Treatment of vascular hemiballism and hemichorea.

Hemichorea and hemiballism have been considered debilitating and irreversible disorders. Eight patients with vascular hemichorea were treated with perphenazine. All were elderly and hypertensive. Three had primarily choreic movements while five had, in addition, proximal flailing movements of hemiballism. In seven, dramatic response to perphenazine therapy was seen, with virtual cessation of movements. In one case, only partial response was obtained with a high dose of perphenazine, and this dose had to be reduced because of drowsiness and hepatotoxicity. In four patients, movement did not recur after the drug was stopped. This study indicates that perphenazine can be a highly effective agent for the treatment of hemichorea and hemiballism and that improvement can be maintained in some patients even after therapy is discontinued.


Visual electroencephalographic computer analysis (VECA). A new electrophysiologic test for the diagnosis of optic nerve lesions.

The function of optic pathways was studied by visual electroencephalographic computer analysis (VECA). Pattern and flash stimuli were used. The VECA profile was abnormal in two types of lesions: pathology involving the eye, and pathology involving the optic nerve. When ocular pathology is excluded, an abnormal profile indicates optic nerve dysfunction. Of the multiple sclerosis patients tested, 77 percent had an abnormal VECA profile. The test was always abnormal in patients with optic neuritis. Delayed visual evoked responses occurred in 18 of 29 multiple sclerosis patients judged to be clinically without visual deficits. VECA is reliable and sensitive for detecting clinical and subclinical optic nerve pathology.


Imitation synkinesia and sensory control of movement.

Immitation synkinesia is usually associated with thalamic or parietal lesions. Analysis of three cases shows that the lesions may affect the posterior columns of the spinal cord or even the peripheral nervous system. In our cases, two facts stand out, a large measure of integrity of motor activity and predominant disturbances of lemniscal sensation. Imitation synkinesia should therefore not be seen as due to a lesion of a particular structure but to the disorganization of the lemniscal system at any level. Functional interconnection between the lemniscal and motor systems occurs only in the cerebral cortex. In the light of this fact, imitation synkinesia can be interpreted as the loss of particular functions in the principal cortical motor neurons.


Intracranial hemorrhage caused by metastatic tumors.

Fifteen cases of metastatic brain tumors associated with massive subarachnoid, intracerebral, or intraventricular hemorrhage or a combination thereof are reported. Four patients had multiple bleeding cerebral metastasis. In 10 patients, stroke was the first manifestation of the neoplastic disease. It is concluded that metastases of choriocarcinoma, melanoma, and bronchogenic carcinoma are most prone to massive bleeding. The average survival from the beginning of neurologic symptoms was 65 days, but in seven patients, it was 11 days or less. Surgery seems to be beneficial in selected patients. Massive hemorrhage was a complication in 14 percent of our patients with metastases to brain versus 0.8 percent of those with gliomas.


Dynamic radionuclide scanning in the diagnosis of thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus.

Two cases of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis were diagnosed using a new technique of dynamic radionuclide brain-imaging. With the patient's head in the posterior oblique position, and 80-lens optical camera records the appearance of radionuclides in the superior sagittal sinus. This technique is quick and noninvasive, and serial studies are easily performed. Dural sinus thrombosis is difficult to diagnose on clinical findings alone. Dynamic canning should be used to screen high risk patients, such as those having pseudotumor syndrome or clotting disorders and elderly patients having pulmonary emboli or unexplained deterioration of mental status.


The application of F-wave measurements in the differentiation of proximal and distal upper limb entrapments.

Conduction velocities of the proximal segments of the median and ulnar nerves were measured by evoking F-wave responses. The results of these and conventional motor and sensory studies from 60 control subjects were compared with the results in 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndromes, 18 patients with cubital tunnel syndromes, and 23 patients with suspected proximal entrapments. Sixty-seven percent of patients with proximal lesions (confirmed by myelography in 60 percent of cases) had abnormalities in their F-wave studies. Conventional motor studies were normal. Twenty-three percent of the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 11 percent of the patients with cubital tunnel syndrome also had abnormal F-wave studies, indicating an additional element of proximal entrapment. This technique is felt bo be useful in differentiating between distal and proximal entrapments.


The effect of denervation on subsequent in vitro induction of myotonia.

In order to study the influence of innervation on myotonia, an attempt was made to induce myotonia in previously denervated rat hemidiaphragm preparations in vitro with use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and low chloride solutions. Prior denervation prevented the onset of myotonia in both media except during the first 24 hours after nerve section. On the basis of already available data, we propose that the reduced potassium conductance accompanying denervation may be the main factor preventing induciton of myotonia in denervated muscle.


Polyneuropathy, skin hyperpigmentation, edema, and hypertrichosis in localized osteosclerotic myeloma.

1 61-year-old man had osteosclerotic myeloma that was localized in the eleventh thoracic vertebral body and associated with sensorimotor polyneuropathy, skin hyperipigmentation, edema, hypertrichosis, gynecomastia, and white nails. Cases of osteosclerotic myeloma with and without polyneuropathy in the literature were reviewed with special reference to accompanying dermatologic and endocrinologic signs and synmptoms. We assume that the polyneuropathy, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, edema, hypertrichosis, gynecomastia, and white nails are causally related to each other and are a remote effect of osteosclerotic myeloma. Quantitative histologic analysis of two sural nerves biopsied within 2 years of each other during the course of the disease indicated that both large and small myelinated fibers degenerated progressively, with relative preservation of unmyelinated fibers.


The value of carotid endarterectomy in treating transient cerebral ischemia of the posterior circulation.

The results of a retrospective study of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for hemispheric and/or nonhemispheric symptoms of transient ischemic attacks are presented. During an approximately 3-year period of follow-up observation, recurrent cerebral ischemia following carotid endarterectomy was two to three times more frequent among patients with nonhemispheric transient ischemia than among those with hemispheric transient ischemia. Patients with symptoms of both hemispheric and nonhemispheric transient ischemia had the highest frequency of transient ischemic attacks and stroke during the follow-up period and also had the greatest surgical morbidity and mortality. The results of this study suggest that carotid endarterectomy has little or no therapeutic value in treating patients with vertebral-basilar ischemia.


Alexia without agraphia and the inferior splenium.

A patient who had alexia without agraphia, right homonymous hemianopia, and intact color-naming was studied anatomically. Pathologic involvement of the splenium and related forceps was restricted to the inferior third, supporting published suggestions that inferior elements of this commissure and left peristriate cortex may be essential to the decoding to the written word, while color-naming may be functionally aligned to more dorsal elements.


Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in dizygotic twins.

A pair of dizygotic twins developed typical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during adulthood. The concordance for this disease in these two patients of nonconsanguineous parentage with no family history of the disorder suggests the possibility of sublethal intrauterine injury to anterior horn cells. Infectious or toxic exposure during the twins' intimately shared milieu in the prenatal period could have resulted in a neuronal "abiotrophy" that would not have become clinically apparent until decades later. If such a prenatal neuronal injury plays a role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, it becomes clear that attempts at experimental animal transmission of the disease from affected adults would fail even if the offending agent were viral.


Abdominoperineal urethral suspension: a ten-year experience in the management of recurrent stress incontinence of urine.

The most important factors in the management of recurrent stress incontinence in the absence of genital prolapse are proper case selection and the proper choice of surgical intervention. All suitable patients at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, since 1965 have been managed by the technic of abdominoperineal urethral suspension, which involves passing two aponeurotic bands, cut from the anterior abdominal wall, through the paraurethral attachment of the posterior pubourethral ligament on either side. It is our conviction that urinary continence control in the human female is effected by this upper urethral anatomy and that for a technic to be successful it must exert its influence at this precise point. It is suggested that this technic is the procedure of choice in the management of recurrent stress incontinence.


Assessment and treatment of female urinary incontinence by cystometrogram and bladder retraining programs.

One hundred female patients complaining of urinary incontinence without evidence of associated disease or urinary infection were assessed by clinical appraisal and by simple cystometrogram. Discrepancies were apparent between the two methods of patients assessment. Treatment was primarily based on cystometrogram patterns, and included the surgical correction of the urethrovesical defect, the institution of a program of micturition retraining, or a combination of both methods. Based on a short follow-up assessment period, of those 68 patients chosen for surgery, 78% were cured and 91% were markedly improved. Bladder retraining programs alone were instituted for 32 patients, and a marked (72%) improvement rate was demonstrated. It is suggested that the cystometrogram has an integral and essential place in the assessment of female urinary incontinence and may be easily integrated into practice. Bladder retraining programs may be most usefully employed for some patients found to have bladder dysfunction.


Adenocarcinoma of the urethra during pregnancy: report of a case.

The first case of adenocarcinoma of the urethra occurring during pregnancy is discussed. The patient was in her second trimester, and the pregnancy was allowed to continue to term. The patient was delivered vaginally of a healthy infant. Following delivery, she was treated with radiotherapy. After completion of the radiotherapy, the distal half of the urethra was excised. The patient has been followed for 7 years, and there is no evidence of recurrence.


Survival following thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy.

When thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) occurs in pregnancy, survival of either the mother or fetus is exceedingly rare. A patient is reported who developed this disease in the 17th week of pregnancy and recovered after treatment with antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, dipyridamole) and corticosteroids. The rationale and potential hazards of antiplatelet therapy in TTP are discussed.


Unusual protozoal infestation of the cervical mucus.

The transient colonization of the female genital tract with an unusual multiflagellated protozoan is reported. The presence of active organisms in large numbers in the mucus of the endocervical canal and their absence from the gastrointestinal tract and other areas indicates true colonization rather than contamination. The colonization resolved spontaneously. The organism has been classified as a Polymastigidan.


[Microstructure characteristics of the egg envelopes of the carp, Cyprinus carpio L].

The patterns of the microstructure of the egg envelopes in C. carpio and its changes during embryogenesis were studied by means of scanning electron microscope. The structure of envelopes was shown to suffer definite changes during the formation of perivitelline space, embryogenesis and prior to hatching.


Nematode larvae (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) causing infarction of the bowel in an infant.

