The role of the pineal gland in the lipid metabolism.

The study contains the data gathered with time with regard to the involvment of the pineal gland in the lipid metabolism. Thus, it has been demonstrated that administration of the pineal extract lowers serum, hepatic, adrenal and testicular cholesterol of rat and that pinealectomy causes reverse effects. Administration of melatonin did not cause significant alterations. The same pineal extract reduced cholesterolemia, biliary cholesterol and serum phospholipids in rabbits whereas the absence of the pineal gland caused an increase in cholesterolemia, total lipids and FFA. Pineal treatment reduced the major lipid components of the blood and aorta in experimental atheromatosis induced in rabbits. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the inhibiting role played by the pineal gland in the lipid metabolism.


Genetically determined sex-reversal in 46,XY humans.

Evidence is presented for the existence of a gene, probably on the X chromosome, which prevents testis differentiation when present in 46,XY human embryos. Affected 46,XY women are not completely normal because of premature ovarian involution, as a result of which they have "streak gonads" similiar to those of 45,X women.


Krabbe's disease in an infant and her fetal sibling. A case report.

Degenerative diseases of the cerebral white matter are rare, but have severe consequences. The diagnosis of one such disorder, Krabbe's disease, may be made by biochemical analysis of cultured fibroblasts. As the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, there is a high risk of affected children being born to a heterozygote couple. A description is given of an infant with Krabbe's disease and of the monitoring of the mother's second pregnancy in which an affected fetus was found.


Bovine experimental paracoccidioidomycosis intradermic test standardization.

Three intratesticulary inoculated bovines revealed to be susceptible to experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. The experimental infection was self limited with no tendency to dissemination during a follow up period of five months. The histopathologic lesions characterized by granulomatous inflammatory foci, associated or not to necrosis, were found in the testicles, spermatic cords and testicular tunicae. In some of both lesions types the yeast cells of P. brasiliensis were present. The experimental infection did not cure in a follow up period of five months. The immunological response either cellular or humoral were delayed in relation to what happens in other animal species. The three experimentally infected bovines were utilized for some standardization of the paracoccidioidin intradermic test. A type and dose of an antigen which gives a clear reading for the positive tests was determined. The humoral responses were detected mainly by the complement fixation reaction. It was not possible to demonstrate humoral antibodies by the agar immunodiffusion test.


Volatile constituents of Trichothecium roseum.

In the course of investigation of Trichothecium roseum (Fungi Imperfecti) for its attractancy against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (cheese mite), the twenty following volatile compounds produced at a very low concentration by the microfungus were identified by gc, gc/ms, gc/c.i.ms and tlc: 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-one, 3-octanol, octa-1,5-dien-3 one, 1-octen-3-ol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, octa-1,5-dien-3 ol, furfural, linalool, linalyl acetate, terpineol (alpha and beta) citronellyl acetate, nerol, citronellol, phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl alcohol geranyl acetate, 1-phenyl ethanol and nerolidol. Octa-1,5-dien-3-ol and octa-1,5-dien-3-one have not been previously isolated from fungi; octa-1,5-dien-3-ol is the most potent attractant amount the volatile compounds detected by gc.


Gene assignment of alpha-fucosidase and glucose dehydrogenase to the p21 leads to pter region of chromosome 1 in man.

Assignment of human genes coding for alpha-fucosidase (alphaFUC) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) to chromosome 1 has been confirmed and a location in the p21 leads to pter region demonstrated using man-mouse somatic cell hybrids. The regional location of alphaFUC and GDH was established in cell hybrids using human cells possessing 1/2 translocation chromosomes [46,XX,t(1;2)(p21;q37)]. Hybrids which retained the 2q+ chromosome carrying the 1p21 leads to 1pter region concordantly expressed alphaFUC, GDH, and the short-arm markers ENO1, AK2, and PGM1. Hybrids which retained the 1p21 leads to 1qter region only expressed human PEPC and FH. Data obtained from hybrids in which spontaneous breaks in chromosome 1 had occurred indicate that the gene order in 1p21 leads to 1pter is (ENO1,GDH)-alphaFUC-AK2-PGM1.


Transfer of genetic information via isolated amphibian metaphase chromosomes.

The metaphase chromosome transfer system of McBride and Ozer (1973) has been adapted to a haploid, euploid, frog cell line. Genes coding for a deoxypyrimidine kinase and an enzyme responsible for a thymidine-specific saturable transport system have each been transferred at frequencies between 10(-6) and 10(-5) transferents per cell treated. Revertants for each of these two genes were observed at frequencies between 10(-8) and 10(-7) revertants per cell tested. Selfing controls showed no transferents. Two colonies were obtained in which cotransfer of both genes may have occurred. Activities of the transferred genes were assayed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine into alkali-stable, acid-precipitable material. Growth properties of 13 transferents in various media were also determined and presence of the appropriate enzymes inferred. These transferents were tested for stability early (25 generations) after transfer and were found to be stable. All 13 transferents possess the normal haploid number of chromosomes (n = 13) with no cytologically detectable chromosomal fragments.


The noncoordinate expression of muscle-specific proteins in mutant rat skeletal myoblasts and reinitiation of differentiation in hybrids.

In rat skeletal myoblasts which are resistant to 5-azacytidine and fusion-incompetent, the muscle-specific protein, creatine phosphokinase, is produced but muscle-specific myosin is not. In human diploid fibroblast X rat myoblast hybrids, myoblast-specific properties are extinguished. Clones can be selected from the hybrids after a number of doublings which reexpress fusion but do not produce creatine phosphokinase. The conclusion is drawn that the expression of muscle-specific phenotype is not coordinate and fusion of myoblasts is not an essential requirement for the appearance of myoblast-specific proteins.


[Studying the faeces for the presence of parasites in horses and ponies (author's transl)].

In 3,791 horses and ponies submitted to the Department of Internal Disease of Farm Animals of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, the faeces were studied for the presence of parasites. The results were classified by age groups and months of arrival. Eggs of the Strongylus type were found to be present in 57.3 per cent of the faecal samples, eggs of Parascaris equorum were present in 6.1 per cent, eggs of Oxyuris equi in 1.2 per cent, eggs or larvae of Dictyocaulus arnfieldi in 0.2 per cent, eggs of Anoplocephala in 2.5 per cent and oocysts of Eimeria leuckarti in 0.3 per cent. Eggs of Strongyloides westeri were found to be present in 56.4 per cent of the foals under six months and in 12.3 per cent of those in the 6-12 month range. Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were observed in 0.6 per cent of the faecal samples of horses and ponies over twelve months of age (3,340). The highest proportion of faecal samples containing eggs of the Strongylus type was recorded in Augusts (65.2 per cent), whereas this proportion was 52.4 and 50.7 per cent respectively in April and October. Eggs of O. equi, eggs or larvae of D. arnfieldi and oocysts of E. leucarkti were not observed in horses and ponies over ten years of age. On the other hand, eggs of P. equorum were still found to be present in animals up to fifteen years of age.


Pedigree analysis of the hypothermal recovery of the effects of gamma-rays on hepatoma cells.

Cultured hepatoma cells of the rat were irradiated with 400 to 900 R of gamma-rays. They were kept at room temperature for several hours before transferred to normal culture condition at 37 degrees C. The pedigree analysis of growing cells recorded by cinematography indicated a variety of lethal and non-lethal recovery events such as a decrease in lethal branch formation and an increase in locomotion. The so-called repair immediately after irradiation has many facets depending upon dose and duration of the low temperature treatment.


[Protein concentration in the neuron--neuroglia system of the anterior horns of the spinal cord in rats following exposure to the tranquilizer diazepam against a background of anticipation stress].

Anticipation stress was induced in 16 day-old male rats by placing the animals daily for 7 days into individual cells for 45 min. In the end of each 45 min session, an electric stimulation of paws of the animals was done for 2 min. It was shown by visible cytospectrophotometry of amido black-stained spinal cord sections that the anticipation stress for 7 days resulted in an accumulation of the nuclear and cytoplasmic total proteins in the motoneurons of spinal cord anterior horns, with no changes in the body (in fact, in the nuclei) of the glial cells adjacent to the neurons. Intraperitoneal injection of the tranquilizer diazepam (10 mg per kg) 40 min. before the beginning of the last anticipation stress session gave rise to the return to the normal of the protein content per cell in the motoneuron nucleus and cytoplasm while inducing an increase in the quantity of neuroglia cell protein. Differences in the protein metabolism between the neurons and the neuroglia are discussed.


[Effect of antibulins on the distribution of fibrillar elements in mouse embryonal fibroblasts].

Effects of colcemid, colchicine and vinblastine on distribution of fibrillar elements (microtubules, microfilaments and 100 A filaments) in mouse embryo fibroblasts were studied by the transmission electron microscopy and by additional treatment of cells with cytochalasin B. All the fibrillar components under routine conditions were seen to form a system of elements with a radial distribution. After antitubulin treatment, the radial system was seen tranformed into a circular one, which consisted mainly of microfilament bundles apparently connecting cell peripheral attachment sites with each other.


[Effect of stromal mechanocytes of hematopoietic organs on in vitro formation of antibody producing cells].

Cultured rabbit fibroblasts of bone marrow, thymus and spleen origin were added in spleen cell cultures in which the primary antibody response to SRBC was induced. Bone marrow fibroblasts caused strong inhibition of the response; thymus fibroblasts stimulated antibody formation; spleen fibroblasts inhibited the response when added in large amounts otherwise they produced no effect. The stimulation of antibody forming cell response by thymus fibroblasts proved independent of whether fibroblasts were irradiated or not. Bone marrow fibroblasts exhibited suppressive effect on the response predominantly during initial stages of antibody induction. All the 3 types of fibroblasts did not influence cell viability in spleen cells cultures, and were much more effective on addition to cultures of A-deficient spleen cells as compared to full spleen cells.


An example of anti-Jra causing hemolytic disease of the newborn and frequency of Jra antigen in the Japanese population.

An example of anti-Jra which caused hemolytic disease of the newborn is reported. Two other examples of the antibody were detected in random screening of Japanese donors. In testing 19, 298 unrelated Japanese, 5 Jr(a-) individuals were found, i.e. an incidence of 0.0003 (0.03%); the corresponding gene frequencies were Jra 0.984 and Jr 0.016.


