Differential aggression in genetically different morphs of the white-throated sparros (Zonotrichia albicollis).

To see if genetic differences correlate with differences in agonistic behavior, 225 encounters within and between color morphs of the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) were observed in feeding groups of different sizes and morphic compositions. Tan morphs lack the M chromosome that replaces either of two chromosomes in the white morph. The data were analysed using quantitative models accounting for the proportions of morphs present, and the principal finding was that morphs are equally frequent recipients of aggression but the white morph was the aggressor more frequently than by chance expectation--regardless of the morph of the recipient, the size of the group or the morphic composition of the group.


[Genetically determined variability in rat behavior and its biochemical correlates].

Using the combination of extremely high and low values of two independent behavioural variables (activity and frequency of defecation in open field) four groups of rats were selected with different CNS reactivity corresponding to the types of higher nervous activity described by I.P. Pavlov. These groups of rats revealed significant differences in reactivity to stress and drugs, in social behaviour and biochemical pattern. They may represent a useful tool for the research in experimental psychology, neurophysiology, psychopharmacology and other branches of science.


[Effect of exposure to stress applied during early ontogenesis on the avoidance reaction in young rats].

A study was made of the influence of stress (swinging) applied on the first to the fifth day of life of newborn rats, on acquistion of active unilateral avoidance, passive avoidance of a dark "dangerous" compartment, the relative weight of the brain and absolute increase in the weight of the body at an early age. It was shown that in four-week old rats the stress significantly worsens active avoidance acquisition. In two-month old animals avoidance of a dark "dangerous" compartment, i.e. "passive" avoidance, tested immediately after application of electric current is more pronounced in stressed rats. No difference was found in the relative weight of the brain and the absolute increase in the weight of the body between control and stress groups of the animals.


[Graduation of gynecological findings from the social-gynecological and industrial health viewpoint (author's transl)].

A review is given on the status of the gynecological part of the tabular value of health grades for fitness examinations and checkups in the field of industrial health. It is reported on experiences in carrying out gynecological fitness examinations within the Research Union of Industrial Medicine of the German Democratic Republic during the years 1972 to 1975. With the graduation of gynecological findings and diseases according to four health grades, possibilities are shown, in order to derive statements on development of the state of health under defined working conditions by means of complex industrial health fitness examinations. Thus, health and labour protection of the working woman can be further improved.


[Relationship between the sequelae of zoosocial isolation and individual characteristics of the animal].

The changes were studied of various psychophysiological characteristics of mice behaviour, arising after prolonged solitary isolation in cages. The qualitative specificity of such changes is non-uniform and depends on the animals' individual characteristics (spontaneously aggressive or nonaggressive after isolation). Two types of the consequences of isolation are singled out: 1) General changes (non-specific) arising in all groups of mice; 2) Special changes (specific), typical of a certain group of animals only. In the group of aggressive mice there is a difference between aggression enhanced by isolation, and that which developed in the course of isolation. The most substantial qualitative changes in behaviour takes place in the latter case. It has been suggested that only individual approach makes it possible to determine exactly the qualitative aspects of social isolation consequences.


[The menstrual cycle in adolescents].

Data concerning onset and development of menstrual function were received by questionnaire from 740 girls attending the 10th classes of all schools in the city and the county of Jena. Menarche occurred at a mean age of 13 years and 3 months. with a standard deviation of 9.6 months. 6 girls (0,8%) had not yet observed their first bleeding at the time of the investigation. In the group of pupils studied the cycle function became regular at a mean age of 13.7 years including a standard range of 1.2 years. 396 girls observed regular bleeding intervals from the beginning of their menstrual function. 185 after a one year period of irregularity. The normal length of the menstrual bleeding ranging from 3 to 7 days was observed by 89.4% of the girls within the last 12 months prior to the investigation, a regular strength of the bleeding was reported by 82.4% of the adolescents. 39.4% of the girls affirmed the occurrence of primary dysmenorrhoea. For this reason 10 pupils regularly missed the school lessons, while 124 adolescents felt unable to take part on their lessons occasionally. Among the indications leading to gynecological examination or treatment hormonal contraception in 17 cases and artificial abortion in 4 cases are particularly worth mentioning.


[Adrenergic and adrenolytic effects on the female urethra].

The effect of phentolamine and pholedrin sulfate on the female urethra was studied for electronical measurement of the urethral pressure profile. In 9 healthy women the administered of phentolamine (0,15 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant reduction of the maximal urethral closure pressure, the functional length of the urethra and the total areas under pressure profile. Following the injection of pholedrin sulfate (0,3 mg/kg body weight) a marked increase of the maximal urethral closure pressure and the total area under pressure profile was observed. The functional urethral length remained unchanged. New concepts of medicamentous influence of the urethral closure pressure were discussed.


[Comparative studies of avian mycoplasmas by flat gel polyacrylamide electrophoresis (author's transl)].

The phenol-acetic-acid extraced cell proteins of Mycoplasma (M.) and Acholeplasma (A.) reference strains (PG31 (M. gallisepticum), PG 16 (M. gallinarum), PG30 (M iners), 17529 (M. meleagridis), WVU 1853 (M. synoviae), 1340 (M. anatis), PG8 and PG9 (A. laidlawii), CKK (Serovar C), DD (Serovar D), WR1 (Serogroup F), 695 (Serogroup I) and 694 (Serogroup L) were anlysed by the flat gel polyacrylamide electrophoresis. With exception of PG8 and PG9 the Coomassie Blue-stained protein patterns show that each of the strains produced reproducible characteristic electrophoretic pattern by which the reference strains could be differentiated. However, before the question could be answered whether the procedure described is suitable to replace the serological species differentiation of avian mycoplasmas, serological and electrophoretic studies of a relevant number of field strain are necessary.


[Newly developed virusvaccines in veterinary medicine (author's transl)].

Newly developed vaccines in veterinary medicine can be classified into two categories. The first category comprises inactivated vaccines produced by "classical" methods such as inactivation of the virus by formalin and the use of A1(OH)3 as adjuvant. Besides, this category also includes live vaccines from attenuated virus. Thus, all of these vaccines represent no genuinely new developments and owe their origin to the fact that the importance of several virus diseases of animals has grown in the last years, making neccessary the rapid production of corresponding vaccines. Such virus diseases are infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/vulvovaginitis, enzootic rhinopneumonitis of cattle, virus diarrhoe of calves, rhinopneumonitis of horses, kennel cough of dogs and Marek's disease of chickens. The second category comprises inactivated vaccines which represent genuinely new developments through the use of more efficient chemicals for virus inactivation (ethylenimines) and more efficient adjuvants (oil emulsions, DEAE dextran). Such vaccines were especially developed with regard to foot-and-mouth disease and Aujeszky disease in pigs, where "classical" vaccines are rather inefficient. These types of vaccines are, however, also efficient in other animal species and with other viruses. Entirely new vaccines which are more or less still in an experimental stage are vaccines made from split products of viruses e.g. from glycoproteids of rabies virus, or made from membrane constituents of cells infected with avian herpes viruses.


[Investigations on the antimicrobial activity of amin-aldehyde-condensates. 3. Communication: n,o-acetals (author's transl)].

In the scope of our research about the antimicrobial activity of amin-aldehyde-condensates a number of partly new N,O-acetals was synthesized by reaction of formaldehyde with several alcohols and secondary amines. Structures and physically constants are shown in the tables 1 and 2. The antimicrobial activity is demonstrated by the results of the disk-test (table 3), of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC, table 4) and the suspension and area disinfecting test following the methods of the DGHM (tables 5 and 6). It may be shown, that the N,O-acetals have both germistatic activity mainly versus Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium glaucum and germicidal activity versus the gram-negative testgerms especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


[The behaviour of mycobacterium intracellulare serotyp Davis and mycobacterium avium in the head region of sphagnum moss vegetation after experimental inoculation (author's transl)].

After the inoculation in the head region of sphagnum moss vegetation (Sph. magellancium-Erica Association and Sph. apiculatum-Eriophorum angustifolium Ass.) reach the mycobacteria the hyaline cells of Sphagnum (Fig. 1). The count of M. intracellulare serotyp Davis decreases rapidly already in three days after the inoculation of Sph. magellanicum Ass. and this trend in the course of incubation is being continued. In 27 days following the inoculation only 2 of 7 specimens contained a small amount of this mycobacteria (Tab. 2, Fig. 2). In the head region of Sph. apiculatum Ass. the mycobacterial count was more rapidly going down. Already 13 days after the inoculation only 2 of 7 specimens were found mycobacteria-positive; 24 days after the inoculation no mycobacteria were present (Tab. 3, Fig. 3). The elimination of M. avium from the head region of Sph. magellanicum Ass. follows within 13 days after the inoculation (Tab. 4, Fig. 4). For the microbial growth well predisponated hyaline cells with their porous cell wall and hollow spaces possess probably a mechanism, which is effective against microbial contamination of the productive head region of Sphagnum vegetation. Our further investigations have shown, that the growth of mycobacteria follows in the deeper, partially decomposed region of Sphagnum vegetation (KAZDA, 1978).


[Multiplication of mycobacteria in the gray layer of sphagnum vegetation (author's transl)].

The capillary moisture of the gray layer of the Sphagnum magellanicum ass. contains nutrients for the growth of mycobacteria. Tested in vitro significant multiplication was stated in M. intracellulare, serotyp Davis, M. avium, M. scrofulaceum, M. fortuitum, M. xenopi, M. kansasii, M. borstelense, M. flavescens, M. gaxtri, M. gordonae, M. marinum, M. terrae, M. smegmatis, M. spec. "S" and M. nonchromogenicum (Fig. 1 and 2). There was no evident multiplication in M. phlei, M. triviale, M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. ulcerans in vitro. Using the cultivation of mycobacteria in the hollow fibers (pore size 100,000 mol. weight) inserted directly in the gray layer of the Sph. magellanicum ass. a significant growth of all 18 species investigated was stated (the same species as above, excl. M. bovis and M. tuberculosis; Fig. 3). A rapid multiplication was detected also in M. ulcerans. The sphagnum vegetation spreads over all continents. It develops very good under wet conditions surrounding springs and brooklets in the moutain region. Accumulation of solar heat directly under the surface of this vegetation makes possible a temperature 15-28 degrees C higher than the air temperature. In this way favorable conditions for mesophilic mycobacteria arise over an extend period of time. The close contact to water contributes to the wide distribution of mycobacteria.


