[Ultrastructural organization of the ocelloide of Nematodinium. Phylogenetic aspect of the evolution of Warnowiidae Lindemann dinoflagellates photoreceptor (author's transl)].

In this study, more details of the different parts of the "ocelloide" of Nematodinium are given. The "hyalosome" which has a radial symmetry is made of endoplasmic reticulum, except the mitochondrial layer. There is only one constrictor ring and only a beginning of the periocellar gallery. The basal sheet on which the crystalline lens lies is a local differentiation of the cortical layer which is observed on the ceiling of the ocellar camera. This camera is related to the intercingular sulcus. There is also an ocellar fiber. The "melanosome" which is made of a double membrane and of many couples of thylakoids is flattened dorso-ventrally. The structure of the retina is similar to that observed in the other Warnowiidae. The pigmented ring is rather well developed and is in continuity with the upper part of the retina. Owing to the simpler organization of its ocelloide, Nematodinium is situated before the genera Warnowia and Erythropsidinium in the evolutionary series.


[Spatio-temporal analysis of contraction dependent surface movements in Physarum polycephalum (author's transl)].

Plasmodial veins of Physarum polycephalum were investigated by combining cinematographical and tensiometrical methods. Veins remaining on their original growing substrate show characteristic surface movements resulting from an intrinsic contraction automaticity. Radial and longitudinal components of surface movements were registered simultaneously. Both contraction activities show identical frequencies, in contrast to results derived from experiments with isolated veins. There is only one genuine frequency and therefore one has not necessarily to suppose the existence of a cooperation of two oscillating systems underlying the rhythmic contraction phenomena. The results are discussed in respect to the basis of the contraction phenomena: the cytoplasmic actomyosin fibrils of Physarum and their function in motive force generation for protoplasmic streaming.


Localization of concanavalin A binding sites on the cell membrane of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai: influence of growth conditions.

Herpetomonas samuelpessoai agglutinates when incubated with concanavalin A (Con A). Agglutination involved binding of Con A to specific receptors as it was inhibited by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. The pattern and the intensity of the agglutination as well as the localization of Con A-binding sites were influenced by the composition of the growth medium, growth temperature and time of incubation. Con A-binding sites were detected by using the Con A-horseradish peroxidase-diaminobenzidine technique.


A method for artificial feeding of motherless 2-week-old rat pups.

When the rat mother is permanently removed from her litter at 14-15 days postnatally, weight loss in the pups routinely occurs. We now describe a method by which normal weight gain can be achieved at this age in the absence of the mother. Liquid flowing in a continuous stream down a glass surface in the home cage elicits spontaneous licking from the rat pups. If the liquid is a high fat milk formula, the rat pups maintain normal body weight. They do not maintain normal weight if low fat (bovine) milk is presented in this way or if the high fat milk formula is merely available in a reservoir on the cage floor.


Interactive effects of parity and early pup stress on the open field behavior of laboratory rats.

Pups of primiparous and multiparous Sprague Dawley rats received 0-, 2-, or 5-min cold stress on Days 2-6 postpartun. Stressed offspring of primiparous mothers had shorter latencies to move in an open field than did control offspring of primiparous mothers. However, stressed offspring of multiparous mothers had longer latencies than did the controls. The results suggest differences in maternal responsiveness immediately following return of stressed pups to the nest.


Chemical diabetes in childhood. Integrated concentrations of glucose, insulin, and growth hormone.

Children and adolescents with varying degrees of glucose intolerance were studied with constant, blood withdrawal methods, and concentrations of glucose, insulin, and growth hormone were evaluated during a normal twenty-four-hour routine. Integrated concentrations of glucose and insulin in children with chemical diabetes were normal despite abnormal oral glucose-tolerance tests. All but two insulin-dependent diabetics had elevated integrated concentrations of growth hormone, as did some but not all chemical diabetics. Three of four mildly ketoacidotic individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes, who were studied before insulin therapy, had normal growth hormone-integrated concentrations. These data differentiate pharmacologic and physiologic assessments of carbohydrate homeostasis, and they support the concept that elevated growth hormone concentrations may not be a direct result of poor diabetic control.


Histochemistry and fine structure of the bladder tegument of a larval Multiceps endothoracicus.

Certain differences were found in the histochemistry and fine structure of an active bladder tegument of an infective larva of M. endothoracicus and a regressively changing bladder of an aging larva of this species. The bladder tegument of an aging larva contained an accumulation of acid mucosubstances and phospholipids, that of a younger larva neutral mucosubstances, and it reacted less strongly than the former to tyrosine, cystine and tryptophane. Evidence was obtained with the scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) microscope for regressive changes in the bladder of an aging larva: its microtriches were more slender, less tightly packed and fibrously interconnected, and there were spherical formations adhering to the microthrix border. Sometimes, the vacuolation of rod-shaped bodies was so much advanced that these bodies looked like vacuoles arising to the surface of the distal cytoplasm. Another sign of bladder regression was the formation of vacuoles in the cytoplasm of subtegumental cells with contents of a granular to crystalline structure.


Gene frequency estimates for samples of Black and White twins from the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Maximum likelihood estimates of gene frequencies and their standard errors are presented for 21 blood group and serum protein polymorphisms. The observed frequencies for certain high and low frequency antigens also are reported. The data come from a sample of 399 same-sex twin pairs and two sets of triplets from the Greater Philadelphia urban region encompassing roughly five counties in southeastern Pennsylvania and three counties of southern New Jersey. Analyses are carried out separately for the four subgroups created by subdividing the sample by race and co-twin. Total sample estimates are also calculated within the two socially defined racial groups. The gene frequency estimates generally appear to be consistent with previously reported data for U.S. urban populations. The frequency of the Fy allele in the Duffy system, however, seems to be the highest value thus far published for a white population. The white sample Fy allele very well may be a heterogeneous class in which only a very small fraction is comparable to the Fy allele common in the black sample.


Malformative syndrome associated with a ring 10 chromosome and a translocated 10q/19 chromosome.

A male newborn with a ring 10 chromosome is described. The distal part of the long arm of chromosome 10, deleted during ring formation (10q25), is translocated to the short arm of chromosome 19.


Hamster peritoneal macrophages in vitro: substratum adhesion, spreading, phagocytosis and phagolysosome formation.

A series of manipulations designed to promote cell adhesion and spreading made it possible to maintain satisfactorily hamster peritoneal macrophages in vitro for up to 30 days. The essential requirements for this include in vivo stimulation of the peritoneal cavity, coating of the substratum with polylysine, and the use of HEPES-buffered medium 199 supplemented with horse serum (10%), fetal bovine serum (10%), and lactalbumin hydrolysate (0.5%). Results with the single deletion of the medium components indicate that  serum factors are essential for optimal spreading, and horse serum and lactalbumin hydrolysate for the adhesion of in vivo stimulated macrophages on coated glass surface. The thorotrast-labeling method revealed that secondary lysosomes are especially numerous in cultured cells, which otherwise resemble mouse macrophages in cellular organization, as shown by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. More than 95% of the cultured cells manifested cytochalasin B-sensitive phagocytosis of polystyrene latex spheres which, along with morphologic and ultrastructural evidence, indicate the homogeneity of cell population. Erythrophagocytosis of hamster macrophages was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and found higher after opsonization implying the presence of receptors for immune ligands on their cell surface.


Rhythmic changes in pain sensitivity in teeth.

In 136 healthy men, circadian variations in pain threshold have been observed in healthy front teeth, the pain being elicited by a cold stimulus, alterations in threshold then being inferred from changes in the minimum cold application time. The pain threshold is maximal in the early afternoon and at a minimum in the early morning. In previous experiments using an electrical current as the pain stimulus, a similar diurnal variation of sensitivity was also observed. These results conform with clinical experience of the time of onset of toothache, and are also in accord with known diurnal variations of pain sensitivity in other organs. Further studies were carried out on one subject. The minimum cold application time test was performed over more than 3 years on a healthy front tooth. The results suggest a circannual rhythm of the pain threshold, with a maximum in October/November and a minimum in May.


Changes in drug usage and associated personality traits among college students.

This study was designed to determine if the trend toward stability of drug usage among college students has continued and to reexamine the relationship between six personality factors and drug usage which had been found in an earlier study. Results indicated that drug use has leveled off, although a relatively minor increase in marijuana use was noted. Results also indicated that four of the six personality factors remained moderately good predictors of drug usage. The implications of the findings that two of the factors were no longer predictive of drug usage were discussed.


Urethral reaction to catheter materials in dogs.

The reaction of the urethra to two new polyurethrane polymers was compared with those produced by materials currently used in the manufacture of urethral catheters. The comparison included silicone, latex rubber, tetrafluoroethylene polymer (Teflon) coated latex, and polyvinyl chloride. There were no significant differences in the reaction of the urethra to the various materials. The present study was carried out in the absence of bacterial contamination.


Effect of estrogen on sensitivity of rabbit bladder and urethra to phenylephrine.

The sensitivity of alpha-adrenoceptors to phenylephrine as indicated by the ED50 of the rabbit bladder and urethra was compared for segments in vitro from control (estrous), ovariectomized, ovariectomized-estrogen-treated, and pregnant animals. In control animals there was a trend for urethral segments to be more sensitive to phenylephrine (lower ED50) than bladder segments. This difference was abolished by castration, which decreased the sensitivity of the anular urethral segment, and by pregnancy, which tended to enhance the sensitivity of the bladder. The tension generated by bladder segments was enhanced by pregnancy and tended to be decreased by castration. The effects of castration tended to be reversed by treatment with estrogen (1 microgram per kg of body weight per day for 14 days). These data indicate that estrogen can influence the response of the urethra and urinary bladder to alpha adrenergic stimulation.


Clots, oxycel, gelfoam, barium, and cyanoacrylates in transcatheter embolization of rat kidney.

Transcatheter arterial embolization is an interesting technique; its usefulness in urology has not yet been well assessed. The properties and characteristics of some embolic materials among the more commonly used were investigated by means of a new experimental model, i.e., transcatheter embolization of rat kidney. Autologous clots and Oxycel were found to give a transient embolization, whereas Gelfoam, barium, and cyanoacrylates did not allow recanalization or revascularization. Only barium was found in venous vessels. The findings are discussed in view of the clinical application of the embolic materials considered.


