Guinea pigs inbred for studies of respiratory anaphylaxis.

A selective inbreeding of approximately 24 generations of albino guinea pigs by brother x sister mating has resulted in two strains, registered IMM/S and IMM/R, with high and low responsiveness, respectively, to ovalbumin-induced respiratory anaphylaxis. The two guinea pig strains differed in their ability to be immunized by the inhalation of antigen and produce antibodies, as well as to develop respiratory anaphylaxis. A correlation between the strength of the anaphylactic reactions and the amount of hemagglutinating antibodies produced was observed. When immunization was carried out by an intradermal injection of ovalbumin (OA), even in small doses incorporated in FCA, guinea pigs from both strains produced hemagglutinating antibodies in nearly the same amount. These antibodies do not influence the ability of the animals to react with a high respectively low anaphylactic response on subsequent challenge by inhalation of OA, neither in the actively sensitized animals nor in passively sensitized animals. However, with repeated inhalations of OA, desensitization occurred in the intradermally immunized high-responders, while the passively immunized high-responders could be provoked several times without any signs of desensitization. No systematical differences between the two strains with regard to sensitivity to inhalations of histamine were demonstrated. The low responders were found to be less resistant to infections than high-responders.


Neurochemical and behavioural effects of long-term intermittent inhalation of xylene vapour and simultaneous ethanol intake.

Two-month-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 300 p.p.m. of xylene vapour with simultaneous ethanol ingestion for 5 to 18 weeks. Neurochemical effects of mere vapour inhalation included an increase in microsomal superoxide dismutase activity in brain at the end of the experiment. Concomitant ethanol ingestion added significantly to the xylene-induced effects by causing increased proteolysis at the 9th and 14th week of exposure whereas cerebral superoxide dismutase failed to increase in these animals. Preening frequency decreased transiently in ethanol and in xylene groups at 6 and 9 to 12 weeks, respectively, whereas increased ambulation occurred only in the xylene--ethanol group after 12 and 14 weeks of exposure. The behavioural effects were therefore different in the combined exposure, and our biochemical and behavioural observations may point at significant interaction of both solvents although the biochemical mechanisms remain largely unexplained.


Progression to left ventricular dilatation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Congestive heart failure with dilated left ventricle developed in two patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Both patients previously underwent cardiac surgery for relief of their outflow obstruction. Alterations in structure and function of the left ventricle during their episode of cardiac failure and thereafter were documented by echocardiography. The findings suggest that progression to left ventricular dilatation is a potential complication in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.


Reduced rate of breath hydrogen excretion with lactose tolerance tests in young children using whole milk.

On 14 occasions, 1.75 g/kg of body weight of lactose was given in whole milk to preschool children who had significant malabsorption with aqueous lactose solution. The volume of hydrogen excreted in the breath was less after the milk meal. Moreover, the hydrogen response to the nonabsorbable disaccharide, lactulose, was greater with aqueous, solution than with a liquid meal but their difference disappeared when metoclopramide was given with the lactulose: meal. The slower hydrogen production is attributed to slower intestinal delivery of lactose in meals; this phenomenon may account for clinical lactose tolerance often seen in children with demonstrated lactose malabsorption.


The malignant potential of the dysgenetic germ cell in Klinefelter's syndrome.

We report two cases of extragonadal germ cell tumors in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome and review the other cases of germ cell tumors reported in this syndrome. Especially in choriocarcinoma, the presence of Klinefelter's syndrome may be overlooked because of the similar clinical presentations and testicular histology. We recommend karyotypes be carried out in patients with germ cell tumors since the dysgenetic gonad of Klinefelter's syndrome may be important in the pathogenesis of these malignancies. Also patients with Klinefelter's syndrome should be followed closely because of their increased risk of development of germ cell tumors.


A simplified retropubic urethropexy in the treatment of primary and recurrent urinary stress incontinence in the female.

Urinary incontinence presents a severe social handicap to the patient and a challenge which has taxed the imagination and ingenuity of surgeons for over a century. Restoration of the urethrovesical junction to its normal retropubic intra-abdominal level will usually result in the cure of pure anatomic female stress incontinence. A retropubic approach is utilized in order to provide for identification and mobilization of the urethra, bladder neck, and vagina. Nonabsorbable sutures are used to attach the perivaginal fascia to the pectineal ligament. The operative technique is described in detail. A series of 77 patients who have been followed for up to 3 1/2 years is presented, showing a stress incontinence cure rate of 96.1%.


Pregnancy in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The obstetric and hematologic problems in 21 pregnancies of 18 patients with ATP are analyzed: one maternal and one fetal death occurred. Urinary estriol and oxytocinase were measured. Eighteen infants were born by vaginal delivery and three by cesarean section. None of the 20 liveborn infants died, but they had NIP due to the passage of maternal antibodies to the fetus. These results are compared to those reported in previous publications. The obstetric management of these patients should be individualized and carefully planned; it should not be based on the platelet count.


Responses of the gravid uterine vasculature to arterial levels of local anesthetic agents.

Responses of the uterine vasculature and myometrium to uterine arterial infusions of local anesthetic agents were evaluated in chronically prepared conscious ewes between 86 and 141 days of gestation. Decreases in uterine blood flow (UBF) with increasing levels of anesthetic drugs were similar to those previously observed in nonpregnant ewes. A 25% decrease in UBF occurred at 7 micrograms of bupivacaine, 11.5 micrograms of 2-chloroprocaine, and 19.5 micrograms of lidocaine per milliliter of control UBF. Myometrial tonus did not change significantly except with bupivacaine where an increase occurred (P less than 0.001). These data indicate that local anesthetic agents may lower gravid UBF by a direct vascular effect and by stimulation of myometrial contractility. The possible clinical implications of these observations are discussed.


The treatment of acute branch vein occlusion by photocoagulation.

Twenty-eight eyes with retinal branch vein occlusion were treated by photocoagulation. The clinical posttreatment findings indicated rapid clearing of hemorrhages and exudates. Visual acuity in 12 (43%) eyes improved, in 11 (39%) remained static, and in five (18%) worsened.


Ca and Na selectivity of the active membrane of rabbit AV nodal cells.

The atrioventricular (AV) node is thought to have a slow ionic channel. These experiments were designed to measure the relative contributions of Na and Ca ions to inward currents in the AV nodal cells of rabbit heart superfused with Tyrode solution. The effects of tetrodoxin (TTX), Mn2+, and verapamil observed in this study were in agreement with reports by others. The overshoot of AV nodal (N) cells was related to external Ca, with a slope of 12 mV/decade, unchanged by addition of TTX. Similar dependence of overshoot on external Na was seen, with a slope of 20 mV/decade. The slope did not change on addition of TTX. Total removal of either Na or Ca from the solution abolished excitability. Using a constant field equation, we estimated relative permeability (P) of the membrane at the time of maximal overshoot to be PCa/PNa congruent to 60 similar to or approximately 100 and PK/PNa congruent to 1. Relative contributions of these ions to the currents were estimated as ICa congruent to 17%, INa congruent to 33% (inward currents), and IK congruent to 50% (outward current). In conclusion, AV nodal cells have "slow inward-current channels" that are selective for Ca over Na ions.


Plasma kinetics and urinary excretion of exogenous human and salmon calcitonin in man.

The metabolism and the urinary excretion of synthetic human and salmon calcitonin-(1--32) [hCT-(1--32), sCT-(1--32)] administered by constant infusions for 240 min were investigated in eight normal subjects. On gel filtration of plasma obtained during the infusions mainly intact hCT-(1--32) and sCT-(1--32) were recognized with homologous radioimmunoassay systems. During constant infusions to equilibrium of 0.04 mg hCT-(1--32) and sCT-(1--32), the metabolic clearance rates (MCR) amounted to 8.4 +/- 1.1 and 3.1 +/- 0.1 ml/kg per min, respectively (P less than 0.01). When hCT-(1--32) was infused at rates of 1 and 4 mg/240 min, the MCR were lower than with 0.04 mg hCT-(1--32), but still higher than with 0.04 mg sCT-(1--32). The half-lives of disappearance of hCT-(1--32) were faster compared to sCT-(1--32), but the difference was not statistically significant. The urinary clearance of hCT-(1--32) determined during the 1 and 4 mg/240 min infusions of hCT-(1--32), as well as of sCT-(1--32) determined during the 0.04-mg infusions of sCT-(1--32) was about 0.1% of the MCR. The half-lives of disappearance of hCT- and sCT-(1--32) incubated in vitro in plasma and urine ranged from 17 to more than 72 h, and the degradation did not affect our calculations of the metabolic breakdown of exogenous CT in vivo.


Ascorbate and peroxidase changes during pregnancy in albino rat and Swiss mouse.

From the 1st to 6th days of pregnancy in the rat, while the blastocyst is still in the fallopian tube, there is high peroxidase activity in the corpus luteum, the blastocyst, and there is high peroxidase activity in the endometrium. On day 8 of pregnancy, peroxidase activity in the corpus luteum begins to fall rapidly, and there is a sharp rise in the peroxidase activity of the uterine endometrium. In all these tissues an inverse relationship exists between peroxidase and ascorbate content. We suggest the involvement of the peroxidase-ascorbate system in the mechanism of the extended function of the corpus luteum during pregnancy and a role for free radicals in the process of implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus.


Recovery of intact male and female Dipetalonema streptocerca from man.

When attempts at teasing adult Dipetalonema streptocerca free from biopsy specimens of human skin proved futile a digestion procedure was initiated. Punch biopsy specimens fixed in Michel's solution (ammonium sulfate) were incubated at 25 degrees C for 3 days in a 1.0% solution of collagenase in tris-HCl buffer. Intact worms were carefully teased out of the digested collagen and camera lucida drawings and measurements were then possible. This marks the first description of intact D. streptocerca adults recovered from man.


Nonlinear antagonism of anesthesia in mice by pressure.