[Diurnal rhythm of the cerebral and systemic circulation in epileptic patients].

A study of the diurnal rhythm of some parameters of the brain and cerebral blood flow (REG, pulse frequency, body temperature, blood pressure, transversal body REG in epileptic patients in comparison with control groups revealed some changes. These facts permit to speak of a disturbed blood flow regulation in epileptic patients, of changed homeostatic and adaptational brain functions.


Genetic and extragenetic variance in motor performance.

A simple additive model of genes plus environment, based on intrapair similarities observed in 35 MZ and 35 like-sexed DZ twin pairs, was used to estimate the relative contribution of genetically controlled phenotypic variance in psychomotor individuality. Subjects practiced 50 trials on a pursuit rotor apparatus under a 20-sec/20-sec, work-rest schedule with a 30 min rest pause allowed between trials 30 and 31. Analyses of the data disclosed that a greater proportion of genetic factors, as opposed to nongenetic factors, appears to account for existing individual differences in motor performance among individuals subject to similar environmental conditions. The strength of this genetic control, however, systematically diminished throughout the course of practice obeying a monotonic trend over trials.


The rate of growth and maturing of twins.

In the years 1966-1976, 50 pairs of Warsaw twins (27 MZ and 23 DZ) were subjected to longitudinal investigations. The twins were aged 9-11 years at the beginning of the observations, and 19-22 at their conclusion. The observations consisted of comprehensive somatic measurements and of the evaluation of biological maturity. The rate of growth of the twins, defined by the magnitude of yearly increments of body height, proved to be more concordant in MZ than DZ pairs. The appearance of the adolescent spurt occurred in the same year in 81% of MZ and ca. 43% of DZ pairs. A very slight relationship was found between the rate of growth and final body height. The attaining of subsequent stages of sexual maturity in MZ twins was concordant in 88%, and in DZ twins in 30-39%, according to the respective stage. The body height curves were represented by means of three numerical parameters.


Topologically significant dermatoglyphic patterns in twins.

A total of 58 dermatoglyphic characters, consisting of topologically significant pattern elements, i.e., loops and triradii, on palms, soles and fingertips, were tested in a sample of 110 MZ and 111 like-sexed DZ twin pairs. The analysis included homolateral, heterolateral and bilateral concordance rates, the derived Hc coefficient, coefficients of the within-pair association, phi, derived chi2 intraclass correlation coefficients and heritability estimates based on variances (h2) and correlations (Hr), and the variance ratio F. A considerable difference was found in respect of "heritability" values between palmar and sole patterns, in that they are the highest for sole loops and triradii and the lowest for most palmar loops. These data are compared with the h2 values obtained from family correlations. The difficulties in the interpretation of "heritability" estimates based on the material of twins are pointed out and particular attention is drawn to a possibility of the additional bias in twin studies related to a degree of symmetry of the characters investigated.


Male uterus in the donkey and horse.

The anatomy and histology of the male uterus were studied in the donkey and the horse. In the former it was found complete and long, while in the latter it was incomplete or absent. Some variations met with are described. A new concept of "internal male hermaphroditism' is presented and two types are differentiated.


Congenital dislocation of the hip in Norway. Late diagnosis CDH in the years 1970 to 1974.

A survey of 274 late detected cases of CDH born in the years 1970--74 is presented. The incidence of late cases in southeast Norway was calculated to 2.2 per 1 000 live births. The hips of all patients were examined at birth, the majority by trained pediatricians, without disclosing any hip affections. 86% were females. Only 6.9% were delivered in the breech position. One-half of the patients had luxation (20%) or subluxation (30%), the rest had dysplasia without dislocation. In 19% both hips were involved. The low incidence of breech presentations in late CDH-cases compared with the incidence among neonatal cases (15.7%) point to some etiological differences. It seems that we in Norway have two types of CDH, one caused by joint laxity and detectable at birth and another, not present at birth, with progressive dysplasia of the hip and dislocation developing during the first year of life.


Ontogeny of two cholinergically mediated central effects: stereotyped yawning and potentiation of head-shaking.

The ontogenetic course of two cholinergically mediated central neuropharmacological effects, yawning and potentiation of head-shaking induced by D-amphetamine (5 mg/kg), was explored in developing rats. Physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (4 mg/kg) evoke stereotyped yawning in neonatal rats, the effect declining in the middle of the second week of life. Both cholinomimetic drugs strongly potentiate amphetamine induced head-shaking between the 4th and 10th postnatal days. Pilocarpine per se is capable of inducing head-shaking, in the absence of amphetamine, in rats from 8 to 12 days. Infant rat yawning and head-shaking are blocked by scopolamine (5 mg/kg). Nicotine (0.1 mg/kg) potentiates head-shaking but inhibits yawning. Yawning is also depressed by D-amphetamine. The early maturation of these cholinergic effects is discussed in comparison to the later maturation of several forebrain cholinergic systems.


The effect of synthetic scotophobin on motor activity in mice.

The motor activity of mice treated by scotophobin (1, 2, 4, 6 micrograms) was tested in a photoresistor actometer 24, 48 and 72 h after injection. Scotophobin in doses of 4 and 6 micrograms per mouse increased significantly the motor activity as compared with controls injected with saline only. This result suggests that shortening of dark box time, found by some authors after injection of scotophobin, seem to be the consequence of the enhanced motor activity of mice. Thus the effect of scotophobin on the behavior of animals is not specific and this substance can not be considered responsible for the "memory transfer".


Changes of progesterone level in the plasma of sows during the estrous cycle. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1978, 29 (2): 177--183. The investigations were carried out on 12 sows of the Polish Large White and Polish White Longeared breeds. Blood samples were taken daily from auricular veins between 8 and 11 a.m. The progesterone level was determined in the blood plasma by the competitive protein--binding technique. The results obtained were within the limits of below 1 to 25 ng/ml plasma. During ovulation the plasma progesterone level was lowest. It increased markedly beginning with the 4th to 6th day of the estrous cycle, reaching its peak on the 14th and 15th day and then fell significantly to a minimum value in the estrous period. Individual differences in the plasma progesterone level between the sows were also noted.


Phospholipase A2 and prostaglandins in human seminal plasma.

Lipolytic activity toward phospholipids in human seminal plasma had been ascribed to phospholipase A2 (17). The enzyme is soluble, heat stable at pH 5, requires Ca2+ for optimal activity, inhibited by ionic and nonionic detergents, and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the fatty acids in the 2 position of various sonicated phospholipids. In 12 healthy fertile and 20 subfertile individuals, the total phospholipase A2 activity toward radioactively labeled phosphatidylethanolamine has been compared with the total amounts of prostaglandins E and F, which have been determined by specific radioimmunoassay. There is a statistically significant correlation (p is less than 0.01) between total phospholipase A2 activity and prostaglandin E (and F) contents in the seminal plasma. It is concluded that phospholipase A2 is secreted along with prostaglandins into seminal plasma. This seminal phospholipase A2 possibly reflects the initial step of substrate release for prostaglandin biosynthesis in the human male reproductive system.


Temporal correlations between plasma ovarian steroid hormone levels and intrauterine oxygen tension in the guinea pig.

In summary, while arterial and venous pO2 remain constant throughout the estrous cycle, dramatic fluctuations in intrauterine oxygen tension occur, reaching maximal levels on  Days 0 and 6 when plasma estrogen levels are elevated. This correlation suggests that ovarian steroids regulate intrauterine pO2 via their actions upon a number of uterine and vascular parameters, the temporal relationships existing between the mid-luteal rise in plasma estrogen, intrauterine pO2 and implantation suggesting that the steroid induced increase in oxygen availability to the blastocyst may participate in the process of implantation in the guinea pig.


Abnormalities of the peripheral blood as a presenting feature of immunodeficiency.

The predisposition of immunodeficient patients to the development of peripheral blood abnormalities is well documented. Less often recognized is the presence of immune defects in patients who initially present with "idiopathic" forms of thrombocytopenic purpura or autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the absence of symptomatology indicative of an immuno-deficiency. In this report we describe two children, each of whom had intermittent and at times severe hemolysis and thrombocytopenia secondary to formation of autoantibodies. Although the initial clinical impression was the presence of an "idiopathic" form of platelet or red cell destructive phenomenon, subsequent observations demonstrated abnormalities of the immune system which affected both B and T lymphocytes. In one of the patients there was a marked deficiency of IgA with a moderate but progressive decrease in IgM and IgG. The other patient had a moderate decrease in IgA and a failure to sensitize to dinitrochlorobenzene. Both exhibited dysmorphic features, including small stature, abnormal dentition, hyperelasticity of the skin, and hyperextensibility of the joints. Neither had significant problems with bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. These observations highlight the importance of evaluating the immune system in children with "idiopathic" forms of hemolytic anemia or thormbocytopenia. Demonstration of these abnormalities can have important therapeutic implications and may also provide information regarding the etiology of the blood abnormalities.


Lateral asymmetry in human constitutive heterochromatin: frequency and inheritance.

The relative frequencies and types of lateral asymmetry found in chromosomes 1, 9, 15, 16, and the Y were determined. The pattern of asymmetry is simple in chromosomes 15, 16, and the Y but compound in 1 and possibly also 9. The pattern of compound lateral asymmetry is a stable heteromorphism inherited in a simple Mendelian way and is an efficient morphological discriminator between the members of the no. 1 chromosome pair.


Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the anterior uvea and increased carcinoembryonic antigen levels.

A 47-year old man developed chronic unilateral iridocyclitis with secondary glaucoma, and increased plasma carcinoembryonic antigen levels. The eye was enucleated seven months later, and histopathologic examination revealed a metastatic mucin-producing carcinoembryonic antigen-positive adenocarcinoma. The patient died one year after the initial onset of symptoms. The primary site of the tumor was not proven, but most likely was the gastrointestinal tract.


Helminthosporium corneal ulcers.

We studied four cases of Helminthosporium corneal ulcers from four different institutions. One case occurred in an immune-deficient infant, another in a patient three months after removal of a foreign body; the third case occurred in a patient with a corneal dystrophy who was wearing soft contact lenses and using topical corticosteroids; and the fourth occurred in a patient with a history of multiple foreign bodies. Antifungal sensitivities were performed in three cases and showed relatively good sensitivity to available antifungal medications; even though all four patients improved, there was poor correlation between in vitro sensitivities and clinical response.


Choroidal neovascularization associated with choroidal nevi.

