Muscle strength and muscle characteristics in monozygous and dizygous twins.

Muscle strength and electrical activity were investigated on 31 pairs of young male and female monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twins. The measurements included leg forces, force-time, running velocity, muscular power, maximal integrated electromyographic activity (IEMG) and chronaximetry of the quadriceps muscle group. In each parameter the intrapair variance was computed and the differences were tested between the MZ and DZ twins. The variance ratio (MZ vs. DZ) was statistically significant only for muscular power confirming an earlier finding which has demonstrated a genetic component for the variable. In addition to the various performance variables several key enzymes involved in ATP turnover during muscle contraction and in glucose residue metabolism were analyzed from the muscle biopsy samples (m. vastus lateralis). A genetic component could not be observed in any of their activities or their relationships to performance variables.


[Adaptive changes in the cardiac automatism of the sea otter Enhydra lutris].

Electrographic investigations in sea otters reveal acute decrease in the heart rate (to 1/2--1/8 of the normal rate) during diving. The longer the dive, the more intense the bradycardia. Each partial exhalation under water causes further decrease in the heart rate. The duration of cardiac cycles (R--R) increases mainly at the expense of the prolongation of diastole (T--P). Variations in the heart rate during submersion result from the increased vagal tone. Atropine injections abolish diving bradycardia. On surfacing, the animals exhibit a pronounced recovery tachycardia.


Methionine fortification of a soy protein formula fed to infants.

Data from study of nine normal full-term infants fed a soy isolate-based formula unsupplemented with methionine were compared with similar data from study of 10 similar infants fed the same formula supplemented with L-methionine and with data from previous studies of larger groups of infants receiving various other feedings. Food intake, growth, and serum chemical values were studied from 8 through 111 days of age. In addition, nitrogen balance studies were carried out. Statistically significant differences were as follows: lesser weight gain per 100 kcal by infants fed the unsupplemented soy isolate-based formula than by infants fed milk-based or other soy isolate-based formulas; lesser serum concentrations of albumin at age 28 days by infants fed the unsupplemented soy isolate-based formula than by breast-fed infants; greater serum concentrations of urea nitrogen by infants receiving the unsupplemented soy isolate-based formula than by those receiving the same formula supplemented with L-methionine. A number of other differences was noted but were not statistically significant. The results suggest that normal infants fed a formula providing 2.25 /100 kcal of a soy protein isolate not fortified with methionine performed less well during the first 6 weeks of life than did breast-fed infants and infants fed milk-based formulas or other soy isolate-based formulas fortified with methionine. The limiting nutrient appears to have been methionine.


Plants and hypotensive, antiatheromatous and coronarodilatating action.

However great the success in the therapy of hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease has been gained today by recent efficient drugs, the definite healing of patients is not yet attained. The late discovery of reserpine, such an efficient drug of plant origin against hypertension, convinced so far reluctant scientists to consider the chemical compounds of the plant world. With respect to this traditional medical knowledge, it seems necessary to define more accurately the specificity of these healings-sometimes recommended unspecifically for a whole branch of medicine. This experimental verification should not use inconsiderately the present-day classification of diseases; there should be an awareness that conventional experimental methods in pharmacology are often unsuitable for revealing the real biological activity of one or another medicinal plant. The interest in the millennial empirical field of health care is acknowledged by the World Health Organization which promotes research and development of traditional medicine, along with investigations into its psychosocial and ethnographic aspects. These studies cover a number of plants growing in Bulgaria that have a healing effect in hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease according to the data of traditional medicine. Using screening methods, extracts and chemically pure substances were investigated; extraction was done with solvents such as water, ether, chloroform, dichloretan, ethanol, methanol, and acetone. Most of the experiments were carried out on anesthetized cats, rabbits and dogs. The substances tested were applied mainly intravenously, and in some experiments orally. Chronic experiments were also carried out on wakeful dogs with induced hypertension, on animals fed on an atherogenic diet, and on animals with induced arrhythmia and coronary spasm. Data are presented of clinical examination of some plants or of active substances isolated from them. Major results of these studies are presented for the following plants: Garlic, Geranium; Hellebore; Mistletoe; Olive; Valerian; Hawthorn; Pseucedanum arenarium; Periwinkle; Fumitory. For another 50 plants growing in Bulgaria and in other countries the author presents his and other investigators' experimental and clinical data about hypotensive, antiatheromatous and coronarodilatating action.


The influence of electro-acupuncture on naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal. II. Elevation of immunoassayable beta-endorphin activity in the brain but not the blood.

The effect of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal in mice was studied. Thirty minutes of acupuncture was enough to suppress withdrawal behaviors by more than 60%. Concomitant to the decrease of withdrawal behavior, there was a significant increase of brain beta-endorphin level in the acupunctured animals. Plasma beta-endorphin level of the treated and untreated group was not significantly different.


Bovine plasma as a reference standard for the factor VIII assay.

Definition of one unit of factor VIII procoagulant activity may be imprecise, for a number of reasons. Levels in individual normal plasmas differ sufficiently that small pools do not have equivalent activities. Large pools cannot be prepared without loss of activity because of the lability of factor VIII. Human factor VIII may not be stable at --20 C. Lyophilized standards may vary in activity because of difficulties in dissolving the materials. The authors have prepared standards that are stable at --20 C for years using beef plasma diluted in outdated human blood bank plasma. The level of activity of this working standard is verified by repeated assays of lyophilized national standards and of small pools of normal donor plasma. The standard is equally applicable to one- or two-stage assays for factor VIII.


Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children.

Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) characteristically follows a viral illness in preschool children. The exact role of viruses in the pathogenesis of this disorder remains uncertain, but the finding of markedly elevated levels of platelet-associated IgG serves to distinguish it from the chronic form of the disease and permits speculation on the mechanisms of platelet destruction. Although the spleen is important in both antibody production and platelet destruction, bone marrow synthesis of IgG has also been shown to be increased. The clinical course may be alarming, but mortality is low and prognosis excellent. Controversy has surrounded the role of steroids in the management of acute childhood ITP in retrospective studies. Controlled studies, however, indicate that thrombocytopenia is reversed sooner in treated patients. New assays for platelet-associated IgG offer new insights into this disorder and will allow delineation of acute and chronic disease at the time of diagnosis.