Previous studies have shown a rectilinear antagonism by pressure of nitrous oxide or isoflurane anesthesia in mice (pressure reversal). Since a rectilinear pressure reversal is predicted by the critical volume hypothesis for anesthesia, we examined this phenomenon with two other gases. We measured the doses of argon or nitrogen which abolished the righting reflex in 50% of animals (ED50) at various high pressures produced by the addition of helium. The ED50 values of argon and nitrogen alone are 16.7 +/- 1.37 and 38.3 +/- 1.62 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Fifty-five percent more argon and 27% more nitrogen is needed to produce anesthesia at 100 ATA. However the increasing anesthetic requirements with pressure were curvilinearly related to pressure, rising most steeply at pressures near the ED50 without helium. This suggests that the pressure reversal of anesthesia is not simply a reciprocal anesthetic expansion-pressure compression phenomenon as predicted by the critical volume hypothesis. It suggests that anesthetics and pressure act at different sites.


Rapid volume expansion in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

Rapid administration of intravascular volume expanders is often necessary during anesthesia. Significant controversy still exists on the relative values of different volume expanders. Fifteen hypoxemic patients (Pao2 less than 70 torr on room air) were studied preoperatively. They were randomized into three groups. One group received 1.5 ml/kg of 25% salt-poor human albumin, a second group, 7 ml/kg of fresh frozen plasma; a third group, 7 ml/kg of 0.9% NaCl in water (normal saline). The infusions were given intravenously and completed in 20 minutes. Changes in hemodynamic pressures and flows, blood chemistries, and oxygen uptake and transport variables were studied. It was concluded that fresh frozen plasma afforded the greatest increase in cardiac output and oxygen availability with the least increase in left ventricular stroke work. Colloid osmotic pressure was more significantly increased by fresh frozen plasma than by salt-poor human albumin. Normal saline caused both a decrease in oxygen availability and colloid osmotic pressure. Pulmonary venous admixture increased to some extent in all patients receiving fresh frozen plasma or normal saline. In three patients, this increase was very marked and accompanied by severe arterial hypoxemia.


Echocardiographic analysis of human left ventricular diastolic volume and cardiac performance during halothane anesthesia.

Using M-mode echocardiography we found that 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% end-tidal halothane induced dose-related increases in left ventricular volume and decreases in left ventricular performance in seven normal unpremedicated subjects. During controlled respiration with normocarbia, the diastolic minor axis of the heart, which is related to the cube root of left ventricular volume, increased to a maximum of 107. 7 +/- 1.9 (% +/- SE of control) at 1.5% end-tidal halothane from a control value of 43.5 +/- 1.3 (mm +/- SE). Two ejection-phase performance variables, percentage shortening and mean velocity of circumferential shortening decreased to 60.1 +/- 6.1 (% +/- SE of control) and 62.4 +/- 6.5, (% +/- SE of control) at 1.5% halothane from respective control values of 29.7 +/- 2.61 (% +/- SE) and 0.94 +/- 0.08 (circumferences/second +/- SE). Surgical stimulation did not significantly affect these changes. Under these experimental conditions, we conclude that halothane dilates the heart, and that echocardiography can be used to monitor the depressant effect of halothane on the heart.


Nitrous oxide increases enflurane concentrations delivered by Ethrane vaporizers.

Delivered enflurane concentrations from two calibrated Ethrane vaporizers were determined with total gas flows of 3,5 and 8 L/min. Regardless of total gas flow the presence of 60% nitrous oxide increased enflurane concentrations by 20 to 40% above those concentrations present when only oxygen was flowing through the vaporizer. This nitrous oxide effect was present at all dial settings studied except the lowest engraved (0.25) concentration. Enflurane output at the 0.25% setting was 0.38% with or without nitrous oxide. Maximum changes in enflurane concentrations after adding nitrous oxide required about 5 minutes but the rapidity with which enflurane concentrations approached this maximum value were directly related to total gas flow. Similar effects of nitrous oxide on enflurane output from Cyprane Ethrane vaporizers were also measured. The mechanism of increased vaporizer enflurane output in the presence of nitrous oxide is unknown but may reflect increased gas flow through the vaporizing chamber secondary to increase in gas density associated with nitrous oxide. A similar mechanism has been proposed to explain increased halothane concentrations delivered by Fluotec Mark 2 vaporizers in the presence of nitrous oxide. Clinically, central system stimulation and anesthetic overdose may occur from increased enflurane concentrations delivered when nitrous oxide is added to the gases flowing through the Ethrane vaporizer. The ability to deliver low enflurane concentrations is limited since the measured concentration at the lowest dial setting was nearly 0.4%.


Management of suspected malignant hyperpyrexia in an infant.

A case of possible malignant hyperthermia in a 6-month-old child is presented. Malignant hyperthermia was manifested in this patient by persistent metabolic acidosis in the intraoperative and postoperative periods, by a rapid rise in temperature with concomitant unresponsiveness in the postoperative period, and by a positive caffeine-halothane stimulation test. The malignant hyperthermia occurring in the postoperative period resolved promptly following administration of dantrolene sodium. An unusual aspect of this case is that both of the child's parents had normal CPK values and negative caffeine-halothane stimulation tests.


Cardiovascular and pulmonary responses following etomidate induction of anesthesia in patients with demonstrated cardiac disease.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary effects following the administration of 0.3 mg/kg of etomidate were studied in patients with documented cardiac disease. The only significant change was a slight elevation (2 torr) in arterial carbon dioxide tension.


Hypotension and respiratory distress caused by rapid infusion of mannitol or hypertonic saline.

Following a case of mannitol-induced respiratory and circulatory collapse, the effects of hyperosmolar injections on pulmonary arterial pressure, systemic blood pressure, and cardiac output were studied in dogs. The injection of 20 ml of 10% NaCl into the pulmonary artery increased pulmonary arterial pressure and decreased systemic blood pressure by approximately 50% of control values. Injections of solutions of equal hyperosmolar strength, 50 ml of 25% mannitol or 50 ml of 4% NaCl into the pulmonary artery produced no significant elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure, but were associated with comparable decreases in systemic blood pressure. When allowed to vary, cardiac output increased with injections of all three hyperosmolar solutions, yet was still accompanied by falls in systemic blood pressure as large as when cardiac output was held constant. Vagotomy did not prevent these changes in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure, nor the increase in cardiac output. After five to 10 injections, the decreases in system blood pressure with any of the solutions and the increases in pulmonary arterial pressure with 10% NaCl disappeared and further injections were without effect. It is concluded that adminstration of mannitol probably does not cause pulmonary edema due to fluid overload, nor does it cause heart failure as evidenced by increases in pulmonary arterial pressure. However, rapid injection may cause a fall in blood pressure and may on occasion be accompanied by bronchospasm, especially in sensitive subjects.


Abuse of nitrous oxide.

The results of an anonymous questionnaire showed that up to 20% of medical and dental students have utilized nitrous oxide in a social setting to produce a "high." Nitrous oxide was obtained from a variety of sources, most often from cylinders used in the production of whipped cream. Although none of the 524 respondents described personal injury with the use of nitrous oxide, a few individuals reported cyanosis, nausea, and syncope.


Mutual potentiation of the neuromuscular effects of antibiotics and relaxants.

The interaction of d-tubocurarine, pancuronium, or succinylcholine with neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B was investigated using a rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. All neuromuscular blocking agents (relaxants) mutually potentiated the neuromuscular blocking action of one another; combinations of ineffective concentrations of relaxants and antibiotics caused an 82 to 98% neuromuscular block. This extensive potentiation of the neuromuscular effects of relaxants by antibiotics can be attributed to the fact that antibiotics not only have a curare-like stabilizing effect on the postjunctional membrane, but also decrease presynaptic acetylcholine release. Neostigmine (0.25 microgram/ml) only partially antagonized the neuromuscular block caused by the various drug combinations. In contrast, 4 microgram/ml of 4-aminopyridine returned the twitch tension, depressed by combined administration of relaxants and antibiotics, to or above control values except in the case of neuromuscular block caused by the combinations of succinylcholine and polymyxin B.


The significance of secretory IgA in middle ear fluid.

Studies of immunoglobulin levels in middle ear fluid in children with chronic otitis media show that MEF (middle ear fluid) IgA levels are proportionately higher than serum levels. Disproportionately elevated MEF IgA levels may be due to secretory IgA. Finding secretory IgA in MEF suggests the presence of a secretory epithelium and may define the etiology of chronic inflammation. Resolution of the secretory epithelium may be hastened with adequate ventilation of the middle ear space.


Angiography of the crus penis in the ram and buck during erection.

Serial angiography was used to determine blood flow patterns to the penis of rams and bucks. Animals were anesthetized and the internal pudendal artery was catheterized so that contrast medium could be injected toward the crus penis area. By comparing vascular patterns of the ram and buck during erection, it was found that flow patterns of the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) and corpus spongiosum penis (CSP) were similar for both species. Contraction of the ischiocavernosus muscles occluded the arterial inflow and venous outflow to the CCP, making it a closed system during peak erection. However, during erection, the contrast medium continued to flow into the CSP, showing that it is not a closed system. In the vasodilatation phase, the CSP usually filled before and more intensely than did the CCP.


Analgesic properties of lidocaine in mice.

The analgesic properties of lidocaine and morphine were compared in mice using a hot plate stimulus. An analgesic response was defined as an increase in the time required for an animal to attempt to escape by jumping. When compared to saline-treated controls, lidocaine produced a statistically significant dose-related delay in response to heat. Dose-response curves for morphine and lidocaine indicated that morphine has greater potency and efficacy. Naloxone (1.0 mg/kg) reversed the analgesic response due to morphine (10 mg/kg) but had no effect on the analgesia produced by lidocaine (50 mg/kg).


Serum cholinesterase levels in patients with cancer.

Serum cholinesterase levels were determined in 180 patients with carcinoma and in 146 normal subjects. Serum cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in patients suffering from cancer than in normal controls, though still within the normal range. The degree of depression of serum cholinesterase activity was influenced by the extent to which the malignancy had spread and by the site of the primary lesion.


Pulmonary function in identical twins: comparison of nonsmokers and smokers.

Forty-five apparently normal pairs of identical twins were given pulmonary function tests to determine the role of genetics in bronchial susceptibility to cigarette smoke. Maximal expiratory flow at 60 per cent of total lung capacity (Vmax60) was the best discriminator of smokers from nonsmokers among pairs in which one member smoked and the other did not. The intrapair difference of Vmax60 values in pairs in which both members smoked was the same as in pairs in which both members did not smoke. These data support the view that genetic factors are important in determining the vulnerability of the airways to cigarette smoke.