A case is reported of an 11-month-old baby suffering from gangrene of the distal portion of the small bowel due to infestation by larval worms belonging to the order Spirurida, family Physalopteridae and probably the genus Physaloptera. Microscopically, the resected bowel showed ischaemic necrosis, eosinophilic granulomata and larval worms in the lumen and wall of blood vessels. The inflammatory process extended into the mesentery, where the vessels showed focal necroses, thrombosis and endarteritis. Infection in this child in the Queensland countryside is considered to have resulted from ingestion of insects on grass eaten when at play, the grass having been contaminated by bandicoots.


Release of adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine from the isolated guinea pig heart during hypoxia, flow-autoregulation and reactive hyperemia.

In an attempt to test the hypothesis whether adenosine is involved in the regulation of coronary flow adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine were measured in the effluent perfusate and in the tissue of isolated guinea pig hearts under various experimental conditions. In addition, the release of 14C-adenosine, 14C-inosine and 14C-hypoxanthine was determined  after prelabeling cardiac adenine nucleotides with 14C-adenine. The decrease in coronary resistance induced by hypoxic perfusion (30% and 20% in the gas phase) and during autoregulation was associated with a considerable increase in the release of adenosine and hypoxanthine. Under both conditions the concentrations of adenosine in the effluent perfusate were clearly within the coronary vasodilating range of exogenously administered adenosine. The tissue content of adenosine also increased significantly when the perfusion pressure was reduced. The release of 14C-adenosine closely paralleled the changes in coronary resistance during hypoxic perfusion, autoregulation and during reactive hyperemia. The specific activity of adenosine in the effluent perfusate, however, decreased substantially upon reduction of the oxygen supply to the heart, indicating that the release of 14C-adenosine does not provide an absolute measure of total adenosine release by the heart. Our data indicate that the greater part of the adaptive changes of vascular resistance during hypoxia and autoregulation can be attributed to adenosine which is formed at an enhanced rate under these conditions. However, other factors might be involved as well.


Thermoregulatory behaviour after repetitive cooling of the preoptic area and of the spinal cord in the rat.

The thermoregulatory behaviour of 6 rats was studied during exposure to cold and warm ambient temperatures after either the preoptic area or the cervical spinal cord had been intermittently cooled for an average of 130 h. The precooled animals worked more for heat in cold environments and for cool air in a warm environment than the control animals. This behaviour, probably due to a decreased ability of the precooled animals to retain heat, suggested that the precooled animals were not fully adapted to cold. 1974) will learn to press a lever to modify their thermal environment, and this paper describes the thermoregulatory behaviour of rats after prolonged cooling of the preoptic area, and of the spinal cord. The thermoregulatory behaviour of cold exposed and cold adapted animals has already been studied in several species (Carlton and Marks, 1958; Laties and Weiss, 1960; Revusky, 1966; balwin and Ingram, 1967).


Lak of influence of glucagon on glucose homeostasis after prolonged exercise in rats.

The significance of glucagon for post-exercise glucose homeostasis has been studied in rats fasted overnight. Immediately after exhaustive swimming either rabbit-antiglucagon serum or normal rabbit serum was injected by cardiac puncture. Cardiac blood and samples of liver and muscle tissue were collected before exercise and repeatedly during a 120 min recovery period after exercise. During the post-exercise period plasma glucagon concentrations decreased but remained above pre-exercise values in rats treated with normal serum, while rats treated with antiglucagon serum has excess antibody in plasma throughout. Nevertheless, all other parameters measured showed similar changes in the two groups. Thus after exercise the grossly diminished hepatic glycogen concentrations remained constant, while the decreased blood glucose concentrations were partially restored. Simultaneously concentrations in blood and serum of the main gluconeogenic substrates, lactate, pyruvate, alanine and glycerol declined markedly. During the post-exercise period NEFA concentrations in serum and plasma insulin concentrations remained increased and decreased, respectively, while plasma catecholamines did not differ from basal values. Muscle glycogen concentration decreased slightly. These findings suggest that in the recovery period after exhausiive exercise the increased glucagon glucagon concentrations in plasma do not influence gluconeogenesis.


Electrodermal reflexes in the cat's paws elicited by natural stimulation of skin.

Electrodermal reflexes recorded from the central pads on the hind-and forepaws were elicited by natural stimulation of skin in ketamine anaesthetised cats. 2. Stimuli which excite the Pacinian corpuscles in the paws (air jet stimuli applied to the paw, vibrational stimuli produced by tapping on the experimental frame) and the cutaneous nociceptors (mechanical and thermal noxious stimuli) elicit electrodermal reflexes. Stimuli exciting hair follicle receptors on the trunk or legs or slowly adapting receptors in the feet are without effect. 3. Electrodermal reflexes elicited by non-noxious mechanical stimulation of skin in the hindpaws have a clear-cut spatial organization. Air jet stimuli can only produce them from the distal hindpaws but not from any other skin area indicating that this reflex may be organized at the spinal level. Electrodermal reflexes on noxious stimulation too have some spatial organization.


Metabolic component in the epithelial intracellular potential of rabbit cornea.

Effects of the change of external ionic composition and the addition of metabolic inhibitors on rabbit cornea were studied by recording the epithelial intracellular potential. High K and Li Ringer's solutions, applied to the corneal endothelial side, caused a marked depolarization of the epithelial cells, but no potential change was seen when applied to the epithelial side. Ouabain, MIAA and NaCN applied to the endothelial side reduced the epithelial potential, while those applied to the epithelial side did not change the potential. DNP and FDNB also had no effect when applied to the epithelial side only. The thermal dependence of the epithelial intracellular potentials of whole eye (0.85 mV/degrees C) and excised cornea (2.01 mV/degrees C) preparations were greater than about 0.2 mV/degrees C predicted by the Nernst equation. It is concluded that the epithelial cell layer of rabbit cornea act as a tight barrier against diffusion of K ion and metabolic inhibitors from the tear side to the epithelial basal cell. A high thermal dependence of the epithelial intracellular potential may depend greatly on the pump ingibition.


Effect of reflex stimuli on vascular resistance and glycerol release in in vivo dog subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Although direct autonomic nerve stimulation and infusion of catecholamine has been shown to result in substantial amounts of lipolysis in dog subcutaneous adipose tissue, there is no evidence to indicate that reflex autonomic stimulation will result in qualitatively and quantitatively similar changes. The present studies were performed to evaluate the effects of reflex autonomic stimulation on vascular resistance and glycerol release in isolated, innervated and blood-perfused subcutaneous fat pad. Autonomic nerve stimulation at physiological frequencies was performed and resulted in release of glycerol that was compatible with previously reported data. Reflex stimulation by moderate and severe hypoxemia did not result in a significant glycerol release, but a maximal reflex stimulus (ventricular fibrillation) did. Since the majority of these reflex stimuli resulted in large change in vascular resistance, it would appear that reflex hemodynamic changes can occur in these preparations without concomitant changes in glycerol release. Alpha blockade of the vasoconstriction resulted in the appearance of rising glycerol output suggesting that vasoconstriction prevents lipolysis.


Thermoregulation during entrance into hibernation.

The hypothalamic temperature (Thy) and the rate of oxygen consumption of golden-mantled ground squirrels were continuously measured as they entered hibernation. Thy was manipulated with chronically implanted, water-perfused thermodes. A threshold Thy for eliciting an increase in metabolic heat production was demonstrable at all times during entry. During smooth entries this threshold Thy showed a progressive decline so that it was below actual Thy at all times. These results are interpreted to mean that the normal mammalian central nervous regulator of body temperature is functional throughout the entrance into hibernation, and it can be reset to any level over the 35 degrees C range body temperatures experienced by the hibernator.


Development changes of monosaccharide uptake into skeletal muscle of the lamb.

Uptake of the nonmetabolizable model sugar 3-o-methylgucose (3-MG) into skeletal muscle (musculi cricothyreoidei) of the lamb decreases with advancing age. Forestomach development does not affect 3-MG uptake. The stimulating effect of insulin upon 3-MG uptake also declines with age. Forestomach development does not influence the insulin effect.


Studies on the termination of sinus nerve afferents.

Compound action potentials evoked by electrical stimulation in the brainstem of anaesthetized, paralyzed cats and rabbits were recorded distally in the carotid sinus nerve. The latencies of the components of the responses were indicatives of fibres with conduction velocities between 0.5 and 32 m/s. These include both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres. Using histological reconstruction of the 'responsive sites', the termination of the primary afferent fibres of the sinus nerve within the medulla was mapped. In both cat and rabbit these responsive sites were restricted to the doromedial medulla in the vicinity of the NTS 0--3 mm rostral to the obex. Although in the cat the fast conducting myelinated fibres (conduction velocities greater than 12.5 m/s) were discretely localized to the ventrolateral area of the NTS, the slower conducting myelinated and unmyelinated fibres were found more diffusely, spreading into areas dorsal and medial to the NTS. In the the rabbit the terminals of all types of fibre were mainly confined to the NTS although some C fibres appeared to be grouped in the juxta-alar region. Responses were never evoked from the medial reticular formation or nucleus ambigus in either cats or rabbits. The organization of the sinus nerve input to the medulla is discussed in the light of these results.


Water absorption and swelling in the rat small intestine in vitro.

Net mucosal-to-serosal water transport and water retention within the tissue were simultaneously measured in the isolated, everted rat jejunum and ileum along with time. The swelling of the epithelium (delta w/DW-delta w/DW-delta v/DW) precedes the absorption of fluid and then it remains contant throughout the experiment. The water uptake, determined as a weight increase, (delta w/DW) and the net water transport determined as a serosal volume increase (delta v/DW) were higher in Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate than in a Krebs-Ringer-phosphate medium. In the jejunum glucose markedly stimulated both the tissue retention and net transport of water, but such effect was not seen in the ileum. Replacement of chloride with sulphate in the medium diminishes both water transport and retention, but both were markedly stimulated by the addition of glucose to such medium. As a conclusion it seems that during water transport the epithelial layer swells and the swelling increases when the amount of water transported is increased.