Human male infertility, probably genetically determined, due to defective meiosis and spermatogenic arrest.

A family is reported in which infertility affected three men related through their mothers. The propositus, from testicular tissue was obtained, exhibited desynapsis, lack of chiasmata, and degeneration of spermatocytes during the first meiotic division. These observations lead us to postulate that a gene for meiotic disturbance, spermatogenic arrest, and azoospermia is segregating in this family; its mode of inheritance conforms to either an X-linked recessive or a sex-limited autosomal dominant transmission.


Fascia lata urethrovesical suspension for recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

Although the physiologic mechanisms of normal micturition in the female subject are not fully understood, it is generally believed that urinary continence is maintained by a competent urethrovesical neck. Unfortunately, the patient who has had multiple operations for recurrent stress urinary incontinence often has a urethra that is shortened and fixed in scar tissue. In such patients, anterior colporrhaphy with operative release of the periurethral fibrosis and plication of the endopelvic fascia to create a functionally more normal urethrovesical junction will increase the chances for good results. A fascia lata support of the proximal 1 to 2 cm of the urethra ensures continued elevation of the urethra and with stress the sling provides a pulling-up effect. Fifty patients with a suburethral sling procedure are presented in detail. Forty-seven of these patients had a total of 121 prior operative procedures for stress urinary incontinence. Urologic studies are outlined. Forty-two patients (84%) were continent postoperatively, five were improved, and three had failures. Operative technique and complications are discussed.


A practical approach for the evaluation of women with abnormal polytomography or elevated prolactin levels.

Based upon the experience gained in the evaluation of 60 patients with abnormal polytomography and/or elevated prolactin levels, the following observations can be made: Patients with amenorrhea, amenorrhea and galactorrhea, galactorrhea alone, or anovulatory cycles and infertility may or may not have pituitary tumors. Clinical symptoms do not always correlate with the prolactin level, and patients with normal prolactins may have pituitary tumors. The incidence of empty sella is significant (15.8% in this series). Visual field examination is not a useful screening procedure, but evaluation of thyroid function is important to detect the occasional patient with hypothyroidism (3.5% in this series). The insulin tolerance test is not helpful in detecting the presence of pituitary tumors or in guiding management decisions, and the CT scan contributes little and should be omitted from the evaluation process. A straightforward, economical, and efficient approach to this clinical problem is presented.


Lepromatous iridocyclitis diagnosed by anterior chamber paracentesis.

A 34-year-old man with a three-month history of intraocular inflammation after ocular trauma with a fir branch, had an acute unilateral fulminant iridocyclitis. The iris had a thick, gray, cheesy membrane composed of nodular lepromata. The patient denied a history of Hansen's disease, despite the dermatologic and facial features that suggested the diagnosis. Anterior chamber paracentesis and scleral nodule biopsy demonstrated Mycobacterium lepra. The iridocyclitis resolved after treatment with dapsone, corticosteroids, and rifampin.


Solitary choroidal hemangioma.

An unusual instance of a choroidal hemangioma occurred adjacent to a chorioretinal inflammatory scar in a 67-year-old white man. The hemangioma was treated with argon laser photocoagulation, which resulted in improved visual acuity and reattachment of the retina. We speculated on the potential role of the chorioretinal scar in altering local hemodynamics as an hypothesis for choroidal hemangioma development.


Psychosocial concomitants of biological maturation in preadolescence.

The authors studied 8 sets of healthy twins, ranging in physical maturity from prepubertal to late pubertal, and their parents to assess psychological changes in early adolescence. Interview and questionnaire data suggested that self-doubt, avoidance of responsiblity, resentment of parents, and anxiety about social relationships peaked in early puberty; emotional upset peaked in early puberty to mid-puberty. The results support a hypothesis of phase-specific psychosocial regression correlated with the biological onset of puberty. Children in all pubertal stages were shifting their interests away from parents and toward peers.


Repeat abortions: blaming the victims.

A study of 1,505 women obtaining abortions in a freestanding abortion clinic in Western New York state revealed that women having repeat abortions were more likely to be using contraception at the time of conception than women having first abortions. However, nearly one-half the non-contracepting repeaters were not contracepting at the time of the repeat pregnancy. Repeaters who were not contracepting at the time of the repeat pregnancy listed medical contraindications or lack of supplies as the major reasons for not contracepting at the time of the present conception--indicating that they had tried one or more methods since their first abortion. Repeaters were sexually more active than first timers, thus increasing their statistical risk of unwanted pregnancy even as they contracepted more than first timers. The data indicate that both first timers and repeaters overwhelmingly reject the premise that abortion is a primary or even a back-up birth control method. The essential difficulty for repeaters appears to be that they are victims of technological, organizational, and logistical inadequacies as well as statistical probabilities rather than being motivationally deficient or indifferent to the dangers of unprotected sexual intercourse.


Clinical observations on 3,009 cases of ciguatera (fish poisoning) in the South Pacific.

Clinical observations on ciguatera were collected between 1964 and 1977 on 3,009 patients from several South Pacific island groups. Patients generally presented with neurologic symptoms such as parasthesia, vertigo, and ataxia, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients with this illness usually became symptomatic less than 24 hours after ingestion of the fish and most patients (76.8%) developed symptoms in less than 12 hours. Significant differences in certain symptoms were noted between Melanesian and Polynesian ethnic groups, suggesting a susceptibility difference, or a difference in the nature of the toxin found in different areas of the Pacific. Being poisoned multiple times appeared to result in a clinically more severe illness than disease observed in patients experiencing ciguatera for the first time.


Naegleria fowleri in chick embryos. Effects of embryo age and incubation temperature, and the infectivity of embryo-derived amebae for mice.

Chick embryos were infected with Naegleria fowleri which was initially isolated from an ultimately fatal human case. Following inoculation of equivalent numbers of amebae on the chorioallantoic membrane, younger embryos died earlier than older embryos infected at the same time. Incubation of infected embryos at 32 degrees C prolonged survival only slightly in comparison with those at 37 degrees C. N. fowleri maintained for more than 25 serial passages in chick embryos retained infectivity for mice and the ability to convert to the biflagellate form in vitro.


An intracavitary fungus ball composed of syncephalastrum.

