Lipid pattern in female reproductive tissues during different phases of estrous cycle.

The normal pattern of lipids during various phases of estrous cycle in different reproductive tissues of female rats was analysed. The various lipid calsses undergo striking cyclical changes in harmony with the rhythm of endogenous gonadal and gonadotrophic hormones. A comparison of lipid pattern was made between various phases of estrous cycle. Ovary exhibited marked alterations in the distribution of lipids in different phases of the cycle compared to other tissues. Total lipids were maximum in diestrus phospholipids in estrus with a concomittant fall in triglycerides in all the tissues. The fluctuation in oviductal and vaginal lipids was much less compared to other tissues. Hormone-lipid interrelationship and tissue specificity may be attributed to these changes.


Effect of B-15,000 (Iopamidol), a new nonionic contrast agent, on cardiac function of the isolated rat heart.

The isolated rat heart model was used to examine the effect of a new nonionic contrast agent, B-15,000 (Iopamidol), on cardiac function. Comparative studies were performed with Amipaque, Renografin 60, Renografin 76, and Vascoray. The three ionic contrast agents had significantly greater detrimental effects on cardiac function than either nonionic agent. The results support the continued evaluation of the nonionic agents for use in coronary angiography.


Within- and between-litter variation of proximate composition in newborn and 10-day-old landrace swine.

Proximate composition of individuals from four litters of newborn and six whole litters of 10-day-old purebred Landrace piglets from primiparous and multiparous dams was determined. A dramatic increase in ether extract percentage occurred during the first 10 postpartum days as moisture and ash percentages decreased and protein increased. Average values for newborn and 10-day-old piglets, respectively were: weight 1.39 +/- .26 and 3.07 +/- .57 kg, moisture 79.17 +/- .96 and 70.51 +/- 1.36%; ether extract, .55 +/- .17 and 9.92 +/- 1.46%; protein 12.07 +/- .73 and 14.90 +/- .38% and ash, 4.63 +/- .40 and 3.44 +/- .31%. Although variation in proximate composition was small at birth, within as well as between-litter differences were observed. Carcasses of the heavier newborn piglets had lower moisture and higher protein percentages. Variation in the proximate composition of 10-day-old piglets was greater and accounted for, in part, by within and between-litter differences, plus in the case of moisture and ether extract percentages, differences in 10-day gain. Average values for three 10-day-old, slow-growing piglets were birth weight, 1.39 kg; 10-day weight, 2.13 kg; 10-day gain, .74 kg; moisture 75.49%; ether extract, 3.43%; protein, 15.34%; and ash, 4.37%. Although these piglets had a slow growth rate, their ether extract percentages increased by sixfold over the average value found for newborn piglets.


Control of estrus in gilts with a progestogen.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic progestogen, allyl trenbolone, for control of estrus and ovulation in gilts. Estrus was effectively synchronized with 33 of 38 gilts exhibiting estrus 2 to 7 days after last progestogen feeding. There was no effect on fertilization rate in gilts free of ovarian abnormalities. Ovulation rate was higher in gilts fed the progestogen in both Trial 1 (P less than .01) and Trial 2 (P less than .10). Progestogen treatment caused an increase (P less than .01) in the incidence of cystic follicles which resulted in a decrease (P less than .01) in conception rate in Trial 1.


Low resolution crystal structure of lipase from Geotrichum candidum (ATCC34614).

Lipase from Geotrichum candidum (ATCC34614) is a glycerol ester hydrolase which has a molecular weight of 55,000 with about 7% carbohydrate, displaying a high affinity for triolein. The enzyme was crystallized from more than 2% protein solution without using any salt or organic solvent. The crystals were cross-linked by soaking in 0.37% glutaraldehyde solution (0.1 M acetate buffer solution, pH 5.6). The structure was determined by X-ray diffraction using the isomorphous replacement technique. Two heavy-atom derivatives [K2PtCl4 and UO2(CH3COO)2] were obtained by the soaking method. The electron density map calculated at 5 A resolution clearly showed the molecular boundary. A balsa wood model was made on the basis of the 6 A electron density map. The molecular has an ellipsoidal shape with dimensions of 70 A X 50 A X 50 A. Several columns of density corresponding to alpha-helix and a few clefts were found in the molecule. The active site is presumably located in the vicinity of one of the Pt sites in the Pt-derivative crystal, judging from the inactivation of the enzyme by K2PtCl4.


The behaviour of fibroblasts migrating from chick heart explants: changes in adhesion, locomotion and growth, and in the distribution of actomyosin and fibronectin.

Fibroblasts migrating from heart explants of chick embryos at first have a high rate of locomotion but lack focal contacts or adhesions and also lack substantial actin-containing bundles. A meshwork of 7-nm filaments is present particularly in submembranous regions and is proposed to be directed towards efficient locomotion whilst maintaining a high degree of spreading. Also during the first 48 h there is little production of extracellular fibronectin and the growth rate is low. Later, these fibroblasts develop focal contacts and focal adhesions together with actomyosin bundles, with a parallel increase in fibronectin expression. We propose that progressive immobilization by the development of focal adhesions and actomyosin structures occurs to set these cells up for growth.


Expression of the transformed phenotype and tumorigenicity in somatic cell hybrids.

We have previously shown by examining the anchorage dependence, density-dependent inhibition of growth, LETS protein and microfilament bundles that the transformed phenotype of the parental tumours are suppressed in hybrids between rat embryo fibroblast (REF) and mouse tumour cells (TA3B). Hybrids between TA3B and Syrian hamster sarcoma cells (BHK-B1) also show suppression. We now demonstrate that tumorigenicity in nude mice is also suppressed in TA3B X REF and B1 X TA3B hybrids. Tumours arise from the suppressed hybrids by the selective outgrowth of variants with properties different from the majority of cells inoculated. These tumour variants always had an altered cytoskeletin but 1 out of 14 cases retained anchorage-dependent growth. Selection in culture for anchorage-independent growth selected for tumorigenicity. The coordinate suppression of the transformed phenotype and tumorigenicity could be explained by postulating a pleiotropic control mechanism affecting both. However, the occasional dissociation of tumorigenicity from anchorage dependence in the variants suggests that the targets for the control mechanism must be different.


Mass fragmentographic determination of prostaglandin F2 alpha in human and rabbit urine.

Analysis of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in urine is a useful indicator of renal prostaglandin synthesis. A mass fragmentographic method for PGF2 alpha analysis in human urine was developed using [3,3,4,4-2H4]PGF2 alpha as an internal standard and carrier. PGF2 alpha was extracted from urine (20 ml) with chloroform, purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography and converted to the methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether before analysis by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. The specificity of the urine analysis was demonstrated by retention time and the use of two pairs of fragments m/e 494/498 and 513/517 with the same results. The coefficient of variation for duplicate analysis averaged 12.6%, n = 17. Urine from recumbent women contained 4.9 +/- 2.6 (S.D.) ng/ml or 4.1 +/- 1.0 ng PGF2 alpha per mg creatinine (n = 10) with little diurnal variation. Male urine contained 5.0 +/- 2.7 (S.D.) ng/ml or 3.7 +/- 2.1 ng/mg creatinine (n = 10). Similar concentrations were found in boys and in girls. These observations indicate that urinary PGF2 alpha originates from the kidneys with little contribution from the male accessory sexual glands. This method can also be applied to analysis of PGF2 alpha in rabbit urine.


Analysis of cellulase proteins by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new procedure using high-performance liquid chromatography for the rapid separation of cellulase proteins is described. The cellulase components of Trichoderma reesei are fractionated on a DEAE anion-exchange column using a phosphate buffer at pH 6.2. Activities of the individual components obtained from T. reesei QM6a, a wild strain, and several mutant strains have been determined. Each system examined contained beta-glucosidase, at least two exo-beta-1,4 glucanases and five endo-beta-1,4 glucanases with the endo-beta-1,4 glucanases accounting for 20--36% and the exo-beta-1,4 glucanases for 64--80% of the soluble protein.


Periurethral anaerobic microflora of healthy girls.

The periurethral anaerobic and aerobic microfloras were investigated in 18 healthy premenarcheal girls, 5 to 14 years of age, by using a quantitative sampling method. Colonization of the female periurethral area with enterobacteria seems to be an important step in the development of urinary tract infections, and the present study was undertaken as a stage in elucidating factors that might control the establishment of urinary tract pathogens periurethrally. The study showed that obligate anaerobic bacteria constituted 95.0% (standard error, +/- 5.8%) of the total colony-forming units per square centimeter of periurethral area. An average of 7.0 different anaerobic and 2.7 different aerobic strains per specimen was obtained. The flora was dominated by anaerobic gram-positive cocci and gram-positive rods, whereas anaerobic gram-negative rods comprised a minor part. The most commonly encountered anaerobic isolates were peptococci and peptostreptococci, propionibacteria, bifidobacteria, eubacteria, and bacteroides in decreasing order of frequency. The aerobic flora consisted most commonly of nonhemolytic streptococci and diphtheroids. The findings suggest that the periurethral microenvironment is a distinctive ecological niche, separate from the fecal and skin biotas, although it has some characteristics in common with the vaginal flora.


Biliary excretion and distribution of 51Cr(III) and 51Cr(VI) in rats.

The biliary excretion and distribution of 51Cr after intravenous administration of 51Cr(III) (61CrCl5) or 51Cr(VI) (Na252CrO4 . 4 H2O) was studied in rats. The cumulative biliary excretion of 51Cr reached 24 hrs after the injection was significantly higher after administration of 51Cr(VI) than after 51Cr(III) 3.51+/-0.7% and 0.51+/-0.05% of administered dose, respectively). This difference was especially due to a higher rate of biliary excretion of 51Cr in the first hours after 51Cr(VI) administration. The excretion of 51Cr via faeces was also higher after administration of 51Cr(VI) (7.35+/-0.45%) OF ADMINISTERED DOSE, AS AGAINST 4.23+/-0.23% after 51Cr(III). On the other hand, no significant difference in urinary excretion of 51Cr was found. Statistically significant differences were also observed in the distribution of 51Cr in the organism after administration of both valence states of the metal.


Evaluation of the eight-year period of compulsory measles vaccination in the Czech Socialist Republic (CSR).

