[Effect of yeast growth limitation on the respiratory chain, the economic coefficient and the critical oxygen concentration for respiration].

The effect of the yeast growth limitation by oxygen on the economical coefficient (EC), the operation of the cyanide resistant electron transport pathway (CrETP), and the critical for respiration oxygen concentration concentration ([O2]cr) was studied. The operation of CrETP was found to differ among various yeasts growing on glucose: it could function during both the exponential phase and limitation of growth (Torulopsis candida), or only in the conditions of growth limitation (Candida tropicalis, C. mycoderma, C. lipolytica), sometimes for a very long period (Endomyces geotrichum); in certain cases (C. utilis), it cannot be detected at all. If the main respiratory chain is inhibited by cyanide (i. e. if only CrETP operates), the value of [O2]cr sharply increases; such an increase can be also found in the absence of cyanide but in the conditions of active operation of CrETP. Apparently, the value of [O2]cr is higher for cyanide resistant oxydase of the studied organisms than for cytochrome oxydase. A decrease in EC observed upon the limitation of yeast growth by oxygen (Lozinov et al., 1974) correlates with the appearance or intensification of CrETP. Therefore, the decrease of EC can be attributed to the operation of non-phosphorylating CrETP which occurs in all the studied yeasts (with an exception of C. utilis) when their growth is limited by oxygen.


[Cholesterol crystal embolism of the cerebral vessels].

Authors report a case of the "late phase" of the cholesterol-crystal embolism in the system of the vertebro-basilar arteries in order to throw light on this, not so unfrequent complication of the atherosclerosis, which in the general medical practice is seldom considered. It is emphasized that the disease can be diagnosed in life by examination of biopsy specimens from the skin, muscles and kidney and by the observation of the eyefundus.


[Clinico-pathological analysis of Amanita phalloides poisoning cases in Hungary during 1960-76].

Cases of intoxication with Amanita phalloides are analyzed in the 17-year-period-material of the Department of the Forensic Medicine of the Semmelweis Medical University and the Department of the Urgent Internal Diseases of the Municipal Korányi Sándor and Frigyes Hospital. The findings show that the number of intoxication with mushrooms during the last years increased. Pahtomorphological changes were also analyzed. Results of the treatment in intensive care units are also discussed.


[Data on the genetic aspects of hair on the middle phalanx of the fingers].

Authors studied the frequency, degree of inheritance of the interdigital hair and its significance in investigation of cases of discussed paternity. Examinations were carried out as a part of the twin-research organized by the Department of Anthropology of the Lorand Eötvös University. 176 adult pairs of twins (86 male and 90 female) were examined. Serological findings show that 103 of them were monozygotes (MZ) and 73 dizygotes (DZ). The frequency of presence or absence of the interdigital hair in men and in families with legally determined fathers were in accordance with findings characterizing the Hungarian and Europid populations. In dizygotic females absence of the interdigital hair was extremely seldom. Among the MZ male pairs of twins discordant cases consisted of 3,8 per cent, among the DZ male twins 32,4 per cent. Among the MZ female pairs of twins 11,6 per cent, and among the DZ twins 23,1 per cent appeared to be discordant. The degree of inheritance was counted using the Holzinger's formula. The value of H in females were 0,49 in males 0,88, the average 0,72. Examination of the interdigital hair may be a valuable tool for determination of the origin of a person.


[Effect of increased temperatures on RNA and protein synthesis in the cells of a synchronous Candida utilis culture].

The rate of incorporation of labeled precursors for RNA ([14C]uracil) and protein ([14C]DL-leucine) into the cells of the synchronous culture of Candida utilis VKMY-1668 (the optimum temperature of growth, 31--32 degrees C) was studied as a function of different temperatures (28, 31, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 41 decrees C). The yeast was grown on a simple mineral medium containing glycerol. RNA synthesis was found to be more susceptible to elevated temperature than protein synthesis: the maximum rate of incorporation was registered at 32--34 degrees C for [14C]DL-leucine and only at 32 degrees C for [14C]uracil (the rate of its incorporation at 34 degrees C decreased by 50% as compared to that at 32 degrees C). The rate of incorporation of [14C]uracil at 34 degrees C reached 100% (the rate at 32 degrees C) when yeast autolysate was added to the medium, and 75 and 70%, respectively, upon the addition of DL-methionine or Mg2+ (as compared to 50% without them).


[Determination of the nitrogen-fixing activity of Rhizobium japonicum under sterile microvegetative conditions].

The nitrogen fixing activity of Rhizobium japonicum in symbiosis with soya grown in the sterile microvegetative conditions at an air humidity of 70%, at a temperature of 20 degrees C and a length of light day of 16 hours was assayed using the acetylene technique. The plants were cultivated in phytotron in glass tubes (245 cm3) illuminated with xenon lamps. This technique can be used, apparently, to determine the nitrogen fixing activity of other legumes and cereals.


Dose-response relationships and R.B.E. values of dominant lethals induced by X-rays and 1.5 MeV neutrons in prophase-1 oocytes and in mature sperm of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (acari, tetranychidae).

Mature sperm and prophase-1 oocytes of Tetranychus urticae Koch were irradiated with 250-kVp X-rays or 1.5 MeV fast neutrons. The X-ray doses ranged from 0.5 to 24.0 krad, and those of the fast neutrons from 0.1 to 16.0 krad. The genetic endpoint measured was lethality, expressed in the stages from egg to adulthood in the F1 progeny. The frequency of recessive lethals in female germ cells was estimated by comparing survival of fertilized versus unfertilized F1 eggs, after irradiation with the same dosage. X-Rays induce dominant lethals in prophase-1 oocytes by the action of both single hits on single targets and multiple hits on multiple targets. 1.5-MeV neutrons induce these effects predominantly by the action of multiple tracks on multiple targets. Dominant lethals were induced in mature sperm by X-rays and by fast neutrons by the action of both single hits on single targets and multiple hits on multiple targets. Both for prophase-1 oocytes and for mature sperm the low R.B.E. value corresponded with the relatively large multiple-target component of induction of dominant lethals by fast neutrons. The nature of dominant lethality in relation to the kinetochore organization of the chromosome is discussed. A non-linear trend in the dose--effect relationship was observed for both X-rays and fast neutrons for the estimated frequency of recessive lethals induced in prophase-1 oocytes. X-Rays were more effective than neutrons in inducing recessive lethals in prophase-1 oocytes at doses lower than 3 krad.


Attenuating effect of fighting on shock-induced gastric ulceration and hypertension: hypothesis of inhibition by sensory feedback.

A behavioral-biochemical hypothesis is presented to explain the attenuating effect of fighting on electric-shock induced gastric ulceration and hypertension in rats. It is suggested that shock-induced gastric lesions and hypertension result from undampened oscillations in central cholinergic and adrenergic activity, respectively, and that the sensory input derived from fighting serves to reduce the amplitude of these oscillations via a process of inhibition. The hypothesis suggests that other forms of sensory input in addition to that supplied by fighting--whether self-generated or produced artificially by electrical or mechanical stimulators--would have an identical equilibrating effect on oscillations in neurotransmitter activity.


Sterilization of hepatitis B surface antigen-contaminated materials.

The sterilizing conditions of HBs Ag-contaminated materials were studied by means of the inactivation of the antigenicity (infectivity being thought to be lost when HBs Ag is inactivated). HBs Ag-coated beads and the serum from an HBs Ag-positive patient were used. After each sterilizing procedure, the antigenicity was studied by radioimmunoassay. HBs Ag-positive serum is easily inactivated by boiling and by steam under pressure; however, HBs Ag-coated beads require increased steam under pressure. For sterilizing HBs Ag-contaminated materials, 30 minutes at 132 degrees C is recommended.


Eye movements in ataxia-telangiectasia.

The spectrum of eye movement disorders in six patients with ataxia-telangiectasia at different stages of progression was assessed quantitatively by electrooculography. All patients demonstrated abnormalities of voluntary and involuntary saccades. The youngest and least involved patient had significantly increased reaction times of voluntary saccades, but normal accuracy and velocity. The other patients demonstrated increased reaction times and marked hypometria of horizontal and vertical voluntary saccades. Saccade velocity remained normal. Vestibular and optokinetic fast components (involuntary saccades) had normal amplitude and velocity but the eyes deviated tonically in the direction of the slow component. We conclude that patients with ataxia-telangiectasia have a defect in the initiation of voluntary and involuntary saccades in the earliest stages. These findings are distinctly different from those in other familial cerebellar atrophy syndromes.


The muscular pain-fasciculation syndrome.

Five cases of a chronic neuromuscular syndrome consisted of muscular aching and sometimes burning pain, fasciculations, cramps, fatigue, and occasional paresthesia. The disorder affected the legs and, less commonly, the girdle, trunk, and arm muscles. The symptoms were enhanced by physical activity and were usually improved by rest. Neither muscular wasting nor weakness was found, although the condition was present for an average of 4.7 years and, in one patient, as long as 10 years. Electrophysiologic studies showed motor abnormalities indicative of axonal degeneration and muscle fiber denervation, most marked in the legs. Light microscopy of skeletal muscle and spinal cord in one case disclosed evidence of mild denervation atrophy in muscle, but no loss of anterior horn cells. The findings are compatible with a benign polyneuropathy.


Mitochondria-lipid-glycogen myopathy, hyperlactacidemia, and carnitine deficiency.

A 25-month-old girl had proximal myopathy, increased blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations, and transient ketoacidosis. Muscle biopsy revealed vacuolar myopathy with accumulation of both lipid and glycogen. Electronmicroscopy also showed abnormalities in the shape, size, and internal structure of muscle mitochondria. Carnitine content of skeletal muscle was reduced. Short-chain and long-chain acyl-carnitines were augmented in both plasma and skeletal muscle. Oral carnitine therapy improved muscle strength.


[Case of arteriovenous hemangioma, aneurysm and subdural hematoma].

In a woman aged 53 years angiography of the internal carotid arteries demonstrated presence of an aneurysm in the region of arteriovenous fistula, which is a very rare occurrence, and coexistence of bilateral spontaneous subdural heamatomas. This coincidence has not been reported.


Character and origin of rotatory movements evoked by electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus in cats.