A case of a pulmonary intracavitary fungus ball composed of Syncephalastrum sp., a member of the class Zygomycetes not previously reported in association with human disease, is presented. The fungus was cultured preoperatively from bronchial secretions as well as from the fungal mass from the resected lung. This fungus appeared to behave in a saprophytic manner similar to that of the more common Aspergillus fungus ball.


Neonatal myasthenia gravis in the infant of a myasthenic mother in remission.

A 26-year-old woman was in spontaneous clinical remission from myasthenia gravis (MG) for six months, yet gave birth to a full-term infant with typical neonatal MG. It is believed that transplacental transfer of anti-acetylcholine (ACh) receptor antibodies is responsible for neonatal MG; therefore, neonatal MG represents an in vivo assay of the pathogenic potential of anti-ACh receptor antibodies in 2 human individuals. Anti-ACh receptor antibodies were present in both mother and infant (titers 12.3 X 10(-9) and 4.4 X 10(-9) moles per liter, respectively) at the time of birth, and both mother's and infant's sera accelerated the degradation of ACh receptors in myotube cultures. This case suggests that "host factors" unique to the individual appear to modify or even determine whether the presence of anti-ACh receptor antibodies will result in clinical myasthenia.


Isolation and nature of intracellular alpha-aminoadipic acid-containing peptides from Paecilomyces persicinus P-10.

Small intracellular peptides containing alpha-aminoadipic acid, cysteine, and a valine moiety were obtained from mycelia of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 by ethanol or trichloroacetic acid extraction. After performic acid oxidation and ion-exchange chromatography, analysis of the peptide fractions by two-dimensional thin-layer electrophoresis and chromatography revealed the presence of three related peptides, as sulfonic acid derivatives, each containing alpha-aminoadipic acid. Each peptide was isolated in chromatographically pure form by semipreparative thin-layer electrophoresis and chromatography. The purified peptides were subjected to differential hydrolysis, dansylation, and combined dansylation-phenylisothiocyanate sequence analysis. Based on these studies, the structures of the isolated peptides were determined to be (i) glycl-delta-(alpha-aminoadipyl)-cysteinyl-beta-hydroxyvaline, (ii) glycyl-delta-(alpha-aminoadipyl)-cysteinylvaline, and (iii) delta-(alpha-aminoadipyl)-cysteinylvaline. The peptides isolated from Paecilomyces are similar to the alpha-aminoadipic acid-cysteine-valine moiety complex peptides isolated from Cephalosporium.


Fever patterns. Their lack of clinical significance.

Fever patterns were studied prospectively in 200 consecutive patients referred for infectious disease consultation and retrospectively in 204 patients with selected infectious or noninfectious diseases. Most patients had remittent or intermittent fever, which, when due to infection, usually followed diurnal variation. Hectic fever occurred less commonly but was observed in patients with all categories of infectious or noninfectious diseases. Although hectic fevers were seen more frequently in patients who had documented bacteremia, there were many nonbacteremic subjects who had this pattern and others without this pattern who had bacteremia. Sustained fever nearly always occurred in patients with Gram-negative pneumonia or CNS damage, although some patients with these diseases had other patterns as well. Our data suggest that, with the possible exception of sustained fever in Gram-negative pneumonia or CNS damage, the fever pattern is not likely to be helpful diagnostically.


[Consistometric study of meat and meat products. 6. Comparative determination of raw sausage consistency during curing].

Comparative consistometric tests, using two different measuring methods, were applied to raw sausages in a random sampling process over a somewhat extended period of time. A close relationship (r= -0.819) was found to exist between the data obtained from a modified Höppler consistometer, on the one hand, and those measured by means of a penetrometer, on the other. The penetrometer proved to be suitable for measurement under practice conditions, while more specific strength parameters (S/2, tan alpha) were successfully measured by means of the modified Häppler consistometer.


[Reducing the proportion of animal protein in feed for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). 2. Supplementation of methionine and lysine].

Continuing previous investigations, two test feedstuffs whose fishmeal content had been reduced to 5% and which were supplemented with 4.5 g methionine and 5.0 g lysine per kg resp. 6 g methionine and 6 g lysine per kg were proofed in comparison with a fattening feed for trout as customary in trade and with a fish meal content of 35%. The content of animal protein in the control feed was at least 75% (crude protein content 41%), in test feed I at most 35% (crude protein content 35.4%), in test feed II at most 17% (crude protein content 33.9%). All feedstuffs had the same energy content. The tests were made with rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of 80...100 g at the beginning and at water temperatures of 11...12 degrees C. They were conducted over a period of 112 days. After giving the same amount of feed, growth of and feed expenditure for the fish feed with the test feedstuffs were less suitable than of those fish which had received the control feed. Concerning the protein efficiency ratio, the productive protein value and the energetic expenditure too, the best results were achieved with the control feed.


Tumour incidence, growth, reproduction and longevity in female C3H mice fed polyunsaturated ruminant-derived foodstuffs.

Earlier studies with the random-bred Quackenbush mouse strain showed that human-type diets based on linoleic acid-enriched foodstuffs derived from ruminants fed protected polyunsaturated oils have no detrimental effects on growth, reproduction or longevity. Tumour incidence and time of onset of tumour development have now been studied in the inbred, tumour-prone mouse strain C3H, in addition to growth, reproduction and longevity. Mice were fed a polyunsaturated human diet, a conventional human diet, or mouse cubes. The results with C3H mice tended to confirm those with Quackenbush strain mice-growth rates and reproductive productivities were very similar in the two groups eating human diets. Mice on the conventional human diet tended to survive better to about 60 weeks of age than mice on the polyunsaturated diet or the cube diet, after which the mortality rates of the mice on the three diets were similar. The degree of unsaturation of the dietary fat had no significant effect on the incidence of tumours. The tumour incidence was about 40% which, taken in conjunction with the average age of onset (about 80 weeks), suggested that the NIV virus rather than the MMTV virus was responsible. It would appear that the high-fat human diets had no effect on the incidence of mammary tumours caused by this virus.


Histological and histochemical modifications of the uterine and vaginal mucosa of the mouse during the oestrus cycle.