Effect of splanchnicotomy on the renal excretion of d-glucose in the anaesthetized dog.

The effects of acute intravenous d-glucose (G) loading were studied on anaesthetized, unilaterally splanchnicotomized ("renal denervation") dogs. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was generally not different on the innervated and denervated side, while urine flow (V), sodium excretion (UNaV) and urinary excretion (UGV) of glucose on the splanchnicotomized side were significantly increased at any plasma G concentration. Tubular reabsorption (TG) as well as Tm of G in denervated kidneys was considerably depressed. In a series of experiments with moderately elevated plasma glucose level glucosuria on the sympathectomized side was found that seems to be the consequence of a lower threshold for G in denervated kidneys. The positive correlation between the tubular reabsorption of Na and G was not influenced by renal denervation.


[An independent gas chromatographic procedure for measuring the composition of gases (author's transl].

The volume fraction of gas mixtures may be measured gas chromatographically by application of the 100% method, provided they can be separated. In case of gases it is not necessary to calibrate with another method. The specific character of the detector signals can be eliminated by measurements with pure components. The procedure is compared with the Scholander method. In case of O2/N2 mixtures the results agree within reproducibility, but in case of O2/CO2/N2 mixtures a systematic deviation of the CO2 fractions to smaller values is found as concerns the Scholander method. A gas mixture with 5.6 Vol% CO2 shows a difference of approximately 0.3 Vol%. The gas chromatographic method is almost 100 times as sensitive as the Scholander method. High fractions may be measured without problems and the method is not restricted to O2 and CO2.


Determination of electrolytes in small biological fluid samples using energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis.

A technique is reported for the application of the energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis for the simultaneous determination of electrolytes in picoliter samples of biological fluids. The preparation is characterized by the use of thin films as a specimen support. Using this arrangement, the X-rays generated in the support are kept to a minimum. At an acceleration voltage of 25 kV the specimen preparation can be regarded as 'thin', i.e. the intensity of an emitted characteristic radiation is almost uninfluenced by the gross element composition, and, therefore, is only dependent upon the content of elements. Quantification was achieved by comparing the intensities of the characteristic radiations with that of a standard. Electrolyte concentrations of 1 mM can be detected with an accuracy of 0.1 mM SD.


Congestive cardiomyopathy in a family of Becker's X-linked muscular dystrophy.

Ths dissociation of gross congestive cardiomyopathy and muscle disease in different members of a family affected with Becker's benign X-linked muscular dystrophy is described. The possibility that cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy may be the expressions of the same mutant gene has been suggested.


Medical documentation for third-party payers.

Medical documentation of patient care by physical therapy has become a requirement for reimbursement of health services paid by federal and state programs or by other third-party payers. The medical record of physical therapy must satisfy several specific requirements of third-party payers before health services can be reimbursed. The fiscal intermediaries require a precise, written statement of the patient's physical problems, treatment goals and plan, and objective information on the patient's response to treatment. The criteria reflected for third-party payment must be satisfied and evident in succinct and accurate documentation in  the medical record. Medical documentation must show evidence of a prescription, medical reason for treatment, a viable discharge plan, outcome of treatment, coordination of medical services, patient instruction, and discontinuance or adaptation of services when necessary. The requirements for third-party payment based on medical documentation are discussed.


[Determination of similarity and dissimilarity of endogenous psychoses in  monozygotic twins based on a differential diagnosis].

The frequently published opinion that endogenous psychoses in monozygotic twins often show a marked lack of similarity could not be confirmed by the results of studies performed by the author and his associates. In general, differenting diagnosis allows the particular syndrome, on which the establishment of the respective diagnosis is based, to be nearly always observed in either partner. On the other hand, changes of mood, which are accessory symptoms, often show a different picture which may perhaps be regarded as being due to the fact that monozygotic twins often differ in their respective temperaments. The course and severity of the disease also usually show considerable differences which may in part be due to additional affections.


The nucleus accumbens--possible site of antipsychotic action of neuroleptic drugs?

The hypothesis that neuroleptic drugs exert their therapeutic effects by blocking dopaminergic transmission has been investigated by examining the effects of 3 neuroleptic drugs on dopamine turnover in 2 dopaminergically innervated regions of brain--the neostriatum and nucleus accumbens. The drugs chlorpromazine, thioridazine and fluphenazine, known to be therapeutically active in the treatment of schizophrenia, but to have differing incidences of extrapyramidal side effects, were administered to rats in dose ratios approximating to those effective in man. All 3 drugs induced a similar rise in the content of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) in the nucleus accumbens, whilst the changes in HVA observed in the neostriatum were in the rank order in which these drugs produce extrapyramidal side effects. While the concentrations of dopamine metabolites in the frontal cortex were too low to assess the possibility that neuroleptic drugs have actions at this level, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these drugs exert their therapeutic effects by dopamine receptor blockade in the nucleus accumbens.


3H-etorphine levels in CNS of tolerant and non-tolerant rats.

Rats were rendered tolerant to etorphine by administering it daily for 5 days at doses of either 10 microgram/kg i.v. or 5 microgram/kg s.c..3H-etorphine was then injected to tolerant and non-tolerant rats; after 15 min their brain and spinal cord were removed for 3H-etorphine assay. Tolerant rats had lower 3H-etorphine levels in both tissues than control rats.


Adrenocortical involution in rats during oestrus synchronisation with medroxyprogesterone.

Daily treatment of female rats with medroxyprogesterone acetate in aqueous suspension resulted in adrenocortical atrophy. The doses given were those used for oestrus synchronisation. Intramuscular injections of 2-0 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate were used to investigate the atrophic process. Adrenocortical involution was associated with extensive single cell deletion (apoptosis). It is suggested that theses changes were due to suppression of pituitary ACTH secretion. The cytological changes support the concept that single cell death plays an important role in organ remodelling. Biochemical determinations of DNA, RNA, protein and dry matter, and histological examination, did not reveal significant changes in the liver.


Synchronisation of oestrus in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using prostaglandin F2alpha.

Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) was used intramuscularly in two preliminary trials to determine its effect in cycling buffalo cows. In the first trial, animals with corpora lutea in their ovaries responded to either two doses of 15 mg on two consecutive days, or to a single dose of 30 mg, by showing signs of oestrus commencing 31 to 55h after the initial injection. In the second trial two doses of 30 mg PGF2alpha given 11 days apart resulted in oestrus on the third day after the second injection.


Resistance of nematode eggs to the ovicidal activity of benzimidazoles.

Eggs of benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis are resistant to the ovicidal activity of benzimidazoles. The possiblity is raised of using this as a simple screen for detection of resistance in nematodes of domesticated animals.


Premenstrual symptoms: a reinterpretation.

Conclusions regarding the physiological basis and disruptive effects of premenstrual symptoms may be biased because of the reliance on self-report questionnaires as a source of data. In order to examine this possible bias, women's perceptions of their cycle phase were separated experimentally from actual cycle phase. Women who were led to believe that they were premenstrual reported experiencing a significantly higher degree of several physical symptoms, such as water retention, than did women who were led to believe they were intermenstrual. Thus, because of these psychosocial influences on symptom reports, it seems necessary to reexamine previous conclusions regarding the magnitude of menstrual-related changes as well as their physiolocical basis.


Goblet cells in embryonic intestine: accelerated differentiation in culture.

If duodenal tissue from 14-day chick embryos is cultured in chemically defined medium, more than twice as many goblet cells appear within 48 hours as in intact embryos during the same time. The increase in goblet cell number is further accelerated by 10(-9) molar thyroxine but is prevented by 10(-6) molar hydrocortisone. The results suggest that differentiation of intestinal epithelium is regulated in part by a circulating inhibitor.


Organ formation caused by nucleic acid from different class.--Urodele DNA mediated balancer formation in goldfish.

DNA was isolated from visceral organs of urodele and injected into fertilized eggs of goldfish. Approximately 1% of the young fish developed one balancer. From gross and microscopical structures, site of development, and nature of absorption, it resembles the balancer of urodelian species.


The effect of carp EGG-mRNA on the transformation of goldfish tail.

Poly A attached mRNA was prepared from carp's mature ovarian eggs. When injected into fertilized eggs from different strains of goldfish, it mediated tail transformation from the double to single. The frequency varied according to the strain of goldfish. This discovery provides new information not only supporting but also expanding the previous report that crucian egg-mRNA mediated tail transformation in goldfish.


Cell differentiation in ascidian studied by nuclear transplantation.

The egg of the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis was divided 20 min after fertilization into two fragments, one nucleated and the other non-nucleated. Nucleus of ectodermal, mesodermal, or endodermal cell, taken from gastrula or tail-bud embryo was transplanted into the non-nucleated fragment. The fragment developed into abnormal or partial embryo, of which the cells or tissues were differentiated mainly according to the regional distribution of presumptive organ-forming substances of the egg cytoplasm that the fragment contained. The result indicated that differentiation of cells in ascidians was principally determined by the components of the mature egg cytoplasm, not by the transplanted nucleus, and the activity of the nucleus was, to some degree, controlled by the surrounding cytoplasm.


Secondary structure of histones and DNA in chromatin.

Laser Raman spectroscopy indicates that the inner histones which are bound to DNA in chromatin or in isolated nu bodies are similar in conformation to the inner histones which are dissociated from DNA in high-salt solutions. This structure contains, on the average, 51+/-5% alpha-helix and no substantial beta-sheet conformation. It is proposed that the protein core of the nu body has a high alpha-helix content.


Primary bioassay of human tumor stem cells.

A simple method has been developed to support human tumor stem cell colony growth in soft agar. The technique appears suitable for culture of a variety of neoplasms of differing histopathology. Tumor stem cell colonies arising from different types of cancer have differing growth characteristics and colony morphology. This bioassay should be suitable for clinical studies of effects of anticancer drugs or irradiation on human tumor stem cells.


Limbic system interrelations: functional division among hippocampal-septal connections.

Neuronal activity was recorded simultaneously from hippocampus and medical or lateral septum during classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response. Although similarities exist between hippocampal and lateral septal patterns of activity, medial septal unit discharges indicate a different role during learning.