High-frequency stimulation of the caudate nucleus in cats induces three types of rotatory responses: turning the head or stepping movements in a circle toward the side opposite to that of stimulation, psychomotor excitation with contralateral rotation, and ipsilateral turning of the head and trunk. Movements of the last type developed mainly from the ventro-lateral zones of the head of the caudate nucleus, whereas psychomotor excitation, on the other hand, developed from the dorsal zones. Rotatory movements do not depend significantly on a contribution of the internal capsule or cortex. Slow synchronized activity on the EEG at the time of rotation was abolished after curarization of the animals. Caudate rotation is partly due to activation of the globus pallidus, for electrical stimulation of that structure raises the threshold of the responses although it does not block them completely.


Myokymia, muscle hypertrophy and percussion "myotonia" in chronic recurrent polyneuropathy.

Three unusual features were observed in a patient with chronic relapsing polyneuropathy: myokymia, muscle hypertrophy, and prolonged contraction in response to muscle percussion. Low nerve conduction velocity and conduction block were demonstrated in all motor nerves tested, indicating a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Myokymia was caused by spontaneous motor unit activity which was shown to originate in peripheral nerves, since it persisted after nerve block and was abolished by regional curarization. Muscle hypertrophy was attributed to increased peripheral nerve activity, and the prolonged contraction of muscle in response to direct percussion was attributed to irritability of intramuscular nerve terminals.


Familial neuromuscular disease with type 1 fiber hypoplasia, tubular aggregates, cardiomyopathy, and myasthenic features.

Three sisters had autosomal recessive inheritance of a cardiomyopathy, and nonprogressive proximal muscle weakness and lordosis that began in childhood. Small type 1 fibers and tubular aggregates in both fiber types were found on muscle biopsy. In addition, myasthenic features were characterized by fatigability with moderate exercise, decremental response to repetitive nerve stimulation, and improved function with anticholinesterase drug therapy.


Thalamic pure sensory stroke: a pathologic study.

Two cases of pure sensory stroke were studied pathologically 6 months and 4 years after the acute illness. In both, there were lacunar infarcts in the region of the sensory nucleus of the thalamus on the side opposite the symptoms. The responsible vascular lesion in each case was hypertensive lipohyalinotic cerebral angiopathy, a process that correlates with the presence of hypertension. This was the first time that a complete clinicopathologic investigation was possible in pure sensory stroke and also the first time a lipohyalinotic lesion was shown to be the cause of a specific clinical syndrome.


Spinal cord compression and blood flow. I. The effect of raised cerebrospinal fluid pressure on spinal cord blood flow.

The effect of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF), measured by the hydrogen clearance technique, was studied in dogs. CSFP was altered by the infusion of mock CSF into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Occluding snares at T-13 limited the effect of raised pressure on the brain. As the perfusion pressure was reduced when the CSFP was increased, flow remained constant up to a perfusion pressure of approximately 50 mm Hg. Below this value, flow decreased with decreasing perfusion pressure. Normal flow values could be reestablished even at a raised CSFP if the perfusion pressure was increased by raising the arterial blood pressure. Rapid reduction of CSFP was accompanied by reactive hyperemia. The autoregulation of flow down to a perfusion pressure of 50 mm Hg was due to progressive decrease in vascular resistance. Carbon dioxide-responsiveness of the vessels was decreased markedly as the perfusion pressure was reduced.


Mirror movements after childhood hemiparesis.

Mirror movements are normal in childhood and may persist to a later age following early brain lesions. We studied these movements in patients with childhood hemiparesis at different ages. The earlier the lesions, the more the mirror movements persisted. More mirror movement persisted in the nonparetic hand than in the paretic one. Complete paralysis of either hand tended to abolish all mirror movements in both hands. The task eliciting the most mirror movement was one that may come under ipsilateral control following contralateral damage. The greater persistence of mirror movements after earlier lesions appears to be an indicator of more extensive compensatory motor system reorganization that takes place after damage to a less mature nervous system.


An extraordinary form of confabulation.

We describe five patients with spontaneous, persistent confabulation. While the basis of confabulation in general is not known, the evidence in this specific group of patients with spectacular, impulsive, and spontaneous confabulation suggests a marked deficit in frontal function, superimposed upon a basic defect in memory, as a possible mechanism.


Bromocriptine-induced behavioral hypersensitivity: implications for the therapy of parkinsonism.

Bromocriptine (CB-154) is a direct-acting dopamine agonist of proven clinical efficacy in parkinsonism. The capacity of bromocriptine to induce receptor site hypersensitivity was investigated utilizing a behavioral model in guinea pigs. Following 4 weeks of bromocriptine treatment, animals demonstrated a subsequent long-lasting hypersensitivity to amphetamine and apomorphine. The data suggest that chronic use of bromocriptine can induce receptor site hypersensitivity. These results may be an indication that, because of a similar propensity to side effects during chronic therapy, direct-acting dopamine agonists will offer no long-term advantage over current antiparkinsonian drugs. The observed phenomena suggest that chronic dopaminergic agonism may not be an ideal therapy for parkinsonism.


Paradoxical halide levels in bromide intoxication.

In two patients with acute bromide toxicity, serum bromide levels rose during the period of observation, but this increase was not associated with clinical deterioration. In both, serum "chloride" levels were also high, but these values actually indicated elevated extracellular halide concentrations.


Normal pressure hydrocephalus, parkinsonism, and primary empty sella--coincidence or cause-effect?

The triad of normal-pressure hydrocephalus, parkinsonism, and primary empty sella appeared in a 70-year-old woman. There was dramatic resolution of the extrapyramidal signs and symptoms on treatment with levodopa-carbidopa and ventriculojugular shunt. The syndrome may be the result of several mechanisms, but an alteration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure dynamics may be the sole etiology for this triad.


Some previously unrecognized features of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

The courses of 15 brain biopsy-proven cases of herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) were followed for 6 to 67 months. Convulsive disorders were often temporary, but paralysis was permanent. Patients usually entered the hospital free of paralysis or coma, in a potentially reversible febrile confusional state. Later, paralysis and coma fixed subsequent courses. Mortality was 53.3 percent but, at follow-up, 93.3 percent (14 patients) were dead or living a vegetative existence at home or in institutions. If a definitive diagnosis of HSVE could be made at the time of hospital admission, the prognosis might be remarkably changed.


The modification of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis with epsilon aminocaproic acid.

Epsilon aminocaproic acid, an inhibitor of plasminogen and trypsinogen activators, can decrease the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats. The drug was tried because of a number of observations suggesting that neutral proteases, such as plasmin, might be chemical mediators of demyelination. The highest concentrations of plasminogen activator are found in the walls of veins and venules, around which demyelination is common in many demyelinating diseases, including MS. Indeed, the earliest lesion in MS is often demyelination with little cellular infiltration. In vitro studies have shown that neutral proteases secreted by activated macrophages selectively lyse myelin basic protein.


Anamnestic studies in multiple sclerosis: a relationship between familial multiple sclerosis and neoplasia.

A survey of family histories of malignant neoplasia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients indicates that a positive history of cancer in near relatives is present in 44 percent of patients and 46 percent of controls. However, those MS patients having such a positive history were much more likely than others to also have a family history of MS. Contrariwise, MS patients with a positive family history of MS had a significantly higher rate of cancer in first degree relatives (71 percent) than others. There was a trend indicating less cancer in families of MS patients possessing the HLA-B7 and DW2 histocompatibility antigens.


Prerequisites for conduction in demyelinated fibers.

Data are herein reviewed which show that there are structural differences between nodal and internodal membrane in normal myelinated fibers. It appears likely that in most normal myelinated fibers, ionic channel densities in the internodal axon membrane are lower than those at the nodes of Ranvier. Conduction through demyelinated fibers may require structural reorganization, for example, redistribution or production of new channels, in the internodal membrane. Impedance mismatch may also block conduction at sites of demyelination. Reduction in internode distance proximal to the site of demyelination provides one solution to the problem of impedance matching.


The capillaries in acute and subacute multiple sclerosis plaques: a morphometric analysis.

Two patients, one with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the other with a glioma of the splenium of the corpus callosum, were biopsied with the aid of CAT. Light microscopy, histochemistry, electronmicroscopy and morphometric analysis of counts of mitochondria, dense bodies, and pinocytotic vesicles within the capillary endothelial cells was done. Examination of the MS plaque showed endothelial cell tight junctions to be closed, basal lamina to be thinned, but endothelial cell mitochondria to be the same as in a patient without MS. Pinocytotic vesicles were markedly increased in endothelial cells in MS. Despite intense inflammation in the surround, endothelial lysosomes were as few as in a control.


Carcinoma of the vulva. A reassessment.

A recent reassessment of the combined experience in treating vulvar cancer at the Pondville State Cancer Hospital and the Massachusetts General Hospital has been undertaken, covering the 25 years that have elapsed since an earlier comprehensive review was carried out. A few differences in some of the clinical features of the disease and the manner in which it presents itself today were observed. Basic principles of management that had emerged at the time of the earlier report have remained fundamentally the same. However, as the result of a recent trend toward earlier diagnosis that permits prompt treatment of smaller lesions with a lower potential for having had lymphatic spread at the time they are dealt with, there is now room for a somewhat greater degree of careful individualization of the basic surgical approach. This philosophy has been reflected in certain modifications of the overall plan of management as well as in improvements in the technical aspects of diagnosis and therapy that have reduced complications and increased salvage.


[Development of isolated loach blastoderm during cultivation in different salt media].

The loach blastoderms were isolated from the yolk during the periods of cleavage and blastulation (5--14.5 tau0) and incubated in various isotonic saline media which differed by the content of K+ and Na+. The survival of blastoderms upon the short-term incubation (up to 60 tau0) varied insignificantly in all the media and upon the longer one (up to 120 tau0) was the maximal in the medium with isotonic content of K+ and Na+ and the minimal in the medium with the low content of K+. The cell proliferation upon incubation in the medium with the low content of K+ was inhibited when the blastoderms were isolated at the stage of 8 tau0 and suffered no changes at the stage of 14 tau0. The ability of differentiation manifested itself earlier and the percentage of differentiated embryos was higher in the media with the high content of K+. The content of K+ in the blastoderms isolated at the stage of 7 tau0 changes with its content in the incubation medium; upon isolation at the stages of 8--9 tau0 to blastoderms accumulate K+ irrespective of its content in the medium and at the stage of 10 tau0 maintain the constant level of K+. Hence, the development of isolated blastoderms depends on the content of K+ in the medium and this dependence reduces with the age.