We observed choroidal neovascularization with associated macular detachment in three cases of benign choroidal nevi. Successful obliteration of the neovascular membranes was performed with argon laser photocoagulation with maintenance of good central visual acuity.


Armrest support for the slit-lamp delivery argon laser system.

We designed a new armrest for use at the argon laser. The arm support can be used on either the right- or left-hand side of slit-lamp tables of varying thicknesses. The continuous screw adjustment allows for easy height adjustment of the arm support. The construction of the armrest facilitates the adjustment and manipulation of a fundus contact lens, which is so necessary to the successful performance of argon laser photocoagulation.


Diazepam and succinylcholine-induced muscle pains.

Postoperative muscle pains occurred in 16% of 25 patients given 10 mg diazepam IV 5 minutes prior to succinylcholine. Postoperative muscle pains occurred in 60% of 25 patients not given diazepam before succinylcholine. The difference is statistically significant. Diazepam reduced the severity and duration of postoperative muscle pains, as well as their frequency.


Neonatal electroencephalographic patterns as affected by maternal drugs administered during labor and delivery.

Effects of drugs used during labor and delivery on spontaneous (resting) and evoked brain electrical activity were studied in 45 normal human newborns 48 hours after delivery. Mothers received either anesthesia (general plus local) alone (group 1), anesthesia plus meperidine (group 2), anesthesia plus meperidine and promethazine (group 3), or anesthesia plus meperidine and diazepam (group 4). Autoregressive spectral analyses and subsequent stepwise discriminant analyses showed no differences in spontaneous brain electrical activity in the infants related to the type of drugs given to the mother. However, when auditory stimuli were reduced in intensity from 80 dB to 63 dB, a significant effect was found in newborn brain electrical activity between the anesthetic-only drug pattern (group 1) and the drug patterns of anesthetics with meperidine (group 2) and anesthetics with meperidine plus diazepam (group 4). The data suggest that this effect diminishes in the presence of promethazine (group 3). Evoked responses to visual, tactile, and olfactory stimuli remained unaffected.


Subarachnoid corticosteroid injection following inadequate response to epidural steroids for sciatica.

A review of pain clinic patients was carried out to determine whether patients who obtained limited or no relief from epidural injection of steroids derived benefit from subsequent subarachnoid steroid injections. Only 1 of 13 patients who had no benefit from epidural steroids improved following subarachnoid injection. Five of 6 patients with partial relief from epidural steroids had further improvement after subarachnoid injection.


Perfusion characteristics during cardiopulmonary bypass and subsequent changes in alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradients.

In 11 elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) recipients, changes in alveolar-arterial O2 tension difference (deltaAaDO2) from 5 minutes before to 30 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) ranged from -54.9 to +63.1 torr and exhibited significant linear correlation (r = 0.77, p less than 0.01) with the mean arterial perfusion pressure (MAPP) during CPB multiplied by the duration (T) of CPB divided by the body surface area (BSA) of the patient. The regression equation (deltaAaDO2 = 0.015 MAPP divided by BSA X T -50) enables estimation of the delta AaDO2 to result from a given episode of CPB. Mural edema of airways and pulmonary vasculature, developing during CPB, may be a mechanism underlying this correlation.


An infant circuit with a water vaporizer warmed by carbon dioxide neutralization.

A pediatric anesthesia system was constructed by connecting the machine end of a modified Mapleson D system to a soda lime canister containing a water vaporizer heated through the reaction of neutralization of the lime by the CO2 emerging from the breathing tube. The vaporizer was placed in line with the fresh-gas delivery tube of the circuit. The humidity output of the system varied from 15 +/- 1 mg H2O/L with a CO2 output of 15 ml/L to 27 +/- 1.5 mg H2O/L with a CO2 output of 60 ml/min. Rebreathing of CO2 was within acceptable limits as long as fresh-gas inflow remained at 5 L/min. The system compares favorably in respect to its humidity output with all other circuits availabe on the market for pediatric anesthesia.


Neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine antagonism of lincomycin-pancuronium neuromuscular blockade in man.

Seven anesthetized patients were studied to determine the interaction between pancuronium and lincomycin and the ability of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine to antagonize the block. Lincomycin 600 mg given IV alone did not decrease twitch tension. An 8 to 10% decrease in twitch tension occurred when lincomycin was given after neostigmine antagonism of pancuronium. Lincomycin augmented a partial pancuronium neuromuscular blockade. The combined lincomycin-pancuronium neuromuscular blockade was effectively antagonized by both neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine although the latter produced a slower rate of antagonism. The authros conclude that lincomycin, 600 mg IV, augments a pancuronium neurovascular blockade. 4-Aminopyridine offers no advantage over neostigmine and, in fact, may offer a disadvantage because of a slower rate of antagonism.


[Neonatal meningitis by "flavobacterium meningoseptium" (author's transl)].

We informed a case of neonatal meningitis caused by "Flavobacterium meningosepticum", the first to be described in our country, taking into consideration its ethioepidemiology and therapy.


[Cavernous hemangioma of the liver (author's transl)].

A three-month old asymptomatic infant was incidentally found to have an abdominal mass. Through standard radiological and vascular procedures it was defined as being of hepatic origin, vascular etiology and of benign prognosis. Differences among cavernous hemangioma, hepatoma, metastasis and hemangio-endothelioma are summarized. The importance of angiography is emphasized as an essential procedure previous to the surgical evaluation and therapy.


Studies concerning the metabolites produced by Stachybotrys atra, Penicillium islandicum, Penicillium viridicatum and Aspergillus versicolor.

Over the past ten years it has become quite apparent that mycotoxins, or toxins produced by fungi, are responsible for a wide variety of human and animal illnesses and, in many cases, deaths. Consequently, the study of the metabolites produced by fungi and the possible occurrence of such metabolites in foodstuffs is of critical importance. It is the purpose of this paper to outline the approach taken at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in evaluating the possible hazard to human health posed by the growth of molds on foods, and to elaborate upon the results of studies sponsored by FDA relative to the metabolites produced by four mold species frequently found on foodstuffs. i.e., S. atra, P. islandicum, P. viridicatum and A. versicolor.


Water soluble toxins of Stachybotrys alternans.

To attempt to clarify the mechanism of the action of mycotoxins under physiological conditions, the effect of simulated gastrointestinal conditions on the toxicity of Stachybotrys alternans was studied. Components, extracted into a simulated gastrointestinal system and into organic solvents were compared, regarding toxicity and chromatographic properties, with particular reference to a chromatographically characterized Stachybotrys-toxin found by us. It was established that, in addition to those toxic components which were soluble in organic solvents, some toxic, highly water soluble substances were extracted from the fungal culture by the gastrointestinal system. The total toxicity extracted by organic solvents was about fifteen times as much as the toxicity extracted by the simulated system, as measured by cell toxicity tests. All of the toxicity can be transferred from the fungus culture to the aqueous simulated system. This means that the simulated system altered the nature of the toxic components extractible with organic solvents.


Sex and age differences in luteoskyrin hepatotoxicity.

1. Luteoskyrin, a hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin from the fungus of "yellowed rice" Penicillium islandicum Sopp, shows different toxicities depending on the age and sex in mice. The lethal toxicity was higher in young or male mice than in adult or female mice. 2. 3H-luteoskyrin was accumulated in the livers, especially in their mitochondria, of suckling or male mice in larger amounts than in those of adult and female mice. 3. Intravenously injected 3H-luteoskyrin was excreted into the feces more rapidly in female than in male mice. 4. Luteoskyrin added to a diet was accumulated in the liver at a much higher rate in male than in female mice. 5. The susceptibility of mice to luteoskyrin hepatotoxicity slowly correlates to the rate of its accumulation in their livers, which in turn reflects the rate of its biliary excretion.


Specific and non-specific interactions of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, luteoskyrin and rugulosin with nucleic acids.

(-) Luteoskyrin and (+) Rugulosin are 2 hepatotoxic and carcinogenic anthraquinone-like pigments from Penicillia which contaminate rice and other foodstuffs. They inhibit in vivo and in vitro replication, transcription and DNA repair of Protocaryots and Eucaryots presumably by forming chelate-complexes with nucleic acids. In the present work, characterization, specificity and structure of binary polychelates (pigment-metal)n and ternary complexes (pigment-metal-nucleic acids) are successively reported: whereas, unspecific complex II with double-stranded polynucleotides is shown to result from simple adsorption of polychelate onto the double helix, complex I is specific for single-stranded DNA (or polypurine nucleotides) and results from electrostatic association of separate pigment-metal units with the polyphosphate chain. Additional stabilization is obtained by hydrophobic interaction between stacked aromatic moieties of pigment and purine units. A model of interaction is proposed for both complexes I and II.


The problem of aflatoxic human disease in parts of India-epidemiological and ecological aspects.

An outbreak of a disease characterised by jaundice, rapidly developing ascites and portal hypertension associated with 20 p. 100 mortality rate was investigated in 1974. Analysis of food samples revealed that the disease outbreak was due to the consumption of maize (corn) heavily infested with the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Unseasonal rains prior to harvest, chronic drought conditions, poor storage facilities and ignorance of dangers of consuming fungal contaminated food seem to have caused the outbreak. The level of aflatoxin in food samples consumed during the outbreak was ranging between 2.5 and 15.6 microgram/g. Anywhere between 2 and 6 mg of aflatoxin seems to have been consumed daily by the affected people for many weeks. In contrast, during 1975, analysis of corn samples from the same areas revealed very low levels of aflatoxin, viz., less than 0.1 microgram/g. This was in line with the absence of major outbreak in 1975.


The mycotoxins and human health hazards.

The general background of the role of mycotoxins in human disease is briefly reviewed. The acute effects of the ingestion of the aflatoxins and the role that long term exposure may play in human disease are examined in detail. The necessity for co-operation between chemists, veterinarians, physicians and mycologists in the elucidation of the role of the mycotoxins in human disease is stressed.


The effect of conservative treatment on the choroidal melanoma: histopathologic study.

Sixteen eyes harboring a choroidal or a ciliary body melanoma or both have been treated conservatively by photocoagulation, transscleral diathermocoagulation, and cobalt irradiation. These eyes have been enucleated because they showed an enlargement of the residual tumor and, in one case, perforation of the sclera. Cobalt irradiation affected all the layers of the tumor and was innocuous to the sclera. Diathermocoagulation destroyed the deep layers of the tumor and the sclera. Photocoagulation destroyed only the superficial layers of the tumor but not uniformly. Cobalt irradiation is the method of choice and photocoagulation a good adjunct in the conservative treatment of choroidal and ciliary body melanomas.