A quantitative method for measurement of lysosomal acid phosphatase latency in cultured rat heart cells with 210Pb.

A method is described for measuring the latency of lysosomal acid phosphatase in cultured rat heart endotheloid cells. 210Pb was added to a medium used to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity by the Gomori lead method, and the amount of lead deposited was measured with a liquid scintillation counter. Deposition rates were measured after enzyme activation pretreatments with acetate buffer (pH 5.0) at various osmolalities, and after formaldehyde fixation. Formaldehyde, alloxan, or fluoride in the Gomori medium were evaluated for their differential effects on lysosomal and non-lysosomal acid phosphatase. The method was found to provide a sensitive, rapid and quantitative evaluation of acid phosphatase latency and should be useful for studying the integrity of lysosomes within cells.


The zoonosis-prone veterinarian.

A study of 1,182 Illinois veterinarians revealed that 833 had experienced an accident, and of these 833, 42.7% also had experienced a zoonosis. Brucellosis and animal bites were especially prevalent zoonoses. This percentage differed significantly (P less than 0.01) from the 32.4% of 349 accident-free veterinarians who had experienced zoonoses. The prevalence of zoonoses was even higher (50%) among veterinarians with a history of 3 or more accidents. The prevalence of 16 nonzoonotic health conditions was similar in veterinarians who had experienced an accident and in the total veterinary population, demonstrating a degree of specificity to the accident-zoonosis association. Of the subjects studied, 5.7% had experienced 16.5% of the events, accidents or zoonoses. The subgroup that had experienced 5 or more events and the subgroup that experienced no events differed in many characteristics from the total veterinary population. The biological importance of the characteristics of these veterinarians remains to be determined. The hypothesis was advanced that zoonoses can be considered occupational accidents in veterinarians and that certain veterinarians are zoonosis prone. If true, this hypothesis also might apply to certain communicable diseases in the general human population.


Antibiotics from Basidiomycetes. V merulidial, a new antibiotic from the Basidiomycete Merulius tremellosus Fr.

Merulidial, a new antibiotic, was isolated from the culture fluid of the Basidiomycete Merulius tremellosus Fr., strain No. WQ 568. Merulidial inhibits a variety of bacteria and fungi. In cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma, DNA synthesis is inhibited at lower concentration as compared to RNA and protein synthesis. Merulidial shows mutagenicity when incubated with the his-mutant TA 100 for Salmonella typhimurium (B.N.AMES). The molecular formula as determined by high resolution mass spectrometry is C15H20O3.


The vitamin K-dependent synthesis of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid by bone microsomes.

Microsomes prepared from embryonic chick bone contain a vitamin K-dependent carboxylating system which post-translationally converts glutamic acid residues in peptides to gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-CGlu). Glutamic acid residues in both endogenous chick bone microsomal protein and in the synthetic peptide Phe Leu-Glu-Glu-Val are gamma-carboxylated. These data suggest that bone cells have the capacity for de novo gamma-CGlu synthesis and may be responsible for synthesis of osteocalcin, the major gamma-CGlu protein in bone.


Human plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Purification and properties.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase was isolated from normal human plasma. The major form of the active enxyme in plasma was purified to apparent homogeneity and is a 300,000-dalton tetramer containing 4 atoms of tightly bound copper. About 20% of the enzyme activity in plasma was isolated as a dimeric form of this enzyme. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the purified form gave a polypeptide subunit molecular weight of 72,000 and disulfide-linked dimers of this component were observed. Both forms of the enzyme are apparently glycoproteins and interact with immobilized concanavalin A. Furthermore, the enzyme is capable of binding to alkyl-substituted agarose by hydrophobic interaction. Advantage was taken of these properties to purify the enzyme. Both purified tetramer and partially purified dimer were further characterized by kinetic analysis and the Stokes radii and S20,W of these species were compared. Rabbit antiserum to the purified tetramer revealed no immunochemical differences between the two enzyme forms by using a method of immunotitration.


Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate. Chain termination.

Incubation of chick embryo epiphyseal microsomal preparations with either UDP-[14C]GlcUA or UDP-[14C]-GalNAc plus exogenous chondroitin 6-sulfate resulted in the incorporation of either a single [14C]GlcUA or a [14C]GalNAc onto the nonreducing ends of the exogenous glycosaminoglycan. Degradation by chondroitinase ABC yielded the terminal products [14C]Di-OS, [14C]Di-6S, and [14C]GalNAc. Incubations of the microsomal preparations with either UDP-[14C]GlcUA or UDP-GalN[3H]Ac without exogenous chondroitin 6-sulfate resulted in the addition of a single sugar onto the nonreducing end of endogenous chondroitin sulfate. Degradation by chondroitinase ABC yielded the terminal products [14C]Di-OS, [14C]Di-6S, and GalN[3H]Ac in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:3.5. Incubations of the microsomal preparations with both UDP-[14C]-GlcUA and UDP-GalN[3H]Ac together resulted in formation of [14C,3H]chondroitin chains added to the endogenous chondroitin sulfate. Degradation by chondroitinase ABC resulted in products with a molar ratio of [14C,3H]Di-OS to GalN[3H]Ac varying from approximately 1:1.5 to 1:3. The results of these experiments indicate that chondroitin 6-sulfate terminates at its nonreducing end in a mixture of GlcUA and GalNAc (some sulfated). GalNAc is somewhat more frequent as the terminal sugar and adds more readily to endogenous acceptors.


Lag phase during the action of phospholipase A2 on phosphatidylcholine modified by alkanols.

Theaction of pig pancreatic phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) on phosphatidylcholine bilayer is studied under a variety of substrate modification conditions including the incorporation of long chain alcohols (hexanol and several isomeric octanols) into the bilayer. The rate of hydrolysis shows a biphasic dependence upon the concentration of the activating alcohol. The hexanol to lipid molar ratio in the bilayer is approximately 1.4:1 at the optimal alkanol concentration. The lag phase at the beginning of hydrolysis has been shown to depend upon the nature of the bilayer as modified by different alkanols and by intrinsic differences in the unilamellar vesicles (approximate diameter approximately 250 A) compared to the multilamellar vesicles. The rate constant for the activation process responsible for the lag period is first order and does not depend upon the concentration of the enzyme, substrate, alkanol, and calcium. These and other experiments are interpreted in terms of a hypothesis that the pancreatic phospholipase interacts with the bilayer by a catalytic and a recognition site. The data suggest that the packing of the interface regulates the interaction of both the catalytic and the recognition site. It is postulated that the biphasic activation profile as a function of hexanol concentration may be a consequence of two-site interactions between the enzyme and the substrate interface.


An analysis of alterations in ribosomal conformation using reductive methylation.

Optimal conditions for reductive alkylation of ribosomal proteins in their native and denatured states were examined. The relative accessibility of rat liver ribosomal proteins to reductive alkylation was then examined. Intact ribosomes were firs labeled with [14C]formaldehyde and NaBH4. The proteins were then separated from RNA, denatured in 6 M guanidine, and labeled again using formaldehyde and NaB3H4. The relative accessibility of individual proteins to labeling in the intact state could thus be determined from their 3H/14C ratios following separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The results suggest that proteins S6, S11, S26, L3, and L35 are less accessible to labeling while proteins S1, S15, L11, L12, L16, and L24 appear relatively more accessible. The accessibility of individual proteins in ribosomes in different conformational states were then compared. The results indicated that S3, L7, and L36 are likely to be involved in a structural difference when normal polysomes and normal monomers are compared. Also, that S26 and L35, and probably S3, S20, L7, L8, L24, L27, L28 and L34 appear to be involved in a ribosomal conformation change induced by ethionine intoxication.


Tyrosyltubulin ligase and colchicine binding activity in synchronized Chinese hamster cells.

Tyrosyltubulin ligase (TTL) was found to be present in CHO and V79 Chinese hamster cells grown in tissue culture. The enzyme is soluble and requires potassium, magnesium, and ATP for maximum activity and requires tubulin as a substrate. TTL was analyzed through the cell cycle of V79 and CHO Chinese hamster cells. The enzyme showed two peaks of activity in V79 cells at 4 h and 7 h after mitotic selection, corresponding to the early S and mid to late S phases of the cell cycle. In CHO cells the enzyme displayed a major peak of activity at mid S and a minor peak or plateau during early S. Tubulin, as measured by (3H)colchicine binding, was shown to increase through S phase and reach a maximum late in the cycle during G2 approx. 3 h after maximum TTL activity.


A mechanism for the destruction of pinosomes in cultured fibroblasts. Piranhalysis.

The destruction of large pinosomes was examined with phase-contrast microscopy in cultured mouse fibroblasts. In areas of rapid pinosome breakdown, lysosomes were observed to repeatedly collide with pinosomes without fusing, tearing off small pieces until the pinosomes became smaller and denser. This segmentation of pinosomes by lysosomal collision has been named "piranhalysis."


Dynamics of toxin and lectin receptors on a lymphoma cell line and its toxin-resistant variant using ferritin-conjugated, 125I-labeled ligand.

The dynamics of the toxin Ricinus communis agglutinin II (RCAII or ricin) on cells of a murine lymphoma line (BW5147) and a toxin-resistant variant line (BW5147RicR.3) that is 200 times more resistant than the parent to direct RCAII cytotoxicity were examined using ferritin-conjugated, affinity purified, 125I-labeled RCAII (ferritin-125I-RCAII). Ferritin-125I-RCAII was indistinguishable from native RCAII in quantitative binding and cytotoxicity experiments. When RCAII-sensitive BW5147 and -resistant BW5147RicR.3 cells were labeled with ferritin-125I-RCAII at various toxin concentrations (1--10 microgram/ml), no differences in toxin binding were observed. These same cells were examined by electron microscopy. At low ferritin-125I-RCAII concentrations (1-3 microgram/ml RCAII) where only the parental BW5147 cells were significantly more sensitive to RCAII, toxin receptors were internalized by ferritin-125I-RCAII-induced endocytosis. In parallel experiments, ferritin-125I-RCAII that bound to the resistant BW5147RicR.3 cells remained relatively dispersed or clustered, and there was little evidence of transport into cells via endocytosis. At higher ferritin-125I-RCAII concentrations (greater than 7 microgram/ml RCAII) where both parental and resistant variant cells are sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of RCAII, more ferritin-conjugated toxin was bound, and subsequent endocytosis occurred to a similar degree in both cell types. Endocytosis of ferritin-conjugated concanavalin A was indistinguishable on RCAII-sensitive parental and resistant variant cells at all concentrations tested. The results suggest that a specific defect on the selected BW5147RicR.3 cells prevents RCAII entry into these cells a low toxin concentrations, rendering them more resistant to the cytotoxic effects of RCAII.