The Authors have studied by histological and histochemical methods the morphological modifications of the uterine and vaginal mucosa which take place during the oestrus cycle in the mouse. The data has underlined numerous previously undescribed differences in the behaviour of the uterine and vaginal mucosa. The keratinization of the uterine epithelium is noticeably delayed in comparison with that of the vagina. The latter is already completely cornified in late oestrus, while this occurs in the uterine mucosa only in full oestrus. In contrast, the exfoliation of the cornified layers takes place in the uterus before the vagina. Analogous differences are observed in two organs for mitotic behaviour: the vaginal mucosa shows a mitotic peak during late dioestrus, while in the uterus the peak occurs only during full oestrus.


Employment of bis-intercalating dyes for the "in situ" study of DNA composition.

Spectrofluorometric characteristics of DNA-RO4 complexes have been studied in order to evaluate the possibility of employment of RO4 (a bis-intercalating dye) for the determination of the DNA base composition. The results have shown the usefulness of this compound for DNA with AT percentage between 30% and 60%. RO4 has been also applied to the study of the chromosome banding mechanism.


Studies on the biosynthesis of hepatic pyruvate kinase and its correlation with enhanced hepatic lipogenesis in meal-trained rats.

Metabolic and enzymic changes were measured in meal-trained rats fed on high-carbohydrate diet. Rates of hepatic fatty acid synthesis are probably greater than rates of gluconeogenesis throughout the 24 h day provided that animals are fed. The daily enhancement of fatty acid synthesis on meal feeding coincided with the maximum activation of hepatic pyruvate kinase. Maximum activation of this enzyme was reflected in increased total catalytic activity (Vmax.), increased activity at 0.5 MM-phosphoenolpyruvate (V0.5), decreased Vmax./V0.5 ratio and a decrease in co-operativity of phosphoenolpyruvate binding as measured by the Hill coefficient (h). The latter changes are consistent with a decrease in enzyme phosphorylation during activation of the enzyme. To estimate changes in enzyme protein, quantitative enzyme precipitation with rabbit antisera was used. Giving a high-carbohydrate diet to meal-trained animals induced enzyme synthesis within a few hours. Adaptations in diet that enhanced fatty acid synthesis (chow to high carbohydrate; starved to high carbohydrate) led to an increased steady-state concentration of pyruvate kinase protein. An approximate estimate of the half-life of hepatic pyruvate kinase was 56 h. Whenever pyruvate kinase specific activity was measured in liver tissue extracts it was always considerably less (20--100 mumol/min per mg of protein, depending on dietary status) than the specific activity of pure pyruvate kinase (200 mumol/min per mg of protein). Antigenically active, catalytically inactive protein was removed during enzyme purification from cytosol at the stage of (NH4)2SO4 fractionation. The fraction precipitated by 30--45%-satd. (NH4)2SO4 was enzymically active, antigenically reacting protein was identified in the remaining (NH4)2SO4 fractions (0--30%- and 45--85%-satd.) and this contained no enzyme activity. These may correspond to inactive proteolytic fragments of pyruvate kinase. The rate-determining step in adjusting enzyme concentration seems to be proteolysis.


Dietary fibre and regional large-bowel cancer mortality in Britain.

The relationship between food intake and cancer of the large bowel was assessed by calculating the average intakes of foods, nutrients and dietary fibre in the different regions of Great Britain and relating these to the regional pattern of death from colon and rectal cancers between 1969 and 1973. No significant associations were found with the consumption of fat, animal protein or beer, nor with current estimates of total dietary fibre intake. Average intakes of the pentose fraction of total dietary fibres, and of vegetables other than potatoes, were negatively correlated with the truncated age- and sex-standardized death rates from colon cancer (r = -0.960 and -0.940). Specific components of dietary fibre may therefore inhibit colon carcinogenesis.


Cycles of agglutination-disagglutination induced by ristocetin in thrombasthenic platelets.

An oscillatory pattern of platelet agglutination-disagglutination in response to Ristocetin (R) at narrow concentration ranges was observed in citrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) of 10 patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. The cyclic pattern decreased in intensity over time, was reproducible, and was not pH dependent. Formalin-fixed thrombasthenic platelets agglutinated with R but did not show a cyclic pattern. Incubation with 2.5 microM ADP inhibited R oscillation response, but small increases in R dose overcame this inhibition. The addition of ATP or creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase to thrombasthenic platelets inhibited by ADP restored the R oscillation response. In the platelets of a single patient, intracellular levels of ADP and ATP were shown to diminish during an oscillation response to R. There was an increase in AMP levels during the same period of time. The changes in these three intracellular nucleotides were gradual over time and did not vary with phases of the oscillation. Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), at concentrations shown to block cyclooxygenase activity in control platelets, enabled thrombasthenic platelets to respond to R with full agglutination without oscillations. Lower concentrations of ASA in the PRP gave a return of the oscillation response. Our data suggest that the disagglutination phase of the R response of thrombasthenic platelets is not a function of the known glycoprotein membrane defect, but depends on materials originating in the platelet whose release is blocked by ASA.


Significance of the ultrasound location of placental site in early pregnancy.

The placenta was located by routine ultrasound scanning before 24 weeks gestation in 615 consecutive obstetric patients. A 'low lying' placenta was present in 175 (28 per cent) of the total group; the incidence decreasing from 32 per cent at 16 weeks gestation to 18 per cent at 24 weeks. Of 94 women with an initial 'low lying' placenta who were selected for rescanning, only five had a placenta praevia persisting beyond the 34th week. Patients with an early 'low lying' placenta had a significantly higher incidence of small-for-dates babies than those in whom the placenta remained clear of the internal cervical os on ultrasound scanning.


A comparative histopathological study of argon and krypton laser irradiations of the human retina.

A series of comparative exposures to both argon and krypton lasers have been made at 3 locations in a human retina--the fovea, the macula, and intraretinal vessels. In the fovea argon irradiations resulted in damage to both the inner and outer retinal layers as a result of absorption within the pigment epithelium and the macular pigment, while krypton exposures damaged the outer retina and the choroid. In the macula both systems resulted in damage to the outer retina, and again sufficient krypton radiation passed into the choroid to induce blood vessel occlusion, haemorrhage, and oedema. When intraretinal vessels were irradiated, only with argon was sufficient energy absorbed within the vessels to damage them or their surroundings in the inner retina. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the therapeutic uses of lasers.


Photocoagulation of disciform macular lesions with krypton laser.