The object of the study is the evaluation of a more than 8-year period of compulsory vaccination against measles in the CSR. So far, a total of 1,850,000 children have been vaccinated. A pronounced decrease has been achieved in morbidity while mortality and lethality reached zero values as early as in 1973. Changes occur in the epidemiological characteristic of measles manifested primarily by the shift of the age distribution of notified cases into older age groups, by continuous prolongation of interepidemic intervals and by gradual disappearances of typical seasonal incidence. Regular immunological surveys have become the most efficient tools in epidemiological surveillance of this infection and in monitoring the vaccination programme. The results of immunological surveys indeed led to the introduction in 1975 of so-called second vaccination compulsory for children starting the first year of school attendance. Up to the present, a total of 24,000 cases of measles have been recorded in children vaccinated earlier, i.e., 1.5% of the total of vaccinated children. It can be expected that measles as a mass disease will be eliminated from the territory of the CSR in the next few years.


Loss of virulence of revertants from Staphylococcus aureus L-phase variants in comparison with the parent strain.

The L-forms of the Klecha 155 strain were induced in vitro by methicillin. After reversion, the strains were tested for 19 biochemical features and for susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin and methicillin. Two reverted strains were less virulent for mice than the parent strain. It is concluded that the decrease in virulence of reverted Staph. aureus strains is correlated with changes in the chemical structure and composition of the cell wall after reversion from the L-phase variants.


Phage typing of Vibrio cholerae using a new collection of phages.

The authors formed a collection of typing phages in order to differentiate cholera vibrios of both biotypes. The collection consists of 7 phages proposed by Mukerjee for typing vibrios of the classical biotype and 3 El Tor phages isolated at the period of the 7th pandemy of cholera. In forming the typing collection the authors observed the following principles: 1) to crate a single set of typing phages and a single scheme of phage type differentiation of classical cholera and El Tor vibrios; 2) to use virulent phages; 3) to form a collection of serologically different phage types. The proposed collection allows to reveal a larger number of phage types as compared with phages proposed by Mukerjee phage typing a larger number of strains enhancing thus the epidemiological significance of the method of phage typing cholera vibrios.


Verification of tween-ether antigen for complement fixation test in the diagnostics of toxoplasmosis.

Tween-ether toxoplasma antigen for the complement fixation test was verified on a more extensive clinical material. From a series of 949 patient's sera, positive reaction was obtained in 44% of samples with the tween-ether antigen and in only 33.5% of samples with the FT antigen. All sera, giving positive results only with the tween-ether antigen, were also positive in the Sabin-Feldman test. The authors believe that by using this type of more sensitive antigen, containing also the cell-wall components of Toxoplasma gondii, it would be possible to standardize serological examination by the complement fixation test on the basis of an international standard serum.


Salmonella presov 6,8: b: enz15: a new serotype isolated in Czechoslovakia.

A new Salmonella type, S. presov, isolated for the first time in Czechoslovakia from the stool of a woman with diarrhoea, is described. The antigenic formula is 6,8:enz15.


Impact of income maintenance on low birth weight: evidence from the Gary Experiment.

Birth weight is a useful index of infant health. Low birth weight (5.5 pounds or less) is associated with high rates of infant mortality and morbidity. Low birth weight is also associated with low socioeconomic status. The question arises, therefore, whether income transfers can affect the incidence of low birth weight among the poor. The impact of an expanded income support plan on low birth weight was analyzed using data on 404 infants born to participants in the Gary Income Maintenance Experiment. A significant health response was observed for children of women who face high-risk pregnancies.


Functional relationships between genotypes and environments in behavior. Effects of different kinds of early social experience on interstrain fighting in male mice.

Comparisons are made of the interstrain fighting behavior of adult male mice from two inbred strains (ST-albino; CBA-black-agouti), raised in one of three postweaning social situations: 1) isolated from other males, 2) reared with males of the same strains, or 3) reared with males of the opposite strain. Using the fighting behavior of isolated males as a baseline, it is found that each type of early social experience affects the fighting behavior of the males from each of the two inbred strains differently, indicating that the functional relationships between genotype and environment studied in these experiments are nonadditive. The importance of these results in describing the norm of reaction of a behavioral phenotype and in extrapolating data from one experiment to another is discussed.


Quantitative staging of embryonic development of the grasshopper, Schistocerca nitens.

During development of the grasshopper embryo, it is feasible to examine the structure, pharmacology, and physiology of uniquely identified cells. These experiments require a fast, accurate staging system suitable for live embryos. We present a system comprising (1) subdivision of embryogenesis into equal periods, (2) expression of stage in percent of complete embryogenesis time, (3) characterization of stages by light micrographs (and descriptive test), and (4) illustration of stages at the egg, embryo, and limb levels of resolution. Advantages of a percent-system include communicability, flexibility in temporal resolution, accurate assignment of elapsed time in developmental processes, and uniform coverage of the period of embryogenesis. The stages described are at 5% intervals with an estimated error of +/- 1%.


Why is telling right from left more difficult than telling above from below?

Adults take longer to judge the locations of horizontal stimuli than to judge the locations of vertical stimuli. In order to determine the source of this difficulty with the horizontal dimension, the congruity between the locations of stimuli and verbal descriptions was judged in a reaction time (RT) task. Because bilateral symmetry of the nervous system may be related to the difficulty with horizontal stimuli, this was varied by using right-handed, left-handed, and ambidextrous subjects. However, this variable produced no significant effects in the RT task. Horizontal stimuli took longer than vertical stimuli whether the verbal description was encoded before or during the RT periods, suggesting that label encoding is not the entire source of the effect. However, when the verbal labels were eliminated entirely by having subjects learn and use stimulus-letter pairs, horizontal stimuli did not take longer than vertical stimuli. This suggests that perception of the stimulus is not the cause of the difficulty. Together, the experiments indicated that comparing horizontal labels to stimuli is the largest source of the difficulty in telling right from left. Reasons why adults have such a problem were discussed.


Effect of morphine on dopaminergic neurons in the rat basal forebrain and striatum.

Administration of morphine (20 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in an increase in the rate of dopamine (DA) loss by ca. 40% in the forebrain cortex of rats, when the drug was administered 30 min after treatment with the synthesis inhibitor alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine methylester (alpha-MpT). This effect was specific as it was antagonized by naloxone. In the same rats the rate of DA loss in the striatum was unaltered. It was shown that this differential effect was not due to a delayed inhibition of DA synthesis in the forebrain cortex when compared with the striatum. When morphine, on the other hand, was administered before inhibition of DA biosynthesis (30 min before alpha-MpT) an increase in the rate of DA loss was also observed in the striatum and a more marked increase was seen in the forebrain cortex. Sub-dissection of the forebrain cortex showed that most of the DA (80%) was present in basal parts of the forebrain and not in the frontal or cingulate cortex. The results suggest, therefore, that morphine administration results in DA release in basal parts of the forebrain, but not in the striatum.


Stress induced by light weight back button used to prepare the rat for continuous intravenous infusion.

A light weight plastic back button used to secure a metal catheter protector to the rat's back was tested as a stressful force on the rat. The results demonstrate that the button does indeed produce a stress that is apparent from abnormal weight gain. In young rats, 150 to 180 g. the stress was alleviated by overnight fasting prior to placement of the button; older animals, 350 g. displayed an exaggerated response to its placement. While the younger rats gained weight more slowly than controls, the older animals lost weight daily for 5 days. It is our conclusion that, while the back button has many advantages over the more popular harness, the button also induces stress. Consequently, control animals should wear a button even if they are not infused.


Metabolic response to injury and illness: estimation of energy and protein needs from indirect calorimetry and nitrogen balance.

The metabolic response to injury and illness as manifested by increases in energy expenditure and nitrogen losses makes it difficult for the clinician to evaluate calorie and protein needs. A method for determining daily calorie needs in hospitalized patients is presented. Average increases in resting metabolic expenditure for a group of patients following elective operation, skeletal trauma, skeletal trauma with head injury, blunt trauma, sepsis and burns were determined by indirect calorimetry and protein need by urinary nitrogen losses over extended time periods. Total daily calorie needs were then calculated, using the Harris-Benedict equation and adjusting this value upward using a previously measured activity and injury factor to arrive at the daily needs. Protein requirements may be determined on periodic 24 hour urine samples analyzed for the urinary urea nitrogen and adjusting this to a total nitrogen or protein equivalent. This approach to estimating the calorie nitrogen needs of the hospitalized patient under various degrees of stress more closely approximates the patient's variable needs at the height of the catabolic response and during convalescence.


Response of plasma amino acids to elective surgical trauma.

Venous plasma amino acids have been measured before, during, and after surgical operation in 17 patients. There were no statistically significant changes in plasma amino acid levels during the operation itself, but in the 3 days following operation the concentration of many of the amino acids were altered compared with the preoperative levels. Because some of the changes resemble those seen in early starvation, further studies are necessary to determine whether trauma or starvation is the prime stimulus to the changes observed.


Circulating immune complexes and C3d in human parasitosis.

Using the Raji cell radioimmune assay, we found low levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) in a small percentage of patients with schistosomiasis and filariasis. C3d levels, measured by immunoprecipitation, were elevated in a large number of these patients, whereas complement levels were within normal limits. Proteinuria was not found in any of the 55 patients studied. Circulating IC or elevated C3d levels were not found in any of the 19 patients with hydatidosis. The increased C3d levels, apparently not related to circulating IC, may be due to direct complement activation by parasite antigens or to sequestered IC. The latter hypothesis appears more attractive because the highest levels of C3d were found in schistosomiasis whereas schistosome antigens were unable to activate complement in vitro.


[Treatment of cystoid macular oedema according to Bangerter (author's transl)].

The biomicroscopic image of cystoid macular oedema was fully described by A. Bangerter in 1945. By means of fluorescein angiography additional cases may be revealed, but such cases are transitory and asymptomatic. Cystoid macular oedema seems to be caused by vascular disorders of inflammatory-toxic aetiology, the vitreous body being involved as a carrier of toxins. For treatment of cystoid macular oedema retrobulbar injections of vasodilators have been recommended by Bangerter. This therapy is definitely effective in cases of Irvine-syndrome, and in cases of cystoid macular oedema due to chronic iridocylitis, provided that application is starded early enough. Bangerter's treatment fails in other types of cystoid macular oedema. Corticosteroids are useful adjuvants, but they don't fully substitute Bangerter's treatment.