Anti-autologous  erythrocyte plaque-forming cells in pregnancy. A parameter of immunoregulatory change.

Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from 16 persons (6 Rh-sensitized pregnant women, 1 pregnant non-Rh-sensitized woman, 3 nonpregnant non-Rh-sensitized women, and 6 non-Rh-sensitized males) were assayed for plaque-forming cells (PFC) against several erythrocyte targets. 6 of 7 pregnant women had PFC, whereas only 1 of 6 males had PFC to autologous red cells. Antiautologous erythrocyte PFC in all of the pregnant Rh-sensitized women as well as the 1 nonpregnant multiparous woman may be the result of alloimmunization of mothers by their fetuses during gestation. Further studies in this area would be valuable in determining not only the immune status of a mother in relation to her fetus, but also would be of value in determining the consequences of that immune status on both mother and fetus. Such information would also provide a further clue to the etiology of autoimmune disease.


Investigations on the involvement of swine influenza A virus (Hsw1N1) in the influenza outbreak recorded in a town of Romania during the 1976--1977 winter season.

Seroepidemiological investigations performed with 1,620 serum samples and serodiagnostic tests with 166 paired sera demonstrated that swine influenza virus type A/New Jersey 8/76 (Hsw1N1) played no role in the epidemiology of human influenza in a large town of Romania during 1977.


Occlusive impedance plethysmography. A noninvasive method of diagnosis of proximal deep vein thrombosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess and confirm the accuracy of impedance plethysmography (IPG) by the occlusive cuff method, in detecting proximal (popliteal, femoral and iliac) deep vein thrombosis in patients with symptomatic limbs. In 27 patients 30 consecutive limbs were studied with concurrent venography and IPG. The IPG result was normal in 9 of 9 limbs which were normal on venography, and abnormal in 15 of 16 limbs which showed venographic evidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT). An abnormal IPG strongly suggests proximal DVT (predictive value 0.88). A normal IPG virtually rules out proximal DVT (predictive value 1.0).


[Advances in non-invasive procedures to diagnose acquired and congenital cardiac valvular disease (author's transl)].

A review is presented, based upon the literature published mainly during the past 10 years and upon personal experience with these methods, of the use of non-invasive diagnostic procedures in congenital and acquired valvular disease of the heart and pericardial disorders. Special emphasis is placed on the possibility of obtaining a quantitative assessment of the severity of the disorder. It depends on the underlying disease whether mechanocardiography (phonocardiogram, external pulse recordings) or echocardiography provides optimum diagnostic information. Echocardiography is especially helpful in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.


[Characteristics of a culture of embryonal human lung cells spontaneously contaminated with mouse cells].

The characteristics of human embryo lung culture spontaneously contaminated with mouse cells (HELCCM) are presented. Changes in the cytological and karyological characteristics of the cells were observed as compared with those of the initial human embryo lung (HEL) cell strain. The culture acquired the resistance to adenovirus type 7; at the same time RNA metabolism in HELCCM culture culture chronically infected with adenovirus practically did not differ from that of the control. Electron microscopic examination of the culture revealed virions of oncornavirus types A and C as well as minimal forms of oncornaviruses which morphologically were close to murine oncornaviruses. The results indicate that in the process of passages the initial diploid cells of HEL were eliminated by mouse cells. Therefore at present, the HELCCM cell line is considered to be a mouse line.


[Intranuclear centers of influenza virus reproduction during the early stage of infection].

At 1--3 hours after infection of chick fibroblasts and a continuous dog kidney cell line MDCK with WSN and FPV viruses large virus specific structures were found containing parent nucleocapsids, newly synthesized virus-specific RNA and newly synthesized protein. The buoyant density of these structures in cesium chloride was 1.30--1.32 g/ml. The amount of newly synthesized RNA and protein in these structures increased linearly for 3 hours of infection. The parent and newly synthesized RNA in the structures were resistant to ribonuclease. When protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide, parent nucleocapsids were also found in the large structures, and primary transcription of the viral genome occurred there as well. Some structures were destroyed upon sonication of the nuclei. It is suggested that in the observed structure the parent nucleocapsids are associated with cell components (possibly, nuclear chromatin), and centers of influenza virus reproduction arise in the sites of association.


[Agglutinins in marine brown algae. Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Knöll on his 65th birthday].

Extracts from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus, F. serratus, and Halidrys siliquosa agglutinated human erythrocytes of groups A, B, O, and AB as well as erythrocytes from some animal species, ascites tumour cells from mice, and streptococci of many groups of the LANCEFIELD system. The extract of Chorda filum did not show haemagglutination but agglutinated ascites tumour cells and streptococci of a few groups.


[Findings in quality controls of ocean fish in the Siegen district].

In quality tests on traded sea-fish, 30 fresh fish- and 20 quick-frozen fish specimens were tested for their TVB-N content, TMA-N content, as well as for TMAO-N, and were subjected to a sensorial test. Equal portions of codfish- and perch fillets were tested. According to the chemical analytic data, 13 specimens of the fresh fillets proved to be unobjectionable commercial merchandise 17 specimen had to be eliminated as being spoiled, since part of the above values for TVB-N and TMA-N had been considerable exceeded. The results differ enormously between the two species of fish. The perch fillets showed a significant better quality condition than the specimens of codfish. In the sensorial test the objective total result was confirmed in the main. On the basis of the chemical findings one specimen of codfish out of the deep-frozen fillets had to be objected. 16 fillet-specimens could sensorially be approved as being commercially marketable, 4 were tested not for sale. With codfish showing considerable better results than perch.


[Urodynamic data].

This paper gives a survey of urodynamic data that may be used for evaluating functional aspects of the bladder and its excretory tract. The different parameters are physically defined. Units of the International System are used in the dimensional formulae, which facilitates the establishment of relations between these parameters. The so-called urethral drag can be derived from the pressure law of Blasius. The calculation is as follows: urethral drag = vesical pressure/(maximum urethral discharge). This value is proportional to the true vesical resistance in a physical sense.


[Development of the intercalated disc in culture].

A culture of separated chick embryo heart cells was observed for 48 hours. By electron microscopy it was observed that at the sites of contacts made during culture intercalated discs did not in general develop. Previous reports to the contrary are devoid of controls excluding the possibility that the intercalated discs found originated from the tissue with which the culture was started. Their electron micrographs, in any case, related to the mature state of the tissue used. In one part of the culture used here the site of a contact which had developed in culture shows a fascia adherens to which filaments (of up to myofilament diameter) insert on both sides. Their course, however, is irregular in one cell, and in the other they are very sparse. Z-lines are missing and only round Z-bodies are to be seen, so one can only speak of an intercalated disc at the earliest stage of development. These findings agree with the recently published statement of Gross and Müller (1977), according to which intercalated discs did not develop even during common pulsation of heart muscle cells for two and a half month, provided that during culture a certain mechanical momentum did not supervene. It is supposed that the intercalated disc Anlage here demonstrated represents one of the most advanced states to which spontaneous development, without mechanical momentum, can lead .


[Metric growth of the uterus in digenetic trematodes (author's transl)].

1. The length of the uterus of Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Pleurogenoides medians and Fasciola hepatica at different stages of development is correlated with the corrected size of the body (parallel length x breadth). 2. The data plotted in a log-scale show for all three species a sigmoid curve with linear middle section. 3. The function y = ax + ac(xw - x)3 + b(y = log length of the uterus, x = log length of the body, xw = log length of the body at the turning point) fits very well to the data obtained from Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The constants a, ac and b were determined numerically. The function is valid also for Pleurogenoides medians and Fasciola hepatica but with other constants. 4. The linear middle section of the sigmoid curve may be interpreted by allometric growth. During this phase of development the uterus is tubelike. 5. During the earliest stages of development the uterus forms a solid cord of cells (three-dimensional growth) and grows slower than in a later stage after formation of a cell-free interior (two-dimensional growth). 6. The latest phases of development are characterized by a small increase in length of the uterus due to the three-dimensional dilatation by the produced eggs. 7. The computed function is considered as a modification of the law of allometric growth Y = B . Xa, respectively y = ax + b (log Y = y, log X = x).


Forms of aggression in Thomson's gazelle; their situational motivation and their relative frequency in different sex, age, and social classes.

Forms of aggression, their situational motivations and frequencies in Thomson's gazelle were investigated to elucidate the multiple functions of aggressive behavior as well as quantitative differences in encounters with opponents of different sex, age, and social classes. The study was conducted in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) where the gazelle population is estimated to total 600 000. Within three years, 4016 agonistic encounters were recorded and analyzed. Besides the confirmation of its conventionally recognized functions in territoriality, etc., the great role of intraspecific aggression in the coordination of group activities appears to be of special importance.


Mobbing in the pied flycatcher. Effect of experiencing a live owl on responses to a stuffed facsimile.

A surprisingly high proportion (42%) of breeding pied flycatchers failed to mob a stuffed pygmy owl placed near the nests. To determine whether the range of effective stimulus objects eliciting mobbing could be extended in these "non-mobbers", a live owl, resembling the ineffective dummy in nearly all static owl traits, was briefly exposed. It evoked strong mobbing from all birds, as did the stuffed specimen on a subsequent presentation. The role of experience with live predators and the effect of labile properties of the latter on the mobbing response are discussed.


Species-typical and individually distinctive acoustic features of crow calls of red jungle fowl.

Crow calls of red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) were analyzed for the purposes of (a) determining the extent of commonality and variability of acoustic features within and between individual roosters, and (b) characterizing the modal crow call of this species. Comparisons were made between crow calls of jungle fowl and those of domestic fowl to assess the extent to which domestication has affected these motor patterns.


[Change in the concentration of free amino acids in the brain upon exposure to amnesia producing agents].

A comparison was made of free aminoacids content in the brain of rats after amnesia induced by an electric shock or an injection of iproniazid. Immediately after the electric shock the cystine content rises and there is a drop in the content of aspartic acid, proline and isoleucine. Twenty four hours later the content of most of the amino acids rises. A correlation has been found between the glycine content in the brain and the degree of amnesia. Under the influence of iproniazid the content of aspartic and glutamic acids, alanine, tyrosine and phenylalanine in the brain drops and that of proline, glycine, cystine and valine rises. It is assumed that the differences between the content of free aminoacids in the brain after electric shock and iproniazid reflect those between the mechanisms of amnestic action of the two agents.