Multivariate analysis of head measurements in Punjabi families.

Four head measurements (head length, head breadth, frontal breadth and head height) have been compared in relatives of different degrees from samples of 200 Punjabi and 125 Belgian families. A method of generalized distances is used which allows examination of the proportions of the head as a whole. The values of the generalized distances between concordant and discordant twins are compared with those between brothers, sisters, siblings, parents-and-children, and parents. The results strongly support the influence of genetic factors, but also demonstrate environmental influence.


Systematics of Hanseniaspora Zikes and Kloeckera Janke.

The physiological and morphological characteristics of eighty-two strains of Hanseniaspora and Kloeckera, represented twenty-nine described species, were examined. These results along with DNA base composition and DNA/DNA reassociation experiments revealed that the genus Hanseniaspora comprises six distinct species, viz. H. valbyensis, H. uvarum, H. guilliermondii, H. occidentalis, H. osmophila and H. vineae, with K. japonica, K. apiculata, K. apis, K. javanica, K. corticis and K. africana, respectively, as their imperfect states.


Torulopsis geochares and Torulopsis azyma, two new, haploid species of ascomycetous affinity.

There strains representative of two undescribed Torulopsis species, T. geochares and T. azyma, were recovered from soil and rupicolous lichen in South Africa. Descriptions of the new species are given. Ploidy determinations by X-ray inactivation showed the type strains of the two new species to be haploid. On the basis of their affinitive characteristics the new species appear to be related to the ascomycetous yeasts.


Scanning electron microscopy of the cephalic structures of Pneumospiruridae. (Thelazioidea - Nematoda). Revision of the family.

In a study with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) five different types of cephalic structure were found in five species of Pneumospiruridae recorded in Israel. The description, in the literature, of a sixth type, based on a study with the light microscope, was also considered in evaluating the results. By comparing descriptions and drawings of the known Pneumospiruridae with the SEM micrographs the species in the family were grouped into two genera: 1. Vogeloides Dougherty, 1952 in which the form of the cephalic structures could be correlated with the structure of the oesophagus; 2. Metathelazia Skinker, 1931 in which the cephalic structures could not be correlated with any other morphological or anatomical character. The species included in the genus Metathelazia were therefore grouped on the basis of the form of cephalic structures in 5 types: booliati, multipapillata, acomysi, capsulata and rodentium. The genus Pneumospirura Wu and Hu, 1938 is considered a subjective synonym of Metathelazia.


Helminths of birds and mammals of Israel. VII. - Pneumospirura rodentium n. sp. (Pneumospiruridae - Thelazioidea).

Pneumospirura rodentium a lung parasite of Gerbillus dasyurus and Meriones crassus is described. P. hainanensis Wu and Hu, 1938 and Metathelazia servalis Chabaud and Biocca, 1950, have cephalic structures resembling those of P. rodentium. But the three species can be differentiated by the size of spicules, their localization, hosts and geographical distribution.


Enumeration and isolation of anaerobic microbiota of piggery wastes.

Media for enumeration of the microbiota of anaerobically stored piggery wastes were tested. Highest colony counts were obtained with 80 to 100% farm slurry supernatant included in the anaerobic roll tube media. Colony counts with these media numbered 2 X 10(9) to 12 X 10(9)/g (wet weight), which represents about 20% of the microscopic counts. Lower percentages of slurry supernatant in the media gave lower colony counts. Addition of glucose, cellobiose, and starch or of Trypticase to media with 20% slurry supernatant did not increase colony counts. Higher values were obtained when hemicellulose preparations were added to these media. Incubation at 25 degrees C gave the highest numbers. Incubation at 15 to 37 degrees C gave counts of about 70 and 10%, respectively, of those at 25 degrees C. Of the colonies picked for isolation, about 20% were obtained in pure culture. The isolates apparently belonged to the genera Peptococcus, Ruminococcus, Peptococcus, Ruminococcus, Pepostreptococcus, and Bacteroides.


Production of branched-chain volatile fatty acids by certain anaerobic bacteria.

Net production of isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and 2-methylbutyric acid by cultures of Bacteroides ruminicola and Megasphaera elsdenii on media that contained Trypticase or casein hydrolysate continued (up to 5 days) after growth had ceased. Only trace quantities of these acids were produced in a medium that contained a mixture of amino acids that did not include the branched-chain amino acids. M. elsdenii produced increased quantities of the branched-chain fatty acids in a medium that contained Trypticase when glucose was reduced or eliminated from the culture medium. However, B. ruminicola produced increased quantities of branched-chain fatty acids and of phenylacetic acid from Trypticase when glucose was supplied at 3 mg/ml rather than at 1 mg/ml. Single strains of Streptococcus bovis, Selenomonas ruminantium, Bacteroides amylophilus, and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens did not produce branched-chain fatty acids.


Identification of biotransformation products from 2,4-dinitrotoluene.

The products of microbial transformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by Mucrosporium sp. were identified by thin-layer chromatography and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene, 4-amino-2-nitrotoluene, 2,2'-dinitro-4,4'-azoxytoluene, 4,4'-dinitro-2,2'-azoxytoluene, and 4-acetamido-2-nitrotoluene. A third azoxy compound, believed to be a "mixed" type (i.e., 2,4'-azoxy or 4,2'-azoxy), was isolated but not yet identified.


Studies on naturally occurring filarial infections in dogs in Lebanon. I. Dipetalonema reconditum.

A survey for filarial parasites was carried out on dogs in Lebanon. The peripheral blood was examined for microfilariae and the skins and carcasses for adult worms. Three methods were used for blood examination: (a) thick blood films stained with Giemsa; (b) a modified Knott's technique (Methylene Blue stained); (c) sodium citrate technique. Two species of filarial worm were found, Dipetalonema reconditum and another species of Dipetalonema which will be described in a later paper. The morphology of microfilariae and adults of D. reconditum is described. The microfilariae of D. reconditum showed a nocturnal sub-periodicity. Attempts were made to find vectors by feeding Aedes aegypti, Aedes phoeniciae, Culex pipiens molestus and Clenocephalides felis on an infected dog. Developing and infective stages were recovered only from C. felis.


The determinants of survival following reoperation on prosthetic cardiac valves.

In an effort to identify the determinants of survival following reoperation on patients with prosthetic cardiac valves, the experience with a group of 33 patients at the University of Rochester Medical Center was reviewed. The survival rate was 58% (19/33). Survival was not related to the valve involved, the age of the patient, or the technical hazards of a second cardiac operation. Ten (77%) of the 13 patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II survived compared with 8 (40%) of the 20 in Class III or IV. The survival rate for patients with a paravalvular fistula was 79% (11/14); with valve dysfunction, 50% (6/12); and with prosthetic valve infection, 29% (2/7). The determinants of survival seem to be similar to those for primary operation (i. e., NYHA patient classification and indication for operation) and less related to the potential operative complications of a reoperation.


Induction of malignant tumors in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats by single doses of n-butyl-nitrosourea in perinatal and juvenile phases of development.

n-butyl-nitrosourea (BNU), which is highly leukemogenic in adult rats and in young mice, was applied in a single dose of 120 mg/kg body weight to pregnant Wistar rats on day 22 post conceptionem (p.c.). In another group the same dose was injected directly to fetuses of Wistar rats on day 22 p.c. after surgical delivery with subsequent feeding by nurses. The same single dose was given to 1 and 2 days old Wistar rats as well as to 10 and 30 days old Sprague-Dawley rats. In about 50% of the progeny tumors (predominantly neurogenic) developed both after diaplacental and after direct application of the substance on day 22 p.c. After neonatal application, almost exclusively neurogenic tumors were found in greater than 85% of the treated juvenile animals. Comparison of survival time and tumor rates between the rats treated diaplacentally or directly on day 22 p.c. and the rats treated neonatally revealed significant differences. This shows that the nervous tissue of the rat is less sensitive to BNU prenatally than in the neonatal phase of development. After application of BNU on day 10 post  partum (p.p.) in Sprague-Dawley rats greater than 95% of the animals developed almost exclusively neurogenic tumors with a high percentage of brain tumors. After a single dose on day 30 p.p. a significant increase in survival time and a significant decrease in the total tumor yield is observed in comparison to the animals treated on day 10. Additionally a decrease in the rate of neurogenic tumors is accompanied by an increase of tumors outside the nervous system. Aftertreatment with single doses of BNU perinatally and on day 10 p.p. only 2 rats out of 154 animals were found to have leukemia. After application of BNU to 30 days old rats, leukemia was diagnosed in 7 out of 40 animals.


Quantitative analysis of defective interfering particles in infectious pancreatic necrosis virus preparations.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus exhibited an interference phenomenon that resulted in the survival of the infected cell with one hit kinetics. The responsible factor was found to co-purify with standard virus through a purification regime that employed two CsCl gradients and a sucrose gradient. This result suggested that a defective interfering (DI) viral particle was involved. It was possible to estimate the number of DI particles by a statistical method using the Poisson distribution that related cell survival to input DI/cell, which indicated that virus samples from dilute passage contained as many DI particles as samples from undiluted passage; this means that multiple undiluted virus passage did not increase the yield of DI particles. In isopycnic CsCl gradient centrifugation, the DI particles were found in a broad band superimposed over the standard virus peak and extending above it, such that the ratio DI/PFU varied from 0.3--20 in different fractions. These centrifugation methods did not completely separate DI particles from standard virus.


Peripapillary subretinal neovascularization in chronic uveitis.

Peripapillary subretinal neovascularization progressively developed in both eyes of a 17-year-old black woman with bilateral chronic granulomatous uveitis. Despite intensive medical therapy, central vision was lost in the left eye due to disciform scarring that extended to the macula. When a similar process was discovered in the right eye, argon laser therapy was started and was successful in eliminating all areas of subretinal neovascularization in the right eye while maintaining good cental vision. Chronic uveitis is probably another cause of peripapillary subretinal neovascularization, which can be treated with photocoagulation in spite of the presence of inflammation.


Scanning electron microscopy of the cochlear vasculature.

