Plenary lecture: lymphocytic infiltration in relationship to urologic tumors.

In summary, it may be said that, to date, among urologic tumors, seminoma is the only one in which lymphocytic and/or plasmacytic infiltration is known to improve the prognosis, and the available information on tumors of bladder, kidney, and prostate do not yet permit any statement relative to prognostic significance of inflammatory cell infiltration. When studying the relationship of lymphocytic and/or plasmacytic infiltration to tumors, it is essential for one to distinguish between cases in which the infiltration is in intimate relationship to the tumor cells and/or where the tumor cells show definite degenerative changes, e.g., seminoma, from those cases in which the inflammation is present at some distance from the tumor, e.g., chronic prostatis, and from those in which the inflammation is preexisting, e.g., schistosomiasis. Claims made about the prognostic significance of such infiltration should have adequate controls.


Transitional cell and renal carcinoma: cell-mediated immunity as determined by the lymphocyte titration technique.

A unique cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay, which can be used for longitudinal patient studies, is described. A study of a patient with renal cell carcinoma is presented.


Prostate carcinoma: tissue culture cell lines.

The successful isolation of a malignant human, prostatic epithelial cell line, PC-3, is reported. A partial characterization and ultrastructural analysis is included.


HPC-36: an epithelial tissue culture line derived from human prostate adenocarcinoma.

The development of a tissue culture line of human prostate adenocarcinoma has been described. The culture (HPC-36), derived from tumor tissue explants, is purely epithelial, with characteristics of neoplastic cells. These include a large nuclear size relative to the amount of cytoplasm, multiple nucleoli within the nucleus, many mitotic figures, the formation of multinucleated giant cells, and loss of contact inhibition. The cells also stained positively for acid phosphatase and have been grown in monolayer and suspension cultures. The HPC-36 cells are presently being studied to determine whether they are true descendants of the cancer cells.


Measurement of prostatic acid phosphatase in various cell lines.

In the last few years, we have developed a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of human prostatic acid phosphatase. This method, which requires samples of the patient's serum, has been proved to be more accurate than the conventional enzymatic assay for the detection of early stages of carcinoma of the prostate. We used the enzymatic assay and radioimmunoassay for the quantitation of prostatic acid phosphatase in cultured prostatic cell lines. We were unable to show any difference in the concentration of prostatic acid phosphatase between prostatic and any other established cell lines.


Heterotransplantation of human prostate carcinoma into nude mice.

Human prostate cancer has been successfully transplanted into nude mice, and our technique is briefly reviewed. Sections of human benign prostatic hypertrophy have also been successfully transplanted, with subsequent cellular multiplication. This technique provides a promising model for laboratory studies of therapy by hormone manipulation.


Cyclic changes in the reflex release of prolactin following cervicovaginal stimulation.

Serum prolactin (Prl) was measured following decapitation at various stages of the estrous cycle in control animals and following cervicovaginal stimulation with a glass rod. Serum Prl was low at 10.00 h at all stages of the estrous cycle but was elevated on the afternoon of proestrus with peak values at 16.00 h and on the afternoon of estrus with peak values at 13.00 h. Cervicovaginal stimulation resulted in 100% incidence of pseudopregnancy when performed on estrus and diestrus I and in a still high incidence when performed on proestrus. However, on diestrous day II, it caused only delayed pseudopregnancy in less than half the rats. Serum Prl was significantly elevated in the afternoon following stimulation on diestrous day I and on estrus, but the already elevated values on proestrus were not further augmented and there was no significant elevation on diestrous day II. Thus, there was a cyclic variation in the response of Prl to cervicovaginal stimulation which correlated with the incidence of immediate pseudopregnancy. Gonadal steroids at this stage of the cycle probably modulate the reflex release or Prl either by an action at the hypothalamic or pituitary level or at both sites. On the basis of evidence provided by others, the immediate release of Prl does not appear to be required for the induction of pseudopregnancy.


Brain tryptophan in isolated aggressive mice.

Circadian variations in whole brain tryptophan level and food intake were investigated in both normally grouped and isolated male Albino-Swiss mice, maintained on a 12:12 light-dark regimen (lights on 08.00--20.00). A significant diurnal rhythm in brain tryptophan level was evidenced only by grouped animals, in contrast to the relatively sustained and significantly lower tryptophan level found to exist in isolated mice. Significant, daily rhythms in food intake, for both isolated and grouped mice were found to exist, that were highly correlated in phase. Isolated mice, however, consistently demonstrated an increased food consumption throughout the 24-hour period. These results suggest that a possible alteration in tryptophan metabolism exists in isolated mice, as tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is obtained by mammals only through their diet.


Aggressiveness by isolation and brain serotonin turnover changes in different strains of mice.

In the framework of aggressive behavior a great amount of studies deal with altered brain monoamine levels or turnover. The involvement of brain serotonergic mechanisms in aggression has been demonstrated in the majority of the studies. In the present work, the biochemical and behavioral changes induced by prolonged socioenvironmental isolation in seven strains of mice were studied. Brain serotonin turnover varies significantly only in those strains which react to isolation with a constant degree of aggressiveness and there appears to exist an inverse correlation between these two parameters. Nevertheless a certain degree of aggression may develop even in the absence of alterations of brain serotonin turnover. Still the intensity of serotonin turnover decrease seems to represent a good indicator of the magnitude of the aggressive reaction.


Central pontine myelinolysis. Considerations on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pontine myelinolysis can be suspected clinically on the basis of the following criteria: (1) Electrolyte disturbance manifested mainly by hyponatremia; (2) progressive neurologic deficits resulting in a "locked-in" syndrome; (3) usually, but not necessarily, alcohol abuse; and (4) frequent iatrogenic precipitation of the syndrome by inappropriate rehydration of patients at risk. A major pathophysiologic mechanism for this disorder seems to be the anatomic grid structure of the base of the pons, which is more vulnerable to edema than the cerebral hemispheres. Treatment should be focused on rapid reversal of electrolyte imbalance and judicious use of dehydrating agents. Early diagnosis and treatment might reverse an otherwise malignant syndrome.


Diagnostic approaches to pituitary adenomas.

The utility of diagnostic tests for pituitary adenoma was compared in 12 patients. Endocrine and radiologic studies were always abnormal, even when neuro-ophthalmologic tests were normal. In most cases, both tomography of the sella turcica and CT scan revealed a mass in the region of the sella turcica. For more precise definition of suprasellar extension of the mass, metrizamide CT cisternography or tomographic pneumoencephalography with metrizamide provided similar details, although CT cisternography was much more easily done. Angiography provides a means to exclude an aneurysm or vascular malformation, a vascular tumor, or an aberrant course of the internal carotid artery.


Impairment of hand movements under visual guidance.

Impairment of object-bound movements of the hand performed under visual guidance ("optic ataxia") was a prominent sign in a patient with bilateral circumscribed infarctions in the posterior watershed territory. The sign was interpreted as resulting from defective integration of panoramic visual information with proprioceptive information concerning the upper extremity, and as being related either to damage of structures in the parietooccipital junction or their neural outflow to the premotor region.


Phenytoin hepatotoxicity: a case report and review.

A 17-year-old woman with phenytoin-induced hepatotoxicity was compared with 23 other cases from the literature. Hepatic injury caused by phenytoin is rare but important because of its significant morbidity and mortality. A typical multisystem clinical pattern precedes the manifestations of hepatic dysfunction. Pathologic findings indicate a mixed hepatocellular damage of cholestasis and necrosis. Pathogenic mechanisms are unexplained, but a delayed hypersensitivity reaction appears likely.


Unit activity in the hypothalamic arcuate area in rats at different stages of the estrous cycle.

Changes in sensitivity to dopamine in various stages of the estrous cycle were studied in rats by microiontophoretic application to single neurons of the hypothalamic region and recording unit activity. Most arcuate neurons during the first half of the day in proestrus were shown to respond to dopamine by activation, to correspond to the raised plasma estrogen level in this phase of the estrous cycle. During the second half of the day in proestrus, when the estrogen level is minimal, and in stage diestrus-2, of all the neurons recorded the great majority responded to dopamine by inhibition.


Passively transferred experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Sequential and quantitative study of the motor end-plate fine structure and ultrastructural localization of immune complexes (IgG and C3), and of the acetylcholine receptor.

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) was passively transferred with immunoglobulin from rats with chronic EAMG to normal recipients. IgG and C3 were localized on terminal expansions of junctional folds of end-plates by 6 hours. Segments of folds rich in acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and coated with IgG and C3 were shed into the synaptic space by 24 hours, resulting in AChR deficiency of the postsynaptic membrane. Many sensitized postsynaptic regions were destroyed by macrophages by day 2, but effective nerve-muscle contacts were reestablished by day 5. On day 10, end-plates were still structurally abnormal and showed AChR deficiency, but the animals were clinically recovered. On day 54, postsynaptic regions were still reduced in size, with slight reduction of postsynaptic AChR. Throughout the study, the miniature end-plate potential amplitude tended to vary directly with morphometric estimates of the abundance of the postsynaptic membrane reacting for AChR. Complement-mediated injury to the junctional folds and opsonization of the postsynaptic region can explain the morphologic changes. It is not yet known why phagocytic invasion of the end-plate occurs in acute EAMG and in passively transferred EAMG induced by chronic EAMG immuglobulin, but not in chronic EAMG and only rarely in the human disease.


Plasma DOPA and growth hormone in parkinsonism: oscillations in symptoms.

In 19 patients with Parkinson disease, we studied the relationship of the therapeutic effect of levodopa, or dyskinesia, to the plasma content of DOPA and growth hormone (GH). Those with stable responses to levodopa, individually or as a group, showed stable and lower plasma DOPA levels than those with unstable symptomatic responses. These results show that stable and oscillating clinical responses in Parkinson disease parallel plasma DOPA levels, suggesting that there are different mechanisms in peripheral levodopa metabolism and that extracerebral mechanisms are important in regulating the availability of levodopa to the brain. Plasma GH did not differ in the two groups, suggesting that the secretion of GH is independent of the effects of levodopa in parkinsonism.


A prospective study of the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in uncomplicated optic neuritis.