Pseudomonas vesicularis from cervical specimens.

Biochemical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibilities of five strains of Pseudomonas vesicularis isolated from cervical cultures are reported. The organisms were recovered from Thayer-Martin medium, which, because of its inhibitory properties, restricts over-growth by most other species. Our findings agree with those of Kaltenbach and associates (J. Clin. Microbiol., 1:339--344, 1975) on the importance of esculin hydrolysis, maltose oxidation, and pigmentation in the identification of P. vesicularis. Comparative carbohydrate oxidation studies showed agreement in three of four methods (oxidative attack, buffered single substrate, King oxidative/fermentative medium). No oxidation of carbohydrates was observed in commercial oxidative/fermentative medium. In addition to biochemical characteristics, antibiograms can be useful auxiliary aids in the identification of P. vesicularis and in its differentiation from P. diminuta, a closely related species.


Peptocoagulase: clotting factor produced by bovine strains of Peptococcus indolicus.

The production of a clotting factor (peptocoagulase) by bovine clinical isolates of Peptococcus indolicus and its nature were investigated. Extracellular peptocoagulase was demonstrated in culture filtrates of 93% and cell associated with washed cell suspensions of 100% of the 75 isolates tested. Both citrated and heparinized plasma were clotted. Crude peptocoagulase was nondialyzable, precipitated with (NH4)2SO4 at 40% saturation, somewhat resistant to heating at both neutral and acid pH, and chloroform insoluble. Culture filtrate did not contain proteolytic activity with albumin and casein, as substrates and no esterase activity was detected with tosylarginine and benzoylarginine methyl esters as substrates. The clotting reaction required peptocoagulase, prothrombin, and fibrinogen. The activation of prothrombin appeared to involve a stoichiometric reaction with peptocoagulase, possibly by formation of a stable complex.


Propranolol antagonizes the anti-inflammatory effect of alcohol and improves survival of infected intoxicated rabbits.

We studied the effects of alcohol and propranolol on the course of peritonitis in rabbits. Induction of sterile peritonitis with normal saline led to a 50% augmentation of granulocyte adherence in normal rabbits, and a mean cumulative granulocyte count of 27,000/mm(3) in peritoneal exudate by 8 h. Rabbits intoxicated with alcohol at the time of peritonitis induction maintained a granulocyte adherence below pretreatment values, and only delivered a cumulative mean of 12,000 granulocytes/mm(3) into the peritoneal fluid. When intoxicated rabbits received propranolol intravenously at the time of intoxication, adherence increased above preperitonitis levels, and stayed significantly above values for animals given alcohol alone. In addition, the defect in granulocyte delivery was prevented by propranolol, resulting in a mean cumulative granulocyte count in peritoneal fluid of 24,000/mm(3).When peritonitis was induced with live pneumococci instead of a sterile inflammatory stimulus, 14/18 normal animals survived the infection and were culture-negative when sacrificed at 2 wk. In contrast, 17/18 intoxicated animals died of the infection, in a mean of 2.8 days. 9 of 18 intoxicated animals who also received propranolol survived, and those who died lived a mean of 7.5 days. The survival rates and the time-to-death among the nonsurvivors given propranolol were both significantly greater than in the animals intoxicated without propranolol. Thus, propranolol prevents the granulocyte adherence and delivery defects induced by alcohol intoxication, and significantly improves survival from infection.


An autoradiographic study of the commissural and ipsilateral hippocampo-dentate projections in the adult rat.

The distribution of the associational and commissural afferents to the inner one-fourth of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus of the rat, has been studied autoradiographically following small injections of 3H-proline into the hilar region of the dentate (from which both groups of afferents arise). Different patterns of axonal labeling are observed after injections into the temporal (i.e., caudal), middle, or septal (rostral) thirds of the hippocampus. Thus after temporal injections labeled commissural and associational afferents are found only in the caudal third of the dentate gyrus, and the grain densities observed on the two sides are markedly asymmetrical around the short, or transverse, axis of the dentate. On the other hand, injections into the middle third of the hippocampus lead to extensive labeling of the commissural and associational afferents throughout the rostral two-thirds of the dentate gyrus, and their distribution, as judged by grain density estimates, is symmetrical on the two sides. Septal injections label fibers over the rostral half of the dentate, and again the labeling pattern on the two sides is asymmetrical (but in the reverse pattern from that seen after temporal injections). These distinctive patterns in the distribution of the two classes of afferents can generally be accounted for on the following assumptions: (1) the commissural and associational afferents share a common cytochemical specificity; (2) they compete with each other for the limited number of synaptic sites available upon the proximal portions of the granule cells: (3) the granule cells are generated along two distinct morphogenetic gradients:from the temporal to the septal pole of the dentate gyrus, and from the tip of its dorsal (or external) to the tip of its ventral (internal) blade; and (4) the first fibers to arrive monopolize the majority of the available synaptic sites, and those that reach their target field later, synapse predominantly upon the last-formed granule cell dendrites. To this extent our findings are consonant with the "temporal hypothesis" first formulated by Gottlieb and Cowan ('72). However, to account for the restricted distribution of afferents from the temporal part of the hippocampus, it is necessary to further postulate that there is some degree of topographic (or region-to-region) specificity in the ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampo-dentate projections.


Determination of orotic acid in whey and modified whey products.

The concentration of orotic acid in dry whey ranged between 64 and 146 mg/100 g and appeared dependent on whey type. The orotic acid of modified whey products, prepared commercially by electrodialysis, ultrafiltration, gel filtration, or polyphosphate precipitation was between 7 and 124 mg/100 g, which was less than that of dry whey. It appears that whey processing methods do not concentrate orotic acid in whey fractions.


SLB, a new alloantigenic system of the pig.

An alloantigen segregating in the double back-cross families, distinct from serologically determinalble transplantation antigens controlled by the major histocompatibility complex (SLA), was detected in pigs by the complement-dependent lymphocytotoxic technique. The system was designated SLB and its product (antigen SLB-A1) was demonstrated in all lymphocytes from the lymph nodes, thymus and peripheral blood, but not in the erythrocytes. Back-cross matings supplied evidence of the dominant heredity of SLB-A1. Detection of further SLB antigens was unsuccessful, so that only two alleles (SLB-A1 and SLB-A-) could be determined in families. Double back-cross families revealed a close linkage between the SLB locus and the L blood group locus. Maximun lod score values were calculated in recombination fraction theta=theta.10.


Placental and foetal weight in the nude mouse.

Placental and foetal weight and litter size were studied on the 18th day of pregnancy in the athymic nude mouse. Placental weight and litter size were unaffected by the absence of a thymus. Foetal weight was reduced, probably as a result of the health status of such animals.


Identification of IgA binding structures in skin of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.

Immunoelectronmicroscopic and ultrastructural identification of the structures which bind IgA in skin of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) reveals them to be, in part, a complex of fibrillar components which are covered with amorphous substances. One of the fibers has a diameter of 80--130 A and appears to be tubular, resembling dermal microfibrillar bundles or microtubular elements of elastic fibers. The structures, at times, are associated with the dermal microfibrillar bundles and are found within an elastic fiber system which is in close proximity to the dermal-epidermal junction. Taken together, these findings suggest that the structures which bind IgA are unique to DH and might be a part of an abnormal dermal microfibrillar bundle-elastic fiber system.


Refractory ventricular arrhythmias in a patient with mitral valve prolapse. Successful control with mitral valve replacement.

A 35-year-old woman with proven mitral valve prolapse developed life threatening ventricular arrhythmias which were refractory to medical therapy. She had one episode of "cardiac arrest" presumably due to ventricular tachycardia or possibly ventricular fibrillation, and was successfully resuscitated with closed chest compression. Mitral valve replacement resulted in dramatic control of the ventricular arrhythmias. Over a period of three years following the operation, she has been able to resume an active life with occasional ventricular premature beats and no further episodes of ventricular tachyarrhythmias.


A model for vesicular exanthema virus, the prototype of the calicivirus group.

The structure of vesicular exanthema virus, the prototype member of the calicivirus group, has been studied in more detail. The RNA comprises 18% of mol. wt. of about 2.8 x 10(6), based on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis experiments in the presence of formaldehyde. The virus contains one major polypeptide, mol. wt. 70 x 10(3) as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by chromatography on Sepharose 6B in the presence of 6 M-guanidine. Further evidence for the presence of a single major polypeptide was obtained by tryptic peptide analysis of 35S-methionine labelled virus. The mol. wt. of a protein oligomer produced by adjusting the pH of virus suspensions to 3.5 was c. 200 x 10(3). On the basis of these data we propose a T = 3 model for the virus capsid incorporating 180 copies of the virus protein.


A host range mutant of human adenovirus type 5 defective for growth in hamster cells.

A host-range mutant of adenovirus type 5, which grows in human cells but not in hamster cells, has been isolated. This mutant is complemented in mixed infection in hamster cells at 38.5 degrees C by temperature-sensitive mutants of type 5 belonging to seventeen complementation groups, and may constitute a new group. In mixed infection of human cells at 32 degrees C with the host-range and temperature-sensitive mutants, recombination takes place and by a series of two factor crosses the host-range mutation has been approximately located on the adenovirus genetic map.


Effect of sulphydryl reagents on the biological activities, polypeptide composition and morphology of haemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus.

The effect of sulphydryl reagents on haemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV), a coronavirus of pigs, was investigated. Using increasing concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT), 50% of the virus infectivity and haemagglutination (HA) activity could be removed by i.5 mM and 4 to 5 mM respectively. The effect of DTT concentrations on the polypeptide composition was also examined. Of the three external glycoproteins gp 125 was found to be the most susceptible, 50% being removed by incubation of the virus with 5 to 6 mM-DTT. Of the other two glycoproteins gp 180 was unaffected by DDT concentrations up to 100 mM and the amount of gp 100 gradually declined at concentrations above 20 mM. The rates of removal of the virus HA activity and gp 125 suggested that this polypeptide was an essential part of the virus haemagglutinin. The lack of evidence for any interpeptide disulphide bonds suggested that the loss of these glycoproteins was due to an alteration in their conformation brought about by the cleavage of intrapeptide disulphide bonds. The loss of protein from the surface of the virus resulted in a change in the virus morphology with the appearance of thin fibrous projections instead of the characteristic petal-like coronavirus projections.