Studies on the vascularization of the cochlea with conventional injection methods that use light microscopy have failed in viewing both the overall three-dimensional picture, as well as the detailed construction of the cochlea vascular blood vessels. This basic shortcoming can be omitted by the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on corrosion casts, which only presently has been introduced. The use of a commercial resin (Mercox) as an injected medium, followed by application of macerating fluids, provides clean and completely filled casts of the cochlea vascular system, which can then be inspected by SEM. This method not only confirms the general findings about cochlea vascularization but gives the opportunity to view the overall picture, as well as the detailed pattern of the intricate cochlear capillary beds.


Ultrastructural changes in the adenohypophysis, adrenal gland activity, and desynchronization of the oestrous cycle following unpredictable stress in the rat.

An ultrastructural study of the adenohypophysis, after exposure of female Wistar rats to a signalled unpredictable 5- and 15-day stress regimen, is described. Cellular activity of the adenohypophysis correlated well with the circulating levels of corticosterone. Intense secretory activity was observed in all tropic cell types at 5 and 15 days although the observed differences generally were greater in the 5-day stressed group. It was observed that the oestrous cycles of 40 and 100% of the rats became desynchronized over the 5- and 15-day stress period respectively.


Artificial induction of lactation in ewes: the use of prostaglandin.

Injections of an anlogue of prostaglandin F2alpha (T.F.101) initiated secretion of copious amounts of fluid resembling normal ovine milk when given to non-pregnant ewes with developed mammary glands. Injections of T.F.101 elicited a substantial but transient increase in the levels of prolactin in plasma. Results for intact and ovariectomized ewes were similar.


Electrical safety for the veterinary surgeon.

In human medicine, protection of the patient has demanded stringent safety precautions that have not been applied in the veterinary field. There is a hazard to the operator from the increasing use of electrical equipment in veterinary medicine, often in an environment where conducting floors and other items can carry fault currents through a human or animal body. The source of these currents may be equipment that has developed faults due to disconnected earth leads and breakdown of insulation so that the case or leads from the equipment become live. Currents exceeding 10 mA passing through the body may cause death from ventricular fibrillation. Protection from accident may be provided by circuit breakers that sense fault currents and disconnect the power, and by taking precautions to correctly maintain electrical fittings.


Control of ovine lupinosis: experiments on the making of lupin hay.

Lupin hay was prepared at 2 locations and conserved in fodder rolls and bales until late summer. At this time it was found that the lupin hay had lower levels of infection with P.  leptostromiformis and had developed virtually no toxicity, when compared with adjacent normal lupin stubble which was very heavily infected with Phomopsis and very toxic. No additional advantage was gained by spraying cut lupins with formalin before rolling or bailing. It is suggested that the preparation of lupin hay as described provides farmers who do not harvest their lupins for seed with a way of utilising lupin crops for summer feed, while significantly reducing the risk of lupinosis in stock.


Haemolytic disease in new born calves.

Neonatal haemolytic disease was diagnosed in a Bos indicus cross bred beef herd in south-east Queensland. The evidence suggested that this was due to B. argentina vaccination for babesiosis while non-pregnant or less than one month pregnant. The cows received 5 or 6 vaccinations during their breeding life, which indicated that antibody levels can persist for long periods. The autopsy, histopathological and haematological findings indicated that the mechanism was disseminated intra-vascular coagulation which occurred in calves dying within 24 hours of birth. This resulted in fibrin deposition in pulmonary capillaries and severe pulmonary oedema.


The heterogeneity of cytoplasmic deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase from Physarum polycephalum.

Cytoplasmic DNA polymerase (DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) was partially purified from Physarum polycephalum. The first step of the purification procedure utilized the fact that the enzyme on gel filtration behaves in anomalous fashion. The second step was either ion-exchange chromatography or sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. The partially purified DNA polymerase was heterogeneous and at least four species with different sedimentation coefficients (5.5S, 7.2S, 8.6S and 11.5S) were detected. Calculated molecular weights indicated a tendency for stoicheiometric polypeptide aggregation, accompanied by an alteration of the three-dimensional structure froma compact spheroid to a more open elliptical form. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and computed molecular weights suggest an active protomer in the range of 113000 daltons; all data pertain to I 0.045, which was maintained during the whole procedure.


The effect of lutropin on specific protein synthesis in tumour Leydig cells and in Leydig cells from immature rats.

The amount of (35)S incorporated into the various proteins after separation by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels was used as an estimate of their synthesis in the Leydig cells. Increased synthesis of proteins with apparent mol.wts. 27000 and 29000 was observed 3h after addition of lutropin to tumour Leydig cells. Incubation of Leydig cells from immature rats with lutropin (100ng/ml) for 2h or longer resulted in increased synthesis of proteins with apparent mol.wts. 11000, 21000, 27000 and 29000. At higher concentrations (>/=100ng/ml) of lutropin there was a decrease in the synthesis of a protein with apparent mol.wt. 13000. The amount of lutropin required for the stimulation of protein synthesis in both types of Leydig cells was similar to that needed for stimulation of steroidogenesis. Lutropin-stimulated specific protein synthesis was not due to increased concentrations of testosterone, however, because (1) addition of testosterone to the cells had no effect on the synthesis of the proteins, and (2) inhibition of steroidogenesis with elipten phosphate (an inhibitor of the cholesterol side-chain-cleavage enzyme complex) did not abolish the effect of lutropin. The stimulation of specific protein synthesis was also not due to contaminating follitropin in the lutropin preparation. Addition of actinomycin D to the cells at the start of the incubation prevented the effect of lutropin on specific protein synthesis, indicating that mRNA synthesis may be needed for this effect of lutropin. Incubation of the cells with cycloheximide for 30min after labelling of the proteins did not result in a detectable decrease in the amounts of the lutropin-induced proteins, indicating that their half-life is longer than 30min.


Intracellular relationships of the oestrogen receptor in the rat uterus and hypothalamus during the oestrous cycle.

Simultaneous measurements were made of the specific oestrogen receptor in the nuclear and cytosol fractions prepared from the uterus and hypothalamus of 50--81-day-old female rats undergoing a 4-day oestrous cycle. In the uterus, the content of nuclear receptor fluctuated in concert with known cyclic changes in the secretion of oestrogen, being maximal at pro-oestrus. Over the period of 50--81 days, the nuclear content at all phases increased with age, again corresponding to known age-related increases in ovarian secretion of oestrogen. This age-related increase in nuclear content, averaged from the values of the different phases in each age group, was related to equivalent increases in uterine wet weight, an increase of 1 pmol of receptor being accompanied by an increase of 80--90 mg. The concentration of cytosol receptor was maintained constant, with respect to wet weight, throughout the cycle and with age, irrespective of changes in nuclear content. In the uterus of normal mature females, translocation of receptor into the nucleus did not lead to depletion of cytosol receptor, suggesting a process of continuous replenishment/synthesis. In the hypothalamus, the nuclear content of oestrogen receptor was also maximal at pro-oestrus. In contrast with the uterus, the content of hypothalamic cytosol receptor was minimal at this phase and reflects depletion of the cytosol receptor, possibly as a result of translocation. The extent of translocation was low compared with that in the uterus and did not alter with age during the age-period studied. This low nuclear binding of the receptor in vivo is discussed in relation to the presence of a cytosol factor, present in limiting amounts, which in vitro mediates the binding of cytosol receptor to oligo(dT)-cellulose. The difference in the physiological response of the uterus and of the hypothalamus to oestrogens may be related to the extent of nuclear binding of receptor.


Left ventricular relaxation and filling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. An echocardiographic study.

Echocardiograms showing left ventricular cavity and mitral valve cusps simultaneously were recorded in 36 patients, apex cardiograms being obtained in 26 of them. These were digitised and continuous plots made of left ventricular dimension, its rate of change, and anterior mitral leaflet velocity, and were compared with those in 20 normal subjects. Peak mitral diastolic closure rate was reduced to 120 +/- 80 mm/s, compared with normal (250 +/- 60 mm/s). Peak rate of increase of dimension was normal (13.4 cm/s), though the pattern of filling was disturbed, with the duration of rapid filling prolonged in 5, and shortened in 15, suggesting restriction. Mitral valve opening, normally synchronous with minimum dimension, was delayed by a mean of 76 ms, and during this period there was an abnormal increase in dimension. Dimension also increased by 50 +/- 25 per cent of the total diastolic excursion before the 'O' point of the apex cardiogram compared with 21 +/- 7 per cent in normals, and the timing of peak rate of increase of dimension was delayed by 50 +/- 20 ms instead of being synchronous with the 'O' point as normal. None of these findings correlated with the reduction in peak mitral diastolic closure rate. Noninvasive methods thus show that relaxation may be abnormal in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Delay in mitral valve opening and disturbances in the rate, duration, and co-ordination of wall movement during filling suggest the presence of segmental abnormalities of left ventricular function.


Cardiac tamponade caused by metastasising haemangioendothelial sarcoma of the liver.

A case of primary haemangiosarcoma of the liver with secondary deposits in the pericardium is described. The patient presented most unusually with cardiac tamponade. There was no association with vinyl chloride, thorium dioxide, or arsenic.


Functional tyrosyl residues of carboxypeptidase A. The effect of protein structure on the reactivity of tyrosine-198.

Coupling of bovine carboxypeptidase A with diazotized 5-amino-1H-tetrazole increases esterase activity, decreases peptidase activity slightly, and modifies one tyrosyl residue. Subsequent nitration of the azoenzyme has no further effect on esterase activity, decreases peptidase activity markedly, and modifies a second tyrosyl residue. Analysis of the azopeptides isolated from a chymotrypsin digest of the doubly modified enzyme by affinity, ion exchange, and high pressure liquid chromatography indicates that the principal residue modified by diazo-1H-tetrazole is Tyr-248. Analysis of the nitropeptides isolated by similar procedures indicates that nitration occurs mainly at Tyr-198. This residue becomes susceptible to modification only as a consequence of a conformational change that accompanies azo coupling of Tyr-248. These results describe a unique example of the influence of protein structure on the reactivity of functional amino acid residues and illustrate an important aspect of chemical modification of enzymes.


Superoxide dismutase, a study of the electronic properties of the copper and zinc by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

The x-ray absorption for copper and zinc in oxidized and reduced superoxide dismutase, as well as in various model compounds, was studied. Upon reduction of the protein, the added electron affects the copper site almost exclusively, while the zinc remains virtually unchanged. Reduction decreases the charge on the copper atom [toward Cu(I)] and changes the configuration of the copper site so that it becomes less symmetric. An analysis of the copper absorption observed with the oxidized enzyme and a comparison with that for Cu(II)(imid)4 suggests that the copper is not simply ligated to four imidazoles. The addition of H2O2 to superoxide dismutase reduces the copper to Cu(I), while oxygen addition to the peroxide-reduced protein restores the copper to Cu(II).


