use to have an on line monitoring of PETO2--PaO2. It is necessary to specify the pressure difference in dependence of the inspiratory oxygen pressure since the alveolo-arterial oxygen pressure difference increases with increasing inspiratory oxygen pressure concentration. For practical clinical purposes we come out with the relative ratio of the difference adjusted to the alveolar oxygen pressure. The alveolar-arterial oxygen quotient also called "quotient": formula: (see text) has proved to be a clinical suitable figure. For this quotient are no standard norms reported in the literature. This study was set up to evaluate the quotient in 9 healthy volunteers. The standard norms, found in our study, can basically used for practical clinical purposes. This quotient is demonstrated to be practicable in intensive care medicine (obstructive pulmonary disease, acute pulmonary failure, positive pressure ventilation).


[External heart compression with the heel (author's transl)].

External heart compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an usual method. As an alternative to the arm-hand method the leg-heel method is proposed. Both methods were tested with a group of laymen and paramedical personnel at the Recording Resusci-Anne manequin. Criteria of evaluation were frequency, point, intensity and direction of heart pressure. 64 per cent of all test persons found the method of heel-compression to be of no value of the basis of personal experience. They showed early fatigue and complained of leg pain. The incidence of failure for both methods was comparable. Frequency and intensity of pressure showed no differences. The most important disadvantage appeared to be the lack of discharge of the sternum at the end of the phase of compression. Experience has shown that difficulties may arise from teaching several methods. Therefore the teaching of laymen should be restricted to one method only, usable universally. The restrictions of the leg-heel method are listed.


[Direct measurement of blood pressure and pulse frequency by the blood pressure pulse monitor "Benjamin" (author's transl)].

A portable, battery powered blood pressure-pulse monitor is described. This device is suitable for direct monitoring of blood pressure and pulse frequency during operation, in the postoperative period as during inner clinical transport or aviation transport.


Intensive care data--I: Computer controlled analysis.

A flexible, simple computer-controlled system for analysis of administrative and clinical data in intensive care is described. The system uses an interactive data input programme to facilitate data entry, an editor to correct errors, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for data selection, retrieval and analysis. The system has the following features: data input is simple; large amounts of data can be handled rapidly and accurately; old data is readily available for comparison with new data and can be included in the present analysis; available statistical packages remove the need for a programmer; complex analyses are possible. The system has been successfully used for two years to provide administrative and clinical data which is pertinent to patient care.


Intensive care data--II: A new unit's first two years.

Intensive care units now exist in a large number of hospitals. They vary from one another in many respects, but have one thing in common--high running costs. There are few published reports in recent years of the workload, results and effectiveness of intensive care units. This paper presents data obtained from a new unit in 1977 and 1978, using a computer-controlled system of data storage and analysis. This has provided useful information of an administrative and clinical nature, and has enabled us to compare data from year to year, as well as allowing comparisons with data from other units. The potential exists for such a system to be useful in evaluating criteria for admission and termination of care, and for cost-effectiveness studies.


Snake bite in Australia--the problems involved and a protocol for hospital management.

Despite a great deal of original research into Australian snakes and their complex venoms, there is still confusion about the correct first-aid and hospital management of the bitten patient. This review illustrates the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment and presents a well tried protocol for the successful management of snake bite.


The incidence and aetiology of phrenic nerve blockade associated with supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

A trial to ascertain the true incidence of inadvertent phrenic nerve block with brachial plexus block via the supraclavicular approach was carried out. Phrenic nerve block was monitored by x-ray screening of the diaphragm. There was an incidence of phrenic nerve block of 67% (10 cases of diaphragmatic paralysis in 15 brachial blocks). The possible causes of phrenic nerve block with brachial block are discussed. It is concluded that the phrenic nerve is blocked peripherally in front of the scalenus anterior.


Assessment of sympathectomy--the skin potential response.

Objective assessment of the results of surgical sympathectomy and sympathetic block (both temporary and permanent) are not widely practised. This article comments briefly on the available methods, and describes the use of the abolition of the skin potential response (formerly known as the psychogalvanic reflex) to assess the abolition of sympathetic function. This method of assessment has proved useful in clinical practice.


Banked autologous blood for caesarian section.

Experience with the use of banked autologous blood in five patients undergoing elective caesarian section showed that two patients developed painless uterine contractions during phlebotomy, and a third delivered an infant who developed severe respiratory distress. The other two patients had no complications and delivered healthy infants. Caution is needed before recommending the use of this technique in obstetric practice.


Outpatient anaesthesia for dilatation and curettage.

An anaesthetic technique (caudal blockade with chloroprocaine and intravenous propanidid) for patients having dilatation and curettage of the uterus as outpatients is presented, and a prospective series of patients reviewed. Results show a high level of patient satisfaction with the technique and a low incidence of side effects.