[Analysis of the biological effect of city smog extract. II. Effect of a city smog extract on cell growth and DNA synthesis of hamster kidney cells in vitro (author's transl)].

A city smog extract from an urban area inhibits the cell growth of hamster kidney cells in vitro. Parallel to an inhibition of cell multiplication a diminished rate of total DNA synthesis appeared. The number of cells in DNA synthesis is depressed in presence of city smog extract. These phenomena revealed a dose-response relationship. The biological effect of city smog extract is discussed.


[Opsonizing activity of sera from animals immunized with pertussis vaccine].

Opsonizing activity of guinea pig blood serum containing mercaptoethanol-resistant pertussis antibodies was studied in vitro on a model of microorganism ingestion by the mononuclears of the guinea pig peritoneal exudate. There were revealed distinct differences in the serum activity depending on the phagocytosis object. The blood serum of hyperimmunized rabbits stimulated the ingestion of Bordetella pertussis by mononuclears of guinea pigs--normal and immunized with pertussis vaccine. The blood sera of hyperimmunized guinea pigs and of mice immunized with pertussis vaccine twice displayed opsonins to B. pertussis. The blood sera of animals immunized with pertussis vaccine inhibited the staphylococcus ingestion by the peritoneal exudate mononuclears of guinea pigs, both normal and those immunized with pertussis vaccine.


[Regulatory role of bone marrow in immunogenesis. III. Humoral factors stimulating and suppressing antibody formation produced by bone marrow cells in in vitro cultures].

As revealed by the method of cultivation of bone marrow and spleen cells, separated by nucleopore membrane, in two-chamber bottles, the bone marrow cells were capable of producing humoral factor stimulating antibody genesis by the spleen cells. A direct contact of the bone marrow cells with the actively proliferating antigen-stimulated cells of the spleen led to production of a spleen humoral factor suppressing the antibody genesis by the spleen cells. The suppressive action of the bone marrow cells on the antibody genesis in the culture of the spleen cells was mediated through the suppression of the spleen cells proliferation; proliferation of the bone marrow cells is enhanced.


[Formation of group and intergroup antibodies in humans with leptospirosis infections].

The authors studied regularities attending the biosynthesis of group (homologous) and intergroup (heterologous) antibodies in man during the whole cycle of leptospirosis infection, and for three months after it. Leptospira of the serological groups Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis, the most prominent in the morbidity structure at present, served as etiological causative agents of the disease. Biosynthesis of both homologous and heterologous antibodies had its specific features for each serological group of the disease, and was characterized by the quadripol dynamics of 19S-macro and 7S-microglobulin antibodies production in leptospiroses of serological groups Pomona and Gryppotyphosa, whereas in leptospiroses of serological groups Icterohaemorrhagiae and Hebdomadis a graphically dipolic synthesis dynamics of 19S-macroglobulin antibodies alone was noted.


Development of the external muscle coats in the digestive tract of the opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

Development of the external musculature of the gastrointestinal tract has been studied in the stomach, small intestine and colon of the postnatal opossum. The muscle support is thin and poorly developed at birth, especially in the stomach and small intestine where only the inner layer is completely formed. The outer layer is discontinuous and formed by scattered myoblasts. The muscularis externa of the colon at birth is considerably thicker and both layers are present. Subsequent development of the muscularis externa consists of an early period of proliferative activity followed by hypertrophy. A low rate of mitotic activity continues throughout development and into the adult. Elements of the myenteric plexus are present at birth.


Influence of pubococcygeal repair on urethral closure pressure at stress.

Stress incontinence is cured or improved by surgical treatment but the immediate reason is obscure. Simultaneous urethrocystometry with urethral pressure profile recording at rest pre- and postoperatively has shown that the urethral pressure remains fairly unchanged by the operation. Similar measurements, but during stress, have been performed in eight women with stress incontinence before and after pubococcygeal repair with interest focussed on changes in pressure transmission from abdomen to urethra. We have found that the reason for cure is a greatly improved pressure transmission, probably depending on the firm support beneath the urethra postoperatively. Rotational descent is prevented and the "floor" beneath the urethra responds with good counterpressure at stress. The pressure transmission was as good at one year as at one month after surgery, pointing to a lasting result.


Nitrogen and protein components of human milk.

The true protein content of human milk is 0.9%, in well-nourished as well as malnourished mothers. Casein constitutes only about 20% of the protein nitrogen in human milk. The remaining 80% is derived from the whey proteins, the three dominant components being alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin and secretory IgA. alpha-lactalbumin is a subunit of lactose synthetase. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein which plays a role in the defence against gastro-intestinal infections and is probably also involved in iron transport in the gut. Secretory IgA is comparatively stable at low pH; it is resistant to proteolytic enzymes and plays an essential role in the immunological defence against gastro-intestinal infections. Lysozyme is a minor component of the whey proteins and represents an active enzyme with a bactericidal effect. The nutritional and immunological significance of the marked differences with respect to the nitrogen and protein compositions of human milk and cow's milk should not be underestimated, but need further elucidation.


Lipid and trace element composition of human milk.

The recent work on lipids and trace elements in human milk has been reviewed. Lipids in human milk are specially important for the development of the central nervous system of the infant, in addition to being a source of nutrients. Recent studies revealed that the concentration of total lipids was low in milk samples from Indian women belonging to the low socio-economic group: linoleic acid constituted a high percent of the fatty acids. The bile-stimulated lipase activity of milk was higher in Ethiopian than in Swedish milk samples. Vitamin D sulphate, the water soluble conjugate of vitamin D, was present in higher concentrations than that reported for vitamin D in lipid fraction; however, the antirachitic activity of vitamin D sulphate is yet to be studies. Copper, zinc, and magnesium concentrations were high in sampled obtained during the first month of lactation. Copper and zinc levels continued to fall gradually till the end of one year lactation. The mean concentrations of zinc and copper in mature milk samples from Indian mothers were similar to those in American samples, though both the samples showed wide variation. A high proportion of zinc in milk was bound to proteins.


Variations of serum testosterone estradiol binding globulin (TeBG) binding capacity in infants during the first year of life.

Serum TeBG binding capacity was measured in 8 cord blood samples, and in peripheral venous blood from 39 male and 31 female infants aged from 1 day to 1 year. In cord blood, TeBG binding capacities were low (1.27 +/- 0.3 microgram/100 ml) with no sex difference. In male infants, TeBG binding capacities increased progressively from birth to 3 months, before decreasing to reach the normal prepubertal level at 6 months. Individual values ranged between 1.16 and 14.5 microgram/100 ml and were significantly correlated with plasma testosterone (r = 0.671, 95% confidence limits 0.440 to 0.818, p less than 0.005) and estradiol (r = 0.734, 95% confidence limits 0.121 to 0.942, p less than 0.01) levels. In female infants, individual values ranged between 1.17 and 14.5 microgram/100 ml, without correlation with age or plasma estradiol level. In male infants the data suggest a positive control ot TeGB binding capacity by estrogens, the negative effect of testosterone being delayed until after the 3rd month of age. In girls, the lack of correlation between TeBG and estradiol can probably be explained by rapid variations of plasma estradiol levels.


Plasma free amino acid concentrations of breast-fed infants.

Photometric determination of alpha-amino nitrogen in peripheral venous plasma and urine from 20 healthy, full-term infants, 1--5 months of age, showing normal growth and development during an uncomplicated lactation, revealed lower plasma levels than what has been found in adults, or 3.7 +/- 1.1 mg/100 ml, and a urinary excretion of 41 +/- 14 mg/24 hours. Ion-exchange chromatography of deproteinized peripheral venous plasma showed low valine concentrations, an increased glycine/valine ratio and high cystine and very high taurine levels when compared to the levels of healthy American infants of comparable ages fed 3--3.5 g/kg of cow-milk protein. The findings indicate that a formula based on cow-milk protein should optimally contain only 1.0--1.2 g protein/100 ml provided that it is "humanized" not only with regard to the lactalbumin/casein ratio, but also to the cystine and taurine content. The pattern of the plasma concentrations of free amino acids reported in the present investigation may be used as a normal reference for breast-fed infants.


Long-term observation of ears with reduced middle ear pressure.

335 ears from 210 childred in which tympanometry initially indicated middle ear pressure less than or equal to -100 mm H2O or a flat tympanogram have been reinvestigated 3 years later. When the inital investigation was performed all children were 7 years old. The present study reveals that 25% of these ears still have middle ear pressure less than or equal to -100 mm H2O and 16% middle ear pressure less than or equal to -150 mm H2O. In normal material of the same age group 9% have middle ear pressure less than or equal to -100 mm H2O and 4% middle ear pressure less than or equal to -150 mm H2O. The study also reveals effusion in 10% of ears with normal screening audiograms. In ears with normal screening audiograms and middle ear pressure greater than or equal to -145 mm H2O effusion was found in 5% and in ears with abnormal screening audiograms and middle ear pressure less than or equal to -150 mm H2O effusion was found in 81%. As tympanometric criterion for otologist referral, middle ear pressure less than or equal to -150 mm H2O or a flat tympanogram is suggested. The inclusion of tympanometry in routine screening for middle ear pathology in children is recommended.


Effect of long-term administration of various alcoholic beverages on the in vitro incorporation of 3H-leucine into proteins in rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum and liver.

The incorporation of 3H-leucine into protein from anterior and posterior cerebellum, cerebral cortex and liver was studied in rats given 50% of calories as ethanol, brandy, whisky, gin, red wine or isocaloric amounts of glucose together with diets with moderate or low protein-vitamin content for 8--9 months. Higher incorporation rates were usually observed with higher protein-vitamin administration. Red wine and brandy rats usually had the highest, ethanol and gin rats usually the lowest incorporation rates. The incorporation rate thus increased with amount of congeners present.


Phobic partner-specific impotence in women.

Functional coital impotence is not exclusive to men. It also occurs in two groups of women: those suffering from vaginismus and those with depressive episodes that give rise to a partner-specific sexual phobia. The latter syndrome is by no means uncommon, yet it has not so far attracted the attention it deserves. This neglect may be largely due to the emotional complications which ensue from it and camouflage its depressive-phobic background. It can be amenable to psychotherapeutic measures combined with antidepressant medication.