Conspicuous sex difference in zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex of Syrian Hamsters.

The adrenal weight of adult male hamsters was significantly heavier (p = less than 0.001) than those of age-matched females. The increased weight was due to an increased thickness of the adrenal cortex, especially of the zona reticularis. The width of the zona reticularis was approximately three times greater in males than females.


Stereospecific analysis of glycerolipids of egg yolk of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerol were isolated from egg yolk of the Japanese quail. Fatty acid compositions at the two and three positions of glycerol in the glycerolipids were determined by stereospecific analysis employing phospholipase A2. The distribution of the total number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid moieties of triacylglycerol was also quantitated by high temperature gas liquid chromatography. The distribution of acyl groups in each of the positions of the phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerol was not random, and each position has a characteristic composition. The phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine had distinctive fatty acid distributions for position sn-2 of the triacylglycerol had a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids of which 18:1 (69.9%) was the major component. Position sn-3 contained 49.3% saturated fatty acids and was more saturated than position sn-1 by 8.1%. The experimentally determined distribution of the carbon numbers in triacyl glycerol deviated significantly from the distribution predicted by 1-random-2-random-3-random association of the fatty acids. The data suggest that in Japanese quail there is marked preferencial synthesis of some triacylglycerols.


Cytospectrophotometric evaluation of Amido Black staining of proteins in nervous tissue cells.

Cytospectrophotometry of agar films soaked with serum albumin and of nervous tissue cells has shown that the histochemical colour reaction of proteins with Amido Black 10 B obeys Beer's law and that the spectral characteristics of this reaction are not significantly changed after fixation and histological procedure of nervous tissue. In cats, after in situ electrostimulation, and in rats, after anticipation stress, quantitative changes in the total protein content per cell were revealed in nerve and glial cells of cat sympathetic ganglion and rat spinal cord with the aid of cytospectrophotometry of Amido Black-stained sections. Staining with Amido Black 10B is recommended for cytospectrophotometric determinations of total protein and of separate protein fractions in nervous system cells.


Air-borne fungi in the air of Barcelona (Spain). II. The genus alternaria.

The genus Alternaria Nees formed one of the more important components of the fungus population of the air at Barcelone (Spain), during a two-year study, from February 1976 through January 1978. Results were based only on studied of colonies obtained by gravity-exposed plates. The occurrence of this genus was greatly affected by climatic conditions. In general. however, Alternaria appeared to prefer warmer weather. A total of six species of Alternaria was identified, of which, Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler was by far the commonest, representing 71.3% of all colonies.


Na-dependent Li-transport in primary nerve cell cultures.

Primary cultures from chick embryonic brain were used to study the steady state distribution of lithium. The intra/extracellular Li+ ratio decreased by enhancing the external Na+ concentration. Ouabain did not influence this unequality. A phloretin-sensitive component was revealed in the Li uptake at low Na+ concentration. The findings might suggest the existence of a Na+-dependent Li+ countertransport system in these brain cell cultures.


Accumulation of apomorphine in caudate nucleus and hippocampus of the rabbit.

Apomorphine concentration was assayed in the caudate nucleus, hippocampus and cerebellum of rabbits injected with various doses of the drug 30 min earlier. Apomorphine accumulation was dose-dependent but uneven in the structures tested: the accumulation in the caudate nucleus being approx. 5 times higher than in cerebellum. Pretreatment with haloperidol significantly depressed the accumulation of apomorphine in the caudate nucleus and hippocampus, but not in the cerebellum. The amount of apomorphine displaceable by haloperidol was approx. 10 times higher in the caudate nucleus than in the hippocampus. The results suggest the existence of small number of apomorphine binding sites in the hippocampus.


Chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs: potentiation of apomorphine-induced aggressive behaviour in rats.

Chronic (14 days) but not acute treatment with antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine, mianserin, danitracen, iprindole) potentiated the aggressive behaviour induced by apomorphine (APO) in rats. The APO stereotypy was not changed. A similar potentiation was caused by chronic treatment with phentolamine or thioridazine but not with spiperone or deazepam. In rats treated chronically with amitriptyline the APO-induced fighting was antagonized by phenoxybenzamine or spiperone, and not by metergoline. The results allows us to postulate that the chronic treatment with antidepressants potentiates the APO-induced aggressiveness via the noradrenergic mechanism, i.e., through an enhanced response to the endogenous NA.


[Short-term changes in the biomass of fungi and bacteria in soddy-podzolic soil].

Short-term (diurnal or daily) changes in fungal and bacterial biomass were studied using direct count. Diurnal changes in microbial biomass were found to be unreliable. Daily observations have shown that the length of fungal mycelium can change 3--4-fold within 10--30 days, and the number of bacteria, 2--3-fold, the frequency and amplitude of changes depending on the season. Fungal biomass was found to be greater than bacterial biomass by a factor of dozens; that is why, while estimating the biomass of soil fungi, other indices of the biological activity of soil (DNA content, enzymic activity, respiration, etc.) must be taken into account.


Striatal cholinergic activity during morphine-induced catalepsy in the rat: development of tolerance.

Morphine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg,i.p.) induced marked catalepsy in rats, which was associated with significantly enhanced striatal acetylcholine levels and reduced cholinesterase activity. Rapid tolerance to morphine-induced catalepsy was noted after twice daily administrations, the tolerance being discernible after the third injection and was complete after the eleventh injection. With the development of tolerance, morphine-induced effects on striatal acetylcholine and cholinesterase were progressively reversed, confirming striatal cholinergic involvement in morphine-induced catalepsy in the rat.


[Inhibition of the growth of Candida utilis by certain heavy metals].

The effect of Zn2+, Mn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ ions on the kinetics of growth was studied with Candida utilis. The inhibition of Candida utilis growth by Zn2+ and Mn2+ ions is described by the equation for noncompetitive inhibition of enzymatic reactions which is not the case with Cd2+ and Hg2+ ions. The inhibition constants (Ki) for these metals have been determined.


Water soluble benzodiazepines with agonistic and antagonistic actions on GABA-induced inhibition in cultured hypothalamus.

The interaction of two benzodiazepine compounds, flurazepam (a sedative and RO 5-3663 (a convulsant), with amino acid depressions of spontaneous neuronal activity in hypothalamic tissue cultures has been examined. Flurazepam selectively potentiated, GABA-induced inhibition, while RO 5-3663 selectively reduced GABA-induced inhibtion. These results are interpreted as supporting the presence of two types of benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain which would modulate endogenous GABA-mediated inhibition and behavior.


Intrinsic weakness of the TNM system for classification of laryngeal cancer.

All tumor classifications are compromises based upon clinical or radiological evaluation with little concern for histology and intrinsic errors in application. Laryngeal cancer is no exception, and the present UICC system is critically examined with the intention of highlighting such deficiencies and relating them where possible to prognosis. Possible lymph node and systemic metastases are also considered in the light of personal experience and any intrinsic weaknesses evaluated in relation to variations in published cure rates. No better system is proposed, for at least this system encourages more accurate recording of clinical assessment.


[Sterol formation by Canida boidinii].

The content of sterols in the yeast Candida boidinii is low: 0.35--0.40% in a mineral medium with methanol as a sole carbon source; 0.55--0.60% in a medium with ethanol; 0.50--0.60% in a medium with glucose; 0.50--0.55% on wort--agar. Ergosterol is the main sterol in all of the cases. sterols are found mainly in the bound state as esters, and constitute about 90% of the total sterol content. Free sterols constitute only 10%. The level of sterols in this culture is rather constant and hardly changes within the first days of cultivation. The content of sterols increases only slightly (by 30--40%) when the culture ages.


Difficult indications for partial laryngectomy.

Difficult indications for certain partial laryngectomies are presented. Anatomically, the difficulties stem from the thyroid cartilage and from the paraglottic space in which invasion (difficult to determine) is contradictory for partial surgery. The principal objective is the cure of the laryngeal cancer all in maintaining laryngeal function. The surgeon must conserve a 'minimal' arytenoid unit' (the whole formed by the pharyngoepiglottic fold, the aryepiglottic fold, the arytenoid and the corresponding cord). Other difficulties not carcinogenic are found: physical conditions, social and professional situation, and preexisting local problems (associated laryngocel or previous vocal palsy). Finally, carcinogenic difficulties can be seen: the situation of the tumor, the rapidity of its evolution, anatomopathologic type, presence of nodes and metastases and previous physiotherapy and chemotherapy.


Cryosurgery and laser surgery in the treatment of malignant and benign laryngeal processes.

Cryosurgery of the larynx is still in the stage of development. In the treatment of laryngeal papillomas cryosurgery has been quite successful. The use of cryosurgery in laryngo-hypopharyngeal carcinoma and in laryngeal stenosis is still restricted to special indications (old age, risk patients). A combination of cryosurgery and telecobalt irradiation has proven valuable in the management of tumors. After the basic physics of laser radiation are explained, the principle mechanisms of interaction between the CO2 laser on human tissue are mentioned. This is followed by the description of the different indications for laser surgery in the larynx. A chordectomy and the opening of a subglottic stenosis with the laser beam are described and documented with photographs. Finally, there is an outlook to an eventually broader spectrum of indications for laser surgery in the field of ent.


Spread and mode of metastases of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.

A report is given of the follow-up and behavior of 149 supraglottic squamous carcinomas treated by combined radiosurgical therapy. In 27 cases supraglottic laryngectomy and in 4 cases epiglottectomy was performed. The other cases underwent laryngectomy. The 3-year survival rate was 60% and the 5-year survival rate 51.2%. 64% of the patients without nodular metastases and 45% of the patients with histologically ascertained nodular metastases and 45% of the patients with histologically ascertained nodular metastases survived the 3-year interval. The main localizations of the supraglottic tumors are compared with the tendency to spread into unilateral, homolateral, contralateral or bilateral sites, respectively. A comparative study by serial sectioning of 51 supraglottic squamous carcinomas shows that the tendency to nodular metastases increases with decreasing differentiation of the tumor.