Plant DNA-dependent RNA polymerases: subunit structures and enzymatic properties of the class II enzymes from quiescent and proliferating tissues.

Class II DNA-dependent RNA polymerases were purified from soybean tissues of different physiological states: (1) from seed embryo tissue, representative of a quiescent, low metabolic state and (2) from auxin-treated hypocotyl tissue, representative of a highly proliferative and metabolically active state. Dodecyl sulfate, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that RNA polymerase II from embryonic tissue consists largely (90-95%) of the form IIA enzyme, the largest subunit having a molecular weight of 215 000. RNA polymerase II from hypocotyl tissue is exclusively a form IIB enzyme, the largest subunit having a molecular weight of 180 000. Polypeptides common to RNA polymerases IIA and IIB have the following molecular weights: 138 000; 42 000; 27 000; 22 000; 19 000; 17 600; 17 000; 16 200; 16 100; and 14 000. Peptide mapping in the presence of dodecyl sulfate suggests that the 215 000 and 180 000 subunits possess similar peptide fragments. Plant embryo tissues do not contain protease activity capable of cleaving the 215 000 subunit to the 180 000 subunit, but proliferating plant tissues do contain such an activity. Mixing experiments indicate that appreciable amounts of RNA polymerase IIB are not being artifactually produced during protein purification.


Polymorphism in fowl serum albumin. VII. Distribution and activity of free and membrane-bound polysomes in developing fowl liver.

The quantity and activities of membrane-bound and free polysomes in livers from chick embryos at successive stages of development were compared in cell-free protein-synthesizing systems. Membrane-bound polysomes increased 2-fold between 8 and 18 days of development, while total ribosome content remained constant. Free polysome activity also remained constant during this period, while that of membrane-bound (total--free) polysomes decreased, possibly because of an increase in ribonuclease activity in this fraction. Serum albumin biosynthesis occurred primarily on membrane-bound polysomes. With liver development, increased secretion of serum proteins may be correlated with synthesis of serum albumin on increasing numbers of membrane bound polyribosomes.


The active site of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase. Evidence for a site common to the oxalacetate decarboxylase and pyruvate kinase reactions.

Rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase has been shown to catalyze the decarboxylation of oxalacetate (Creighton, D.J. and Rose, I.A. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 61). Noncovalent and covalent modifiers of the enzyme have been used to assess whether the decarboxylase and kinase reactions take place at a common site. Phosphoenol-alpha-ketobutyrate, an analog of the substrate phosphoenol-pyruvate, inhibits decarboxylase and kinase competitively and with nearly identical Ki values (5.7 micron and 4.8 micron, respectively). Oxalate, an analog of enol-pyruvate, inhibits each competitively and with similar Ki values (11 micron and 4.7 micron, respectively). Both activities are lost in parallel upon reaction with dithionitrobenzoate, which is active-site specific. These results indicate that the two activities share a common site on the enzyme. But, effects of the following modifiers suggest that different amino acid residues at that site participate in the two reactions: phenylalanine inhibition and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate activation are more effective with the decarboxylase; iodoacetamide preferentially inactivates decarboxylase while trinitrobenzenesulfonate preferentially inactivates kinase.


A simple, one-step chromatographic procedure for the purification of lysozyme.

A rapid method for the purification of lysozyme (mucopeptide N-acetyl-muramoylhydrolase, EC 3.2.1.17) from hen egg-white has been devised. It was that gel filtration chromatography on agarose columns can be used selectively to purify lysozyme, due to the fact that this protein interacts with the agarose matrix and elutes later than the corresponding total volume for the column. Thus, lysozyme is directly obtained in a relatively pure form and with a high specific activity. In principle, this simple method can be used to prepare lysozymes from other sources.


Production of L-lysine by immobilized trypsin. Study of DL-lysine methyl ester resolution.

The possibility of producing L-lysine from chemically synthesized DL-lysine has been investigated. Optical resolution of racemic DK-lysine may be achieved by using the stereospecific esterasic activity of trypsin on DL-lysine methyl ester, which gives L-lysine and unchanged D-lysine methyl ester. SL-lysine methyl ester spontaneous hydrolysis may be neglected when operating at pH 5.5 and 30 degrees C. Effect of pH and substrate concentration on hydrolysis rate has been investigated when using as a catalyst either soluble or immobilized trypsin. For this purpose, trypsin was coupled onto an amine porous silica, Spherosil, activated with glutaraldehyde. The optimal pH is 5.8 for soluble trypsin and 6.0 for immobilized trypsin. It was yet possible to lower the parent optimal pH of immobilized trypsin, and thus increase its activity at 5.5, by co-grafting onto Spherosil an aminosilane, for enzyme coupling via glutaraldehyde activation and a positively charged diethyl amino ethyl (DEAE) silane, for decreasing the pH of trypsin microenvironment.


Fluorimetric assay of renin.

A simple fluorimetric assay was set up to test renin within 2 h. N-acetyltetradecapeptide was synthesized and used as substrate. It was demonstrated that N-acetyl-angiotensin I and Leu-Val-Tyr-Ser were the two peptides obtained after hydrolysis by renin. Fluorescamine reaction reacted with the free NH2 of the tetrapeptide generated to induce a fluorimetric reaction detected at 395--405 nm. The Michaelis constant of the reaction was 1.87 . 10(-5) M. With this method as little as one milliGoldblatt Unit (mG.U.) of hog renin could be detected and the generation of tetrapeptide was linear with respect to the renin concentration up to 20 mG.U. The fluorimetric assay was applied to the detection of renin during its purification and to the characterization of renin inhibitors.


Detection of a tetrahedral intermediate in the trypsin-catalysed hydrolysis of specific ring-activated anilides.

The substituent dependence for kcat/Km of trypsin anilide hydrolysis is consistent with a rate-limiting general acid-base catalysed breakdown of a tetrahedral intermediate. The formation and disappearance of this intermediate during the hydrolysis of alpha-N-acetyl-L-lysin p-nitroanilide is observed in stopped-flow experiments.


Substrate inhibition in the hydrolysis of N-acylglycine esters by carboxypeptidase A.

The rates of hydrolysis of a series of 21 N-acylglycine esters (YCONHCH2CO2CH(CH2CH3)CO2H (2)) by bovine pancreatic carboxypeptidase A (peptidyl-L-amino-acid hydrolase, EC 3.4.12.2) have been studied over the substrate concentration range 10(-4)-10(-1) M at pH 7.5, 25 degrees C, ionic strength 0.5. All substrates display substrate inhibition except Y = CH3, CH3CH2 and (CH3)3C for which normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics are observed. In all cases substrate inhibition is consistent with the formation of an ES2 complex and parameters for the second-degree rate equation v/E = (kapp2 S + kapp3 S2/KappSS)/(KappS + S + S2/KappSS) have been evaluated. For a series of eight aliphatic groups varying in size between Y = CH3 and Y = cyclo-C6H11 the following linear correlations were observed: -log KappS = 0.82 pi + 1.32 and log kapp2/KappS = 0.71 pi + 5.81 (pi is Hansch's hydrophobicity parameter). Aryl and aralkyl Y moieties deviate from these correlation lines. KappSS also depends on the hydrophobicity of Y but no quantitative correlation is obvious. Thus the Y unit of 2 is involved in a hydrophobic interaction with the enzyme when 2 binds at both the catalytically productive and inhibitor sites. Parameters for the enzymic hydrolysis of the esters YCONHCH2CO2CH(CH2CH(CH3)2)CO2H (3) (Y = C6H5(CH2)n (n = 0, 1, 2)) are also presented. Pronounced nonproductive 1: 1 enzyme.substrate complex formation is observed for each of 2: Y = C6H5(CH2)n (n = 2, 3) and 3: Y = C6H5(CH2)2. Hippurate anion is shown to be an uncompetitive inhibitor (Ki = 12 mM) for the hydrolysis of 2: Y = (CH3)3C. Data are now available which can only be interpreted in terms of at least three enzymic sites being available for hydrophobic interactions with ester substrate molecules.


[Synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins in synchronized Ehrlich tumour cells].

The activation of RNA synthesis in Ehrlich tumour cells occurs during the transition: G1 leads to S simultaneously with the onset of DNA replication and is intermittent. A high rate of synthesis is maintained at a constant level for some period of time and is decreased only by the end of the mitotic cycle. Actinomycin D (0.05 mkg/ml) inhibits the label incorporation into RNA in the S- and G2 phases, but has no inhibiting effect at earlier stages. These findings and the data from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggest that all types of rRNA and tRNA are synthesized in the course of the S- and G2 phases. The rate of protein synthesis is correlated with that of protein synthesis in tumour cells at all stages of the cycle. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel shows that the spectra of nuclear proteins and Ehrlich tumour cell cytoplasm are not significantly changed throughout the mitotic cycle. The amount of histones in the nuclei is increased simultaneously with the increase in the level of DNA, so that the histone/DNA ratio remains constant throughout the cycle and is equal to 0,96 +/- 0,03.


[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in loach (Misgurnus fossilis) development].

Isoenzyme patterns of lactatedehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) were determined in the loach (Misgurnus fossilis) oocytes, unfertilized eggs, developing embryos and larvae, and the sensitivity of the isoenzymes to the effect of AgNO3, p-chlormercurybenzoate and high temperature were investigated. The presence of 4 phenotypes of LDH patterns which differed in the isozymes number, in their relative activity, in electrophoretic mobility in the polyacrylamide gel columnes and in the frequency of occurence in different populations of the investigated species is demonstrated. Before the hatching stage there appeared a new isozyme which was completely inhibited by AgNO3 and had the same electrophoretic mobility in all LDH phenotypes. During the larvae development the content of this LDH isozyme increased. Some isozymes, especially those which had low anodic mobility and decreased in their relative quantity, disappeared during the development of embryos and larvae, p-Chlormercurybenzoate in the concentration 1 mM and heating at 70 degrees C during 20 minutes did not significantly affect LDH activities in the loach eggs, embryos and larvae.


Neuromotor development in relation to birth weight in rabbits.