We prospectively studied 60 patients with uncomplicated optic neuritis (ON) to determine the risk of subsequent multiple sclerosis (MS). All patients were followed for at least 5 years (mean, 7.1 years). Seventeen patients (28 percent) developed definite MS and four (7 percent) developed probable or possible MS. Six of the 17 patients who developed definite MS did so within the first year. Forty-five percent of the women but only 11 percent of the men developed MS. Both sexes were at highest risk if the ON occurred between the ages of 21 and 40. Fifty-one percent of patients in this age group progressed to MS, whereas the risk for others was 12 percent. There was an overall increased risk of MS with recurrent ON. The course of the MS appeared to be benign during the period of observation.


Use of a computerized information system in the management of patients with transient cerebral ischemia.

A computerized information system has been developed for storing and retrieving the clinical, demographic and laboratory data on 267 patients with transient cerebral ischemia admitted to Duke University Hospital during the past 4 years. The major objective of this computer system is to improve patient care by providing the clinician with immediate information for decision-making and prognostication, based on experience with prior patients with cerebral ischemia similar to those under the clinician's care. The data bank also provides a resource for clinical investigation for transient cerebral ischemia, and represents a repository of detailed information not available in the usual printed sources of medical instruction.


Periodic alternating gaze.

A 77-year-old man with autopsy-proven bilateral cerebral infarction had a periodic alternating conjugate horizontal ocular deviation for 2 days, which ceased shortly before death. There have been four previously reported patients with this disorder. The phenomenon suggests acute bilateral cerebral disease with a relatively intact brainstem.


Lymphocyte adherence in multiple sclerosis.

It has been reported that peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) adhere to measles-infected human epithelial cells in significantly greater numbers than do lymphocytes from healthy volunteers or patients with other neurologic diseases. We have confirmed this observation in three separate studies, and have investigated the relationship of lymphocyte adherence to the clinical state. Lymphocyte adherence determination values correlated with the degree of certainty of the clinical diagnosis of MS, and lymphocyte adherence values in individual patients increased during clinical exacerbations. Judicious use of this test may facilitate the diagnosis of MS.


White-centered retinal hemorrhages: a sign of intracranial hemorrhage.

White-centered retinal hemorrhages (so-called "Roth spots") were seen in an 11-year-old girl with spontaneous intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured "berry" aneurysm without underlying systemic disorder.


Serum LDH-5 in carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We failed to confirm the suggestion that serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 5 (LDH-5) levels are as sensitive an indicator of the carrier status in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as are serum levels of creatine kinase. In particular, serum LDH-5 was not increased in carriers when the serum creatine kinase level was normal.


The BAER profile: a method for reporting electrophysiologic brainstem examinations in clinical practice.

We present a method for graphically reporting the results of brainstem auditory evoked response examinations on the basis of multiple parameters. The method is based on a transform that normalizes the many latency and amplitude measures obtained from the averaged evoked responses of normal subjects tested under standardized conditions. Among the advantages of the method are the simplicity of its use, the identification of disease profiles, and the isolation of relevant parameters for research and diagnosis.


Clinical recovery from Schilder disease.

A 7-year-old girl presented with progressive dementia. 99-mTechnetium pertechnetate brain imaging and flow, cerebral angiograms, and a pneumoencephalogram revealed a large, bilateral frontal lesion that crossed the corpus callosum. At surgery, the consistency of affected brain tissue was soft. The histologic diagnosis was Schilder disease. Postoperatively, prednisone therapy was initiated because of clinical evidence of increased intracranial pressure, including funduscopic change. Within 4 months, the prednisone was discontinued, and the child completed the school year at the top of her class. Three years later she continued to function as a superior student, without demonstrable clinical neurologic abnormality.


Internuclear ophthalmoplegia caused by subdural hematoma.

Internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) is caused by lesions in the median longitudinal fasciculus. It is generally the result of primary intraaxial disorders, most commonly multiple sclerosis in young adults and infarction in older adults. Rarely, extraaxial disorders cause INO by compressing the brainstem. We report two patients with INO resulting from subdural hematoma with transtentorial herniation. These cases demonstrate that INO is a reliable, but not a pathognomonic, sign of a primary intraaxial disorder.


Computerized tomography in acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy: a case report.

Computerized tomography in a case of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy showed extensive bilateral white matter damage, which resolved almost completely. The patient's near-complete recovery from the disease is followed by serial CT scans, suggesting that initial bilateral demyelinization is followed by slow remyelinization rather than disappearance of edema. CT scanning proves to be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of white matter diseases.


Bioelectric activity of chick stato-acoustic ganglion cells in culture.

Electrical membrane properties were recorded intracellularly from dissociated embryonic chick stato-acoustic ganglion (S-AG) cells cultivated in vitro for 8 days. Most S-AG cells exhibited the complete action potentials with overshoot by passing current and a half of them fired repetitively during single prolonged stimulation. In some S-AG cells with relatively high input resistances, long-term negative after-potentials were clearly observed at the end of repetitive discharges. The action potential was composed of fast and slow components. The former component was blocked by tetrodtoxin (TTX) and the latter one was markedly suppressed by treatment with MnCl2 or verapamil. These data indicate that the action potential from the chick S-AG perikaryon is produced by both Na and Ca mechanisms together.


Acetylcarnitine and free carnitine in body fluids before and after birth.

The acetylcarnitine concentration in amniotic fluid fell significantly between 33 and 37 and 40 weeks of gestation. It was significantly higher in samples that had a low lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio. The acetylcarnitine content of tracheal fluid was higher in samples obtained from premature newborns. The major excretory form of carnitine is the acetate ester and only in adults does the urine contain significant amounts of free carnitine. The level of acetylcarnitine in plasma significantly increases after the first day of life; there was no difference in the plasma levels of carnitine between full-term and premature newborns. Plasma-free carnitine and acetylcarnitine levels were significantly lower in infants who were receiving a soybean-based formula. A positive correlation was found between the plasma level of ketone bodies and that of acetylcarnitine.


Body fat at puberty in rats: alteration by changes in diet.

The body composition (percent body fat) at vaginal opening of groups of rats fed different diets was determined. Serial changes in body composition prior to vaginal opening were also measured to assess the temporal relationship between first achievement of the body composition subsequently found at puberty and the actual onset of puberty (vaginal opening). The body weight at vaginal opening and the total carcass fat at vaginal opening were significantly different among the three dietary groups (F = 43.06 and 44.60, respectively; P less than 0.001). In addition, the percent body fat at vaginal opening was also significantly different among the three dietary groups (F = 30.30; P less than 0.001). In one group, the percent body fat was the same at the age of 31 days as it was at vaginal opening (mean age 41 days). In a group where food intake was restricted, the percent body fat prior to and at vaginal opening remained lower than that seen at vaginal opening in a group fed the same diet ad libitum. Thus, attainment of a critical level of body weight, total body fat stores, or percent body fat does not trigger puberty in rats.


Intracellular Ca2+ injection causes membrane hyperpolarization and conductance increase in lacrimal acinar cells.

Membrane potential and resistance measurements were carried out on segments of superfused mouse exorbital lacrimal glands by inserting two microelectrodes into neighbouring coupled cells. Short-lasting intracellular injections of Ca2+, by the method of microiontophoresis, caused membrane hyperpolarization and resistance reduction.  These effects were also observed in the presence of adrenergie and cholinergic blocking agents. From the potential and resistance changes observed the null potential for the action of Ca2+ was calculated to be -50 mV. Short-lasting extracellular Ca2+ applications caused membrane hyperpolarization and resistance reduction, but these effects were blocked by a combination of atropine and phentolamine. Intracellular Ca2+ application mimics the action of adrenaline and acetylcholine on lacrimal acinar cells.


Morphology and electrophysiological properties of cutaneous sensilla in agamid lizards.

The external morphology of agamid cutaneous sensille has been studied by means of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Electrophysiological recordings from single organs were obtained in response to mechanical bending of the centrally located long seta. In this way the mechanoreceptive function of reptilian cutaneous sensilla has been established for the first time.


Lifelong hyperarousal in the spontaneously hypertensive rat indicated by operant behavior.

Instrumental conditioning techniques were used to obtain objective evidence of differences in behavioral arousal between the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the normotensive ancestral Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strain. Subjective emotionality ratings previously indicated that the genetically hypertensive rats were more active and aggressive than their normotensive cousins. In a lengthy series of operant conditioning sessions using a small number of adult female SHR and WKY rats, hyperarousal in the SHR was confirmed by their significantly higher response outputs on either response contingent or time contingent schedules of reinforcement. Conditioned emotionality tests during this series of experiments also suggested hyperarousal and aggressiveness in the SHR, since the fear-conditioned stimulus suppressed bar-pressing in the SHR much less than in the WKY. Further experiments with young prehypertensive SHR rats provided the same evidence of hyperresponsivity in the SHR compared to the WKY strain. Furthermore, these young SHR failed to develop hypertension by the end of the study (14 weeks of age), while their nonconditioned SHR cousins had become clearly hypertensive by the same age. This suggests that factors related to the conditioning methods modified the development of high blood pressure in this animal model of essential hypertension.


Personality and conditioning: factors of classical CR acquisition and extinction and their relationship to personality types.

A number of psychophysiological, cognitive and personality measures, and classical appetitive and aversive SR acquisition and extinction rates were taken from a sample of 25 male undergraduate volunteers. Principal Components Analysis of the data revealed general acquisition and extinction factors which were indexed by the psychophysiological variables. Regression analyses showed additionally that Eysenck's E-I dimension predicts both acquisition and extinction rates, and that imagery may be an important mediational variable in CR acquisition.


Limbic system seizures and aggressive behavior (superkindling effects).

