Structural ambiguity and limits to coping.

How well a person can cope with any situation is determined, among other factors, by his ability to resolve the ambiguity of that situation, which in turn depends on its structural complexity. We attempted to analyze a whole range of situations in terms of three dimesions: differentiations, the number of alternatives perceived; articulation, the differentiation and rankability of these alternatives; and loading, the emotional loading (positive or negative) associated with the situation. The efficiency of mapping with these dimensions was investigated by analyzing the effects of 75 situations on coping, as reported in the literature. These were divided into three groups, 25 situations in each, associated with good coping, reduced coping, and failure to come (in terms of performance relative to a baseline or to the population's norm). The interaction between the demands imposed by the complexity of the situation and the success of coping was analyzed by the Multidimensional Scalogram Analysis (MSA). Results show effectiveness of coping to be inversely related to the structural complexity of a situation, mapped in terms of articulation, loading and differentiation. The relative importance of these dimensions is as ordered above; this offers a possible way to construct an "ambiguity score" which may be the primary factor determining the coping limit set by any situation.


[Protection of the myocardium with local hypothermia in open heart surgery].

Local hypothermia as a procedure for myocardial protection was utilized in 50 patients; 17 had congenital and 33 aquired heart disease. On patient with diagnosis of A-V canal, previously operated on, died on the 2nd postoperative day after mitral valve replacement and closure of a residual defect. Two other valvular patients died suddenly on the 9th and 20th postoperative days from thrombosis of the prosthesis. The lengths of time of aortic clamping required for correction of these various cardiopathies were analized and correlated with the final results. In comparison with the experience of other authors, a close relationship between the duration of the myocardial ischemia and the figures of morbi-mortality was observed. It is concluded that local hypothermia constitutes an adequate procedure for myocardial protection on the condition that the length of aortic clamping times do not exceed certain limits.


[Setting of the Menghini's biopsy instrument for percutaneous biopsy of the kidney].

Description of a simple supplementation for Menghini's set of bioptical instruments in form of an arrest for the adjustment of the deptho of penetration into the renal parenchyma for the reduction of the complication rate. It is regarded as aid for the physician who is less frequently puncturing.


[Use of total isoperistaltic entero-lavage in surgery of the large intestine].

Hewitt's method for disinfection of the large intestine is described and a personal series of 84 total isoperistaltic washings carried out at the University of Milan 1st Surgical Pathology Department in the period July 1976 to May 1977 prior to surgery or diagnostic examination (manometry, pancolonscopy, barium enema etc.) is presented. The results confirmed the effectiveness and harmlessness of the method. Personal modifications permitting its wider application in large intestine diagnosis and surgery are mentioned. A personal method for selective radiological visualisation of the ileum and colon employing enterolusis is explained.


Utilization of records of the National Health Insurance programs for study on cancer morbidity and survival.

Potential value of the records of National Health Insurance programs for study on cancer morbidity was investigated by examination of those preserved in two towns in Japan. By using such records, population at risk and incidence of cancer can be readily and precisely determined. Deaths with load of cancer and survival rate of cancer were also determined without difficulty. In spite of a few limitations involved in the use of records, they are considered to be highly valuable for study on cancer morbidity and survival, mainly due to absence of under-reporting and to the feasibility of obtaining medical and other informations pertaining to cancer patients throughout the specific period.


Organotropic effect of N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine: production of lung and liver tumors by its oral administration in mice.

The organotropic effect of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) orally administered to mice was studied. The main targets for the carcinogenic effect of DHPN were the lung and liver, with tumors induced by doses greater than 100 ppm DHPN for 16 weeks. The highest incidence was seen in liver vascular tumors including hemangioma, hemangioendothelioma, and hemangioendothelial sarcoma in mice treated with 1,000 ppm DHPN. Lung tumors were alveolar adenoma and adenocarcinoma. No pancreatic tumors were found. The present results suggest that the carcinogenic response in mice to DHPN was similar to that in rats and guinea pigs but different from that in hamsters.


[The use of alfatesine in the treatment of epilepsy (author's transl)].

7 patients (aged 15 months-72 years) were treated by intravenous infusion of alfatesine in varying dose depending on age and body weight. Treatment was effective in 6 of the 7 patients, 4 of whom had previously derived no benefit from standard treatment with benzodiazepines. Intravenous injection in 2 cases only increased the interval between seizures from 3-12 minutes to 25-40 minutes. No major side-effects were observed.


Separation of two forms of HeLa DNA polymerase alpha with different binding affinity to DNA.

Two forms of DNA polymerase alpha were separated from HeLa cells by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and affinity chromatography using a DNA-cellulose column. They were eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column at 0.22M KCl (P-I) and 0.24M KCl (P-II). Upon cell fractionation between cytosol and nuclei, P-I was recovered from nuclei and P-II from cytosol. P-I was found to have a higher binding affinity to DNA than P-II by DNA-cellulose column chromatography.


Metabolism of 5-fluorouracil in sensitive and resistant tumor cells.

Thymidine kinase, dTMP kinase, and DNA polymerase activities were determined in cell lines of AH hepatoma, L1210 leukemia, and Yoshida sarcoma that were sensitive and resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). It was found that the levels of these enzymes in tumor cells were not consistently related to the property of sensitivity to 5-FU. A marked difference was observed between sensitive and resistant cell lines of L1210 leukemia and Yoshida sarcoma in the uptake of labeled 5-FU into the acid-soluble, nucleotide, and RNA fractions, the rate of incorporation of 5-FU into these fractions being 3 to 5 times greater in sensitive tumor cells than in resistant tumor cells. The radioactivities in the acid-soluble fractions of AH44 (sensitive) and AH109A (resistant) were similar after incubation of these cells with labeled 5-FU in vitro. However, a smaller volume of ascites and lower cell number were observed in AH44 (sensitive)-bearing rats than in AH109A (resistant)-bearing rats. These in vivo results indicate that the 5-FU injected intraperitoneally was diluted by ascites more in AH109A (resistant)-bearing rats than in AH44 (sensitive)-bearing rats.


Inhibition by cell-free Ehrlich ascites tumour fluid of the resolution of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatorenal necrosis in mice.

Small doses of cell-free Ehrlich ascites fluid given to mice 18 hr after CCl4 effectively prevents resolution of the toxin-induced hepatorenal necrosis, thus duplicating the reported effects of washed Ehrlich tumour cells. The available data indicate that Ehrlich tumour fluid does not contain the agent directly responsible for resolution-inhibition, but rather contains an inducer which stimulates host tissues to form the ultimate inhibitor. Only in the presence of renal tubular necrosis is the inhibitor allowed to accumulate to levels which prevent resolution. The possibility that host-derived inhibitors include antiproteases is discussed.


Quantitative study on the liberation of tumor cells into the circulating blood.

A study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of liberation of tumor cells into the blood stream in connection with the process of tumor growth, using three strains of ascites tumor such as Yoshida sarcoma (YS) with infiltrative growth pattern, AH100B with expansive one, and AH109A with intermediate one. For this experiment, a new method for the quantitation of the number of circulating tumor cells was devised. From its results, it was concluded as follows: (1) Tumor cells appear first in the circulating blood at the transitional phase from logarithmic growth to declining growth. (2) Tumor size is a macroscopical index of the risk of the liberation of tumor cells into the blood stream. (3) Tumor necrosis is a histological sign suggesting that the tumor growth phase is declining, namely, that hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells has begun already. (4) There is a striking difference in the frequency and number of tumor cells in the venous blood among these three tumor strains. The tumour strains in order of the number of the circulating tumor cells are YS, AH109A, and AH100B. (5) In YS and AH109A, the transition of the number of tumor cells liberated into the blood stream is closely related to the growth process of tumor tissue. (6) Liberated cells of AH109A and AH100B disappear promptly from the blood stream.


New biospecific adsorbents for the purification of estradiol receptor.

The synthesis of biospecific adsorbents for the purification of the cytosol estrogen receptor from calf uterus is described. The characteristic of several estradiol derivatives, spacer chains, and insoluble matrix were systematically studied. Estradiol derivatives substituted at positions C2, 3, 4 7 alpha, 17 alpha, and 17 beta were tested for their affinities for the receptor; positions 7 alpha and 17 alpha were the most suibable. Acidic compounds had lower affinities than their methylester analogues. Long chain derivatives bound the receptor less firmly than corresponding shorter chains. However, when these ligands were attached to an insoluble matrix, the long spacer chain derivatives (greater than or equal to 14 atoms) were more efficient than the shorter ones. There was a satisfactory parallelism between affinities of free ligands and receptor binding to the respective biospecific adsorbents. On the basis of their stability in the presence of cytosol (no release of ligand), due to the absence of ester bonds, long chains were selected as spacers. Both acrylamide and agarose biospecific adsorbents displayed some ionic exchange capacity and consequently nonspecifically bound proteins; the influence of this nonspecific binding on the purification of the receptor was studied. On the basis of their stability, of their binding specificity, and of their selectivity for the receptor, the estradiol-7 alpha derivative adsorbents were selected for the purification of the receptor.


Angiography of the liver in lymphoma.

Three cases of lymphocytic lymphoma are reported. The diagnosis of liver involvement is critical since it may be a determining factor in the selection of chemo- or radiotherapy. Angiographic diagnosis of liver lymphoma is frequently unsuccessful. Though liver lymphomas usually display a hypovascular pattern, the hypervascular pattern should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions.


Bacterial penetration in floor and nest box eggs from meat and layer birds.

A method similar to that used by Board and Board (1967) was used to determine the numbers of eggs penetrated by bacteria on 3 poultry farms in south-east Queensland. Significant differences in the percentages of penetrated eggs between the eggs of layer birds (9.7%) and the eggs of meat birds (16.1%) and between nest eggs (10.5%) and floor eggs (15.3%) were detected. The distribution of the numbers of penetration points was similar for nest and floor eggs for both types of bird and was independent of shell surface area or thickness.


Relationship between intensities of skin test reactions to glass-fibres and chemical irritants.