The development of neuromotor patterns in relation to birth weight was studied in the rabbit, a perinatal brain developer. In order to induce intrauterine growth retardation and to increase the number of low birth weight rabbits, experimental ischemia to half the fetuses in each doe was achieved by total ligation of approximately 30% of spiral vessels to the placenta, during the last trimester of gestation. Following natural delivery, the rabbit pups were periodically observed for the appearance of eye-opening and righting reflex, and for the cessations of falling, circling and dragging of hind limbs. An index of neuromotor development was assigned to each rabbit by summing up the age (in days) of appearance of each of the neuromotor milestones. An association was found between low birth weight and delayed neuromotor development at 2 weeks of age. The most significant correlation was found between low birth weight and delayed disappearance of falling. The latter may represent incoordination as an expression of cerebellar dysfunction.


Modified bases in the DNAs of unicellular eukaryotes: an examination of distributions and possible roles, with emphasis on hydroxymethyluracil in dinoflagellates.

The occurrence of small amounts of one or more of several modified bases in the DNA of an organism is widespread in nature. Prominent among these bases are 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine and 5-hydroxymethyluracil. All can be found in varying amounts in DNA of viral, prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin. In some organisms, modified nucleotides comprise a large fraction of DNA nucleotides and in others there is complete replacement of one of the common four nucleotides by a modified one. This article discusses the distributions and possible roles of the several modified bases found in prokaryote and eukaryote DNAs. Emphasis is given (1) methylcytosine in a broad variety of eukaryotes, (2) methyladenine in certain protozoa and protophyta and (3) hydroxymethyluracil in dinoflagellates. Attention is focused on the phenomenology and the possible consequences of the presence of hydroxymethyluracil in DNA.


Are chromosomal axial struc-ures and microtubular systems phylogenetic markers in the dinoflagellates?

Two new events concerning nuclear division and chromosomal predivision are described in the free-living marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans E. considered by Loeblich (1976) as a primitive form. These events will be discussed in relation to the evolution of Dinoflagellates. (1) Presence of a paranuclear bundle of microtubules parallel to the extranuclear bundle passing through the dividing nucleus (Soyer, 1975, 1977b) and (2) Presence of a chromosomal axis in the predividing chromosomes (Soyer, 1977c).


[Functional-morphologic characteristics of the endocrine system of the progeny of adrenalectomized rats].

The authors observed signs of premature maturation and activation of the hypophysio-adrenocortical system at the early postnatal period (the 70--90th hour) in the progeny of rats adrenalectomized 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 days before labour. A more pronounced in comparison with control (progeny of the sham-adrenalcetomized and intact rats) response to stress pointed to the early maturation of the suprahypophysial control mechanisms as well. Signs of functional exhaustion in the hypophysio-adrenocortical system and also in the thyroid gland were revealed in mature (6--10-month-old) rats born of adrenalectomized rats.


[Growth of organ cultures of mouse liver infected with Coxsackie A13 virus].

Peculiarities attending the growth and proliferation of the organ cultures of the liver of mongrel albino mice infected once with Coxsackie A-13 virus were investigated. A marked zone of growth, mostly of the epithelial cells, was determined rather early in the liver explants of mice in the experimental group, whereas in control group of mice the cell growth around the explant of the liver was either absent or very weak. Besides, a great number of lymphocytes evenly arranged in the zone of hepatocytes growth was observed in the preparations of the experimental mice liver. Lymphocyte "adhesion" to hepatocytes of the culture was revealed in some preparations. Moreover, destruction of the hepatocytes and a marked rarefaction of the cell layer occurred at the sites of lymphocytes accumulation on the 21st and the 28th days of growth.


[Specific blockade of the immune response caused by an excessive dose of S. typhi Vi-antigen].

Intravenous injection to adult mice of Vi-antigen (200 microgram) induces in them the state of a short-term (10--12 days) unresponsiveness. This is due to the block of immunocompetent cells, not to masking the antibodies production by the excess of free antigen. Double washing to spleen cells before the test of local passive hemolysis in gel failed to reverse the block of the immune response; besides, there was no free antigen in the spleen that could inhibit the antibodies produced by the cells of the immune animal. The immune response block can be reversed by the injection of heterologous antiserum to Vi-antigen 18 to 24 hours before the Jerne's test. The restoration of immune response by means of the antiserum is prevented by the administration of 6-thioguanine after Vi-antigen (200 microgram). Thus, administration of a massive dose of Vi-antigen failes to block the proliferation and differentiation of the antigen-recognizing cells, but depresses the synthesis or secretion of antibodies.


[Effect of sex and phase of the estrous cycle on the intensity of the damage and recovery processes in the liver of rats following acute carbon tetrachloride poisoning].

Morphometric, histochemical, and electron microscope methods were applied to the study of peculiarities of Wistar rat liver damage and recovery, depending on sex and phase of the estrous cycle, and also under conditions of deficiency of sex hormones and after the beta-estradiol injection to ovariectomized animals. A marked increase of the structural alterations caused by CCl4 and inhibition of the restoration reactions in the liver of female animals, both during the natural increase of blood estrogen concentration and under the effect of exogenous estradiol, as well as the protective effect of ovariectomy were demonstrated. As for male rats, the structural damage in the liver was more expressed than in the females with a low blood estrogen level and differed but little from the changes in the female animals during increased sex steroids secretion.


[Effect of clozapine on the behavioral and electrographic indices of the arrest function of the caudate nucleus in cats].

In unrestrained cats clozapine in increasing doses (1--5 mg/kg) caused a behavioural depression and suppression of amphetamine-induced stereotypy of behaviour against the background of marked vegetative shifts. Similarly to chlorpromazine clozapine intensified the behavioural arrest reaction) and electrographic (neocortical caudate spindle) indices of the arrest function of the caudate nucleus. Arrest reaction changed more distinctly in stimulation of the ventral parts of the head of the nucleus. Clozapine also eliminated the weakening of the caudate responses caused by the stereotypical doses of amphetamine.


[Effect of the influenza virus and its structural components on the animal immunocompetence system].

The authors studied the effect of the influenza virus A (PR8/34) and of its structural components on the immunological reactivity of mice. The enzyme of the external coat of the influenza virus--neuraminidase--possessed an immunodepressive action. Administration of neuraminidase led to the elimination of sialic acids from the surface of lymphocytes and to the reduction of their electrophoretic mobility. The mechanism of the immunodepressive action of neuraminidase is discussed.


[Role of distant lymphoid cell interactions for the development of in vitro antibody formation].

In order to clarify the nature of the recently described intercellular local interactions which were shown to inhibit the antibody-forming cells (AFC) proliferation in vitro, a possibility of realization of this effect at a distance was studied. It was shown that the population with a great number of cells could inhibit in vitro at a distance an increase of the AFC in the population of cells separated from the former by a millipore filter, impermeable for the cells. The results were the same with the use of polymethylmetacrylate film (5 to 10 micrometer in thickness) impermeable for proteins with a molecular weight of 150000 daltons (125I-IgG-antibodies) and some ions (51CrO4), but permeable for other substances with low molecular weight.


[Effect of mouse antiserum against isologous aggregated immunoglobulins on the accumulation of rosette- and antibody-forming cells in mice immunized with ram erythrocytes].

The paper describes the effect of mouse antiserum against isologous aggregated immunoglobulins (termed MAAS) on the kinetics of rosette-forming and antibody-forming cells (RFC and AFC, respectively) in mice immunized with SRBC. MAAS effect was assessed in vivo by injecting this serum for 5 days to mice CBA, combining the first injection with the injection of 5.10(7) SRBC. MAAS administration to mice immunized with SRBC induced a marked reduction of RFC in the spleen on the 5th and 9th days after the immunization. At the same periods MAAS produced no significant effect on the proliferation of AFC producing IgM-hemagglutinins. At the same time MAAS intensified the IgG-AFC proliferation in the period of the maximal content of these cells in the spleen of the immunized mice. After the MAAS absorption with the immune complexes formed by the mouse IgG-antibodies this serum largely lost its capacity to block RFC in vivo. On the basis of the data obtained it is suggested that the property of MAAS to influence the accumulation of RFC and AFC producing IgG-hemagglutinins is caused by the factor reacting with the immune complex formed by mouse IgG-antibodies. Possibly this factor represented antibodies against the aggregated immunoglobulins of this class.


[Antibody-forming capacity of mouse spleen cells after hypoxic hypoxia and the administration of erythropoietin].

In CBA mice the absolute and relative (per 10(6) spleen cells) number of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in the spleen was cut by half on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days after acute hypoxia (12 hours, 6700 m), and on the 1st and 4th days after cessation of chronic hypoxia (16 days, 16 hours, 6700 m). The number of AFC in the spleen returned to the normal level on the 7th day after cessation of chronic hypoxia. Single or double erythropoietin injections caused approximately a 1.15--2-fold decrease in spleen AFC number in posthypoxic mice in comparison with control animals.


[Ultrastructural changes in the pituitary gonadotropic cells under the action of estrogens in rats. Contribution to the study of the topical origin of gonadostimulins].

Ultrastructural changes in the pituitary gonadtropic LH and FSH cells have been studied in 4-day cyclic female rats injected with estradiol benzoate (EB) on the morning of diestrus I. A granular release in both LH and FSH cells was observed during the night following diestrus II in the females which displayed estrogen-induced luteinization. LH cells only appeared degranulated in the females unresponsive to EB. These results confirmed previous light microscopic observations (Hassani and Plas-Roser, 1975). The origin of LH and FSH from one or two categories of pituitary cells was discussed in the light of these observations. The FSH cell was assumed to be involved in the secretion of both gonadotropic hormones. However a role of LH cells in the production of LH was suggested by the present observations.


Abuse of indigenous psilocybin mushrooms: a new fashion and some psychiatric complications.

The use for hallucinogenic purposes of an indigenous mushroom, Psilocybe semilanceata indigenous to Britain is reported in three patients. Typical psychedelic, transient psychotic and more prolonged schizophrenia-like states were seen, with sympathomimetic signs noted in two cases, in one being prolonged. Enquiry about such mushroom abuse should be considered in individuals presenting to medical or psychiatric emergency clinics.


Abolition of plasma growth hormone response to stress and of the circadian rhythm in pituitary-adrenal function in female rats with preoptic-anterior hypothalamic lesions.