[Site of fidget gene action and its interaction with the ocular retardation gene in cultured mouse embryo retinas].

The eye rudiments of 10 and 11 days old mouse embryos of the genotypes +/+ +/+, fi/fi +/+, +/+ or/or, fi/fi or/or and 11 days old embryos of the genotype fi/+ or/+ were cultivated in vitro during 24, 48 and 72 hrs. The expression of the fi gene was shown in the cells of the cultivated fi/fi +/+ retina: its proliferative activity was inhibited. The fi gene was not active in the cells of the developing lens and the anomalies of the latter in homozygotes arose secondarily, due to the inhibition of growth of the retinal rudiment. The fi and or genes interacted synergically in the cultivated fi/fi or/or retina, thus resulting in the marked inhibition of its mitotic activity. This suggests that both the genes act in the retinal cells and, apparently, affect different links of the biochemical chain of events in the preparation of DNA replication.


[Hippotherapy--a supplementary treatment for motion disturbance caused by cerebral palsy (author's transl)].

Neurodevelopmental treatment according to Dr. K. and B. Bobath can be supplemented by hippotherapy. At proper control and guidance, an improvement in posture tone, inhibition of pathological movement patterns, facilitation of normal automatical reactions and the promotion of sensorimotor perceptions is achieved. By adjustment to the swaying movements of the horse, the child feels how to retain straightening alignment, symmetry and balance. By pleasure in this therapy, the child can be motivated to satisfactory cooperation and accepts the therapy horse as its friend. The results of hippotherapy for 27 children afflicted with cerebral palsy permit a conclusion as to the value of this treatment for movement and behaviour disturbance to the drawn.


Thrombocytopenic purpura related to rubella infection.

Serologic studies for rubella (hemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation changes) were carried out at two-week intervals in 15 patients with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in age-matched controls in the same season during a small rubella epidemic. Hemagglutination inhibition, sucrose density gradient for hemagglutination inhibition, and complement fixation titer changes implicated recent rubella infection as an etiologic factor in five of the 15 patients.


The delta EEG (sleep)-inducing peptide (DSIP). XI. Amino-acid analysis, sequence, synthesis and activity of the nonapeptide.

A peptide which induces slow-wave EEG (sleep) after intraventricular infusion into the brain has been isolated from the extracorporeal dialysate of cerebral venous blood in rabbits submitted to hypnogenic electrical stimulation of the intralaminar thalamic area. It was shown by amino-acid analysis and sequence determination to be Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu and named "Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide" (DSIP). This compound was synthesized as well as 5 possible metabolic products (1--8, 2--9, 2--8, 1--4 and 5--9), 2 nonapeptide analogues (with one and two amino-acids exchanged) and a related tripeptide (Trp-Ser-Glu). All 9 synthetic peptides were infused intraventricularly in rabbits (6 nmol/kg in 0.05 ml of CSF-like solution over 3.5 min) and tested under double-blind conditions. A total of 61 rabbits including controls were used. The EEG from the frontal neocortex and the limbic archicortex were subjected to direct fast-Fourier transformation and analyzed by an 1108 computer system. A highly specific delta and spindle EEG-enhancing effect of the synthetic DSIP could be demonstrated. The mean increase of EEG delta activity reached 35% in the neocortex and limbic cortex as compared to control animals receiving CSF-like solution or any of the other 8 peptides. The final chemical characterization of the synthetic DSIP revealed that only the pure alpha-aspartyl peptide is highly active in contrast to its beta-Asp isomer. A neurohumoral modulating and programming activity was suggested.


Changes in extracellular potassium during the spontaneous activity of medullary respiratory neurones.

In 34 cats, the changes in extracellular potassium ion activity (aK) and extracellular spike activity within the pool of respiratory neurones in the dorsormedial and ventrolateral medulla were recorded using microelectrodes filled with a liquid potassium ion exchange resin. Cyclic changes in aK which parallel central respiratory activity were restricted to those regions where respiratory neurones are known to be localized. The largest changes in aK (0.1--0.3 mmol . 1(-1)) were found within the ventral pool of inspiratory neurones. The aK increased during inspiration in parallel with the pattern of phrenic nerve activity. The smallest changes in aK (0.02--0.06 mmol . 1(-1)) were observed within the ventral pool of expiratory neurones. Here, aK showed a transient increase during both inspiration and expiration. Within the dorsal pool of inspiratory neurones, small fluctuations of aK were observed paralleling phrenic nerve activity and the afferent discharge of the intact vagal nerves. After the vagal nerves were cut, the changes in aK then paralleled phrenic nerve activity. The variations in aK within the ventral pool of respiratory neurones did not change after bilateral section of vagal nerves. Repetitive stimulation of the vagal nerves (0.1--0.5 V, 0.05 ms) produced an increase in aK only within the dorsal pool of inspiratory neurones, whereas repetitive spinal cord stimulation (5--10 V, 0.05 ms) resulted in an increase of aK within the ventral pool of respiratory neurones. The amplitude of the cyclic changes in aK increased significantly whenever the electrode approached individual respiratory neurones as verified by the amplitude and shape of the spikes recorded by the reference barrel. The maximal changes in aK then reached a peak amplitude of 1.3--1.5 mmol . 1(-1), the pattern of aK changes resembling that measured within the pools of neurones. The aK started to rise prior to the discharge of action potentials, indicating that the efflux of K + -ions was produced as a consequence of synaptic transmission. The functional importance of these changes in extracellular potassium is discussed.


Parotid acinar cells: ionic dependence of acetylcholine-evoked membrane potential changes.

Segments of mouse parotid were placed in a superfusion chamber. Surface acini were impaled by one or two micro-electrodes for measurement of membrane potential and resistance. The acinus under investigation was stimulated by micro-iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh) or adrenaline. Neighbouring acinar cells were electrically coupled. Electrical coupling between acinar cells only occurred within restricted domains probably corresponding to an acinus or a group of acini. Passing direct current through one intracellular electrode, the resting potential of an acinus could be set at desired levels and the dependency of the ACh-evoked potential change on the resting potential investigated. The ACh null potential (initial effect) was about--60 mV. A delayed hyperpolarizing effect of ACh could not be reversed. The initial ACh-evoked potential change was sensitive to alterations in extracellular Na, K and Cl concentration. The delayed ACh-evoked hyperpolarization was blocked by ouabain, exposure to Na-free or K-free solutions. It is concluded that ACh increases mainly K and Na membrane conductance causing K efflux and Na influx with a subsequent Na activation of an electrogenic Na pump.


Variation of F-2 toxin production on different substrates.

The F-2 producing capacity of one Fusarium graminearum strain (strain No. 13) and of three hyphal tip transverse lines (a b and c) isolated from the original strain and of a mixture of these lines (a b and c) was studied in two successive years on different substrates: oats, barley, wheat, grain mixture and wheat bran. In the first year the original strain produced high amounts of F-2 but was heterogenous in toxin production. The F-2 producing capacity of one of the hyphal tip transverse lines (a) was high and that of two lines (b and c) and of the mixture of the three lines (a+b+c) was poor. In the following year the F-2 producing capacity of the fungal cultures had changed: the F-2 producing capacity of the original strain (No. 13) was greatly reduced, that of one hyphal tip transverse line (b) remained poor and that of two hyphal tip transverse lines (a and c) and of the mixture of the lines clearly increased. The F-2 production was changed in all the substrates and in about the same proportion. In general oats was the best substrate for F-2 production. The possible causes of the changed F-2 production are discussed. The estrogenic effect of F-2 produced in different substrates was studied by using as criteria the uterine weight, vaginal opening and liquid content in the uterus of immature female rats. The effect was in direct proportion to the amount of F-2 ingested by the rats. The substrate was without any influence on the physiological effect of F-2, and in this respect our results deviate from some earlier findings.


[Comparative ototoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics in a guinea pig model (author's transl)].

Tobramycin, gentamicin, sisomicin and amikacin are aminoglycoside antibiotics that are used clinically. A significant side effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics is the production of hearing loss. Our study was done to determine the relative ototoxic liability of these 4 drugs. All drugs were given in daily doses of 0, 50,100 or 150 mg/kg to guinea pigs subcutaneously for 4 weeks. In addition, 200 mg/kg was was given to the animals receiving amikacin and sisomicin. There were 10 animals in each dosage group. Seven animals were used for auditory study and 3 were used for pharmacokinetic study. Auditory damage was assessed by determining the Preyer pinna reflex, the ability of the cochlea to generate the AC cochlear potential, and the number of sensory hair cells missing from the organ of Corti. The concentration of aminoglycoside antibiotics is determined in the cochlear perilymph and plasma by a radioenzymatic assay. On a equal dose basis the ototoxic liability of gentamicin and sisomicin were very similar and tobramycin and amikacin being less ototoxic than the gentamicin and sisomicin. The pharmacokinetics of single 150 mg/gk doses of the drugs were similar. The exception was that tobramycin reached lower peak levels in plasma and perilymph and its time to peak level in perilymph was delayed relative to the other drugs. Analysis of plasma and perilymph following chronic administration revealed higher concentration of gentamicin and sisomicin than of tobramycin and amikacin.


An improved method for the extraction of cholesterol and phospholipids from the bovine spinal cord.

A pharmacopoeial grade of cholesterol and a separate phospholipid fraction can be obtained by this simple extraction procedure of bovine spinal cord. The tissue is collected in 5% (Wt/V) formalin. It is then separated from the formalin solution, minced and dried in a hot-air oven at 105 degrees C. Total lipids are extracted with petroleum ether. The cholesterol is separated from the phospholipids by extraction with a mixture of petroleum ether and acetone. The method allows for not only the recovery of the phospholipids but also a high yield of cholesterol without using saponification or tedious purification procedures.


Isolation of a hibernation inducing trigger(s) from the plasma of hibernating woodchucks.