Epidural analgesia with morphine a preliminary communcation.

Morphine sulphate 2 to 4 mg was given by epidural injection for analgesia in eleven patients whose pain was ischaemic, traumatic or post-operative. Excellent analgesia was obtained in ten of the eleven patients without significant side effects. This technique appears to offer relief in post-operative and other types of severe pain and has been continued for up to five days.


Department staffing in anaesthesia.

A survey about staffing of departments of anaesthesia in teaching hospitals, and about the duties of their anaesthetists, showed similar results to a preliminary survey (Baker 1978) which suggested that two-thirds of Australasian departments were understaffed by senior specialists. The survey also showed a high ratio of one, of trainees to senior specialists, which will soon oversupply specialists in practice if allowed to continue.


Volume replacement in acute anaphylactoid reactions.

Two patients who experienced cardiovascular collapse due to anaphylactoid reactions are described. The first patient showed haemoconcentration which was rapidly restored with colloid solutions and vasoconstrictors. The second patient showed haemoconcentration in spite of massive infusion of crystalloid and repeated adrenaline; her circulatory status was restored with colloid solution. In acute anaphylactoid reactions both sympathomimetics and colloid solutions are necessary to restore circulation.


Pseudomonas infection and the anaesthetist.

Cultures of specimens taken from anaesthetic equipment after routine cleaning and chemical decontamination revealed contamination with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Attention is drawn to the widely practised but unsatisfactory methods of decontaminating equipment. Consideration of the subject of decontamination of anaesthetic equipment led to the re-evaluation of our current practice, with surprising results. At the end of our brief look, we had changed our methods of decontamination dramatically and heightened awareness of a large section of theatre staff with regard to aseptic technique. We had also found a possible method of eliminating Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from the sinks in the operating theatre. Recommendations as to future practice are included.


An introducer to facilitate nasotracheal intubation.

An introducer to facilitate nasotracheal intubation is described. The instrument is passed orally and a distal hook engages in the Murphy foramen of a P.V.C. nasal tube to direct it atraumatically into the trachea.


The morphology of M. palatoglossus in the 15-week human fetus.

The morphology of M. palatoglossus in the 15-week fetus was studied with the aid of 30-micron serial sections. The sample included 26 specimens, 9 each of which were sectioned in the coronal and sagittal planes and 8 which were sectioned transversely. M. Palatoglossus extends within the anterior pillar to attachments in both the soft palate and the tongue. Characteristically, the muscle fibers radiate within the velum, not only along its antero-posterior axis but superiorly as well, to intersect other palatal structures. Within the root of the tongue, some fibers of M. palatoglossus combine in a longitudinal muscular complex to course anteriorly toward the tip, others appear to join the transverse muscular system. These data are compared with the literature describing the morphology of this musculature in the adult.


Experimental study of lymphatico-venous communications after thoracic duct ligature in dogs.

The authors performed the ligature and transection of the thoracic duct in 36 dogs, 14 male and 22 female in order to investigate the existence of lymphatico-venous communications between the thoracic duct and veins situated in thorax, especially visceral veins. The animals were divided in 6 groups (5 experimental and 1 control), and were studied 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after the ligature. The existence of lymphatico-venous communications was observed in 18 cases (60%): 34.1% in esophageal veins; 34.1% in intercostal veins; 22.7% in azygous vein and 9.1% in the proper vein of the longus colli. The communications between the duct and the intercostal veins were more frequent in the veins from the left antimere; as for the azygous, the communications were more frequent in the segment between the 6th and 7th intercostal veins. No communications were observed in the control animals.


Collateral lymphatic circulation after thoracic duct ligature in dogs.

The authors studied the development of collateral circulation between the thoracic duct and the azygous vein system, in 30 adult dogs, after thoracic duct ligature. They verified the existence of lymphatico-venous communications in 18 events (60%); in 10 of these cases and in the rest (40%) alterations related to the duct's morphology were found; these alterations are not usually evident or inexist in animals not submitted to duct ligature.


[Distribution of the vagus nerve of the stomach and certain lymph nodes of the sheep in the prenatal period (author's transl)].

The goal of this study was the investigation into the vagus nerve structure in the ruminant stomach, and a description of the participation of this nerve in the stimulation of the atrial lymph nodes of the rumen and dorsal abomasal lymph nodes. This survey was carried out on 30 sheep fetuses, whose ages are designated according to Zietzschmann and Krölling (1955). The fetuses came from the third to fifth months of pregnancy. Observations and general morphological nature may be summarized as follows: 1. to the wall of the rumen reach atrial branches coming from both vagus trunks plus a dorsal ruminal branch, and a right ruminal branch coming from the dorsal vagus trunk, 2. the reticulum receives reticular branches, coming from both vagal trunks, 3. the omasum is innervated by omasal branches of the dorsal vagus trunk plus an omasoabomasal branch coming from the ventral vagus trunk, 4. to the wall of the abomasum reach the reticulo-abomasal and pyloric branches coming from the ventral vagus trunk plus a branch to the major abomasal curvature and a visceral abomasal branch coming from the dorsal vagus trunk, 5. arterial lymph nodes of the rumen receive innervation from the reticulo-abomasal branch or the pyloric branch, both leaving from the ventral vagus trunk, 6. dorsal abdominal lymph nodes innervated by nerve branches coming from a parietal abomasal branch, coming also from the ventral vagus trunk.