Nonpuerperal inversion of the uterus by endometrial stromal sarcoma of the uterine fundus.

Nonpuerperal inversion of the uterus is rare; the 69th such case in the English literature is reported. Although caused most frequently by submucous leiomyoma, nonpuerperal uterine inversion may be caused by carcinoma or, as in this report, a sarcoma of the uterine fundus. For optimal therapy and to reduce surgical complications, the correct preoperative diagnosis of uterine inversion and any concomitant disease is mandatory.


A neutralization test survey for Lassa Fever activity in Lassa, Nigeria.

5-8% of 434 sera collected in Lassa village, Nigeria, in August 1970 were positive by neutralization test for Lassa fever (LF) virus. A second survey in March 1971 found 15 of 47 complete compounds tested in Lassa, Dille and Yuba villages had at least one peron with serologically demonstrable experience with LF virus. 67% of positive compounds had more than one infected member. Four of 17 hospital staff sero-converted between August 1970 and March 1971 without symptoms, evidence that subclinical infections of LF occr.


Bovine mycotic abortion: some epidemiological aspects.

Records from 898 cases of bovine mycotic abortion occurring over the five years 1969 to 1974 in South Wales were examined with particular reference to incidence and climate. Mean incidence was lowest in September and highest in January and February. Annual incidence of Aspergillus-type infection decreased but that of Mucortype did not alter significantly. Most abortions occurred during the last trimester of pregnancy. The abortion rate for cattle fed hay in cowsheds was extremely high compared with that for other management systems. No correlation could be detected between total rainfall or number of raindays in June and September and mycotic abortions occurring over the succeeding 12 months. Fungal abortion was followed by pregnancy in most cases where subsequent breeding performance was known.


Arthrogryposis-palatoschisis and a 1/29 translocation in a Charolais herd.

The congenital condition of arthrogryposis palatoschisis was found in two closely related Charolais calves and has subsequently been found in a number of other related animals. It would appear from this and earlier reports that the condition is inherited, possibly as an autosomal recessive. A 1/29 Robertsonian translocation was also found in one of the calves and this was inherited from its dam. It is considered that the two conditions are not directly related.


[Examination and composition of some legume seeds (author's transl)].

The chemical composition of some legume seeds is reviewed. It was found that soy (Glycine soja), field beans (Vicia faba), Vicia sativa and Lens culingris (red seeds) have the highest protein content. There were only minor differences in amino acid composition except for glutamic acid. The lysine content of legume seeds was high. Lysine is the most limiting essential amino acid in cereal proteins, therefore cereal products can be improved nutritionally by addition of legume seed flour. Examination of polar lipids by thin layer chromatography revealed that lecithin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl inositol were the major components. However, Lupinus angustifolius contained two unknown polar lipid classes.--In contrary to previous literature the ripe legume seeds contained only a very small amount of galactosyl diglycerides; however legume seeds contain higher amounts of the compounds. The conection between biosynthesis of linolenic acid and the presence of galactosyl diglycerides in higher plants is discussed.


[Isolation and characterization of mistletoe extracts (Viscum album L.). II. Effect of agglutinating and cytotoxic fractions on mouse ascites tumor cells].

Lectin from mistletoe (Viscum album L.) was studied for its relations with the toxins from Viscum album, ascites tumor cells of mouse, and human immunoglobulins. Using affinity chromatography on glutaraldehyde-crosslinked IgG (human) from viscum crude extract, a fraction was isolated which exhibited full agglutination capacity and high toxicity. The supernatant showed no agglutination capacity but a strong toxic effect on mouse ascites tumor cells. This toxic effect could not be influenced by further additions of insolubilized IgG. Chromatography on DEAE cellulose also gave agglutinating fractions with toxic effects and a non-agglutinating toxic portion. Column chromatography on Sephadex G 75 allowed separation of toxic from agglutinating components. The molecular weight of the toxin remaining after lectin removal was above 10,000. Lectin was found to bind more readily to mouse ascites tumor cells than to erythrocytes.


[Case of an operated patient with congenital localized supravalvular and valvular aortic stenosis].

The authors presented a rare case with localised congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis associated with bicuspid aortic valvular stenosis which has been surgically treated. The clinical diagnosis was suggested in the presented patient by typical "elfin" face and conformed by left cardiac catheterisation and angiography. The operative procedure with cardiopulmonary by pass consisted of longitudinal aortotomy and insertion of Dacron prosthesis. In addition "open" commissurotomy of partially fused commissures of the bicuspid aortic valve was done. This effectively released the obstruction and enlarged the orifice. The postoperative course was uneventful.


Increased blood-brain barrier permeability around cerebral stab wounds, aggravated by acute ethanol intoxication.

Control and ethanol-intoxicated rats were injured with a small cerebral stab wound and the extravasation of Evans blue-labelled albumin (EBA) was studied. Control rats displayed an extravasation of EBA in the immediate peri-traumatic area with subsequent uptake of EBA in neurons and glia. Ethanol-intoxicated rats showed a greater leakage of EBA as well as a wider area of leaking blood vessels around the stab wound, both in the peri-traumatic and in the early post-traumatic period. Neuronal uptake of EBA was enhanced and observed in a wider area in intoxicated than control rats. The difference in distribution of EBA among neurons and glia between intoxicated and control rats was partly a consequence of the difference in leakage of EBA in the experimental groups. However, part of the increased neuronal uptake of EBA might be explained by an effect of ethanol on nueronal plasmalemma. The results obtained indicated a more pronounced injury to endothelial and neuronal cells after small cerebral stab wounds in ethanol-intoxicated compared to control rats.


Enhanced blood-brain barrier leakage to evans blue-labelled albumin after air embolism in ethanol-intoxicated rats.

Control and ethanol-intoxicated rats were given a small air embolus in the right common carotid artery after ligation of the external carotid branch. The extravasation of Evans blue-labelled albumin (EBA) was studied. Control rats dispalyed a slight extravasation of EBA through arteries and arterioles at the surface of the right hemisphere with a slight spread into adjacent brain parenchyma. Additionally, ethanol-intoxicated rats showed a great leakage through small blood vessels even deep in the right hemisphere and a blue-staining of most of the embolized hemisphere. Thus it was shown that during embolization, ethanol increases the vascular permeability to macromolecules. It is proposed that this phenomenon mainly is due to injury to the endothelial cells.


Pathology of the anal glands with special reference to their mucin histochemistry.

The anal gland pathology comprises cystic anal glands (so-called anal gland cyst hamartomas), anal gland carcinomas, and anal fistulas with or without carcinoma. The differential diagnosis of these conditions from other cysts and carcinomas of the anal region can be difficult. The authors have therefore compared conventional history with mucin histochemistry in normal and pathological anal glands. In contrast to normal rectal mucosa the mucus of anal glands was characterized by strong PAS-reactivity that was completely abolished after periodate borohydride saponification indicating scarcity of absence of O-acylated sialic acids in the anal gland mucus. A pattern similar to this was found in one of two tumours classified histologically as anal gland carcinomas, in four of eight colloid carcinomas arising in preexisting fistulas, and in two cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the anal region. The results indicate that the method in some cases may be of value in differentiating between carcinomas arising in anal gland epithelium and in rectal mucosa. The cystic anal glands showed decreased secretion but no qualitative histochemical differences from anal glands. On the basis of the patients' histories it is suggested that the so-called anal gland cyst hamartoma at least in some cases could be an inclusion cyst of anal glands on the inflammatory basis.


Pitfalls and limitations of M-mode echocardiography.

Newer diagnostic applications as well as the ability of obtaining physiologic information has resulted in a greater interest in echocardiography. As with any new technique, certain classical criteria have not been found to be as specific and diagnostic as was originally believed. This review has focused on the more important clinical applications in echocardiography. We have not attampted to discuss every single clinical entity. A critical evaluation as to the sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography in each clinical application is necessary. A thorough knowledge of the basic principles of ultrasound, a familiarity with recording devices, and a realization of the pitfalls and limitations of the technique in each cardiac disorder is essential. Hazards of echocardiographic interpretation may actually hamper its development as a diagnostic tool. Before embarking on complex and sophisticated two-dimensional echocardiography, problems with regard to technique and interpretation of M-mode echocardiography must be overcome.


Coexisting right and left hypertrophic subvalvular stenosis and fixed left ventricular outflow obstruction due to aortic valve stenosis.

A case of fixed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to aortic valve stenosis coexisting with right- and left-sided subvalvular hypertrophic stenosis is documented with hemodynamic data, angiograms, echocardiograms and findings at surgery. Histologic examination of the septal muscle with light and electron microscopy revealed hypertrophy of the muscle but none of the characteristics of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Septal hypertrophy with subvalvular obstruction can occur secondary to left ventricular pressure overload due to fixed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and is not always the chance occurrence of two separate diseases.


Catecholamine accumulation in neural crest cells and the primary sympathetic chain.

Catecholamine accumulation in chick embryos of stages 16 to 24 was investigated using formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. Fluorescence first appeared at stage 21 in the anterior sympathetic chain. After L-DOPA treatment, this fluorescence appeared at stage 18. Noradrenaline could not advance the onset of fluorescence or reconstitute fluorescence after its depletion by reserpine at stages 22 to 24. Under no conditions could fluorescence be identified in neural crest cells prior to their aggregation to form the primary sympathetic chain. Noradrenaline induced fluorescence in the neural tube, notochord, myotome, sclerotome, gut mesenchyme and suprarenal cortical cells. In addition to these structures, the dorsal pancreas and some blood cells were fluorescent after l-DOPA treatment. The implication of the results for the neural crest origin of APUD (Amine Precursor Uptake Decaboxylase) cells is considered.


Proteolytic activity of guinea pig spermatozoa after induction of the acrosomal reaction in vitro.

After inducing the acrosomal reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa in vitro, the sperm were tested for proteolytic activity by applying them to membranes of fixed gelatin. One to 5% of them showed slight evidence of proteolytic activity, while the rest were completely negative. Sperm that had retained their acrosomes throughout the incubation period displayed intense proteolytic activity. These results suggest that proteinases may be lost from spermatozoa as a result of the acrosomal reaction.