This study was done to further analyze the neural mechanisms underlying aggressive behavior associated with psychomotor or temporal lobe seizures. The studies revealed that superkindling the aggressive system by sequential stimulations at seizure-inducing thresholds, of two or more sites in the limbic, hypothalamic, and basal ganglia structures facilitated the production of aggressive seizures. Aggressive behavior in the freely moving cat was evaluated in relation to the occurrence of hissing and growling during stimulation, after-discharge and postictal period. The behavior was correlated with the frequency of the elicited seizures and the seizure durations. Aggression did develop as a component behavioral manifestation of the limbic (psychomotor) seizure. Development of aggressive seizures was facilitated by "priming" the aggressive system. Optimum levels of aggressive behavior occurred with seizures of medium duration. Catecholamine blockers tended to attentuate the occurrence of aggression, whereas the agonist tended to facilitate it. Once the aggressive system was rendered hyperexcitable, exteroceptive stimuli also evoked aggressive attack behavior. It was concluded that repeatedly recurring limbic system seizures through superkindling mechanisms can eventually render the limbic-basal ganglia-preoptico-hypothalamic aggressive system hyper-responsive to both recurring seizures and to exteroceptive stimuli with resulting aggressive behavior with or without an accompanying seizure.


Comparative effects of CO2 on the affinity for O2 of fetal and adult erythrocytes.

1. Oxygen-linked carbamino formation in fetal erythrocytes was compared to that measured in adult erythrocytes. 2. Whole oxygen binding curves were recorded on washed intact erythrocytes either fresh or D-glycerate-2,3-P depleted with a continuous recording technique. Erythrocytes were resuspended in buffer media of different pH and PCO2 varying from 0-10.7 kPa (80 torr) at physiological ionic strength. Oxygen linked carbamates were estimated as deltalog PO2/delta log PCO2 at constant pH and constant saturation levels from 10-90% oxygen saturation. 3. The overall CO2 effect (deltalog P50/deltalog PCO2) was consistently lower in fetal erythrocytes than in the adult. The deltalog PO2/deltalog PCO2 ratio was markedly dependent on oxygen saturation in both types of erythrocytes and highest at the early part of the oxygen binding curve. This was more so in fetal erythrocytes. 4. Carbamino formation was lower in fetal erythrocytes than in adult erythrocytes at any pH value, indicating a higher apparent pK of the alpha amino groups involved in CO2 binding in fetal erythrocytes. This may be related to the different primary structures of the non alpha chains of HbFII and HbAI. 5. The large effect of low PCO2 on both fetal and adult erythrocytes was related to the higher affinity for CO2 of deoxyhemoglobin compared to oxyhemoglobin and a model for CO2 binding analogous to that described by de Bruin et al. [6] for anion binding is proposed. 6. It is concluded that the lower CO2 binding to fetal erythrocytes is in keeping with the lower allosteric effect of other major effectors of hemoglobin within the cells. This leads to a higher affinity for O2 of fetal erythrocytes well suited for O2 transport in utero.


Characteristics of fast excitatory postsynaptic current in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells. Effects of membrane potential, temperature and Ca ions.

The membrane current underlying the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSC) of bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells was studied. The relationship between the EPSC amplitude and membrane potential was linear at negative levels of membrane potential, but deviated from the linearity toward a smaller amplitude at positive levels. The falling phase of EPSC almost followed a single exponential decay. The half-decay time (HDT) of EPSC's increased exponentially with an increase in the negativity of membrane potential. The rise time (RT) was also prolonged slightly with membrane hyperpolarization. Lowering of temperature decreased the EPSC amplitude, lengthened markedly the HDT and increased the slope relating the logarithm of the HDT to membrane potential. Neostigmine (1 x 10(-5) M) prolonged both the RT and HDT. A decrease in Ca2+ concentration caused a marked reduction in the EPSC amplitude, and a slight shortening in the RT and HDT. An increase in Ca2+ concentration significantly prolonged the RT and HDT without altering the slope of the relationship between the HDT and membrane potential, while the amplitude of EPSC was increased slightly. The HDT was independent of EPSC amplitude. It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for closing the ion channels of the nicotinic receptor at the subsynaptic membrane is regulated by membrane potential. The possible mechanisms of the action of Ca2+ on the decay phase of EPSC were discussed.


Hypothalamic temperature and osmoregulation in the Pekin duck.

The temperature of the anterior and middle hypothalamus of conscious Pekin ducks was altered with chronically implanted thermodes. Both urine formation and salt secretion by the supraorbital glands were influenced by hypothalamic cooling. When osmotic diuresis was induced by continuous intravenous infusion of 1.2 ml . min-1 of 293 mosm . kg-1 mannitol in H2O solution, hypothalamic cooling increased urine flow rate at reduced urine osmolality and unchanged osmolal excretion rate. The degree of this cold induced diuresis increased with cooling intensity. Additional ADH administration by continuous infusion at a supramaximal dose abolished the diuretic effect of hypothalamic cooling. When water diuresis was induced by intragastric continuous infusion of 1.2 ml . min-1 of distilled water, hypothalamic cooling enhanced the diuresis, but hypothalamic warming had equivocal effects. The diuretic effects of hypothalamic cooling suggest an inhibition of endogeneous ADH release by lowering hypothalamic temperature. When the salt glands of salt adapted ducks were stimulated by continuous intravenous infusion of 0.2 ml . min-1 of 800 mosm . kg-1 NaCl in H2O solution, hypothalamic cooling reduced the salt gland secretion rate to an extent depending on cooling intensity. It is concluded  that the activities of those integrative and/or efferent hypothalamic neurons, which mediate the hormonal control of renal water absorption and the nervous control of salt secretion by the supraorbital gland, depend on their own temperature.


Temperature changes of the hypothalamus and body core in ducks feeding in cold water.

Hypothalamic (Thy), spinal(Tsc) and colonic (Tc) temperatures were measured in Pekin ducks spontaneously dabbling for food in cold water (5 degrees C). In agreement with observations in the pigeon and the fowl Thy was found to be consistently lower by about 0.5 degrees C than the other core temperatures. The drop of Thy during dipping head and neck into the cold water was not substantially greater than that of Tsc, while both changed more than Tc. The measurements do not support the assumption that the hypothalamic region in the duck is exposed to substantially greater temperature fluctuations than other thermosensitive parts of the body core.


Elimination of central chemosensitivity by coagulation of a bilateral area on the ventral medullary surface in awake cats.

Breathing and respiratory response to CO2 were observed in 6 awake cats and 1 control before and after bilateral coagulation of the formerly described area S (Schläfke and Loeschcke, 1967) on the ventral medullary surface under hyperoxic conditions. Ventilation decreased, PCO2 rose and CO2 response was almost or completely abolished in 4 cats, and moderately reduced in 2 cats.  Inhalation of CO2 had an inhibitory effect on ventilation in two cases. In some instances the respiratory frequency was increased by CO2. Periodic breathing as well as spontaneous hyperventilation elicited by 'arousal' indicate parallels to the Pickwickian or Ondine's curse syndrome. No respiratory changes were produced by a lesion on the pyramidal tract medial to the area S. It is concluded that central chemosensitivity can be eliminated within the superficial layer of the area S. The loss of CO2 response seems to be correlated with complete destruction of the superficial nerve cells located within the area S (Petrovický, 1968) and degeneration within the ventral part of the nucleus paragigantocellularis.


Effect of external potassium on the coupled sodium: potassium transport ratio of axons.

1. Resting membrane potential and the current-voltage relation were measured in crayfish giant axons bathed in various potassium solutions with and without ouabain. 2. Ouabain caused a depolarization of the membrane at each [K]o used but did not affect membrane resistance. 3. The ouabain-sensitive transport current was least (3 microamperemeter/cm2) in 0 mM [K]o and greatest (7 microamperemeter/cm2) in 16.2 and 21.6 mM [K]o. 4. The assumption was made an some indirect evidence presented that axons equilibrated in various potassium solutions maintain constant internal sodium and potassium concentrations for up to 3 h. 5. On the basis of this assumption, the apparent ratio of coupled Na : K transport was calculated. It was found to be least (-1.3/1) in 0 mM [K]o and to approach infinity in 16.2 and 21.6 mM [K]o. 6. The data indicate that the apparent variability of the Na : K exchange ratio likely represents an intrinsic property of the exchange mechanism and is less likely to be explained by a fixed-ratio coupled Na : K transport operating in parallel with electro-neutral Na : Na or K : K exchange.


Independent development of contractile properties and myosin light chains in embryonic chick fast and slow muscle.

1. The contractile speeds and tetanus/twitch ratios of the slow anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) and fast posterior latissimus dorsi (PLD) muscles were studied during embryonic development and correlated with the type of myosin light chains present in these muscles as studied by one and two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. At a time when the contractions of PLD were slow, i.e. in 15 day old embryos, the myosin light chains in this muscle were of the fast type. The slow contraction of this muscle may be due to incomplete and slow activation of the contractile elements. The tetanus/twitch ratio of muscles from 15 day old embryos is low and increases sharply with age. This increase could be due to the maturation of the internal membrane system, and occurs at about the same time as the increase in the speed of contraction. 3. ALD muscles contract slowly during all stages of development, although their tetanus/twitch ratio also increases with age. At 13 days they contain a mixture of fast and slow type myosin light chains and with increasing age the proportion of the slow type myosin  light chains increases at the expense of the fast type. The slow time course of contraction of ALD is consistent with the presence of slow type myosin light chains. 4. The possibility that the synthesis of the slow type myosin light chains in ALD is induced by early motor activity in chick embryos is discussed.


A low-cost, high-precision scope calibrator. A delayed pulse generator with an isolated output.

A simple scope calibrator for voltage and time calibration is described. A square pulse of calibrated amplitude and pulse-width can be triggered in synchrony with CRO sweep, and displayed, with an adjustable delay, simultaneously with biological signals on CRO screen. The output of the device is isolated from  ground and has a low output impedance (less than 50 omega for most ranges). Both the amplitude (10 muV--1 V) and pulse-width (0.2--1000 ms) of the outputs cover wide ranges in 1--2--5 steps with an accuracy of less than +/- 1%. The output drifts against changes in power supply and temperature are negligibly small. The circuit is designed to give the high performance at reasonably low cost, and to be built with only the components readily available in the market.


A photoelectric diameter gauge utilizing the image sensor.