Ten vascular disciform mucular lesions were treated by krypton laser photocoagulation. In 8 the lesion resolved after therapy, and in 7 the retina remained flat for 6 months. On those patients treated successfully 6 had a visual acuity of 6/12 or better. The morphology of the laser lesion differed from that of the argon lesion in that there is no evidence of thermal coagulation of the inner retina near the foveola.


Argon laser photocoagulation in the treatment of central serous retinopathy.

In a prospective randomised trial of argon laser photocoagulation in the management of central serous retinopathy it was confirmed that this treatment hastens resolution of the serous detachment. No evidence was found to suggest that treatment influences the final visual outcome in eyes with initial visual acuity of 6/12 or better.


Determination of protein and reactive lysine in leaf-protein concentrates by dye-binding.

1. Twenty leaf-protein concentrates (LPC), were produced from different crops and by different processes, the latter being designed to retain maximum nutritional value of the samples. 2. The establishment of conditions for the use of CI ACid Orange 12 in a commercial dye-buffer reagent for the determination of protein and reactive (available) lysine in LPC was investigated. 3. Values for protein by dye-binding correlated well with those for tungstic-acid-precipitated nitrogen (x6.25). 4. Some LPC samples showed a loss of reactive lysine, the greatest loss being associated with the most severe processing conditions. 5. For the LPC samples studied, dye-binding provided a convenient method for the concurrent determination of protein and reactive lysine.


The effect of formaldehyde treatment before ensiling on the digestion of wilted grass silage by sheep.

1. Wilted perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Endura) was ensiled without additive or after addition of a mixture of equal volumes of formic acid (850 g/kg) and formalin (380 g formaldehyde/kg) applied at a rate of 35 g formaldehyde/kg herbage crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25). The digestion of the two silages and the effect of supplemental N as urea or urea plus soya-bean meal on the digestion of the treated silage was studied using sheep fitted with a rumen cannula and re-entrant cannulas in the proximal duodenum and distal ileum. 2. The additive markedly reduced carbohydrate fermentation and protein degradation in the silo. 3. There were no significant differences between diets in rumen pH, dilution rate, volatile fatty acid production and the molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate. However, rumen ammonia levels and the apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE) and cellulose in the stomach were significantly depressed (P less than 0.05) by the additive. It also reduced (P less than 0.05) the extent to which the N of the silage was degraded in the rumen and, with the treated silage, more microbial N was synthesized in the rumen than food N degraded, resulting in a net grain of N between mouth and duodenum, as compared to a net loss with the untreated silage. 4. Supplementation of the treated silage with urea or urea plus soya-bean meal significantly increased (P less than 0.05) the amount of food N degraded in the rumen and rumen ammonia levels but had no effect on the apparent digestibility of OM, GE and cellulose in the stomach or on the amount of microbial N reaching the duodenum. 5. The quantity of microbial amino acids entering the small intestine and the apparent digestibility of amino acids in the small intestine were similar for all four diets. However, the quantity of food amino acids reaching the small intestine was significantly higher with the three diets containing the treated silage and consequently the apparent absorption of amino acids from the small intestine was substantially higher with these diets than with the untreated silage.


Characterization of vitamin A transport system from goat plasma.

Retinol-binding protein and its complex with prealbumin were isolated from goat serum by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, gel filtration and immuno-affinity chromatography on antigoat-serum albumin-Sepharose 4B. The homogeneous prealbumin-retinol-binding protein complex had a molecular weight of 75 000. Both on electrophoresis and in the presence of 2 M urea, the complex dissociated into retinol-binding protein and prealbumin. The molecular weight, electrophoretic behaviour, ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra of goat retinol-binding protein were similar to those isolated from other sources. On sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis, goat prealbumin (molecular weight approximately 55 000) exhibited two bands corresponding to molecular weights 26 000 and 13 000. This suggests that either goat prealbumin consists of two non-identical sub-units or perhaps complete dissociation might not have occurred. Goat prealbumin was able to bind L-thyroxine and retinol-binding protein.


Dynamic analysis of the structure and function of sarcomeres.

We attempted to analyze the relationships between the steric structure of the sarcomere and its physiological functions by the use of a sarcomere model of muscle contraction, which includes the geometric arrangement of the thick and thin filaments of the sarcomere, as well as of the cross-bridges and actin sites. Motions of both cross-bridges and myofilaments were considered in terms of our three-state model of the elementary cycle under constraints caused by the steric structure of the sarcomere proposed by Huxley and Brown. Each cross-bridge moves in a molecular potential of our three-state model under the influence of the sliding motions of myofilaments. The sarcomere model described well the tension-velocity relation and isotonic transient processes quantitatively and consistently. In addition, it allowed independence of the no-load shortening velocity upon the overlap of the thick and thin filaments, although the motions of cross-bridges were not independent. Effects of the helical periodicities of the thick and thin filaments and of the number of cross-bridges upon muscle contraction were studied, and the conditions for smooth and efficient contraction of muscle were obtained.


[Fractionation of DNA containing single-stranded regions on a column with benzoylated DEAE-cellulose].

A possible use of a previously described method of fractionation of highly polymeric DNAs on a column with benzoylated DEAE-cellulose is discussed. The method can be used for separation of renaturated and hybrid DNA molecules as well as for detection of single-stranded structures within the DNA. Using the method in question it was shown that the DNA of hepatoma 27 contains about 6% of single-stranded DNA structures.


The influence of availability of free school milk on the height of children in England and Scotland.

The effect is investigated of availability of free school milk on height gain in one year of six- and seven-year-old primary schoolchildren in England and Scotland, using data collected annually from 1972 to 1976. The height gain of children for whom milk was available for the whole year of observation was compared with that of children who had no milk. Out of 16 sex-country-year-specific analyses for children from manual social classes only, 13 showed no significant evidence of greater height gain in children who had milk. Comparison of children from Social Classes IV and V (semi-skilled and unskilled) showed no greater increase in height for those who had milk, nor was there a difference in height gain between manual social class children according to the number of glasses of milk they drank a day at home or at school. We concluded that, given the standard of living at the time of the survey, the drinking of free school milk did not increase the growth rate of six- and seven-year-old children.


The CT scanner in posterior fossa tumours of childhood.