Plasmalogenase is elevated in early demyelinating lesions.

Plasmalogenase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ethanolamine plasmalogens to long-chain aldehydes and 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamines. During development, plasmalogenase activity parallels myelination. The enzyme is most concentrated within oligodendroglial cells and is absent from myelin. The normal function of plasmalogenase in white matter may be related to its specificity for plasmalogens that contain most of the thromboxane and prostaglandin precursors. Plasmalogenase activities are elevated in demyelinating CNS tissues including canine white matter with lesions due to distemper virus. Elevated plasmalogenase activity precedes cellular invasion and lysosomal activation as indicated by beta-glucuronidase, acid proteinase and neutral proteinase activities. The elevation of plasmalogenase activity was 4.9-fold greater than normal in an early demyelinating lesion caused by the Snyder-Hill strain of distemper virus. Phospholipases acting on phosphatidyl ethanolamine were not activated in this tissue and have activities much lower than plasmalogenase in control tissues. Plasmalogenase activities are also elevated after intracerebral injections of complement-dependent anti-myelin antibody and after ischemia. Plasmalogenase acting on the oligodendrocyte plasma membrane may be responsible for necrosis of the oligodendrocyte that results in demyelination.


The hazards of a chemical laboratory environment--a study of the mortality in two cohorts of swedish chemists.

The causes of death among the 93 chemists belonging to a cohort of 857 men, who graduated from the Schools of Chemical Engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, and the Chalmers Institute of Technology (CTH), Gothenburg, Sweden, during the years 1930 to 1950, were studied. The group was followed until the end of 1974. There was a significant increase of cancer, particularly of leukemias/malignant lymphomas and of urogenital tumors. The study indicated that chemists, who continued with laboratory work for at least a few years after graduation and specifically worked with organic compounds, displayed an increased frequency of death from cancer.


The emergence of candidosis. The dominant postmortem cerebral mycosis.

Comparable human postmortem surveys in central Kentucky and southern Florida have demonstrated an altered pattern of cerebral mycoses due primarily to therapeutic manipulations. From both states 8,975 complete autopsies yielded 39 patients with histologically verified cerebral mycoses. The most common infection was candidosis (49%), characterized by intraparenchymal microabscesses without significant leptomeningitis in hospitalized patients compromised by antibiotic therapy for infection with gram-negative organisms. The remaining 20 patients with noncandidal cerebral mycoses included 9 (23%) with cryptococcosis, 5 (13%) with zygomycosis, 2 (5%) with aspergillosis, 2 (5%) with histoplasmosis, 1 (2.5%) with blastomycosis and 1 (2.5%) with curvulariosis. These compromised patients had leptomeningitis when infected with yeasts and cerebral infarcts with cerebritis when infected with hyphal fungi. In contrast to human cerebral candidosis, the non-candidal cerebral mycoses precipitated the patient's terminal hospitalization. These infections seemed to be contracted outside the hospital. Therapy for gram-negative bacterial infections has enabled Candida species to overtake Cryptococcus neoformans as the most common cause of postmortem cerebral mycosis.


Water exchange in the placenta: a mathematical model.

To better understand the complicated interplay of forces affecting human placental water exchange, we developed a system of differential equations describing the flows of water, glucose, bicarbonate ion, amino acids, CO2, O2, passive cations (such as Na+ and K+), and chloride ion transplacentally and across the erythrocytes. The equations are based largely on the flux equations of irreversible thermodynamics, although Goldman's hypothesis and equation are employed to treat the ionic currents across the erythrocyte membrane. Bicarbonate ion and dissolved carbon dioxide were found to be major forces acting early in capillary transit to produce a large flow of water toward the fetus. Near the end of the capillary an almost equal amount of water returns to the mother, an effect due predominantly to the effect of glucose. For small deviations from accepted normal values, water transfer is most sensitive to changes in passive cations and chloride, followed by bicarbonate and CO2, plasma solutes (including lactate and glucose), hydrostatic pressure, and amino acids. A simple equation is given to summarize the model's results for water transfer when many factors change simultaneously. Uneven distribution of maternal-to-fetal blood flows tends to favor fetal water acquisition.


Genetic polymorphism and isoenzyme patterns of lactate dehydrogenase in tench (Tinca tinca), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Isoenzyme patterns and the polymorphism of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated in 3 fish species of family Cyprinidae, i.e. tench (Tinca tinca), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). The isoenzyme patterns were tissue and species specific. In crucian carp subunits with different electrophoretic mobility are present, which are genetically controlled from the B1, B2, A1, A2 and C loci, while the set of loci in carp is B1, B2, A, C1 and C2 and in tench B, A, C. The locus B of LDH in tench, the locus B2 in crucian carp, and the loci B1, C1 and C2 in carp are polymorphic and have two different alleles in each case. The polymorphism did not affect the total LDH activity in the tissues. All the populations investigated were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic control of the polymorphism in B1 and C1 loci in carp was proved by test matings. The polymorphism in B loci tested in erythrocytes may be utilized as genetic markers in the fish breeding.


[Primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery of the hemangioendotheliosarcoma type].

A case of primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery presenting with the symptomatology of a bronchopulmonary tumour is studied in comparison with those reported up to the present in the literature. The tumour, examined in the pneumonectomy specimen, appeared to be inserted into the trunk of the left pulmonary artery with unusual propagation in the distal arteries. It had also spread into the neighbouring bronchial lumina. Histologically, the appearance was, rarely, that of a haemangioendotheliosarcoma. The histogenesis of these neoplasms is briefly discussed.


[10 Canadian cases of angiosarcoma of the liver in vinyl chloride workers].

Ten cases of angiosarcoma of the liver among vinyl chloride workers from a plant in Shawinigan, Québec, are reported. The author insist mostly on the occupational history of these workers and on the morphologic description of the lesions. A pathogenic hypothesis is submitted.


Anthelmintic efficacy of oxfendazole in calves.

Oxfendazole, methyl [5-(Phenylsulfinyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]carbamate given to calves at dose level of 2.5 mg/kg as a paste, as a bolus, or as a drench resulted in excellent (97 to 100%) anthelmintic efficacy against mature Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia oncophora, C mcmasteri, C pectinata, C punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Trichostrongylus longispicularis, Chabertia ovina, and Oesophagostomum radiatum. Against the early 4th stage larvage of O ostertagia and N helvetianus, these formulations had anthelmintic efficacies of 71% to 87% and 21% to 65%, respectively. As the result of differences in drug intake by individual calves, a pelleted feed additive given as top dress on chopped alfalfa hay gave an unsatisfactory mean anthelmintic response. Anthelmintic action in individual calves ranged from none to 98--100%.


Immunologic and physiologic responses of calves inoculated with potassium thiocyanate extract of Pasteurella multocida type A.

Inoculation of calves with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) extract of Pasteurella multocida type A in saline-tris buffer or in Freund's incomplete adjuvant or modified Freund's incomplete adjuvant resulted in the elicitation of agglutinating, hemagglutinating, bactericidal and homocytotropic antibodies. The antibody response was significantly (P = 0.05) higher in calves inoculated with the KSCN extract in either adjuvant than in those inoculated with the extract in saline-tris buffer. Hemagglutination also was observed if the KSCN extract of P hemolytica was used for sensitizing the tanned sheep red blood cells. Further, calf anti-P multocida extract antisera also was bactericidal to P hemolytica. The KSCN extract of P multocida was found to be nontoxic to calves at 2 doses tested, as judged by an evaluation of total and differential leukocyte counts, body temperature, and pulse rates at various intervals after inoculation.


Serum sialic acid levels increased in tumor-bearing dogs.

Serum concentrations of lipid-soluble (glycolipid) sialic acid were determined for 96 client-owned dogs, of which 24 were diagnosed as bearing tumors. A markedly increased concentration of lipid-soluble serum sialic acid was found in 22 of 24 tumor-bearing dogs (92%) compared with 17 of 72 dogs with other definitely false-positive, based on necropsy and follow-up work. Almost all others had acute infections or terminal congestive disorders and were potential tumor bearers. The values obtained appeared to be independent of the sex or age (or both) of the dogs. Based on the analysis of a single biochemical variable, the procedure may permit cancer detection applicable to a wide range of tumor types in dogs if evaluated in terms of the general health status of the animal.


Immunoelectron microscopic comparisons of caliciviruses.

Using immunoelectron microscopy, 9 serotypes of vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) were compared with 5 serotypes of San Miguel sea lion virus and 7 additional calicivirus isolates from marine animals. In addition, swine caliciviruses and marine caliciviruses were compared with the vaccinal strain of feline calicivirus (FCV) F-9. Of 9 VESV types, 8 showed common antigenicity with San Miguel sea lion virus. Of 9 VESV types, 2 showed common antigenicity with FCV F-9. All 12 marine caliciviruses showed common antigenicity with VESV, but not with FCV F-9.


Tolerance of cattle to tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea).

Calves and cows (n = 45) were fed daily doses of dried prebud tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) derived from a single plant collection made in Tillamook, Oregon. Nine groups of animals were fed for periods of from 5 to 84 days, and the total amount of plant fed per group ranged from 0.75% to 8.40% of the individual animal's body weight. The progressive development of the toxic syndrome was monitored by daily observation of clinical signs and by chemical determinations on blood collected from each animal each week. The animal's tolerance for the plant was dependent on the amount of tansy ragwort fed, and the duration of the dosing period. Cattle were able to tolerate up to 1.5% of their body weight of dried prebud plant when it was consumed within a 15-day period, but the cattle died if a total of 2% of their body weight of the plant was consumed within a 20-day period. Factors affecting tolerance are discussed.