Induced amnestic confusional phenomena. Pathology and lateralization.

Additional evidence from pathology findings is presented in support of the proposition that amnestic confusional phenomena, induced by electrical stimulation of the hippocampus in epileptic patients and resembling transient global amnesia, are related to unilateral (dominant hemisphere) cerebral mechanisms.


Progesterone-induced decrease of pineal protein synthesis in rats. Possible participation in estrous-related changes of pineal function.

Pineal protein synthesis in female rats, estimated from the incorporation of labeled amino acids into proteins in vitro, exhibited significant changes as a function of the stage of the estrous cycle. These changes were restricted to the proestrous and estrous days; pineal protein synthesis attained its maximum on the morning of proestrus declining abruptly by 53% during the evening, at the time of the expected gonadotrophin and prolactin release. Pineal serotonin-N-acetyltransferase activity increased by 10 to 15 times during night-time on every day of cycle; no appreciable modification of its daily rhythm was detected along the estrous cycle. Spayed rats treated for 2 days with progesterone showed a dose-dependent decrease of amino acid incorporation into pineal proteins, regardless of whether estradiol was simultaneously administered or not. Pineal protein synthesis in spayed rats administered with estradiol for 2 days and killed at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the third day, did not show differences as a function of time of sacrifice. When progesterone was injected on the morning of the third day a significant decline in protein synthesis was observed at 5 p.m. Only in the latter group serum LH levels showed significantly greater values at 5 p.m. Pineal serotonin content of estradiol-treated rats increased significantly at evening, an effect which was obliterated by the administration of progesterone; progesterone alone did not affect pineal serotonin content. Radioactivity uptake by pineal glands incubated with labeled progesterone did not show changes along the estrous cycle. These data argue in favour of the involvement of progesterone in the changes of pineal protein synthesis observed during the "critical period" for gonadotrophin and prolactin release.


Membranous structures in pinealocytes of the infertile diabetic mutant mouse (C 57 BL/Ks-db/db).

The fine structure of the pineal gland of the infertile, diabetic mutant mouse (C 57 BL/Ks-db/db) has been studied. Light and dark parenchymal cells were observed. The major population of pinealocytes in these animals is characterized by an abundance of highly organized membranes located in both the cell body and cell processes. Pinealocytes containing these membranous structures have low electron density (light pinealocytes) and large amounts of perinuclear cytoplasm containing granular vesicles and extensive Golgi. Dilated cisternae of the membranous structures may indicate secretory activity or selective aggregations or raw material. Changes in granule and vesicle content of the central core of cytoplasm of the concentric-shaped membranes and their apparent migration from the cell body to terminal process suggest a synthetic or secretory role. It is not known whether the membranous structures are related to the infertile condition or to the hyperglycemic syndrome; however, the presence of comparable membranes in subterranaen mammals lends support to the theory that the structures may be involved in the synthesis of pineal compounds.


The pineal of the troglophilic fish, Chologaster agassizi: an ultrastructural study.

The pineal of the facultative, cave-dwelling fish, Chologaster agassizi, was examined electron microscopically. Two cell types, photoreceptor and supportive cells, were identified in the pineal epithelium. The photoreceptor cells had well developed outer segments and contained Golgi bodies which were surrounded by both clear and dense-cored vesicles. Vesicle-crowned rods were frequently seen in various regions of the cell. The supportive cells also contained Golgi bodies from which both clear and dense-cored vesicles appeared to originate. In addition, these cells were characterized by peculiar arrangements of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the presence of pigment granules. Large quantities of glycogen were observed in both cell types. Small, unmyelinated nerve fibers were seen coursing throughout the pineal epithelium. Terminals filled with pleomorphic, clear vesicles and dense-cored vesicles were present in the vicinity of these nerve fibers. Similar vesicle-filled terminals were observed in close association with the supportive cells. The results of this study indicate that the pineal in this light-deprived species is a metabolically active organ capable of photoreception. Specializations of the organelles in the pineal cells were similar to those observed in other vertebrates living in environments of low light levels.


Central core disease in one of identical twins.

A case of central core disease in one of identical twins is presented. The light and electron microscopic pathology is reviewed. We believe that these entities are not genetic in this sibship and may be an example of isolated maturational arrest of non-specific aetiology.


Studies on porphyrin-heme biosynthesis in organotypic cultures of chick dorsal root ganglion. I. Observations on neuronal and non-neuronal elements.

Living, mature organotypic cultures of chick dorsal root ganglion maintained in culture for 3 weeks were incubated in medium containing various levels of a precursor of porphyrin and heme formation, delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), (0.5 mM to 10 mM) or a combination of ALA (10 MM) and a metal chelator, CaMg-EDTA (5 mM) for up to 48 hours. Although no morphologic changes occurred in the cultures incubated with these compounds as observed by bright-field or dark-field microscopy, fluorescence  microscopic study at 12, 24, and 48 hours demonstrated an intense red fluorescence with in the non-neuronal cells of the cultures (Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages) but not in the nerve cells. Spectrofluorometric analysis of perchloric acid-methanol extracts of the cultures revealed an emission spectrum characteristic of porphyrins. Autoradiographic studies, using 14C-labelled ALA, indicated that ALA was taken up by all cells (nerve cells as well as non-neuronal cells) in the cultures. The cultures incubated with ALA plus the metal chelator CaMg-EDTA showed the same distribution of porphyrin fluorescence, but a 2-fold increase in the amount of porphyrins was generated, when compared to cultures incubated with ALA alone. This observation suggests that a considerable fraction of porphyrins may be utilized to form heme in these cells since CaMa-EDTA blocks ferrochelatase activity, the terminal enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. This is the first demonstration of active porphyrin-heme biosynthesis from ALA in cultured nervous system cells. Our results indicate that this biosynthetic pathway remains active in 3-week old cultures of chick dorsal root ganglion, and further, that the pathway appears to be predominantly present in the non-neuronal cellular elements of the ganglion rather than in nerve cells.


Mutagenicity of vinyl chloride. External chromosome studies on persons with and without VC illness, and on VC exposed animals.

Chromosome analysis was undertaken on lymphocyte cultures taken from (1) six workers with estimated exposure to VC and four workers with monitored exposure to VC (employed in the BASF); (2) 20 workers showing symptoms of VC illness with unknown exposure and one angiosarcoma case, due to VC exposure (not employed in the BASF); and, (3) on bone marrow cells of Chinese hamsters after inhalation of 2,500 ppm or 5,000 ppm, or after intraperitoneal injections of 300 mg/kg or 600 mg/kg. The proband groups showing symptoms of VC illness, the only living angiosarcoma case, and the animal test show a significant increase in the rate of aberrations in comparison to the control group.


[Demonstration of tumour temperature variation during curietherapy for cancer of the uterine cervix (author's transl)].

We here describe a simple apparatus for measuring temperature, accurate to 3/100 of a degree, which makes it possible to follow variations in the temperature of an accessible internal organ, and we also describe its application to the observation of possible changes in the temperature of a tumour of the uterine cervix, during treatment by curietherapy.


Oestrous and ovarian responses to exogenous progesterone and oestrogen in prepubertal ewe lambs in relation to the fecundity of their dams.

Oestrus was consistently induced by 20, 40 or 80 microgram oestradiol benzoate in progesterone-primed lambs aged 23 weeks and 17 weeks respectively in two experiments. The duration of oestrus increased linearly with increasing log dose of oestrogen, and was negatively correlated with the time of its onset. In the absence of progesterone there was a reduced incidence, later onset and shorter duration of oestrus. Progesterone alone did not induce oestrus. In lambs treated during January (Exp. 2), a later date of injection of oestrogen was associated with earlier onset and longer duration of oestrus. The induced oestrus was anovulatory. Oestrogen reduced the proportion of lambs with follicles greater than or equal to 3 mm in diameter whilst progesterone had no effect. Lambs which were the progeny of low- and high-fecundity dams did not differ in their oestrous or ovarian responses. Correlations between the dam's lamb production index and the time to onset and duration of the induced oestrus were also not significant.


Ultrastructural injury to human spermatozoa after freezing and thawing.

The ultrastructure of human spermatozoa at various stages of the freezing and thawing process was studied. In addition to conventional fixations, a freeze-substitution method was used to examine spermatozoa before they were thawed. Dilution in a glycerol-egg yolk-citrate medium caused slight swelling of the acrosome. During slow freezing, when large ice crystals grow in the diluent, the sperm plasmalemma became tighter, the mitochondria had more angular profiles and there was a reduction in electron density of the acrosomal contents. After thawing, the apical segment of the acrosome usually became swollen and the mitochondria appeared rounded. We deduce that these ultrastructural changes occur either during or after the thawing procedure.


Ergot alkaloids. New ergolines as selective dopaminergic stimulants.

A new two-step sequence for the epimerization of methyl dihydrolysergate (5) at C-8 leading to methyl dihydroisolysergate (7) is presented. The latter compound was used as a starting material for the synthesis of various ergolines, of which (5R,8R,10R)-8-(cyanomethyl)-6-methylergoline (4) is a very strong and long-lasting central dopaminergic agent. Furthermore, it was found that some 8-(arylthiomethyl)-6-methyler-golenes are not able to induce apomorphine-like stereotyped behavior in normal rats but exhibit a remarkable activity in rats unilaterally lesioned by 6-OH-DA in the nigrostriatal region. Compound 4 and (5R,8R)-8-[(2-pyridyl)thiomethyl]-6-methylergolene (9) were further tested for their ability to inhibit ovum implantation and to depress serum prolactin levels in rats. Their potency was evaluated in comparison with (5R,8S,10R)-8-(cyanomethyl)-6-methylergolines (2a and 2b) and 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (1) as standards.


Parasites and associated pathology observed in pinnipeds stranded along the Oregon coast.