A total of 98 workers at a glass-wool factory were patch tested with glass-fibres and six chemical irritants. A rubbing test with the fibres, a Trafuril test and provocation of dermographism were also performed. The subjects with strong patch test reactions to one quality of fibres also reacted strongly to the other types of fibres but did not show an increased sensitivity to other tests. The subjects with intense skin reactions to rubbing with the fibres showed an increased skin reactivity to Trafuril. A tendency towards increased reactivity to the patch tests with fibres was found in persons with fair skin and blue eyes.


[Acetylcholinesterase activity, phospholipids, cholesterol and sulphydryl group content in sarcolemma fragments].

The phospholipid, cholesterol, SH-group content and acethylcholinesterase activity in ultrasonic sarcolenima fragments precipitating at 105000 g were much greater than in fragments precipitating at 3000 g. On the basis of the results obtained it is suggested that the 3000 g sediment consists largely of network of collagen fibrils, while the 105 000 g sediment is mainly composed by the plasma membrane fragments. It is shown that the amount of SH-groups in intact sarcolemma available for 5,5-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNG) in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate was about twice as much as that in the absence of sodium dodecylsulphate. As to the sonicated fractions of sarcolemma (sediment and supernatant at 105 000 g) and high ionic strength extract of sarcolemma the amount of SH-groups available for DTNB in the presence and in the absence of sodium dodecylsulphate was similar. A decrease was observed in acetylcholinesterase stability after sonication (sediment and supernatant at 105 000 g). The normal Michaelis kinetics was found for the acetylcholinesterase of sarcolemma fractions solubilized by sonication.


[Content of dicarboxylic acids and GABA in normal suslik brain and under the effect of oxygen at higher pressure].

The content of glutamic, asparaginic and gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) acids in norm and under hyperoxia was determined in different cerebral areas of susliks living in places at different heights above sea level. In susliks at a height of 1700-2000 m above sea level the content of glutamate aspartate and GABA lowers significantly as compared to that in susliks at a height of 500-600 m above sea level. Under the effect of oxygen 6 at. ga at the 22nd minute on the average there occur convulsions in susliks living both in high mountains and middle mountains. Acute oxygen poisoning is not accompanied by noticeable shifts in the content of free dicarboxylic amino acids in the studied cerebral areas of middle-mountain susliks and is characterized only by an increase of the GABA content in the cerebellum. In high-mountain susliks the content of glutamate under these conditions increases in great cerebral hemispheres, while the asparate content lowers in cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum. In the latter the drop in the content of GABA is statistically significant.


Acute renal failure in insulin-dependent diabetics: episodes secondary to intravenous pyelography.

Diabetic patients with chronic renal failure are known to be at risk for exacerbation of renal failure if they undergo intravenous pyelography (IVP). The present report demonstrates that diabetic patients with normal serum creatinine levels can sustain irreversible renal failure following an IVP. The experiences with this case suggest that, if the creatinine clearance is decreased in an insulin-dependent patient irrespective of the serum creatinine value, one must be aware of the possible hazard of acute renal failure and irreversible renal damage following the IVP. This would appear to be especially true if the diabetic patient has proteinuria in combination with the decreased creatinine clearance.


Plasma lipid levels in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Because several recent reports have indicated a high incidence of hyperlipidemia in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetes, the plasma lipid levels were measured in a population of insulin-dependent diabetic patients to determine if hyperlipidemia is necessarily associated with diabetes. Only one patient had an elevated cholesterol concentration (greater than 220 mg. per deciliter) and two patients had an elevated triglyceride concentration (greater than 140 mg. per deciliter), giving an incidence of 6.4 per cent. A normal control group had an incidence of hyperlipidemia of 5.7 per cent. The mean cholesterol level (164 "/- 38 mg. per deciliter) of the diabetic population was significantly less than that of the normal control group (183 +/- 38 mg. per deciliter). The diabetic patients were divided into groups on the basis of 24-hour urinary glucose excretion and records of glycosuria. The serum triglyceride of the patients in group 4 (highest urinary glucose content and spills) was significantly elevated above three other groups with less glucosuria. Dietary history revealed that group 4 patients consumed a significantly higher percentage of fat. Cholesterol levels did not correlate with parameters of regulation of the diabetes.


The learning-disabled juvenile delinquent: a case for early intervention of perceptually handicapped children.

The relationship between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency is examined from an historical perspective as well as from the author's investigations. The majority of studies suggest that learning disabilities occur with significant frequency in delinquent populations. Perceptual disorders can be a significant cause of academic underachievement and poor social adaptation among youthful offenders. Preliminary results of an investigation of the learning-disabled delinquent confirm that the perceptually handicapped child is at high risk for developing these behavioral problems. As one of the first professionals who may be involved in the evaluation and treatment of the perceptually handicapped child, the occupational therapist is a key person in effecting early intervention. Early intervention is considered of prime importance as one preventive measure of juvenile delinquency.


[Chromatographic behavior of phthalimide derivatives on silica gel layers].

The chromatographic behaviour of phthalimide derivatives during thin-layer chromatography on silica gel is explained by the repercussions of mesomeric and inductive effects on the specific combined action of the oxygen of the carbonyl groups and of protonized hydrogen atoms of the active centres on the surface of the adsorbent. It is shown that within the groups of solvents the products of the eluting power of the solvent by the activity of the adsorbent is proportional to the amount of the Rf value.


Partial 11- and 21-hydroylase deficiencies in hirsute women.

Thirty-one women with idiopathic hirsutism were evaluated for partial 11- and 21-hydroxylase adrenocortical enzyme deficencies. Twenty-four hour urine collections for 17-ketosteroids, 17-hydroxycorticoids, tetrahydro compound S (THS), and -pregnanetriol were obtained basally and following a continuous 24 hours infusion of alpha 1-24 ACTH (cosyntropin). The results were compared to those in eight normal, nonhirsute women studied under identical conditions. Normal control subjects and 18 of 31 hirsute female patients (Group I) showed similar small increments in the excretion of THS and pregnanetriol following the infusion of cosyntropin. Thirteen hirsute women (Group II) showed cosyntropin-stimulated increments in either THS and/or pregnanetriol that were significantly greater than the mean response of the control group. The cosyntropin-stimulated increments in 17-ketosteroid excertion and basal sebum production rates were also significantly greater in Group II. The results are consistent with partial II - and/or 21-adrenocortical hydroxylase deficiencies in some hirsute women whose condition would have previously been designated as "idiopathic." Thus, prolonged ACTH stimulation testing may identify patients who might benefit from glucocorticoid suppression therapy.


On the possible anti-rheumatic effects (immuno-effector?)of imidazole derivatives (levamisole, clotrimazole, niridazole).

Some imidazole derivatives (levamisole, clotrimazole) have no significant effect on the rat adjuvant arthritis at dosages used in human therapy. If the effectiveness of these drugs in rheumatoid arthritis is confirmed by double blind studies, it would be necessary to find an explanation other than an immuno-effective action does not occur in some patients.


Comparative study of the effects of treatment with diethyleneiminebenzoquinone and its polymer complex with polyvinylpyrrolidone on the primary response of mice to sheep red blood cells.

The primary response of BALB/c mice to sheep red blood cells was used to study comparatively the time-dependent effects of a 5-day course of treatment with equivalent doses (0.8 mg/kg of body weight every day) of the cytotoxic agent diethyleneiminebenzoquinone (DEiBq) and its polymer complex with polyvinylpyrrolidone (DEiBqPVP). The experimental results show that in contrast to treatment with DEiBq, the ability of treated mice to establish a specific immune response was not markedly impaired during the treatment with DEiBqPVP. The possible significance of these results is considered with reference to the use of the synthetic polymer PVP as a carrier of cytotoxic groups in experimental cancer chemotherapy.


Effect of short-term clofibrate on glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in patients with mild maturity-onset diabetes mellitus.

The effect of 1 week clofibrate administration on glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose and to intravenous tolbutamide was evaluated in 21 patients with mild maturity-onset diabetes (fasting plasma glucose 108-152 mg/100 ml). After treatment, oral glucose tolerance and hypoglycaemic effect of tolbutamide were significantly improved; plasma insulin response was reduced after glucose and unmodified after tolbutamide; fasting plasma glucose was also significantly reduced. These findings did not correlate with the observed fall in serum lipids. Short-term clofibrate improves glucose metabolism in mild diabetes irrespective of its effects on lipid metabolism. It is suggested that the drug's action may be mediated by reduced insulin resistance.


Deficiency of calcitonin in age related osteoporoses.

Plasma levels of immunoreactive calcitonin were measured in patients with age-related osteoporosis and with postmenopausal osteoporosis and compared to the levels in control subjects. In all studies immunoreactive calcitonin was lower in the osteoporotic patients. Parathyroid hormone levels were measured in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and in control women; no difference was observed between the two groups. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that calcitonin but not parathyroid hormone plays a role in postmenopausal and age-related osteoporosis.


Experimental modifications induced by membrane oxygenators on lung ultrastructure in dogs and baboons.

Extracorporeal circulation with membrane oxygenator (E.C.M.O.) was performed in 6 dogs and 5 baboons during 4 to 57 hours. Examination of pulmonary samples showed progressive lesions in the two species: at the second hour of E.C., alteration of capillary endothelium, at the sixth, extensive lesions of all the lung structures, worsening later on. We discussed whether these lesions are related to the E.C.M.O., their reversibility and the questionable benefit of E.C.M.O. for management of respiratory distress syndrome.


Effect of a hydrocholeretic agent (Zanchol) on sterol metabolism in rats.

The keto acid, gamma-oxo-gamma-(8-fluoranthene)butyric acid (Zanchol) markedly alters sterol metabolism in rats. It stimulates cholesterol and bile acid synthesis and decreases cholesterol absorption.


[Distribution of praevalent morphological symptoms of the oral complex in 600 Jena school children in dependence of age and sex (author's transl)].