Angioarchitecture of the buffalo testis.

The intratesticular arteries pursued a coiled course and arborized in the testicular parenchyma. The centripetal arteries converged on the mediastinum and formed clusters of spirally coiled, vessels before turning centrifugally. The testicular parenchyma was drained mainly through the centrifugal veins and partly through the central vein. The concentration of the capsular veins was comparatively more towards the epididymal border than on the free border. These capsular veins pursued a straight course towards the caputal extremity of the testis where they divided and anastomosed many a times to form the pampiniform plexus of veins. The coiling of the intratesticular arteries, theie clustering at the mediastinum testis and the presence of juxtaposed parenchymal veins seem to have some role in the hemodynamic and thermoregulatory mechanism of the buffalo testis.


[Correlative relations of spondilometric features in human feti (author's transl)].

The authors have carried out an analyzis of correlative relations of spondilometric features on the material of 403 human feti (211 male, 192 female) in morphologic age--the 4th up to the 7th month of fetal life. They have found a highly positive correlation between the length of the particular vertebral column segments, especially in the early period of fetal life, due to a slight inter individual differentiation. Besides, they have shown a stabilization of proportions of the vertebral column length and the length of its segments taking place in the fetal life of man.


New interpretation of bronchioles of the mole.

Right lung of the mole is constituted of the upper, middle, lower and accessory lobes, while the left lung losts the upper and middle lobes and the cranial portion of the lower lobe, having only a small lower lobe.


[A generalization of the Gompertz-function of organic growth (author's transl)].

The traditional Gompertz function of organic growth with a fixed ordinate of its turning point and 3 basic parameters is generalized by introducing an exponent m into the increase function as dW/dt = k Wm e-rt. By this addition integration to the growth function implies one more parameter as W0 (initial amount of a growth unit) or E (final value of W) respectively. The resulting growth function allows variability for the turning point and more flexibility for the function proper. Examples are given for comparing the generalized from with other growth functions.


Ontogeny of the noradrenergic innervation of the rat hippocampal formation.

The noradrenergic (NA) innervation of the rat hippocampal formation arrives embryonically into a structure in which cytogenesis and cell migration are still active processes. At embryonic day 18 (E18) the first fluorescent axons appear in the septal end of CA3 at the boundary of the marginal zone and cortical plate, the future stratum lucidum. By birth axons invade the subiculum and also course along the septo-temporal axis in a longitudinal associational system in stratum moleculare of CA3. The innervation of the area dentata increases significantly by postnatal day four (P4). The innervation pattern throughout the dentate and Ammon's horn is fairly complete by P10. High affinity uptake of 3H-NA also matures embryonically and correlates postnatally with the extent of innervation estimated by fluorescence histochemistry. The levels of endogenous NA develop more slowly, showing only 60--80% of older adult values by P48. Compared to the maturation of other hippocampal afferents, the NA innervation is extremely precocious. It is localized in areas which could allow it to have significant trophic functions during early stages of histogenesis. In addition, its presence in the rapidly developing structure may contribute to its eventual distribution in a relatively less organized terminal pattern than that of the later-arriving entorhinal, commissural and septal afferents.


Freeze-fracture observations on the visceral yolk sac placenta of rats, mice and hamsters. With special reference to endodermal cell tight junctions.

Freeze-fracture replicas of visceral yolk sac from rats, mice and hamsters in late stages of gestation were studied by electron microscopy. Special attention was directed toward determining the types of junctional specializations that exist between the columnar endoderm cells of this placental membrane. In all three species, well-developed, zonular tight (occluding) junctions were found on the contiguous lateral surfaces of the endoderm cells. The tight junctional network, located in an immediate subluminal position, was from 0.2--0.5 micrometers in depth and consisted at any point of 2--5, interconnecting, approximately 9 eta wide, strands (P-face) or shallow furrows (E-face). Patch-like aggregations of irregular intramembrane particles, characteristic of desmosomes (maculae adherentes), also were observed at scattered sites below the tight junctions. However, no evidence of gap (communicating) junctions was encountered. The endoderm cells of the rodent visceral yolk sac have been shown to play a central role in the selective transport of macromolecular substances from the maternal to the fetal system. Tight junctions may be vital to this endodermal cell function by preventing random paracellular fluxes of macromolecules.