Eighty-five consecutive posterior fossa tumours occurring in children and detected by computed tomography (CT) were submitted to detailed analysis. There was only one false positive diagnosis, which would have been avoided with present knowledge, and no known false negative diagnoses during the same period. In most cases the histological type of the tumour could be reliably predicted. CT was less accurate for determining the anatomical extent of the lesions but tumours arising in the brainstem could always be distinguished from those predominantly affecting the fourth ventricle and cerebellum.


[Mechanical and chemical patterns in the completion of isolated cell division].

Bicellular complex of a divided oocyte of the mollusc Lymnea stagnalis is chosen as a "testing machine" for studying mechanical and biochemical properties of the membranes of interblastomere wall. The membrane material is described by a standard rheological body. Rheological and kinetic problems are considered. Their solution allows an experimental solution of elastic, viscose and relaxation constants and chemical-mechanical parameter of the balance of the membrane synthesis and its deformations. A relationship (of the logistic type) between the growth of the wall area and time is found.


Sensory neglect after lesions of substantia nigra or lateral hypothalamus: differential severity and recovery of function.

Sensory neglect was studied in cats after unilateral lesions of: lateral hypothalamus (LH); internal capsule (IC) adjacent to the LH; substantia nigra (SN) or the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Special behavioral tests were employed to yield quantifiable data and also to exclude any confounding due to simple movement deficits. Lesions of SN or IC produced severe and enduring contralateral visual and somesthetic deficits and a facilitation of ipsilateral visual responsiveness. In contrast, LH lesions sparing the adjacent IC produced only weak and transient deficits and VMH lesions had no effects on sensory function. This suggests that lesions of the SN or its forebrain connections are important for producing sensory neglect and that sensory deficits after LH lesions are due to infringement on fibers of passage to or from the SN. Lesions which produced neglect often suppressed the amplitude of flash evoked responses in the ipsilateral caudate nucleus and visual and association cortex. However, these evoked potential effects were transient. There was no effect on the spontaneous EEG and this fails to support the hypothesis of a lack of hemispheric arousal in sensory neglect. The results are discussed in relation to nigrotectal projections and the process of attention. This lesion-behavior model is suggested for studies of recovery of function.


Drug-induced stereotypes and asymmetric behaviour after substantia nigra pars posterior (SNPP) lesions in cats.

Apomorphine- (Apo) and amphetamine- (Amph) induced behavioural phenomena were studied in cats which received either 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or electrothermic lesions of the posterior part of the substantia nigra (SNPP). In this species, as in rats, both drugs evoked sterotypies (sniffing and head nodding) and an enhancement of locomotor activity. However, distinct differences between the reactions of cats and rats to both drugs were found, the most evident effect being the lack of sterotyped gnawing and licking. By correlating the data on behaviour, the histological examination showing the size and location of the lesions, and the dopamine (DA) content of the corresponding caudate nuclei, it is concluded that the fewer DA-specific neurons lesioned in the SNPP, the more pronounced was the ipsilateral asymmetric behaviour. We suggest, therefore, that the ipsilateral asymmetric behaviour in cats following APO- and AMPH-treatment is due to the destruction of a non-catecholaminergic output.


The relationship between dendritic growth of cortical neurons and the ontogeny of conditioned and unconditioned reflex control.

Suppression of an infantile reflex (circling behavior) to electric shock in a straight-alley escape problem increased as a function of age and trials in male Swiss-Webster mice trained at 7, 9, or 11 days of age and retested 24 h later. Twenty-four hours retention of prior training, indicated by the superior performance of trained subjects relative to yoked-shock and age controls, was not evident until 9 days of age. Analyses of Golgi--Cox preparations of parieto-temporo-preoccipital cortices, taken immediately following testing, revealed that behavioral development was paralleled by age-related changes in apical, oblique, and basilar dendritic networks and number of apical dendritic spines of layer V pyramidal cells. Correlations between behavioral and histological measures, indicated no consistent association of retention capacity with any of the physiological measures. However, basilar dendritic growth was significantly correlated with unconditioned reflex control as well as initial learning ability.


Ontogeny of catecholamine turnover rates in limbic and hypothalamic structures in relation to serum prolactin and gonadotropin levels.

Norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) concentrations and turnover rates have been studied in the n. accumbens, medial preoptic area (MPO) and anterior and posterior parts of the mediobasal hypothalamus of developing rats. Turnover rates are determined by injection of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine 30 and 90 min prior to decapitation. NE concentrations and turnover in the n. accumbens were low in all age groups with slightly increased values between days 20 and 35 after birth whereas DA concentrations and turnover rates were low at day 15 and 20 and at high adult values by day 25 after birth. Medial preoptic and anterior mediobasal hypothalamic catecholamines exhibited a rather unique pattern. Concentrations and turnover rates were low in 15-day-old animals and increased between days 20 and 30 to very high values. Such high values were never observed in adult diestrous animals. The same pattern was also observed in the posterior mediobasal hypothalamus for NE concentrations and turnover rates whereas the respective values for DA showed relatively large fluctuations. On the basis of catecholamine measurements 30 and 90 min after blockade of tyrosine hydroxylase an attempt was also made to differentiate turnover rates of the functional and of the storage pool. Serum LH levels in the 15-day-old animals showed large fluctuations. FSH levels were high and prolactin levels were low. At the time of increased preoptic and hypothalamic NE and DA turnover rates, serum prolactin levels were also high whereas serum LH levels were lowest between days 20 and 30 and then slightly increased. Serum FSH levels were uniformly low. The possibility is discussed that high NE turnover may stimulate pituitary LH and prolactin release by hypothalamic mechanisms. Hihgh serum prolactin levels may stimulate DA turnover which is inhibitory to pituitary LH release, thus counteracting the stimulatory effect of NE on LH-RH release. The dopaminergic inhibition of LH may be relieved at the time of puberty partially because the DA receptors become desensitized to the action of DA.


Influence of dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea on the induction of urinary bladder cancer in rats.

N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) was instilled by a urethral catheter into the urinary bladders of female Wistar rats in weekly doses of 0.5 mg for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. At 75 weeks after the initial dose of MNU, the incidences of bladder cancer were 0, 7, 50 and 64% for the total doses of MNU of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg, respectively. Control rats instilled with 0.9% NaCl only for 1--4 weeks did not develop bladder cancer by 75 weeks. Higher doses of MNU of 4.0 and 6.0 mg, given weekly in 0.5 mg amounts for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively, induced a higher incidence (nearly 90%) of urinary bladder cancer in rats at 22--28 weeks. However, it was shown that control rats given 12 weekly installations of solvent only developed a significant number (33%) of bladder cancers by 22--28 weeks.