In this study praevalence and stage of some selected symptoms within the orofacial complex were investigated in 600 normal children living in Jena (300 boys and 300 girls). The first problem of this study consisted in registering the biological variability of 6 symptoms (bit abnormality, protrusion of the lower lip, diastema, palatal height, size of the tongue, fissured tongue) in a normal group, and secondly to find correlations between these symptoms. The results are listed for the age groups according to sex. The supposed causes that may lead to the development of these symptoms are discussed. Our results were compared with those of the literature. Difficulties and incompletion are involved in recording of the mentioned symptoms and their value of diagnosis.


Assessment for the value of serum lactic dehydrogenase in protein-energy malnutrition.

The present study was carried out in order to assess the value of serum LDH in cases suffering from PEM. In this respect, total serum LDH and its isoenzyme pattern in conjunction with serum GPT, GOT, CPK, and HBDH were assayed in cases suffering from PEM and compared with normal control group. The study revealed that increased activities of total serum LDH in PEM are neither of cardiac nor of hepatic origins. The activities and significance of other enzymes studied suggested that skeletal muscles are the main sources for these increased activities of serum LDH in PEM. The study offered a strong evidence for discrimination of liver cirrhosis in PEM.


Protein load in argininosuccinic aciduria: thoughts on its biochemical implications.

A patient with argininosuccinc aciduria was charged with 50 grams of protein, which was followed by considerable hyperammonemia. There was no response in further urea formation; but there was a considerable production of orotic acid, a precursor of pyrimidines. This makes orotic acid to an important diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of impaired urea formation. The patient's plasma amino acid pattern led to the suggestion that orotic acid synthesis is initiated by increased de novo formation of carbamyl phosphate in the cytosol and not by deviation of already existing intramitochondrial carbamyl phosphate.


Influence of preoperative left ventricular function on results of homograft replacement of the aortic valve for aortic regurgitation.

The effect of preoperative left ventricular function on eraly and late prognosis was assessed in 69 patients with aortic regurgitation who underwent homograft replacement of the aortic valve. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (38 patients) had an ejection fraction of 0.46 or more and Group B (31 patients) had an ejection fraction of 0.45 or less. Clinical data, hemodynamic data, and operative results were compared in the two groups. In Group A there was one early death (2.6%) and there were two late deaths (5.3%) compared to two early deaths (6.5%) and seven late deaths (22.6%) in Group B during a follow-up period of 13 to 98 months (mean, 49 months). Actuarial analysis showed a 94% survival at 6 years in Group A compared to 80% in Group B. Twenty-four patients were reinvestigated by repeat cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography at a mean time of 38 months following valve replacement. Left ventricular function was assessed by computerized quantitative radial analysis of segmental wall motion. Improvement in left ventricular function occurred in eight of the 14 patients reinvestigated in Group B, and appeared to be closely related to the etiology of the initial valve lesion. Despite the higher mortality rate in patients with poor left ventricular function, most derived considerable benefit from operation.


[Lupins - a new source of food for Andean countries. 5. Traditional methods of debittering of lupins by water].

The bitter taste of lupin alkaloids can be sensorially detected in water within ppm-range. The strength of the taste diminishes as follows: sparteine, D-Lupanin-perchlorate, lupinine, isolupinine and hydroxylupanine. The swelling capacity of lupin seeds presents different characteristics according to the species. The swelling rapidity is in L. albus somehow inferior to that of L. mutabilis. The absorption of water decreases in hot water, and the swelling rapidity increases. For domestic debittering it is recommended to cook whole lupin seeds during half an hour and to debitter them for 3 days in flowing water. The isoelectric point of the protein of L. mutabilis lies between pH 4 and 4.5.


Human physiological response and adaption to ammonia.

Other than anecdoted observations, there are no published reports on the physiological effects of ammonia at concentrations normally encountered industrially or information on whether inurement develops after repeated exposure. Six unacclimated male and female volunteers were exposed six hours per day over a six week period to concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm ammonia in an industrial environment, under strict medical surveillance. Inurement to eye, nose, and throat irritation was demonstrated after two to three weeks in addition to short-term subjective adaption. There were no significant differences between subjects or controls on common biological indicators, in physical examinations, or in performance of normal job duties. After acclimation, continuous exposure to 100 ppm, with occasional excursions to 200 ppm, is easily tolerated and has no observed effect on general health.


Testicular function in DBCP exposed pesticide workers.

In mid-1977 a number of cases of infertility among male pesticide workers in California came to light. A description of this problem was published as a Preliminary Communication in The Lancet. A larger clinical-epidemiological study was undertaken to better understand the exposure-effect relationships involved. Of 142 non-vasectomized men providing semen samples, 107 had been exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) and 35 had not been exposed. There was a clearcut difference in both the distribution of sperm counts and the median counts between the exposed men and the not-exposed men, Of the exposed, 13.1% were azoospermic, 16.8% were severely oligospermic, and 15.8% were mildly oligospermic. Among the controls, 2.9% were azoospermic, none were severely oligospermic, and 5.7% were mildly oligospermic. Under workplace conditions, DBCP appears to have a selective effect on the seminiferous tubules.


Cancer incidence and exposure to iron oxide dust.

Iron oxides, particularly hematite, have been suspected for carcinogenic properties based on epidemiological observations and experimental data. This case-control (case-referent) study concerns a worker population with high exposure to dust of iron oxides, particularly hematite, and with some impurities of pentavalent arsenic and other metals. In spite of the high exposure levels no excess of cancer has been observed, either in the respiratory system or at other sites. It is suggested that earlier findings of respiratory cancers as possibly associated with iron oxides exposure might rather be due to other concomitant risk factors.


Occupational therapy research in psychiatry: a perspective.

It is suggested that therapists at times may fail to distinguish between rehabilitation and therapy in psychiatric clinical practice. It is further suggested that differentiation should be made between habilitation and rehabilitation since different populations are involved and different outcomes may be expected. The fundamental role of etiological assumptions in therapy is stressed, while causative factors are said to be relatively unimportant in the practice of rehabilitation. The increasing emphasis on research in the various physiological etiologies of mental illness is discussed as indicating that therapists who wish to pursue treatment in clinical practice should prepare themselves to explain their treatment methods in physiological terms.


A system for clinically evaluating wheelchair pressure-relief cushions.

Pressure-related decubitus ulcers are a frequent disability and life-threatening complication in the management and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries. This paper describes a system developed to quantitate and evaluate a patient's response to wheelchair pressure-relief cushions. Maximum pressure and the tissue pressure distribution on six varieties of wheelchair cushions were determined for a sample of 57 patients with a history of decubitus ulcers. Wide variations in (mean) maximum pressure were observed. However, even greater variations were found in the distribution (bony/soft tissue) of the pressure. These data demonstrate that no single cushion was clearly superior in relieving pressure for all patients. Therefore, individualization of wheelchair cushions for each patient may be essential in order to minimize the probability that the person will experience a tissue-pressure problem.


Pilot study of a revised field work performance report rating procedure.

Expressed dissatisfaction with the rating aspect of the Field Work Performance Report (FWPR) led to a study of the following proposed revisions: the present FWPR scale was extended by one point (from 4 to 5), the possible points were redefined quantitatively, and a qualitative factor was added. Both the present form and the revised form of the FWPR were administered to field work students from two schools to determine if these revisions would result in more effective and meaningful distributions of item scores and total scores. To make this determination, statistical analyses were employed and comments from participating clinical supervisors were invited. Findings indicated that the revised form dispersed scores more effectively and meaningfully. However, the analyses also pointed to the need for further revisions.


A real-time system for multi-image gated cardiac studies.

A minicomputer-based system is described that allows real-time construction and simultaneous display, in flicker-free movie format, of a cardiac-cycle-spanning sequence of ECG-gated scintigraphic images. In as little as 2 min, the endless-loop flicker-free movier clearly displays cardiac anatomy, time-dependent volume variations of cardiac chambers, and abnormalities of cardiac wall motion that would be difficult or impossible to detect from static gated images. Simultaneously, a time-activity curve with high temporal resolution can be generated from a previously defined region of interest, thereby quantifying additional parameters of cardiac function. Because the movie and time-activity curve are displayed in real time and require only a short data-collection interval to achieve statistical reliability, the physician can use the system interactively, modifying the form, intensity, or duration of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on the observed response. This system is well suited for intervention studies, for continuous cardiac monitoring, and for the rapid screening of patients with suspected cardiac disease.


Surgical treatment of calcinosis cutis in the upper extremity.

Recent surgical experience with 11 cases of calcinosis cutis has given the authors an opportunity to define the role of surgery in the management of this condition. In scleroderma associated with dermatomyositis, when complications or disability arise from one or more areas of calcinosis, surgery may give significant palliation. Wound healing, although a potential problem, does not constitute a contraindication to operative treatment. Damage to deep structures usually is avoidable, but in some instances is a reasonable trade-off for the benefits obtained. Follow-up has confirmed that surgery is beneficial to patient comfort and function, even in the few patients in whom some calcinosis recurred.


Closed tendon sheath irrigation for pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.

Twenty patients with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis were treated by through-and-through saline irrigation using an indwelling catheter and small Penrose drain. The treatment lasted for 48 hours. All patients were discharged from the hospital within 4 days. Eighteen patients had regained complete active and passive motion by 1 week after operation. One patient had a slight residual flexor tendon adherence and one gained motion after operation. This technique provides rapid, complete return of function with minimal inconvenience to the patient.


Management of post-traumatic instability of the wrist secondary to ligament rupture.

A retrospective review of 55 patients with post-traumatic radioscapholunate ligament disruption suggests that rupture of this ligament can be treated successfully if certain guidelines are followed. If the rupture is seen within 4 weeks, an anatomic reduction maintained in plaster for 8 weeks leads to good results. Ligament ruptures that cannot be held in reduction or that are diagnosed after 4 weeks do poorly with immobilization only. Results after ligament reconstruction have ranged from good to fair but appear to have been sufficiently successful to warrant continued trial rather than resort to arthrodesis, proximal row carpectomy, or similar reconstructive procedures. Patients with degenerative joint disease associated with radioscapholunate rupture are not candidates for ligament reconstruction. Radial styloidectomy or some variety of wrist arthrodesis or wrist arthoplasty should be considered in these instances.