We have designed and constructed a blood vessel diameter gauge, utilizing a high resolving power and stability of the image sensor which has become of major interest lately as a new photoelectric transducer. The distinct feature of the gauge is summarized as follows. (1) Contact-free measurements of blood vessel diameter (1--14 mm) are possible. (2) The cuff-type probe is small in size and easy to put to use. (3) The lightguide consisting of optical fibers makes incident light cold. (4) The resolving power of the gauge is 28 micrometer in principle. (5) The frequency response of the gauge is flat up to 100 Hz. A few results of its preliminary application to in vitro and in vivo experiments are also demonstrated.


A mechanistic explanation of the effect of potassium on goldfish intestinal transport.

Partial replacement of sodium by potassium or rubidium in the solution used to perfuse isolated intestinal segments of goldfish causes an increase in transmural electrical resistance. Serosal replacements have a stronger effect than mucosal replacements. A 70% inhibition of the glucose-evoked transmural electrical current is brought about by serosal replacement of 40 mM sodium by potassium. Transmural mucosal to serosal flux of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose is also strongly inhibited by serosal potassium. These inhibitory effects of potassium do not occur when the intestinal mucosa is stripped free from the intestinal muscular layers. It is concluded that potassium-induced muscular contractures cause a decrease in transport area by pressing the mucosal folds closer against each other. Certain effects of high potassium concentrations that have been reported in mammalian intestinal preparations may involve a similar mechanism.


Changes in diffraction patterns with length in single muscle fibres at rest.

The addition of a simple X--Y sampling circuit to a closed circuit television system (CCTV) permits measurements of a narrow profile of the laser diffraction patterns from single frog muscle fibres at rest. Results confirm that maximum intensity occurs at 2.95-3.00 micron, but a positive linear relationship between the dispersions of sarcomeres and sarcomere lengths from 2.7--3.8 micron is obtained in four isolated single fibres.


Muscle glycogen depletion patterns in fast twitch fibre subgroups of man during submaximal and supramaximal exercise.

Muscle glycogen depletion in ST, FTa and FTb fibres were studied in human subjects undergoing two distinctly different modes of bicycle exercise. Two hours of submaximal exercise (60% of VO2 max) produced a 77% decline in muscle glycogen concentration accompanied by only minor elevations in muscle and blood lactate levels whereas 10 one minute supramaximal work bouts resulted in a 52% decrease in total glycogen concentration and substantially elevated muscle and blood lactate contents. Moreover the patterns of glycogen depletion in the two conditions were also distinctly different. Based on the PAS staining intensity, glycogen was depleted the most in ST fibres and least in FTb fibres, during submaximal work. During supramaximal work FTb fibres were the lightest in PAS staining, with little loss of glycogen from ST fibres. In both situations the loss of glycogen in the FTa fibres was intermediate compared to the other two fibre types. These data support a selective recruitment of muscle fibres during work of different intensities, and further, suggest a physiological basis for the subgrouping of FT fibres in man.


Respiratory gas exchange in the rat spleen in situ and intrasplenic oxyhemoglobin saturation.

Measurements of splenic respiratory gas exchange and of HbO2 saturations in the red pulp of the rat spleen have shown that there are no indications of a reduced intrasplenic O2 availability during normoxia. The present studies provide evidence that, in the normal spleen, the intrasplenic sequestration of red blood cells cannot be explained by an O2 deficiency in the red pulp since the commonly accepted notion of an intrasplenic hypoxia is not true.


The early phase of experimental acute renal failure. IV. The diluting ability of the short loops of Henle.

Experiments were conducted to establish whether diminished solute reabsorption in the loop of Henle during acute renal failure could explain the loss of urinary concentration and participate in generating a tubuloglomerular feedback-mediated reduction in filtration rate. The electrolyte content of the fluid in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle was determined in situ by monitoring its electrical conductivity after propulsion into the distal tubule with a sudden burst perfusion. The value of the minimum electrolyte concentration decreased exponentially with increasing equilibration time, reaching a steady-state value equivalent to 27 +/- 9 mM NaCl in normal kidneys, 34 +/- 15 mM in mercuric chloride kidneys and 53 +/- 22 mM following ischaemia. A mathematical model was derived to describe the process of sodium chloride dilution from which it was possible to calculate both the permeability and transport velocity of the cortical thick ascending limb. In the normal kidney, the transport velocity was calculated to be 4.65 +/- 0.92 . 10(-5) cm/s, a value not significantly different from that of the mercuric chloride of ischaemic kidneys, and the estimated permeability was 1.13 +/- 0.52 . 10(-5) cm/s, not different from that of the mercuric chloride kidneys but significantly lower than that calculated for the ischaemic kidneys. It is concluded that for the more severely damaged ischaemic model, the loss of urinary concentrating ability was accompanied by a reduction in diluting ability of the ascending limb of the short loop of Henle, which appears to be due, at least in part, to an elevation of the passive permeability to sodium chloride in this segment.


Comparison of thermosensitivity in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area and the midbrain of the rabbit.

To characterize the role of the midbrain temperature-sensitive structure in thermoregulation, the relative importance of thermosensitivity in the hypothalamus and the midbrain was studied in terms of heat production and heat loss in the rabbit. It was found that altering the local temperature in the midbrain had no influence at all on heat loss from the ear surface and also on heat production, while cooling and warming of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area induced appropriate thermoregulatory responses.


Evidence for an action of sodium ions in the activation of contraction of twitch muscle fibre.

Simultaneous records in current clamp conditions of potential and of contraction of frog skeletal twitch muscle fibre have shown that a part of the contraction directly depends on the intervention of sodium ions (increase in presence of veratrine, decrease in lithium Ringer). The results confirm previous voltage clamp data and suggest a mechanism of sodium induced calcium release.


Topography of the respiratory and circulatory responses to acetylcholine and nicotine on the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata.

1. Acetylcholine and nicotine were superfused on the ventral medullary surface between the ponto-medullary border and C1 in anaesthetized cats in order to determine the topical distribution of their actions on respiration and circulation. 2. Acetylcholine (10(-4) g . ml-1 = 5.5 . 10(-4) mMol . ml-1) produced an increase in respiration and a lowering of blood pressure. The magnitude and the time course of the responses varied according to the points of superfusion on the surface. 3. Nicotine (10(-4) g . ml-1 = 6.2 . 10(-4) mMol . ml-1) elicited hyperventilation and more often an increase in arterial pressure on unilateral superfusion of the surface. In some cases, however, a drop in blood pressure was also observed. 4. The responsive regions of the surface on which nicotine acted and elicited hyperventilation, bear a close resemblance to the regions responsive to acetylcholine. 5. The topographical distribution of the respiratory effects elicited by the above-mentioned drugs were similar to the distribution of the responses to changes in pH on the ventral medullary surface or to electrical stimulation. 6. Procaine (2 . 10(-2) g . ml-1 = 7.3 . 10(-2) mMol . ml-1) applied bilaterally in the intermediate zone (S) caused profound inhibition of respiration and of arterial pressure. Procaine at this concentration also inhibited respiratory hyperventilation caused by nicotine (10(-4) g . ml-1 = 6.2 . 10(-4) mMol . ml-1)  applied to the caudal and rostral areas.


A cholinergic mechanism involved in the respiratory chemosensitivity of the medulla oblongata in the cat.

1. Cholinomimetic and adrenomimetic substances were tested on the chemosensitive zones of the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata using a plexiglas ring method. Tidal volume and respiratory frequency, arterial pressure and heart frequency were observed. 2. The increase of ventilation and the depression of arterial blood pressure by locally applied acetylcholine could be blocked by previous local application of atropine. It is therefore assumed that the acetylcholine receptors have muscarinic properties. 3. Nicotine in a small dose raises arterial pressure and with higher doses a drop is observed. The responses of respiration and of arterial pressure to nicotine were blocked by previous intravenous administration of hexamethonium. 4. Local application of atropine in the caudal (L) and rostral (M) chemosensitive zones reduced resting ventilation and the slope of the ventilatory response to CO2-inhalation. Physostigmine in these areas enhanced resting ventilation leaving unchanged the slope of the ventilatory response to CO2-inhalation. 5. With high concentrations of (L)-noradrenaline and (L)-adrenaline a slight increase of arterial pressure was seen while serotonin caused a drop. 6. These results together with those of Fukuda and Loeschcke (1978) suggest that a cholinergic transmission in the surface layer of the ventral medulla is a component in the respiratory and circulatory control systems.


Sodium reabsorption in the papillary collecting duct of rats. Effect of adrenalectomy, low Na+ diet, acetazolamide, HCO-3-free solutions and of amiloride.

Using the shrinking droplet method and simultaneous perfusion of the peritubular capillaries the isotonic reabsorption of Ringer's solution from the papillary collecting ducts was measured. Under control conditions the volume reabsorption from the papillary collecting ducts was Jv +/- SE = 2.6 +/- 0.1 . 10(-5) cm3 . cm-2 . s-1. In rats which were on low Na+ diet, Jv increased to 127%, and in adrenalectomized animals it decreased to 34% of the control value. Three hours after a;ocatopm pf a;dpsterpme om tje adrenalectomized animals Jv was partially restored to 63% of control rats. Amiloride 10(-4) M, added to the luminal perfusate, produced a strong inhibition of Jv (to 32% of control). Acetazolamide, 10(-4) M, added to both perfusates, reduced Jv very strongly (to 40% of control), while omission of bicarbonate reduced it only to 77% of control. Acetazolamide, added to bicarbonate-free perfusates, did not result in a significant further reduction of Jv. The data indicate that the Na+ reabsorption from the papillary collecting duct is controlled by mineralocorticoids. Furthermore, they suggest the existence of two transport mechanisms in the luminal cell membrane: 1. An amiloride-sensitive entry step and 2. an entry step via a Na+-H+-countertransport mechanism, the latter being less important.


Effects of mucosal lanthanum on electrical parameters of isolated frog skin. Mechanism of action.

The effect of mucosal La3+ on electrical parameters of isolated frog skins was studied on isolated frog skins with normally polarized or depolarized apical membrane. La3+ increases R8, the paracellular or shunt resistance and diminishes RNa, the resistance of the active sodium path, in both polarized and depolarized skins. The stimulatory effect of La3+ on short-circuit current (Is.c.) is correlated with this decrease in RNa. The characteristics of the stimulatory effect are: very rapid onset, ionic strength dependency, the possibility of being elicited by many other ions besides La3+. These features allow us to postulate that La3+ might affect the external interfacial potential which in turn affects the resistance of the sodium path.