Suspicion of persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the larynx after radiation therapy.

At most interdisciplinary tumour centres, radiotherapy is of prime importance in the concept of therapy for the majority of the cases of laryngeal carcinoma treated, or it is even employed--exploratively and with curative intent--as the sole therapy at first. At all events initial radiotherapy occupies a dominant position today. Against this background the question is often discussed whether, after a 'low dose' has been attained (particularly in the case of a supraglottic tumour), a partial or total laryngectomy should be performed or the radiation dose substantially increased with the aim of obtaining a cure. However, the difficulties involved immediately after irradiation or later in recognizing a persistent or recurrent carcinoma and readily identifying it histologically may be very great. Various aspects of such situations--both diagnostic and therapeutic--are discussed in general and with reference to case histories.


Hereditary determinants of manual torque.

Data from a longitudinal study of twin children and siblings, 155 girls and 134 boys (aged 4 to 9 yr.), on a torque test confirmed that during this age period manually produced circling patterns change from clockwise to counterclockwise orientation. A genetic influence is suggested.


Bilateral writing ability, cerebral organization, and hand posture.

Among a group of 12 persons selected for the ability to write with ease with either hand, none were found to write using a hooked hand posture with either the right or left hand. Tests of verbal and manipulospatial ability indicated a normal balance of these two types of abilities, usually associated with the left and right hemispheres. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for cerebral organization and hand position in writing.


[Quantification of platelet associated IgG in thrombocytopenic purpura (authors transl)].

One hundred and twenty four tests of quantification of platelet associated IgG were done in patients with thrombocytopenia. The level was increased in 80% of the patients with ITP. The platelet associated IgG level does not seem a prognosis tool but is useful to follow the evolution. Platelet associated IgG levels higher than 600 x 10(-16) g/platelet were only observed in ITP (control less than 54 x 10(-16) g/platelet). Level lower than 600 x 10(-16) g/platelet were observed in systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia or chronic hepatitis. In defective thrombopoïesis, the levels were always normal.


Ketamine-induced rotation: interaction with GABA-transaminase inhibitors and picrotoxin.

Ketamine in a dose of 100 mg/kg (IP) produced stereotypic behavior and vigorous rotation in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The first rotation phase, accompanied by head swinging, was short and terminated by the anesthetic phase which lasted 20-30 min. The second rotation phase began 1-3 min after the end of the anesthetic phase. A single dose of GABA-T inhibitors, gamma-vinyl GABA (1200 mg/kg, IP) or gamma-acetylenic GABA (100 mg/kg, IP) administered 4 hours prior to ketamine, shortened the first rotation phase, increased the anesthetic phase, changed the pattern of postanesthetic rotation and reduced total and net rotation scores. Picrotoxin (3 mg/kg) given 10 min prior to ketamine tended to act in the opposite direction although none of its effects reached statistical significance.


Ethanol withdrawal and discriminative motor control: effect of chronic intake level.

Rats drinking a low concentration (2.5%) of ethanol in a chronic, schedule-induced polydipsia situation failed to show withdrawal signs as measured by a discriminative motor control task. When the concentration was raised to 5% ethanol, withdrawal signs were evident, confirming a previous study.


Impairment of shuttlebox avoidance learning following repeated alcohol withdrawal episodes in rats.

Rats were reduced to 70% of their free-feeding body-weights and then randomly assigned to one of three groups. An Alcohol Withdrawal group was placed on a liquid diet consisting of alcohol plus Austagen for four 5-day periods interspersed with three 2-day periods of a liquid diet containing sucrose plus Sustagen. A Continuous Alcohol group received the alcohol diet for 20 days, followed by six days on the sucrose diet. A Sucrose Control group received diet only and was pair-fed the amounts consumed by the Alcohol Withdrawal group. Thirty days after the diets were discontinued the rats were given 60 trials on a shuttlebox avoidance task. The results showed that the Alcohol Withdrawal group was impaired in shuttlebox avoidance when compared to the Continuous Alcohol group and Sucrose Control group.


Reduction by human chorionic gonadotropin of the luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha in ewes.

The ability of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to reduce the luteolytic effect of prostaglandin (PGF2 alpha) was demonstrated in cycling ewes. As expected, treatment with 10 mg of PGF2 alpha alone on Day 10 of the estrous cycle exerted a potent negative effect on the function and structure of corpus luteum (CL) as indicated by reduced plasma progesterone, CL progesterone, and CL weight. However, the identical PGF2 alpha treatment failed to significantly reduce either luteal function or luteal weight when administered to ewes that were also treated with HCG on Days 9 and 10 of the estrous cycle. Treatment with HCG alone had a positive effect on CL as indicated by increased plasma progesterone, CL progesterone, and CL weight. Treatment with HCG did not render the CL totally insensitive to the negative effects of PGF2 alpha because plasma progesterone was reduced when the dose of PGF2 alpha was doubled. Whether CL regressed or continued to function after treatment with both HCG and PGF2 alpha appeared to depend upon a balance between the positive and negative effects of the two hormones.


The effects of indomethacin on plasma LH levels in female and male deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus).

The purpose of this investigation was to determine (1) the approximate time of the preovulatory LH rise in cyclic deermice, (2) the effect of indomethacin administration on plasma LH levels during the expected preovulatory LH rise, and (3) the effect of indomethacin administration on plasma LH levels in castrated male deermice. The data indicate that the preovulatory LH rise occurred at about 2200 h on proestrus and that indomethacin pretreatment significantly reduced plasma LH levels during that time. In addition, indomethacin significantly reduced plasma LH levels in castrated male deermice. We conclude that plasma LH levels remain low throughout the estrous cycle with the exception of the preovulatory "surge", that plasma LH levels in deermice are comparable to those reported for the rat, and that indomethacin pretreatment reduced plasma LH levels during periods when they were expected to be elevated (in castrated males and during the expected preovulatory LH rise in female deermice). The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the effect of indomethacin on plasma LH levels is due to an inhibitory effect on hypothalamic PG biosynthesis.


Effect of long-term physical training on plasma testosterone, androstenedione, luteinizing hormone and sex-hormone-binding globulin capacity.

The effect of 6-months' physical training on plasma testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone levels and the binding capacity of sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG capacity) were studied in thirty-nine army recruits. Highly significant increases in mean plasma testosterone (21%), androstenedione (25%) and LH (25%) were observed during the training period and were associated with a mean 16% increase in the estimated maximal oxygen uptake. The mean increases in hormone levels tended to be greater in the well conditioned group than in the poorly conditioned group. The mean ratio of testosterone to SHBG capacity increased by 32% (P less than 0.05), which may be in relationship with the various training-induced effects.


Antibodies to Rift Valley fever virus in Swedish U.N. soldiers in Egypt and the Sinai.

Swedish United Nations Emergency Forces soldiers serving in Egypt and the Sinai peninsula were serologically tested for hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. Eight of 170 were positive. RVF has not been reported outside Africa, and a survey of 500 Swedish soldiers who had not served in the Middle East or Africa revealed no RVF virus antibodies. There were extensive RVF epidemics in Egypt in 1977 and 1978, and it is considered that these serologically positive soldiers contracted RVF disease while on duty in the Middle East.


Bladder function in urologically normal middle aged females. A urodynamic and radiological investigation.

The bladder function was studied in 15 urologically normal females over 40 years of age. They volunteered for this study which consisted of urodynamic studies and lateral micturition cystourethrography. The data are presented in tables. There are only small differences in the urodynamic parameters between this material and a material of women under 40 years of age. It is clearly demonstrated that a gynaecological cystocele tells little or nothing about the bladder function or bladder support. None of the cystometrograms showed uninhibited detrusor contractions. It is underlined to repeat the micturition studies several times in order to obtain a voiding event which the subject recognizes as normal.


Initiation of micturition: a study of combined urethrocystometry and urethrocystography in healthy and stress incontinent females.

Six continent and 4 incontinent females were examined by a combined technique of simultaneous urethrocystometry and rapid X-ray-film exposures. The study confirmed that pressure changes occurring in the urethra and bladder at initiation of voiding were not caused by artefacts of the measuring technique. It was found that the continent females initiated micturition mainly by a rapid decrease in urethral pressure followed by an increase in the bladder pressure. The stress incontinent females strained out the urine without initial urethral relaxation. Since the X-ray-technique did not add any new clinical information about micturition in females the pressure recording technique is recommended for routine investigation of micturition in females.


The renal pelvis and ureteral peristalsis. I. Pelveometry.

The renal pelvis is a visco-elastic organ and serves the double purpose of acting as a pump function and a reservoir. With a "pig-tail" catheter ("William Cook Europe" aps, Søborg, Denmark), placed transrenally in the canine pelvis and external blocking of the pelveoureteral junction, it is possible to change the volume of the canine renal pelvis and register the resulting pelvic pressure. This examination is called pelveometry. In 24 adult, female dogs pelveometry showed a linear relation within the range of 0-5.5 ml and 1-30 mmHg, respectively. The correlations between the measurements and the estimated lines were about or more than 90%. The registrations during increasing and the following decreasing volume change showed different values and another linearity of 50% of the assays. This observation demonstrated the occurrence of hysteresis (c: a viscoelastic reaction of the smooth muscle tissue) and is in accordance with findings in previous investigations of other smooth muscle organs. The linearity within physiological ranges of the two pelvic parameters indicates that the pelvic pressure and the frequency of ureteral peristalsis will be sufficient to describe the urodynamic patterns of the canine upper urinary tract.


[Animal protection and animal experiment from the viewpoint of biomedical research].

Animal protection societies have recently launched strong attacks on the nature and extent of animal experiments in medical research and proposed measures in national parliaments to prohibit all experiments with animals. Scientists engaged in research with animals should examine their own research in the light of these criticisms, and give detailed reasons for the necessity of their investigations. In addition, they should be more concerned with the rectification of false conceptions and statements about the execution and objectives of animal experimentation. This involves explaining the nature and limits of the so-called alternative methods which are requested by animal protectionists as substitutes for experiments with live animals. Improvements in the conditions for research and the upkeep of laboratory animals at the universities during this decade have reached a high level. With the introduction of animal protection laws, uniform regulations have already been achieved in various countries and such regulations will soon be operative in Switzerland. Nevertheless, an open and objective dialogue between animal protectionists and scientists is desirable at this stage of the confrontation, with a view to clarifying their different viewpoints and objectives and searching for solutions.