Acquired central disruption of fusional amplitude.

Acquired central disruption of fusional amplitude is characterized by a complete loss of fusional amplitude, the patient maintaining fusion for only a moment under test conditions before breaking to constant diplopia. Under normal viewing conditions, the patient has constant diplopia with both eyes open. Patients who have bilateral superior oblique palsy may mimic this loss of fusion and constant diplopia, but they are distinguished by fusing readily on the troposcope, which compensates for the excyclotorsion, in contrast to prisms, which do not remove the double vision. Case reports document an association with convergence palsy, an infranuclear unilateral superior oblique palsy, and a nonparetic acquired strabismus in visual adults. Head trauma is the usual cause.


[Bases of health-education programs on alcoholism and smoking: similarities and contrasts].

An attempt is made to state the socio-cultural context, the biomedical aspects, general and specific educational objectives, and educational contents of school health education program on alcoholism and smoking respectively, and to compare these with each other by juxtaposition in a tabular presentation.


[Swiss Council for Prevention of Accidents - its position and tasks].

The Swiss council for the prevention of accidents (BfU), founded in 1937, is a private institution, financed half by the Swiss national accident insurance fund (Suva) and half by Unfalldirektorenkonferenz (UDK), for the prevention of accidents on the roads, in sport and in the home. It has a full-time staff of 38 traffic engineers, traffic education experts, statisticians, lawyers, traffic psychologists and information specialists. In addition it has the practical assistance of over 800 municipal and cantonal security delegates. The BfU conducts accident research partly on its own and partly in collaboration with scientific institutes and acts as a coordinator for all institutions dealing with problems of nonindustrial accident prevention.


[Weight changes and risk factors during a 10-year period. Observations on subjects in the Basel study].

The change in body mass index (MI) over a 10 year period was compared to different risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 1663 men (aged 15-64) of the Basle Study. Blood pressure and betalipoproteins correlated significantly (alpha less than 0,01) with changes in MI as well as triglycerides (alpha less than 0,05). No correlation was observed between MI and cholesterol or smoking habits. Our results confirme that the age dependent increase in blood pressure, beta-lipoproteins and triglycerides is largely due to the increment of obesity in the adult.


[Experiences with bladder-uterus fistulae].

The present summary reports 5 cases of vesicocervical fistula, 9 cases of vesicocervico-vaginal fistula and 1 of vesicocervicocorporeal fistula seen over the last 20 years. When compared with the period between 1941 and 1955 the number of such fistula cases has increased fourfold. All thses fistulas, with just one exception, arose as a consequence of obstetric treatment. Conservative therapie was successful only in one case while all the other fistulas had to been operated upon. The preferred operating technique was that of vaginal metroplasty (Wolkowitsch-Küstner's technique). Hysterectomy or stump exstirpation with cystorraphy were performed in 4 cases. The combined vesicocervico-corporeal fistula required a vaginoabdominal treatment. 14 patients were brought to recovery. Increases in the number of vesicouterine fistulas as observed over recent years are considered to be related to a more concentrated therapy and to a higher frequency of cesarean sections. The vaginal route is all the more justified for fistula operations the nearer the fistula is located to the vagina. Operations of that kind require adequate skill in urinary bladder-ureteral- and uterosurgery.


Effects of localised cerebral lesions and dysphasia on verbal memory.

Twenty-nine patients with unilateral left hemisphere lesions, 22 patients with unilateral right hemisphere lesions, and 19 neurological control patients with extracerebral lesions were assessed on verbal memory recall and recognition tests and on a battery of language tests. The left hemisphere group was significantly impaired in memory and language skills. Significant verbal memory impairment was found both in the subgroup of left hemisphere lesion patients whose lesions involved the temporal lobe and in the subgroup whose lesions did not. However, no significant differences between these left hemisphere subgroups' levels of performance on memory tasks emerged, even when dysphasia was taken into account. This study, therefore, fails to support the notion of a specific anatomical correlate of verbal memory impairment within the left hemisphere. Dysphasic subjects were significantly impaired on verbal memory tasks but displayed the same pattern of sensitivity to the effects of word frequency and word concreteness on verbal memory as control subjects, suggesting that the verbal memory of the dysphasic subjects was quantitatively rather than qualitatively impaired. This impairment could not be attributed to deficits in the comprehension or expression of the memory test items, and it is, therefore, proposed that language disturbances may hinder the efficient use of such language based procedures as may subserve verbal memory.


[Calcification of the mitral valve ring, a cardiac manifestation of Marfan's syndrome (author's transl)].

A 29-year-old patient with calcification of the mitral valve annulus with Marfan's syndrome and severe malformation of the chest is reported. There are 8 other cases with calcification of the mitral annulus in this syndrome in the literature. It seems to be a specific but rare cardiac manifestation of Marfan's syndrome with calcification occurring also in the younger age group. These patients, in contrast to other patients with Marfan's syndrome who mostly have mitral insufficiency of minor degree mainly in late systole, present with hemodynamically severe mitral regurgitation. Our patient died 7 weeks after implantation of a prosthetic valve in low output syndrome, probably caused by a paraprosthetic leak and newly developed aortic insufficiency. It therefore seems that indication for prosthetic replacement of the mitral valve in these patients should be made with caution, particularly in regard to the technical difficulties at operation.


The relationship between serum IRG levels and LES Pressure under various conditions.

In investigations with various groups of patients there was no correlation between fasting serum IRG levels and LES pressures in individual subjects with undisturbed for disturbed sphincters. After food ingestion a short phase of LES pressure increase (from 13.5 +/- 1.5 to 21.7 +/- 3.8 mm Hg) could be observed. This peak occurs during the phase of rise in gastrin level, but there was no correlation between IRG levels and LES pressure in individual cases. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux we can demonstrate a diminished release of gastrin after a test meal, but there was also a diminished capacity of the LES. In conclusion, in this investigation it has not been possible to show a clear connection in humans between serum IRG and LES function.


Necrotising entero-colitis following umbilical vein catheterisation.

Fifteen cases of neonatal necrotising entero-colitis (NEC) following umbilical vein catheterisation are reported. Their clinical and radiological features are briefly described and the proper course of a catheter through the umbilical vein--ductus venosus--inferior vena cava segment is demonstrated. The significance of mal-position of the catheter and its association with NEC is discussed. It is suggested that the abdominal radiographs be taken in the antero-posterior and lateral projections with a portable X-ray machine to check the position of the radio-opaque catheter prior to the commencement of transfusion of infusion.


Congenital hepatic fibrosis.

Congenital Hepatic fibrosis is an uncommon disease, which is autosomal recessive. Two forms of the disease are distinguished: a rare one becoming manifest in the neonatal period with signs of progressive renal failure secondary to polycystic kidneys, in such cases the liver fibrosis is usually asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is therefore often first established post mortem. In the other more usual form the patients present during infancy with bleeding from rupture of esophageal varices caused by portal hypertension. One case is reported, and the history of his two brothers are referred to. In our case a portacaval anastomosis was performed and the patient is asymptomatic with no signs of encephalopathy. His two brothers died, one of bleeding from esophageal varices, the other of hemolytic anemia. In both cases the diagnosis was first made post mortem.


Portal pseudoperfusion: an angiographic illusion.

Much confusion regarding the hemodynamics following interposition mesosystemic shunts prevails. Many authorities have claimed that portal venous perfusion continues following interposition mesocaval shunts. In 1971, a prospective, randomized trial comparing the distal splenorenal shunt with a variety of interposition mesosystemic shunts (primarily mesocaval or mesorenal) was begun. Visceral angiography was utilized to assess the early and late postoperative hemodynamic changes following both selective and nonselective shunts. None of the patients with patent interposition shunts retained portal perfusion present preoperatively. Searching for an explanation for this hemodynamic discrepancy, we examined two patients of the randomized trial angiographically. Both patients had excellent portal perfusion preoperatively, yet following interposition shunting (one mesocaval and one splenocaval), neither maintained portal perfusion of the liver. Celiac artery injections produced opacification of the entire splenoportal axis; however, it is shown that such portal venous opacification occurred in a retrograde direction by selective hepatic arterial injections demonstrating hepatofugal portal venous flow. Additionally, two nonrandomized patients received interposition mesorenal shunts and exemplify this phenomenon, entitled "portal pseudoperfusion". The explanation for conflicting literature reports lies in the misinterpretation of venous phase celiac and non-selective SMA arteriography in determining the direction of portal flow. A narrative of preoperative and postoperative angiograms of four patients will clarify the mechanism of "portal pseudoperfusion" and demonstrate that interposition shunts totally siphon portal venous perfusion. Clues to the detection and techniques to avoid this phenomenon will be presented.


The influence of posture, Valsalva manoeuvre and coughing on portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

Percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal venous system and pressure readings were performed in nineteen patients with cirrhosis of the liver and bleeding varices. Portal pressures were recorded in awake and mobile patients in supine, sitting and standing position, during sleep, ingestion of food, Valsalva manoeuvre and coughing. No significant differences were recorded in the different postures, during sleep or food intake. Four patients with hepatofugal portal blood flow had, however, lowest pressure in standing position. During Valsalva manoeuvre portal pressure was doubled, and it became fourfold during coughing. Elevations of this magnitude have not previously been reported. A relationship was found between portal pressure and size of varices.


Aflatoxin in a Swedish grain sample.

So far aflatoxin has not been detected in crops grown in Sweden but only in imported feedstuffs or in feed mixtures containing imported products. During the survey for other mycotoxins in Swedish crops a compound was detected in oats which, by further analysis, was identified as aflatoxin B1. Quantitative evaluation showed concentrations as high as 2.6 ppm. The fungal population in this highly contaminated sample consisted almost entirely of Aspergillus flavus.