Forty-two seals and sea lions found dead along the Oregon Coast were examined for parasites and associated pathology. Nematode infections of the lung and/or gastrointestinal tract were the primary cause of death in 5 of 42 animals examined. New distribution records were established for Pricetrema zalophi and Zalophotrema hepaticum. New host records include Z. hepaticum and Diphyllobothrium cordatum in the Steller's sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus); Nanophyetus salmincola in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus); P. zalophi in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina); and P. zalophi, Trigonocotyle sp. and Otostrongylus circumlitus in the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris).


Levels of cellular DNA polymerases in synchronized bovine paravovirus-infected cells.

Infection of synchronized bovine fetal spleen cells with bovine parvovirus results in changes in the levels and patterns of DNA polymerases alpha and gamma during the cell cycle. The pattern of DNA polymerase alpha activity closely paralled viral DNA synthesis and the production of progeny virus, and levels, of this enzyme were threefold greater than in mock-infected cells during the period of maximal viral DNA synthesis. DNA polymerase gamma activity remained slightly elevated during viral DNA replication. Levels and patterns of DNA polymerase beta were similar in mock- and virus-infected cells.


Seasonal changes in the prevalence of ova of Diphyllobothrium ursi and Baylisascaris transfuga in the feces of the black bear (Ursus americanus).

An analysis of 114 samples of feces from black bears (Ursus americanus) from La Verendrye Park, Quebec revealed that the prevalence of eggs of Diphyllobothrium ursi and Baylisascaris transfuga varied seasonally. D. ursi ova were most prevalent during the summer and fall and at their lowest in spring while the converse was true for B. transfuga. This phenomenon possibly is associated with the cessation of feeding during the winter denning of black bears.


The prevalence of adiaspiromycosis in three sympatric species of ground squirrels.

Lungs from three species of ground squirrels collected in south central Saskatchewan were examined by histopathology and a digestion technique for adiaspores of Emmonsia crescens. Two of 81 (2.5%) Citellus richardsoni, 3 of 17 (17.6%) C. tridecemlineatus and 35 of 44 (79.5%) C. franklini were infected. Infection was more common in adults than in young-of-the-year. Tissue digestion was the more sensitive method for detecting adiaspores. Possible reasons for the difference in prevalence among the species are discussed.


Persistence of spermatozoa in the lower genital tracts of women.

Cervicovaginal scrapings from 675 women who had volunteered information about the time of their last coitus and their contraceptive and douching practices were stained with Papanicoalaou stain and screened for spermatozoa. Generally, as the interval between coitus and preparation of the smears (postcoital interval) increased, the percentage of smears with spermatozoa and the mean number of spermatozoa per smear decreased, but the percentage of spermatozoa with tails did not change significantly. Spermatozoa were found irregularly after the seventh and rarely after the tenth postcoital day. Vaginal douching, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, coitus interruptus, condoms, and vasectomy were associated with reduced prevalence of spermatozoa in smears.


Equestrian injuries. Results of a prospective study.

In a prospective study involving 110 injured equestrians, there were no noteworthy correlations between age, sex, or experience of the amateur riders and injury occurrence. Tack failure caused several injuries. Among fox hunters the incidence was related only to frequency of hunts. The most common severe injury was to the head, associated with lack of headgear. Fewer than 20% of the 110 riders used a protective helmet. There were four renal contusions and one bladder laceration. The most frequent injuries were fractures of the upper extremities. Wearing a good-quality protective helmet and checking tack are important for injury prevention.


A 17-year follow-up study of a family with idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and WPW syndrome.

Long term clinical courses of a patient and her family with idiopathic cardiomyopathy and WPW syndrome were described. The mother and her brother (the first generation) had died of heart disease, and 1 sibling had also died suddenly of heart disease when the study began. Seven out of the 8 siblings (the second generation) were followed for 17 years from 1958 to 1976. The 4 siblings had both typical or atypical WPW syndrome and cardiomegaly in 1958, 2 of them died suddenly and unexpectedly, 1 of them died of congestive heart failure, and 1 of them did not have any complaint during the period. One was normal in 1958 but developed cardiomegaly and atypical WPW syndrome in 1976. The other 2 were normal in both 1958 and 1976. The 2 children of the second sibling (the third generation) were followed simultaneously for 15 years. Both had WPW syndrome without cardiomegaly. It was suggested that a late onset of the disease could occur in the family with young onset, that the clinical course might become different mainly by sudden cardiac death which occurred only in the members with abnormal findings, and that WPW syndrome and cardiomegaly could be inherited or occur together in the same generation but separately in the different generation.


[Protein concentration in the aqueous humour of the rabbit after argon laser coagulation of the iris (author's transl)].

After coagulation of the iris of pigmented rabbits with argon laser, the protein concentration of the aqueous humour was measured at different times. An initial increase of the protein concentration was found both after low and high intensity coagulation. Already 5 hours later the protein concentration was again low and no further increase could be observed within 28 days. The contralateral untreated eye showed a lower but significant response. High intensity coagulation lead to a more severe reaction.


Reconstitution of neutral amino acid transport from partially purified membrane components from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Solubilized protein fractions have been obtained from plasma membranes of Ehrlich ascites cells either by extraction with 0.5% Triton X-100 or by extraction with 2% cholate. Partial purification of the solubilized protein fraction has been obtained by utilizing a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography. Leucine-binding activity has been detected in the Triton X-100 solubilized membrane fraction. The leucine-binding activity was measured by equilibrium dialysis and was saturable with high levels of leucine or phenylalanine and is not strongly effected by alanine. These properties are similar to those previously identified as System L. In addition, the cholate extracted protein fraction was partially purified and reconstituted into liposomes. Sodium dependent uptake of alanine and leucine could be demonstrated in the reconstituted vesicles. Concentrative uptake was dependent upon a sodium gradient. A membrane potential produced by valinomycin mediated potassium diffusion in the presence of sodium also stimulated amino acid transport in reconstituted liposomes.


[Behavior of rats in the labyrinth after a flight on the Cosmos-690 biosatellite].

Rats irradiated aboard the biosatellite Cosmos-690 and in the synchronous mockup showed deteriorated retention and recovery of the skill of traversing the maze. The rats irradiated on the Earth displayed greater changes in the parameters. The rats irradiated inflight exhibited an increased fatigue during enhanced activity. All the exposed animals showed an insignificant change in the capacity to transfer their experience.


Effect of pregnancy on the turnover of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in mouse tissues.

The turnover characteristics of total protein and of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes have been determined in several tissues of the mouse during the later stages of pregnancy. Whereas most tissues showed markedly decreased rates of both synthesis and degradation of proteins, the incorporation rate in uterus increased. Significant differences in the extent of isotope distribution between total protein and lactate dehydrogenase and its isozymes were also noted. Overall the concept emerges of a pool of body protein which is responsive to the physiological stresses of pregnancy at the level of both tissue and cellular function.


Identification of vasopressor phospholipid in crude soybean lecithin.

The vasopressor phospholipid in crude soybean lecithin was isolated by column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. It represented 0.1% of crude soybean lecithin. The isolated phospholipid was identified to be lysophosphatidic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of TMS-deacylated product and acetolysis product. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis favored the 1-monoacyl isomer over the 2-isomer. By enzymic determination with L-3-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, the isolated phospholipid was identified as 1-monoacyl-L-3-glycerophosphate. Gas chromatographic examination revealed that it was composed of a large percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. The activity of isolated lysophosphatidic acid was slightly less than that of synthetic 1-linoleoyl-L-3-glycerophosphate.


Trimethoprim-resistant bacteria: cross-resistance patterns.

One hundred and eighty one strains (clinically isolated) of trimethoprim-resistant bacteria were tested for sensitivity to proguanil, pyrimethamine, methotrexate and methasquin. All these agents had less intrinsic antibacterial activity than trimethoprim, and there was marked cross-resistance between trimethoprim on the one hand and pyrimethamine and methasquin on the other. Methotrexate was of very low activity against Gram-negative bacilli, but was highly inhibitory for streptococci. Proguanil had approximately the same activity for all the organisms tested, and appears not to act as an anti-folate agent.


[Cytological screening test for cervix cancer: EA-rosette-forming cells (author's transl)].

Cell suspensions from the cervix may or may not contain EA-rosette-forming cells. In the case of non-rosette formation no further cytological examination is required. In case of rosette formation of moderate degree (10 cells per counting chamber) further cytological examination is necessary since in these cell populations atypical cells might be present. This procedure reduces the number of cytological examinations for about 50% and therefore entails considerable reduction of the load for cytological laboratories.


[Termination of pregnancy during the IInd and IIIrd trimester with Sulproston (SH B 286 AD) (author's transl)].

Sulproston (SH B 286 AD), a PGE2-derivate, was used for termination of pregnancy in 40 patients during the IInd and IIIrd trimester. Mean abortion time was 12.7 hours (range:4 to 26 hours). Sulproston was given intravenously (150 to 1000 micrograms) or via an extraamnial catheter (200 to 400 micrograms). One single dose of 500 micrograms was sufficient in 26 patients. Five women required a dose of 150 to 400 micrograms, four patients a dose of 500 to 1000 micrograms. The rate of side effects was low and included freezing, nausea, vomiting or abdominal spasms and dyspnea in one case. An obligatory curettage followed the abortion without exception. There was no statistical significance for changes of blood pressure and heart rate during the perfusion of Sulproston and in the course of the abortion.


Pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography applied to a study of variation in Arthroderma tuberculatum.

Replicates of whole colonies of four species of closely related dermatophytes were analyzed by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC). The four species included fifteen strains of Arthroderma tuberculatum, and two strains each of A. benhamiae, Nannizzia gypsea and N. incurvata. Individual peaks on different pyrograms were identified as homologous with the aid of internal markers by the superimposition of pyrograms. The peak height data extracted from the pyrograms of the fungal samples were analyzed to compute average similarities between pairs of pyograms. The average was calculated with each peak weighted equally, and log weighted for its information content. The results of the cluster analyses of proximities were generally similar. Most, but not all, replicates of each strain were similar enough to be clustered together. Some strains belonging to the same species were also similar enough to be grouped in one cluster. Other strains of a single species varied sufficiently to be put in separate clusters. The nearest neighbour to each OTU (pyrogram) was always a replicate of the same strain.