Mycetomas in North India.

Of 60 clinically suspected cases of mycetoma, 20 were confirmed by cultural and histopathological methods. The feet were found to be affected in 70% of the cases. The age group most affected by the disease was 20-40 years. Men were involved in 18 while females were affected in 2 cases only. Actinomycetomas (70%) were found more often than eumycetomas (30%). Nocardia species were identified in 35% of cases and Madurella mycetomi in 25%. There were four cases (20%) where the etiological agents could not be identified; these were suspected to be due to Actinomadura madurae. A. pelletieri, A. madurae, an unidentified anaerobic actinomyces, and Phialophora jeanselmei, were identified in one case each.


Evaluation of uterine tube function in pony mares.

Two experimental procedures were investigated in order to assess their usefulness in diagnosing occlusion of the equine uterine tube. The starch grain test, which involves the injection of a starch suspension onto the ovary and the subsequent recovery of starch from the cervix, proved to be safe and reliable. Each tube could be investigated separately. It was found that when starch was injected onto the ovulating ovary on the day of ovulation, there was a delay of four to seven days before starch was recovered from the cervix. The phenolsulphonphthalein (PSP) test, which involves the deposition of dye solution into the uterus and its subsequent identification in urine after peritoneal absorption, was not reliable. Contamination of the urine occurred per vaginum, and the test was not unilaterally specific.


Plasma progesterone and luteinising hormone levels in cattle after synchronisation of oestrus with dinoprost.

The plasma levels of progesterone and luteinising hormone (LH) were monitored in a group of cattle after pretreatment with two injections of 25 mg dinoprost. Close groupings of preovulatory LH peaks were observed and the possible significance of this is discussed. Based on the findings of this study, supporting evidence is provided for the timing of insemination after injection of cattle which have been synchronised for oestrus with dinoprost.


[Estrus synchronization in sheep with ICI 80 996].

An experiment was carried out including 96 experimental and 126 control sheep of a herd with the aim to study the synchronizing effect of ICI 80.996 in respect to their sex cycle and to the changes occuring in 17 beta-estradiol and progesteron content and dynamics in the blood plasma at the time of induced oestrus. In the course of three days following the application of the preparation synchronous oestrus was induced in 80.2% of the sheep. The percentage of fertilization of the first and second insemination was 44.8 in the experimental group of sheep and 43.2 in the control group, while the percentage of fertility was 101.0 and 73.6, respectively. The rate of the changes occuring in 17 beta-estradiol and progesteron concentration in peripheral blood during the period of ICI 80.996 induced oestrus reveals no deviations from the normal physiological values, typical of that period.


[Effect of mammary gland diseases, the act of sucking and machine milking on utering motility in cows during the early puerperal period. I].

The effect of some mammary gland diseases, of the act of sucking and of machine milking on spontaneous uterine activity was studied in cows during their early puerperal period by use of the radiotelemetric method. It was established that clinical catarrhal and suppurating mastitis block spontaneous uterine activity. However, the uterus preserves its reactivity to oxytocin which is confirmed by injection of the hormone. The act of sucking and machine milking have a positive effect on spontaneous uterine activity up to the 5--7 days following calving. Uterine contractions are registered after reflectory influences too. The number and amplitude of uterine contractions 48 h after calving are closely correlated with the predisposition of uterine musculature to post calving complications.


The detoxication of aflatoxin B1 with glutathione in the rat.

1. The deactivation of aflatoxin B1 by glutathione (GSH) has been investigated in rat. Binding of metabolites of aflatoxin B1 to [3H]glutathione in vitro with rat liver microsomes is insignificant. Incubation with rat liver 10 000 g supernatant results in increased binding. Under identical conditions, benzo(a)pyrene metabolites are bound to [3H]glutathione much more than is aflatoxin B1. 2. Pre-treatment of rats with aflatoxin 1 (2 mg/kg) caused depletion in GSH of rat liver with a minimum at 6 h but returning to above normal at 24 h. GSH S-transferase activity was marginally increased at 6 h also and returned to normal at 24 h. 3. Kidney GSH was not significantly decreased, but kidney GSH S-transferase activity showed a sudden increase in 6 h, returning to almost normal at 24 h. 4. Pre-treatment with benzo(a)pyrene (2 mg/kg) caused greater depletion of hepatic GSH than occurred with aflatoxin B1 but did not show any effect on kidney GSH. 5. Hepatic and kidney GSH S-transferase in benzo(a)pyrene-treated rats showed greatest activity at 2 h followed by a gradual fall through 24 h. 6. GSH was therefore a less efficient nucleophile for aflatoxin B1 metabolites than for benzo(a)pyrene metabolites.


[The ultrastructure of the endings of nerve fibers of ordinary hairs of mammals under normal conditions and during degeneration and regeneration].

At ultrastructural level, three zones are distinguished of the palisade endings of nerve fibers, most of them in contact with the basement membrane of the outer epithelial sheath of the radix pili on rat muzzle. After division of the supplying nerve (n. infraorbitalis) in test animals of the same species, its nerve fibers and palisade endings undergo degeneration, followed by regeneration within 4-5 months. Changes in the ultrastructure of the mentioned nerve elements are thoroughly studied and demonstrated in the course of the two processes. While within 6...12 days of the operation, the palisade endings degenerate, 130 days after the intervention most of them are restored and exhibit an appreciable difference relative to their typical ultrastructure in normal state. The Schwann's cells processes, enveloping degenerated and regenerated palisade endings, similarly display marked fine-structure alterations.


Ultrastructural changes of the corpora lutea in LH-treated cyclic female rats.

As LH is capable of stimulating ovarian progesterone secretion at the beginning of 4-day cycles, it was the aim of this work to determine whether corpora lutea formed at the end of a preceding cycle are responsible for the increase in ovarian progesterone secretion. 4-day cyclic female rats were injected with LH on dioestrus I at 8...9 a.m. (64 microgram/100 g/b.w. expressed in terms of NIH-LH-S3). An increase in the peripheral blood progesterone concentration was shown to occur on the morning of dioestrus II in LH-treated females when compared to control females. Concomitantly enlarged mitochondria, numerous membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease in the number of lipid droplets were observed in LH-treated females. Inversely signs of involution of the corpora lutea were noted from the morning of dioestrus I to that of dioestrus II in noninjected females. It is concluded that LH-induced progesterone increase at dioestrus II results from the activation of the corpora lutea formed at the end of the preceding cycle.


[Urodynamics of normal and disordered miction].

The lower urinary tract undergoes a threefold nervous regulation. The normal miction is characterized by the fact that in the contraction of the detrusor an active reflected relaxation of the urethral occlusive mechanism develops. This could be proved experimentally at an animal model. On principle the miction could be disturbed on four ways: Incontinence, obstruction, neurogenic bladder, instability of the bladder. The most important differential diagnosis in the incontenencies is the differentiation between stress incontinence and urge incontinence, this differentiation is urodynamically significantly possible. In an obstructive disturbance of the miction one differs the mechanically fixed obstructions from the functional disturbances. For the two possibilities clinical instances are cited: Urethral valve--spastic neck of the bladder--detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergy. Neurogenic disturbances of micturition may be diagnosed only to the extent that their effect is objectiviable at the aim organ (urinary bladder and urethra). Non-neurogenic disturbances, however, show identical pictures, so that one may speak of a disturbance of micturition which corresponds to a certain type of neurogenic lesion. Every kind of disturbance of micturition needs an exact diagnostics. Urodynamic examinations are in every case necessary for the differential diagnosis of the individual disturbance.


[New model for studying group learning in mice (synthesis of conditioned reflex and ethologic approaches].

In experiments on mice it has been shown that synthesis of conditioned reflex and behavioural approaches is advantageous for the more complete qualitative and quantitative characteristic of group learning and performance of conditioned avoidance reaction in rodents. The efficiency of group learning and performance of this reaction depend not only on the individual characteristics of animals (ability or inability to learning) but also on the type of hierarchic relationships in the group. The possibility is suggested to use this model for investigating the modulating effect of psychotropic agents on group learning and performance of avoidance reaction.


[Effect of etimizol on behavioral responses, brain serotonin concentration and plasma corticosteroid levels].

The influence of ethymisol on behavioural reactions was studied on 100 albino rats in the "open field" and "passive avoidance" tests. It was shown that a 5 mg/kg dose of this neurotropic drug with synaptic effect, changes behavioural reactions, lowers the general emotional stress and emotional memory of the electro-cutaneous stimulation. Simultaneously the level of corticosteroids in the blood plasma significantly rises, while the serotonin content in the hypothalamus decreases. A direct correlation between the changes in the emotional stress and the content of corticosteroids in blood plasma is noted. The effects of ethymisol partially persists after adrenalectomy. Ethymisol in optimal doses may be used for regulation and lowering of emotional stress.


Biologically active luteinizing hormone (LH) in plasma. V. A re-analysis of the differences in the ratio of biological to immunological LH activities during the menstrual cycle.