The migration of myogenic cells from the somites into the leg region of avian embryos. An ultrastructural study.

The migration of myogenic stem cells into the leg anlagen of chick embryos between stages 16--20 of Hamburger and Hamilton was examined. SEM and TEM studies reveal that cell migration starts at stage 16 from the just-formed somites 26-28. The migrating myogenic cells are elongated and oriented in a medio-lateral direction. The leading ends branch into filopodia which contact a fibrillar network. At first, single cells migrate; later on the cells leaving the ventro-lateral edge of the dermatome migrate in strands and have specialized contacts between them. After reaction with ruthenium red and concanavalin A the migrating cells show a thick surface coat to which ruthenium red-positive particles are attached. The surface coat may be important in the interactions among the migrating cells as well as between the cells and the substrate. The migration of myogenic stem cells was found to take place in a matrix of collagenous fibrils and ruthenium red-positive particles, probably containing glycosaminoglycans. At the onset of migration the fibrillar network exhibits a preferred medio-lateral orientation. Therefore, it may be concluded that this alignment of the fibrils influences the direction of cell migration.


Anatomy of the cecum of the dwarf hamster (phodopus sungorus).

The cecal anatomy of the dwarf hamster, Phodopus sungorus, was investigated macroscopically and at the light, transmission electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic levels. In addition, the arterial supply to the cecum and connecting mesenteries were elucidated. The cecum is divisible into an ampulla ceci and a corpus ceci. In the former, the differentiation of the ileocecal orifice and circumventing fold is described. Scanning electron microscopically, the surface topography of the cecum appears as ring-walled elevations with a central depression and looped configurations, which correlate light microscopically to a "rolling-hills" type mucosa with wide-opened crypts. This type of mucosa is set in contrast to the classically described large intestinal mucosa in man and some other mammals. The present observations are compared with descriptions made on the cecum of the common field vole, Microtus agrestis, also a myomorph but belonging to another subfamily.


A study of glial cell proliferation in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus of the rat following interruption of the ventral hippocampal commissure.

The proliferation of glial cells in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus in response to lesions of the ventral hippocampal commissure, has been studied autoradiographically following intraventricular injections of 3H-thymidine. Within 24 h of commissurotomy there is an appreciable increase in the number of labeled cells throughout the molecular layer which reaches its peak at approximately 36 h. This generalized glial hyperplasia persists for at least 5--6 weeks and there does not appear to be a secondary re-distribution of the newly-generated glial cells as has been reported after entorhinal lesions (Gall et al., 1979). In semi-thin plastic sections most of the proliferating cells more closely resemble the "medium-shade oligodendrocytes" of Ling et al. (1973) than typical microglia; the reactive astrocytes do not appear to participate in the glial proliferation.


Age-dependent morphological changes in the seminal colliculus in male mice. Light and scanning electron microscopic study.

The developmental changes in the seminal colliculus of male mice were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The epithelium of the mouse seminal colliculus is transformed to the mature epithelium between 20 and 25 days of age, while the transformation of the remaining urethral wall occurred from 5 to 10 days of age. During the process of this epithelial transformation at the seminal colliculus unusual structures, including prominent epithelial proliferations and protrusions, were observed in the area adjacent to the ejaculatory duct openings and the ventral area of the upper medial region of the seminal colliculus in 15-day-old mice. In these unusual structures, three types of cells were recognized by their surface characteristics: cells which had distinct borders and ruffled cell surfaces with microridges; cells which had distinct borders and flat or slightly ruffled cell surfaces with many short microvilli, and small cells which had rounded cell surfaces with many long microvilli. In the remaining area of the seminal colliculus, two types of cells were distinguished: those which had flat or slightly rounded cell surfaces with many short microvilli and those cells with many long microvilli similar to the ones in the previously described area. In 25-day-old mice, the unusual protruding structures were not observed, but some cells with ruffled surfaces were still seen.


The avian ovary is an open organ. A study of the lacunar system.

After an intraperitoneal injection of diluted yolk in female quails, young chicks or chick embryos (killed with minimal loss of blood), the absorption of a considerable quantity of yolk granules by the ovarian medullary lacunae can be demonstrated. This can be confirmed by the i.p. injection of killed Hela cells. From our investigation it may be concluded that the avian ovary, by the progressive expansion of its medullary lacunae, develops into a contractile sac-like structure with small openings (communicating with the peritoneal cavity) on its dorsal side. The lacunar system seems to function as an expansion room for the enlarging follicles (also the large pediculated follicles) and intervenes in follicle stalk formation. The relatively rapid uptake by means of an ovarian pumping mechanism of particles and fluid from the peritoneal cavity into the lacunae, suggests also that the latter play a role as diffusion chambers in the supply of nutritious substances to and elimination of wastes from the follicles.