[Anti-core antibody in HBsAg negative subjects].

Hepatitis B core antibody was detected by radioimmunoprecipitation test using core antigen radiolabelled with 3H-TTP. Core antigen was prepared from Dane particles isolated from plasma of asymptomatic carriers of HbSAg. Sera samples from 286 blood donors found to be HBsAg negative by RIA, 31 patients with chronic hepatitis HBsAg negative and 12 subjects with a past history of acute viral hepatitis B who became HBsAg negative since 2 to 5 years, were tested for anti-HBc and anti-HBs presence. Co-existence of anti-HBc and anti-HBs was found in 32.8% blood donors, 29% chronic hepatitis patients and in all subjects with a past history of disease. Moreover an average of 8.4% of blood donors and 6.4% of chronic hepatitis patients were anti-HBc positive in absence of anti-HBs. The possible significance of anti-HBc as a useful tool for epidemiologic studies is discussed.


Hepatitis B virus infection in infants and toddlers in Nigeria: the need for early intervention.

One or more serologic markers of hepatitis B were detected in serum samples from 29 of 61 (48%) Nigerian children between ages 6 months and 2 years who were followed for three months. Eight (13%) had acute infections, nine (15%) had chronic infections, and 12 (20%) had transplacentally acquired maternal antibody. Of 17 with active hepatitis B, 13 had been infected prior to the first serum sample (76% of infections) and four were infected during the three months of this study (24% of infections). These data indicate that effective intervention at an early age would have prevented 24% of the HBV infections which occurred in these infants, and intervention soon after birth might have prevented all of the cases.


The interaction of the anionic fluorescence probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate, with hepatocytes and hepatoma tissue culture cells.

The fluorescence probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) has been used to characterize the anion transport properties of normal hepatocytes and hepatoma tissue culture cells. Incubation of hepatocytes in the presence of ANS (20 micron) resulted in a 35-fold enhancement of fluorescence and a 50 nm blue shift. The time course of this process is biphasic. A rapid initial fluorescence enhancement suggests ANS binding to the plasma membrane, and a slower component reflects the uptake of ANS into intracellular compartments. Analysis of ANS uptake showed this latter process to be saturable, with a Km of 10 micron, to be temperature dependent and to occur only in viable cells. The above observations suggest a carrier-mediated anion transport mechanism. Incubation of hepatoma tissue culture cells with ANS (20 micron) gave a fluorescence emission spectrum similar to that obtained from purified plasma membranes. The kinetics of this interaction only exhibited a rapid initial binding of ANS. The second slow component was now absent, suggesting that ANS transport by the malignant cell system was greatly reduced. Transport of ANS could, however, be stimulated in the presence of the local anesthetic tetracaine. The observed transport was now saturable, temperature dependent, and as in normal hepatocytes, required viable cells, again indicating a carrier-mediated transport system. These studies suggest a significant alteration in membrane function in hepatoma tissue culture cells resulting in a major defect in anion transport.


Inhibition of 3H-demethylphalloin uptake in isolated rat hepatocytes under various experimental conditions.

3H-Demethylphalloin (3H-DMP) a cyclopeptide very similar to phalloidin is taken up by isolated hepatocytes in vitro. Hepatocytes prepared from newborn animals are less sensitive to phalloidin. Their uptake of 3H-DMP is about one tenth of that of cells from adult animals. Ascites hepatoma cells, known to be insensitive to phalloidin took up negligible amounts of 3H-DMP. Cells prepared from regenerating livers took up insignificantly lower amounts of the toxin than in hepatocytes from adult animals. Treatment of hepatocytes with low concentrations of trypsin was found to switch off the phalloidin sensitivity in a reversible manner. This inhibition is due to a reduced uptake of 3H-DMP. Pretreatment of animals with CCl4, known to reduce the sensitivity to phalloidin, also decreases the uptake of 3H-DMP in isolated hepatocytes. Various agents, drugs and reagents were found to inhibit the response of isolated hepatocytes to phalloidin. All these compounds (bile acids, rifampicin, silybin, DIDS, glutardialdehyde, bromosulphophthalein, fusidic acid, antamanide, novobiocin) inhibit also the uptake of 3H-DMP in isolated hepatocytes. The results confirm our working hypothesis, presented in several previous papers, that decreased sensitivity to phalloidin is probably due to a reduced or blocked uptake of the toxin.


Comparative merits of eight popular media in aerometric studies of fungi.

Although cultural surveys of airborne fungi are pursued widely, the comparative virtues of popular media have not been systematically tested. To facilitate an informed choice, eight different agar media were compared using paired single-plate exposures of identical, wind-oriented, Andersen samplers. Modified Mehrlich's (MM), Sabouraud's dextrose (SAB), malt extract (MALT), V8 juice (V8), and potato dextrose-rose bengal (PDAR) agar were compared initially; potato dextrose (PDA), MALT, rose bengal streptomycin (RBS), and casein hydrolysate (CH) agar were compared during a subsequent series, as were PDA and PDAR. Overall, SAB, MALT, V8, and PDA total recoveries were similar, while MM, CH, PDAR, and RBS were significantly low in paired comparisons with one or more media. MALT and SAB produced the highest frequencies of recovery of most colony types. Bacteria were infrequently recovered on any of the media. CH and MM excluded Epicoccum but are of potential use in surveys that focus sharply on high concentrations of Cladosporium. Rose bengal-containing media performed poorly in this study and must be approached with caution and under properly controlled conditions.


An MSV-specific subgenomic mRNA in MSV-transformed G8-124 cells.

An intracellular subgenomic RNA species from MSV-transformed G8-124 cells was characterized by electron microscopy of RNA:cDNA heteroduplexes using long cDNAs both MSV and MuLV. This subgenomic RNA, 3.1 kb long, consisted of 5'-derived sequences of about 0.4 kb joined to 2.7 kb of RNA derived from the 3' end of the RNA genome. The 3'-derived sequences included the residual sequences from the MuLV pol region and the acquired cellular sequences of MSV. The genome of MSV was shown to retain approximately 0.13 kb from the 5' end of the MuLV env region, including sequences which span the point in the MuLV env mRNA. No subgenomic MSV RNA could be detected, however, which consisted of a 5'-derived leader sequence spliced to the retained env region sequences. Nor could a subgenomic MSV RNA be detected in which a 5'-derived leader sequence was joined directly to the acquired cellular sequences. Although its translation products are unknown, the subgenomic MSV RNA was present in preparations of poly(A)+ polysomal RNA, consistent with this RNA functioning as a messenger. The structure of this 3.1 kb MSV subgenomic RNA suggests a possible role in the expression of 3'-encoded MSV information, possibly including transformation-specific sequences.


Embryo mortality and altered uterine luminal proteins in progesterone-treated rabbits.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the location, time, and nature of embryo mortality induced by preovulatory progesteron administration. Progesterone was injected into rabbits on days -2, -1, and 0 (the day of mating) at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.0 mg, respectively. Normal fertilization rates resulted, but embryonic death occurred by day 4. Embryos residing in progesterone-treated does for up to 3 days survived normally when transferred to normal recipients, whereas day 4 embryos from treated does exhibited a reduced ability to implant. Uterine fluid (UF) protein pattern was examined on days 1 to 7 after mating. Total UF protein levels were significantly greater in treated animals on day 4 than in controls. Uteroglobin secretion was significantly advanced in the treated animals by day 3. Examination of the time of the arrival of embryos into the uterus revealed a delay in the progesterone-treated rabbits. This delay, coupled with the earlier secretion of uteroglobin in the treated rabbits, indicated a possible asynchrony of approximately 1 day between embryo arrival in the uterus and certain uterine proteins. To determine whether UF could be etiologically implicated in the progesterone-induced embryonic death, embryonic development in vitro and in vivo was examined after exposure to UF collected at different gestational stages. More normal day 3 morulae placed in UF from day 3 control and day 2 progesterone-treated rabbits developed than similar morulae placed in UF from day 2 controls and day 3 progesterone-treated does. Hence, partial physiologic synchrony was achieved. This was interpreted to mean that "asynchronous" UF can be embryotoxic. Infertility was transient. Ability of the does to produce young at a pregnancy immediately following a progesterone-treated pregnancy was not impaired.


Interactions of immune complexes and platelets in rabbits immunized with hapten-carrier conjugates.

The thrombopenic effects of immune complexes were studied in 32 rabbits, immunized actively with aspirin. The test animals were exposed to hapten-protein conjugates with a hapten density ranging from 0.6 to 38, and to pure hapten. The resulting thrombopenia and leucopenia correlated closely with the presence of immune complexes in the serum as detected by the platelet aggregation sedimentation pattern test (P1.A.). This platelet-aggregation activity sedimented mainly in the 19S fraction. The effects induced by polyvalent antigens where dose-dependent and could be modified by a prior injection of aspirin. Expectedly, monovalent antigens were only marginally effective.


Assessment of thrombocytopenic patients for splenectomy.

Platelet survival and splenic sequestration patterns were studied in 32 patients with thrombocytopenia using donor platelets labelled with chromium-51. A shorter mean platelet lifespan was observed in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (mean 12 hours) than in hypersplenism (mean 56 hours) or marrow hypoplasia (mean 102 hours). There was no such correlation between diagnosis and splenic sequestration. A biphasic survival curve was seen in nine of 22 patients with ITP. Thirteen patients underwent splenectomy with complete (9) or partial (4) response, but no consistent pattern of results was manifest. It is concluded that in vivo isotope studies are of little value in predicting the benefit of splenectomy in thrombocytopenic patients, although they may demonstrate the mechanism of the thrombocytopenia, in particular the biphasic survival curve revealing separate 'immune' and 'hypersplenic' components of platelet destruction in ITP.


Shrinkage of the brain during histological procedures with fixation in formaldehyde solutions of different concentrations.