The relationship between the biological and immunological activities of human luteinizing hormone (hLH) in plasma collected from female subjects was examined. The biological activity was measured by an in vitro bioassay and the immunological activity by an hLH radioimmunoassay (RIA), using improved reagents, such as the 1st IRP for human pituitary LH for immunoassay (code No. 68/40) as standard, a subunit-free biologically active iodinated hLH preparation as tracer and an anti-hLH serum of relatively high specificity. Similar profiles of biological (B) and immunological (I) activity were obtained in the plasma samples collected daily throughout 40 menstrual cycles (5 cycles from each of 8 subjects). However, the B/I ratios were significantly lower during the period of LH surge (P less than 0.001) than throughout the remainder of the cycle. The within- and between-assay variation in B/I ratios was investigated by the simultaneous assay of biological and immunological activities in plasma pools obtained by combining equal aliquots of plasma from each daily sample of the menstrual cycle from each of 5 cycles of each of 4 subjects. The analysis of these 20 pools revealed highly significant individual differences in B/I ratios, ranging from 0.81 to 1.33. The coefficient of variation was 20% between-subjects and 5% within-subjects. There was no seasonal variation in B/I ratios. That the individual differences in plasma B/I ratios were not attributable to the procedure of pooling was ascertained by the simultaneous assay of both activities in parellel in daily plasma samples and in the pools formed from these samples from three complete cycles. Thus the analysis of the differences in B/I ratios obtained throughout the menstrua- cycle revealed three major sources of variation. The first occurs in the form of generally elevated (higher than unity) B/I ratios, the second consists of a significant drop in B/I ratios during the midcycle LH surge, and the third source is represented by the significant between-subject differences. It is concluded that the first source is attributable to the relatively higher levels of "impurity" (i.e. biologically inactive, immunologically active material) in the standard preparation compared to those present in plasma of biologically inactive, immunologically active material of unknown composition and origin. If so, the latter source limits the quantitative significance of the RIA procedures employed. It is suggested that these three sources of variation account for most of the differences in B/I ratios for plasma lLH reported in the literature.


Neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinaemia in twins.

Neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinaemia in 21 pairs of twins was compared and studied during the first postnatal week. Peak bilirubin concentration and the persistence of icterus was similar in the two sets of twins, but considerable individual inter-twin differences could be obeserved. Various postnatal parameters and inter-twin differences in these parameters were correlated with differences in hyperbilirubinaemia. It has been concluded that physiologic or idiopathic hyperbilirubinaeamia is closely similar in twins, probably due to the similar functional maturity of bilirubin clearance mechanisms. Individual variations were related to differences in caloric intake: the higher the caloric supply the lower was the maximum bilirubin concentration.


Electron microscopic visualization of the filamentous reticulum in whole cultured presumptive chick myoblasts.

This present study describes an experimental approach whereby subcellular 3-dimensional filamentous structures present within whole cells can be examined, using a conventional transmission electron microscope. This procedure uses cells which have been cultured on carbon-coated titanium grids, and treated with Triton X-100 to extract the soluble cytoplasm. Subsequent fixation and critical-point drying allows filamentous proteins to be easily visualized, due to the increase in contrast produced by removal of the ground cytoplasm. The high resolution obtainable in these preparations permitted an initial classification and description of the filamentous reticulum within cultured presumptive myoblasts. This reticulum is a continuum of filaments and cables, all elements of which appear to be interconnected. These morphological findings were then correlated with the biochemical identification of detergent-insoluble proteins, of which only actin, myosin, and, perhaps, intermediate filament and LETS protein are the major elements.


Intravenous pyogenic granuloma. A study of 18 cases.

A series of 18 intravenous pyogenic granulomas (IVPG) was studied. The lesions were limited to the neck and upper extremity and appeared as nonspecific tumors. Most had a clinical duration of 2 months or less. Treatment was by excision and there were no recurrences. IVPG consists of an intraluminal polyp attached to the wall of the vein by a fibrovascular stalk. The characteristic appearance is of lobules of capillaries separated by a fibromyxoid stroma. The organization and histologic detail are similar to those of pyogenic granulomas that are uncomplicated by the changes of inflammation. Our observations suggest that IVPG develops in or adjacent to the wall of the involved vein. It probably receives its blood supply from a small artery that enters the lesion in the region of the stalk.


Intracardiac sound as a diagnostic adjunct in subaortic stenosis.

The purpose of this investigation is to demonstrate the potential diagnostic value of intracardiac sound recordings in patients with subaortic stenosis. Intracardiac pressure and sound were measured in 10 patients with various types of subaortic obstructions using a catheter-tip micromanometer. Seven patients had idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), 2 had a subvalvular membrane, and 1 had a subvalvular tunnel. Within the left ventricular cavity, at the site of maximal systolic left ventricular pressure, either there was no systolic murmur, or the murmur was of low intensity. However, within the outflow tract of the left ventricle, distal to the site of intraventricular obstruction, a prominent systolic murmur  was detected in all patients. This murmur was of higher intensity than the one measured distal to the aortic valve. In one patient, in whom no subvalvular obstruction was present, but in whom entrapment of the tip of the catheter occurred, no murmur was detected in the left ventricle even though a subvalvular pressure gradient was observed. Therefore it appears that a systolic murmur recorded with maximal intensity in the outflow tract of the left ventricle may be of substantial help in distinguishing between an artifactual intraventricular pressure gradient, and one that results from intraventricular obstruction.


[Hypertrophic gastritis in an infant with eczema and intolerance to cow's milk proteins (author's transl)].

A 5-month-old infant presented with vomiting and severe hypoproteinemia from exsudation of proteins into the digestive tract, confirmed by isotopic tests. The association of hypertrophic edematous gastritis, interstitial jejunitis, and severe blood eosinophilia suggested the diagnosis of an exsudative eosinophil-type gastro-enteropathy. An allergy to cow's milk proteins was suspected because of the onset of the disorders at the time of weaning and the appearance of the eczema during the same period. Clinical, biological, and radiological recovery occurred after an exclusion diet and corticotherapy, and this persisted for 8 months, but the eczema remained. The authors describe a similar case (12) in an infant of 21 months with vomiting edema, and hypoproteinemia due to exsudation of proteins into the digestive tract. Radiological examination revealed the presence of hypertrophic gastritis. A relationship with Mentrier's disease had been suggested but not confirmed because of the rapid favourable outcome after a simple low protein diet.


[Variations of various plasma (albumin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein), and urinary parameters during measles in Senegalese children].

In order to evaluate the effect of measles on proteins carrying vitamin A, we have examined 58 children with measles (24 have been seen again 2 weeks later) and 52 healthy controls of similar age and nutritional status. During the course of fever we have observed a high urinary excretion of urea and creatinine with proteinuria while the hydroxyproline index is significantly lower than in the controls. Irrespective of the nutritional status the plasma levels of albumin, prealbumin and R.B.P. are consistantly low. Two weeks later, while the albumin level has decreased, the other parameters are aiming towards normal values. The higher levels of prealbumin and R.B.P. suggest a reactivation of the hepatic protein synthesis. The urinary excretion of R.B.P. has not changed significantly during measles. We have observed rather high urinary losses of R.B.P. in the controls. The low levels of plasma prealbumin possibly do not allow the complete binding of the R.B.P.


Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and giant axonal neuropathy: are they related?

Light and electron microscopic findings from two sural nerve biopsies obtained at a one-year interval from a patient with the clinical features of Seitelberger's disease are described. Ballooned axons with accumulations of membranous profiles, vesicles, mitochondria, and a homogeneous center were present, and there were masses of 90 A filaments in endothelial, endoneurial, perineurial, and Schwann cells. These pathological alterations were less prominent in the second nerve biopsy, which showed a more pronounced decrease in myelinated fibers. The case shows that a generalized increase of 90 A filaments in structures of the peripheral nervous system is not a phenomenon exclusively occurring in patients with giant axonal neuropathy and, furthermore, that it may be a transitory feature.


[Influence of the sex of the final host on experimental Dipetalonema vitae filariosis in golden hamsters Cricetus auratus (author's transl)].

The authors have studied the influence of the sex of the host on experimental Dipetalonema viteae parasitosis in golden hamsters Cricetus auratus. The parasited hamsters are sacrificed fifteen days after testing for microfilarial count, and then the extent of the infestation is measured by counting the number of male worms and female worms. The average level of microfilarial count is significantly higher in male hamsters than in female hamsters. The same applies to the extent of parasitism: the average number of adult worms is higher when parasitosis occurs in males. However, the sex of the hamster has no influence on the proportion of male and female worms present and the degree of microfilarial count, observed in male hamsters seems to result only from the presence in the same of a greater number of worms.


Miconazole therapy for treatment of fungal infections in cancer patients.

The effectiveness of miconazole was evaluated in 37 documented fungal infections, 32 of which were major infections. All patients were receiving therapy for advanced malignancy, with 28 patients having acute leukemia. The overall cure rate was 41% and it was also 41% for major fungal infections. Nine of 22 patients with Candida albicans infections were cured, and 3 of 11 patients with Candida tropicalis infections were cured. A total of 183 patients who received miconazole for presumed or documented fungal infection were evaluated for toxicity. Nausea and vomiting and central nervous system toxicity were the most common side effects, occurring in 25 and 16% of the patients, respectively. Overall, the drug was tolerated well, with only four patients requiring the drug to be permanently discontinued because of toxicity.


Cystic chromomycosis due to Wangiella dermatitidis.

Chromomycosis is a chronic, slowly progressive disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue produced by several species of dematiaceous or pigmented fungi, especially Phialophora gougeroti. Verrucous nodules and flattened annular plaques are the most frequently reported skin lesions in chromomycosis, but deep abscesses and cystic lesions have also been reported. We describe herein a case of cystic chromomycosis due to Wangiella dermatitidis that developed following a nonprenetrating injury to the thumb.


Sitting height, fat-free mass and body fat as reference variables for lung function in healthy British children: comparison with stature.

The ventilatory capacity, total lung capacity and transfer factor with their respective subdivisions have been measured on 254 healthy British boy and girl twins aged 8-16 yrs. The logarithmic regression relationships of lung function on stature have been compared with those on sitting height and on stature plus indices of body muscle and fat. The regressions on stature and on sitting height describe the results with similar precision, but stature is marginally better; either index may be used as the reference variable. For the description of inspiratory capacity and of all indices which include this volume (e.g. vital capacity, total lung capacity and transfer factor), additional precision is secured by adding to the regression equation on stature a term for fat-free mass or body mass divided by the square of the stature; for the description of functional residual capacity, the inclusion of a term for % body fat similarly reduces the variance about the regression equation. The difference in lung function between boys and girls is smaller when the function is related to stature than to sitting height. It is further reduced when fat-free mass/sature and % body fat are also included in the prediction equations. The equations may be used to obtain reference values for indices of lung function in similar subjects.


Coronary arterial lesions and myocardial necrosis in stillbirths and infants.