Gingival biopsy in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Gingival biopsy has been advocated as a readily available, safe, rapid histologic confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Eighteen gingival biopsies from 16 patients with proven thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura were reviewed. Seven (39%) showed characteristic histologic changes: [1] subendothelial hyalinelike deposits; [2] intraluminal deposits; [3] lack of inflammatory change in vessels and stroma. To assess specificity, gingival sections from 154 patients with oral pathology only and from 50 unselected autopsies were reviewed: 10% to 20% of biopsies from patients with oral pathology only (primarily inflammation) and three of 50 autopsy specimens showed occasional intraluminal deposits but no subendothelial deposits. In addition, other histologic features permitted them to be distinguished from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. We conclude that gingival biopsy in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, although helful in confirming the diagnosis, is less often positive than has been suggested. Biopsy of grossly inflamed gingiva should be avoided.


Radioimmunoassay of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in body fluids.

A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in serum, saliva, and urine is described. The sensitivity of the assay is such that 0.5 ng/ml of drug can be measured, although the assay does not distinguish between amitriptyline and nortriptyline. Other tricyclic compounds cross-react with the antiserum to varying degrees, but the metabolites of amitriptyline did not significantly cross-react. Total tricyclic compounds were detected in serum and saliva after single oral doses of amitriptyline, although the absorption was slow.


[Action of egg lysozyme on representatives of the family Micrococcaceae. Its action on Micrococcus].

The results of the study of the effect of various concentrations of egg lysozyme on M. luteus and M. varians using 2 methods, i.e. serial dilutions in agar and turbidimetric are presented. It was found that the MIC of lysozyme for M. luteus ranged within wide limits, from less than 0.0003 to 1 mg/ml. M. varians was stable to lysozyme. The MIC for all the strains was 8 mg/ml. The turbidimetric method provided determination of general regularities in changes of the optical density in all the strains of M. luteus under the effect of various concentrations of lysozyme. On the basis of these data it was possible to consider the method as the most deep means for determining the intraspecies similarities in the surface structures of Micrococcus as compared to the method of serial dilutions in agar. The dynamics of the changes in the optical density of the M. luteus suspension markedly differed from that of M. varians.


Formaldehyde incorporation by a new methylotroph (L3).

A number of bacterial strains have been isolated and investigated in our search for a promising organism in the production of single-cell protein from methanol. Strain L3 among these isolates was identified as an obligate methylotroph which grew only on methanol and formaldehyde as the sole sources of carbon and energy. The organism also grew well in batch and chemostat mixed-substrate cultures containing methanol, formaldehyde, and formate. Although formate was not utilized as a sole carbon and energy source, it was readily taken up and oxidized by either formaldehyde- or methanol-grown cells. The organism incorporated carbon by means of the ribulose monophosphate pathway when growing on either methanol, formaldehyde, or various mixtures of C1 compounds. Its C1-oxidation enzymes included phenazine methosulfate-linked methanol and formaldehyde dehydrogenase and a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked formate dehydrogenase. Identical inhibition by formaldehyde of the first two dehydrogenases suggested that they are actually the same enzyme. The organism had a rapid growth rate, a high cell yield in the chemostat, a high protein content, and a favorable amino acid distribution for use as a source of single-cell protein. Of special interest was the ability of the organism to utilize formaldehyde via the ribulose monophosphate cycle.


[Two filariae parasites of duikers in Gabon (author's transl)].

Description of the male fo Filaria cephalophi Chabaud and Rousselot, 1956 which was unknown. The species is a parasite of Cephalophus dorsalis in Congo and Gabon. Description of Dipetalonema (Loxodontofilaria) faini n. sp., parasite of Cephalophus nigrifrons. The species is closely related to the two Filariae known from Cattle in Ruanda.


The insensitivity of mushroom nuclear RNA polymerase activity to inhibition by amatoxins.

Nuclear fractions isolated from Amanita phalloides, Amanita muscaria and Agaricus bisporus were subjected to in vitro RNA synthesis assays in the presence of various concentrations of amatoxins. The mushroom nuclei were highly insensitive to inhibition by amatoxin when compared to assays of nuclear fractions isolated from the Oömycete fungus, Achlya ambisexualis and from rabbit brain.


[Renopyeloureteral duplications with extravesicular dilatation of the ureters (bilateral case and unilateral case)].

A review is made of the most outstanding, clinical facts in the U.P.R.D. with extravesical, ectopic, ureteral anastomosis, with special reference being made to the radiological diagnosis. The authors recall those stated in Weigert and Meyer's Law, as well as the deformities and deviations which may appear in the twin excretory systems as a result of their duplicity. They defend the subtotal heminephroureterectomy as the best means of therapy for correcting incontinence, providing that there is no ther concomitant anomaly or illness in the opposite kidney as well as in that of the duplicity itself. Two kinds of cases are presented: one bilateral with widening of the right, superior ureter in the urethra and the same on the left side in the vulva; the other left, unilateral with ectopia of the supernumerary ureter in the urethra.


Hospital surveys of prescribing practices with psychotherapeutic drugs. A critical examination.

Hospital surveys of psychotherapeutic drug prescribing in the United States have been generally critical of the treatment practices of physicians and have been used to support claims that psychotherapeutic drugs are overprescribed and misused. This report examined several recent multihospital surveys of psychotherapeutic drug use and concludes that the surveys have failed to provide sufficient information to determine the appropriateness of treatment practices. The limitations of these surveys and the need to develop more adequate information about physician prescribing patterns are discussed.


[Narcotic mushrooms with LSD?].

We tested dried East-Asian mushrooms that have only recently appeared on the German drug "scene". They were impregnated with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) but sold as Mexican sacred hallucinogenic mushrooms, containing psilocybine. For the safe identification of psilocybine in mushrooms, TASmethod is proposed. Successful identification of LSD in mushrooms is done by tartaric acid extraction with subsequent TLC of the free base. The modified van Urk reaction in connection with hRf-values is best suited for the detection of psilocybine, psilocine and LSD.


[Upper extremity abnormalities, thrombopenia and thrombopathy. 3 cases].

Three cases of congenital radial aplasia and amegakaryocytic thrombopenia are discussed from clinical, genetic and hematological viewpoints. Electron microscope studies of the megakaryocytes in the first two patients revealed the presence of microcytic, immature and hypogranular cells. Platelet aggregability studies in the first patient demonstrated the presence of pathological intra-platelet nucleotide release as well as membrane abnormalities of the Willebrand factor binding site. The second case presented an isolated deficiency in platelet factor 3.


Occurrence of glycosphingolipids in chicken egg yolk.

Chicken egg yolk was found to contain a unique glycosphingolipid pattern not seen in other types of tissue or cell. These glycosphingolipids were isolated in pure form and their structures established by sequential enzymic hydrolysis and permethylation analysis. The major gangliosides in chicken egg yolk are N-acetylneuraminosylgalactosylceramide, N-acetylneuraminosyl-lactosylceramide and di-N-acetylneuraminosyl-lactosylceramide. The only neutral glycosphingolipid found in chicken egg yolk is galactosylceramide.


Diurnal variation and response to food withdrawal of lactose synthesis in lactating rats.

1. The incorporation of radiolabelled plasma glucose into mammary lactose was used to measure the rate of lactose synthesis in lightly anaesthetized lactating rats. 2. Lactose synthesis showed a diurnal variation with a minimum at 18:00h 3. Food withdrawal for 6h did not affect lactose synthesis in the early morning but greatly decreased it in the afternoon or evening. 4. Plasma glucose, milk sugars and total galactosyltransferase activity (EC 2.4.1.22) did not show the above changes. 5. Measurements of plasma insulin, which varies diurnally, and experiments with injected insulin suggested that variations of insulin within the physiological range do not account for the changes in lactose synthesis described.


[Blepharoachalasis (Fuchs) and the Laffer-Ascher syndrome].

The case report of a 20 year old woman illustrates the course of blepharochalasis. This disease was defined as an entity by E. Fuchs in 1896. It is characterized by relapsong edematous tumefaction and increasing relaxation of the eye lids with atrophy of the skin, blepharophimosis and emergence of a pseudoepicanthus. Folding of the oral mucosa in the upper lip, the so-called double lip, euthyroid struma, and, in later stages, orbital fat hernia and prolapse of the lacrimal gland, are further facultative symptoms. Partially, late stages of the disease had been described as Ascher- or Laffer-Ascher-Syndrome. This syndrome is no separate entity.


Partial purification and characterization of a neutral protease which cleaves the N-terminal propeptides from procollagen.

A rapid assay procedure was developed for cleavage of the N-terminal propeptides of procollagen. With the assay a neutral procollagen N-protease was purified about 300-fold from chick embryo tendon extract. The enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 260 000 and a pH optimum of 7.4. Ca2+ was required for enzymic activity but this requirement was partially replaced by Mg2+ or Mn2+. The enzyme was bound to concanavalin A-agarose and therefore was presumably a glycoprotein. The N-propeptides released from type I procollagen were of about 23 000 and 11 000 daltons as estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The partially purified enzyme was also found to cleave type II procollagen and the N-propeptide obtained was about 18 000 daltons. Heat denaturation of either type I or type II procollagen decreased the rate at which the proteins were cleaved by the N-protease.


New laboratory scale purification of beta-amanitin from American Amanita phalloides.

A modern laboratory scale method for purifying beta-amanitin from the mushroom Amanita phalloides is described. The purification involves solubilizing the toxin from dried mushrooms, removing the lipids by chloroform extraction, desalting on Amberlite XAD-4, adsorption chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 at acidic and neutral pH, and ion-exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex. The resulting beta-amanitin is homogeneous by thin-layer chromatography and is biologically active.


Variations in the protein pattern of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell polyribosomes.

The two-dimensional gel electrophoretic protein pattern of polyribosomes from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells which have been fasted in a nutritionally deprived medium was compared to the corresponding pattern derived from unstarved cells. The proteins were labeled with 3H-labeled amino acids and their counts determined to make the comparison quantitative. Three proteins were found in the "fasted" polyribosomes in 4--6-fold greater amounts than in the fed control.


Base composition changes in hepatocyte nuclei DNA of rats at different ages.