The separate and combined influences of common carotid occlusion and nonhypotensive hemorrhage on kidney blood flow.

The separate and combined effects of bilateral common carotid occlusion (C.C.O.) and hemorrhage on renal blood flow (R.B.F.) were studied in 11 unanesthetized dogs. C.C.O. increased arterial blood pressure (4.4 kPa; 33 mm Hg) and heart rate (10 beats/min) while R.B.F. remained unchanged. When kidney perfusion pressure was maintained at its resting level during C.C.O. (implanted pneumatic cuff) there was also no change in R.B.F. After cutting the aortic nerves in 2 dogs the increase in blood pressure and heart rate with C.C.O. was greater (10.6 kPa; 80 mm Hg and 72 beats/min); however, there was no change in R.B.F. A blood loss of 16% (13.6 ml/kg) reduced central venous pressure (0.3 kPa; 2 mm Hg), increased heart rate (8-14 beats/min) and decreased arterial mean pressure by a maximum of 0.7 kPa (5 mm Hg) (non-hypotensive hemorrhage, N.H.H.). R.B.F. showed a tendency to rise and 90 min after the onset of bleeding was slightly increased (12% of control). After N.H.H. carotid occlusion had no effect on R.B.F. when kidney perfusion pressure increased; when perfusion pressure was controlled during C.C.O. the maximum observed decrease of R.B.F. was 15 ml/min (5% of control). It is concluded that the control of R.B.F. during the baroreceptor reflex under normovolemia and after a blood loss of 16% in the conscious dog at rest does not involve sympathetic vasoconstrictor effects which result in a significant change in total blood flow.


Effects of motor nerve anesthesia and tenotomy on muscle membrane properties.

Motor nerves to soleus muscles of rats were kept anesthetized for up to 7 days by applying solutions of lidocaine base or marcaine HCl. The anesthetic solutions were delivered from a subcutaneously located ALZA-minipump and reached the nerves through silastic cuffs. The ACh supersensitivity of muscles inactivated by nerve anesthesia for 3--7 days was comparable to that of muscles denervated for the same length of time. gm/gk (the ratio of total membrane conductance to the membrane K conductance) decreased from a normal value of 5--10 to less than two in 6--7 days, in anesthetic-inactivated and denervated muscles. The results were variable after 3 days of anesthesia. gm/gk of muscles which were tenotomized for 3 weeks was unchanged. The voltage-current curve for muscles kept in a solution containing 50 mM K propionate, which is steep at +50 mV, was less steep in denervated and anesthetic-inactivated, but not in tenotomized muscles, although atrophy was marked in all non-normal muscles.


The steady state TTX-sensitive ("window") sodium current in cardiac Purkinje fibres.

Voltage clamp experiments on isolated sheep Purkinje fibres showed an increase of the steady state outward membrane current, over the potential range -65mV to -15 mV, in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 3.10(-5 M). This "window" current is considered to be the steady state component of the fast sodium current (INa), resulting from the crossover of the activation and inactivation curves which govern the opening of the sodium channel. TTX had no significant effect on the reversal potential, activation curve, kinetics or instantaneous I-V relationship of the pacemaker current IK2. The window found in these experiments extends to potentials well into the range of the action potential plateau. Consequently small changes of the steady state INa might have large effects on the action potential duration. The effects of TTX and local anaesthetics are discussed in this context.


Presynaptic excitability changes induced by morphine in single cutaneous afferent C- and A-fibers.

Intraspinal microstimulation was used to test the excitability of single cutaneous (sural) A- and C-fibers at their central terminals in the cat. Systemic morphine (1.0-2.6 mg/kg) increased the antidromic threshold to 110% (mean value) of control in C-fibers. In some of the C-fibers this effect was reversed by naloxone. A-fibers were not consistently affected by mophine.


A possible neuronal release of [14C] GABA from the rat cerebellum in vivo.

Release patterns for exogenously applied [14C] labelled alpha-amino-n-butyric-acid (GABA) have been investigated in rat cerebellar cortex in vivo. An increase in [14C] GABA release could be evoked by stimulating with high (40 mM) K+ or veratridine (10(-4)M) but not with direct electrical stimulation. Biphasic patterns for high K+ and possibly veratridine stimulated release of GABA suggest the existence of two separate anatomical sources of isotope which are sensitive to these depolarising stimuli. Both K+ and veratridine-evoked GABA release are calcium dependent. Studies involving partial replacement of Na+ with HEPES, (N-2-hydroxyethyl-piperazine-N-2-ethane-sulphonic acid), sucrose or choline chloride also reveal a sodium dependency of [14C] GABA release. These studies collectively indicate a neuronal source for evoked GABA release, a criterion for transmitter identification not previously satisfied in the cerebellar cortex.


The cholinergic pathway to cerebral blood vessels. I. Morphological studies.

The application of cobalt chloride to the peripheral cut end of the greater superficial petrosal nerve (g.s.p.n.) in rats revealed that only a few fibers in the plexus of nerves on the adventitial surface of the internal carotid artery were in axonal continuity with the g.s.p.n. A similarly small contribution of cholinergic fibers to cerebral blood vessels from this nerve was suggested by the observation that section of the g.s.p.n. resulted in an insignificant reduction in the density of the AChE-staining plexus in the internal carotid and cerebral arteries and in the incidence of at most 2% degenerate terminals of those observed on the middle cerebral artery. Alternative explanations of the results are discussed: that the AChE-staining fibers are postganglionic, that the time course for degeneration is unusually slow and that non-cholinergic fibers stain non-specifically for AChE. It is concluded that a cholinergic dilator pathway is most probably carried by the g.s.p.n. but that it is not unique.


The cholinergic pathway to cerebral blood vessels. II. Physiological studies.

The effect of stimulating the greater superficial petrosal nerve (g.s.p.n.) upon retroglenoid venous blood flow has been tested in anaesthetized, paralysed and artificially ventilated rats. In 11 out of 15 tests, blood flow increased by an average of 25% with a time to peak response of 28 s. This response was abolished with the injection of atropine 0.1 mg kg-1 injected intra-arterially. With both petrosal nerves intact, the administration of 6-7% CO2 in air or 15% O2 in N2 caused average increases in blood flow of 105% and 45% respectively. These responses were not affected by bilateral section of the g.s.p.n. Similar experiments were carried out in 5 anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing rabbits in which, in addition to PaCO2 and PaO2, PO2, PCO2 and blood flow in the caudate nucleus were measured continuously using chronically implanted mass spectrometer catheters and heated thermistors. Caudate nucleus blood flow increased in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia and this response was not significantly affected by section of one or both g.s.p.n., sinus or vagus nerves. With section of sinus and vagus nerves, blood flow changed passively with arterial pressure.


The effects of temperature on the energetics of rat papillary muscle.

The mechanical and myothermic responses of left ventricular papillary muscles from adult rats have been examined at 20 degrees and at 27 degrees C. Contraction trains of six isometric or isotonic twitches at 1/6 Hz were used to establish the heat-stress and load-enthalpy relations respectively. Peak isometric stress was slightly higher at 20 degrees than at 27 degrees C (45 vs. 41 mN/mm2) and was inversely related to muscle cross-sectional area. The stress-independent heat component, identified with the activation heat, was 75% greater at the lower temperature. The stress-dependent heat component, identified with the heat of actin-myosin interaction, was unaffected by temperature. In isotonic experiments the external work performance was similar at both temperatures but the heat liberation was significantly enhanced at the lower temperature so that mechanical efficiency (external work/enthalpy) was reduced. Evidence is presented suggesting that the preparations were not O2-diffusion limited at either temperature. The results are discussed in terms of known functional anomalies of rat cardiac tissue.


Stimulation of phrenic nerve activity by an acetylcholine releasing drug: 4-aminopyridine.

The effect of the acetylcholine releaser 4-aminopyridine on ventilation was studied by recording and quantifying the efferent phrenic nerve activity in 40 paralysed and vagotomized cats; with arterial Po2, PCO2 and pH kept constant. 4-Aminopyridine, given intravenously or in the vertebral artery, stimulates the phrenic nerve activity in a dose dependent manner. The stimulatory effects of 4-aminopyridine on the phrenic nerve activity could be abolished completely by administration of high doses of atropine. We conclude that 4-aminopyridine, which is used clinically for the reversal of a neuromuscular block, stimulates the phrenic nerve activity. Since the role of cholinergic mechanisms in the central chemoreception has been well established, the effect on the phrenic nerve activity is most probably by an increased release of acetylcholine at the site of the central chemoreceptors.


Glucose uptake and triglyceride synthesis in adipose tissue of spontaneously and renal hypertensive rats (alterations revealed by adrenalectomy).

Rats with renal and spontaneous hypertension do no differ from control normotensive rats in 14C-glucose uptake and triglyceride synthesis by the adipose tissue in vitro, both with and without insulin stimulation. Adrenalectomy (which eliminates the stabilizing effect of the corticosteroid hormones on the adipocyte membrane) reveals the differences between the hypertensive and normotensive rats in the response of the adipose tissue to insulin. While the adrenalectomized control rats show a significantly lowered "sensitivity" of the adipocytes to insulin, the adrenalectomized hypertensive rats do not reveal a noticeable change in glucose uptake and triglyceride synthesis under insulin stimulation of glucose transport (the adipose tissue of hypertensive rats "doesn't notice" adrenalectomy). The data obtained may indicate changes in the properties of the adipocyte membranes of rats with chronic arterial hypertension and suggest the presence of an extensive alteration of the function of cell membranes in both types of hypertension.


Decrease of calcium binding by the red blood cell membrane in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in essential hypertension.