Maternal smoking, pregnancy complications, and perinatal mortality.

Analysis of data from the Ontario Perinatal Mortality Study has shown that perinatal mortality increases directly with the level of maternal smoking during pregnancy. Increases in smoking level are associated with increases in the frequency of early fetal deaths and of neonatal deaths due to premature delivery. These deaths in turn are associated with smoking-related increases in the incidence of bleeding during pregnancy, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and premature and prolonged rupture of the membranes.


Studies on the cytodynamics of experimental endometrial regeneration in the rabbit. I. Historadioautography and ultrastructure.

The kinetic and fine structural characteristics and site of origin of the resurfacing uterine lining, as well as the influence of ovarian hormonal stimuli on the reparative processes of experimentally injured endometrium in the rabbit, were studied by means of in vivo historadioautography and electron microscopy. The first-generation, resurfacing spindle-shaped cells lacked mitosis and expanded by ameboid migration. This was followed by a rapid increase in nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, which presumably provided for accelerated mitosis-mediated surface epithelial proliferation and maturation. By Day 3 after injury, endometrial regeneration was completed with a return of labeling index to base-line levels. The newly formed surface lining was derived exclusively from the persistent surface epithelium bordering the denuded regions. The isotope uptake and morphologic alterations of the regenerating endometrium in castrated rabbits which were similar to those of intact rabbits suggest that endometrial repair is not mediated by the hormones of the reproductive system.


Corynebacterium parvum as an immunotherapeutic agent in an ovarian cancer model.

Corynebacterium parvum, an anaerobic diptheroid, has been demonstrated to be therapeutic in several tumor models by stimulating immunologic defenses. Formalin-killed C. parvum was investigated in the present study as an immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of murine ovarian cancer, a model that closely simulates the activity of clinical disease. C. parvum successfully prolonged survival in murine ovarian cancer and its effectiveness improved with increasing dosage. The efficacy of C. parvum was further enhanced by a multiple-dose regimen. A previous report demonstrated the efficacy of heterologous tumor antisera in the serologic treatment of murine ovarian cancer. At the dosages investigated, the combination of C. parvum and heterologous tumor antisera (SG-200) provided longer survival than either modality independently. C. parvum is an effective anti-cancer agent in murine ovarian cancer and may find utility in a clinical setting.


Nonrandom frequency distribution of mitoses in rat lobuloaveolar mammary gland epithelium.

A quantitative microscopic technique was employed to examine the distribution of mitotic activity in the rat mammary gland. The frequency distribution of mitoses per unit volume of lobuloalveolar mammary gland epithelium in virgin Lewis/Mai rats at each phase of the estrous cycle were determined and compared to the expected Poisson frequency distributions, assuming random mitotic activity. Both pooled data and data from individual rats were compared to expected Poisson distributions. At each phase of the estrous cycle, the pooled observed distributions deviated significantly from Poisson distributions. Sixty-seven percent (72/108) of the observed frequency distributions obtained from individual rats also deviated significantly from expected Poisson distributions. These data indicate a nonrandom distribution of mitoses in rat lobuloalveolar mammary gland epithelium. This observation suggests that local cell products and/or a variation in the extent of replicative synchrony of lobuloalveolar cell populations may determine in part the pattern of mitotic activity in this tissue. A nonrandom distribution of mitoses in mammary epithelium may have significance in relation to the genesis of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the mammary gland.


Tonofilaments in normal human bronchial epithelium and in squamous cell carcinoma.

Tonofilaments in the cells of squamous cell carcinoma of human bronchial epithelium were observed and compared to those in normal bronchial epithelium in 2 patients. In the normal tissue, only small numbers of tonofilaments were observed, and these were found only in the basal cells of the epithelium. In the tumor cells, the quantity of filaments increased considerably. They appeared in the cytoplasm both as branching and anastomosing bundles (tonofibrils) and also as single filaments about 40 A in thickness. These bundles were particularly well developed in the core of narrow cytoplasmic processes of tumor cells. The thickness and appearance of single tonofilaments were similar to those of the cytoplasmic microfilaments also observed in this study. It is suggested that the development of tonofilament bundles in the cytoplasmic processes of tumor cells may provide direct motive force for the deformation of the shape of the cell and potential invasiveness of these tumor cells.


Regional distribution of autonomic nerves in guinea pig uterus.

Uterine adrenergic and cholinergic nerves were examined histochemically and chemically in combination with surgical denervation. There was a clear regional variation with a greater number of axon terminals in the tubal end of the uterine horn and in the cervix compared to the remainder (major part) of the uterine horn. No cholinergic nerves were found in the uterus but were abundant around the uterine artery and its primary ramifications. Clusters of ganglion cells were located near the cervix: the majority were acetylcholinesterase positive, whereas the remainder stored catecholamines. Unexpectedly, the suspensory ligament (connecting the tubal end of the uterine horn with the two lower ribs) was found to contain an extensive number of adrenergic nerves. The major part of the uterine horns, as well as the cervix, was innervated mainly from two sources contributing almost equally: the paracervical ganglia (short adrenergic neurons) and postganglionic fibers running in the hypogastric nerves. A restricted area at the tubal end of the uterus received most of its via the suspensory ligament.


Hormonal control of neutrophil chemotactic activity in the rat vagina.

A sexual-hormone-dependent neutrophil chemotactic factor(s), operative under physiological conditions, is described. Rat vaginal washouts were shown to be both chemotactic and chemokinetic for rat neutrophils in vitro, whereas macrophages were not attracted. Peak activity was observed at the end of estrus and preceded maximal neutrophil infiltration in the vagina. In order to mimic these events, gonadectomized animals were treated with estradiol for a week. They showed a similar peak of chemotactic activity 30-36 h after estradiol withdrawal, accompanied by a massive neutrophil accumulation. These data suggest that a decrease in estradiol level permits the expression of the chemotactic signal. There was no evidence for chemotaxis and/or migration inhibitors before and during estrus or during long-term estradiol treatment of gonadectomized rats. Induced neutrophil accumulation in the peritoneal cavity and chemotactic responsiveness of these cells in vitro were similar in all stages during the estrus cycle. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone neither promoted nor significantly inhibited the neutrophil migratory behavior over a wide range of concentrations. Our experiments suggest that the periodic neutrophil accumulation in the rat vagina after estrus is triggered by locally expressed chemotactic mechanisms that are controlled by sexual hormones. The data provide the first evidence that hormonal changes can control chemotactic factors and thus indirectly control cell migration.


Subjects' rights, freedom of inquiry, and the future of research in the addictions.

Since the recent passage of regulations concerning subjects' rights and freedom on inquiry, opposition by the public and others to some areas of research in the addictions has prevented its implementation or continuation. Research investigators in the biomedical and behavioral sciences have been placed in the position of defending their work in an adversary climate. The author points out the importance of transmitting to the public, the scientific community, and legislators the investigators' concern that "subjects' rights" not be viewed only in a legalistic context, but also in the context of not harming the patient.


Ischemia of the upper extremity due to noncardiac emboli.

Nine cases of microemboli of arterial origin to the upper extremity are reported. The source of emboli in five of these cases was in the subclavian artery compressed by osseous anomalies in the thoracic outlet. Three aneurysms, one in a subclavian vein graft and two traumatic false aneurysms in the hand, were also noted to be the sources of distal emboli. One unproved case of emboli from an atherosclerotic plaque of the subclavian artery is also reported. Chronicity of symptoms and delay in operation are often noted and lead to difficulties in surgical management. The compressing osseous structures causing the vascular lesion in the thoracic outlet syndrome must be resected, along with removal of the source of emboli. Cervicodorsal sympathectomy is often needed in cases of extensive thrombosis and/or long-standing ischemia. Embolectomy is usually a futile procedure when the main arterial trunk contains old, organized thrombus. Differential diagnostic problems between collagen vascular disease, vasculitis, vasospastic disease, and microembolic disease in cases of unilateral Raynaud's phenomenon are pointed out.


Postintubation croup in children.

Incidence of and contributory factors in postintubation laryngeal edema were determined in 7875 children under 17 years of age. Data were assembled in the manner of a prospective study. With an overall incidence of 1 percent, children between ages 1 and 4 were most susceptible. Excessive size of the endotracheal tube was suspect in half of the cases. Other factors that increase trauma to the larynx while an endotracheal tube is in place showed significant correlation to the total incidence of postintubation laryngeal edema. No tracheostomies were required.


Comparison of gallamine and atropine as pretreatment before anesthetic induction and succinylcholine administration.

Heart-rate changes following pretreatment with IV gallamine 0.3 mg/kg (40 patients) or atropine 0.006 mg/kg (40 patients) and the incidence of heart-rate slowing and/or junctional rhythm after thiamylal anesthetic induction and 2 injections of succinylcholine (SCh) were determined in adult patients. Awake heart rate increased 13 and 16 bpm (p less than 0.05) 1 and 3 minutes after gallamine. In contrast, heart rate was unchanged 1 minute after atropine and then was increased about 10 bpm (p less than 0.05) 3 minutes later. Heart-rate slowing (greater than 15% as compared with the rate immediately before SCh) and junctional rhythm occurred in 1 patient from each group following the 1st SCh dose. Heart-rate slowing after the 2nd SCh injection occurred in 1 patient pretreated with gallamine and in 14 patients pretreated with atropine. Junctional rhythm did not occur in any patient after the 2nd SCh dose. The authors conclude that IV gallamine is more effective than atropine in preventing heart-rate slowing after repeated SCh administration.


Interaction of halothane and antibiotics on isometric contractions on rat-heart muscle.

Halothane (H), kanamycin (KM), streptomycin (SM), and chloramphenicol (CM) had direct negative inotropic effects on isometric contractions of isolated rat-heart muscles. Potassium penicillin-G did not show any significant changes in isometric contractions. The depression produced by these antibiotics was characterized by an abrupt onset, rapid progression, and rapid complete recovery, which suggests direct physicochemical rather than metabolic effects. On the other hand, the depression produced by H progressed slowly. When KM, SM, or CM were combined with H, there was a greater depression in isometric contractions than seen in the absence of H, suggesting that the innate characteristics of the antibiotics are augmented when any of them is administered together with halothane.


Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma following diazoxide, anesthesia and operation.

Unsuspected hyperglycemia caused prolonged postanesthetic coma in a nondiabetic patient treated with IV diazoxide and furosemide. The combined effect of these drugs with general anesthesia and surgical stress was postulated as the cause of the hyperglycemia. Blood glucose should be measured during and after general anesthesia in patients who are potential candidates for hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma.


Effect of halothane on systolic time intervals.

By simultaneous rapid-strip recordings of the electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and carotid pulse wave, systolic time intervals (STI) can be calculated and used to assess cardiac activity during general anesthesia. The principal advantage of this methodology over more conventional technics of determining anesthetic effects on the heart is that it is noninvasive. One anesthetic agent, halothane, was chosen to illustrate the usefulness of the technic. Results obtained by using STI supported the well-documented effect of myocardial depression produced by halothane. Becuase the equipment and technic are relatively simple, this procedure has definite clinical applications.


Anesthesia induction technics in pediatric patients: a controlled study of behavioral consequences.

A study of the post-hospitalization behavior of 122 children, 85 of whom underwent surgical anesthesia, revealed that an asleep anesthetic induction technic is not harmful to the young psyche; its use results in a greater likelihood of freedom from behavioral upset in the 1st postoperative month than when awake induction technics are employed.


General anesthesia in the presence of Eisenmenger's syndrome.

The theoretical implications of anesthetizing patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome are discussed and the anesthetic management of 16 such patients is described. A variety of technics were chosen which caused minimal depression of the cardiovascular system. These patients tolerate general anesthesia well and do not present the risks that have been suggested on theoretical grounds.


Neonatal neurobehabioral tests following vaginal delivery under ketamine, thiopental, and extradural anesthesia.

Scanlon's neurobehavioral tests were administered to 274 neonates on the 1st and 2nd days of life. Ketamine-N2O anesthesia had been given to 45 mothers, thiopental-N2O to 52, and lumbar extradural anesthesia with chloroprocaine to 177. All babies delivered from mothers receiving meperidine within 5 hours of delivery were excluded. All babies tested were over 2500 grams in weight, apparently normal, and with Apgar scores of at least 8 at 1 minute and 10 at 5 minutes. All were delivered from healthy women aged 18 to 35 years following a normal labor. Lumbar extradural anesthesia was associated with the greatest percentage of high scores on both the 1st and 2nd days for overall assessment, tone, rooting, sucking, Moro's response, placing, alertness, and habituation to pinprick. The scores were lowest after thiopental and intermediate following ketamine. No relationship was found between neurobehavior and low-forceps extraction, oxytocin augmentation, parity, or duration of labor.


Suspected sodium nitroprusside-induced cyanide intoxication.

Sodium nitroprusside-induced cyanide intoxication has been demonstrated in the laboratory animal and has been experienced clinically during induced hypotensive anesthesia. This is a care report of a successful resuscitation of a severe cardiovascular collapse secondary to suspected sodium nitroprusside-induced cyanide intoxication.


The anesthetic and perioperative management of a patient with documented hereditary angioneurotic edema.

A patient with documented hereditary angioneurotic edema was admitted for elective surgical extraction of 3 impacted 3rd molars under local anesthesia. In order to increase his C'1-INH level, he was prepared for operation with 2 units of fresh-frozen plasma 24 hours preoperatively. Postoperatively, he was observed in the ICU for 24 hours and on the ward for 2 days, and was discharged without any complications from the surgical trauma.


Toxicologic and teratologic studies of oxibendazole in ruminants and laboratory animals.

Acute toxicity of oxibendazole was assessed with single oral doses given to mice (4 to 32 g/kg of body weight), sheep (230 to 600 mg/kg), and cattle (600 mg/kg); there were no ill effects. Subacute toxicity did not occur with multiple doses given 5 days to cattle (30 to 75 mg/kg/day) and to sheep (10 to 50 mg/kg/day). Chronic effects did not occur with daily doses of 3 to 30 mg/kg given 98 days to rats and dogs. Teratogenicity of the compound was studied in mice, rats, and sheep medicated at a dose level of 30 mg of oxibendazole/kg and in cattle given 75 mg/kg on selected dates during pregnancy. Microscopically, rodent fetuses seemed normal, and on gross physical examination, lambs and calves were free of malformations and ossification variations.


Azoospermia in dogs induced by injection of sclerosing agents into the caudae of the epididymides.

Injections of sclerosing agents into the caudae of the epididymides of adult and prepubertal dogs induced a long-lasting and probably irreversible azoospermia. The technique is easy to do and inexpensive, does not seem to cause undesirable side effects, and appears suitable for large-scale sterilization programs in male dogs.


Plasma heparin activity and antagonism during cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermia.

Plasma heparin activity in 11 patients undergoing open-heart surgery was measured by comparing thrombin time of patient plasma to thrombin time of plasma containing known heparin concentrations. Although all patients received 300 units/kg of heparin, their initial plasma heparin levels varied significantly, from 1.8 units/ml in lighter petients to 3 units/ml in heavier patients. During hypothermia (25 degrees C), heparin decay was insignificant. At 37 degrees C, heparin decayed at a rate between 0.37 and 2.01 units/ml/hr. This decay was significantly faster in those patients with higher initial posthypothermia plasma heparin levels. When heparin was reversed with a protamine dose based on circulating plasma heparin levels, the mean difference between the predicted and the actual residual heparin activity was 0.025 units/ml. Heparin levels vary widely becuase of the influence of temperature on decay rates and because the space into which heparin is distributed is not simply proportional to weight. Evaluation and reversal of plasma heparin activity require ongoing analysis rather than any 1 dosage protocol.


Functional closure of the ductus venosus during early postnatal life in the dog.

Radiographic contrast studies of the ductus venosus performed in 12 pups between the 60th day of intrauterine life and the 5th day after birth indicated that blood flow through the ductus venosus had ceased between the 2nd and 3rd days of extrauterine life. The time of functional closure was not identical with the time of morphologic closure. The functional closure of the ductus venosus was a gradual process and was related to an increase in liver perfusion through the portal vein branches. Both in specimens injected with a radiopaque gum acacia mass and in a corrosion cast of umbilical vein and portal system of the liver, persistence of the lumen of the ductus venosus up to the time of its functional closure was confirmed. The rate of closure in the dog was discussed in relation to that in man and the horse, pig, goat, and sheep.


Tobramycin-curare interaction.

A 59-year-old patient had urologic surgery under d-tubocurarine-fentanyl-N2O anesthesia. The muscle relaxant was reversed with prostigmine at the end of the 5-hour procedure. Reparalysis occurred after the administration of IV tobramycin and was successfully reversed with prostigmine.


[Renal venous thrombosis in infants of diabetic mothers (author's transl)].

Six cases of renal venous thrombosis in infants of diabetic mothers, out of a series of 61 infants under two months old affected of R.V.T. (9.8%), are reported. The clinical, metabolic and histopathological features of these cases are discussed, as well as the different etiological theories that exist in the literature. An etiopathogenic hypothesis that maintains a similarity with the theory that explains the origin of R.V.T. in classical cases, is suggested. Prophilactic attitudes in order to prevent R.V.T. by a control of diabetes in the pregnant and close control of the newborn in the 10 first days of life, are pointed out.


Fatal hepatic necrosis after halothane anesthesia in a boy with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

Hepatitis from halothane is usually diagnosed by excluding other possible causes. Whether preexisting hepatic damage, which can occur in certain autoimmune disorders, contraindicates the use of halothane has yet to be proven. The case of a 14-year-old boy with early-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who developed fatal hepatic necrosis 13 days after halothane anesthesia is presented.


Hog cholera virus : sensitivity to hydrolytic enzymes.

The actions of trypsin and phospholipase C on th infectivity of Hog Cholera virus (HCV) were studied. Inactivation kinetics reveal a marked decrease of the infectivity of HC virus in the presence of these two agents. The particular sensitivity of this virus towards proteolytic action sheds light on certain of its behavior characteristics in the field. Virus infectivity seems to be dependent on the integrity of membrane phospholipids. No relation was observed between the rate of inactivation  and the pathogenicity of the strains.


Medical and social aspects of pregnancy among adolescents. Part II. Comparative study of abortions and deliveries.

Socio-medical aspects concerning 193 pregnant patients under the age of 18 were analysed. Of these patients 131 had an interruption of the pregnancy and 62 gave birth to a baby. All the abortion patients were unmarried. The mean age in the abortion group was 16.8 years and in the delivery group 17.2 years. The girls of this study had their first experience of sexual intercourse very early, 32% under the age of 15. The frequency of complications after abortion was 18.5%. In the delivery group the prematurity and prenatal mortality were at least twice as great as in the general population. The girls who gave birth to their babies often came from lower social strata and the relationships in their families were more harmonious than in those who had had abortions. The birth of the baby or the decision to have an abortion is not accidental. The different behaviour patterns have a different background regarding both the personal and the environmental characteristics. The decision of the patient whether to abort or not was influenced by the attitude of the immediate family. The relations between family members were better in the homes of the girls who had a baby than in the homes of those who belonged to the abortion group. In both groups more than 40% of the subjects had suffered the risk of being emotionally deprived because of environmental conditions, including crowded housing and limited economic means. Almost all the subjects knew about the means of prevention, although they may not have had proper instruction and sufficient knowledge of their use. The services given by the goverment to adolescent pregnant patients are insufficient and require immediate attention by society.


Aggregation-dependent changes in susceptibility of Dictyostelium discoideum to amphotericin B.