Intercellular junctions in the full term human placenta. I. Syncytiotrophoblastic layer.

Inter- and intrasyncytiotrophoblastic junctions within the human full term placenta were electronmicroscopically investigated using thin sections and freeze-fracturing. Narrow clefts were occasionally situated between surface areas where adjacent chorionic villi exhibited close contact. Within these clefts, extensive zonulae and maculae occludentes and numerous maculae adherentes were found. The zonulae occludentes showed a continuous and irregular course on the membrane surface, and the maculae occludentes were irregularly distributed over extended membrane areas. Besides these areas, maculae occludentes and maculae adherentes were observed on infoldings and invaginations of the synctiotrophoblastic surface membrane. Investigations of the inner surface of the syncytiotrophoblastic layer, that is, the layer facing the villous stroma, also revealed invaginations joined by maculae adherentes. The functional significance of the inter- and intrasyncytiotrophoblastic junctions is discussed with respect to the differentiation of the trophoblast.


Observations on degenerative changes of Purkinje cells during early development in mice and in normal and otocyst-deprived chickens.

The cerebellar noduli of 18 neonatal mice and 13 young chickens were studied by light and electron microscopy. Beginning with postnatal day 10 in mice and incubation day 17 in chickens some Purkinje cells of the nodulus show degenerative changes. The nuclei and cytoplasm of these cells are darker than the neighbouring tissue due to an accumulation of large amounts of ribosomelike particles and an increased stainability of the cytoplasm. Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum undergo a moderate swelling, the Golgi apparatus hypertrophies whereas the somata and nuclei atrophy. The percentage of degenerating Purkinje cells reaches a peak of about 45% around postnatal day 14 in mice and the 4th day after hatching in chickens. In 26 otocyst-deprived chickens a smaller proportion of Purkinje cells with degenerative changes is found. The way in which the otocyst removal influences the neonatal Purkinje cell degeneration is not clear.


Focal laminate segments in cytoplasmic processes of mouse myocardial fibroblasts.

In mouse ventricular myocardium, we have found unusual fibroblasts whose cellular processes in some regions are particularly flattened and which contain linearly-arranged, electron-opaque structures ('central laminae"). The morphology of these focal laminate segments of fibroblast processes suggests that the intracellular laminae are adhesive entities which hold the plasmalemmata above and below them in close parallel apposition for short distances.


The effect of colcemid on the structure and secretory activity of ameloblasts in the rat incisor as shown by radioautography after injection of 3H-proline.

Enamel secretion by ameloblasts was investigated in the incisors of 100 gm normal and colcemid-injected male rats. Morphological studies were done on rats given a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mg (1.25 mM) of colcemid and sacrified 1 to 4 hours after injection. Protein synthesis and secretion were investigated with radioautography in normal and colcemid-treated rats injected with 3H-proline and sacrificed at intervals between 0.5 and 3.5 hours after injection. Colcemid was injected 0.5 hours prior to 3H-proline in each experimental rat. Electron microscopic examination revealed several morphological alterations between 1 and 4 hours after injection of colcemid. These changes included fragmentation of the normally elongated rough endoplasmic reticulum into shorter profiles; a disorganization of the normally tubular configuration of the Golgi apparatus into a number of seples and profiles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum from Tomes' processes; and the accumulation of secretion granules at the mature face of the Golgi stacks, as well as in the infranuclear cytoplasm where thye are normally not found. Radioautography revealed that protein synthesis by the rough endoplasmic reticulum had continued in colcemid-altered ameloblasts. Labeled secretion granules were found at the mature surface of the Golgi stacks and in the infranuclear cytoplasm, however they did not migrate into Tomes' processes. Consequently, labeled enamel matrix did not appear extracellularly at the same time as in normal controls. Quantitative radioautography in the light microscope revealed that the effect of colcemid, although reversed within 4 hours, had temporarily inhibited normal migration, and exocytosis of secretion granules.


Structure and function of the intestinal epithelial cells in the perch (Perca fluviatillis L.).

An ultrastructural study of the intestinal absorptive epithelium in perch (Perca fluviatilis) has shown that the perch intestine can be divided into three segments: the proximal segment, the middle segment and the distal segment. The enterocytes of the proximal segment are found to be concerned with lipid absorption. The adsorbed fat gives rise to the presence of two forms of inclusions: lipid particles and lipid droplets. Enterocytes of the middle segment exhibit the typical ultrastructural features of pinocytosis; these consist of extensive invaginations of the luminal surface membrane and acculation of vacuoles in the apical cytoplasm. Exogenous proteins are ingested by absorptive cells from the intestinal lumen by a process similar to that described in neonatal mammals. In the distal segment the absorptive cells have few, short microvilli. Besides the absorptive epithelial cells, goblet cells, endocrine cells, pear-shaped cells, and plasma cells are occasionally found.