Plasma from hibernating woodchucks was desalted utilizing a hollow fiber device having a M. W. cut-off of 5,000. This preparation was fractionated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in a pH gradient extending from 3.5 to 10.0 resulting in protein components having isoelectric points (pIs) of 4.5, 5.2, 5.5, 6.3, and 7.0. Fraction I (comprised of proteins having pIs of 4.5 and 5.2) induced hibernation within 2 to 6 days in 8 out of 10 summer-active ground squirrels. Fraction II (pI 5.5) and Fraction III (pI 6.3 and 7.0) failed to induce any summer hibernation in 10 animal test groups at identical sample concentrations. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Fraction I indicated that albumin was a major constituent of this still heterogeneous preparation. Thus, in order to more clearly define the plasma locus of this hibernation inducing trigger(s) (HIT) molecule, whole plasma and/or Fraction I was fractionated by 3 distinct resolving techniques. These included sub-fractionation of Fraction I by isoelectric focusing utilizing a narrower pH gradient extending from 3.5 to 6.0, isotachophoresis of whole plasma and affinity chromatography of Fraction I and whole plasma. A total of 40 summer-active ground squirrels were injected and assayed for HIT activity with fractionated preparations derived by the three previously cited separation techniques. A total of 18 of these summer-active ground squirrels hibernated. However, a much more impressive figure is that 16 out of 21 animals hibernated when injected with resolved hibernating plasma fractions in which albumin was the predominant plasma protein. A total of 8 control animals were injected with vehicle and none of these hibernated.


The preparation of trypsins and chymotrypsins from bovine and porcine residues after insulin extraction.

Bovine and porcine pancreatic residue, remaining after the extraction of insulin, has been used to prepare a proteinase powder. This powder was used as a source of trypsin and chymotrypsin. The individual enzymes were isolated and purified by chromatography on sulfopropyl (SP) - Sephadex C-25 and affinity chromatography on soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) - Sepharose. The bovine proteinase powder contained alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin B in the ratio 5 : 2 : 1. The porcine powder contained cationic trypsin, anionic trypsin and cationic chymotrypsin in the ratio 5 : 1.4 : 3. The isolated enzymes were characterized and found to be identical with enzymes isolated from fresh tissue with the exception of porcine chymotrypsin. Porcine cationic chymotrypsin was isolated as two distinct forms, A-1 and A-2, which appear to be different activation products of porcine chymotrypsinogen A. Both forms resemble bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, a three chain structure, rather than porcine chymotrypsin Api, a two chain structure. Futhermore, the  B-chain appears to be cleaved, possibly at residues Phe89-Lys90.


Large scale preparation of bovine renal glomerular basement membrane in the presence of protease inhibitors.

A method is described for the isolation of large quantities of basement membrane from bovine renal glomeruli under conditions which minimize or prevent degradation by tissue-associated proteases. The method incorporates the use of moderately-high concentrations of the protease inhibitors: ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, epsilon-amino caproic acid, N-ethymaleimide, and diisopropylfluorophosphate; and the maintenance of a temperature of 0-4 degrees C throughout the procedure. Glomeruli preparations are isolated by a modified sieving technique and are routinely of purity greater than 97%. Under optimum conditions, three to four grams of basement membrane can be isolated under safe and rapid conditions in one week.


Isolation of pyrimidine isostichs from chick erythrocyte DNA.

The isolation of pyrimidine oligonucleotides (isostichs) from chick erytyrocyte DNA was accomplished on a preparative scale with the goal of providing starting material for further chemical modifications. The DNA was degraded by the method of Burton and Petersen and the isostichs were obtained via paper chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The various isostichs were further fractionated into base compositional isomers, the frequency of which was determined as mole percent of total pyrimidines. Although this work was not intended to be an analytical study, the large quantities of DNA used allowed the measurement of most compositional isomers with an accuracy of 5% of the listed values. The data for long oligothymidylates are less reliable. The results of the present study revealed the anticipated bias in the distribution of pyrimidine isostichs in favor of longer chain lengths as compared to that expected for a random distribution. Isostichs above chain length 10 occur in amounts approximately 7 times greater than calculated.


Naloxone interactions with morphine-and shock-potentiated tonic immobility in chickens.

Opiate receptor involvement in tonic immobility was examined by administering various does of the opiate antagonist naloxone before measuring morphine-potentiated, shock-poteniated or unpotentiated tonic immobility in chickens. Naloxone attenuated morphine-potentiated, but not shock-potentiated or unpotentiated tonic immobility. Morphine-potentiated tonic immobility appears to be opiate specific.


Effects of morphine and naloxone on separation distress and approach attachment: evidence for opiate mediation of social affect.

In order to determine the relationship between endorphins and social attachment, the effects of morphine (an opiate agonist) and naloxone (an opiate antagonist) on various indices of attachment in guinea pigs were studied. In infants, crying or separation-induced distress vocalizations were significantly decreased by single injections of low morphine doses (0.25, .050 and 0.75 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Naloxone (1mg/kg1 reliably increased separation distress vocalizations in both juvenile and adult guinea pigs. Therefore, similar to opiate withdrawal symptoms, separation distress appeared to be alleviated by morphine and potentiated by naloxone. As for approach attachment, offspring/maternal proximity-maintenance time was significantly decreased by morphine (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg), suggesting that opiates may be capable of replacing a function normally subserved by endorphins in reinforcing attachments. These data support the hypothesis that an endorphin-based addiction-like process may underlie the maintenance of social attachments, and that separation distress may reflect a state of endogenous "endorphin withdrawal".


Induction of physical dependence upon ethanol in rats using intravenous infusion.

Intravenous infusions were used to produce physical dependence upon ethanol in rats. The procedure proved to be safe, rapid, and reliable. Ethanol (30% v/v) was administered over a 7-day period. The mean daily dose ranged from 10--14 g/kg/day. Control rats were exposed to a comparable procedure except that saline, rather than ethanol, was infused. All ethanol treated rats that survived the intoxication period (n = 11) showed signs of physical dependence (moderate to severe, n = 8; mild, n = 3) following ethanol withdrawal. Saline treated rats (n = 8) did not show any of these symptoms. The most reliable ethanol withdrawal signs observed were: spontaneous seizure (n = 7), audiogenic seizure (n = 7), tremors (n = 6), tail stiffening (n = 10) and body rigidity (n = 9). These symptoms were analyzed in terms of their hour of onset and hour of maximum intensity following ethanol withdrawal. Application of the intravenous method for the study of ethanol self-administration is discussed.


Role of the periaqueductal gray substance in the antianxiety action of benzodiazepines.

In order to study the interactions between serotonergic mechanism and electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic central gray substance, rats were trained to lever-press for terminating aversive electric stimuli applied at the Periaqueductal gray and adjoining tectum of the mesencephalon. Experimental sessions consisted of 40 discrete escape trials of a maximum of 30 sec duration, separated by 30 sec intervals. Dose-effect curves of two tryptamine antagonists, cyproheptadine and methysergide, as well as of the benzodiazepine minor tranquilizer, chlordiazepoxide, on average escape latencies and on frequency distribution of individual latencies were determined. Doses of 3 to 10 mg/kg of cyproheptadine decreased average latencies of escape responding in six of eight rats studied. Doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg of methysergide also facilitated escape responding in one of three rats. In contrast, doses from 1 to 10 mg/kg of chlordiazepoxide, that cause little sedation or ataxia, produced dose-dependent increases in escape latencies. Furthermore, doses of 5.6 and 10 mg/kg of chlordiazepoxide partially blocked escape responding. The facilitatory effects of the tryptamine antagonists suggest that escape behavior is inhibited by brain tryptaminergic mechanisms, whereas the specific depressant effect of chlordiazepoxide on escape from Periaqueductal gray electrical stimulation suggest that this region may be involved in the antianxiety action of benzodiazepines.


Clonidine antagonizes naloxone-induced suppression of conditioned behavior and body weight loss in morphine-dependent rats.

Clonidine's action on naloxone (Nx)-induced suppression of fixed-ratio (FR15) responding and body weight loss was studied in morphine (M)-dependent rats. Clonidine (10--70 microgram/kg IP) injected 30 min prior to the behavioral session resulted in a dose-related suppression of operant behavior in M-naive animals. A small, but significant decrease (3--5%) in body weight was also observed at the higher doses of clonidine. More than twice as much weight loss, associated with diarrhea, was obtained when Nx (5.0 mg/kg IP) was administered to M-dependent animals. When clonidine (10--50 microgram/kg IP) was administered prior to Nx, in M-dependent animals, the withdrawal-induced disruption of operant responding was significantly attenuated. Concurrent weight loss, which was significantly antagonized by 1 microgram clonidine/kg, was decreased by as much as 40 percent. The degree of amelioration of withdrawal that was observed appeared to be inversely related to the dose of clonidine. The optimal dose was 10 microgram/kg, which by itself was only partially behaviorally active. At higher doses, clonidine's blocking properties were less apparent as a result of its own potent behavioral suppressant and diuretic effects which masked its capacity to attenuate withdrawal. The data are discussed in relation to the application of operant technics for assessing drug treatment(s) designed to alter the severity of narcotic withdrawal.


Decreased intoxicating effect of ethanol in rats after 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of ascending dopamine pathways.

Selective lesion of ascending dopamine pathways was made by injecting the neurotoxin 6-OHDA (8 microgram/4 microliter) bilaterally close to the nigro-striatal dopamine pathway of 18 male Long Evans rats. Similar injections of the vehicle were given to 10 control rats. Two months after the operation intoxication was measured in a tilting-plane test after an injection of ethanol (2 g/kg, IP). Ethanol impaired the performance of the 6-OHDA-treated rats significantly less than that of the controls. This finding suggests a role for the central dopamine neurons in the intoxicating effect of ethanol.


Effect of signaled versus unsignaled stress of rat myocardium.

Foot-shock stress resulted in a threefold increase in myocardial uptake of technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m-MDP) in rats compared to unstressed controls. The introduction of a 4-sec signal prior to each shock resulted in a two-thirds reduction in this stress-induced Tc-99m-MDP myocardial uptake, suggesting that most of the stress-induced myocardial damage was psychologically mediated.