Naloxone fails to antagonize halothane-induced depression of the longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig ileum.

The influence of halothane, or naloxone, or halothane followed by naloxone was investigated in the in vitro myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea pig ileum. Halothane alone in 1.5 to 2.0% (v/v) concentration caused about 50% depression of the twitch and decreased both spontaneous acetylcholine (ACh) release (p less than 0.02) and volley output of ACh (p less than 0.02). Very high concentrations (greater than 1 micron) of naloxone caused a nonspecific, postsynaptic depression of the twitch. Higher than 100 nM concentrations of naloxone increased spontaneous ACh release, but had no effect on the volley output of ACh. Over a wide concentration range, from 15 nM to 3 micron, naloxone did not antagonize in the longitudinal muscle preparation the effects of halothane on any of the parameters investigated. These findings indicate that the sites of action of halothane and naloxone in this preparation are not identical.


Growth, survival, and resistance of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium.

The Legionnaires' disease (LD) bacterium can now be readily cultured on artificial media. Studies were done to define the growth and survival of the LD bacterium in these media and ascertain its susceptibility to disinfecting agents. Growth-curve studies of the Philadelphia 1 strain using Mueller-Hinton broth with ferric pyrophosphate and L-cysteine (Feeley-Gorman broth) showed a lag phase of less than 24 h, a generation time of 3.8 h during the logarithmic phase, a plateau of 2 x 10(7) organisms per millilitre, and continued viability for as long as 110 d. Viability on chocolate agar with 1% hemoglobin and 2% IsoVitaleX added reached 150 d. This strain was susceptible to a variety of commonly recommended hospital and laboratory disinfectants, often in low concentrations. These investigations suggest that prolonged survival may occur in natural as well as artificial milieus and that low concentrations of phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and hypochlorite could eradicate potential reservoirs for human infection.


Failure of lidocaine to trigger porcine malignant hyperthermia.

Lidocaine, considered by some to be potentially dangerous in malignant hyperthermia (MH), was administered intravenously to a dose of 15 mg/kg to five conscious MH-susceptible pigs. Subsequently the same pigs were given 24 mg/kg intravenously over a period of 2 hours after being anesthetized with thiopental. All animals developed systemic toxicity to lidocaine but without evidence of MH. Prior administration of lidocaine did not prevent development of subsequent MH due to succinylcholine and halothane. Lidocaine is safe in porcine MH.


Diurnal intraocular pressure in juvenile open-angle glaucoma.

Outpatient diurnal intraocular pressures were obtained on 10 patients with juvenile open-angle glaucoma at approximately 6 hour intervals. There were 8 males and 2 females with an age range of 19 to 38 years. All glaucomatous medications were stopped 24 hours before recording the tensions. The peak intraocular pressure was recorded at the 6 PM interval in 6 of the 10 patients. Three patients recorded their highest pressures at the 12 AM (midnight) interval. Extraordinarily wide angles were observed in all cases and myopia was a common refractive error. Although the family history was not known in 3 patients, there was a positive family history of glaucoma in 7 of the 10 patients, which suggests an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.


Comparison of squirting made before or after milking on udder infections.

Within an experimental herd, three groups have been randomly constituted --Control group without squirting --Squirting before milking group --Squirting after milking group. The number of new infections and of persistent infections at the end of the experiment diminishes in the squirting after milking group (Table 1); in this group there were no superinfections (Table 2). The distribution of pathogens is similar for the three groups (Table 3). The results of this experiment are compared with those of three previous squirting experiments done on the same herd (Table 4). The pathogenic and practical signification of these results are discussed.


Convenient procedures for the biosynthesis, isolation, and isotope labeling of cytochalasins.

Efforts to improve small-scale yields of useful cytochalasins by fermentation resulted in selection of an enriched aflatoxin medium which increased yields by fivefold over those reported in the literature. With Helminthosporium dematoideum and Zygosporium masonii in stationary culture for 3 weeks, cytochalasins B and D were obtained in quantities approaching 700 and 500 mg/liter, respectively. It appears that the critical component in this growth medium is factors associated with whole wheat. By using these procedures, coupled with improvements in isolation, supplementation with two radioactive phenylalanine species readily produced [14C]- or [3H]cytochalasin B. Oxidation of carrier-free radioactive cytochalasin B to cytochasasin A readily provided this labeled congener as well. The isotopic ocnversion of precursor to crystalline products that met analytical criteria ranged from 2 to 4% of the administered radioactivity.


Curd and whey proteins in the nutrition of low birthweight babies.

Some animals thrive more satisfactorily on a milk that contains whey and curd protein. For this reason human milk protein (which contains about 40% whey) may have some advantages over cows' milk protein (which contains about 15% whey) and so infants feeding formulae based on demineralised whey in which the protein has been modified to achieve a curd:whey ratio similar to that in human milk may also thrive more satisfactorily. As the exact situation in the human newborn is unclear, the effects of feeding a formula containing unmodified cows' milk protein (mainly curd) and one containing the same amount of modified cows' milk protein (curd and whey) were studied in 57 low birthweight babies during the first 3 months of life. During the early weeks of life the curd and whey group grew bigger, absorbed more nitrogen, and excreted proportionately less urea. These results suggest that a curd and whey formula has advantages in the protein nutrition of low birthweight babies, especially the preterm ones. We feel it would be unwise to reduce the protein content of a formula based on cows' milk below 15 g/1 unless it was modified to achieve a larger proportion of whey protein and hence, among other qualities, more cysteine. Although some of the qualities of human milk protein can be mimicked by the use of demineralised whey formulae, others cannot.


[The effect of various doses HCG on ovulation stimulation in gilts following previous biotechnical puberty induction].

The effects of various doses of human chorionic gonadetropine (HCG) to stimulate ovulation in 86 gilts in which puberty had been induced by administration of 500 IU of pregnant mare serum (PMS) and 250 IU of HCG were established by slaughter. Only 26.9 per cent of the group without HCG had completed ovulation 120 hours from puberty induction, but 93.5 per cent had done so in the group which had received additional 500 IU or HCG 78 hours after the PMS/HCG injection. Ovulation was completed by 71.4 per cent of those sows which had been stimulated, using 250 IU of HCG. More accurate timing of ovulation in animals of one and the same group can be helpful in better insemination timing.


[Effect of various injection times in ovulation stimulation in gilts following previous biotechnical puberty induction].

A conclusion derived from the slaughter of 69 gilts was that no role was played by the time intervals tested between puberty induction, using 500 IU of PMS and 250 IU HCG, and subsequent action to stimulate ovulation. Very good follicle maturation and follicle formation as well as the usual uterus and ovary weights were observed, no matter whether 500 IU of HCG were injected to stimulate ovulation 54, 72 or 78 hours after puberty had been induced. Ovulation was very efficiently synchronised by 500 IU of HCG in all three groups in which the ovulation figures relative to follicle formation 120 hours from puberty induction were 92.6, 94.6 or 92.7 per cent.


[Metabolism, residue and excretion of the anthelmintic 131 I-rafoxanide in blood, milk, meat and urine of lactating cows].

Rafoxanide, labelled by 131J, was applied orally in the formulation "Ursovermit" to 2 lactating cows, 5 mg/kg bodymass, resp. Residues and halflifes in blood, milk and meat and the excretion in urine are given, related to 131J in the chloroform extract. 3,5-diiodosalicyclic acid was found as metabolite in amounts of 1-2,5%, relative to rafoxanide, resp.


[Comparative effects of different inhibitors of phenylalanine hydroxylase and dihydropteridine reductase. In vivo and in vitro study in rats].

The effects of inhibitors of phenylalanine hydroxylase and dihydropteridine reductase have been tested in vivo and in vitro to induce classical phenylketonuria and the variant due to dihydropteridine reductase deficiency. In addition two inhibitors of intestinal absorption of phenulalanine were investigated. Blood, urine, and hepatic parameters have been measured and are discussed.


Studies on the course and therapy of the immunological and the nonspecific iridocyclitis in rabbits.

The immune and carrageenin-induced models of iridocyclitis were elaborated. Characteristics of the dynamics and kinetics of the studied inflammatory processes were conducted on the basis of biochemical indices and of biomicroscopic observations of the anterior chamber of the eye. Evaluation of usefulness of the elaborated models of the uveitis for characterization of the therapeutic effectiveness of the drugs was based on the known antiinflammatory drugs.


[Morphometric characteristics of neuron-glial relations in brain edema caused by stimulation of hypothalamic nuclei].

Morphologic characteristics and certain changes in cell composition of the cortex and the white substance of the brain have been studied at experimentally produced brain edema by stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic field, the indefinite zone, Forel's fields H1 and H2. It has been stated that diffuse edema of the white substance and perivascular edema dominate in histopathological changes. Morphometrical analysis of the structural changes had demonstrated a certain increase in the cortex thickness, decreased density in the arrangement of the neurons and increased volume of their nuclei at more moderate enlargement of their body volumes, as well as increased volume of the nuclei in the cortical glial cells and the white substance cells. In the cortex cells is observed, that is accompanied with increased glial index and average number of perineuronal gliocytes per one neuron. Simultaneously, in both hemispheres, the character in the arrangement of the perineuronal glia as regards the neuron changes. At the same time, in the white substance, the density of the glial arrangement sharply decreases. The changes have demonstrated that wider perivascular spaces predominate in small vessels. All the changes mentioned are more pronounced in the contralateral hemisphere.


CNS changes in hyperbilirubinemia. Functional implications.

Hyperbilirubinemia is a recognized etiologic factor in motor and hearing disorders associated with cerebral palsy. Its role in more subtle forms of neurological impairment is more controversial. Using a mutant animal model, which develops symptoms and signs closely resembling the human kernicterus syndrome, neurons of hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cochlear nuclei, losuc ceruleus, and olfactory bulb were examined by electron microscopy. Pathological changes, observed in all areas studied, consisted of mitochondrial and endoplasmic enlargement and vacuolation, with glycogen deposition; increased extracellular space; myelin figures; and degenerating changes in nerve terminals. If we make the assumption that pathologic changes in the human infant with neonatal jaundice are similar to changes in the animal model, then the widespread involvement of CNS neurons in all cortical areas examined may well help to explain the syndromes of minimal cerebral dysfunction reported in clinical studies.


Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum) toxicity in horses.

The clinical signs and pathology of 6 field cases of a respiratory disease of horses which occurs in the coastal hinterland of south-eastern Queensland are described. The condition has occurred for many years and has been thought to have been associated with ingestion of Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum). Coughing, rapid heaving respiration, decreased exercise tolerance and loss of condition were seen in affected horses. In longstanding cases fibrosis, alveolar lining cell proliferation, oedema, neutrophil infiltration and abscessation were seen. In some cases vascular thrombosis and infarction occur in the lungs. Similar signs and lesions occurred in one horse fed E. adenophorum for 8 months and early lesions in another fed the flowering stage of the plant for about 6 weeks. Lesions also developed in 2 rabbits experimentally fed the plant, but not in sheep or rats.


Failure of Heterakis bonasae to transmit Histomonas meleagridis.

Studies were conducted to determine whether Heterakis bonasae eggs from bobwhite quail infected with Histomonas meleagridis would transmit histomoniasis to turkeys. Fifteen helminth-free bobwhites were inoculated per os with embryonated H. bonasae eggs. Each bobwhite was then infected with H. meleagridis via rectal inoculation. Bobwhites that developed cecal lesions rarely retained mature H. bonasae. H. bonasae eggs recovered from bobwhites exposed to or known to have concurrent H. meleagridis infections were inoculated per os to eleven helminth-free turkeys. None of the turkeys developed H. meleagridis infections.


Involvement of cytoskeletal structures in nerve-growth-factor-mediated induction of ornithine decarboxylase.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase elicited in response to nerve-growth factor in target organs is greatly decreased by preincubation of these tissues with cytoskeletal poisons such as vinblastine, diamide, cytochalasin B and colchicine. These results are interpreted as evidence for the involvement of receptor-associated cytoskeletal structures in mediating the nerve-growth-factor-specific induction of ornithine decarboxylase.


Physiological aspects of the regulation of ketogenesis.

The importance of ketone bodies (acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate) as substrates for peripheral tissues, especially nervous tissue, of man is now firmly established. This has renewed interest in the factors that control the production of ketone bodies by the liver in various physiological situations, such as alterations of dietary status, stage of development or alteration in demand for circulating substrates (e.g. in exercise or lactation). In the discussion of the regulation of ketogenesis in the present paper, distinction is made between extrahepatic and intrahepatic control. The former is mainly concerned with the factors (e.g. hormonal status of animals) that alter the flux of non-esterified fatty acids to the liver, whereas intrahepatic regulation involves the fate (esterification versus beta-oxidation) of fatty acids within the liver. Emphasis is placed on the fact that alterations in blood glucose concentrations are indirectly responsible, via effects on insulin secretion, for the extrahepatic control of ketogenesis. By analogy, it is postulated that the carbohydrate status of the liver may play a role in the intrahepatic regulation of ketogenesis. Some support for this postulate is provided by comparison of measurements of blood ketone-body concentrations in various inborn errors of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism (e.g. deficiencies of glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and glycogen synthase) in man and by experiments with isolated rat hepatocytes. Present information on the short- and long-term factors that may be responsible for the altered rates of ketogenesis during the foetal-neonatal and suckling-weanling transitions, in lactation, on feeding a high-fat diet and post-exercise is discussed. It is concluded that the major factors involved in the regulation of ketogenesis in these situations are (a) flux of non-esterified fatty acids to the liver and (b) the partitioning of long-chain acyl-CoA between the esterification and beta-oxidation pathways.


[Effect of acetylcholine "in vitro" on segments of isolated coronary arteries of calves].

The mechanical responses of coronary arteries to Ach were studied in vitro. Ach caused always a contraction of the preparation, which was prevented or abolished by Athropine but not by Exametonium. Therefore Ach seems to act through muscarinic receptors.


[Influence of variations of Ca++ on responses of segments of the isolated coronary artery to acetylcholine].

The effect of external calcium concentration on the Ach-induced contraction of coronary arteries was studied in vitro. It resulted that the effect of Ach was enhanced by the increase, or reduced by the decrease of calcium concentration. It is concluded that, as it was known for the intestinal smooth muscle, also for the smooth muscle of the coronary arteries, the contractile effect of Ach is dependent on the calcium of the medium.


Hyperprolactinaemia in a patient with the McCune-Albright Syndrome.

A patient is presented with the syndrome of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and precocious puberty (McCune-Albright Syndrome). In adult life she developed hyperprolactinaemia with galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea; there was also evidence of excessive secretion of growth hormone.


Diurnal changes of the intraocular pressure of patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

The diurnal curves of 21 patients (40 eyes) with angle-closure glaucoma and of 21 normotensive subjects (42 eyes) were studied. The patients with angle-closure glaucoma had a V-shaped diurnal curve that was completely different from the diurnal curve of the normotensive subjects. Most of the eyes of the patients with angle-closure glaucoma had a diurnal change of the intraocular pressure of 8 mmHg or more, while in the normotensive subjects only 1 eye had a diurnal change as large as 8 mmHg.


Estrogen withdrawal in chick oviduct. Evidence for continued expression of active unique genes using an "expressed" DNA probe.

We have analyzed the effect of estrogen on the kinds of unique DNA sequences which are transcriptionally expressed in chick oviduct with an "expressed" DNA probe. Steady-state nRNA in estrogen-stimulated chick oviduct represents about 25% of the complexity of total chick unique DNA. To purify this expressed DNA fraction, chick unique DNA was isolated, nick-translated, and hybridized to chemically mercurated oviduct nRNA (Hg-nRNA); the resulting hybrids were bound to sulfhydryl-Sepharose, and DNA was selectively recovered by thermal elution in formamide buffer. To compare the sequence homology between nRNAs isolated from oviduct before or up to 6 days after estrogen withdrawal, trace amounts of expressed DNA derived from estrogen-stimulated oviduct were hybridized in RNA-excess reactions. All nRNAs hybridized with equal efficiency. Furthermore, hybridization of expressed DNA to nRNA mixtures showed that nRNA from nonwithdrawn and withdrawn oviduct contained a similar set of unique sequences. The data indicate that, at most, only a small percentage (0--5%) of transcriptionally active unique DNA sequences are shut down when estrogen is removed from the circulation.


The induced circular dichroism of proflavine intercalated to DNA. Dye-polymer exciton interactions.

The circular dichroism induced in the visible absorption band of proflavine cation isolatedly intercalated to DNA was investigated in terms of the dye-DNA base pair exciton interaction. The remarkable ionic strength dependence of the induced CD magnitude was in good accord with the CD magnitude calculated on the basis of the dye-polymer Frenkel exciton interaction model and under the extent of helix deformation required for intercalation. In particular the application of the internal and modified intercalation models coupled with the deep trap approximation implied that the preference of the modified intercalation due to electrostatic interaction between the acridine-nitrogen atom and the DNA phosphate group is combined with relatively high ionic strength compared with the internal intercalation.


An analysis for transient states with application to tumor shrinkage.

The evaluation of therapies for chronic diseases is often based on the frequency and/or the duration of improvement. Treated separately, these endpoints may give contradictory impressions of the efficacy of the therapy. We propose a more unified method of summarizing improvement-related data--the probability of being in response, i.e., improved, as a function of time. Although improvement is not the only endpoint considered in most trials and this function will not always provide a clear answer to the question of which treatment has better improvement-related characteristics, it does combine the information on several endpoints usually considered separately into a single easily interpreted item. This function is estimated using the method of maximum likelihood on a distribution-free stochastic model of times to improvement and failure. Censored observations are taken into account. A detailed example using data from a cancer clinical trial is presented.


[Genesis of amnesia caused by electroconvulsive shock].

The effect of a series of repeated electric shocks (ES) on retention of the conditioned reflexes and the content of free amino acids (AA) was investigated in the rat brain. Following repeated electric shocks, the first of which was applied 24 hours after learning, the rats developed amnesia. The content of brain excitatory AA did not change, whereas that of inhibitory AA, phenylalanine and tyrosine sharply decreased. The content of AA in the blood plasma increased. It is suggested that amnesia was caused by a change in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory AA in favour of the former ones. The changes in the functional state of the hematoencephalic barrier may play a certain part in the origin of the shifts mentioned.


[Experimental stereotypy caused by disorders of GABA-ergic mechanisms in the caudate nuclei].

The stereotypy was induced in rats by forming generators of pathologically intensified excitation (GPIE) on local disturbance of the inhibitory mechanisms in rostral portion of caudate nuclei, using bilateral injection of tetanus toxin. Microinjections of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) into the area of the GPIE and systemic galoperidol administration inhibited the stereotypic behaviour of the animals. It is concluded that the formation of the GPIE may lie in the basis of stereotypy due to the disturbances in presynaptic link of the gamkergic system of caudate nuclei, dopaminergic neurons being an operant part of this GPIE.


[Suppression of humoral antibody synthesis on exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation].

The influence of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the immune response in mice, immunized intraperitoneally with sheep red blood cells, was studied. HBO was shown to reduce hemagglutinin and hemolysin titres in peripheral blood as well as to decrease the amount of antibody-forming cells in the spleen. The most pronounced immunodepressant HBO effect is seen when hyperbaric oxygenation is carried out under toxic conditions before immunization of the animals with low antigen doses. Relationship is shown between the immunodepressant HBO effect and reduced leucocyte and lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood of the animals.


[Participation of hematopoietic stem cells in the process of immune response formation].

The endogenous colony formation and immunogenesis in mice of CBA and C57BL strains immunized with various doses of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were studied. An absolute or relative increase of antibody forming cells under the action of growing SRBC dose from 2.10(7) to 2.10(8) as well as a decrease following 2.10(9) dose administration were noted. The number of endogenous hemopoietic spleen colonies augmented depending on increased antigen dose. Strain differences in the number of endogenous spleen colonies remained. It is suggested that the stimulation mode of hemopoietic lines is based on a specific RES blockade by SRBC resulting in enhanced proliferative effect of stem cells.


Content and subcellular localization of catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine in human and animal blood platelets: monoamine distribution between platelets and plasma.