[Study of the sugar composition of Conidiobolus strains saprophytic or pathogenic to man and animal].

The composition in the cell wall sugars of 13 strains of Conidiobolus coronatus and 1 strain of Conidiobolus incongruus has been determined. Glucose and mannose were found to be the main sugars. The study of the ratio mannose/glucose has shown that there are 3 groups of strains. The first group which contains the strain of C. coronatus isolated from man or chimpanzee is characterized by a ratio lying between 0.92 and 1.3. The second group containing the strains of C. coronatus isolated from horse lesion or from soil is characterized by a ratio lying between 2.7 and 4.1. The last group which contains C. incongruus whose ratio mannose/glucose is 0.44. These results suggest the existence of two groups among the strains of C. coronatus. Lethal temperature of each strain and eventual presence of villosus spores are also mentioned.


[Effect of various edible oils on the monoxygenases in liver of rats].

2 months old male rats were fed over a period of 10, 30 and 60 days a diet containing 1.20% sunflower oil, 2.10% sunflower oil and 10% rapeseed oil, 3.6% sunflower oil, 8% rapeseed iuk abd 6% soybean oil. The diets caused changes in the composition of the fatty acid of total lipids and in the activity of the monoxygenase in the liver. The level of the oleic acid in the livers of the 2nd and 3rd groups was elevated. The linolic acid level was elevated in all three groups, the level of the 1st group being the highest. The arachidonic acid level was diminished in all three groups. The aminopyrine demethylase activity increased in all groups only on the 60th day, the activity of the 1st group being the highest. The aniline hydroxylase activity of the 2nd group had a transient increase on the 30th day; on the 60th day only the activity of the 1st group was elevated.


Prolonged partial complex status epilepticus: EEG and behavioral observations.

Four prolonged episodes of partial complex status epilepticus were observed in a teenaged girl. During each there was an "ictal" phase, in which her mental state frequently fluctuated between mildly clouded consciousness and almost total unresponsiveness; once, she was also blind during this phase of impaired consciousness. With therapy, the periods of unresponsiveness became less frequent and less prolonged until a second, "postictal," phase occurred when she was alert, but with profound retrograde and anterograde amnesia that gradually resolved in several weeks. The "ictal" EEG pattern always consisted of lateral temporo-occipital fast and sharp waves continually alternating with slow activity. These cycled independently in the two hemispheres and correlated with the fluctuating behavioral state. During the "postictal" phase the EEG was diffusely slow with isolated bilaterally independent temporal spikes. The key to the diagnosis of partial complex status epilepticus may be the fluctuating mental state. Recognition and prompt treatment of this disorder are important since delay could result in prolonged or enduring memory impairment.


Intravenous phenytoin: clinical and pharmacokinetic aspects.

Phenytoin was administered intravenously in large doses (mean = 16.6 mg per kilogram) for prevention and treatment of seizures on 159 occasions to 139 patients aged 17 to 94 years (mean = 52 years) and weighing 37 to 113 kg (mean = 65 kg). Hypotension was more frequent among older patients. No deaths were attributable to phenytoin. Volumes of distribution were relatively constant (mean = 0.78 +/- 0.11 liters per kilogram), but half-lives varied considerably and were prolonged (mean = 51 +/- 32 hours) because of the large doses administered. A dose of 18 mg per kilogram was effective in maintaining phenytoin serum levels above 10 microgram per milliliter for 24 hours.


Human brain binding of phenytoin.

Human brain tissue from nine patients (eight biopsy, one autopsy) was investigated for 3H-phenytoin-binding activity. Protein-related binding was determined by ultrafiltration and was found to resemble experimental animal tissue binding. Phenytoin binding was enhanced by prior lipid removal. Human brain lipid also interacted with 3H-phenytoin as measured by a partition coefficient technique employing hexane. Both human protein and lipid were quantitatively less active than in animals. Measurement of brain, serum, and CSF levels of phenytoin in six patients showed that brain levels were 4 to 10 times higher than free drug as measured in the CSF. It is concluded that under usual clinical circumstances, human brain accumulates phenytoin against a concentration gradient; the accumulative process may be due to binding of phenytoin to tissue proteins and phospholipids.


Corpus callosum and propagation of afterdischarge to contralateral cortex and thalamus.

The patterns of seizure spread were investigated in cats with experimental seizure foci in the motor cortex. Recordings were made with tungsten microelectrodes. When convulsive activity developed at the focus, there was activation of the ipsilateral thalamus before there was propagation of afterdischarge to the opposite hemisphere. Section of the corpus callosum did not prevent propagation of afterdischarge to the contralateral thalamus, and prolonged the circulation of abnormal activity between the cortex and ipsilateral and contralateral thalamus.


Hypertensive encephalopathy: a clinicopathologic study of 20 cases.

The clinical and pathologic findings in 20 patients with hypertensive encephalopathy were reviewed. The dominant central nervous system (CNS) symptoms were altered state of consciousness and severe headache. Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances were less common. Seizures and focal signs were infrequent. The changes seen were invariably accompanied both by the characteristic ophthalmoscopic alterations of malignant hypertension and by uremia. The neuropathologic changes consisted of severe vascular alterations (fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles, thrombosis of arterioles and capillaries), and of parenchymal lesions (microinfarcts, petechial hemorrhages) secondary to the vascular lesions. The vascular changes were not confined to the brain but were diffuse, affecting the eyes, kidneys, and other organs. In the CNS the brainstem was most severely affected. Cerebral edema was not observed, even in those patients who had increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure and papilledema.


Short chain fatty acid-induced central hyperventilation in rabbits.

The short chain fatty acid sodium octanoate was infused into rabbits as an 0.2 M solution over 4 hours, resulting in blood and brain levels of 200 to 700 mumoles per liter. During the infusion, animals exhibited marked hyperventilation, resulting in a mild respiratory alkalosis. Octanoate infusion also resulted in significant hyperammonemia and lactic acidemia. Saline-treated control animals demonstrated no clinical or chemical abnormalities. Several short chain fatty acids, including octanoate, are increased in the plasma of patients with hepatic encephalopathies and Reye syndrome. The present study suggests that short chain fatty acids may be endogenous toxins in these clinical disorders. In particular, the central hyperventilation in these conditions may be due to the neurotoxic effect of short chain fatty acids.


Kaolin-induced hydrocephalus impairs CSF secretion by the choroid plexus.

CSF volume flow and sodium (Na+)-influx rates in normal and kaolin-induced hydrocephalic cats were measured during ventricular perfusion with anisotonic sucrose solutions. When ventricular fluid osmolality was 120 mOsm, CSF volume flow ceased for both groups of cats. As ventricular fluid osmolality was increased, the CSF volume flow rate of normal cats increased to 70 microliter per minute, and in hydrocephalic cats to 40 microliter per minute. In normal cats, for ventricular fluid osmolality between 50 and 350 mOsm, Na+-influx was constant and thought to occur by diffusion; while for higher osmolalities, Na+-influx increased. In hydrocephalic cats, Na+-influx increased over the entire range of ventricular osmolality but was less than in normal cats. Acetazolamide decreased the CSF volume flow in normal cats by 40 percent, but was ineffective in hydrocephalic cats. These results suggest that CSF secretion by the choroid plexus of cats with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus is impaired.


Well-kept secrets of the right hemisphere: a carotid amytal study of restriced memory transfer.

Verbal and nonverbal recall of a simple tactual stimulus was assessed in patients receiving left intracarotid injections of sodium amytal. During the period of dominant hemisphere anesthetization, a common object was presented to the left hand-right hemisphere but was kept out of view. Following recovery from the drug, six of the eight patients were unable to recall the object verbally, but recognized it immediately in a visual multiple-choice array. These results demonstrate a dissociation of verbal and nonverbal memory mechanisms which suggests that delayed interhemispheric transfer of a functional sensory message is highly improbable.


Comparative effectiveness of two extracerebral DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors in Parkinson disease.

In four patients with Parkinson disease, we compared carbidopa combined with levodopa (Sinemet) and benserazide combined with levodopa (Madopar). All of these patients had responded to treatment, first with levodopa and then with Sinemet; after 6 years two continued to show a good response, while two developed marked "on-off" phenomena. Clinically, Sinemet and Madopar were similar; however, DOPA levels were higher, but with a shorter half-life, on Madopar. The higher DOPA levels may have been offset by the shorter half-life, resulting in no clinical change. DOPA levels were lower and half-life was shorter in patients with on-off phenomena. These differences may be responsible in part for the on-off phenomena.


Central nervous system infection by Vibrio fetus.

In a 50-year-old cook, partial motor seizures and signs of dominant hemisphere dysfunction developed after a brief nonspecific febrile illness. Pleocytosis was seen in the cerebrospinal fluid and findings on cerebral angiography and isotope brain scan suggested a subdural collection. Surgical exploration showed only thickening and inflammation of the dura. Cultures of this tissue and of the patient's blood were positive for Vibrio fetus, an organism common in sheep and cattle, but seen rarely in humans. Among the few reported cases of human infection, several have involved the brain and meninges.


Facial paralysis, its diagnosis and therapy.

A survey of the various kinds of facial palsies that may profit from well-selected therapy. The diagnostic scheme includes the differentiation of central and peripheral palsies, between paralyses and palsies, the topical problem and the indication for surgical and non-surgical therapies. Eventually some extra help that can be offered to the patient if the final condition is not satisfactory to him.


Occult cholesteatoma of the middle ear.

A clinico-pathological study of 10 cases (including histopathology) indicates that occult cholesteatoma is neither a congenital cholesteatoma nor an epidermoid cyst, originating in the attic through a melaplastic process of middle ear mucosa behind an intact tympanic membrane. Occult cholesteatoma is due to retraction and active immigration of the epidermal layer of the tympanic membrane into the narrow compartments of the epitympanic area and its causative factor is a chronic inflammatory stimulus. Symptomatology is insiduous because extension of destruction depends entirely on the direction of its growth which for its part is guided by the mucosal folds of the epitympanic space.


Horizontal and vertical optokinetic nystagmus in man.