DNA extracted from isolated hepatic nuclei of rats at different aged (1 h, 6 and 30 days of life) has been characterized by (i) melting temperature, (ii) buoyant density, (iii) thermal denaturation on hydroxyapatite and (iv) nucleoside composition. The melting midpoint (Tm) determined spectrophotometrically in 0.1 X SSC (0.15 M NaCl/0.0015 M sodium citrate) is 71.9 +/- 0.4 for 1-h-old rats and decreases to 70.7 +/- 0.3 in 6-day-old animals. The buoyant densities of DNAs determined by CsCl on both native and alkaline-denaturated and reneutralized DNA were also found to decrease with age. Hydroxyapatite thermal denaturation of sonicated DNA confirmed the significant difference between the Tm values of 1-h-old and 6-day-old rats (86.5 +/- 0.5 and 85.2 +/- 0.1, respectively). The possibility that these differences in Tm values could be due to an increase in methyl bases, has been ruled out by the finding that the amount of [3H]methyl incorporated in relation to the DNA synthesis is constant at these two ages. The alternative possibility of a change in base composition has been tested by the chromatographic analysis of nucleosides. The dG + dC content is 0.433 +/- 0.003 in 1-h-old rats and decreases to 0.411 +/- 0.002 and to 0.403 +/- 0.005 in 6-day- and 30-day-old rats, respectively. The physiological significance of the different base composition is discussed in relation to the possibility that specific DNA sequences are synthesized during the non-premitotic synthesis which has been found to take place during the first 6 days of life.


Studies on sheep kidney nuclease. I. An improved purification method and some properties.

An improved purification method of the sheep kidney nuclease (nuclease SK) specific for single-strans nucleic acid, which includes extraction with 0.85% NaCl, treatment with DEAE-cellulose, fractionation with polyethylene glycol, phospho-cellulose chromatography, CM-Sephadex chromatography and phospho-cellulose rechromatography is described. The nuclease was purified approx. 390-fold. Identity was established by comparison with known properties. Molecular weight was estimated to be 52 000-53 000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The properties of the purified enzyme agreed well those reported previously. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed heat-denatured calf thymus DNA, yeast RNA and no hydrolytic activity for native calf thymus DNA, A2'-pA, A3'-pA, ADP, ATP, 5'-AMP and cyclic AMP.


On internal electron transfer in xanthine oxidase.

The structural basis for intramolecular electron transfer in xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) has been probed using temperature-jump perturbation and optical spectroscopic methods. Redox equilibria were found to be temperature-insensitive; hence it is argued that electron transfer is not accompanied by any extensive macromolecular conformational changes. No evidence for absorption phenomena ascribable to optical electron transfer could be found throughout the course of reductive titration of the biological particle. The combined results suggest that long-range electron transfer in the xanthine oxidase can best be described as occurring between only weakly interacting redox sites embedded in a rigid protein matrix.


Effects of chlordane and heptachlor on the marine dinoflagellate, Exuviella baltica, Lohmann.

Chlordane and heptachlor at 50 microgram/1 reduced cell density, chlorophyll a per unit volume of culture, 14C uptake per cell and carbon fixation per unit of chlorophyll a in the marine dinoflagellate Exuviella baltica Lohmann. The concentration of chlorophyll a per cell was not reduced, however, by treatment with either compound. Chlordane was more toxic than heptachlor at this concentration, and caused the disintegration of many cells, thus affecting particle size distribution in the cultures. In nature, such an inhibition and shift in size class distribution could affect the availability of food for particle-feeding herbivores.


The action of bradykinin and oxytocin on the isolated whole uterus and myometrium of the rat in oestrus.

1. A technique is described for obtaining a myometrial preparation devoid of endometrium, from the uterus of the rat in oestrus. 2. Acetylcholine and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) produced concentration-effect curves with the same maximal tensions and slope on the whole uterus and myometrial preparations. Concentration-effect curves to bradykinin and oxytocin on the myometrial preparation were altered, resulting in a shift to the right and a decreased maximum response compared with those produced by the whole uterus. 3. Indomethacin produced greater antagonism of the responses of the whole uterus to bradykinin and oxytocin than to acetylcholine and PGF2alpha, whereas responses of the myometrium to all four agonists were similarly depressed. 4. Responses of the myometrial preparation to a range of concentrations of bradykinin and oxytocin were significantly enhanced by prior sensitization of the myometrium to PGF2alpha. This significant enhancing effect of PGF2alpha was only seen with the threshold dose of acetylcholine. 5. It appears that the mechanism of action of bradykinin and oxytocin on the rat uterus involves both a direct action and an indirect action. The indirect action possibly involves release of prostaglandin(s) from the endometrium.


Home blood sampling for plasma glucose assay in control of diabetes.

Estimation of plasma glucose in home blood samples is needed to improve diabetic control. Sufficiently precise measurements on capillary blood were obtained by (a) storing Reflotest glucose-oxidase strips in a desiccant container before reading and (b) collecting blood samples into a simple vacuum bottle containing potassium fluoride (assay of sodium content indicating volume of plasma collected). The precision of the methods (+/- 1 SD) was +/-0.35 mmol/1 (+/-6.3 mg/100 ml). Clinical reliability was assessed by measuring the basal plasma glucose concentration at home on different mornings in patients with maturity-onset diabetes, the day-to-day variation (+/- 1 SD) being +/-0.73 and +/-0.92 mmol/1 (+/-13.2 and +/-16.6 mg/100 ml) respectively. The mean basal plasma glucose concentration in all 84 patients with maturity-onset diabetes from three general practices was 8 mmol/1 (144 mg/100 ml), 44 of the values exceeding 6 mmol/1 (108 mg/100 ml). Improving control by monitoring the basal plasma glucose concentration in maturity-onset diabetes might help to prevent diabetic complications.


Visual acuity in hooded rats: effects of superior collicular or posterior neocortical lesions.

The visual resolution acuity of hooded rats was measured with an avoidance technique, using large, high contrast square-wave gratings of high mean luminance. Measurements were taken before and after ablation of either posterior cortex or the superior colliculus. The cortical lesions included both striate and temporal cortex, and caused retrograde degeneration throughout the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Neither group showed signs of detecting even coarse square-wave gratings when first tested after operation. The animals with collicular lesions quickly relearnt, and their acuity was unaltered. After extensive training 3 out of 4 cortical animals relearnt to detect gratings, and their acuity was reduced to about one-third of its preoperative value. It seems likely that in rats the geniculocortical pathway carries sufficient information for the normal detection of high spatial frequencies. Whether a pathway from superior colliculus to neocortex via a thalamic relay also carries this information is uncertain.


Physiological and morphological identification of a nonpyramidal hippocampal cell type.

In intracellular recordings from the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice preparation, an infrequent cell type different from the predominant pyramidal cell has been characterized. The cells have very brief spikes, hyperpolarizing after-potentials, and tend to fire at a high spontaneous rate; unitary synaptic potentials are visible in the baseline. Stimulation in stratum radiatum evokes an EPSP which often triggers a short burst of spikes; an IPSP invariably follows the initial excitation. Intracellular injection of HRP into these cells shows them to be a non-pyramidal cell type with extensive local axon ramification; however, they do not resemble the classical basket cell. These cells are, nevertheless, candidates for an interneuron in hippocampus.


Laser iridotomy in post-traumatic and post-surgical pupillary block: a report of five cases.

In five cases of aphakic pupillary block after trauma or surgery we found laser iridotomy to be a simple, effective, non-invasive alternative to operation in relieving pupillary block where medical management had failed.


Toxic effects of subconjunctival dicloxacillin.

Rabbits were given dicloxacillin subconjunctively. Very high levels of the drug were recovered from the aqueous humor. Soon after injection, corneal opacification, epithelial sloughing and conjunctival necrosis were noted clinically. The globes were studied histopathologically.


Laser treatment in maculopathy of pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

We report a case of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum with exudative retinopathy which was treated with the Argon laser and in which the visual acuity was preserved and the subretinal neovascular membrane obliterated for ten months. Laser treatment seems to have helped this case although the same treatment has stimulated the development of subretinal neovascular membranes. These cases must be treated cautiously.


Primary brain sarcomas: light and electron microscopic features.

The following is a description of the diagnostic structural features in three neoplasms in which we diagnosed: primary intraparenchymal brain sarcoma. One appeared to have arisen de novo from the mesenchymal components of the brain parenchyma and was labeled fibrosarcoma. A second case, having mixed features of meningioma and fibrosarcoma, may represent an instance of sarcomatous changes in a prexisting intraparenchymal meningioma. The third sarcoma's ultrastructural characteristics were those of embryonal capillaries and a designation of hemangiosarcoma is proposed for that one. An angiographic, preoperative diagnosis of meningioma was suggested in all three instances. Two of the patients died a few weeks after craniotomy and the third one is alive and well eighteen months after resection of the neoplasm.


Multiple sensitivities of mammary tumor cells in culture.

Cloned cell lines derived from the androgen-responsive Shionogi 115 mouse mammary carcinoma, when cultured in the presence of 3.5 X 10(-8) M testosterone, retain their responsiveness to testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and exhibit fibroblast-like morphology; their growth is poorly regulated by cell density. Dexamethasone at 10(-8) M inhibits proliferation of these cells by 30% but stimulates them by 235% at 10(-6) M in the temporary absence of testosterone. Cell growth is little affected by serum concentration. When cultured for 3 to 4 weeks in testosterone-free medium, however, the cells lose their androgen responsiveness and retain the inhibitory but not the stimulatory response to dexamethasone. They also show an increased sensitivity to serum and increased density regulation and change to an epithelial morphology. It is suggested that the loss of sensitivity to androgens, which does not result from absence of androgen receptor, is related in a complex way to the increased sensitivities to serum and density regulation.


Repetitive sequence transcripts in the mature sea urchin oocyte.

The expression of interspersed repetitive sequences in the RNA of mature sea urchin oocytes was investigated. 3H-DNA tracers representing short interspersed repetitive sequences a few hundred nucleotides long, and long repetitive sequences approximately 2000 nucleotides long, were prepared from genomic DNA of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. These tracers were reacted with excess RNA from the mature oocyte. About 80% of the reactable short repeat tracer and 35% of the long repeat tracer hybridized. Thus most of the repetitive sequence families in the short repeat tracer are represented in oocyte RNA, and transcripts complementary to both strands of many repeat sequences are present. The kinetics of the reaction show that some transcripts are highly prevalent (greater than 10(5) copies per oocyte), while others are rare (approximately 10(3) copies per oocyte). Nine cloned repetitive sequences were labeled, strand-separated and reacted with the oocyte RNA. Transcripts of both strands of all nine repeats were found in the RNA. The prevalence of transcripts of the cloned repeat families varied from approximately 3000 to 100,000 copies per oocyte. Studies with both cloned and genomic tracers show that transcript prevalence is independent of the genomic reiteration frequency of the transcribed repetitive sequences. Most of the families represented by prevalent transcripts have fewer than 200 copies per haploid genome. The RNA molecules with which the cloned repeats react are at least 1000-2000 nucleotides in length. Other experiments show that a majority of the members of repeat families represented by prevalent transcripts in the oocyte RNA are interspersed among single-copy sequence elements in the genome.