The chronic effects of lesions placed in the medial or lateral preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area (PO-AHA) on plasma growth hormone (GH) and corticosterone (cpd B) responses to stress, non-stress levels of these hormones and somatic growth were studied in adult female rats. Responses to 3-min immobilization--blood withdrawal stress uere tested at 2 and 11 weeks and to 3-min ether--blood withdrawal at 5 weeks after surgery. Non-stress plasma GH levels were further assessed in serial blood samples collected at 4-h intervals during a 24-h period at 15 weeks, and cpd B levels were studied similarly for a 44-h period at 22 weeks. Rats with lateral PO-AHA lesions showed normal GH suppression and cpd B elevation in response to both stress procedures. In contrast, neither stressor suppressed plasma GH levels in rats with medial PO-AHA lesions, but both produced normal increments in cpd B. The 24-h mean non-stress level of plasma GH in the group with medial lesions was higher and that of the group with lateral lesions was lower than those of controls. Cpd B levels were reduced during the 44-h study, and circadian rhythmicity was abolished in rats with medial lesions. The group with lateral lesions showed normal rhythmicity in plasma cpd B levels, Linear growth was not affected in either lesioned group. The GH findings suggest that the medial but not lateral PO-AHA is essential for stress-induced inhibition of GH secretion and that this region may exert a tonic inhibitory influence on non-stress GH secretion. The data also suggest that the medial PO-AHA is importantly involved in producing the circadian rhythm in pituitary-adrenal function.


Presence of displaced neural elements within rat cerebellar fissures.

Clusters of neural tissue have been observed within the cerebellar fissures of normal and experimentally treated albino rats and hooded rats, between the ages of 5 and 90 days. The observations of these intra-fissural clusters were made in conjunction with several series of experiments dealing with the effects of various treatments on cerebellar morphogenesis. More important is the fact that similar displaced clusters are present in normal, untreated animals. Clusters can show a considerable variation in size, ranging from a few closely packed cells, to clusters with many cells completely occupying the area between the two folial surfaces, The clusters consist of immature or mature granule cells, depending on the age. With increasing age a well-developed neuropil is seen with bundles of parallel fibers coursing among the granule cells, along with occasional Bergmann glial fibers, capillaries and pericytes. Synaptic contacts, possibly granule cells, are present within the cluster. The continued differentiation of the cells in the clusters is exemplified by the observation of a mossy fiber terminal at the base of a cluster. Connecting each cluster with the nearby parenchyma is a stalk consisting of granule cells, Bergmann glial fibers, and neurites. The basal lamina of the folial surface is interrrupted at this point. The presence of these clusters implies a failure of normal morphogenetic and migrational control mechanisms. Importantly, the cells of the clusters continue to differentiate and to make synaptic connections, despite their abnormal location.


Morphine induced alterations of gamma-aminobutyric acid and taurine contents and L-glutamate decarboxylase activity in rat spinal cord and thalamus: possible correlates with analgesic action of morphine.

Acute administration of morphine induced significant increases of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) content and L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity at the dorsal parts of the dorsal horn and surroundings of the central canal in the rat spinal cord, in which GABA inhibitory interneurons may play significant roles. In the thalamus, morphine also induced significant increases of GABA content and GAD activity in the vicinity of the ventrolateral part of the ventral nucleus (VM), entopeduncular nucleus (EP), nucleus reuniens thalami (RE), nucleus parafascicularis thalami (PF) and interpeduncular nucleus (IP), respectively. The most significant increase of GABA was observed in the VM and PF, which are known to receive neuronal inputs from secondary neurons involved in the perception of pain. In spite of well-known involvement of periaqueductal gray matter (PVG) in the occurrence of morphine analgesia, GABA content in this area did not change following acute administration of morphine. The above mentioned increases of GABA in the spinal cord and thalamus were antagonized by the pretreatment with levallorphan, a narcotic antagonist, and were not observed when an analgesic dose of sodium salicylate or pentazocine was administered. On the other hand, acute administration of morphine failed to alter the microdistribution of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) in the rat spinal cord and thalamus, in which significant increases of GABA content were observed. Contrary to the results obtained in acutely morphine-treated rats, animals rendered dependent by the implantation of a morphine pellet showed significant increases of taurine content in the spinal cord, whereas no change in GABA contents was detected in both spinal cord and thalamus. The present results suggest that morphine analgesia may involve mechanisms intensifying the inputs of GABA inhibitory neurons at the levels of the spinal cord and thalamus, where the primary and secondary neurons involved in the perception of pain are terminated respectively. Possible involvement of alterations in spinal taurine contents in the occurrence of morphine dependence are also suggested.


A stochastic model for cell populations with circadian rhythms.

A mathematical model for cell kinetics, based on a random walk, is developed. The model allows variations with time of the rates of passage of proliferating cells through the four phases of the mitotic cycle. Circadian variations in the mitotic and labelling indices of the Syrian hamster cheek pouch epithelium have previously been observed, and the random walk model has been used to simulate this phenomenon. Assuming that all basal cells are proliferative and that these cells leave the basal layer randomly throughout the mitotic cycle to become differentiated cells, it was found that the experimentally observed circadian rhythms of the mitotic and labelling indices could be reproduced in the model by postulating a circadian rhythm in the rate of passage of cells through the G1 and S phases only. Moreover, the growth activity of cells in both the G1 and S phases appears to reach a peak during the dark hours of the light-dark cycle, and to fall off rapidly in the early hours of daylight. The postulate of Møller, Larsen & Faber (1974) that injection of the animals with tritiated thymidine causes a shortening of the G2 phase duration has been qualitatively confirmed by using the random walk model to simulate the FLM and MI curves after injection with tritiated thymidine.


Oogenesis in Acerentomon gallicum Jonescu (Protura). An ultrastructural analysis of the early previtellogenic stages.

At the onset of previtellogenesis, the oocytes of Acerentomon gallicum begin to grow and increase their content of organelles. The nuage material in the oocytes at first increases in amount, then declines gradually to disappear completely from oocytes that have attained 50 micrometer in diameter. During the growth period, new dictyosome, mitochondria and ribosome appear. Numerous vesicles become detached from the cell membrane and subsequently fuse into cisternae, thus forming extensive complexes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In oocytes with diameters between 50 and 100 micrometer the endoplasmic reticulum. In oocytes with diameters between 50 and 100 micrometer the Golgi complexes show a considerable increase in activity, and many lamellar bodies arise from mitochondria that have undergone specific transformation.


On the excretory system of the rotifer Habrotrocha rosa Donner.

The excretory system of Habrotrocha rosa consists of two protonephridia. From each of them seven tubules lead to a terminal organ, also called cyrtocyte. Its weir basket contains structures which resemble ciliary rootlets. The lumen of the excretory system is bordered by a syncytial layer of cytoplasm. Cells are only found in the upper region of the trunk, where the channel is twisted several times.


Studies on the ultrastructure of the rotifer Habrotrocha rosa Donner (Aschelminthes). The alimentary system.

The alimentary system of Habrotrocha rosa is composed of the alimentary channel, five digestive glands and another gland which is in close relation to the intestinal syncytium. After the present investigation, the alimentary channel can be divided into sections which clearly differ from each other, these are: oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, mastax, stomach-hose, syncytium of intestine, and terminal intestine.


Changes of nucleosome frequency in nucleolar and non-nucleolar chromatin as a function of transcription: an electron microscopic study.

The morphology of nucleolar and non-nucleolar (lampbrush chromosome loops) chromatin was studied in the electron microscope during states of reduced transcriptional activity in amphibian oocytes (Xenopus laevis, Triturus alpestris, T. cristatus). Reduced transcriptional activity was observed in maturing stages of oocyte development and after treatment with an inhibitor, actinomycin D. Strands of nucleolar chromatin appear smooth and thin, and contain only few, if any, nucleosomal particles in the transcribed units. This is true whether they are densely or only sparsely covered with lateral ribonucleoprotein fibrils. This smooth and non-nucleosomal character is also predominant in the interspersed, apparently nontranscribed rDNA spacer regions. During inactivation, however, nucleolar chromatin frequently and progressively assumes a beaded appearance in extended fibril-free--that is, apparently nontranscribed--regions. In either full-grown oocytes or late after drug treatment, most of the nucleolar chromatin is no longer smooth and thin, but rather shows a beaded configuration indistinguishable from inactive non-nucleolar chromatin. In many chromatin strands, transitions of fibril-associated regions of smooth character into beaded regions without lateral fibrils are seen. Similarly, in the non-nucleolar chromatin of the retracting lampbrush chromosome loops, reduced transcriptional activity is correlated with a change from smooth to beaded morphology. Here, however, beaded regions are also commonly found interspersed between the more or less distant bases of the lateral fibrils, the putative transcriptional complexes. In both sorts of chromatin, detergents (in particular Sarkosyl) that remove most of the chromatin proteins including histones from the DNA axis but leave the RNA polymerases of the transcriptional complexes attached were used to discriminate between polymerases and nucleosomal particles. The results suggest that nucleosomes are absent in heavily transcribed chromatin regions but are reformed after inactivation. In contrast to the findings with inactivated nucleolar genes, in lampbrush chromosome loops the beaded nucleosomal configuration appears to be assumed also in regions within transcriptional units that, perhaps temporarily, are not involved in transcription.


The nucleotide sequence of oocyte 5S DNA in Xenopus laevis. I. The AT-rich spacer.

The primary sequence of the principal spacer region in X. laevis oocyte 5S DNA has been determined. The spacer is AT-rich and comprises half or more of each repeating unit. The sequence is internally repetitious; most of it can be represented by the following set of oligonucleotides: CAACAGTTTTCAAAAGGTTTCGAAGTTTTT(T). The spacer, which varies in length from about 360 to 570 or more nucleotides, can be subdivided into a region (A2) which is variable in length in different repeating units, flanked by regions (A1, A3, B1) which are relatively constant in length. The A2 region consists, on the average, of 5-6 tandem copies of the oligonucleotide CAAAGTTTGAGTTTT; variation in the redundancy of this oligonucleotide accounts for much of the repeat length variation in the genomic 5S DNA. Most copies of this oligonucleotide are identical, although several differing by 1 or 2 nucleotides have been detected in plasmid-cloned 5S DNA fragments. Regions A1 and A3 comprise a linear array of similar, but not identical, oligonucleotides; most repeating units contain very similar A1 and A3 sequences. Region B1 is a sequence of 49 nucleotides immediately adjacent to the 5' terminus of the 5S rRNA sequence. It is GC-rich, much less repetitive than the remainder of the spacer and contains several palindromes, but no regions of dyad symmetry. This sequence is identical in all six of the single cloned repeating units of 5S DNA analyzed.