Ca binding in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and of patients with essential hypertension was studied. Under conditions of physiological concentration of free Ca in the incubation medium of RBC the outer part of the membrane binds 393 +/- 32 and 435 +/- 30 nmole of Ca per ml of RBC in rats and humans, respectively, without essential differences in the amount of Ca in hypertensive individuals as compared to the normotensive controls. The membrane of red blood cell ghosts (RBCgh) at concentrations of free Ca corresponding to its intracellular concentration binds 4.28 +/- 0.39 and 3.53 +/- 0.15 nmole of Ca per mg of protein of RBCgh in rats and humans, respectively. This part of membrane-bound Ca pool (most probably related to the inner part of the red blood cell membrane) is reduced by 48% in SHR and by 28% in patients with essential hypertension as compared to normotensive controls. It is suggested that the decrease of Ca binding ability of the RBC membrane in both types of hypertension studied may be a pattern of a more widespread cell membrane defect.


Effects of ischaemia on enzyme-activities in the soleus muscle of the rat.

1. The changes with the time of the activities of some energy-supplying enzymes and of the hydrolytic enzyme, acid phosphatase, were studied over 2 weeks of complete ischaemia, produced in the rat soleus muscle by section of the abdominal aorta and terminal devascularization, leaving nerve and tendon intact. 2. Activities of glycolytic enzymes, oxidative enzymes, hexokinase and acid phosphatase are affected in a different manner. Activities of the glycolytic enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate dehydrogenase and glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase, are lowest on the 1st day and increase thereafter. The first two reach the control values again on the 4th and 14th day, respectively, while glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase reaches about 50% of the control value on the 14th day. The maximum decrease in activity of the oxidative enzymes, citrate synthase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase occurs later (4th day); thereafter their activity returns slowly to control values, but does not reach them even on the 14th day. Hexokinase activity is slightly decreased on the 1st day; then it increased and reached on the 7th day twice the control value. Thus on the 1st day the activity of the enzymes of aerobic metabolism prevail, and on the 4th day those of anaerobic carbohydrate (glucose) metabolism; the recovery of enzyme activity of aerobic oxidation occurs later. 3. Acid phosphatase activity increased from the 2nd day onwards, reaching up to 3 times the control value on the 4th day and still twice that value on the 14th day. This agrees well with the histochemical picture of acid phosphatase. 4. Histochemical changes of alkaline phosphatase activity reveal destruction of capillary endothelial cells during the first few days after operation and their later proliferation from the periphery, correlating with the loss and recovery of oxidative enzyme activity.


Development of pump electrogenesis in hypokalaemic rat muscle.

In hypokalaemic rats maintained on a potassium deficient diets for 10-50 days, the isolated "Na-loaded" and "K-depleted" ("Na-rich") muscle fibers showed the membrane potential less than -115 mV in "fresh" muscles of normal rats in K+-free Krebs solution. Upon adding 5 mM K+ to the K+-free medium bathing the soleus muscles, the measured potentials of "Na-rich" muscles always exceeded the membrane potentials of "fresh" muscles in 5 mM K+. The hyperpolarization was dependent on the amount of intracellular Na+ concentration (["na]i) accumulated during the potassium deficiency. The electrogenic Na-pump was activated by an increase of [Na]i of less than 5 mM. Further increases in [Na]i resulted in increases in membrane potential which appeared to approach a limit at [Na]i levels higher than 65 mM.


Distribution of cardiac output in different models of hypertension in the conscious rat.

The distribution of cardiac output was determined by 15 micron radioactive microspheres in all the major organs of spontaneous, DOCA/NaCl and one kidney Goldblatt hypertensive rats and compared to normotensive Wistar rats. Although there were alterations in cardiac output distribution which were characteristic of each model of hypertension significant changes were common to all three were an increased distribution to skeletal muscle with decreases to the lungs, spleen and hepatosplanchnic tissues. The results suggest that alterations in peripheral resistance induced by hypertension are of unequal importance in the different vascular beds with certain vascular resistance changes occurring irrespective of the origin of the hypertension.


Reproductive efficiency and incidence of MMA after controlled farrowing using a prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol.

In a herd of sows 106 sows having 4.3 litters on aver., were over a period of 10 weeks treated on Thursdays with 0.175 mg of cloprostenol on the 111th to 114th day of gestation; 93--95% of the sows treated on the 112th and 113th day farrowed within 33 hours after treatment, 73% after treatment on the 111th day (Table I); the mean period of gestation after treatment was 113.4 +/- 0.9 days. 8 sows that only farrowed 2--5 days after the treatment, had on 21 previous farrowings proved to have significantly longer mean periods of gestation, 115.6 days, than the 112 sows in the control group, having 3.6 litters on average, that farrowed in the same period and section of the piggery as the sows treated with cloprostenol. In total 32 weekend-farrowings occurred in the observation period including 7 farrowings after a period of gestation of 110--113 days, 6 cases of unsuccessfully induced parturition and 19 farrowings on the 114th to 119th day that could have been programmed to occur on Fridays; the number of weekend-farrowings, which for this herd in connection with the weaning procedure normally accounted for about 40--45% of farrowings, could thus be reduced to 7% of farrowings (Table II). Cloprostenol treatment on the 111th day resulting in farrowing on the 112th day leads to a significantly higher rate of piglet mortality after 3 weeks compared with the results after farrowing for control sows that farrowed on the 112th day (Table III); this category of control sows had on previous farrowings proved to have a significantly shorter mean period of gestation, 112.7 days, than that of the sows in the cloprostenol group farrowing on the 112th day which had been 114.3 days on previous farrowings. Farrowing and weaning results after induced parturition resulting in farrowing on the 113th to 115th day showed no significant differences from the results for control sows farrowing spontaneously on the 112th to 115th day of gestation. The incidence of MMA (Table II) was not influenced by the cloprostenol treatment, nor by the number of litters, the length of the period of gestation, or by the piling of farrowings on Fridays.


Subendocardial infarction and thrombocytopenia.

Two female patients who suffered from drug-induced thrombocytopenic purpura and subendocardial myocardial infarction are presented. One of them died from cerebral haemorrhage and diffuse subendocardial punctate haemorrhages were found at post-mortem. The abnormal haemostasis which is associated with thrombocytopenia might induce diffuse damage of the myocardium and might impair heart performance. This finding may be more frequent than hitherto appreciated and calls for serial electrographic tracings in thrombocytopenic patients.


A histological comparison of contracted and non-contracted capsules around silicone breast implants.

A single blind comparison of capsular tissue obtained from both breasts from 7 patients in whom unilateral contracture had occurred leads to the following conclusions: (1) The presence of droplets (presumed to be silicone, or extractable silicone as identified by IR) in capsular tissue does not correlate with the clinical finding of firmness. (2) Contracted capsules are apt to be significantly more cellular, largely as a result of an increased fibroblast population. (3) The apparent severity of inflammation in a biopsy of a capsule does not correlate with the clinical degree of firmness in the breast. (4) In the 7 cases studied, capsule thickness or vascularity, collagen alignment, staining uptake, presence of foreign bodies, or presence of an inner cell layer of macrophages did not correlate with the clinical finding of firmness.


[Multiple forms of pectin trans-eliminase from Verticillium dahliae Klebahn -- cotton wilt agent].

From the culture liquid filtrate of Verticillium dahliae--cotton wilt agent--pectin trans-eliminase (EC) was isolated. The enzyme was isolated and examined, using ultrafiltration, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, isoelectrofocusing, and electrophoresis. The fungus was found capable to produce several forms of pectin trans-eliminase that differed in their molecular weight, charge, synthesis and release regulation, substrate action (position of bonding breakdowns in the pectin polymer molecule). Pectin trans-eliminase activity was also detected in cell walls of the fungal mycelium. Possible origin of multiple forms of the enzyme is discussed.


Morphine-induced behavioral disruption in rats chronically depleted of brain dopamine.

The ability of rats, chronically depleted of brain dopamine (DA), to develop tolerance to morphine (120 mg/kg, s.c.) given twice daily was studied using a food-reinforced operant procedure (FR-10). DA was depleted via the administration of 6-OHDA (150 ug, ict.) and desmethylimipramine (DMI; 25 mg/kg, ip.) to rats 14 days of age. This procedure resulted in a 61% depletion of brain DA when these rats were 120 days of age, while norepinephrine levels were not significantly affected. The response rates of DA-depleted and vehicle (ict.) + DMI treated controls were equally suppressed by various acute doses of morphine, but the DA-depleted group appeared to develop tolerance to the higher morphine dosage regimen (120 mg/kg, b.i.d) faster than the control group. In addition, DA-depleted rats exhibited a greater suppression of response rates 24 hr after the cessation of morphine treatment.


The ultrastructure of the brush cell in bovine lung.

A cell type with properties similar to those of the brush cell was recognised in the bronchial epithelium of calves. It occurred in small numbers and was not found in airways distal to the small bronchi. The ultrastructural features are described, emphasising the two constant characteristics (i) a dense population of thick apical microvilli and (ii) cytoplasmic filament bundles which extent into the microvilli.


Blood eosinophil leucocytes and eosinophil cationic protein. Diurnal variation in normal subjects and patients with bronchial asthma.

Normal subjects and patients with bronchial asthma showed a similar diurnal variation in blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein concentration. The blood eosinophils showed the highest count during the night whereas serum eosinophil cationic protein showed the highest concentration in the early evening. It is concluded that this may result from a difference in hormonal or other influences.


Carcinogenic effects of Di(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) in male Wistar rats: promotion of pancreatic cancer by a raw soya flour diet.

Di(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine was administered to rats fed raw or heated (control) soya flour diets. The group fed raw soya flour developed hyperplastic and adenomatous pancreatic nodules and pancreatic adenocarcinomata. We conclude that a diet of raw soya flour augments the carcinogenicity of pancreatic carcinogens in the rat.


[Specific cytolytic activity of human lymphocytes following vaccination with vaccinia virus and measles virus].

Human peripheral lymphocytes harvested 7 days after vaccination with vaccinia virus or measles virus lyse specifically target cells infected with the corresponding virus. This cytotoxic activity is found in a subpopulation of lymphocytes depleted of T-cells and containing lymphocytes bearing Fc receptor. The activity can also be transferred by supernatant of immune lymphocytes on addition of normal lymphocyte. These results suggest that two types of cell are involved: an antibody-secreting cell providing specific antiviral antibody (B-cells), and an effector cell bearing Fc receptor (K-cells).