Juvenile nephronophthisis, congenital hepatic fibrosis and retinal hypoplasia in twins.

Juvenile nephronophthisis has been recognized recently as an important cause of chronic renal failure in childhood and adolescence. This report describes clinical and morphological findings in monozygotic twins in whom the triad of juvenile nephronophthisis, congenital hepatic fibrosis and retinal hypoplasia coexisted. The findings are discussed in relation to previous reports of nephronophthisis associated with either retinal abnormalities or congenital hepatic fibrosis. The occurrence of similar ocular and hepatic anomalies with the other cystic kidney diseases, polycystic disease and medullary sponge kidney disease is reviewed. A spectrum of oculo-hepato-renal syndromes is identified with many interrelated features which suggest a shared basic aetiology.


[Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a new metabolic in vitro thyroid function test].

SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is a carrier protein for the sex hormones testosterone and estradiol with a molecular weight of about 95000 dalton. It can be used as a metabolic test of thyroid function. SHBG was measured by the adsorption method of Mickelson and Petra; the SHBG contained in serum is incubated with 3H-5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and adsorbed to a cellulose filter. Thirty-eight female patients with hyperthyroidism before treatment had markedly elevated levels of SHBG (x +/- SD: 4.85 +/- 2.4 microgram DHT/100 ml) compared with normal controls (1.50 +/- 0.57; p is less than 0.001). A good correlation between the thyroid hormones and SHBG could be domonstrated which was better for T3 than for T4:r =0.76 (p is less than 0.001) for T3 and r= 0.65 (p is less than 0.001) for T4. This agrees with the clinical finding that the circulating T3 level is a better index of the metabolic severity of thyrotoxicosis than T4. After radioiodine treatment SHBG returns to normal values in euthyroid patients (1.38 +/- 0.8; n = 15) and remains elevated in persistent hyperthyroidism (3.99 +/-1,6; n = 67). Even in patients with persistent biochemical hyperthyroidism who are completely euthyroid on clinical examination, SHBG remains high. Despite lack of evidence of clinical hyperthyroidism, this metabolic test demonstrates the biologic significance of merely biochemical hyperthyroidism. Estimation of SHBG as a metabolic thyroid function test in vitro is of special value for the evaluation of patients showing discrepancies between the clinical and biochemical states and for borderline hyperthyroidism.


Synchronies in mental development: an epigenetic perspective.

Early mental development is analyzed from an evolutionary viewpoint and related to the dynamic interplay of genetic programming, maturational status, and environmental influence. Data are reported from a large sample of twins and siblings who have been tested longitudinally from 3 months to 6 years of age. Monozygotic twins became increasingly concordant with age and also paralleled each other for the spurts and lags in development. Dizygotic twins became less concordant with age and eventually matched their singleton siblings as closely as one another. The overall results suggested that the course of mental development is guided by the intrinsic scheduling of the genetic program acting in concert with maturational status and environmental influence.


Child spacing and birth order: effect on intellectual ability in two-child families.

The effect on intellectual ability of the spacing of the birth of siblings was studied in two series of young men from two-child families: (i) 535 pairs of brothers and (ii) 1511 unrelated firstborn and secondborn. Birth-order effect and level of ability were not influenced by length of interval between firstborn and secondborn.


Idiopathic and congenital scoliosis in twins.

This report contains a case presentation of monozygotic twins who had concordant right thoracic scoliosis of differing severities. One twin also had an associated congenital left lumbar scoliosis and urologic abnormalities. This report would suggest that the genetic basis of scoliosis may occur at multiple gene loci.


Septic abortion with renal failure treated by hysterectomy.

Acute renal failure is a serious and life-threatening complication of septic abortion. The documented mortality rate varies between 30% and 65%. Initial management of the patient with this complication is directed towards resuscitation which should be carried out in an intensive care unit. If significant clinical improvement has not taken place within the first 12--24 hours, then hysterectomy should be considered as an emergency procedure. In 6 of the 7 patients described, it is thought that early hysterectomy was the crucial factor contributing towards their survival. The presence of diffuse intravascular coagulation, which was seen in all our patients, is an added indication for surgical intervention, and its role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure is discussed.


Drug abuse--a major public health hazard.

An attempt is made to reveal the escalation of drug abuse in our community as a public health hazard, to initiate the concept of a team approach as the only way to provide early effective treatment, and also to develop preventive measures as the necessary alternative to ostracism and punishment.


Impact of simultaneous myocardial revascularization on operative risk, functional result, and survival following mitral valve replacement.

A cohort of 282 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with a xenograft bioprosthesis was strictly segregated according to etiology of mitral dysfunction and analyzed regarding the impact of arteriographic coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on operative risk, functional result, and survival. CAD was present in 21% of the 122 patients with predominant mitral stenosis (MS) and 59% of the 155 patients with mitral regurgitation (MR); moreover, discordance between the presence of angina and anatomic CAD was found in 27% (33 of 122) of the MS subgroup and 36% (56 of 155) of the MR subgroup. Etiology of the valvular dysfunction was rheumatic in 148 patients, myxomatous degeneration in 83, and ischemic in 32. Within these subgroups, 41 patients (27%), 40 patients (48%), and 32 patients (100%), respectively, had CAD. Of those patients with CAD, 85% of the rheumatic subgroup, 90% of the degenerative subgroup, and 81% of the ischemic subgroup underwent concomitant CABG at the time of valve replacement. Within each subgroup no statistically significant (P greater than 0.05) differences in operative mortality rate, perioperative myocardial infarction rate, incidence of late angina or late infarction, or late actuarial survival were evident when compared on the basis of CAD, and/or CABG, with one exception. The exception was the 10% incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in the rheumatic subgrohp with coronary disease versus 2% in the rheumatic subgroup without coronary disease (P = 0.05). Within the time constraints of this study (mean follow-up = 2.3 years; maximum follow-up = 5.9 years), these results support simultaneous MVR and CABG when hemodynamically appreciable CAD is found. Moreover, the overall 43% incidence of arteriographic CAD warrants routine coronary angiography in most adults undergoing preoperative catheterization for mitral valvular disease.


[Mycoplasma synoviae control. I. Studies on the thermal sensitivity of pathogenic avian mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma gallisepicum and Mycoplasma meleagridis)].

A number of experiments were carried out to study the thermal sensitivity of Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma gallisepticum as well as that of young embryos in vitro and in ovo. A full mycoplasmacidal effect was attained after heating in bouillon cultures for six hours at 45 degrees C (including cultures of Mycoplasma meleagridis), for two and a half hours at 50 degrees C, for ninety minutes at 52 degrees C and for thirty minutes at 55 degrees C. Yoder's method of heating to control these mycoplasmas in hatching eggs was found to be inadequate. When inoculated eggs were heated for ten hours at 45 degrees C, mycoplasmas could no longer be isolated; however, this had a highly adverse effect on the proportion of eggs hatched (33 and 50 percent for hen's eggs and turkey eggs respectively). Mycoplasma synoviae was slightly more sensitive to heating than Mycoplasma gallisepticum, whereas Mycoplasma meleagridis showed more resistance than Mycoplasma gallisepticum. After heating, atypical colonies constantly appeared on the primary plates and conversion of glucose was delayed in the cultures. Isolation by SPF embryos was found to be a more sensitive method than isolation using artificial culture media only. When fresh incubated eggs were heated for ten hours at 45 degrees C, for two and a half hours at 46 degrees C or for thirty minutes at 47 degrees C, fifty percent of embryos died, whereas one hundred per cent died after heating for sixty minutes at 47 degrees C. Thermal treatment of hatching eggs to eliminate Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma meleagridis is unsuitable for use in poultry practice.


A comparative study of the contraceptive mechanism of the Cu-intrauterine device and the plastic-intrauterine device in rats.

After inserting the Cu-IUD and plastic-IUD into the horn of the uterus of rats, vaginal smears were daily observed for twelve estrus cycles, but no abnormal changes were noted. The female rats with the IUD were exposed to impregnation placing together with male rats. Neither the Cu-IUD nor the plastic-IUD affected copulation, and a complete contraceptive result was obtained in these rats. There were no significant differences in any effect examined between Cu-IUD and plastic-IUD groups. In order to investigate the influence of copper on the penetration of sperm, we placed the rats with the IUD under direct observation and then exposed them to natural copulation. By examining various sites of the reproductive organs 30 min after copulation, the hindrance of sperm migration by the Cu-IUD was confirmed.


Torulopsis glabrata fungemia secondary to stone colonization.

A case of Torulopsis glabrata fungemia with persistent funguria and pyelonephritis secondary to colonization of renal calculus is presented. The importance of secondary colonization of renal calculi in persistent infection and septicemia is discussed.


Comparative study of air and water measurements of peak and stabilized static urethral pressures.

Air and water were forced through female dogs' urethras to determine static urethral pressures. The cauda equina was sectioned to eliminate reflex responses to urethral manipulation, and the urethras were compressed circumferentially with inflatable Silastic cuffs. The peak and stabilized urethral pressures were recorded at flow rates between 20 and 150 ml./min. while cuff pressures were varied between 0 and 100 cm. of water. When the fluid recordings of static urethral pressure were compared with Millar transducer tip catheter measurements of urethral pressure, there were no statistically significant differences between the air cystometer, aneroid sphygmomanometer, and Millar catheter recordings of urethral pressure. At these high flow rates, the water recordings of urethral pressure were significantly higher than the Millar catheter determinations of static uretheral pressure.


Comparative in vitro effects of imipramine, oxybutynin, and flavoxate on rabbit detrusor.

The ability of imipramine, oxybutynin, and flavoxate to antagonize carbamylcholine and barium chloride (BaCl2)-induced contractions of rabbit detrusor, and to block impulse conduction in desheathed frog sciatic nerves has been assessed in vitro. Impiramine exerts noncompetitive carbamylcholine and BaCl2 blockade by 10(-5) M and a local anesthetic effect equipotent with that of tetracaine. Oxybutynin exerts a strong competitive antagonism of carbamylcholine by 10(-8) M, a noncompetitive antagonism of BaCl2 equivalent to that of imipramine, and moderate local anesthetic activity. Flavoxate, under these experimental conditions exerts little anticholinergic, antispasmodis, or local anesthetic activity. Imipramine and oxybutynin thus demonstrate a number of smooth muscle effects by which their therapeutic actions may be exerted. The mechanisms of action of flavoxate remain obscure.