In a detailed study of the coronary arterial tree and myocardium in 256 stillbirths and infants, abnormalities of the coronary arterial tree were noticed in 79 infants, and necrotic lesions of the myocardium in 111 infants. Of the 79 infants with arterial lesions, 70 had associated myocardial necrosis or scarring, or both; the group with coronary arterial lesions, therefore, accounted for the majority of cases with myocardial damage. The myocardial lesions varied from small zones of subendocardial damage, to larger 'geographical' zones of necrosis scattered haphazardly through the myocardium, and a small group where massive necrotic lesions of the papillary muscles were present. While the coronary arterial lesions were associated with all three patterns, they were particularly found in association with the 'geographical' and papillary muscle changes. The coronary arterial lesions varied from zones of acute focal, medial necrosis to severe proliferative intimal lesions and medial defects, with a distinct progression of changes from the acute to the more established lesions. The coronary arterial lesions were seen most commonly in association with conditions that could produce severe hypoxia, and it is argued that they result from hypoxia. It is suggested further that the myocardial damage, so commonly associated with the coronary arterial lesions, could compromise the ability of the hypoxic infant to respond to such an insult. The coronary arterial lesions seen in this group of young infants could offer one explanation for the later development of a variety of other pathological conditions seen in adolescents and young adults.


[Decrease in serum levels of retinol and its binding protein (RBP) in infection].

The main purpose of the present study was to determine the qualitative and quantiative effect of various infectious epsiodes on the blood serum levels of retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP). Twenty-four children and 30 adult subjects were studied. The infections studied included chickenpox (n = 7); bronchitis (n = 9) upper respiratory infection (n = 30); tonsillitis (n = 2); diarrhea (n = 2) and one case each of: febrile stomatitis, nonspecific gastrointestinal alteration, urinary infection and shigellosis. In addition to retinol and RBP, the study determined changes in serum carotene, proteins, albumin and globulins. The results clearly demonstrate the marked depressing effect of infections on serum retinol, with a magnitude which in many cases reached more than 20 micrograms/dl, and in others more than 30 micrograms/dl. The RBP levels were significantly correlated with retinol, decreasing proportionally with infection. Serum albumin also decreased in most instances; and the globulin levels of the children, but not of the adults, were significantly higher during the infections. Carotene did not show important variations. The effects were more intense when fever accompanied the infectious episodes. These results are considered of great public health significance, in view of the large majorities, mainly children, who ordinarily subsist with very low serum retinol levels in the underdeveloped regions of the world. As infections attack these underpriviledged children, their serum retinol and RBP levels will likely drop a magnitude similar to that observed in the subjects of this study. They may then reach even more critically deficient retinol levels and be in serious danger of developing a severe acute state of clinical vitamin A deficiency.


Prognostic evaluation of secretory otitis media as a function of mastoidal pneumatisation.

Fifty-two secretory otitis media (S.O.M.) ears with protracted course were compared roentgenologically (Schuller projection) with 52 S.O.M. ears which recovered after insertion of a single ventilating tube. Measurements were done first by comparing the pneumatised area millimetrically and later semiquantitatively according to the size of the mastoid cells--grading the mastoid cells from 1 (eburnize) to 10 (very big mastoid cells). S.O.M. ears with protracted chronic course showed an average mastoid area of 312 mm2, their cell size showing on the average a diploic or small-diploic cells--corresponding to grade 3.5. On the other hand, S.O.M. ears which recovered promptly had an average mastoid area of 440 mm2, and their mastoid cells began to show as actual cells (small up to medium cells), corresponding to grade 5.7. The difference, both millimetrically and grade-wise, between the two groups was found to be very significant (P greater than or equal to 0.01). We may conclude that the prognosis of S.O.M. is related to the size of their mastoid cells or alternatively to the amount of air in the middle ear cleft as a whole.


Symptoms and feeding patterns in the first year of life.

With the help of family doctors, mothers and infant welfare sisters, we report an analysis of symptom and food diaries maintained throughout the first twelve months of life on 482 infants. This reveals the existence of extensive symptomatology in the first year of life--most of which was clearly unrelated to ingestion of foods or cow's milk. Our efforts to define the true incidence of cow's milk allergy have been unsuccessful. Altogether, 77 of the 482 diaries have revealed symptomatology at some time in the year which could conceivably have been associated with cow's milk ingestion. But, in only one of these 77 children were withdrawal and challenge tests carried out to determine whether the symptomatology disappeared on withdrawal of cow's milk and reappeared on its reintroduction into the diet. Most of the remaining 76 children had long periods of complete freedom from symptoms whilst taking cow's milk, and the evidence of any association with cow's milk was generally very tenuous. Soya substitutes were introduced in 13 cases, and cow's milk was temporarily discontinued in another 11 cases. Only 16 of these 77 children continued to experience chronic symptoms during the last two weeks of their first year.


Reproductive performance of Iraqi buffaloes. I. Pattern of female reproduction.

In a buffalo herd at Amara Buffalo Breeding Station between October 1975 and October 1976 various features were investigated of the reproductive performance of heifers. The average age of the heifers was 22.01 at first estrus, 22.50 at ovulation, 26.05 at conception, and 38.8 months at calving. Estrus occurred at an average interval of 72.7 days after calving. Extended post-partum anestrus for more than 90 days was observed in 26.8% of the animals studied. The average length of the calving interval was calculated as 408 days. 67.3% of the calvings took palce between June and October.


Variations in the total sterols, free sterols and sterol esters concentration during embryogenesis in Dysdercus similis (Freeman).

In the present study fluctuations in the total sterols, free sterols and sterols esters concentration has been recorded day to day during embryogenesis. Oscillations in the total sterol correlated with the biosynthesis and/or utilization of cholesterol occur in the eggs while free sterols are used in the maintenance of cell membranes. The role of sterol ester is not known but their increase may be correlated with the accretion of oleic and linoleic fatty acids.


Haemangioendotheliosarcoma of the heart. Diagnosis and treatment.

A case of haemangioendotheliosarcoma of the right atrium in a 28-year-old man is reported. The presence of a continuous murmur to the right of the sternum as a clue to the diagnosis is pointed out, and the usefulness of cardiac catheterisation and angiography in making diagnosis emphasised. Irradiation therapy with cobalt-60 had a palliative effect upon this malignant tumour.


Congenital cardiac abnormalities in monozygotic twins. Report and review of the literature.

A pair of monozygotic twin girls is reported with concordance for 3 congenital cardiac abnormalities: (1) secundum atrial septal defect, (2) aneurysm of the membraneous ventricular septum, and (3) electrocardiographic frontal plane left axis deviation. A review of the published materials shows a 9.5 per cent incidence of concordance for congenital heart disease among monozygotic twins. In those in whom a precise cardiological diagnosis was made, 15/16 pairs (95%) were concordant for a specific defect, 2 had an additional defect, and only 1 pair had completely dissimilar defects. Concordance for congenital heart disease in monozygotic twins is uncommon, but when it occurs the defects will most often be identical.


Separation and determination of the relative concentrations of the homogeneous components of soybean leghemoglobin by isoelectric focusing.

The multiple components of soybean ferric leghemoglobin are readily separated by analytical and preparative flat bed isoelectric focusing in both the presence and also the absence of the ligand nicotinate. In the presence of nicotinate the separation by isoelectric focusing is more rapid and results in sharper bands of the very stable ferric leghemoglobin nicotinate complexes. The separation is sensitive enough to permit analytical experiments on leghemoglobin from single nodules. Leghemoglobins a and c1 prepared by ion exchange chromatography are homogeneous by isoelectric focusing criteria. Leghemoglobin c2 prepared by ion exchange chromatography is an approximately 1:2 mixture of leghemoglobins c2 and c3. Leghemoglobin d consists of three components. The ratio of leghemoglobin a to leghemoglobin c3 content increases dramatically as very young nodules mature. The increase in relative leghemoglobin a content suggests that leghemoglobin a might be required for regulation of nodule O2 concentration only when the nodule structure is complex. The ratio of leghemoglobin c1 content to leghemoglobin c3 content increases somewhat during the early period of nodule development, while the ratio of leghemoglobin c2 content to leghemoglobin c3 content increases slowly throughout nodule development. Ratios of leghemoglobin b content to leghemoglobin a content and of total leghemoglobin d content to total leghemoglobin c content were almost independent of nodule age. Leghemoglobins a and b might be related biosynthetically, as might leghemoglobins c and d.


Kinetics and mechanism for the conformational transition in p-guanidinobenzoate bovine trypsinogen induced by the isoleucine-valine dipeptide.

The interaction between p-guanidinobenzoate-trypsinogen and the isoleucine-valine dipeptide has been investigated by temperature-jump relaxation spectrometry. Using the absorbance at 281 nm the concentration dependence of the relaxation parameters is consistent with the conventional induced-fit model: rapid ligand binding coupled to a slower intramolecular change; some alternative mechanisms can be excluded. At 296 K, 0.1 M Tris HCl, pH = 7.4, the dissociation equilibrium constant for the overall process is K = 5.1(+/- 0.2) X 10(-5) M; for the binding step K1 = 2.3(+/- 0.3) X 10(-3) M and the rate constants for the structural change are k2 = 26(+/-6)s-1 and k-2 = 0.61(+/- 0.04)s-1; the overall dissociation reaction enthalpy is delta H0 = 26(+/-6)KJmol-1 and the reactiom entropy is delta S0 = 4(+/- 20) kJ-1 mol-1. In combination with CD and X-ray crystallographic data, the results of this study suggest that the binding of the dipeptide to a trypsinogen-like, partially disordered conformation induces a transition to a trypsin-like highly ordered structure.


The interaction of serum albumins with various drugs in aqueous solution. Gel permeation, calorimetric, and fluorescence data.

Thermodynamic data relative to the reversible interaction between human or bovine serum albumin and some organic ligands (S- and R-warfarin, d- and l-oxazepam hemisuccinate, phenyl-butazone, fluorescein) in dilute aqueous solution were determined by means of gel permeation chromatography and microcalorimetric measurements. From an analysis of these data and on the basis of fluorescence titrations the identity of the "primary" binding site on the proteins for some ligands was evidenced, while in other cases a cooperative binding of two different ligands to different binding sites could be discerned.