Surface morphology of macrophages in the regressing corpus luteum, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.

Activated macrophages phagocytize moribund luteal cells and thus play a central role in the postpartum regression of corpora lutea in guinea pigs (Paavola, '79). When viewed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), these luteal macrophages exhibit many surface protrusions. To characterize more fully the nature and extent of these evaginations, as well as to gain further understanding of phagocytes in their natural surroundings, luteal macrophages were studied in situ by scanning electron microscopy of regressing corpora lutea. Correlated TEM was carried out to confirm the identity of the various cell types. Even in low power scanning electron micrographs, macrophages are consipicuous, and can be readily distinguished from luteal cells by their surface topography. Luteal cell surfaces bear low ridge-like folds and sparse microvilli. In contrast, macrophages characteristically exhibit highly developed surface projections, the most common of which are knob-like or clubbed processes of varying size and shape. Other distinctive surface modifications displayed by luteal macrophages include long, slender filopodia, and well developed pseudopodia. These processes generally have an uneven distribution over the cell; thus, luteal macrophages may appear polarized with regard to surface activity. Both filopodia and pseudopodia occur in close contact with luteal cell surfaces. In addition, occasional luteal macrophages have surfaces that are covered with large, crater-like depressions. The phagocytosis of cells and cellular debris by macrophages was also observed. In summary, the highly pleomorphic surface activity of luteal macrophages appears to be correlated with their role in the removal of senescent luteal cells.


The growth and development of the superior oblique muscle and trochlear nerve in juvenile and adult goldfish.

Superior oblique muscle/trochlear nerve pairs from goldfish of various ages (1-5 years) have been examined light and electron microscopically. The muscle grows by enlargement (longitudinally and transversely) of individual fibers, and by addition of new ones at the rate of about 250/year. The nerve grows by enlargement of fibers, but few and perhaps no new axons are added. The somata enlarge, and the neuromuscular synapses become much more numerous. The ratio of muscle fibers to nerve fibers increases from about 5 in the young to about 16 in the old fish.


Morphogenesis of rod cells in the retina of the albino rat: a scanning electron microscopic study.

This study presents scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of topographical changes that occur during morphogenesis of rod cells in the albino rat. Correlative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also utilized. Albino rats ranging in age from birth to three weeks were used for the study. Tissues were prepared by conventional methods for SEM and TEM. At birth, numerous irregularly arranged inner segments extend from the external surface of the sensory retina. They are spherical, smooth surfaced and possess a randomly oriented cilium. The internal morphology of these immature inner segments is comparable to that observed in other vertebrate species. Statistical analysis reveals a rapid increse in the number of rod cells during the first week. This period is characterized by the elongation of inner segments and their associated cilia. Microvilli project from the apices of Müller cells, but not from adjacent inner segments. By day 5, cilia occasionally display small bulbous outer segments. They are more numerous by day 8 and are usually eccentrically positioned at the tips of cilia. By day 11, outer segments are abundant and frequently obscure from view the underlying inner segments and associated cilia. Elongated cylindrical outer segments are present within the posterior retina at the end of the second week. However, rod cell morphogenesis lags in the peripheral retina. Topographical variations between developing photoreceptor cells in mammalian and non-mammalian retinas are discussed.


[Antiplatelet drugs (author's transl)].

Acetyl salicylic acid, sulfinpyrazone, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, ticlopidine, clofibrate, nicergoline are the most used antiplatelet drugs. A. S. A. and sulfinpyrazone have been tested in several large scale clinical trials. A. S. A. seems beneficial in the prevention of cerebral ischemia for patients, specially men who have previously had a transient cerebral ischemic attack. Sulfinpyrazone appears to be effective in reducing cardiac deaths during the first year after myocardial infarction.


[Comparative study about the analgesic effect of buprenorphine (author's transl)].

In that study we compared the analgesic effects of equianalgesic doses of buprenorphine and morphine taken as the narcotic of reference. The experiment has been undertaken in ten adults having severe cancer pain. The results have been analysed by statistical non parametric tests. We found that buprenorphine and morphine have the same pattern of action despite the fact that intramuscular buprenorphine has a clinical duration of approximately 9 hours.


[Pain due to bone metastasis in hormonodependent cancer. Treatment by intrasellar injection of alcohol (author's transl)].

Pain due to bone metastasis in hormonodependent cancer (of the breast or the prostates more particularly) can be relieved by surgery directed at the endocrinic system. The most efficient techniques are hypophysectomies and hypophysiolysis (or neuroadenolysis). The intrasellar injection of alcohol through the transnasal-transsphenoidal route is a fairly simple procedure which can be carried out on such fragile patients without too much risk. The authors here report the first results obtained with this procedure in 12 pateints. Full sedation of pain is achieved in 30 to 40 p. cent of the cases. The duration of analgesia varies and pain frequently returns. One of the advantages of this procedure lies in the fact that such an injection may be repeated if necessary. The intrasellar injection of alcohol is but one of the many techniques available to practitioners working in the field of intractable pain.