1 The content of adrenaline (Ad), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine was measured in human, guinea-pig, cat, rabbit and rat blood platelets by a highly sensitive and specific radioenzymatic method.2 In all platelet specimens analyzed, the content of the three catecholamines (CA) was several thousand times lower than that of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).3 In basal conditions, the NA concentration in platelets and plasma always exceeded that of Ad and dopamine.4 In rat and rabbit platelets, Ad, NA and dopamine were present only in the free (unconjugated) form.5 Platelets of rats with storage pool deficiency (Fawn-hooded) contained much less 5-HT and CA than normal rat platelets.6 Following restraint stress, platelets of Fawn-hooded rats, in contrast to normal rat platelets, did not accumulate CA in spite of a dramatic rise in plasma CA.7 Reserpine, a monoamine depletor, released CA as well as 5-HT from rabbit platelets in vivo.8 Subcellular fractionation experiments with rabbit platelets indicate that both CA and 5-HT are most concentrated in the fraction consisting of pure 5-HT organelles.9 Both in humans and rabbits the concentration gradient between platelets and plasma was much lower for CA than for 5-HT, indicating that a high affinity transport mechanism operates in vivo for 5-HT but not for CA.10 In conclusion, the present data show that both human and animal platelets contain Ad, NA and dopamine. The bulk of the CA seems to be stored as unconjugated amines together with 5-HT, histamine and p-octopamine in a multitransmitter storage site, namely the 5-HT organelle.


Effects produced by the administration of high doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol to the chick embryo.

White Leghorn chick embryos were injected on the 15th day of incubation with 70 to 300 pmoles 1,25-(OH)2D3. All doses produced hypercalcemia; with the highest dose, the concentration of calcium in serum started to rise 4 h after the injection, reached a peak 20 h after, and was still high 48 h after. Twenty hours after the injection of the same dose, the concentration of inorganic phosphorus in the serum was significantly lower than in the corresponding controls. The tibias from 17-day-old chick embryos injected with 300 pmoles on day 15 were shorter, lighter, and had a lower ash content than those from controls. Histological signs of resorption appeared to be reduced with respect to controls, but no precise quantitation was conducted. The fact that hypercalcemia was not accompanied by hyperphosphatemia may suggest that the vitamin stimulates resorption of calcium from the shell, which is mainly formed by calcium carbonate rather than from the bone from which calcium and phosphate are usually resorbed together.


Low temperature induces decreased germinability of Cylindrocladium microsclerotia.

Numbers of germinable Cylindrocladium crotalariae microsclerotia (assayed at 26 degrees C) decreased progressively over 4 weeks when naturally infested soils were incubated at 6 degrees C. Lower numbers of germinable microsclerotia were obtained from a soil incubated at--3 than at 5 degrees C, while no germinable microsclerotia were found for soils incubated at--10 degrees C. Significantly, when soils incubated at--10 or at 6 degrees C for 4 weeks were transferred to 26 degrees C for 4 weeks, the low-temperature effect was partially reversed. Incubation of naturally infested soils under field conditions from October to February indicated that a similar low-temperature induced phenomenon exists in nature. Germinability of axenic laboratory-grown microsclerotia of C. crotalariae, C. floridanum, and C. scoparium incubated 4 weeks at 6 degrees C ranged from 0 to 91% (mean = 38%) of the initial germinability. Partial recovery of laboratory-grown microsclerotia from the low-temperature effect, by incubation at 26 degrees C, was demonstrated. Conductivity measurements of solutions bathing microsclerotia incubated at 6 degrees C were higher than those incubated at 26 degrees C for 4 weeks and indicated that chilling injury may account, in part, for decreased germinability of microsclerotia.


A histochemical study of the binding of 125I-HCG to the rat ovary throughout the estrous cycle.

Changes in the distribution of the in vitro uptake of 125I-HCG by the ovaries of adult rats were examined histochemically throughout the estrous cycle. Only in follicles wider than 500 micrometer, occurring mainly at diestrus and proestrus, could granulosa cells bind the labelled hormone. The labelling increased with follicular size and decreased in intensity from the peripheral granulosa cells inwards. No uptake occurred in the oocytes, in the cells of the cumulus oophorus nor in the granulosa cells of the atretic follicles. The binding capacity of the newly-formed corpora lutea of estrus was less than that of preovulatory follicles. The uptake of 125I-HCG by corpora lutea during the first cycle reached its maximum at diestrus but fell sharply by proestrus. The uptake was patchy in the corpora lutea of the second cycle and not significant in the older ones. The uptake of 125I-HCG by thecae increased with follicular size and was greater in the thecae of atretic follicles than in the thecae of growing follicles of like size. There was a greater uptake in the last formed interstitial tissue than there was in older tissue. At proestrus, the uptake of 125I-HCG was unaffected by the LH surge at 18.00 h but had decreased slightly at 24.00 h. The implications of these data in relation to the regulation of receptor sites, is discussed.


Nuclear retention of 18S ribosomal RNA by human myeloma cells.

Normal quiescent lymphocytes regulate their ribosome content by selectively degrading newly synthesized 18S ribosomal RNA. Unlike actively dividing HeLa cells, lymphocytes retain 18S ribosomal RNA in the nucleus after synthesis instead of immediately transporting it to the cytoplasm. Subcellular fractionation of the highly differentiated human neoplastic lymphocyte RPMI-8226 reveals that this cell line also retains 18S ribosomal RNA in the nucleus, a trait not displayed by the less differentiated human lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI-4265. These observations suggest that neoplastic cells can be phenotypically characterized by their ribosomal RNA processing patterns.


Myocardial fascicle and fiber disarray in 25 mu-thick sections.

We compared the histologic picture of myocardial fiber disarray in thin (4 mu) and thick (25 mu) sections of tissues obtained at autopsy from 18 adults and eight infants with clinically normal hearts, from 10 hearts with concentric hypertrophy (hypertensive patients), nine with myocardial infarction and four with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In the thick sections, so-called bizarre myocardial fiber disarray in thin sections was seen as a bizarre fascicle disarray. Therefore, the usual fiber disarray reported in cases of HCM is actually a fascicle disarray with a three-dimensional complex network. There was no marked difference in distribution and frequency of fascicle disarray among normal adult and infant hearts, and diseased hearts with hypertension and myocardial infarction. In the four hearts with HCM, diffuse bizarre fascicle disarray in the thick section was detected in the septum and anterior and posterior walls of the left ventricles in all cases, and in the lateral walls in one case. In the portions without the diffuse fascicle disarray, the distribution of disarray was the same as that in hearts with no HCM. Such fascicle disarray, including that of HCM, is probably congenital.


The measurement of thyroxine in urine using a competitive protein binding technique.

The competitive protein vinding assay for the measurement of thyroxine in blood serum was modified for the measurement of thyroxine in urine. Samples of urine of 1 to 5 ml volume containing 0 to 5 ng/ml could be assayed with 100% recovery, and above this range, up to 10 ng, recoveries were higher due to non parallelism with the standard curves. Tests carried out using porcine serum albumin indicate that results obtained by the method are not likely to be affected by proteinuria. The cross reaction with triiodothyronine was 25%. Analysis of urine samples stored at 25 degrees C gave higher values than those stored at +4 degrees C or --20 degrees C over similar periods. These increases at 25 degrees C were of the same magnitude as those obtained by acid hydrolysis of urinary thyroxine conjugates.


Nurse specialists in family planning: the results of a 3-year study.

In the first three years of a Nurse Specialist Clinic in Family Planning, 1422 new patients were seen. Oral contraception (OCs) was dispensed for 638 patients, 548 intrauterine devices (IUDs) were fitted and 126 patients received an injectable contraceptive. The continuation rate at thirty months was, 73.2 for OCs, and 68.6 for IUDs. The additional training received by the nurse specialists allowed them to practice comprehensive family planning safely and effectively, as shown by the low "problem" rate, 9.1% for OCs and 7.2% for IUDs. Continued use effectiveness, as shown by the second choice of contraception initiated in the clinic for those who stopped using their first method, was also high, 81.5% for OCs and 90.5% for IUD closures.


The biology of human drip breast milk.

The milk which drips from the opposite breast during breast feeding is used in some centres for feeding premature babies, yet there is little scientific information on the biology of this secretion. Drip breast milk (DBM) differs from expressed breast milk (EBM), both in its contents and in the change in its composition over the period of lactation. The fat concentration and energy value of DBM are low, compared with levels reported for EBM: protein, fat, sodium and energy value in DBM fall with the duration of lactation, whereas magnesium and calcium rise, and lactose, potassium osmolality and lysozyme remain constant. The milk fat content of DBM produced by individual donors is linearly related to the daily volume of DBM produced. Studies on 477 women admitted to the Oxford General Practice Obstetric Unit over 1 yr showed that, of the 75% who were lactating successfully 2 wk after delivery, 19% were producing DBM by 2--4 wk. Women who produced DBM did not differ in age or parity from those lactating women who did not, and their babies did not differ in birthweight, gestation, centile or sex. The suitability of DBM as a food for premature infants is discussed.


Control of the preovulatory release of luteinizing hormone by steroids in the mouse.

The regulation of the preovulatory release of LH by steroids was examined in the mouse, a species in which ovulation is strongly influenced by priming pheromones. Ovariectomized mice were implanted with estradiol in Silastic capsules to involve negative feedback. Preovulatory-like LH surges then were induced by injections of either estradiol benzoate (EB) or progesterone. LH surges were not observed in the absence of steroid injection. LH surges always occurred at lights out on a 14-h light, 10-h dark cycle on the day after EB injection but occurred on the same day as progesterone injection. The amount of EB or progesterone injected seemed unimportant but, in either case, had to be given within a limited diurnal period of sensitivity. LH surges comparable to those of intact proestrous females were produced either by injecting both EB and progesterone or by manipulating the background dose of encapsulated estradiol. In the latter regard, when ovariectomized females were implanted with a wide range of doses of estradiol (0.1--1000 microgram/capsule), a decided window phenomenon became apparent. That is, LH surging could be induced by steroid injections only within a limited range of background doses of encapsulated estradiol. The relationship of the above findings to the pheromonal control of LH secretion and ovulation in mice is as yet unclear.


Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone and its antiserum on the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the ovary of rat and hamster.