In this study, the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B was used to induce changes in permeability and viability of the eucaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum. The results show that as the cells progress from the growth phase through stationary phase to eventual aggregation, they become increasingly resistant to both permeability changes and lysis. Plasma membranes were prepared from cells harvested at exponential growth, stationary phase, and the aggregation-competent stage, and both the neutral lipid and phospholipid content were determined. An increase in the neutral lipid and a decrease in the phospholipid were observed as the cells progressed from growth into aggregation, with the overall result that the phospholipid-sterol ratio decreased during this period. The extent of amphotericin B binding by cells from the different stages was also determined. Aggregation cells exhibited a small but significant increase in binding compared to cells from either of the other two stages. The permeability changes produced by the drug were measured as a function of temperature. Exponentially growing cells showed a marked temperature dependence for the drug effect, whereas aggregating cells did not. Rates of inactivation by the drug were also determined over a range of temperatures. With exponentially growing cells, the rate of inactivation was temperature dependent, whereas with aggregating cells it was not. Finally, drug binding for both growing and aggregating cells was temperature dependent. Thus, no binding was observed for cells of either type at 4 degrees C. This finding suggests that the differences in the temperature dependence of the permeability changes and inactivation between the cells involve parameters other than drug binding.


Alterations in blood pressure during exchange transfusion.

Blood pressure changes as a function of the rates of blood withdrawal and infusion were determined during exchange blood transfusion in 2 preterm newborn infants. 10 ml blood withdrawal and infusion completed within 3 minutes resulted in reversible changes in aortic pressure, whereas the same procedure completed within 45 to 60 seconds resulted in a progressive fall in the systolic pressure and in narrowing of the pulse pressure. In one of the cases this was associated with respiratory arrest. An exchange rate of 5 ml/kg per 3 minutes is recommended.


Central anticholinergic effects of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl-cyclopentylphenyl glycollate.

The following effects of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidyl-methyl-cyclopentylphenyl glycollate (PMCG) have been studied: effects on aggressive behaviour in mice and on general behaviour in rats, protective effects against central action of arecoline and nicotine in mice, thermo-regulatory effects in mice, protective action in poisonings with fluostigmine in mice and rats, and effects on bioelectrical activity of the brain in cats. It was stated that PMCG possesses a strong central anticholinergic activity blocking predominantly central muscarinic receptors; PMCG had also strong protective effects in anticholinesterase intoxications. It is suggested that this drug could have antiemotional and antiparkinsonian properties.


Fatty acid composition of Simonsiella strains.

Gas-liquid chromatography of methyl esters of bound fatty acids extracted from the cells of 48 Simonsiella strains showed that these aerobic, gliding, multicellular-filamentous bacteria have fatty acid profiles of the pattern considered typical of Gram-negative eubacteria. All strains contained predominantly tetradecanoic acid (29.5%), 9-hexadecenoic acid (22.2%), an unidentified acid with an equivalent chain length of approximately 20 carbon atoms (15.8%), and dodecanoic acid (11.4%). Discriminant analysis of the mean relative percentages of 12 fatty acids correctly assigned 94% of the strains to groups based on their source of origin (i.e., the oral cavities of sheep, cat, human or dog); the relative amounts of only 3 of the fatty acids (9-octadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and tetradecanoic acid) provided most of this discrimination.


Abnormal-pursuit eye movements in schizophrenia. Evidence for a genetic indicator.

Disordered smooth-pursuit eye movements occur in a high percentage of schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives. A Test of the hypothesis that these disorders represent a genetic indicator of schizophrenia was undertaken by testing pursuit eye movements in a sample of monozygotic and dizygotic twins discordant for clinical schizophrenia. Deviant eye tracking is significantly concordant within monozygotic twin pairs, and less so with dizygotic twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia. A genetic interpretation is consistent with these results.


Quadruplet hallucinations. Phenotypic variations of a schizophrenic genotype.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of hallucinations in monozygous quadruplets concordant for schizophrenia. Since all four are genetically identical, deviations among them with regard to various aspects of hallucinations probably represent the effects that nongenetic factors can produce in hallucinating schizophrenics. Concordance probably represent the effects of genetic factors. We present here findings based on this research strategy, and a brief review of the literature on hallucinations.


Human metabolism and steroid contraceptives. Part 1.

Metabolic activation of mestranol and certain progestagens is necessary before combination with their specific receptors. This process is subject to inhibition by other drugs. It is suggested that it is preferable to use agents not requiring metabolic activation. Widespread variation of human metabolic parameters is induced by oral contraceptives. A dose related effect of synthetic oestrogens on the synthesis and release of liver-derived plasma proteins is a major cause of this variation. The changes induced may be modified by norgestrel but not by other available progestagens. Changes in various specific plasma proteins, carrier proteins, enzymes and coagulation factors are discussed.


Human metabolism and steroid contraceptives. Part 2.

Biochemical studies on large groups of apparently healthy women taking oral contraceptives are intended to find which organs and tissues are most stressed, in the hope than an indication of clinical side effects will result. If contraceptive steroid dose is reduced, the incidence of systemic side effects decreases and this correlates well with the decreased abnormality of many metabolic and biochemical parameters. Reduction of dosage has an equivocal effect on gynaecological side affects-some increase, some decrease. An account is given of the possible relationship between clinical side effects of oral contraceptives, and dose-related changes in plasma proteins, vitamin status and tissue enzymes.


The rational use of antibiotics in general practice.

Many antibiotics produce serious adverse effects which, though uncommon, may be lethal or carry a high morbidity. This article provides a rational basis for the choice of antibiotics in common infections involving various anatomical sites. Short notes on the more useful antibacterial agents, dosage, major side effects and contraindications are included.


Immunological relationships and a genetic interpretation of major and minor acidic proteins in human parotid saliva.

Isoelectric focusing was performed on parotid salivas selected for their electrophoretic phenotypes of proline-rich acidic salivary proteins. Fractions encompassing narrow pH regions were pooled and examined by polyacrylamide  gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing yielded partial purification of major and minor acidic proline-rich proteins which were subsequently compared by immunoelectrophoresis and double immunodiffusion against goat anti-human parotid saliva. Cross-reactivity without spurring between all fractions containing major Pr proteins in both immunoelectrophoresis and double immunodiffusion suggests that these proteins are immunologically very similar or identical.


Studies on sex-organ development. Changes in nuclear and chromatin composition and genomic activity during spermatogenesis in the maturing rooster testis.

We developed a technique to separate nuclei of rooster testis by centrifugation through a discontinuous sucrose density gradient and by sedimentation at unit gravity. Four different major fractions obtained from testicular nuclei and one from the vas deferens were characterized according to their velocity of sedimentation, morphology and DNA content. The ratios (w/w) of basic proteins, non-histone proteins and RNA to DNA decreased during spermiogenesis both in nuclei and chromatin. Changes in the electrophoretic patterns of histones and non-histone proteins were detected especially in the elongated spermatids. The lack of uptake of [3H]uridine in elongating and elongated spermatids and in spermatozoa was demonstrated by radioautography and by the detection of labelled RNA extracted from different fractions of nuclei. Template activity for RNA synthesis and the binding of actinomycin D by testicular nuclei reached a peak in the elongated spermatid stage, when the histones are replaced by the protamine.


The transport and metabolism of glutamine by kidney-cortex mitochondria from normal and acidotic rats.

1. The oxidation of glutamine by kidney-cortex mitochondria from normal and acidotic rats was not inhibited by avenaciolide, which did inhibit glutamate uptake and oxidation. The oxidation of glutamine by these mitochondria was always greater than that of glutamate. Direct measurements of the metabolism of [1-14C]glutamine in the presence of glutamate, and of [1-14C]glutamate in the presence of glutamine, demonstrated that the uptake and metabolism of external glutamate is insufficient to account for the observed rate of glutamine uptake and metabolism. Thus the postulated glutamine/glutamate antiport does not play a quantitatively important role in the metabolism of glutamine by renal mitochondria. 2. Rapid swelling of these mitochondria was observed in iso-osmotic solutions of L-glutamine and L-glutamyl-gamma-monohydroxamate but not in D-glutamine or L-isoglutamine (1-amido-2-aminoglutaric acid). Thus a relatively specific glutamine uniport exists in these mitochondria. 3. The utilization of glutamine was increased about 3-fold in mitochondria from chronically acidotic rats. Thus mitochondrial adaptations play an important part in the renal response to metabolic acidosis.


[4 cases of one and a half syndrome' observed following surgery of primary pontine hemmorhage].

In 1967, Fisher named the "one and a half syndrome" for a particular ocular movement which is observed in the lesion of pontine tegmentum, when horizontal movement of one eye is totally disabled and the abducence of another eye is only preserved associating mono-ocular nystagmus in the same eye. Vertical movement and convergence are preserved. We experienced this syndrome in four cases of small localized hematoma of the pontine tegmentum which were all removed under operative microscope. All patients are alive more than 10 months under consciousness and with improved neurological sign. Three of them were probably due to hypertensive hemorrhage and the rest was due to arterio-venous malformation of the pontine tegmentum. Three of them showed this syndrome before operation and observed even after operation. One patient was operated on one and a half hours after the apoplectic attack under semicomatous condition and he improved with this syndrome postoperatively. In most previous reports, this syndrome was noted in severe cases of pontine hematoma or basilar artery thrombosis and they expired soon thereafter. All our cases survived in satisfactory condition and ocular movement could be followed up for a long time. The mechanism of this syndrome was also discussed.


[Initial EEG findings and the prognosis of epilepsy with generalized convulsive seizures].

Correlation between the initial EEG's and the prognosis of generalized convulsive seizures without other seizures was investigated. The subjects of this study was 437 epileptics with the period of the follow-up over 3 years. They were devided into 2 groups from view point of prognosis: "good prognosis" group, in which their seizures were completely controlled, the "poor prognosis", not well controlled. Most of the EEG findings appear to be not of value in predicting the prognosis. Exceptionally, however, the localized seizure discharged in the areas of T3,4, C3, 4 and P3,4 and 14--6 Hz positive spikes related closely to good prognosis, in the group of 7 to 12 years of the age.


Structural investigations of chromatin core protein by nuclear magnetic resonance.