[Ophthalmological anaesthesia in old age; 120 cases (author's transl)].

AMong 149 old ophthalmological patients over 70 years old, 29 patients did not undergo a general anaesthesia. The other 120 patients underwent 148 operations under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetic techniques came from neuroleptanalgesia. The results are quite good from a surgical view/point so that now we don't to refuse old people for an ophthalmological surgery under general anaesthesia any longer.


[Oculocardiac reflex in ocular surgery. Some means of prevention from consequences (author's transl)].

In 80 patients undergoing surgery for retinal detachment, cardiac rhythm was observed to improve some means of prevention from consequences of oculocardiac reflex. The injection of a parasympatholytic agent shown its effectiveness; heavy morphinic analgesia prevented from cardiac disturbances induced by scleral cryoapplication; retrobulbar block had no effect.


[Total replacement of an arm amputated near the shoulder. Difficulties during anesthesia and ressuscitation (author's transl)].

The authors report a recent observation of the total replacement of an arm amputated near the shoulder. The limb was perfused and cooled down from the site of the accident to the general hospital (distance about 50 miles) and was replanted within 13 hours. The procedure itself lasted about 8 hours. The bone replantation was the most critical difficulty for the surgeons. Venous repair was associated with hemorrhage and massive transfusion had to be performed to compensate heavy blood loss. In the post-operative period acute renal insufficiency and septicemia developed. After ten days an arterial rupture occurred and emergency amputation was performed. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged nine weeks after his admission, his renal function being quite restored. The authors compare the hazards of this kind of operation and the chance of recovery of the functions of a replanted limb. They conclude by emphasizing the necessity of carefully choosing the cases for total arm replacement.


[Rapid and automatic acquisition and transmission of acid-base equilibrium parameters in a clinical biology laboratory (author's transl)].

The "pH-blood gas" department of our clinical biology laboratory was organized to meet rapidly and in the most reliable conditions possible the numerous and urgent analytical demands that had been confronting us. The structure was set up, therefore, in order to accelerate the speed at which blood samples could be transferred and make it possible to quickly and reliably obtain and transmit the results of the analyses. These necessities were satisfied thanks to the installation of a pneumatic tube allowing the rapid transfer of syringes, the utilization of automatic analysers, and the installation of a data processing system.


[Value of ultrastructural morphology in the preparation of oncolysates of human malignant melanoma].

The culture of human cutaneous malignant melanomas is an important stage in the preparation of oncolysates for therapeutic purposes. The authors recall the definition of oncolysate: lysis of the malignant melanocyte by vaccinia virus liberates masked antigens which when reinjected into the patient accelerate or restimulate the production of antibodies. Culture is used to increase the number of malignant melanocytes, i. e. antigenic material, which is an essential precaution in tumours of small size. Production of oncolysate requires the exclusive use of the malignant melanocyte, i. e. the importance of morphological identification during the "in vitro" phase. The optical criteria defined by Fedoroff are inadequate and a source of error. Ultrastructural studies render this identification more valid, insofar as the normal and pathological markers which are the melanosomes are better known. Ultrastructural studies may be used to differentiate the malignant melanocyte from the ordinary macrophage in media which are black, and light cultures to distinguish fibroblastic growth, with no antigenic value, from the malignant melanocyte without pigment (achromic), recognisable by its premelanosome.


[Arterial intimal proliferation in the rat : nature and origin of the proliferating cells].

This study had two objectives: 1) Identification of the type of cell involved in intimal proliferation (endothelial cells, smooth muscle fibres or fibroblasts). 2) Determination of the origin. For this purpose a model was used which consisted of implantation in the rat of femoral arterial segments in the interstitial tissue. Sequential examination of tissue collected on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 revealed that proliferation was more marked if not solely present at the extremities of the segments. The proliferating cells were also in continuity with the extravascular granulation tissue, which would appear to indicate that the intimal proliferation in this model came from the cells of the granulation tissue and "muscular" differentiation occurred in contact with the endothelium.


[Bones and bone marrow of the newborn " op " osteopetrotic rat, and the early diagnosis of the disease].