The ability of FSH to stimulate the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the ovary of the immature rat and cycling hamster has been examined using specific antisera to gonadotropins. The stimulatory effect of FSH on ODC activity in the ovary of the immature rat was abolished when LH antiserum was administered along with FSH, while similar administration of FSH antiserum had no effect on LH action in stimulating ODC activity, thereby demonstrating the specificity of the LH effect. During the estrus cycle of the hamster, ODC activity in the ovary could be detected only on the evening of proestrus, the maximal activity seen at 1700 h being associated with both the Graafian follicles and the rest of the ovarian tissue. Neutralization of the proestrous FSH surge had no effect on the activity of ODC in either of these tissues, while similar administration of LH antiserum at 1300 h of proestrus completely inhibited the ODC activity in both large follicles and the rest of the ovarian tissue. Thus, the surge of LH, but not of FSH, appears to be responsible for regulating the ODC activity in the ovary of the cycling hamster.


13C Nuclear magnetic resonance of protamines. The three main components of clupeine.

The three main components (called YI, YII and Z) of clupeine a protamine from herring have been isolated and characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. Resonance belonging to the many different amino acid carbon atoms are observable and assigned. The effect of urea on the clupeine fractions points to the molecules being essentially in extended form in 2H2O solutions. Unusual properties of clupeine fractions can be observed in the presence of phosphate. Two of the fractions, i.e. YI and Z, show that a partial folding occurs in some well-defined whereas fraction YII remains essentially unaltered.


A histone programme during the life cycle of the sea urchin.

The histone complement of chromatin from early gastrula, late gastrula and from fully differentiated gut cells of the sea urchin Parechinus angulosus has been fractionated by molecular sieve and ion-exchange chromatography. Several of the subfractions thus isolated have been characterized by amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequences as a series of variants of the histones H1, H2A and H2B. Specific histone variants are present in chromatin at specific stages of differentiation.


The biosynthesis of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. Uncoupling of the synthesis of the large and small subunits in isolated soybean leaf cells.

Isolated leaf cells from soybean (Glycine max) incorporate [35S]methionine into protein at a linear rate for at least 5h. Analysis of the products of incorporation by one-dimensional and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that major products are the large and small subunits of the chloroplast enzyme, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. The large subunit is synthesized by chloroplast ribosomes and the small subunit by cytoplasmic ribosomes. Addition of chloramphenicol to the cells reduces incorporation into the large subunit without affecting incorporation into the products of cytoplasmic ribosomes. Addition of cycloheximide or 2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide stops incorporation into the small subunit, but large subunit continues to be made for at least 4 h.  For accurate estimates of incorporation into the large subunit, it is essential to use two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, because the large subunit region on one-dimensional gels is contaminated with the products of cytoplasmic ribosomes. Newly synthesized large subunits continue to enter complete molecules of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in the absence of small subunit synthesis. These results suggest that, in contrast to the situation in algal cells, the synthesis of the two subunits of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in the different subcellular compartments of higher plant cells is not tightly coupled over short time periods, and that a pool of small subunits exists in these cells. The results are disucssed in relation to possible mechanisms for the integration of the synthesis of the large and small subunits of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase.


Retinol-binding protein from human urine and its interaction with retinol and prealbumin.

In freshly collected urine from a patient with glomerulotubular proteinuria there were two bands which contained retinol-binding proteins. The cathodal band showed fluorescence in the ultraviolet. After extraction with organic solvents only the anodal non-fluorescent band remained. After addition of an excess retinol only one band remained which by mobility corresponded to the cathodal band. The anodal of the two bands was therefore probably the apo form and the cathodal the holo form of the same retinol-binding protein. Their proportions, determined by densitometric scanning were approximately 4/1 (anodal/cathodal band). More than 85% of the retinol-binding protein in the urine bound to prealbumin-Sephrose. The apo retinol-binding protein from urine had the same electrophoretic mobility on agarose gel el-ctrophoresis and the same pattern on isoelectric focusing as an retinol-binding protein prepared from serum. The carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of the retinol-binding protein from freshly collected urine that bound to prealbumin-Sepharose, was -Arg-Leu. The amino-terminal sequence was Glu-Arg-Asp-Cys-Arg-Val-Ser-X-Phe-Arg-Val-Lys-Glu-Asn-Phe-Asp-Lys-Ala-Arg-Phe-X-Gly-Thr-Trp-Tyr-. This sequence and the amino acid composition are compatible with the view that the retinol-binding protein in urine is the same as in plasma.


Late anaemia in infants with rhesus haemolytic disease treated with intensive phototherapy.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of late anaemia in infants with rhesus haemolytic disease (RHD) who had received intensive phototherapy. Sixty infants with RHD and with strongly positive direct Coombs' tests who had received intensive phototherapy (blue double light) were followed as out-patients with regard to development of late anaemia. Fifteen (25%) infants developed moderate anaemia and 5 (8%) severe anaemia, one of the latter requiring a blood transfusion. The incidence of late anaemia was equal in "non-exchanged" infants and those who required exchange transfusion. The former developed anaemia significantly earlier than the latter, and in both groups the declining Hb level caused a marked reticulocyte response which was equal in both groups. This response may explain the low incidence of anaemia in both the "non-exchanged" and "exchanged" infants. From the present study and previous investigations it can be concluded that phototherapy, especially intensive phototherapy, is of great value in the treatment of rhesus haemolytic disease.


Female pseudohermaphroditism with supplementary phallic urethra.

A case of female pseudohermaphroditism with supplementary phallic urethra is presented. This case is, to the authors' knowledge, the fifth reported in the world literature.


Dopaminergic effects of non-hydroxylated rigid analogs of apomorphine.

A series of rigid analogs of apomorphine lacking aromatic hydroxyl substitutents were evaluated for dopaminergic properties. Three compounds, N-methyl-N-propyl-2-aminotetralin (Me-Pr-2-AT), N-N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (Di-pr-2-AT) and N,N-dipropyl-2-aminoindane (Di-Pr-2-AI) induced emesis in dogs, contralateral circling in unilaterally lesioned rats, and inhibited prolactin secretion. The induced circling responses, however, were attenuated by prior treatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester (AMPTME) and the compounds were weak inhibitors of 3-H-dopamine binding in calf caudate homogenates. The possibility that these agents may be metabolically activated in vivo is discussed.


Effects of chemical lesion of the ventral noradrenergic bundle or the medial preoptic area on preovulatory LH release in rats.

The noradrenergic innervation of the medial preoptic area (MPO) and the hypothalamus is provided by mesencephalic neurons via the ventral noradrenergic tract. Fibers of these neurons emerge through the MPO. Bilateral microinjections of 6-OHDA into the ventral noradrenergic bundle (VNB) depletes large parts of the diencephalon of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). Since the total hypothalamic DA content is of intrahypothalamic origin, 6-OHDA injection into the VNB does not reduce hypothalamic DA content. Similarly microinjections of 6-OHDA into the MPO reduces hypothalamic and preoptic NE content without altering NE concentrations in other diencephalic structures. Microinjections of 6-OHDA and of the carrier solution of 6-OHDA into the VNB or into the MPO of female rats with regular estrous cycles results in a slight disturbance of the cyclic activity for few days. Within 1--4 days normal cyclic activity is resumed. Preovulatory LH release is substantially reduced 8--12 days after injection of 6-OHDA into the VNB or into the MPO. On the basis of these and previous results it is concluded that the availability of NE in the MPO is an important factor in determining the hight of the preovulatory LH surge.


Effects of cycloheximide on protein synthesis in human lung tumors, regenerating rat liver and hepatomas.

10(-4) M cycloheximide (CHM) inhibits leucine incorporation to about the same degree in slices of human lung tumors, rat hepatomas, regenerating livers and normal tissues. At 10(-6) M, CHM has a more pronounced effect on tumor tissue and regenerating liver than on normal tissues. 10(-8) M CHM stimulates protein synthesis in normal rat liver slices.


Influence of ethanol on thyroxine accumulation in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and cerebrospinal fluid in the newborn rabbit.

The effect of ethanol on thyroxine (T4) accumulation in the hypothalamus (H), pituitary gland (P) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been investigated in 1-15-day-old rabbits. It has been found that H or CSF serum ratios decreased with age by about 2 in the course of 13 postnatal days. Stable T4 resulted in an increase of 125 I-T4 in H, P and CSF. Ethanol per se caused an increase in transfer and accumulation of radiothyroxine or made the changes after loading animals with carrier T4 more pronounced.


Effects of postnatal progesterone treatment on ovarian function in adult rats.

Long-lasting postnatal progesterone administration in female rats induced an early or delayed ovulatory failure with persistent vaginal estrus. Short-term treatment was ineffective. The beginning and incidence of ovulatory failure appeared to depend on the beginning and duration of progresterone treatment. The necessary duration of progesterone administration exceeds the critical postnatal steroid sensitive period of sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus. Moreover, long-lasting progesterone treatment results in ovulatory failure even if started after termination of this period.


Plasma hormone profile in anovulation.

Daily plasma hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone (T), were measured in 16 anovulatory patients for a span of 3 to 4 weeks. The clinical diagnoses in this group of patients included the following: anovulation-eumenorrhea (n = 5), anovulation-polymenorrhea (n = 1), anovulation-oligomenorrhea (n = 3), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (n = 1), polycystic ovarian disease (n = 4), severe hypothalamic amenorrhea (n = 1), and postpartum amenorrhea-galactorrhea (n = 1). Follicular activity was evident in polymenorrheic and oligomenorrheic patients, and menstruation occurred in these patients following estrogen withdrawal. No follicular maturation was noted in the group of patients with anovulation-eumenorrhea, and menstruation in these patients was considered breakthrough bleeding. Low FSH levels were observed in anovulatory patients with eumenorrhea, polymenorrhea, and oligomenorrhea. Significantly high LH values were noted in both classic and non-classic polycystic ovarian disease. Extremely low E1 and E2 levels were found in patients with severe hypothalamic amenorrhea and postpartum amenorrhea-galactorrhea. Slightly elevated progesterone levels were observed in polymenorrheic and oligomenorrheic patients prior to menstruation; this was frequently associated with an LH surge or elevation. Elevated T levels were consistently associated with hirsutism but not with obesity.


Intermittent bromocriptine treatment for the induction of ovulation in hyperprolactinemic patients.