Hypertrophic smooth muscle. IV. Myofilaments, intermediate filaments and some mechanical properties.

The ultrastructure of filaments is studied in the hypertrophic musculature of the small intestine of the guinea pig oral to an experimental stenosis. No structural change is observed in the thin and the thick myofilaments. However, there is a remarkable and consistent increase in the number of intermediate (10 nm) filaments; they are the predominant type of filament in many hypertrophic muscle cells. Experiments, in which the force developed in vitro by strips of control and hypertrophic musculature upon stimulation with carbachol, indicate that the force per unit sectional area is slightly less in the hypertrophic muscle than in the control tissue.


Ultrastructural observations on the oogenesis of Triops cancriformis (Crustacea, Notostraca). II. Early developmental states of the oocyte.

The first stages of the oogenesis of Triops cancriformis have been studied. At the outset the oocyte is smaller than the nurse cells. Meiosis begins with typical synaptonemal complexes. The significance of these complexes and of some other peculiar structures of germ cells, i.e., pore complexes and annuli within the nucleus, and annulate lamellae within the cytoplasm are discussed. The morphofunctional uniformity of some cytoplasmic structures (annulate lamellae, concentrically arranged ER, and yolk globules) in the oocyte as well as its nurse cells is also discussed.


A dense-cored filamentous body in Leydig cells of the golden hamster.

A unique cytoplasmic structure has been observed in Leydig cells of the golden hamster. It consists of a laminar core made up of electron dense material surrounded by a filamentous matrix of lower density, and is tentatively called a dense-cored filamentous body (DCFB). DCFBs vary in overall size and in configuration of the centrally disposed dense lamina. They are typically located in the vicinity of the centrosome and the Golgi complex. The body has no limiting membrane, and may be in contact with virtually every type of organelle. The DCFB is well developed in active Leydig cells, whereas it is small in the quiescent stage of the secretory cell. It is likely that the DCFB is a constant organelle in the hamster Leydig cell and may be involved in the physiological function of the Leydig cell, which remains to be specified.


Studies on fish scale formation and resorption. III. Fine structure and calcification of the fibrillary plates of the scales in Carassius auratus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

Electron microscopic investigation of scales of the goldfish Carassius auratus revealed that the lamellae of fibrillary plates contain sheet-like structures composed of vertically oriented collagen fibers embedded in an organic matrix. The fibers (TC fibers) are smaller in diameter (35-45 nm) than those of the lamellae and the matrix is stained intensely with lead citrate. The sheet-like structures as well as the lamellae are formed by fibroblasts located beneath the lamellae. The orientation of collagen fibers of the sheets and the lamellae seems to be controlled by the orientation of the ridges and invaginations of the surface of the fibroblasts. The fibrillary plate of C. auratus was found to be partially calcified. Calcification was initiated by the deposition of needle-like or flaky crystals of hydroxyapatite in the organic matrix of the sheet-like structure and proceeded into the TC fibers and the matric region of the lamellae. The potassium pyroantimonate-osmium tetroxide method showed a heavy concentration of calcium in the osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and in the matrix regions of the fibrillary plate. Calcium-containing precipitates were also present in the "hole zone" of the collagen fibers in the lamellae, but the significance of this location in calcification remains to be elucidated.


The ultrastructure of the striated muscle of the tail of Cercaria chackai, nadakal et al., 1969.

The electron microscopic study of the tail of Cercaria chackai reveals that it contains four sets of striated muscle bundles located central to the nonstriated circular and longitudinal muscles. The striated muscle consists of longitudinally oriented lamellar myofibres. Each myofibre contains a single "U" shaped myofibril. The banding pattern is analogous to that of vertebrate striated muscle. The sarcolemma is a simple surface membrane. There are no transverse tubular extensions of sarcolemma. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is very well developed with cisternae, tubules, and vesicles. SR cisternae form dyadic couplings with the sarcolemma. There is a set of flattened tubules of SR origin traversing the myofibril exactly at the Z region. These tubules are unique to the striated muscle of the cercarian tail and may have functional significance. A diagrammatic reconstruction of the myofibre is presented.


Distribution patterns of formaldehyde-induced fluorescence of hypothalamic monoamines.

In a circumscribed area of the preoptic periventricular nucleus of a male rat, formaldehyde-induced monoamine fluorophores modified by treatment with HCl vapors were investigated microfluorometrically (measurement of excitation peak ratio 370 : 320 nm) in all fluorescent terminals and preterminals. Microfluorometric recordings of an individual fluorescent structure were performed without UV irradiation of neighboring fluorophores. Recorded data were sampled and corrected by a microcomputer (Wang PCS II). 19 neuronal processes (axons) contained noradrenaline fluorophores; 11 contained dopamine fluorophores; 6 exhibited uncharacteristic excitation peak ratios; and in 19 recordings technical problems did not allow identification of the fluorophore content.


Junctional structures in the metamorphosing midgut of Aeshna cyanea (Insecta, Odonata).

The metamorphosing midgut of Aeshna cyanea is characterized by the successive development of two tissues: the reticulated tissue and the imaginal epithelium. These tissues supply information concerning contacts between cells diverging in their developmental pathways although arising from the same stem cell population. In addition to small desmosomes, which bind reticulated to imaginal cells, the reticulated cells form invaginations into the apex of imaginal epithelial cells. The projections of the reticulated cells have enlarged tips, and numerous microfilaments run longitudinally along the length of these processes. It is suggested that the anchoring projections of these cells delay the casting off of the reticulated tissue into the lumen, and thus allow the development of the imaginal microvilli. These project into the dilated intercellular space filled with a glycoprotein material that separates imaginal and reticulated cells (Andries, 1972).


Neuraminidase activity in the mucolipidoses (types I, II and III) and the cherry-red spot myoclonus syndrome.