Horizontal and vertical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was studied in 20 healthy adults. Although the horizontal OKN showed no directional difference, a statistically significant difference was found between horizontal and vertical OKN. Upward optokinetic pursuit was better on average than downward pursuit, but more variable. The inferiority of vertical OKN seems to indicate a suppression of optokinetic pursuit due to a different direction of the rotational axis from that of gravity. Regarding the vertical OKN findings, it is speculated that manifest directionality found in quadrupeds is modified in men by the change of their visual field on forward locomotion accomplished by their upright walking posture.


Potentiation and its mechanism of cochlear damage resulting from furosemide and aminoglycoside antibiotics.

The severe ototoxic interaction of the combined administration of furosemide and aminoglycoside antibiotics (kanamycin, streptomycin and gentamicin) was studied in rabbits, and its mechanism clarified. Severe damage occurred not only in the inner ear but also in the kidney when both furosemide and aminoglycoside antibiotics were administered to rabbits. Kanamycin concentration after a single injection of kanamycin with furosemide was much higher not only in the perilymph but also in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum than that after a single injection of kanamycin alone. The ototoxic interaction following the combined use of furosemide and aminoglycoside antibiotics seems to be caused mainly by the inhibitory effect of furosemide on the excretion of aminoglycoside antibiotics from the kidneys.


Recent cytogenetic advances and implications for pediatric practice.

We have attempted to present the significant advances made in the area of human cytogenetics in recent years and to outline the new methods of analysis which made these advances possible. Rapid advancement can be expected to continue as these techniques are put to greater use both in clinical practice and in the research laboratory.


Vagal representation in the cerebellum of the cat.

The cervical vagus nerve (VN) was electrically stimulated in Nembutal-anaesthetized cats. The responses recorded from the cerebellar surface were found in lob. V and VI in a bilateral sagittal strip perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the folia. At a longer latency, potentials were also found in the paramedian lobule. Field potential analysis confirmed the existence of a sagittal strip in the deep parts of the lobules. The distribution of these potentials and their field potential profiles indicate that they are transmitted through the climbing fiber (CF) system. Experiments with local anaesthetics and deafferentation support our view that the potentials described in the vermis by Dell and Olson (1951) could be originated extracerebellarly. A strong parallelism was found between the amplitude of the cerebellar responses and the amplitude of the group B1 component of the vagal afferent potentials, having a conduction velocity between 4 and 20 m/s. The pathway by which the vagal afferents reach the inferior olive and the functional significance of these afferents are discussed.


Discharge patterns of Purkinje cells activated through the climbing fiber system by stimulation of somatic and visceral afferents.

Extracellular recordings were obtained from single Purkinje cells (PC) in the intermediate part of the lobule V and VI of the cerebellar cortex in cats anaesthetized with Nembutal. A number of PC responded with a "complex spike" (CS) to stimulation of both the superficial radial nerve (SRN) and the vagus nerve (VN). By suppressing the transmission of mossy fiber (MF) inputs through manipulation of the level of anaesthesia, attention was paid to the "simple spike" (SS) activity after the CS. Modality-specific differences were found in the length of the post-CS pause, the presence of a post-pause rebound, the effect of pre-CS SS firing rate on pause duration and in the frequency and regularity of post-pause SS discharge. We concluded that these differences arouse from the location of the PC within the climbing fiber (CF) sagittal strip and from the differential activation of the inhibitory interneurons. We propose that modification of SS activity following a CS represents a possible means of information transmission by the CF system.


Responses to intensive training and methandrostenelone administration. I. Contractile and performance variables.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of methandrostenelone (Dianabol) on contractile and performance variables in the rat. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats 90 days old were divided into sedentary and exercise groups; they were further subdivided into Dianabol (0.35 mg/kg/day) treated and untreated groups. The exercise groups underwent a program of high intensity training 7 days/week for 6 weeks. Training produced changes in isometric force-time characteristics indicating increased production of tension. Performance test scores increased significantly from 3 weeks to 6 weeks. Performance by exercise and exercise with Dianabol groups was indistinguishable. It is concluded that Dianabol did not significantly alter the adaptations of the rat to high intensity training.


Influence of glomerular filtration rate on renal PAH secretion rate in the rat kidney. Dependency of PAH extraction on renal filtration fraction.

PAH secretion (TPAH) was studied in rats at spontaneously occurring glomerular filtration rate (GFR). At saturated transport, TPAH was found to be correlated to GFR. This relationship was also observed at unsaturated transport where TPAH depends upon the PAH concentration in arterial plasma. However, no significant correlation between TPAH and renal PAH load or renal plasma flow rate was found when the effects of GFR were removed by partial correlation analysis. A dependency of TPAH on GFR explains the correlations found between filtration fraction (FF) and renal PAH extraction (EPAH) or renal tubular PAH extraction fraction (EPAH--FFPAH). Thus, even at low PAH concentration in a. plasma, renal PAH extraction may only be assumed to be constant if the filtration fraction is constant.


Responses to intensive training and methandrostenelone administration: II. Hormonal, organ weights, muscle weights and body composition.

The hormonal levels of the gonadotropins, the weight of selected organs and of the triceps surae as well as body composition were determined in Sprague Dawley rats at 3 and 6 weeks after intensive training with or without a methandrostenelone (Dianabol) supplement (0.35 mg/kg/day). The controls were sedentary rats of similar age and weight at the start of the experiment. The dianabol treated rats in the sedentary and exercise groups had a depression of plasma LH levels. There were no differences in body weight, specific gravity, lean body weight, fat or %fat between the two trained groups. Dianabol had no apparent effect on the measured parameters other than a depression of LH.


Structural differences in the mesentery microcirculation between normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The mesentery preparation of normotensive rats (NR) (Pcarotis97 +/- 4 mm Hg) and of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) (161 +/- 2 mm Hg) of comparable age (20 +/- 3 weeks) was used to study morphological changes of the microvasculature in established hypertension. The arterioles, classified according to their branching order, had an increased inner diameter in SHR (by 20%). The smooth muscle hypertrophy decreased with smaller vessel size. Pre- and postcapillary vessels were shorter in SHR than in NR by 17 to 35%. The number of these vessels related to the number of the feeding terminal arterioles was found to be reduced by nearly 50% in SHR. The data suggest a lowered arteriolar flow resistance in individual vessels of the hypertensive group concomitant with a gradually disappearing smooth muscle hypertrophy towards the capillary bed. The elevation of the resistance to blood flow in the hypertensive rats is obviously caused by a reduced number of resistance vessels, as seen in the mesentery vascular bed. Similar results were obtained in the true capillaries, which showed greater inner diameters (SHR vs NR:7.2 micron vs 6.4 micron), shortened lengths (141 vs 170 micron) and a reduced number (50 vs 70). Red cell velocity in true capillaries did not differ (0.51 mm/s vs 0.49 mm/s). Arterio-venous shunt vessels were described with an average inner diameter of 11 micron. In SHR these vessels were shorter (424 vs 654 micron) and increased in number. The 'hydraulic hindrance' of AV-shunt vessels and true capillaries together was decreased in SHR; the surface area did not differ between SHR (55.7 . 10(3) micron2) and NR (50.1 . 10(3) micron2) suggesting no major variation in the exchange functions.


Frequency response of the lateral-line organ of Xenopus laevis.

The stimulus response relation of the epidermal lateral-line organ of Xenopus laevis was studied by recording activity of single afferent nerve fibres in isolated preparations. Linear frequency response analysis over a frequency range of 0.1--100Hz was performed under steady-state conditions, using small amplitude, sinusoidal water displacements produced by a glass sphere at a short distance from the skin. Period histograms of afferent nerve activity were computed, and amplitude, phase and mean activity of the response were determined by means of Fourier analysis. A standardization procedure at the start of each experiment made scaling of the frequency responses of different preparations unnecessary. The results show that for small stimulus amplitudes the response of the lateral-line organ over the whole range of frequencies studied can adequately be described as a modulation of the spontaneous activity. The amplitude of the response is proportional to the stimulus amplitude, and the phase of the response is independent of stimulus amplitude. The lateral-line organ of Xenopus laevis can thus be regarded as a linear system for stimuli which produce modulation of the spontaneous activity. The frequency response demonstrates unequivocally that the lateral-line organ of Xenopus laevis functions as a water velocity detector. For frequencies of stimulation from 0.1--20Hz the gain increases with a slope of 7.5 dB/oct, and up to 5Hz the response is almost in phase with the water velocity. The extent to which the different transmission steps between stimulus and response will contribute to the frequency response is discussed.


The stiffness of amphibian slow and twitch muscle during high speed stretches.

Experiments were carried out to compare the stiffness of cross-bridges in amphibian slow and twitch muscle. An isolated iliofibularis muscle was subjected to rapid, small stretches during contraction of either slow or twitch fibres at a number of different isometric tensions. The method of analysis allowed the compliance of the cross-bridges to be distinguished from other sources of compliance. Provided that the muscle was stretched sufficinetly rapidly to obtain limiting values of stiffness, little difference was found between the mechanical properties of the cross-bridges in slow and twitch muscle. It is concluded that the difference in observed stiffness of the two muscle types is due to a lower turnover rate of cross-bridges and a smaller number of sarcomeres in slow fibres.


The extracellular patch clamp: a method for resolving currents through individual open channels in biological membranes.

The current contributions of individual ionic channels can be measured by electrically isolating a small patch of membrane. To do this, the tip of a small pipette is brought into close contact with an enzymatically cleaned membrane of a hypersensitive amphibian or mammalian muscle fiber. Current flowing through the pipette is measured. If the pipette contains cholinergic agonist at mu-molar concentrations, square pulse current waveforms can be observed which represent the activation of individual acetylcholine-receptor channels. The square pulses have amplitudes of 1 to 3 pA and durations of 10--100ms. In order to obtain the necessary resolution, a delicate compromise had to be found between different experimental parameters. Pipettes with 1--3 micrometer internal diameter and a steep final taper had to be used, extensive enzyme treatment was necessary, and conditions had be to found in which channels open at a relatively low frequency.


Measurements of potassium changes in the cat carotid body under hypoxia and hypercapnia.

With the aid of potassium-sensitive microelectrodes reinforced by bitumen (tip diameter, 1.5 micrometer), extracellular potassium activity ([K+]e) and DC potential were measured in the cat's carotid body. Under normoxic and normocapnic conditions, potassium values of 1--16 mM (mean value 7.2 mM, standard deviation 3.8 mM) and DC potential values of -11 mV to + 13 mV were recorded. With hypoxia, [K+5e increased by between 1 mM and 9 mM; DC potential was reduced by between 0.5 and 3 mV. With hypercapnia, [K+]e decreased by between 1 mM and 5 mM changes in DC potential were variable. The results suggest that, during hypoxia potassium influences the nervous structures in the carotid body whereas this influence is absent during hypercapnia.