A complex derived from chromatin containing one molecule of each of histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, termed core protein, was studied by 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. 13C line widths, when analyzed and compared with those of native and thermally unfolded representative globular proteins, showed that regions of the core protein possess considerable mobility. Studies of Calpha and Cbeta line widths, and Calpha spin-spin relaxation times, show that this mobility arises from sections of random-coil polypeptide. It is argued that these regions are N-terminal "tails", attached to C-terminal globular polypeptides. The 270-MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum shows numerous ring current shifted resonances, indicating that the C-terminal globular domain has a precise tertiary structure. The globular domain most likely forms the histone "core" of the chromatin monomer particle, whilst the basic tails probably wind around the grooves of the double helix, enabling the basic side chains to interact with the DNA phosphate groups. Some biological implications of this model are considered.


Regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis in mammalian cells: effect of toyocamycin.

The present study shows that the antitumor agent toyocamycin (4-amino-5-cyano-7beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo(2-3d)pyrimidine) affects rRNA transcription in Ehrlich ascites cells. This action of the antibiotic is dependent on the amino acid composition of the cell culture medium. In cells incubated in a medium rich in amino acids, the high transcription rate of rRNA is lowered by the addition of 2 X 10(-6) M toyocamycin, while in amino acid starved cells the decreased level of rRNA synthesis remains unaffected. Processing of the 45S rRNA precursor is markedly inhibited by toyocamycin in cells incubated in either medium, indicating that the uptake of the drug is unimpaired by amino acid starvation. Toyocamycin does not affect RNA polymerase I (RNA nucleotidyltransferase EC 2.7.7.6) activity when added to in vitro assay systems derived from cells grown in complete or in amino acid deficient media. The drug prevents the activation of rRNA synthesis following the refeeding of amino acid starved cells without affecting the stimulation of protein synthesis.


Conformational prediction for snake venom toxins and laser Raman scattering of a cardiotoxin from Taiwan cobra (Naja naja atra) venom.

Secondary structure regions in snake venom toxins were predicted using the prediction method of Chou and Fasman (Chou, P. Y., and Fasman, G. D. (1974), biochemistry 13,222) and an averaging scheme assuming structural homology in each type of toxins. The results indicate that, in general, snake toxins contain only some beta-sheet regions and beta bends. The content of secondary structures thus predicted does vary to some extent. The predicted results correlate well with conclusions from physicochemical studies. Interestingly, beta-bend regions predicted for the two types of neurotoxins, short-neurotoxin-type and long-neurotoxin-type, are primarily located in the middle of disulfide loops in spite of large differences in primary sequences. Comparisons between predicted results and the crystal structure of erabutoxin b determined at 2.75 A resolution suggest that the two types of neurotoxin are both sequencely and conformationally related while cardiotoxins could have an entirely different molecular topology. The Raman spectrum of a Taiwan cobra cardiotoxin indicates that the content of beta-pleated-sheet structure could be greater than that in neurotoxins.


Stimulation by acidic phospholipids of protein-catalyzed phosphatidylcholine transfer.

1. The catalyzed transfer of phosphatidylcholine from unilamellar liposomes to mitochondria by phospholipids exchange protein from beef heart or from beef liver is stimulated by the presence of up to 20 mol% acidic phospholipid (phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidic acid) in the liposome. Co-sedimentation of liposomes with mitochondria increases with increasing mol% acidic phospholipid. 2. The catalyzed transfer of phosphatidylcholine from unilamellar liposomes to multilamellar vesicles by beef heart or beef liver exchange proteins is also stimulated by the presence of acidic phospholipid. No co-sedimentation of negatively charged transfer of phosphatidylcholine from multilamellar vesicles to unilamellar liposomes by phospholipid exchange protein from beef heart or beef liver reaches a maximum at 7.5% phosphatidylinositol in the liposomes. Inhibition of phosphatidylcholine transfer was observed at levels of liposome phosphatiylinositol of greater than 15 mol% only in the presence of beef liver exchange protein. 4. Changes in the surface charge of liposomes by the addition of acidic phospholipid were verified by a novel application of polyvinylchloride block electrophoresis that allows the direct measurement of the relative electrophoretic mobility of sonicated vesicles.


Induction of a relatively fast transbilayer movement of phosphatidylcholine in vesicles. A 13CNMR study.

[N-13CH3]Phosphatidylcholines are introduced into the outer monolayer of phosphatidylcholine vesicles with the phosphatidylcholine exchange protein from bovine liver. The transbilayer distribution of the [N-13CH3]phosphatidyl-choline is measured with 13C NMR. The transbilayer movements of [N-13CH3]-dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine and [N-13CH3]dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine at 30 degrees C in vesicles composed of these phosphatidylcholines are extremely slow processes with estimated half-times of days. [N-13CH3]Dioleoyl phosphatidyl-choline introduced into dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles migrates from the outer to the inner monolayer with a half-time of less than 12 h. The data suggest that differential changes in the lateral packing of the two monolayers might be a driving force for transbilayer transport of phospholipids.


Binding of uranyl to phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Liposome aggregation effect on surface area.

The binding of uranyl ion, UO2+2, to egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied as a potential method for the determination of liposome surface areas. Unbound uranyl was determined spectrophotometrically as the Arsenazo III complex with centrifuge supernatant. There is an apparent positive cooperativity in uranyl binding at phosphatidylcholine concentrations above approx. 0.1 mM. The binding capacity per mol increases upon liposome dilution. The data are consistent with liposomes existing in a highly aggregated state. The binding constant in the limit of low concentration of bound uranyl was 9+/-3)-10(6) M-1 in 0.1 M NaCl, pH 4.1. At saturation about four uranyl ions are bound per 100 phosphatidylcholine molecules. Relative surface areas of different dispersions may be calculated from intercepts of extrapolated binding isotherms, and absolute surface areas may be calculated if a value for the uranyl-phosphatidylcholine stoichiometry is assumed.


Quantitation and characterisation of poly(A)-containing messenger RNAs from mouse neuroblastoma cells.

Comparison of several isolation procedures for neuroblastoma poly(A)-containing mRNAs shows that the highest percentage recovery of undegraded and biologically active messenger RNAs is obtained using proteinase K prior to phenol extraction. The messenger RNAs thus isolated comprise approximately 1.5% of the total ribosomal RNAs and have negligible contamination with 18 and 28 S RNAs. On denaturing polyacrylamide gels they have an average molecular weight of 6.5-10(5) with a range from 2.2-10(5) to 1.53-10(6). The messenger RNAs have an average poly(A) content of 154 nucleotides. They are highly active in wheat germ in vitro protein synthesizing systems, giving as much as 4.3 pmol [35S]methionine incorporation into total protein per mol of mRNA. This is almost as active as a control globin mRNA preparation.


Purification and properties of soybean leghemoglobin messenger RNA.

Poly(A)-containing leghemoglobin mRNA from soybean root nodules has been purified 84-fold, as judged by its ability to direct the in vitro synthesis of leghemoglobin in a wheat germ system. It has a poly(A) content of 8.6% and a molecular weight, estimated by formamide gel electrophoresis, of 260 000. mRNA with a molecular weight of around 143 000 would be sufficient to code for leghemoglobin. Thus, with respect to both its poly(A) content and its unexpectedly high molecular weight, leghemoglobin mRNA is similar to mRNAs isolated from animal tissues.


Stereospecific ring opening of conduritol-B-epoxide by an active site asparatate residue of sucrase-isomaltase.

Conduritol-B-epoxide inactivates sucrase-isomaltase (sucrose alpha-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.48-dextrin 6-alpha-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.10) irreversibly with incorporation of 1 mol inhibitor/mol subunit, the affinity label being bound in both subunits to a beta-carboxyl group of an aspartic acid (Quaroni, A. and Semnza; G. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 3250-3253). Conduritol-B-epoxide is a racemic mixture of 1-L-1,2-anhydro-myo-inositol and 1-D-1,2-anhydro-myo-inositol, but only the latter one is the reactive component, since 1-L-1,2-anhydro-myo-inositol alone did not inactivate the enzyme. After inactivation by 1-D-1,2-anhydro-myo-inositol the label was released by hydroxylamine and identified as scyllo-inositol. One can decide now which C atom of the epoxide ring has been attacked by the enzyme's aspartate residue. This explains why only the D-enantiomer is the reactive species and provides further information about the role of the carboxylate residue during enzymic hydrolysis.


Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase with altered substrate affinity in mutant mouse lymphoma cells.

Cells with altered hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) (IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) have been selected. Compared to wild type, mutant enzyme has a reduced affinity for the substrate phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate and is more labile to heat inactivation. Mutant cells are resistant to 6-thioguanine at 33-39 degrees C and sensitive to hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine at 37-39 degrees C, but not at 33 degrees C. We hypothesize that a single structural mutation of HPRT can explain these results.


Stabilization of bovine trypsin by reductive methylation.

Reductive methylation has little or no detectable effect on the catalytic or physicochemical properties of bovine trypsin but reduces its susceptibility to autolysis. Increased stability after methylation appears to result from the conversion of trypsin-susceptible lysine residues to trypsin-resistant epsilon-N,N-dimethyllysine residues. Reductively methylated trypsin is easily prepared and may be useful in place of trypsin where autolysis is otherwise difficult to control.


Differential scanning calorimetry of the thermal denaturation of lactate dehydrogenase.

1. Differential scanning calorimetry has been used to study the thermal denaturation of lactate dehydrogenase. At pH 7.0 in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, only one transition was observed. Both the enthalpy of denaturation and the melting temperature are linear function of heating rate. The enthalpy is 430 kcal/mol and the melting temperature 61 degrees C at 0 degrees C/min heating rate. The ratio of the calorimetric heat to the effective enthalpy indicated that the denaturation is highly cooperative. Subunit association does not appear to significantly contribute to the enthalpy of denaturation. 2. Both cofactor and sucrose addition stabilized the protein against thermal denaturation. Pyruvate addition produced no changes. Only a small time-dependent destabilization was observed at low concentrations of urea. Large effects were observed in concentrated NaCl solutions and with sulfhydryl-modified lactate dehydrogenase.