Use of the phenolsulphonphthalein dye test for fallopian tube patency in cattle.

Results of preliminary investigations of fallopian tube patency in cattle using a method based on intrauterine instillation of PSP dye, and detection of the dye in the urine, suggest that this test can provide a useful diagnostic aid in cases of bilateral occlusion. In such cases PSP dye is not evident in the urine two hours later. In normal animals dye is present within 30 minutes. In two animals with unilateral blockage dye appeared at an intermediate time between the normal and bilaterally occluded cases. Repetition of the test and the use of adequate volumes of dye to cause uterine distension may be necessary to eliminate false negatives.


Prevalence of hydatidosis and cysticercosis in slaughtered livestock in Nigeria.

A survey was carried out at Kano abattoir in order to estimate the incidence of hydatidosis and cysticercosis in slaughtered livestock. Of the animal species examined, hydatid disease was found in sheep (11.4 per cent), goats (26.5 per cent), cattle (14.7 per cent) and camels (55.5 per cent). Cysticercus tenuicollis was found to be most prevalent in goats (34.2 per cent), followed by sheep (21.4 per cent) and cattle (0.1 per cent). Out of 4844 cattle examined, less than 2 per cent haboured Cysticercus bovis cysts; while Cysticercus ovis cysts were found in sheep (1 per cent) and goats (0.8 per cent).


[So-called late epilepsy (author's transl)].

411 patients with epileptic seizures manifest only after the age of 25 were investigated as to aetiology, seizure type and frequency and age and sex distribution. Neurological, neuro-radiological and EEG findings are reported: There was a clear prevalence of male patients (67%). Manifestation occurred mainly between 30 and 40 years of age (65%). Most seizures were primarily of the generalized grand mal type (68%). Grand mal with focal onset occurred in 13%, partial seizures in 11%, complex partial seizures (psychomotor seizures) in 5%, the latter plus grand mal seizures in 2% and other types in 1% of the cases. Aetiological factors were: chronic alcoholism (31%), vascular diseases (17%), tumours (12%), traumatic brain lesions (8,5%), toxic metabolic lesions (6%) and other factors (6%). Idiopathic epilepsy of late onset was a rare cause (4%). The aetiology remained unknown in 15% of cases. We found that the differences in age distribution, seizure type and the EEG findings are significant factors in the differential diagnosis and we compared them with those found in similar investigations.


[Frequency of lung function disturbances of industrial poultry farmers (author's transl)].

The frequency of antibodies against organic dusts of fowls were examined on 339 poultry farmers. 22% of workers had 1 antibody and 3% had 2 antibodies in the serum. The ventilation, the arterial oxygen tension, the residual volume, the Slope Index, the closing volume of each person were measured in the mobile laboratory. Signs of central obstruction and equal ventilation were found in sensitized persons (2 antibodies) about four times more than non-sensitized persons. Suitable lung function screening parameters were the FEV1/FVC and the Slope Index.


[Hemangiosarcomas of the liver and the spleen (author's transl)].

Two cases of hemangiosarcoma of the liver and spleen are described. In the first case, a great number of cavernous blood vessels has been found and this, according to the authors, may support the idea that the tumour aroses within the benign hemangioma. In the other case a thrombocytopenia, a rare complication of the liver hemangioblastoma, has been found. It should be stressed that in spite of a malignant nature of these tumours, neoplastic foci were limited only to the liver and the spleen.


[Formalin preserved allogenic veins for arterial replacement (author's transl)].

Allogenic saphena magna and umbilical vein grafts can be successfully used for vessel replacement and dialysis shunts. The chemical preservation with 4% buffered formalin is to be recommended as a preservation procedure, since the preparation of the vein grafts can take place aseptically and without the occurrence of immunologic rejections. The conservation procedure is simple, inexpensive and possible everywhere without elaborate technical equipment. The dissecting technique and preparation is demonstrated in detail.


[Epidemiology of prematurity in working women].

Employment of the woman is of utmost importance among all the environmental factors, simultaneously influencing the development of pregnancy. It affects the individuality of the woman, before as well as during pregnancy, influences her social and material environment, thus contributing as well to the risk of prematurity in a positive or negative way. From 1970 onwards there is to observe a general adjustment of the prematurity rates of employed women and house-wives in GDR. In case of good health of the woman full employment and pregnancy are compatible in GDR. This is especially valid for hitherto childless women in full-time work. Furthermore the paper deals with the influences of marital harmony, parents' attitude towards their child, corporal frame and smoking habits of the rate of prematurity.


[Character of proprioceptive information processing during learning in rats chronically intoxicated with alcohol].

A conditioned alimentary reflex was elaborated in rats placed into K-shaped maze after 8 months of intoxication with 35 degrees alcohol. The most important changes in experimental animals, as compared to intact ones, were revealed in the character of processing of proprioceptive information coming to the brain during learning. It was found that in the animals temporal relations between the processes of analysis and synthesis and the fixation of memory trace changed. Unlike intact animals, in "alcoholic" ones the new  proprioceptive information as related to the previous experience was fixed in the long-term memory and only afterwards underwent analytic and synthetic processing. It is suggested that learning was not in enlarging the information capacity of each singled-out motor unit of full decision, but in their combination into one and only one decision.


[Emotional stress in sheep caused by species specific acoustic signals of alarm].

Tape-record presentation of anxious bleating activates the hypophysal-adrenal system in sheep adapted to experimental conditions. Stressory reaction of the hypophysal-adrenal system is characterized by an unusually long latency (no less than 3 hours) and long duration. The pattern of the observed reaction depends on experimental conditions: in sheep that after stimulation were held in group, activation of the hypophysal-adrenal complex was much shorter than in sheep kept in pairs.


[Postnatal monitoring of the newborn infant with cardiotachography. II. Significance of cardiotachography for diagnosis of existing conditions in the newborn infant].

Eighty-five cardiotachograms of newborns aged between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation were studied. Fifty newborns were delivered spontaneously. In seventeen cases caesarean sections were used and in eighteen cases vacuum extractions. Cardiotachograms were recorded continuously throughout the immediate postnatal period until the stabilisation of the heart rate. Cardiotachograms were divided into three typical groups based on their cours of heart rate and fluctuation. The relation between these groups and the methods and duration of delivery and the condition of newborns were discussed. We found a correlation between the pathological cardiotachograms (tachycardiac and bradycardiac type of cardiotachogram) and long expulsion time, existent history of intrauterine disorder and low Apgar score. No relationship could be established between pathological cardiotachograms and the method of delivery.


[Contamination of dog feed with salmonella (author's transl)].

In a comparative investigation of dog feed the percentage of contamination with Salmonellae was determined. 5.7% out of 229 uncooked animal organs, which belonged to 6 different feed-kitchens, were S.-positive. None of the 40 dried feed samples and of the 30 tinned rations examined were positive. The most frequent serotype was S. derby (var. 0-5 neg). The results confirmed our former conclusions (3), that the dog is to be considered an accidental host of enteric salmonella ingested with the feed. Dried or tinned feed is considered as an improvement which minimises the risk of distribution of salmonella, especially high in imported feed.


[Comparison of methods for the quantitative detection of moulds in foods. III. Comparison of different culture media for the mould plate count (author's transl)].

The mould plate count and taxonomical grouping of the mould flora of 9 moulded non-fluid foods were compared on totally 12 different media, which are commonly used for the detection of moulds.--In contrary to the bacteriological practice, moulds should only be counted on plates with 20-50 colonies, as on plates covered densely with a mixed mould flora, simple colonies are often no more detectable. Mould plate counts of all tested products were in the same range on all media with a sugar content of 1-2% (dextrose, maltose). With fruits and vegetables, less colonies were isolated on the Sugar Free Agar, Yeast Extract Agar and Aspergillus Differential Medium than on the other media. On those three media and on Plate Count Agar sporulation of many fungi was rather inhibited. On Aspergillus Differential Medium, on which Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus can be differentiated, no false positive colonies were to be seen.--On Malt Extract Agar with 7.5% NaCl the hydrophilic species were supressed, the xerophilic fungi were represented in greater number. The addition of 200 ppm rose bengal inhibited the growth of many fungi, but brought no rising of the colony count compared to Malt Extract Agar without rose bengal.--For the quantitive and qualitative mould plate count, Malt Extract Agar with 50 ppm Chloramphenicol and Chlortetracycline is recommended. For the detection of xerophilic moulds 7.5% NaCl should be added to that medium.--A proposition for the proceeding for the detection of moulds in foods is given.


Unusual type of neural muscular atrophy with a possible X-chromosomal inheritance pattern.

In a large family five affected males belonging to four different kinships exhibited a muscle wasting of varying degree and with a predominantly proximal distribution. The index case had a facio-scapulo-humeral and peroneal muscular atrophy, whereas one of his cousins suffered a more generalized involvement starting in infancy and similar to Werdnig-Hoffman disease. The other affected family members had only slight changes. The index case and his affected brother had a positive Babinski sign. In enzyme histochemical preparations, specimens from the index case showed small group atrophy of type 2 fibers along with pseudomyopathic changes (whorled and coiled fibers, splitting) of type 1 fibers. Similar findings were observed in his cousin. Ultrastructural investigation gave no further information. Since all patients were males and the offspring of unaffected sisters, an X-chromosomal mode of transmission is proposed for this illness.


Hydranencephaly in vertebral-basilar territory.

A case is presented of almost complete destruction of the cerebellum secondary to a hemorrhagic event in utero. Lesions consistent with hydranencephaly were found in the territories of the vertebral-basilar circulation. Ependymitis and aqueduct occlusion secondary to the intraventricular bleeding resulted in intrauterine hydrocephalus formation.


DDAVP in childhood nocturnal enuresis.

A double-blind study of 18 children aged 6--12 years suffering from primary nocturnal enuresis without signs of underlying organic disease is reported. 20 microgram of DDAVP (desamino-D-arginine vasopressin, Minirin) was given intranasally at bedtime. The effect was prompt and satisfactory in 8 children and relatively good in another 8 children. No adverse effects were noted. DDAVP is advocated for temporary use in children with nocturnal enuresis needing immediate help.