On the contemporaneous, reversible interaction of different ligands with serum albumins in dilute aqueous solutions. Fluorescein and phenylbutazone.

The binding affinity of fluorescein and of phenylbutazone to human serum albumin (HSA) and to bovine serum albumin (BSA), respectively, as well as of the two drugs together to each protein in dilute aqueous solution has been studied by means of gel permeation chromatography, circular dichroism, U.V. absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Identity of and/or interdependence between primary binding sites for the two ligands considered on HSA and BSA are evidenced and correlated with a simple theoretical approach to mixed drugs binding.


Evaluation of tcPO2, beat-to-beat heart rate and respiration in neonates with episodes of cyanosis, bradycardia, or apnea.

Episodes of cyanosis, bradycardia, or apnea were studied in 26 newborns and prematures by continuous recording of tcPO2, beat-to-beat heart rate, and impedance pneumography. Hypoxemia related to therapeutic, diagnostic, or care procedures is very common and often is not accompanied by bradycardia or apnea. Idiopathic bradycardia lasting less than 30 seconds will not lead to hypoxemia. However, idiopathic bradycardia of more than 30 seconds' duration can lead to hypoxemia. Beat-to-beat cardiograms and transcutaneous oxygen measurement appear to be the most reliable methods for routine monitoring of these patients.


The role of selective internal urethrotomy in the management of urethral stricture: a multi-centre evaluation.

The advent of selective internal urethrotomy under direct vision has enabled precision endoscopic surgery to be undertaken on a wide range of urethral strictures. A multi-centre survey of 197 cases involving 322 urethrotomy procedures from 5 urological departments in England is reported. The overall results after a follow-up of up to 4 years suggest that there is no indication for further procedures currently existing in 160 (81%) of those cases subjected to selective internal urethrotomy. The additional injection of triamcinalone acetate into the strictured area prior to urethrotomy is recommended in resistant cases. The procedure of selective internal urethrotomy is, in our opinion; the best primary method for the treatment of urethral stricture, and it is hoped this will reduce the indications for anastomotic or substitution urethroplasty.


Amino acid uptake systems in Bacteroides ruminicola.

Uptake of amino acids by Bacteroides ruminicola was observed in cells grown in a complete defined medium, containing ammonia as the nitrogen source. A high rate of uptake occurred only in fresh medium, as an inhibitory substance, possibly acetate, apparently accumulated during growth. All amino acids except proline were taken up and incorporated into cold trichloroacetic acid precipitable material. Different patterns of incorporation and different responses to 2,4-dinitrophenol and potassium ferricyanide indicated multiple uptake systems were involved. Kinetic inhibition patterns suggested six distinct systems were present for amino acid uptake, with specificities related to the chemical structures of the amino acids. Thus, the failure of free amino acids to act as sole nitrogen sources for growth of B. ruminicola is not due to the absence of transport systems for these compounds.


The effect of L-alpha-amino-n-butyric acid on growth and production of extracellular isoleucine and valine by Eubacterium ruminantium and a related rumen isolate.

Two anaerobic rumen bacteria, Eubacterium ruminantium and a closely related isolate, were studied to determine the effect of the valine antimetabolite alpha-aminobutyric acid on growth and production of extracellular isoleucine and valine in an amino acid free medium. In the absence of alpha-aminobutyrate, these organisms actively excreted valine during growth (90-195 microgram/mL) but only accumulated limited concentrations of isoleucine (3-7 microgram/mL) in the culture broth. Growth of both organisms was reduced in the presence of 0.5-1.5% alpha-aminobutyrate but this inhibition was largely overcome by the use of preadapted inoculum. Metabolism of alpha-aminobutyrate was also increased using preadapted inoculum. During growth in the presence of 0.5-1.5% alpha-aminobutyrate, both organisms accumulated high concentrations of isoleucine (100-225 microgram/mL) while the normal accumulation of valine was unaffected. alpha-Ketobutyrate, a product of alpha-aminobutyrate metabolism, also stimulated isoleucine excretion by these organisms. The results are discussed in relation to the regulation of the biosynthetic pathways of isoleucine and valine in these rumen anaerobes and the potential significance of this amino acid excretion in ruminant nutrition.


Hormone profile in premenstrual tension: effects of bromocriptine and diuretics.

Plasma levels of prolactin, FSH, LH, progesterone and 17-beta-oestradiol in twenty women with premenstrual tension were compared with those in twenty controls. The former group was studied also during treatment with bromocriptine. The mean prolactin level in the PMT group was lower in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase (P less than 0.01), but there was no difference between the PMT and control group in the luteal phase. No differences were found between the controls and the PMT group in FSH,LH, 17-beta-oestradiol and progesterone levels in the luteal phase. Bromocriptine suppressed prolactin concentrations (P less than 0.01), but had no effect on the FSH, LH, 17-B-oestradiol or progesterone levels.


Variability of serum ferritin concentration in normal subjects.

Serum ferritin concentrations were measured in normal subjects over periods of 1 day, 1 week and 7 weeks. The variation of the results was compared with variation of control of control sera. In most of the subjects the variation in the results could be attributed to the variation in the method of measurement. No diurnal variation in serum ferritin concentration was observed.


Yersinia enterocolitica in Oneida County, New York.

In a 7-month study during and after an outbreak of Yersiniosis in Oneida, N.Y., a total of 963 specimens were examined for Yersinia enterocolitica. Of the 103 Y. enterocolitica isolates recovered, 91 were from Oneida County. Sixty-two (60.2%) were from humans including 52 from Oneida County. The isolates from the outbreak were mainly serotype 0:8, which on biotypnig proved to be Niléhn type 2, Wauters type 1, Knapp and Thal type 2. The rest of the isolates were distributed among various biotypes and included organisms which belonged to eight different serotypes. The results suggest that Y. enterocolitica may be ubiquitous in New York State, as it was isolated from 10 to 25% of 275 water, milk, and animal specimens examined and from about 2.3% of 300 sequential stool specimens submitted for Salmonella and Shigella screening.


Isolation and characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica-like bacteria from meats.

Seventeen Yersinia enterocolitica-like isolates from vacuum-packaged beef and lamb are described. A majority of the isolates were motile at 25 degrees C but not at 36 degrees C, utilized citrate at 25 degrees C (delayed or negative at 36 degrees C) and produced acid from rhamnose, raffinose and melibiose. Increases in count of Y. enterocolitica occurred on raw beef stored at 0--1 degrees C over a 10-day period. No viable Y. enterocolitica were detected in beef roasts which were inoculated with about 3 x 10(6) cells/g and subsequently heated to a final internal temperature of 60--62 degrees C. Y. enterocolitica counts of inoculated beef steaks stored at 1--5 degrees C for 21--35 days were consistently higher in the more oxygen-permeable films than in vacuum packages. Colonies of Y. enterocolitica and related bacteria from meats produced shiny, enamel-black colonies on bismuth sulfite agar with plate incubation at 25 degrees C for 3--5 days.


[Dipetalonema viteae larva studied by scanning electron microscopy].

If the description in the literature is based on a study with the light microscope, in this work, with electron microscope scanning, the integumental surface on the larva of Dipetalonema viteae is studied at 1,500 to 50,000 magnifications.


Radiological procedures in portal hypertension.

Radiological diagnosis in portal hypertension is of paramount importance for proper treatment. The site of portal obstruction is determined preoperatively by either direct (splenoportography, transumbilical portography, epiploography, selective percutaneous transhepatic catheterization) or direct (catheterization of the celiac truncus and/or the superior mesenteric artery) methods. After a shunt procedure the examination can best be done with a balloon catheter, by direct catheterization of a shunt or by indirect splenoportography. Recently, the radiologist has started to do the treatment by percutaneous transhepatic injection of a sclerosing agent into the gastric coronary vein. For each different method the advantages and disadvantages, the indications and technical procedure are described and discussed.


Carboxymethyl cellulose stimulation of neurite outgrowth of neuroblastoma cells in culture.

The addition of 1% (w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose to the culture medium induces the formation of neurites of clone N18 neuroblastoma cells even in the presence of normal (5-10%) serum supplement concentrations, which rivals that previously observed by growth in low 0.1% serum. Heavy metal ions associated with the carboxymethyl cellulose were responsible for small increases in the sizes of cell bodies during treatment. Pretreatment of the PC12 pheochromocytoma line of neuroblasts with carboxymethyl cellulose for 1 day prior to their stimulation with nerve growth factor resulted in an acceleration in the rate, but not extent, of neurite outgrowth.


Effects of morphine on spontaneous activity of 18-day rat fetus.

The effects of morphine on spontaneous activity of 18-day fetal rats have been observed in utero. Morphine injected subcutaneously in the dam caused a decrease in fetal spontaneous activity which was dose-dependent. The maximum depression of activity occurred after 20 mg/kg was administered to the dam. Activity returned to control levels following naloxone administration to the dam. Fetuses which had been chronically exposed to morphine from days 7 through 17 and observed on day 18 of gestation became hyperactive following administration of naloxone to the dam. This is thought to represent fetal withdrawal.


Intracranial haemorrhage in the preterm sheep fetus.

The germinal layer in the brain of the sheep fetus at 58--85 days of gestation was found to resemble that of the human infant at 28--30 wk of gestation. Experiments were done on 65 exteriorized fetuses to explore the effect of various combinations of asphyxia and raised intravascular pressures in causing bleeding into the germinal layer, ventricles and other parts of the brain. Asphyxia by itself did not produce an increase in the incidence of intracranial hemorrhages when compared with control fetuses. The combination of asphyxia with intermittent increases in arterial or venous pressure, or both, did cause haemorrhages. Large increases in arterial pressure without asphyxia also caused intracranial haemorrhages, whereas increases in venous pressure without asphyxia did not. The types of haemorrhage observed closely resembled those seen in the preterm human infant, although massive intraventricular haemorrhages (IVHs) were rare. We conclude that: (1) the sheep fetus can be used for investigating factors associated with intracranial haemorrhage in the preterm brain; (2) the most effective method of producing haemorrhages into the germinal layer was by a combination of asphyxia with intermittent increases in cerebral intravascular pressure. Similar mechanisms may be at work in the newborn human infant, and could lead to IVH.