Kinetic parameters of calcium metabolism and femur morphometry in rats. I. Influence of sex and age.

The aim of this study was to establish the influence of age and sex on the kinetic and morphometric parameters of calcium metabolism. Normal values of kinetic parameters were determined in normal adult rats of different ages (4--20 months) and both sexes. Urinary hydrophyline excretion was also assessed and morphometric measurements of the femur were performed. Kinetic parameters expressed as rate constants showed a lowering of calcium turnover (kr) in the rapidly exchangeable calcium compartment until the age of 12 months and urinary and fecal rate constants (ku and kf) showed a small increase. Males exhibited a lower calcium turnover (kT) as well as lower urinary and fecal rate constants. Hydroxyproline excretion diminished with age in both sexes. Lower values were recorded in males. Morphometric parameters of femurs showed no bone loss within the examined age. The results show that differences between the sexes exist in the sense of a faster calcium turnover, higher calcium excretion rate constants, higher collagen degradation and higher bone density in adult female rats.


Plasma protein handling in the rat kidney: micropuncture experiments in the acute heterologous phase of anti-GBM-nephritis.

Glomerular filtration and tubular uptake of plasma proteins have been studied in the rat using micropuncture techniques. 1. Under control conditions the glomerular capillary wall is an effective barrier, only 7.6 microgram/min x 100 g BW albumin have been measured as filtered load. Four to twelve hours after i.v. injection of anti-glomerular-basement membrane serum (anti-GBM-serum sieving coefficient phi and filtered load increased in a dose-dependent manner (phi albumin in controls = 0.27 x 10(-3), after injection of 0.5 ml Antiserum phi = 0.28 x 10(-3) and 1.0 ml Antiserum phi = 2.32 x 10(-3)). 2. The tubular reabsorption capacity is almost reached under control conditions and amounts to 5.6--10.7 microgram/min x 100 g BW for albumin. Only reduced GFR (0.36 +/- 0.07 ml/min x 100 g BW) and reduced tubular flow lead to increased tubular uptake under overload conditions (10.7 vs. 99.0 microgram albumin/min x 100 g BW). 3. Tubular reabsorption of so-called high-molecular-weight proteins seems to be a nonselective mechanism. The ratio Alb/Alb + Glob (89.9--93.1%) did not differ significantly at the individual puncture sites and in the final urine.


Neurones within the "chemosensitive area" on the ventral surface of the brainstem which project to the intermediolateral column.

With the method of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase it has been demonstrated that neurones within the "chemosensitive area" of the brainstem project to the thoracic intermediolateral column. The function of these neurones is discussed in regard to the regulation of blood pressure.


Ultraviolet resonance Raman study of DNA and of its interaction with actinomycin D.

The DNA-Actinomycin D interaction has been studied by resonance Raman effect using DNA as chromophore. First, the resonance Raman spectra of DNA obtained with a U.V. excitation at wavelengths of 300 nm and 280 nm are presented. The main Raman hands are assigned to the convenient nucleic bases by comparison with the spectra of mononucleotides obtained under the same experimental conditions. In particular, with a 300 nm excitation, the 1582 cm-1 line is provided by adenine, while the 1492 cm-1 one is almost exclusively due to guanine. Then, the DNA-Actinomycin D complex has been studied: the line enhancements and the specificity of the resonance permits the displaying of the DNA spectrum free of any contribution of Actinomycin. The interaction provides a large intensity decrease of the 1492 cm-1 guanine line: this is a direct consequence of the orbital overlapping of the guanine 2-aminogroup with the ring nitrogen of Actinomycin in the DNA-Actinomycin pi complex.


Pharmacological evidence for dopaminergic pallido-striatal interaction.

In rats the contents in dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) of neostriatum (nucleus caudatoputamen, NCP) and paleostriatum (globus pallidus, GP) were measured after transection of the capsula interna (CI) or after injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 20 microgram/2 microliter) into the GP of one side. The circling behaviour of the lesioned animals following apomorphine was also studied. 6-OHDA as well as transection decreased the contents in DA and DOPAC in NCP and GP significantly. Following both treatments DA levels in neostriatum were lowest. Nigro-neostriatal pathway lesioned animals (transected or injected with 6-OHDA 16 microgram/2 microliter into substantia nigra, SN) rotated towards the side of lesion after apomorphine (5 mg/kg IP), whereas GP lesioned animals rotated towards the intact side. In animals with both GP and SN lesions at one side turnings of similar intensity towards both sides were seen. In intact rats DA injections (200 microgram/2 microliter) into SN or NCP exhibited contralateral, injections into GP exhibited ipsilateral rotations. The results strengthen the hypothesis on the participation of GP in the regulation of neostriatal content of DA and shows the interaction of the hypothetical dopaminergic pallido-striatal pathway with nigro-neostriatal pathways.


Recovery as a function of the degree of amnesia due to protein synthesis inhibition.

Retrograde amnesia following inhibition of cerebral protein synthesis has generally been explained as either a failure of consolidation or impairment of a retrieval mechanism. Major evidence for the retrieval hypothesis is provided by studies which utilize a reminder (usually footshock) to attenuate the effect of the protein inhibitor. To examine this question, mice were injected subcutaneously with anisomycin (1 mg/animal, 7 mg/animal, or 1 mg/animal every 2 hr x 7) and given one training trial in a passive avoidance box. All animals received a single retention test on each of four consecutive days, starting either 1, 7, or 21 days after training. One-half of the mice in each group received a footshock reminder 1 hr after their initial test. The footshock reminder did not attenuate the inhibitor-induced amnesia, but multiple testing did produce partial recovery in animals demonstrating some memory of training (both Saline and Anisomycin animals). Animals injected with anisomycin whose testing began 1 day after training demonstrated partial recovery irrespective of drug dosage level. The extent of amnesia and recovery were dependent upon both drug dosage and training-test interval. Implications for the consolidation and retrieval hypotheses are discussed.


Binding of coumarin anticoagulants to human and bovine serum albumin. Circular dichroism studies.

The interaction of acenocoumarin, coumachlor, phenprocoumon, and warfarin with human and bovine serum albumin was investigated by ultracentrifugation and circular dichroism measurements. Although all four drugs generate extrinsic Cotton effects when bound to human and bovine serum albumin, large differences in the signs and the intensities of the Cotton effects are observed. The differences in the induced Cotton effects suggest differential molecular binding mechanisms.


Methadone induced lysis of mammalian cells.

Methadone induced lysis of human erythrocytes and mouse leukemic cells was studied. The cells lyse without prior swelling that is a necessary step of colloid osmotic lysis. Methadone is accumulated by both cell types, and is widely distributed intracellurly in mouse leukemic cells. The maximum lytic rate is roughly proportional to the amount of methadone uptake and the Q10 for lysis is equal to the Q10 for methadone partitioning between octanol and water. It is concluded that the cells lyse as a result of a non-specific disruption of the plasma membrane.


[Thorium-induced neoplasia of the spleen? (author's transl)].

A patient is presented in whom multiple lienal circular foci are seen 25 years after application of a thorium-containing contrast medium for vascular visualization, over and above the well-known characteristic ThO2 deposits in the liver and spleen. The article discusses the problem whether these circular foci which meet the angiographic criteria of an angioblastic sarcoma, should be considered as a thiorium-induced neoplasia.


Alcohol and acute pancreatitis. An experimental study in the rat.

The effect of chronic alcohol pretreatment and various pancreatobiliary secretions on the severity of experimental pancreatitis was studied in the rat. 95 rats were pretreated with ethanol (20% w/v, 1.1 ml/100 g body weight) five times weekly for 10 to 12 weeks by gastric intubation. 88 rats served as controls. Pancreatic lesions were produced by retograde injection of different pancreatobiliary secretions into the pancreatic ducts. The secretions were collected from both normal and chronically alcohol-fed rats, and each was used for induction of experimental pancreatitis in the control and alcohol pretreated rats. Bile obtained from normal rats was no more toxic to the pancreas than 0.9% saline solution, while bile obtained from the chronically alcohol-fed rats caused significantly more serious lesions to the pancreas than did normal rat bile. Bile-pancreatic juice (mixture of secretions at papilla of Vater) of normal and chronically alcohol-fed rats was as toxic as the bile of the alcohol-fed rats. Alcohol pretreatment had no significant effect on the severity of pancreatitis when control and alcohol-fed groups separately or the whole material according to pretreatment was examined. These results suggest that the metabolic effects of ethanol on the pancreas as such do not sensitize the pancreas to acute pancreatitis. An exogenous mechanism is required. The reflux of toxic alcoholic bile into the pancreas might act as an induction factor in acute alcohol pancreatitis.


[Existence of emigrants and mental disorders].

This paper's purpose is to define the immigrant's status and give evidence of psycho-social problems of the uprooted in a survey of hungarian and czech refugees. It is evident that morbidity of immigrant populations is generally increased. Also, certain nosological states are prevalent. Most of all, we have investigated delusions of reference in a culturally alien environment. Moreover, some psychoanalytical and sociological aspects pertaining to the immigrant's status (identity, assimilation, overadaptation, feelings of discrimination, socio-cultural hierarchy) are discussed. Ultimately, practical approaches to the psychological misery of immigrants are suggested.


[Effect of chronic alcohol administration and of folic acid deficiency on iron absorption].

The influence of chronic alcohol ingestion and artificially induced folic acid deficiency on iron absorption has been measured in rabbits by whole body counter. Results show that chronic alcohol ingestion does not modify iron absorption. Folic acid deficiency increases iron absorption by two probable mechanisms: first by increased plasma iron turnover (PIT), which parallels ineffective erythropoiesis, and second by a probable direct effect on the intestinal mucous membranes. This second mechanism appears to be independent of PIT: concomitant deficiency of folic acid and alcohol ingestion produces an increase in iron absorption without modification of PIT. Experience with drugs inhibiting protein synthesis suggests that this increase may be mediated by decreased protein synthesis.