It is possible to make an early diagnosis of rat " op " osteopetrosis. The growth of the mandibular incisor is stopped at birth by failure of bone resorption around the dental root. The primary trabeculae of the long bones fail to undergo resorption: osteoblasts differentiate along them, but osteoclasts are missing and reticular cells are not distinguishable. When 2 and 3 days old, the medullary cavity is obstructed by osseous trabeculae, vascular system is lacking, hemopoietic cells no longer differentiate, osteoclasts are scarce and degenerative; medullary tissue is compact, including numerous osteoblastic cells. Bone marrow smears clearly show medullary cell deficiency, weakening hemopoiesis, prevalent osteoblasts and a lack of osteoclasts. Marrow is taken out "in vivo" from an excised metatarsal bone, at birth and over the next few days. Osteopetrotic rats identified in this way in litters issued from heterozygote pair can be treated from the first week.


[Neonatal segmental small intestine dilatation. Unusual form of necrotizing enteritis?].

The authors report two new cases of segmental dilatation of the small bowel at birth. In the pathological intestinal areas, they describe inflammatory alterations similar to neonatal necrotizing enteritis, and some particular lesions of the myenteric plexus with a deterioration of the ganglionic cells. It is suggested that such lesions might have a certain responsibility in the etiology of chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction syndrome.


[2 cases of alveolar sarcoma. Study by electron microscopy and cytoenzymology].

Study by electron microscopy and light cytoenzymology of two cases of alveolar sarcoma of the thigh occurring in young men indicated it to be an active tumour with an apparently functional organoid arrangement, characterised by an abundance of capillary vessels. The secretory nature of the cell elements was suggested by the marked development of smooth and granular reticular systems. The morphological result of this secretory activity was constituted by vesicular bodies with dense contents, surrounded by a membrane and sometimes containing periodic paracrystalline structures. This intravacuolar crystalline organisation goes hand in hand with an increase in acid phosphatase activity suggesting possible crinophagia. Amongst the different hypotheses advanced in the past, the morphological appearances seen here would most likely correspond with the endocrine nature of this tumour.


[Variations in blood viscosity of insulin-dependent diabetic subjects controlled by artificial pancreas (author's transl)].

A study of blood viscosity at 3 rates of determination (0.232-0.348 and 1.16 sec-1) in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects controlled by artificial pancreas, shows a reduction in this parameter after 30 hours of feed back control. The relationship between these variations, the mechanical cohesion of the agglutinated red cells, and the deformability of these structures are discussed.


[Modifications of peptide hydroxyprolinuria during Paget's disease and osteoma (author's transl)].

The values of hydroxyprolinuria were determined in 314 cases of Paget's disease and 91 cases of osteoma. During Paget's disease, the values found were related to the degree of the bony disorder. A more detailed study of the hydroxyproline polypeptides was undertaken, comparatively in a few cases of these two diseases. In Paget's disease, there was shown a relative increase in the oligopeptide fraction, whereas the polypeptide fraction was increased in osteoma. By chromatographic and electrophoretic technics, it was shown that the acid oligopeptides (containing mainly the dipeptide (Glu-Hyp) are in percentage, reduced in Paget's disease and increased in osteoma, whereas the neutral oligopeptides (containing mainly Pro-Hyp) undergo the opposite variation in these two diseases.


[Use of the API 20E system for rapid identification of Enterobacteriaceae (six hours) (author's transl)].

The authors propose a modification of the method of use of the API 20E system permitting more rapid identification of Enterobacteriaceae within six hours (3 hours preculture and 3 hours incubation on an API 20E plate) it was possible to identify correctly 67% of 192 strains studied at species level and 75.5% studied at generic level. One may note four mistakes (2.1%) of which 3 were minor, (species within the same genus). The construction of a base of numerical data adapted to the technic within six hours would no doubt permit us to reduce the percentage undetermined.


Parenteral vaccination of young swine against Bordetella bronchiseptica.

The efficacy of Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterins for the prevention of nasal turbinate atrophy caused by induced B bronchiseptica infection in young swine was evaluated. Vaccination of pigs at an early age (eg, at 1 and 4 weeks of age) with potent B bronchiseptica strain D-1 bacterins resulted in high concentrations of circulating antibody up to 12 weeks of age or longer and in a significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in the frequency of turbinate atrophy.


Immunity to Swine dysentery in recovered pigs.

The immune status of 29 pigs recovered from swine dysentery (SD) was evaluated after reexposure to Treponema hyodysenteriae. Pigs which had recovered from SD and remained asymptomatic for 4 to 6, 9 to 13, and 16 to 17 weeks after initial inoculation were reexposed to 1.5 X 10(9) viable cells of T hyodysenteriae per pig. Pigs which had recovered from SD were not shedding T hyodysenteriae, as determined by selective cultural examination of feces, before they were reexposed. Of 29 pigs reexposed to T hyodysenteriae, 27 were resistant to SD. In contrast, 23 of 28 control pigs developed signs of SD when exposed to T hyodysenteriae for the first time. Significant differences in immunity were not observed between pigs from the three convalescent periods. Serum agglutinins to T hyodysenteriae were present in recovered pigs for approximately 8 weeks after inoculation.