The purpose of this study was to measure the shrinkage of the brain during fixation and the subsequent histological procedures. In neuropathology formaldehyde solutions are the most common fixative, but different concentrations are used. This may lead to uncertainty in connection with quantitative comparative studies, because of the possibility of different degrees of shrinkage. Three groups of five brains each were fixed in three different formaldehyde solutions containing 4% buffered solution, 10% and 12% solutions without additives, respectively. The further procedure to the final histological preparation was the same in all groups. The total shrinkage in volume was 48%, with no significant difference between the three groups. A significant difference appears in relation to the duration of fixation in the most concentrated formaldehyde solution. In all three groups the shrinkage due to the fixation was more than half of the total shrinkage. Finally, it is concluded that comparative quantitative studies on brains can be performed without regard to the technique after fixation in any of the concentrations of formaldehyde investigated.


Interaction of zymosan and of activated properdin with factor D-depleted guinea pig serum: implications for the mechanism of initial C3 cleavage via the alternative complement pathway.

Factor D of the alternative C pathway was specifically removed from guinea pig serum. The resulting serum reagent (RD) supported neither the formation of a C3-cleaving enzyme on zymosan (Z) nor the inactivation of C3 or of factor B in the presence of Z or activated properdin (P). Addition of purified D to RD restored these properties. Studies were limited amounts of purified D were added to RD with Z or P as activating substances, gave the following results: (1) Inactivation of B and of C3 occurs in the presence of minute amounts of D. (2) C3 inactivation is more efficient than B inactivation and proceeds even in the absence of detectable enzymatic B activation. (3) C3 cleavage at any D concentration tested is always accompanied by uptake of C3 fragments onto Z. With respect to initial C3 cleavage via the alternative C pathway these data suggest that the initiating reaction is D-dependent, very efficient in depositing C3 fragments on particulate activating substances such as Z and able to utilize factor B in an apparently uncleaved form.


[Determination of lysine requirement in growing rats as based on the catabolism rate of 14-C- and 15-N-labeled lysine].

Male Wistar rats (weighing some 80 g at the start of the experiment) were fed diets containing maize gluten as protein carrier and which was supplemented with amino acids (except lysine) in such way that their concentrations came up to the requirement norms. Lysine was gradually supplemented this resulting in 10 diets of different lysine content (1.6-10.6 g lysine/16 g N). On the 7th experimental day, 4 animals of each group were labelled with 14C-lysine and subjected to 2-hour measuring of 14CO2-excretion. On the following day, the animals were injected i.p. 15N-lysine, the urine being collected over 24 hours to determine 15N-frequency in urine. Both 14CO2-excretion and 15N-frequency in urine were found to remain constant at a lysine content of the diet up to 4.5 g/16 g N and rose steeply from 5.8 g lysine/16 N on. Under the experimental conditions chosen the lysine requirement is deduced to be 5 g/16 g N. This method of lysine requirement determination is highly sensitive and exact because it covers the catabolization of the amino acids under study and not so parameters that are known to be influenced by other factors such as growth, N-balance, total N-conversion or CO2-formation. The method can also be applied to metabolic situations not connected with productive performances.


[Nitrogen and amino acid absorption in swine. 3. Endogenous secretion and absorption of nitrogen].

The endogenous nitrogen in the duodenum and the distal segment of the small intestine of 3 fistulated pigs fed a 15-N-labelled feed protein was determined using the isotope dilution technique. Over 24 hours, the endogenous N secretion was found at least 12.5 g at the end of the duodenum. For the upper segment of the small intestine, a statistically secured correlation between endogenous nitrogen and chyme amount was found to exist. It was possible to determine the true and apparent absorption of the nitrogen for both individual segments of and the whole digestive tract.


[Effect of various protein levels in the diet on the activity of some metalloenzymes].

Studies on the effect of increasing protein levels in the diet (0 to 50% casein) on hematological criteria (v. Krziwanek et al., 1978) were supplemented by experiments regarding the reaction of catalase, ceruloplasmin and alkaline phosphatase under such conditions. A relationship was found between the activity of all 3 enzymes and protein supply. The catalase activity of the blood revealed a linear relationship with the protein level of the diet. The activity of the alkaline phosphatase was found to go up as the protein level of the diet increased reaching its maximum with weight development. The ceruloplasmin activity revealed an opposite behaviour. The results show that the application of these criteria for measuring the supply with and conversion of trace elements do not allow reliable statements but under constant experimental conditions. The catalase activity in the blood may give certain clues for assessing the quality and quantity of protein in the feed.


Continuous measurement of tissue blood flow by laser-Doppler spectroscopy.

Laser light scattered from tissue in vivo is broadened in line width as a result of the Doppler shift produced by moving red cells in the microcirculation. A feasibility study was carried out to demonstrate use of this effect to measure and monitor tissue blood flow. Light from a helium-neon laser illuminated a 1-mm area of tissue (human skin or rat renal cortex), and the backscattered light was detected with a photomultiplier. The spectrum of the Doppler beat notes was analyzed directly with a digital spectrum analyzer, or processed by analog circuitry to yield a flow parameter based on the root-mean-square Doppler line width. This parameter was compared with 133Xe washout in the skin of volunteers subjected to UV-induced erythema and the skin of volunteers subjected to UV-induced erythema and was found to vary in an approximately linear manner with skin blood flow. The laser instrument provided continuous monitoring of blood flow fluctuations, including the pulsatile component. The instrument was used to monitor flow in the outer cortex of the rat kidney during administration of norepinephrine, angiotensin, hydralazine, dextran, dopamine, nitroprusside, and angiotensin blocked by saralasin. Dynamic and steady-state responses were consistent with known pharmacology and renal physiology, and with the assumption that vasoconstrictor angiotensin II receptors in the kidney are accessible to blood-borne inhibitors. The laser-Doppler method is a promising tool for rapid monitoring of dynamic changes in tissue perfusion.


[Completion of the set of amino acids contained in high-protein wheat through the addition of protein feeds and L-lysine to rations fed to laying hens].

2 types of chick rations were fed to 8100 birds. A commercial type of food prepared on the basis of state-controlled standard formulas was used as control ration. The experimental food contained 84% of wheat; the proportion of protein feed in this ration had been reduced by 30%. The chick period was taken to last 8 weeks (controls and half of the experimental groups) or 12 weeks. Until the age of 8 weeks the growth rate of the control birds was by no means better than that of the experimental chicks (8.6 and 8.3 g per bird/day) although the control birds consumed more food (but same level of EFh consumption). At the age of 8 weeks the experimental birds were adjusted to a type of food fed to young hens. The apparently stress-induced lower level of food consumption of the experimental chicks in the period between the 9th and 12th week decreased the rate of weight gains and affected the whole analysis of data for the entire chick period ranging from 0 to 12 weeks (9.0 g per bird per day as compared to 9.6 g). This difference was compensated for in the further course of rearing. No significant differences in the demands for food, energy and crude protein were noticed until the age of 8 weeks. The mortality rates were the same in both groups (2.4% and 3.1%, alphaless than0.05). With regard to the criteria investigated the two rations appear to be equivalent. The 30% decrease in the proportion of protein feed may be regarded as being justified.


[Use of EEG response following intravenous diazepam administration in the etiologic diagnosis of brain lesions].

The authors take into consideration the reactivity of the E.E. Graphic focal anomalies to the i.v. infusion of 10 mg Diazepam. The cases includ 28 patients (15 with cerebral neoplasia, 8 with severe vascular accident, 5 with light vascular accident); among these, 19 showed typical E.E. Graphic focuses after administration of Diapezam, like those previously described by Weber and other Authors. Subjects with severe cerebral lesions and in the third age, after i.v. administration of 10 mg Diazepam showed vegetative disorders (hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, apnoea, periodic respiration). The reliability of the reactivity of the EEG focal anomalies to i.v. administration of Diazepam is confuted and the risks of such a methodology in subjects with severe cerebral damage or in the third age, are pointed out.


Fear of success-fact or artifact?

Each of 240 high school juniors and seniors wrote stories in response to one of four variations of the story cues used by Matina Horner to measure what has been called "fear of success." These cues described either Ann or John achieving success in medical school in a situation in which either all of the protagonist's classmates were men or there were equal numbers of men and women. Six different consequences of the success were assessed. Results indicated that male and female students perceived the depicted success in similar ways and that when the "deviance"  aspect of Ann being alone in a class of men was removed, negative outcomes of success were lessened. The common interpretation of these stories as the writers' projections of their own personalities is challenged.


Facilitation skills and the perception of clients' wants.

High functioning and low functioning observers as measured by the Carkhuff global level of facilitation scale were compared on their ability to perceive client wants. Observers were 16 master's level psychologists who had previously received 40 hours of Carkhuffian human relations training. After each counseling session the client and observer filled out the Therapy Session Reports describing what the client talked about (dialogue) and what the client wanted (wants). An agreement score between observer and clients was calculated for each observer. It was found that all observers were better able to identify dialogue. High facilitators were better able to identify wants than low facilitators (experimental task), while there was no difference between the groups in ability to identify dialogue (control task).


[C(16)-substituted steroids in the urine of newborn infants at birth].

Neonatal urinary excretion of Estriol and their C(16) substituted precursors are considered in this study in fetus at birth. Besides the prognostic significance of different ormonal levels, we have examined the role played by these valuation in order to explain the data achieved during the pregnancy.


Renal patients and their MMPI profiles.

Three groups of patients on renal dialysis, largely veterans in VA Hospitals, were, by means of MMPI profiles, compared with one another, with a group of predialysis renal patients, one third of whom were veterans, and with Mayo Clinic general medical patients. There was remarkable similarity between the mean profiles of the renal patients, which reflected in Caldwell's view, a profound fear of death and of helplessness, and a sense of catastrophic loss of bodily functions--greater than that found in general medical patients. Data suggest that the East Orange renal dialysis group (N = 77), older, more variable, and longer on dialysis, manifested a greater sense of personal distress than was found in the other renal groups.


Obesity and perceptual reactance.