Hemangiosarcoma of the breast.--Case report with scanning electron microscopic study.

Hemangiosarcoma of the breast in a 22-year-old female was presented. She died of massive pulmonary metastasis and apparent internal hemorrhage from the involved liver by metastasis after 40 months of the illness. Intense scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study was undertaken on this lesion. At the same time, in order to compare SEM findings of angiosarcoma with several other benign disorders, the following lesions were chosen, namely, chronically-inflamed veins in the gastric submucosa, benign cavernous  hemangiomas of the skin and liver, and organizing thrombi with papillary structures. Some of these lesions exhibited focal similarities in surface structures to those from angiosarcoma. Besides various characteristics by SEM in angiosarcoma, cell clusters protruding into the vascular cavity were found to be the most unique feature which we have never observed in any other lesions.


The reactivity of human platelets in the 125I-labelled staphylococcal protein A test.

Stored platelets have been employed in the testing of various antiplatelet antibodies and platelet unrelated immune complexes. The antisera included sera containing ABO-,HLA- or platelet specific (ZWa) antibodies and serum from an adult patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Use was made of 125I-labelled staphylococcal protein A (IPA) for the detection of platelet bound IgG. The reactivity of cells with the ITP serum and sera from healthy blood donors increased after storage for a few days, and declined after a highly reactive period extending over some weeks. In some cases predilution of the serum increased the probability of discovering weak antibodies. The normal components of the serum modified the platelet-antibody reaction, but all the various kinds of platelet reactive activities could be detected by this single test.


Reflex mechanisms for bladder inhibition.

Continence of urine requires ability of the bladder to maintain a low intravesical pressure at increasing filling, in order to preserve a positive urethral-bladder pressure gradient. During micturition the conditions are reversed: the bladder has to generate pressures exceeding the urethral pressure, which also presupposes that the urethra opens and remains open as long as is required for all urine to be expelled. These events are made possible by a complicated pattern of central and peripheral neural responses, affecting the bladder-urethral unit. The pioneer work of determining the reflex mechanisms involved in the regulation of the lower urinary tract was done at the beginning of this century. Recently, further studies have been made and by means of electrophysiological investigations previous data have been confirmed. In this communication some important observations are reviewed and one example is given of how bladder inhibitory reflexes are utilized in therapy.


Adrenergic innervation and adrenergic mechanisms. A study of the human urethra.

Adrenergic nerves studied by a histochemical method were uniformly distributed along the whole extent of the male and female urethra. Corresponding to the adrenergic innervation a preponderance of contraction-mediating alpha-adrenoceptors was found in vitro studying urethral strips and in vivo recording the urethral closure pressure profile (UCPP). Norephedrine significantly reduced incontinence and increased UCPP in stress-incontinent women.


Cytoplasmic fibrils in plasma cells of a solitary myeloma.

A 56-year-old woman had solitary plasma-cell myeloma in the right humerus. Six weeks after local irradiation therapy, she died from pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage and bilateral pleural effusion with malignant plasma-cell infiltration of the right atrium. Ultrastructural studies of the plasma cells from the myocardium demonstrated large bundles of prominent, non-branching, solid cytoplasmic fibrils in many cells. Each fibril had a width of 66--132 A, periodicity of 30--60 A, and a beaded appearance. These features suggest that the fibrils may be protein material, possibly an immunoglobulin.


Gastrointestinal tract metastasis in patients with germ-cell tumor of the testis.

A study of the incidence and clinical course of testicular germ-cell tumor metastatic to the gastrointestinal tract is presented. Gastrointestinal tract metastasis occurred in 25 cases, 5% of all patients evaluated with germ-cell tumor of the testis. Although embryonal carcinoma was the dominant component in all cases, element of choriocarcinoma were found in 20 cases and HCG was positive in 22 cases. Metastasis occurred most commonly by direct invasion from adjacent tumor. The most frequent site of gastrointestinal involvment was the proximal small intestine. Ivolvement of the duodenum was noted in seven cases. The most common gastrointestinal tract manifestations were intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although a variety of therapeutic modalities were tried, the average length of survival from the time of diagnosis of gastrointestinal metastasis to death was six months.


Comparisons of dermatoglyphic patterns in monochorionic and dichorionic monozygotic twins.

The data presented here indicate that different influences affect dermatoglyphic pattern development in MC-MZ and DC-MZ twins. Only five of 84 variables had significant mean differences but their clustering suggested a real difference in mean placement of the atd angle. Nineteen of 84 variables had significantly different within-pair mean squares for the two twin types. Larger numbers of twins will be required to obtain accurate estimates of the magnitude of the dermatoglyphic differences between MC-MZ and DC-MZ twins. Studies of dermatoglyphics in MC-MZ and DC-MZ twins are important to the understanding of factors which influence early embryonic development and when better documented may provide a mechanism for retrospectively diagnosing placental type of MZ twins.


The effects of chorion type on variation in IQ in the NCPP twin population.

The 7-year IQ scores (WISC) of 116 white and 143 black nonmalformed twins of known zygosity and placental type were ascertained from the NINCDS Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP). The type of chorion and zygosity had no significant effect on the mean IQ or among-pair variation. In white monozygotic twins, however, analysis of variance revealed a significantly greater within-pair mean square for dichorionic twins than monochorionic twins. On the other hand, the white dichorionic monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) within-pair mean squares were quite similar. These findings were not evident in blacks for either of the within-pair comparisons. In addition, estimates of genetic variance were dependent upon MZ chorion type in both races. These data suggest to us that (1) in white twin pairs dichorionic placentas are of greater influence than the similarity or dissimilarity of genomes with regard to intrapair IQ development, and (2) failure to consider chorion type may introduce a serious bias in the interpretation of genetic variance estimates of IQ variability.


Cysts of the female external genitalia in the newborn infant.

Nineteen cases of cysts of the external female genitalia were diagnosed over a two-year period, giving an incidence of six per 1,000 female infants. The embryology, morphology, and differential diagnosis are discussed. No treatment was given and follow-up at two months of age revealed complete resolution of the cysts, thereby establishing their benign course in the newborn period.


Electrical and mechanical activity of rat uterus in vivo during the estrous cycle.

Electromyograms were obtained from three different locations on the uterus of conscious, unrestrained rats during the 4 day estrous cycle. Intrauterine pressure changes were monitored simultaneously by means of indwelling intraluminal balloons (vol. 0.02 to 0.05 ml.). Electrical activity consisted of bursts of action potentials that were usually initiated at either end of the uterus. Propagated burst activity gave rise to cyclic intrauterine pressure changes, whereas bursts appearing at one electrode only did not elicit any measurable contractions. The rate of intrauterine pressure development depended on the propagation velocity, whereas the tension achieved was related to the duration of burst activity. All three parameters of electrical activity studied, namely, the duration and frequency of spike bursts, as well as their rate of propagation, varied significantly during the cycle. Regional differences were also subject to cyclic variations; thus, in proestrus the bursts originated predominantly at the cervical end, whereas in diestrus they were usually initiated at the ovarian end. Oxytocin stimulated the frequency and duration of bursts along the whole uterus and elicited corresponding changes in intrauterine pressure. Response to oxytocin was dose dependent and modified by cycle stage. Norepinephrine caused a transient prolongation of burst activity that was not dose dependent; epinephrine had a marked dose-dependent inhibitory action. The response to catecholamines did not vary significantly during the cycle. The variations in electrical and mechanical activity were characteristic for each stage of the ovarian cycle and could be correlated with the well-known hormonal changes. High circulating estrogen levels in proestrus are associated with infrequent but rapidly propagated spike bursts, whereas low levels in estrus are associated with frequent and sometimes nonpropaged bursts. The rise in plasma estrogen in diestrus coincides with a decrease in the frequency of burst activity, and the elevated progesterone levels are probably causally related to the significant drop in propagation velocity and the increase in duration of bursts observed in diestrus. These findings are consistent with the concept that estrogen withdrawal activates the estrogen-primed, quiescent myometrium, and that progesterone has an effect similar to that of estrogen withdrawal--at least in the rat.


Changes in the free and membrane-bound ribosomes in maternal rat liver during starvation.

Free and membrane-bound ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) from maternal rat liver was measured in virgin rats and in variously dated pregnant animals that were either fed or starved for one to four days. The total amounts of free and membrane-bound ribosomal RNA differed between pregnant and nonpregnant rats, but the free ribosomal RNA progressively decreased only in the nonpregnant animals. A similar conservation of membrane-bound ribosomal RNA was observed with starvation among the pregnant rats except for the very early dated pregnant rats. Radioisotope labeling experiments using 3H-labeled orotic acid demonstrated a slower increase in specific activity among fed rats, irrespective of pregnancy state. However, metabolic and physiologic changes associated with pregnancy imposed additional complicating factors to the study.


Sarcoidosis and its ophthalmic manifestations.

Of 532 cases of sarcoidosis in the southeastern United States, ocular manifestations were a prominent feature of the disease in 202 (38%) of the patients. Approximately one fifth of them sought medical attention because of ocular complaints. This was the second most frequent clinical manifestation, exceeded only by pulmonary symptoms. When ocular segment structures were affected, the anterior segment was involved in 171 (84.7%) of cases. Chronic granulomatous uveitis was the most common abnormality in 106 cases (52.5%). Posterior segment disease occurred in 51 (25.3%) of cases, usually in the form of chorioretinitis or preiphlebitis; it was sometimes the sole manifestation of ocular sarcoidosis, but usually accompanied abnormalities in the anterior part of the eye. The incidence of central nervous system sarcoidosis was increased when posterior segment involvement was observed. Orbital and adnexal structures, primarily lacrimal gland, were affected in 53 (27.7%) of cases.


Bilateral necrotizing scleritis.

A 53-year-old woman whose history was noncontributory for rheumatoid arthritis and collagen disease had bilateral necrotizing inflammation of the sclera. The left eye had necrotizing nodular scleritis and the right eye, massive granuloma of the sclera. In the right eye the orbital adnexae were also involved by granulomatous infiltration and developed a mass of fibroadipose tissue simulating an orbital tumor within a week after enucleation.