Postovulatory treatment with bromocriptine bears a potential teratogenic risk. Therefore, after restoration of the menstrual cycle in 20 infertile hyperprolactinemic anovulatory patients, treatment was restricted to the follicular phase and the periovulatory period. The resulting intermittent treatment regimen using a dose of 5 mg of bromocriptine/day yielded ovulatory cycles in all 20 patients. Fifteen pregnancies were achieved in thirteen patients, two women becoming pregnant twice. Discontinuation of treatment after ovulation caused hyperprolactinemia during the luteal phase. This did not seem to interfere with the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Hyperprolactinemia during the follicular phase may be related to luteal insufficiency.


[Separation of human X- and Y- chromosome-bearing spermatozoa by column chromatography (author's transl)].

Separation of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa has been attempted using Sephadex gel filtration. Fractions rich in X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa were eluted in dependence on length of separation distance and on speed of elution. Spermatozoa remaining at the gel showed a higher percentage of Y-bodies compared with the untreated control. Sedimentation pattern and amount of eluted cells is influenced by eluation conditions.


Differences in the surface components of normal and SV-40 transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

The differences in the surface components of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and those transformed by Simian virus 40 have been examined using the isoelectric equilibrium method. The net negative surface charge density of the transformed cells appears to be marginally lower than that of the untransformed cell. Chemical modification studies of the surface groups have indicated that about 30% more cationic groups are present on the transformed cells, suggesting the occurrence of some additional basic material not detectable on the surface of normal cells. These basic groups show a modulation of ionisation characteristics in the presence of carboxylic groups. This may indicate a distribution of the cationic extra material in the vicinity of acidic glycoprotein components of the surface. This investigation has also revealed the occurrence of unidentified anionic groups which ionise at high pH, which appear to be thiol groups.


Patterns of behavioral development in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive controls.

We have examined the behavior of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and stroke-prone hypertensive (SP-SHR) male rats during the development and maintenance of elevated blood pressure and compared this pattern with age- and gender-matched normotensive (WKY) rats of the same Wistar-Kyoto strain as controls. Rats of each strain (n = 10/age group) were isolated in individual cages and observed for 60 min at 3,4,6,8,10, or 20 weeks of age using a scan sampling technique. At all ages SHR rats were significantly more active than WKY rats whereas SP-SHR rats were intermediate in level of activity. In a 2nd series, activity of male rats of each strain was monitored continuously for 24 hr in the home cage. No strain differences in amount or pattern of total daily activity were evident at either 4-6 or 16-18 weeks of age. These results indicate that SHR rats are more reactive to environmental change, but the intermediate level of activity of SP-SPHR rats suggests that this response is not related to the degree of blood pressure elevation,


Reduced monoamine oxidase activity in blood platelets from insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

Insulin-dependent diabetics show a significant reduction in blood platelets' monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity when compared with age-matched and sex-matched controls. This does not appear to be the case for diabetics either on diet control or receiving oral hypoglycemic drugs. The important role of this enzyme in the regulation of the circulating levels of a number of monoamines known to have an inhibitory effect on insulin secretion may indicate the possible inclusion of the MAO/monoamine system in the pathophysiology of diabetes. The possibility of using platelets' MAO activity as a biologic marker for a subgroup of insulin-dependent diabetics is also discussed.


[Stress incontinence in women--the evaluation and interpretation of intra-urethral pressure profiles obtained by microtransducers (author's transl)].

In 100 women urethrocystometric investigations were carried out with the microtransducer method. The women were of different height and the examinations were done at different states of bladder filling. The interpretation of the resting and stress pressure profiles of the urethra were done according to well defined parameters. The profiles were studied in continent and in continent women regarding their diagnostic value. From the results guidelines for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of stress incontinence were derived, discussed and conclusions for treatment are outlined.


The effect of ginseng on lifespan and stress responses in mice.

It has been suggested that ginseng can increase long-term resistance to stress and disease and therefore affect the lifespan. We set out to investigate this idea by testing whether the continuous administration of ginseng could affect the lifespan of mice and/or their behavioural responses to stress. 270 mice of strain LACa were divided into three groups: one group which was given ginseng from 8 weeks of age, a second group which was given ginseng from 52 weeks of age and an untreated control group. The mice were generally healthy. Their weights remained stable throughout their lifespan and were not altered by ginseng. Ginseng administration did not significantly alter the lifespan. However, ginseng did cause an exaggeration of the behavioural responses to mild stress. This effect was noticeable soon after ginseng administration and subsequently was maintained.


Radiographic and haemodynamic patterns of portal hypertension in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: selection of surgical procedure.

Twenty-eight patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and portal hypertension were studied. The transumbilical portal pressure, transsplenic portal pressure, and thoracic duct occluded pressure were measured simultaneously and thoracic duct lymph flow estimated. Changes in the splanchnic vasculature were studied radiologically barium swallow, splenoportography, and umbilical portography. The transumbilical-transsplenic portal pressure gradient was found to be of particular value. The gradient was considered to be positive when the transumbilical portal pressure was higher than the transsplenic portal pressure, in such cases the primary generating factor of portal hypertension and/or ascites was most probably of hepatic origin. The gradient was considered to be negative when the transumbilical portal pressure was lower than the transsplenic portal pressure; in such cases the primary generating factor of  portal hypertension and/or ascites was most probably of splenic or prehepatic origin. A correlation was found between the type of gradient and the radiographic pattern met with. For instance, in cases with positive gradient the hepatic blood flows, as estimated from the splenoportography, were mostly stage I or II, and showed no retrograde portal vein flow on umbilical portography. While, in cases with negative gradients, the hepatic blood flows were mostly stage III or IV, and showed retrograde portal vein flow on umbilical portography. The type of gradient, the clinicopathological stage, and the radiographic changes in the splanchnic vasculature were taken into account in selecting the surgical procedure to be used in each individual case.


[Effect of prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha on steroid biosynthesis in rat ovary (author's transl)].

Conversion in vitro of pregnenolone to progesterone by the ovaries from immature rats after treatment of PMS and HCG was inhibited by addition of PGE2 (1.4 X 10(-7)M) or PGF2 alpha (1.4 X 10(-7)M). Result of conversion in vitro of pregnenolone to progesterone and estradiol-17 beta by ovary of adult rat in estrus showed that the progesterone biosynthesis in the ovary was inhibited by PGF2 alpha (1.4 X 10(-7)M) but the releasing rate of progesterone from the ovary into the medium increased by about 1.25 fold. Progesterone in the medium decreased dramatically following incubation. Estradiol-17 beta in the ovarian tissue and in the medium did not differ from the control rate with addition of PGF2 alpha. When the effect of PGF2 alpha (1.4 X 10(-7)M) in vitro on the conversion of testosterone to estrone and estradiol-17 beta by the ovary from adult rat in estrus was studied, we found that the releasing rate of estrone from the ovary into the medium was increased by addition of PGF2 alpha; the rate was significantly different from control level after addition of PGF2 alpha 30 min of incubation (p less than 0.01). Thus a minute amount of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha influences steroid biosynthesis in the rat ovary.


[Relationship between gnawing compulsion and central dopaminergic mechanism in guinea pigs (author's transl)].

It has been reported that an increased in dopaminergic activity in the striatum can induce gnawing compulsion, a stereotyped behavior. Apomorphine, amphetamine and L-DOPA also produce such effects, particularly in the rat. However, it has been reported that the gnawing compulsion in the guinea pig cannot be induced with L-DOPA and is not related to the levels of catecholamine in the brain. It is of essential importance in this kind of research to clarify whether or not a dopaminergic mechanism is equally involved in gnawing compulsion of the rodent in general. The present study dealt with the mechanism of gnawing compulsion with L-DOPA administration to guinea pigs. Gnawing compulsion was amplified by crystal pick-up and amplifiers and was continuously recorded by an inkwriting-oscilloscope. The recorded data were scored for quantitative and objective analysis. Certainly, L-DOPA alone did not induce continuous gnawing, but the gnawing was obviously induced by pretreatment with benserazide, a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. The induced gnawing complusion was inhibited by pimozide and haloperidol which are both dopamine receptor blockers. When catecholamine synthesis was inhibited pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, the amphetamine induced gnawing compulsion alone was markedly inhibited, but the apomorphine or L-DOPA induced gnawing compulsion following the pretreatment with benserazide was not inhibited. Therefore, it was deduced that gnawing compulsion was induced with amphetamine directly by dopamine release, with apomorphine by its direct stimulation of the dopamine receptor, and with L-DOPA by its action on the dopamine receptor, after having been converted to dopamine. Based on these results, it was concluded that the dopaminergic mechanism is closely involved in gnawing compulsion seen in the guinea pig as well as in the rat.


Mammary tumour incidence in relation to the pattern of oestrous cycles in mice.

The patterns of oestrous cycles were examined in new strains of mice exhibiting a high (SHN) and a low (SLN) mammary tumour incidence. These mice originated from the same stock of Swiss albino mice. At the age of 3-4 months, SHN mice showed much longer cycles with continual dioestrous periods than SLN mice. The average lengths of cycles and dioestrous periods were, respectively, 8.3 +/- 0.3 and 6.0 +/- 0.4 days in SHN mice and 4.6 +/- 0.1 and 2.5 +/- 0.1 days in SLN mice. Furthermore, the distinct alteration in the patterns of cycles from SHN to SLN type was associated with complete reduction in mammary tumour incidence in highly inbred C3H/He female mice maintained by brother X sister mating with no selection for mammary tumourigenesis. The relation between the pattern of oestrous cycles and mammary tumourigenesis is discussed from the viewpoint of the endogenous hormonal milieu and the responsiveness of target organs.


Diurnal variations of plasma lipoproteins and liver lipids in rats fed starch sucrose or fat.