Similarities in anomalous perception of internal gastric states and sensitivity to distraction among the obese to variations in perceptual reactance suggest that the obese tend to augment the intensity of visceral cues associated with hunger. It was hypothesized that the obese would be overrepresented at the augmenter end of the perceptual reactance continuum. Thirteen obese (six male, seven female) and 14 nonobese (eight male, six female) college students participated in a study in which perceptual reactance was assessed by degree of Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffect (KFA). A highly significant relationship in the predicted direction was observed for perceptual reactance category and mean percent weight deviation. Additionally, there was a highly significant interaction of sex by category, with the hypothesized relationship intensified for the female Ss. Results supported interpretation of obesity as a consequence of animalous perception of cues associated with consuming behavior.


Patient-doctor agreement about problems needing follow-up visit.

In this study in an urban prepaid group practice, patients and practitioners agreed less than half the time as to what problems required follow-up at a subsequent visit. Problems that were mentioned by both practitioner and patient were much more likely to be followed up subsequently by the practitioner than problems initially mentioned only by the practitioner or only by the patient. Patients reported much more improvement of problems at follow-up when both practitioner and patient mentioned the problem as requiring follow-up than when they had been mentioned only by the patient. The involvement of patients in the process of care may be augmented by a variety of mechanisms. We believe greater patient participation in the processes of care should result in better follow-up of problems and better results, at least as perceived by patients.


Young children's production and comprehension of nonverbal deictic behaviors.

The production of pointing, the understanding of pointing and the comprehension of another's line of regard was investigated in 36 male and female infants 9-, 12-, and 14-months-old. Production of pointing was present in eight out of twelve 12-month-olds and in eleven out of twelve 14-month-olds; only a few of the youngest Ss pointed. For the youngest infants comprehension of pointing was a function of the distance between the person pointing and the object pointed to. All 12-and 14-month-old children comprehended the pointing to a nearby object and most of them also understood the pointing to a distant object. Ten out of twelve 12-month-olds and eleven out of twelve 14-month-olds were able to tell where another person was looking if both the cues of movement and orientation of the head and the eyes were present; their performance was less perfect with only the cue of orientation present or with only the eyes moving. Never more than three out of the twelve youngest Ss succeeded on any of these percept-diagnosis tasks.


[Vascular and histological changes in rat liver after porta-systemic shunt].

The authors analyze vascular liver modifications after porta-caval shunt in the rat. The examination of the portal vascular bed obtained by neoprene latex injection allows the definition of different morphologic phases, throughout these liver reaches new structural balance, with an efficacious lobular perfusion. In the same periods histological findings show a cell damage, without necrosis, followed by a recovery after 8 months. In distance, in normal rat porta-caval shunts induce a reduction of the liver volume, both the lobular structures have normal functions and morphology.


Radioautography of the uterus and vagina after [3H]progesterone injection into guinea pigs at various periods of the estrous cycle.

Radioautograms were made of uterine horns, cervix and vagina from guinea pigs injected with[3H]progesterone at various periods of the estrous cycle. The concentration of silver grains peaked at proestrus and estrus and then fell during metestrus, attaining a minimum at diestrus. These variations were not due to masking of binding sites by endogenous hormone since ovariectomy of guinea pigs at diestrus did not change this pattern. During proestrus and estrus, radioactivity was found in all parts of the endometrium and myometrium of the uterine horns. However, the muscle fibers and the cells of the stroma contained more silver grains than did the luminal and glandular epithelium. In the vagina, radioactivity was concentrated mostly in the nuclei of the basal layer cells of the stratified epithelium. During metestrus and diestrus, less radioactivity was present in these regions. These differences in labelling were observed simultaneously in all the uterine and vaginal cell types, suggesting that similar hormonal mechansims may control receptor variations in these different target cells.


Estrous cycles after electrical stimulation of the brain in conscious rats: effect of current strength, estradiol benzoate and progesterone.

Conscious unrestrained rats were stimulated through chronically-implanted electrodes in the median eminence-arcuate (ME-ARC), medial preoptic area (MPOA), amygdala (AMYG) or caudateputamen area of the brain on diestrus-2 of a 4-day estrous cycle or diestrus-3 of a 5-day cycle. Each rat was repeatedly tested after returning to normal cycles according to the following procedure: stimulation at current levels of 25, 50 or 100 muA (biphasic pulses), injection of 1 or 3 mug estradiol benzoate or 1 mg progesterone, and injection of the same hormones 24 h before stimulation at 50 muA. Indirect evidence of advanced ovulation, judged by the pattern of vaginal smears, was obtained depending on the current and site of stimulation: 25 muA was subthreshold for all brain areas, 50 muA was threshold for the ME-ARC and AMYG, and 75-100 muA was very effective in the ME-ARC, but could not be tested in the MPOA or AMYG due to abnormal behavior. Histological studies of the ovary revealed premature luteinization of some follicles and occasional advancement of ovulation. Pseudopregnancy-length diestrus often followed ovulation or advanced ovulation. This event was produced by a lower threshold current of 25 muA in the ME-ARC and MPOA. A current of 50 muA was maximally effective in the ME-ARC, but less so in the MPOA and AMYG; 75-100 muA caused successive periods of pseudoprengancy-length diestrus in the ME-ARC group. It is concluded that specificity of neural circuits from the AMYG to LHRH neurons is questionable since stimuli which led to reproductive changes also produced seizure activity. But stimuli producing no abnormal behavior in conscious rats clearly altered reproductive cycles when applied to the ME-ARC, and in the MPOA produced mino changes in cycles. Estradiol facilitated the effect of stimulation on early appearance of leucocytes in the vaginal smear in the estrous cycle and pseudopregnancy-length diestrus; contrarily, progesterone, in a few cases, inhibited both effects.


The role of the pharmacist in drug information for the agricultural sector.

Discussion with veterinarians practicing in southeastern Wyoming suggests that increased pharmaceutical services are needed for the agricultural sector. Such services should include more control of veterinary drugs, informational services, and a forum in which to report untoward responses to drugs. Certain educational and organizational requirements for implementing these services are discussed. Recommendations are advanced that: 1)Some veterinary drugs should be subject to sale by prescription only and be more closely controlled by the pharmacist, 2)A specially in veterinary pharmacy should be established, 3)This specialty should be included as an option on state board examinations and required as a qualification for dispensing animal health drugs, 4)Veterinarians should be appointed to state boards of pharmacy, and 5)Programs in continuing education should be developed to facilitate the entry of existing pharmacists into veterinary pharmacy.


Current dilemmas in the clinical use of heparin.

The more widespread use of heparin as an effective antithrombotic agent would be greatly facilitated by resolution of the following issues: Clarification of the biological differences between beef and hog heparin. The development of a standard heparin molecule. The modification of heparin for oral use. The availability of a standard in vitro assay of the drug's antithrombotic potential. A meaningful assay of plasma heparin together with a determination of whether or not heparin is present in human plasma in normal and diseased states. Establishment of criterions for determining the proper dosage schedules in various pathological conditions. A reconcilation of USP and International units of heparin.


Rapid molecular size characterization of heparins by high pressure liquid chromatography.

Extremely fast molecular size separations of heparins have been demonstrated using modern high pressure liquid chromatography technology. Commercial USP grade heparins of beef and porcine origin were characterized within 7 minutes. Their molecular size distribution characteristics and molecular weight relative to nonionic dextrans were obtained and found to exhibit a higher molecular weight for porcine and a lower molecular weight for beef heparin. The molecular weight profiles of low potency heparins showed either lower or higher average molecular weights than normal with a wider peak shape. As little a 5 mug of heparin can be detected by this procedure, and as much as 10 mg could be handled preparatively by these systems. High pressure liquid chromatography is a powerful tool for characterization of heparin and other acidic mucopolysaccharides when used in conjunction with other analytical and biological methods.


A method for studying acute insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in unanesthetized and unrestrained rats. The effect of mild stress on carbohydrate metabolism.

A technique is described for glucose infusions and for frequent sampling of small quantities of blood in unrestrained and unanesthetized small laboratory animals. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, polyethylene catheters were implanted into the jugular vein and the aorta, and distal ends were exteriorized on the back of the neck of 250-gm. rats. Five to seven days following surgery the rats regained weight and were in a normal anabolic state, despite indwelling catheters. On the day of the intravenous glucose tolerance test (ivGTT), the exterior ends of the indwelling jugular and aortic catheters were connected to specially prepared extension catheters, through which a glucose pulse was given and frequent blood samples in small quantities were collected, respectively. During the entire procedure, the animals were resting quietly, unrestrained and unanesthetized. In another group of similar rats with indwelling catheters, ivGTT was performed after they were restrained in plastic restrainers. During the ivGTT, serum glucose levels were significantly higher in the restrained rats than those observed in the control rats. The mean glucose disposal rate (K) of 2.2 +/- 0.2 was significantly slower in restrained rats than the K of 3.0 +/- 0.3 in unrestrained rats. Following the glucose pulse, insulin secretion was significantly lower in restrained rats than that observed in the unrestrained rats. These observations emphasize the importance of controlling the modifying effects of mild stress on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion.


Chronic alcoholism and canine exocrine pancreas secretion. A long term follow-up study.

Sequential changes in pancreatic secretion were evaluated during a 2- to 3-year follow-up study in 8 dogs provided with Thomas gastric and duodenal fistulas. Four animals were given intragastric ethanol (2 g kg-1) daily for 3 years; 4 others served as controls. In alcohol-fed animals: (1) Flow rate and bicarbonate output in response to 1 clinical unit kg-1 hr-1 of secretin were increased at the end of 2 years but not after 1 year of alcohol feeding. (2) At the end of 2 years, the dose-response curve of pancreatic secretion to cholecystokinin was unchanged but the maximal bicarbonate and water secretion in response to high doses of secretin were increased. Modifications (1) and (2) are explained by reduplication of pancreatic ducts secondary to the development of chronic pancreatitis, verified by biopsy. (3) The previous report by our group of an increased cholecystokinin release in the course of chronic alcohol consumption in dogs seems to be attributable to an artefact. This work shows that the pancreatic response to intraduodenal oleic acid is not significantly modifed by 3 years of alcohol feeding.