Histones in the first cleavage cycle of fertilised sea urchin eggs.

Nuclei were isolated from Echinus eggs through the first cleavage cycle by modification of existing techniques. When these nuclei were extracted with 2 M NaCl and the supernatant diluted to 0.15 M, large amounts of non-histone proteins remained in solution. The precipitated nucleoprotein contained expected amounts of DNA and a protein analogous to mammalian histone H1. Extrachromosomal histone H1 was eliminated by the modified isolation procedure. Amounts of nuclear proteins soluble in 0.15 M NaCl reached a peak in G2. Histones and non-histone proteins were phosphorylated postfertilization, in early prophase and in telophase.


The involvement of microfilaments and microtubules in the lateral mobility of lectin binding sites of normal and brachypod mouse limb mesenchyme.

It has been demonstrated that differences exist in the lateral mobility of Con A- and WGA-binding sites in the membranes of normal and brachypod mouse limb mesenchymal cells (Hewitt et al., 1978). The work presented here investigates the involvement of microtubules and microfilaments as mediators of binding site mobility in this system. Treatment of cells with colchicine suggests that microtubules are not involved in the mobility of either type of lectin-binding site. Disruption of microfilaments with cytochalasin B prevents the redistribution of Con A-binding sites but not those of WGA. the results were found to be the same for both genotypes. This suggests that the differences which have been found between genotypes are related to some mechanism of restraining the lateral mobility of lectin binding sites other than by attachment to microtubules and microfilaments.


[Post-splenectomy hyperthermia].

After an examination of the most important physiopathological alterations of splenectomised patients and on the basis of careful research into the literature on study and classification of post-splenectomy hyperthermia, the Authors stress the importance of infections in the genesis of such hyperthermia, until a few years ago defined as "sine causa". On the basis of the consideration that this fever is due to an infection acting on an area (the a-splenic area) which is more vulnerable as it is deprived of a certain part of the reticulo-endothelial system, it was possible to postulate and verify that such hyperthermia could arise only in patients with altered extra-splenic reticulo-endothelial system and hence does not normally occur in patients splenectomised for trauma. On the basis of extensive personal experience, the authors conclude by stressing the therapeutic principles which seem to be most suitable for management of this insidious complication of splenectomy.


Single and two-dimensional echocardiographic visualization of the effects of septal myectomy in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.

Although the postoperative hemodynamic and echocardiographic features of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis have been studied, the expected consistent postoperative thinning of the interventricular septum has not been reported. In this study, the short-term effects of septal myectomy were evaluated in 16 patients. All patients were assessed with pre- and postoperative hemodynamic studies and M-mode echocardiograms, and six of the 16 patients had pre- and postoperative two-dimensional echocardiograms. The mean resting preoperative gradient of 74 mm Hg (range 10--190 mm Hg), which fell to a mean resting postoperative gradient of 8 mm Hg (range 0--25 mm Hg), was associated with decreased end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness at the midventricular level in 14 of 16 patients and at the subaortic level in 16 of 16 patients by M-mode echocardiography. The group also demonstrated changes in left ventricular outflow tract configuration and dimension, mitral valve systolic anterior motion, mitral E-F0 slope and left ventricular percent fractional shortening by both M-mode and two-dimensional studies. In the two patients who did not show midventricular septal thinning on M-mode echocardiography, the two-dimensional echocardiograms revealed that the area of myectomy extended only through the subaortic region and not down to the midventricular septum. Thus, we have observed consistent postmyectomy septal thinning at both the midventricular and subaortic levels by M-mode echo. By defining the geometry of the septal myectomy in vivo with two-dimensional echocardiography, we can better interpret M-mode studies and identify factors that influence echocardiographic visualization of the region of myectomy.


A non-barbital buffer for immunoelectrophoresis and zone electrophoresis in agarose gels.

We describe buffer for both immunoelectrophoresis and zone electrophoresis procedures in agarose gels, Tricine [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylglycine] and Tris [2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] being the main components. This buffer eliminates the procurement cost and inventory control associated with formulation of barbital buffers. We compare it with other common buffer formulations.


The disappearance of HCG and return of pituitary function after abortion.

Plasma concentrations of HCG/LH and FSH were monitored after a first trimester abortion in eighteen healthy female volunteers three times weekly until the onset of first menstruation. Plasma concentrations of the HCG were measured with a specific RIA for the beta subunit (beta-sub-HCG) from the samples of six of these subjects. The elimination of HCG during the first 12 days was studied from plasma concentrations measured by the radioimmunoassay of LH. The experimental data were well explained by a mathematical model consisting of three exponentially decreasing components. The half-lives of the two more slowly decreasing components were 27 and 168 h. The estimate of the complete disappearance of HCG was 37.7 days, when the specific (beta-sub-HCG) assay was used. Recovery of pituitary function occurred within 4--9 days after abortion, as judged by increased plasma FSH concentrations. In fourteen of eighteen subjects a midcycle LH peak was observed which occurred between 16 and 29 days after abortion. Plasma oestradiol concentrations increased 2--16 days after the rise in plasma FSH. Considerable amounts of HCG still circulated in the blood but the preovulatory peak of oestradiol never began before HCG/LH concentrations had decreased to below the range of the mid-cycle LH peak.


Complete trisomy 22.

Two unrelated girls, aged 6 and 8 years, respectively, are presented with complete trisomy 22 in the absence of detectable mosaicism. In each case, the extra chromosome has been unambiguously identified as chromosome No. 22. The features which were consistent in both girls included: advanced maternal and paternal ages, a history of repeated abortions and stillbirths, normal birthweight with no gross post-natal growth retardation, mental retardation with further severe deterioration at 3-5 years of age, epilepsy (particularly motor seizures), hypotonia, neurological (especially cerebellar) deficit, and abnormal E.E.G. patterns. The physical stigmata comprised: frontal bossing, hypertelorism, bulbous nose, antimongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures, strabismus, long philtrum, large rotated protruding low-set auricles, pectus excavatum, and abnormal dermatoglyphics. The clinical course of the disorder was suggestive of a degenerative phenomenon of the central nervous system neurones.


Taurodontism and enamel hypomaturation associated with X-linked abnormalities.

The association of taurodontism with hypoplastic/hypomature enamel defects is presented in two cases of X-chromosome aneuploidy (47,XXY) and one of X-linked recessive Amelogenesis Imperfecta. It appears that the X-chromosome not only plays some role in tooth size the degree of taurodontism increasing with increased number of X chromosomes), but probably also plays a role in enamel maturation.


Standard water cystometry and electromyography of the external urethral sphincter.

Water cystometry and external urethral spincter electromyography permit an accurate diagnosis and provide a rational foundation for treatment of both neurogenic and nonneurogenic vesical dysfunction. The techniques are compatible with and have enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of micturition. Properly performed and interpreted, water cystometry and urethral sphincter electromyography a) are an integral part of the work-up of any patient with incontinence or urinary tract infection, b) together with urethral pressure profilometry and uroflowmetry, assist in the selection of those patients who will or will not benefit from attempted surgical correction of incontinence, and c) can be employed to monitor preoperative and postoperative sequelae of major spinal or paraspinal surgery.


Direct electronic urethrocystometry.

Direct electronic urethrocystometry simultaneously records pressures in the bladder, proximal urethra, and abdomen in a patient at rest and under stress while the bladder fills with urine. It documents the presence or absence of detrusor contractions and is an essential part of the evaluation of patients with detrusor dysfunction and urinary incontinence.


Effects of pelvic relaxation on gynecologic urologic problems.

It is evident that the maintenance and reestablishment of urinary continence is in large part dependent, during times of intraabdominal stress, upon maintenance of an intraurethral pressure higher than that within the bladder. It is important that the presence of cystocele be carefully and accurately assessed preoperatively and intraoperatively so that correction appropriate to its etiologic circumstance can be achieved. Continence is under the influence of urethral tone, as well as the response of the distal urethra to changes in intraabdominal pressure. Cranial elevation of the vesicourethral junction, as may be required, may be provided by any one of several different or combined surgical techniques. When vaginal inversion causes displacement of the vesicourethral junction, a restoration of vaginal depth and axis by transvaginal sacrospinous fixation with appropriate colporrhaphy will relocate a defective urethrovesical site to a higher level within the pelvis where it may once again be responsive to changes in intraabdominal pressure.


Retropubic urethropexy by the vaginal wall technique in stress urinary incontinence.

In our opinion retropubic urethropexy via the vaginal wall technique should be considered the primary operation to correct female stress urinary incontinence. The urethrovesical junction is elevated to the midsymphysis and supported by the vaginal wall and endopelvic fascia. Failure is related to not completing the basic objective of the operation, postoperative breakdown due to faulty selection or placement of sutures, and improper patient selection. This operation has proven to be simple, free of disturbing complications, and with durable results. Patients themselves attest to satisfaction with the results of the procedure.


Women's attitudes toward forcible rape.

This study assessed the attitudes of women with diverse backgrounds toward possible responses to an attempted sexual assault and also ascertained their beliefs about how society should handle a convicted rapist. Additionally, the role which the personality dimensions of assertiveness and internal-external expectamcy play in shaping attitudes toward rape was investigated. Seventy-seven women and 25 men were administered the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, the Rotter I-E Scale, and a Rape Inventory. Women relied on a narrow range of options to deal with a rapist's attack, depending mostly on less active modes. They advocated humane approaches be taken with convicted rapists. Personality played only a minor role.


Fetal blood-borne myelo- and thrombopoietic stem cells in diffusion chambers.