Characteristics of the chemotactic response of neoplastic cells to a factor derived from the fifth component of complement.

Chemotactic factors for malignant neoplastic cells can be generated from either the fifth component of complement or from leukotactic fractions obtained from zymosanactivated serum. Digestion of the fifth component of complement by trypsin initially produced leukotactic activity, but as digestion continues, leukotactic activity is lost and tumor cell chemotactic activity is generated. Separation of the leukotactic activity is lost and tumor cell chemotactic activity is generated. Separation of the leukotactic activity and tumor cell chemotactic activity can be accomplished by gel filtration or isoelectric focusing. Gel filtration indicates that the tumor cell chemotactic factor has a molecular weight of approximately 8000 daltons. Tumor cell chemotactic activity can be generated by trypsinizing the leukotactic fractions isolated by isoelectric focusing. The responses of cultured Walker tumor cells or of Walker ascites tumor cells are dose-dependent and truly chemotactic. Cells from a murine malignant lymphoma do not respond to the complement-derived chemotactic factor for tumor cells, indicating that not all malignant cells share this functional property.


Evidence for microfilament involvement in norethandrolone-induced intrahepatic cholestasis.

An experimental study of norethandrolone (NED)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis was made. NED was infused via a portal vein catheter into rat liver in vivo, and measurements were made of bile flow. Liver specimens were taken at intervals for light microscopy and for transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Bile-canalicular-rich membrane fractions were prepared. The effects of NED were also examined in isolated hepatocytes in suspension culture. NED infusion induced total cholestasis by 3 hours. Canalicular alterations commonly associated with cholestasis were found in in vivo infused liver and in isolated hepatocytes. Pericanalicular microfilament changes were also noted in both, with loss of filament structure and replacement by a granular zone. In isolated canalicular membrane fractions prepared from NED-treated animals, the normal investment of pericanalicular filaments was no longer present. Loss of the bile canalicular ruthenium red surface coat was also noted. In view of the identical findings in isolated hepatocytes and in in vivo liver, obstruction and mechanical factors can be excluded as possible causes. The results raise the possibility that the mechanism of NED-induced cholestasis may be related to disaggregation and/or detachment of microfilaments from the canalicular membranes.


Supervision and the professional development of the psychiatric resident.

The authors used a questionnaire survey to study the way psychiatric residents experience their psychotherapy supervisors at two points in their training. Results show that second-year residents were more critical in their evaluations of supervisors than first- or third-year residents and that there appeared to be a characteristic progression in the experience of residents from year to year. The authors believe that the resident's experience of supervision reflects a developmental process, which others have described and viewed as important in the formation of identity as a psychiatrist.


Liberalized abortion in Oregon: effects on fertility, prematurity, fetal death, and infant death.

An analysis of Oregon Vital Statistics data from 1965 to 1975 was conducted to assess the impact of Oregon's 1969 abortion legislation, which substantially increased the number of reported medically induced abortions. This increase was associated with a slight increase in the age-adjusted 1970 fertility rate and there was no decrease in births to women in the age groups obtaining proportionately the most abortions. A significant and persistent 11 per cent reduction in premature births to women over age 20 (p less than .001) and a 22 per cent reduction in spontaneous fetal deaths (p less than .05) were associated with liberalized abortion. Decreases in neonatal and postneonatal infant mortality were observed, but were indistinguishable from an ongoing trend toward improved infant health. A gradual 25 per cent decline in the age-adjusted fertility rate occurred between 1969 and 1975, but the increase in the number of reported abortions could account for only one-fourth of this decrease. A seven-fold increase in the use of family planning clinics between 1970 and 1973 and more liberalized laws regarding provision of family planning service appeared to account for a much higher proportion of the decreased fertility than did liberalized abortion.


Circulating non-human microfilaria in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 12-yr-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus requiring steroid therapy was found to have a circulating microfilaria during an exacerbation of her illness. Morphologically, the microfilaria does not correspond precisely with any previously described species, though similarities exist between the patient's microfilaria and those of Dipetalonema reconditum of the dog and D. interstitium of the grey squirrel. The organism reported here is probably an undescribed species from a wild mammal. Although the association may be merely coincidental, this case suggests that compromised immunity might have led to this unusual infection with a non-human filaria.


Cytological changes associated with the functions of the oviduct epithelium during proestrus and estrus in impala, Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein, 1812).

This study was carried out on the ampulla epithelium of the oviduct of impala of various ages. The morphological and ultrastructural features of the component epithelial cells were described. The cytological events which take place in the various cell types were documented and discussed. 2 cell types, the ciliated and nonciliated, constituted the cell population of the epithelium. The absence of glycogen in the epithelial cells was recognised.


Diastolic mitral regurgitation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

An analysis of the left ventricular angiograms of 31 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy revealed diastolic mitral regurgitation in 4, a prevalence of 12.9%. The clinical, echocardiographic, angiographic, and hemodynamic data of these patients were reviewed. Diastolic mitral regurgitation could not be attributed to arrhythmia, PR interval prolongation, atrioventricular dissociation, aortic insufficiency, or aortic stenosis. Reduced left ventricular compliance was evidenced by elevated end-diastolic pressure following angiography and reduced diastolic E-F slope on echocardiography. It is speculated that the rapid inflow of blood into a poorly compliant ventricle established a turbulent flow pattern that resulted in the "floating" of blood back into the left atrium.


Protein polymorphism and geographic variation in the loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus.

Electrophoretic variations of enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins were investigated in 8 populations of the loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. The cathodic hemoglobin and the muscle protein in the region II were shown to be polymorphic, in addition to the five polymorphic proteins previously reported (the anodic hemoglobin, muscle protein in the region III, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and aspartate aminotransferase; Kimura, 1976 & 1977). The muscle proteins in the regions I, IV and V were monomorphic. The values of genetic distances between loach populations, calculated over 10 loci, indicated that M anguillicaudatus should be classified into two local races.


The possibility of germ cell chimaerism in dizygotic twin bulls.

A study was made of the progeny of a pair of dizygotic twin bulls whose blood group phenotypes were identical but were genotypically different, indicating a complete replacement of one of the bulls haematopoietic tissus by that of its cotwin. The study was made in an attempt to determine whether the genes of one sibling were transmitted by the other. It it were so it would follow that the germ cells of the testes were chimaeric. Blood typing of 97 progeny provided no evidence to indicate the presence of such a germ cell chimaerism.


[Psychoneuroses of paternity. Puerperal psychoneuroses in man].

Psychotic, neurotic and psychosomatic disturbances, directly promoted by fatherhood condition, seem more frequent than the small number of publications about this subject allow to suppose. Twenty original observations are expounded and discussed; they allow the importance of basic psychological ground; it is necessary to differentiate distinctly between initial paternity disturbances, among immature patients, inducing total disorder, and multiple paternity perturbations where anxiety and culpability feeling prevail. Regarding these disturbances and the sociological phenomenon of the "couvade", the real puerperality in men is investigated in connection with the personal and relational structure of the individual.


[Hereditary transmission of a familial chromosome marker (author's transl)].

Banding patterns allow identification of chromosome 22 admitting today trisomy 22 without doubt. A case of this chromosomic aberration is presented. Particular characteristic of the case is the existence of Gp+ chromosome in the mother, two of her brothers and two later brothers of the "probandus". This variation is not discussed as origin of the trisomy.


Differential diagnosis of leukokoria in children.

The differential diagnosis between the diseases, which cause leukokoria, is discussed. Among them congenital cataract, persistence of the primary vitreous, retrolental fibroplasia, retinoblastoma, Coats' disease, von Hippel's disease, inflammatory pseudoglima, Norrie's disease, and organized intraocular hemorrhage are mentioned.


Experimental scrapie in mice: ultrastructural observations.

Scrapie, kuru, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are characterized by a similar spongiform pathology, prolonged incubation periods, and an agent with unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. Swiss mice were inoculated with the scrapie agent and sacrificed three to five months later for light and electron microscopy. At three months, small vacuoles were seen within the neuropil of the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. By the fifth month these vacuoles had increased in number and size and were accompanied by moderate astrocytic proliferation. The brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord showed variable changes of much less intensity. Many dilated postsynaptic processes contained osmiophilic particles in random or crystalline arrays. The particles, measuring approximately 23 nm in diameter, appeared consistently in postsynaptic processes of brain from scrapie-infected mice, were lacking in controls, and were a size consistent with sedimentation and filtration data for the scrapie agent. Whether these particles represent the scrapie agent must await further studies.


Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents: O-demethylation of vindoline by Sepedonium chrysospermum.

Vindoline (1a) was transformed to O-demethylvindoline (1b) by Sepedonium chrysospermum ATCC 13378 in 33% yield. Thin-layer and high-pressure liquid chromatographic methods distinguished 1b from previously reported microbial metabolites of vindoline. The structural proof of 1b was based on its mass spectral fragmentation pattern and on its chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral properties.


Disk agar diffusion susceptibility testing of yeasts.

A disk agar diffusion method was developed for testing the susceptibility of rapidly growing yeasts in vitro. A totally defined, completely synthetic agar culture medium (synthetic amino acid medium, fungal) and clinical isolates of Candida spp. and Torulopsis glabrata were used. Turbidimetric adjustment of cell suspensions resulted in standard, reproducible inocula, which gave sharp, clear zones of inhibition when applied by an agar overlay method. Optimal disk loads were determined for amphotericin B, amphotericin B methyl ester, 5-fluorocytosine, clotrimazole, and miconazole. Disk potencies were stable over a 2-month period when stored in a vacuum desiccator at -30 degrees C. Using an error ratebounded classification, the zones of inhibition were correlated with both broth dilution and agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). With amphotericin B and amphotericin B methyl ester, all isolates were susceptible, yielding zone diameters which clustered within 5 mm. Overall correlations between zone diameters and broth dilution MICs with 5-fluorocytosine, miconazole, and clotrimazole were 97, 96, and 82% (excluding T. glabrata), respectively; correlations of zone diameters with agar dilution MICs were 96, 92, and 88%, respectively. Disk diffusion susceptibility testing of yeasts appears to be generally applicable. However, when results are equivocal, quantitative test methods should be used.