Liver disease in vineyard sprayers.

Liver disease with inclusions of copper was recognized among 30 rural workers with "vineyard sprayer's lung." The pathological findings were varied: focal or diffuse swelling and proliferation of Kupffer cells; histiocytic and sarcoid-like granulomata; fibrosis of variable degree in the perisinusoidal, portal, and subcapsular areas, accompanied by atypical proliferation of the sinusoidal lining cells; micronodular cirrhosis; angiosarcoma of the liver; idiopathic portal hypertension. Abundant deposits of copper were revealed by histochemical techniques within hepatic and pulmonary lesions in these patients. The observations on the human and experimental material suggest an etiological relationship between exposure to copper sulfate and the lesions described. A morphological resemblance was noted between the "liver disease of vineyard sprayers" and the hepatic lesions reported in workers exposed to inorganic arsenic and to vinyl chloride. The identification of the inhaled foreign material within the liver lesions raises important etiological considerations.


Nasal tumors in the dog: retrospective evaluation of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

The records of 43 dogs with nasal tumors (1969- 1974) were evaluated in retrospect. The median age at diagnosis was 10 years. Most affected dogs were bloody nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal bone deformities. A new method of obtaining tissure for cytologic and histologic evalution proved to be accurate in making a definitive diagnosis in 50% of the cases evaluated. Affected dogs were treated by surgery, surgery plus immunotherapy, or not at all. The results of those treated by surgery alone were no better than those not treated.


Basidiospore numbers in Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach.

The number of spores per basidium in the cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus can be readily determined using the light microscope.


Energy-dependent intracellular translocation of proparathormone.

We previously suggested that after synthesis, proparathormone is transferred from rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi region where its conversion to parathormone occurs. We have attempted to define more closely this transfer process. In the first type of study, bovine parathyroid slices were incubated with [3H]leucine for 10 min and then radioisotope labeling was restricted by addition of a large excess of nonradioactive leucine. Under these conditions, more than 90% of the initially labeled proparathormone was converted to parathormone in 40 min. Lowered temperature in the chase period markedly inhibited the conversion. Several chemical agents were employed individually in the chase period to examine their effect on the conversion process. Antimycin A, dinitrophenol, oligomycin, and anaerobiosis (N2) inhibited the conversion, whereas sodium flouride and cycloheximide had no effect. In the second type of study, parathyroid slices were incubated with [3H]leucine for the entire incubation period. Lowered temperature and inhibitors of energy metabolism and microtubular function all lengthened the interval (lag) between the initial synthesis of [3H]parathormone. Cycloheximide, Tris, and chloroquine decreased the rates of protein synthesis and conversion, respectively, but none had any effect on the lag. We interpret the lag to represent the time of transit for proparathormone from rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi region. We conclude that this transfer process is independent of the synthesis of the prohormone and its conversion to the hormone. Moreover, this translocation requires metabolic energy and appears to be mediated by microtubules.


Characterization of the nuclear envelope, pore complexes, and dense lamina of mouse liver nuclei by high resolution scanning electron microscopy.

We have used high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the nuclear envelope components of isolated mouse liver nuclei. The surfaces of intact nuclei are covered by closely packed ribosomes which are distinguishable by SEM from nuclear pore complexes. After removal of nuclear membranes with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100, the pore complexes remain attached to an underlying, peripheral nuclear lamina, as described by others. The surface of this dense lamina is composed of particulate granules, 75-150 A in diameter, which are contiguous over the entire periphery. We did not observe the pore-to-pore fibril network suggested by other investigators, but such a structure might be the framework upon which the dense lamina is formed. Morphometric analysis of pores and pore complexes shows their size, structure, and density to be similar to that of other mammalian cells. In addition, several types of pore complex-associated structures, not previously reported by other electron microscope (EM) techniques, are observed by SEM. Our studies suggest that the major role of the dense lamina is associated with the distribution, stability, and perhaps, biogenesis of nuclear pore complexes. Treatment of isolated nuclei with a combination of Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate removes membranes, dense lamina, and nuclear pore complexes. The resulting "chromatin nuclei" retain their integrity despite the absence of any limiting peripheral structures.


Identification of a sperm receptor on the surface of the eggs of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata.

The possibility that the surface of the egg of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata contains a species-specific receptor for sperm has been investigated. The extent of fertilization of eggs of A. punctulata, which is proportional to the number of sperm, is unaffected by the presence of either eggs or membranes prepared from eggs of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. In marked contrast, membranes prepared from eggs of A. punctulata quantitatively inhibit fertilization of A. punctulata eggs by A. punctulata sperm. Several lines of evidence indicate that this inhibition is due to the presence of a membrane-associated glycoprotein that binds to the sperm, thus preventing them from interacting with receptor on the surface of the eggs. First, eggs treated with trypsin are incapable of being fertilized, although they can be activated with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Moreover, membranes prepared from eggs pretreated with trypsin do not inhibit fertilization of eggs. Second, receptor isolated in soluble form from surface membranes binds to sperm and thus prevents them from fertilizing eggs; the inhibition by soluble receptor is species-specific. Third, the soluble receptor binds to concanavalin A-Sepharose. Fourth, eggs are incapable of being fertilized if they are pretreated with concanavalin A. The specificity of inhibition, and the affect of trypsin and concanavalin A on intact eggs, suggest that the receptor is a species-specific macromolecule located on the surface of the eggs. The sensitivity of the receptor to trypsin, and its ability to bind to concanavalin A, indicate that it is a glycoprotein.


Do aging changes in the preoptic area contribute to loss of cyclic endocrine function?

Two-year-old Wistar rats showing repeated periods of pseudopregnancy were compared with young rats that had electrolytic lesions placed in the medial preoptic area. Electrolytic lesions in the medial preoptic area in young rats induced repeated pseudopregnancies what were similar to those seen in the old pseudopregnant rats. Serum prolactin levels were elevated in both groups of rats. Administration of lergotrile mesylate (an ergot-dervied dopamine agonist and prolactin inhibitor) resulted in a reduction in serum prolactin levels and in the appearance of normal consecutive 4- or 5-day estrous cycles in the old rats and in the young rats with brain lesions. These results suggest that the repeated periods of pseudopregnancy in the aged rats may result from a deficiency in dopamine or from an abnormality in dopamine metabolism in neurons arising or passing through the medial preoptic area.


Mepacrine, a tool for investigating the 5-hydroxytryptamine organelles of blood platelets by fluorescence microscopy.

In the blood platelets of various species exposed to mepacrine, the average number of green-yellow fluorescent granules (probably identical with the 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT] storage organelles) corresponded to that of flashes emitted by the platelets on prolonged irradiation with violet-blue light. In platelets of fawn-hooded rats the number  of granules did not markedly differ from that of normal rat platelets, but the fluorescence intensity and the uptake of mepacrine in vitro showed a marked decrease and the flashes were less numerous. The heavy population of human platelets exhibited considerably more granular structures than the light population. The data suggest that (1) in normal, mepacrine-loaded platelets one flash corresponds to one 5-HT organelle and (2) mepacrine is a useful tool for investigating the number and function of the 5-HT organelles in live platelets and possibly for studying platelet age.


Hypotonic exchange-loading of erythrocytes. II. introduction of hemoglobins S and C into normal red cells.

A rapid, simple technique whereby erythrocytes transiently exposed to hypotonic hemoglobin preparations undergo exchange of endogenous for exogenous hemoglobin has now been applied to normal, hemoglobin A-containing erythrocytes into which hemoglobin S or hemoglobin C have been introduced. Erythrocytes containing an average of 12 to 61 percent of hemoglobin S undergo sickling when incubated in isotonic dithionite solution and are morphologically indistinguishable from natural sickle cells. Ultrastructural studies of thin sections of these artificial sickle cells show microfialments and fascicles which appear typical of microtubular tactoids of hemoglobin S seen in natural sickle cells. Erthrocytes containing 43 percent introduced hemoglobin C developed all of the morphologic alterations associated with intra-erythrocytic hemoglobin C, including hemoglobin aggregation, targetting, and intracellular crystallization, after inclbation for 24 hours in isotonic saline: dithionite. The results support the concept that the sickling process, and morphologic erythrocyte alterations occurring in hemoglobin C disorders are primary to the respective hemoglobins rather than the membrane. They also suggest that any role played by the inner surface of the erythrocyte membrane in the development of these alterations is probably secondary and not specific to the inner membrane surface of the natural sickle cell or hemoglobin C-containing cell.


Trigeminal artery and microemboli to the brain stem. Report of two cases.

The authors report two cases of transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) involving the brain stem. The TIA's were due to microemboli that originated from a carotid bifurcation atherosclerotic plaque and travelled through a persistent trigeminal artery.


Fate of small diameter cervical veins grafted into the common carotid arteries of growing rabbits.

Autogenous cervical veins were grafted into the common carotid arteries of rabbits during their active growing period. A patency rate of 58.8% was achieved but the thin-walled vein grafts underwent massive dilatation. This dilatation is likely to severely limit the usefulness of these veins as a source of bridging grafts in clinical practice, particularly for use within the intracranial cavity.


Cranial zygomycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis. Case report.

A previously healthy youth who had sustained severe head trauma and had received steroids and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents developed a cranial zygomycotic infection with Saksenaea vasiformis. This is the first time this zygomycete has been implicated as a disease agent. Early identification of the fungal infection and subsequent vigorous medical and surgical therapy led to recovery.


Dynamic imaging of the systemic perfusion of a lung cancer: case report.

Dynamic lung circulation scintigraphy employing intravenously administered 99mTc as pertechnetate was used to visualize the pulmonary arterial and systemic arterial circulations in a patient with bronchogenic carcinoma. Computer-processed dynamic images and region-of-interest data were utilized to demonstrate differences between tumor and normal regions regarding pulmonary and systemic blood supplies.