The potential of hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood for proliferation and differentiation have been studied by the diffusion chamber technique. In a pilot study, it was shown that blast cell production and myelopoiesis from the original lymphoid cell suspension starts 6 days after implantation. Mature granulocytes and megakaryocytes respectively appear in the chambers from the 16th and 10th days onwards. Myelopoiesis is ten times more active in fetal than in adult blood. There were thrombopoietic stem cells in 7 of 10 cord blood samples but in only one of 10 adult blood specimens. It is concluded that the high hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow at term is reflected by an increase in the number of stem cells circulating in the blood. Myelo- and thrombopoietic stem cells must be sought among the lymphoid cells of the original cord blood cell suspension.


The central effects of a novel dopamine agonist.

A new peripheral dopamine agonist which causes dopaminergic renal vasodilation, was tested for central dopaminergic activity. SK & F 38393 stimulated the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in homogenates of rat caudate, as a partial agonist, and caused contralateral rotation in rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of substantia nigra. Rotation was shown to be due to a direct effect on supersensitive dopamine receptors. Stimulation of cAMP formation and rotation were blocked by dopamine antagonists. In contrast to other dopamine agonists, SK & F 38393 did not cause stereotypy, emesis or inhibition of prolactin release, nor did SK & F 38393 affect dopamine turnover. The results suggest that SK & F 38393 may selectively stimulate supersensitive central dopamine receptors in vivo or may activate only a certain subclass of dopamine receptors including the receptor in the renal vasculature and the adenylate cyclase coupled postsynaptic receptor in the caudate.


Muscarinic hyposensitivity in the developing rat pretreated with 6-hydroxydopa.

Atropine-induced locomotor stimulation was investigated in the developing rat pretreated with 6-hydroxydopa at birth. The locomotor stimulation by atropine was first observed on day 20 and gradually increased with age. The treatment with 6-hydroxydopa potentiated atropine-induced locomotor stimulation on days later than day 20 and inhibited a pilocarpine-induced catalepsy on day 30. This suggests that central cholinergic neurons, probably in the neostriatum, reach functional maturity between 15 and 20 days, and that the pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopa induced muscarinic hyposensitivity in the developing rat.


Systems-matching by degeneration. II. Interpretation of the generation and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in the chicken by a mathematical model.

Quantitative data on generation and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells during development (Rager and Rager, 1978) are interpreted in terms of a mathematical model which consists of a system of differential equations. By these equations we attempt to describe the formation of retinal ganglion cells and their termination domains in the tectum. Since ganglion cells seem not to degenerate before their axons have arrived at their termination site and start branching, from the arrival time on they may become competent either to continue to mature or to die. Therefore, to find the actual number of competent cells the extension of the fiber pathway between the retina and the optic tectum had also to be measured and computed. The differential equations are united by the principle that at any given time cells in excess of the number of termination domains have to die. By this model the mathematical function was determined. Several parameter values of this function were optimized with the Gauss-Newton method by which the curve was fitted to the measured values. The high correlation obtained by this method allows to conclude that, to a first approximation, the model may be satisfactory. The evidence of competition for termination sites and of systems-matching by cell death is discussed.


Motor responses evoked by microstimulation of restiform body in the cat.

Motor effects produced by microstimulation of restiform body (RB) were studied in acute unanesthetized cats, using tungsten electrodes for stimulating the peduncle and bipolar steel electrodes for recording muscular activity (EMG). The main results were the following. 1. Threshold microstimulation (18.24 microA +/- 8.77 S.D.) of effective foci within RB elicited single muscle contractions of ipsilateral limbs, primarily of forelimb; overthreshold activation (32.83 microA +/- 9.25S.D.) of the same points produced complex movements in 61.54% of cases that involved muscles of shoulder, neck, and trunk. 2. Single muscle contractions exhibited a mean latency (20.09 msec +/- 2.04 S.D.) which was significantly longer than that shown by complex movements (10.00 msec +/- 3.10 S.D.). Furthermore, a decrease in frequency of stimulating train below 300 Hz and a reduction in duration below 30 msec caused a steep rise of threshold for single muscle responses that was not observed when studying complex movements. 3. Acute RB interruption between stimulating electrode and cerebellum abolished single muscle contractions; conversely, complex movements remained unmodified even when the RB was lesioned in cats chronically submitted to interruption of brachium conjunctivum (BC). 4. The pathway involved in promoting RB induced single muscle activation includes interpositus nucleus, BC and rubrospinal tract. Possible modalities of RB afferent participation to the motor control are briefly discussed.


Myelination in chronically-alcoholic mice.

Chronically-administered ethanol, not impaired nutrition, exerts a specific effect to decrease myelination as measured by the activity of the marker enzyme for myelin, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase.


[Rat behavior in an "open field" when chronically administered morphine].

15-day long administration of morphine in doses of 20 to 120 mg/kg, injected twice daily produced initially a depression followed by an increased locomotor activity, more pronounced grooming behavior and less so--rearing. Abnormal forms of behavior like combined arrests and rapid movements, circling, stereatyped gnawing were also observed. Abstinence provoked by withdrawal of morphine or nalophine was characterized predominantly by the stimulation of locomotion and grooming with depressed rearing.


[Change in renin activity in the venous blood plasma of dogs under the influence of furosemide, novurit, ethacrynic acid and mannitol].

Changes in the activity of renin in the venous blood plasma of dogs, its volume and the circulating blood volume (CBV) were studied in chronic tests under the effect many days of diuretics administration. A comparison of the plasms renin activity as against changes in the volume of plasma and CBV occurring under the effect of saluretics gives an idea on the factorc regulating the renin secretion by the kidneys.


[Effects of acute and chronic alcohol poisoning on the noradrenaline content in the rat hypothalamus].

The content and distribution of norepinephrine in the hypothalamus following acute and chronic alcohol opisoning of animals (by introducing of a 20 degrees alcohol by mouth) was studied by applying biochemical and flurorscence histochemical methods. After poisoiing the content of neorpinephrine in the hypothalamus increased twice as compared with controls and continued to be high for 3 months. This was attended by a greater fluorescence intensity in the noradrenergic fibres, in the areas of the hypothalamic supra-optic nuclei and an inhibition of the transport and release of the neurosecretory material in the supra-optic neurohypophysial system was observed. And, conversely, 6--8 months after poisoning the content of neorpinephrine was halved in comparison with the controls.


[Bypass of the outlet of the left ventricle with a Hancock valve tube: report of two cases surgically treated (author's transl)].

The Authors describe two cases in which the outlet of the left ventricle was recreated by means of a bypass with a valve tube. The first is a case of correct levo-transposition of the great vessels with atresia of the pulmonary, in which a valve tube was applied between the inverted left ventricle and the right branch and trunk of the pulmonary. The second is a case of "long" fibrous subvalvular aortic stenosis, a relapse from former correction of membranous subaortic stenosis, in which bypass was applied between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta. This latter method, adopted by McGoon, is held by the Authors to be easier to apply and more physiological in its hemodynamic effects. The clinical and instrumental results were good in both cases. The hemodynamic and cardioangiographic controls carried out in the second case, 4 months after the surgical operation, showed the normal functioning of the prosthesis, an outflow equal to 60.3% of the total capacity through the bypass, and the ample neostomy of the left ventricle in systolic phase.


Interference of a synthetic C18 juvenile hormone with mammalian cells in vitro, I. Effects on growth and morphology.

Some of structural and functional analogs of juvenile hormones are now under field examinations as growth inhibitors of some pest-insect populations. So far however very little is known about the possible interference of these compounds with mammalian cells or organisms. In this research the interference of a synthetic preparation of the insect C18 juvenile hormone with mouse embryo fibroblasts (ME-cells) and mouse cells of an established line (L-cells) was studied. Aliquots of juvenile hormone solution or those of the solvent (DMSO plus ethanol, 9:1) were included into the culture medium and after defined times of contact the cells were tested for their morphology, pattern of growth, proliferation rate and viability. The data for the parameters under examination were evaluated by means of the analysis of variance and checked by the Tuckey test. The sensitivity of ME-cells and L-cells to the agent tested was compared by means of the analysis of variance of the data for mitotic indices of these cells and by evaluation of the number of dead cells in cultures under the particular conditions of the experiments. The main findings can be summarized as follows: 1. Cells of both types are evidently more sensitive to juvenile hormone than to the solvent. 2. ME-cells are more sensitive to both agents than are L-cells. 3. The concentrations of the hormone in the medium required to evoked the cytocidal effect on the mouse cells similarly as those affecting some insect non-target cells were far above concentrations found in insect blood, but they were of the same order of magnitude as those used in physiological experiments with insect organs in vitro.


Interference of a synthetic C18 juvenile hormone with mammalian cells in vitro. II. Effects on cell cycle.

Interference of a synthetic C18 juvenile (JH) with the cell cycle of mouse embryo cells (ME-cells) and mouse cells of established cell line (L-cells) was examined. After 3 hour in the medium with JH (20 mg/ml) the cells were transfered to the regular culture medium and labelled with H3-thymidine then incubated for 1 to 48 hours before processing them for autoradiography. The percentage of labelled mitosis was then calculated for all cells samples examined and the labelled mitosis curves were drown and analyzed. It was shown that in contrast to the solvent which had no effect on duration of any of the component phases of the cell cycle of ME-cells, the juvenile hormone under conditions of these experiments prolonged G1 and G2 intervals what resulted in prolongation of the total cell cycle of these cells. On the other hand it shortened G1 and prolonged G2 intervals of L-cells without changing duration of the total cell cycle. Thus, in the examined mouse cells, they were the G1 and G2 intervals which are affected by JH. This findings are considered as an argument for pleiotropic nature of the juvenile hormone interference with mouse cells, the more so as it interfered with both protein and DNA synthesis in these cells.


Animals, parasites and zoonoses in different types of urban areas.

The paper gives a survey of health risks associated with the occurrence of animals in urbanized areas. The author distinguishes the following animal categories involved: I. food-producing animals; 2. pets; 3. synanthropic mammals; 4. synanthropic birds; 5. wild mammals and birds; 6. synanthropic arthropods. From the aspect of animal occurrence and zoonoses or other diseases associated with animals he proposes the following classification of urban areas: a) centre of town, b) pericentral part of town, c) residential areas, d) peripheral part of town, e) suburban recreation areas.