[Primary thrombocythemia: clinical, pathophysiology and therapeutic possibilities].

The course of primary thrombocythemia has been observed in 22 patients over a period of 1-19 years. In contrast to experience with primary thrombocythemia in the literature, thrombotic complications were far more common than hemorrhage. 20 out of 22 patients complained of pain in toes and fingers due to disturbances of microcirculation, whereas bleeding disorders were present only in 5. Studies on spontaneous aggregation of platelets revealed a close association between platelet hyperaggregability and ischemic attacks. 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid every second day normalized the hyperaggregability in vitro and removed pain completely. The indication for antiaggregating substances in the therapy of primary thrombocythemia is discussed.


[Urinary cytology in tumors of the urinary tract].

Views on the usefulness of urinary cytology and the best methodological technic differ widely. We perform the examination with spontaneously voided urine; after centrifugation, a smear of the sediment is Papanicolaou-stained. With this method 15 patients were found over a two-year period to have a tumor of the urinary tract or a positive urinary cytology. In 13 patients a tumor was diagnosed; of these 10 had a positive, 1 a questionable and 2 a false negative cytology. In 2 patients the cytology was false positive. Retrospective reexamination of the two false negative results revealed unequivocally malignant cells. One of the two false positive results was confirmed retrospectively and the second could not be checked. The sensitivity of the method was 84.6% and the specificity for unequivocally positive cytologies was 83.3%. Provided the examination is performed by an experienced cytologist, urinary cytology is a useful method which is suitable as a screening test in hematuria and for regular checks in high risk patients (e.g. with analgesic nephropathy).


Differential mortality by sex in fetal and neonatal deaths.

Vital statistics data for the United States from 1922 to 1936 and from 1950 to 1972 were used to analyze fetal and early neonatal mortality. This analysis corroborates the previously established pattern of the sex ratio of fetal deaths--highest from months 3 to 5, lower from months 6 to 7 or 8, and increasing at term. It also indicates a postponement of late fetal deaths into the early infant period. Whereas earlier research reports have described the pattern of the sex ratio of fetal deaths, this report repeats this analysis for a recent national data base. This line of analysis is extended by using the patterns observed in the data to produce an empirical estimate of the primary sex ratio. For 1950 to 1972, this ratio (male to female) is conservatively estimated to be 120:100.


Thiourea reverses cross-links and restores biological activity in DNA treated with dichlorodiaminoplatinum (II).

Cis and trans dichlorodiaminoplatinum (II) compounds bind to DNA and form DNA cross-links, which are usually considered to be irreversible. Thiourea can reverse these cross-links without any apparent breakdown of the DNA. In addition, cis- and trans-Pt (II) treatment of lambda decreases its transfectivity. After suitable incubation with thiourea, full transfectivity of Pt(II)-treated lambda DNA can be restored.


Delay of constant light-induced persistent vaginal estrus by 24-hour time cues in rats.

The normal ovarian cycle of female rats is typically replaced by persistent estrus when these animals are housed under constant light. Evidence presented here shows that the maintenance of periodicity in the environment can at least delay (if not prevent) the photic induction of persistent vaginal estrus. Female rats in constant light were exposed to vaginal smearing at random times or at the same time every day. In another experiment, female rats were exposed to either constant bright light, constant dim light, or a 24-hour photic cycle of bright and dim light. The onset of persistent vaginal estrus was delayed in rats exposed to 24-hour time cues even though the light intensities were the same as or greater than those for the aperiodic control groups. The results suggest that the absence of 24-hour time cues in constant light contributes to the induction of persistent estrus.


Brain grafts reduce motor abnormalities produced by destruction of nigrostriatal dopamine system.

In order to determine if brain tissue grafts can provide functional input to recipient central nervous system tissue, fetal rat dopamine-containg neurons were implanted adjacent to the caudate nucleus of adult recipients whose endogenous dopaminergic input had been destroyed. The grafts showed good survival and axonal outgrowth. Motor abnormalities, which had been induced by the destruction of the endogenous dopaminergic input to the caudate, were significantly reduced after grafting of the fetal brain tissue. These data suggest that such implants may be potentially useful in reversing deficits after circumscribed destruction of brain tissue.


Neonatal mortality in a Black urban community.

An autopsy study carried out on 103 neonates showed a high incidence of twins, mainly second twins. The commonest cause of death was asphyxia, predominantly among the small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies, and this was possibly associated with placental insufficiency. Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) was the next most common cause and occurred in the majority in the first 24 hours. Pulmonary haemorrhage, which used to be common in this population, was very rare. More than 50% of the deaths occurred on the first day of life.


[Effect of polyethyelene glycol on proliferation of cultured Chinese hamster cells].

Chinese hamster cells in suspension were treated with PEG 4000 for 20 min. It was found that cell size began to diminish already when a 5% PEG solution was used, and reached the minimal value in a 20% PEG solution. A pronounced cell death was observed when PEG concentration exceeded 20%, but cells that survived retained their proliferation potential. It is concluded that the cell death results from hypoosmotic shock when cell suspension in PEG solution is diluted.


[Effect of chemical carcinogens on the ultrastructure of cultured differentiating myogenic cells].

The electron microscope studies have been carried out on primary monolayer tissue culture obtained from body tissues of rat and C3H mouse embryos. The cells of tissue culture were mainly myoblasts and fibroblast-like cells. The cultures were treated with two different carcinogenic substances--benz(a)-pyrene (BP) and methylnitrosonitroguanidine (MNNG). The changes were uniform and showed some alterations in formation of cell complexes, the inhibition of development and maturing of muscle elements, and distrophy of cytoplasmic organelles. The revealed distinction in morphological reaction of myogenic cells to the effect of BP and MNNG were wave-like myofibrillar structures in MNNG-treated cultures.


[Urethral strictures following transurethral instrumentation: causes, prevention, results (author's transl)].

The paper discusses the multiple causes of developing urethral stricture after transurethral instrumentation. Methods are presented how these causes may be avoided with specially by on internal urethrotomy. 1660 cases of TUR show, that in 12,1% an internal urethrotomy was necessary to introduce a 24 F instrument. The frequency--distribution of the localisation of the sites of internal urethrotomy is presented. Follow-up shows that postoperative strictures have developed in 5,1% in cases without internal urethrotomy and only in 2,6% in cases where internal urethrotomy was performed before introducing the instrument for TUR.


[Influence of loach egg- and embryo-extract on the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the presence of insulin].

Studies of the pig muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were permormed after incubating the enzyme solution with extracts of loach (Misgurnus fossilis) eggs and embryos, which were subjected to the influence of insulin hydrocortisone as well as to insulin combination with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or puromycin. The insulin alone is established to decrease the inactivating ability of the investigated extracts on the lactate dehydrogenase activity, when antibiotics removed to a considerable extent the influence of hormone. In the eggs and embryos there are proteins activating and stabilizing the LDH molecule. The level of LDH activation under the influence of the eggs and embryos extracts subjected to the insulin action was decreased. The addition of hydrocortisone to the medium for the incubation of eggs and embryos does not affect significantly the LDH-inactivating ability of their extracts.


Sarcoidosis of urethra simulating carcinoma.

Sarcoidosis of the urethra was found during endometrial curettage in a thirty-nine-year-old woman with a history of menometrorrhagia and decreased urine stream. Sarcoidosis is known to occur in many parts of the body, but an extensive search of the literature has failed to reveal any previous report of urethral involvement.


Laboratory comparison of urethral profilometry techniques.

A comparison of urethral pressure profiles performed with the air infusion, water infusion, membrane catheter, and transducer tip catheter techniques was made in a canine model. The gas and water infusion methods gave statistically identical results if the gas studies were performed at flow rates of 100 ml./min. and pull rates of 5 cm./min. The transducer tip catheter and the gas and water infusion techniques gave accurate recordings of peak urethral pressure but were incapable of detecting multiple areas of urethral compression. The transducer tip catheter measurements often were difficult to interpret because of rotation and flexion artifact. The membrane catheter was capable of recording multiple areas of urethral compression but gave spuriously high recordings of peak urethral pressure. We conclude that none of the methods tested will give accurate recordings of urethral pressure in all clinical situations.


[Clinical and pathomorphological studies of rabbits injected with virulent and lapinized swine plague virus].

Investigations were carried out to establish the clinical and morphological reactions in rabbits following the consecutive infection with the virulent Vratsa strain and the lapinized K strain of the swine fever virus. It was found that although the virulent strain did not cause a thermal response there were morphological lesions in the body of the rabbits, characterizing the presence of an immune response. The latter was shown to inhibit the thermal reaction in the animals after infecting with lapinized strain. It is stated that such inhibition of the thermal reaction which is typical for strain K is invariably generated if the lapinized virus is injected 120 hours after the injection of the virulent virus.


[Cytoplasmic RNA biosynthesis in Erlich ascitic carcinoma cells under anaerobic conditions].

Cells of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with 3H-uridine, and the amount and radioactivity of poly(A)-containing and poly(A)-non-containing fraction of cytoplasmatic RNA were determined. It is shown that RNA biosynthesis, as judged by the labeled precursor incorporation, is nearly similar to that under oxygen supply conditions. The specific radioactivity of poly(A)-containing fraction of cytoplasmatic RNA of cells incubated under anaerobic conditions was 2 times as much as that under aerobic ones.


[Indications for Wanach's operation in cancer of the lower lip].

The authors examined 206 case reports of patients with primary cancer of the lower lip and of 5 patients with recurrences after radiotherapy, who were subjected to the upper jugular excision during a 10-year period (since 1964 to 1973). Metastases were found histologically in 63% of the cases. Based on the analysis of the material according to the TNM classification, it is believed that the upper jugular excision should be indicated if a) tumors are more than 2 cm in size or in the presence of the infiltrative growth (T3); B) if lymph nodes (N1B, N2B) suspected of metastases are detected, especially in their unilateral enlargement (N1B); c) in the presence of local recurrence if the Wanach surgery was not performed previously. Such approach allowed avoiding surgery on lymph routes in 165 of 206 cases.


Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. II. Effect of carbon/nitrogen ratio on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

An attempt was made to standardize the C/N ratio at which maximum protein production may be achieved by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus, using sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter in the liquid medium. Three different ways of changing the C/N ratios were tried. The optimum levels of carbon and nitrogen required for the best yield, substrate utilization, and protein production efficiency were worked out.


Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. III. Effect of phosphorus on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

An attempt was made to select a source of phosphorus that is readily available and ensures maximum protein efficiency for Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus, using sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter one in the liquid medium. Of the six different phosphorus compounds tested, urea phosphate was unanimously preferred by the three fungi. The concentration of urea phosphate for maximum protein output was then standardized.


Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. IV. Effect of certain inorganic salts on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

The paper deals with the standardization of the concentrations of magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, and ferric chloride in the medium containing sugarcane bagasse (for Rhizoctonia melongina and Pleurotus ostreatus) and wheat straw (for Coprinus aratus) for achieving maximum protein production.


[Pharmacologic analysis of hierarchical relationships in mice].

In experiments on mice (put in triads and tetrads) stable domination-subordination relations (DS) of predominantly despotic type were formed. The experiments were staged in specially designed communicating populational cages. Pharmacological evidence of inertness of DS relations in small groups of mice is presented. Critical factors of DS inertness are examined. It is shown that psychotropic drugs of different classes have difficult effect on the maintainance of DS inertness. Prolonged administration of psychotropic drugs suppressing the dominant's aggression may result in DS inversion.


Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. V. Effect of various organic acids and growth promoters on the efficiency of substrate utilization and protein production by Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

Results of an investigation made for selecting a source of organic acid and also a growth promoter that can maximize protein production in the three test fungi, viz., Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus from their respective substrates (i.e. sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter) are reported. Among organic acids, acetic acid (at 0.1% level) and among the growth promoters ascorbic acid (at 0.1% level) had maximum influence on growth and protein production. Based on the detailed investigations carried out with three test fungi (JAUHRI at. al. 1978, Jauhri and Sen 1978a, b, c, new stuffed media have been formulated for the three test fungi which assure maximum protein efficiency from them.


[Disruption of situational reflexes in experimental neurosis brought on by changes in the space factor].

Motor activity elaborated in dogs and consisting of delayed choice reactions in a stochastic system (methods developed by Beritashvili, Hunter) and of rhythmic stereotypes of motor situational reflexes (Kupalov method) was not impaired by changes in spatial parameters of unconditioned stimulus in the stochastic system of choosing one feeding trough out of five. The changes in the spatial arrangement of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli in stable stereotypes led to changes in the behaviour of the animals and experimental neurosis with long-lasting disturbances in the situational conditioned reflexes and the short-term memory.


Production of protein by fungi from agricultural wastes. VI. Quality of the protein formed in Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus.

The amino acid content of the three fungi, viz., Rhizoctonia melongina, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus aratus, grown in liquid media (JAUHRI and SEN 1978d) containing agricultural wastes (sugarcane bagasse for the former two and wheat straw for the latter), were analysed qualitatively. Amino acid fraction of the three fungi, determined through paper chromatography, contained all the 8 essential amino acids in addition to 9 odd amino acids, except in the case of Rhizoctonia melongina in which the essential amino acid lysine was lacking. The possibilities for mass production and the use of these three fungi in dietetics are further discussed in this paper.


[On the physiology of growth and riboflavin overproduction of Eremothecium ashbyii. III. Investigations on the incorporation of radioactive labeled substrates in cell material and riboflavin (author's transl)].

The incorporation of glycine-2-14C and adenine-U-14C in cell material and riboflavin was investigated in order to determine the proportions metabolites were channeled in growth processes and product synthesis of Eremothecium ashbyii. Extraction- and measurement methods were developed to compare the incorporation of radioactive metabolites into different cell fractions. Young cells incorporate the labeled compounds in a high rate into the cell material. With increasing age of the culture the incorporation of radioactivity is more directed to riboflavin. 96 hours old cells incorporate about seven times more 14C-adenine into riboflavin than into the cell material.


Investigation of amino acid changes in self-sustaining coacervates in presence of alpha-naphthyl amine and beta-naphthyl amine.

Pronounced variation of amino acids was exhibited. Phenylalanine and tryptophan were invariably present, except at very few exposure periods. Methionine was perceived in many studies in alpha-naphthylamine, while in the study of beta-naphthylamine it was observed at four days' exposure. alpha-Naphthylamine produced cysteine along with tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, and norleucine, while beta-naphthylamine gave valine along with tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, and norleucine. Complete variation from blank signifies the effect of alpha- and beta-naphthyl amine on the mixture.


[Does the HLA-system enrich our possibilities within the scope of sterility diagnosis?].

Since the HLA antigens were discovered there were great advances especially in organ transplantation, paternity test and human genetics. --It follows the question after the relevance of HLA antibodies as a reason for infertility. --Bachner, Stolp and coworkers estimated a high frequency of HLA antibodies in infertile women. --In contrast we found in our own investigations: 367 unselected women with undesired infertility showed HLA antibodies in none of the cases.


Production of coagulase, deoxyribonuclease and heat-stable deoxyribonuclease by canine isolates of staphylococci.

Staphylococci isolated from different infections in dogs have been investigated for production of coagulase, deoxyribonuclease (DNase) and heat-stable DNase. Alll coagulase-positive strains (220) also produced DNase and heat-stable nuclease. However, 4 out of 15 coagulase-negative strains were also positive in both the DNase and the heat-stable DNase tests. Several tests for DNase and heat-stable DNase were evaluated. No strains were DNase-positive, heat-stable DNase-negative, or vice-versa.


Epidemiological studies on salmonella in a certain area ("Walcheren project") III. The presence of salmonella in man, insects, seagulls and in foods, chopping-block scrapings from butcher's shops, effluent of sewage treatment plants and drains of butcher's shops.

For a period of three months in a relatively small area (Walcheren), various materials (meat and meat products, insects, seagull droppings, chopping-block scrapings from butcher's shops, effluent of sewage treatment plants, drains from butcher's shops and stools of patients) were examined again for the presence of Salmonella as a continuation of previous investigations. As had been the case in previous studies, S. typhimurium (27.5%), S. panama (22.2%) and S. brandenburg (9.2%) were the three most frequently isolated serotypes. The three most frequently isolated phage types of S. typhimurium were II 505 (62.1%) II 502 (5.3%) and I 650 (4.2%). The serotypes and phage types were present in almost all the materials examined which again emphasizes the fact that there are contamination cycles of Salmonella. These studies show that the route of contamination divides in the butcher's shops. Salmonella organisms carried with the meat from the slaughter-house find their way into the drains on the one hand, and through meat and meat products, to the consumer on the other. Moreover, the high degree of contamination of effluent is not in accordance with the small number of cases of salmonellosis in man.


[Gonadotropic activity of the immunoglobulins from placental, abortion and donor blood].

Gonadotropic activity of 106 series of immunoglobulin preparations obtained in the USSR and-the People's Republic of Bulgaria was studied. In difference from donor immunoglobulins, all the preparations of placental materials were contaminated with chorionic gonadotropin. Gonadotropin content in the immunoglobulins made of abortion serum was 2--7 times greater than in the preparations from the retoplacental serum and the placental extracts. The mean results of gonadotropin content in the immunoglobulins obtained by biological studies differed from those obtained from the investigations by immunological methods since the mentioned methods apparently characterized different properties of the hormonal molecule.


[Effect of psychotomimetics and haloperidol on head twitching following alcohol withdrawal in mice].

After ethanol withdrawal dependent mice exhibited head twitching. The frequency of head-twitches was decreased by LSD and mescaline in a dose-dependent manner and increased by small doses of haloperidol and physostigmine. LSD antagonized the potentiating effects of haloperidol and physostigmine. The incidence of head-twitches after intracerebral injections of 5-HT in naive mice was lessened by LSD. The involvement of dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and cholinergic transmission systems in the action of psychotomimetics is discussed.


Diurnal fluctuation of plasma cortisol levels in the guinea pig.

Diurnal changes in the basal levels of plasma cortisol were studied in the female guinea pig. Plasma cortisol levels were determined at 8 bleeding times during the entrained 24 h photoperiod (14 h light/10 h dark: lights on 06.00 h). Plasma cortisol levels remained low during the dark phase of the cycle ranging between 6.4 and 9.0 microgram/100 ml. However, at 4 h prior to the onset of the light phase of the photoperiod, a dramatic rise in the plasma cortisol level was measured, which peaked between 04.00 and 08.00 h at 12.3 microgram/100 ml. A subsequent decline in plasma cortisol levels was measured throughout the light phase of the cycle, reaching basal levels before the onset of the dark phase. These data  indicate that a diurnal fluctuation in plasma cortisol occurs in the guinea pig which is very reminiscent of that seen in the human and in contrast with that observed in the rat.


Ovulation blockade and receptivity in the cyclic rat.

The onset and decline of sexual receptivity was determined around oestrus in intact 5-day cyclic rats and in animals in which spontaneous ovulation was inhibited with nembutal. It was observed that early receptivity (before the critical hours at 14--16 h) could be induced by prior exposure of pro-oestrous females to male rats during the morning at pro-oestrus. In most cases early receptivity was associated with a failure to block ovulation with nembutal administered at 14 h. In cyclic rats receptivity disappeared on the day of oestrus between 8 and 10 a.m. By contrast the period of receptivity was prolonged for 24 h in animals in which ovulation was inhibited by nembutal. Reflex ovulation could be induced by exposure of nembutal-blocked rats to intact as well as to pudendectomized male rats, which latter cannot achieve intromissions. This illustrates the limited role of female genital stimuli in the induction of reflex ovulation. Progesterone (1.25 or 5 mg) injected at pro-oestrus during nembutal sedation did not have an attenuating effect on receptivity 24 h later. It is concluded that LH-surge dependent progesterone secretion at pro-oestrus is not essential for the induction and termination of receptivity around oestrus and that hormones, presumably oestrogens, secreted by the persistent pre-ovulatory follicles, are responsible for the prolonged period of receptivity following nembutal blockade of ovulation.