The incidence of the dietary source of energy on lipid transport and accumulation was investigated over a full nycthemeral cycle in adapted rats fed ad libitum. Starch, sucrose and lard were compared. Lipoprotein composition of the plasma, liver and plasma lipids and insulinemia were analyzed every 3 hours over 24 hours. The pattern of VLDL concentration was dependent on the nature of the energetic substrate. Feeding starch resulted in a remarkable stability of lipoproteins, liver and plasma lipids, despite clearcut diurnal variations in plasma non esterified fatty acids, insulinemia and liver glycogen. In sucrose-fed rats VLDL rose to a sharp maximum in the post prandial period (9-12:00) and were totally cleared by 18:00. In fat-fed rats, HDL were elevated during the night, suggesting a possible stimulation of their synthesis by dietary fat in the intestine. LDL were constantly elevated with peak values at 21:00 while VLDL were very low, even at night, despite elevated levels of non-esterified fatty acids. It is concluded that, in animals adapted to a high fat-diet, a high level of circulating non esterified fatty acids is not sufficient to promote the synthesis of VLDL. The main regulating factor appears to be the intensity of hepatic lipogenesis which is stimulated by sucrose and inhibited by lard. No correlation was found between variations in plasma VLDL and insulinemia.


The lectin-binding sites of the erythrocyte membrane components of horse, swine and sheep. Characterization by their molecular weights.

The membrane components of equine, porcine and ovine erythrocytes were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequently incubated with the radioiodinated lectins from lentils (LCH), castorbeans (RCA), Phaseolus beans (L-PHA), gorse seeds (UEH-F) and from vineyard snails (HPA). The following individual glycoproteins could be labeled: gp 26, 33, 100 and 320 in horse erythrocytes, gp 24, 46, 75, 130 and 210 in swine and gp 24, 57, 100 and 210 in sheep erythrocytes.


Characterization of a carboxypeptidase from the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis.

A carboxypeptidase has been identified in Rhodotorula glutinis and partially purified. The enzyme is active on N-substituted dipeptides and tripeptides and also exhibits an esterolytic activity. Both activities are inhibited by (N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl)chloromethane and by a thermostable fraction present in extracts. The enzyme shows a pH optimum in the range 7.5 to 8.0 and has a molecular weight of 80000, determined by gel filtration.


Follicular growth and atresia in the mouse.

Follicles were classified on the basis of the number of layers of follicle cells, the presence and degree of development of the zone pellucide, and the presence of an antrum. Formation of an antrum in follicles with less than 7 to 8 cell layers and/or presence of necrotic cells was considered indicative of degeneration. When classified in this manner, the data suggest that follicles and their contained oocytes are committed to either normal development or atresia by the time a third layer of granulosa cells is formed.


Differential antibody forming cell response in mice due to levamisole treatment.

The administration of varying doses of levamisole on the antibody forming cell (AFC) response of C57BL6/J mice to sheep red blood cells was investigated. Doses of 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg potentiated the AFC response, while a dose of 5 mg/kg levamisole blocked the AFC response. Injection of the latter does of levamisole one day after antigen exposure did not inhibit the AFC response. Levamisole did not alter the basal response to sheep red blood cells of otherwise untreated mice.


Regulation of asthma by intestinal parasites. Investigation of possible mechanisms.

The serum IgE levels of asthmatic subjects from Papua, New Guniea (PNG) were similar to those of corresponding control subjects but significantly higher than Caucasian asthmatics from Western Australia (AUS). Notwithstanding these differences in total IgE, the levels of IgE antibodies to D. pteronyssinus (RAST units) were similar in both asthmatic groups. The mite specific IgE antibody levels were independent of those to Ascaris and hookworm, suggesting that antigenic competition is not a factor of importance in sensitization to environmental allergens in the tropics. This study does not support the proposal that the low prevalence of allergic disease in tropical areas where parasitism is endemic is attributed to mast cell blockade through saturation of IgE receptors.


The distribution of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin containing cells over various lymphoid organs of congenitally athymic (nude) mice as a function of age.

The distribution of cells containing cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (C-Ig cells) over various lymphoid organs was studied in congenitally athymic (nude) mice as a function of age. The C-IgM, C-IgG and C-IgA cells were enumerated in spleen, bone marrow, mesenteric lymph node and Peyer's patches of nude mice and their heterozygous littermates of 6, 40 and 100 weeks of age. In the nude as well as in the heterozygous mice an age-related shift was observed in the localization of the C-Ig cells. In young mice of both groups the majority of these cells resided in the spleen, whereas in adult and old mice the bone marrow was found to be the major C-Ig cell organ, indicating that this shift is not dependent on the presence of the thymus. In young and adult nude and heterozygous mice C-Ig cell numbers in the spleen were comparable, whereas C-Ig cell numbers in the other lymphoid organs were higher in the heterozygous mice than in the nude mice. The total C-Ig cell number in young and adult nude mice was lower than in heterozygous mice of the same age, whereas in old nude mice they were as high as in heterozygous mice of the same age, indicating a retarded development of the immunological activity in nude mice. C-Ig cells in nude mice were almost exclusively of the IgM class, although in the bone marrow of the oldest animals also a substantial number of C-IgG and C-IgA cells was observed. Our finding that nude mice can live up to at least two years of age indicates that the age-related deterioration of the thymus-dependent limb of the immune system is not the cause of ageing, but rather a consequence of it.


Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoretic studies of distinct allergens in two extracts of Cladosporium herbarum.

Cladosporium herbarum was supplied from two sources and extracted identically. Antisera against the extracts were produced in rabbits and two reference patterns were established using crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). Both patterns showed more than 60 precipitates but less than 50% of the detectable antigens appeared to be identical in the two extracts. The allergens were identified by means of crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) using sera from 35 individuals with proven or suspected allergy to C. herbarum. Four important and 10-20 less important allergens were demonstrated. Among the allergens present, there were none reacting with all patient sera. Only 1 out of 3 rabbits immunized with a suspension of broken cells of C. herbarum showed precipitating antibodies to the statistically most important allergen, while 9 rabbits immunized with aqueous extracts of the mold did not. The composition of the two extracts with respect to allergens differed. Allergens present in one extract were not always detectable in the other. The experiments also showed how CIE/CRIE with various combinations of antigens and antisera may be combined with CRIE inhibition, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and RAST inhibition for comparing complex allergen extracts at the molecular level.


Clinical comparison of skin testing and the radioallergosorbent test in dog-sensitive patients using mixed and breed-specific antigens.

A study of clinical history, intradermal test end points and RAST values with six different dog antigens was made in 20 patients and 5 control subjects. Skin testing was found to be more useful clinically than the RAST. Considerable variability among mixed epidermal extracts was noted. There was no apparent advantage to testing with three individual-breed extracts studied, compared to the most potent mixed epidermal antigen. The results of this study suggest that further efforts toward standardization of potency, methods of preparation and, possibly, breed composition of dog allergenic extracts are required to develop improved allergens for clinical use.


Diurnal rhythmicity of nuclear and cytoplasmic polyadenylylated ribonucleic acids and or polyadenylate-dependent polyadenylate polymerase in rat liver.

The hepatic concentration of polyadenylylated RNA was measured in rats kept under LD 12:12. In the nuclei, the concentration was maximal during the dark phase, whereas in the cytoplasm, the highest values were measured during the light phase. The activity of nuclear polyadenylate-dependent polyadenylate polymerase showed a rhythm of low amplitude with a maximum at light-off.


Antiformaldehyde and anti-N-like antibodies in hemodialysis patients.

Seventy-one hemodialysis patients were tested for antibodies to red blood cell antigens; 19 of the 71 had been treated with formaldehyde-sterilized dialysis membranes. The sera of 3 (16%) of these 19 contained anti-N-like antibodies and those of 17 (89%) contained a second agglutinin specific for formaldehyde-treated red blood cells. Anti-N-like and "antiformaldehyde" antibodies appear to be serologically distinct. We suggest that residual formaldehyde in formaldehyde-sterilized dialysis membranes reacts with red blood cells to form an immunogen responsible for antiformaldehyde in patients treated with these membranes.


Effect of creatinine on various experimentally induced inflammatory models.

Creatinine, an aminoacid, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory activity. It is orally effective in suppressing the inflammatory responses produced by carrageenan, 5-hydroxytryptamine, nystatin and formaldehyde. It is observed that the antiinflammatory effect of creatinine is not owing to counter irritant action. It is suggested that it may partially be mediating its anti-inflammatory activity by interfering with the action or/and synthesis of prostaglandins. Like phenylbutazone it also possesses an analgesic action.


Synthesis of fetal and adult hemoglobins in culture by human umbilical cord blood erythropoietic precursors.

We cultured human umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood erythropoietic precursors in methylcellulose clonal assay and measured the synthetic rates of HbA, A2, and F. Hb was labeled with 14C-amino acid in culture and separated by slab-gel isoelectric focusing and quantitated by autoradiography. While the mean percentage of HbF synthesized by adult cells was only 20.1%, that of umbilical cord blood cells was 53.9%, which corresponds closely to the biosynthetic capabilities of umbilical cord blood reticulocytes. Variations in the erythropoietin concentrations did not influence the percentage of HbF. Erythropoietic cell cultures of human umbilical cord blood may provide an important means for studying the molecular mechanisms controlling physiological Hb switching in the perinatal period.


A new dynamic model system for the study of capture reactions for diffusable compounds in cytochemistry. II. Effect of the composition of the incubation medium on the trapping of phosphate ions in acid phosphatase cytochemistry.

A model system developed for the study of the dynamics of capture reactions for diffusable compounds in cytochemistry served as a basis for the experiments reported in the present paper. The model was used to study the effect of the composition of the cytochemical medium on the trapping of phosphate ions by lead (II) ions in acid phosphatase cytochemistry. In this system a phosphate-containing solution and a lead-containing solution (cytochemical medium) are pumped along opposite sides of a polyacrylamide film. The phosphate concentration at which measurable precipitation starts in the film (critical phosphate concentration) was taken as a measure of the trapping efficiency of the cytochemical medium. The addition of beta-glycerophosphate and cytidine-5'-monophosphate to a buffered lead-containing solution resulted in a higher critical phosphate. The addition of chloride ions and acetone, as well as decreasing the molarity of the acetate buffer of the cytochemical medium, were found to lower the critical phosphate concentration, whereas the addition of fluoride ions, glucose, and sucrose had no effect. From the effect of variations in the composition of the cytochemical medium on the trapping efficiency and the turnover number of acid phosphatase in the medium, it was possible to predict which cytochemical medium would be the most suitable for the demonstration of acid phosphatase activity in guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells. The results were in accordance with the localization of acid phosphatase activity: the higher the trapping efficiency and the turnover number, the higher the amount of precipitate and the number of positive enzymatic sites. In this way an improved cytochemical medium for acid phosphatase was developed.