Two neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) comonents, A and B, were distinguished in cultured skin fibroblasts on the basis of thermolability at 37 degrees C. The more labile component (A) t1/2 = 4.7--5.3 min at 37 degrees C, comprises 66--90% of total neuraminidase activity when determined using sodium (4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminate) (MU-alpha-N) as substrate. Activity was assayed at 0 degrees C for 18 h instead of 37 degrees C to fully determine both thermolabile and thermostable components. Diminished activity was noted in cultured fibroblasts from mucolipidoses I, II and III (MLI, MLII, MLIII) and the cherry-red spot myoclonus syndrome (CRSM) patients when assayed at both 0 and 37 degrees C with either MU-alpha-N or each of a series alpha (2 leads to 3)- and alpha (2 leads to 6)-linked N-acetylneuraminyloligosaccharides. Increased sensitivity and rapidity of analyses were achieved using MJ-alpha-N as substrate in determining neuraminidase activity. Results from two obligate heterozygote MLI cell lines (14.5 and 8.0% of control activity) indicate that the MU-alpha-N substrate could be useful for heterozygote detection.


"Cytogenetic" studies of spermatids of mice carrying Cattanach's translocation by flow cytometry.

The DNA content of spermatids of mice carrying Cattanach's translocation has been measured with high precision by flow cytometry. The observation that the two peaks of DNA content in the haploid region of the DNA histograms represent X- and Y-bearing spermatids was tested and confirmed. Using flow cytometry, the difference in DNA content between the X and Y chromosomes in these mice was measured to be 5.2 +/- 0.1% of the total haploid genome as compared to 3.4 +/- 0.1% in normal mice. These results demonstrated the precision of flow cytometry for cytogenetic studies. Additional information on spermatogenesis in mice bearing Cattanach's translocation was obtained and showed a gradual loss of cells during spermatogenesis in those bearing the balanced form of the translocation.


BrdU-dye characterization of late replication and meiotic recombination in Armenian hamster germ cells.

In vivo BrdU-dye methodology is used to reveal patterns of replication kinetics and meiotic recombination in male germ cells of the Armenian hamster. Analogue substitution over a fraction of the DNA synthesis period results in distinctive 33258 Hoechst fluorescence staining of late replicating chromatin, detectable at spermatogonial or spermatocyte I and II stages. Spermatogonial cells which are extensively substituted with BrdU over the penultimate synthesis period reveal sister chromatid differentiation in all chromosomes of primary or secondary spermatocytes. In chiasmatic regions, exchanges between unlike-stained non-sister chromatids are indicated by isolatelled segments, while those occurring between like-stained non-sister chromatids are not directly detected. In sex chromosomes from young animals, these alternative images occur in a ratio of 1:1, which supports the concept that homologue non-sister chromatid regions are randomly broken and re-united in the process of chiasma formation. Deviations from randomness appeared to occur in older animals. Sex bivalent chiasmata are either coincident with points of visible exchange, or they appear to have variable degrees of terminalization. Secondary spermatocytes display sharp chromatid contrast, and aid in mapping the positions and frequencies of homologue exchanges.


Development of cellular tolerance to lethality and analgesia concurrent with physical dependence following repeated oral administration of LAAM.

Following the repeated oral administration of l-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) employing a dose (28 mg/kg per day) shown to induce its own metabolism by three- to four-fold, mice exhibited a rapid development of cellular tolerance and physical dependence which correlated on a temporal basis with this self-induction of LAAM metabolism. Evidence of cellular tolerance included significant elevations in the LAAM oral LD50, LAAM ICV (intracerebroventricular) LD50, LAAM oral AD50 and the LAAM ICV AD50 following repeated administration of this narcotic. Since the ICV parameters and the morphine AD50 were elevated over water control values, cellular tolerance appeared to play an important role in explaining the elevations noted for the oral parameters because the former were not influenced by changes in the rate of LAAM metabolism. Moreover, SKF-525A, a microsomal enzyme inhibitor, had little effect on the LAAM oral LD50 and the LAAM oral AD50, further indicating a minor role for dispositional tolerance. It is concluded that the induction noted for repeated oral LAAM administration most likely is responsible for generating more potent metabolites which in turn act to produce the cellular tolerance and physical dependence in these mice through constant exposure of the CNS.


Suppression of oestrus-inducing pheromone production in the Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray, by treatment with an antiandrogen.

The effect of cyproterone acetate (CA) on the production of the male-originating oestrus-inducing pheromone in the Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray was investigated. The anoestrus induced in regularly cycling females by unisexual grouping was reversed by exposure to intact males. The majority of male-exposed females returned to oestrus within seven days, with a peak on the fourth-day. By contrast, exposure to CA-treated males failed to induce oestrus in grouped females. Since CA is a potent antiandrogen, the inability of CA-treated males to induce oestrus in females is interpreted as due to the depression of the production of the androgen-dependent pheromone. The results provide evidence in favour of the concept that the oestrus-inducing pheromone in the Indian field mouse is associated with androgens either directly or indirectly through some androgen-dependent gland.


Investigation by 360-MHz 1H-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy and methylation analysis of the single glycan chain of chicken ovotransferrin.

The primary structure of two glycopeptides obtained by pronase digestion of chicken ovotransferrin has been investigated by 360-MHz proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and methylation analysis. The two glycopeptides differ in amino acid composition but contain the same carbohydrate moiety, viz: (formula: see text). Using the NMR data of some reference compounds the chemical shifts of the anomeric protons and mannose H-2 protons could be predicted with an accuracy of 0.01 ppm.


Comparison of poly(A)-containing RNAs in different cell types of the lower eukaryote Schizophyllum commune.

Poly(A)-containing RNAs were isolated from morphologically different cells of the fungus Schizophyllum commune. Using mRNA markers the number-average length of poly(A)-containing RNA in total RNA and in purified poly(A)-containing RNA was estimated as 1100 nucleotides. Number-average length of poly(A)-tracts was 33 nucleotides. 2.5% of total RNA is poly(A)-containing RNA and probably up to 7.5% are non-polyadenylated polydisperse RNA sequences. Saturation hybridization of poly(A)-containing RNA to gap-translated [3H]DNA resulted in 16% of the reactive single-copy DNA to become S1 nuclease resistant. It was found that purified poly(A)-containing RNA represented the entire RNA complexity, i.e. 10 000 different RNA sequences in S. commune. RNA sequences isolated from morphologically different mycelia and from fruiting and non-fruiting mycelia were identical for at least 90%.


Modulation of dopamine-mediated behavioural responses by antidepressants: effects of single and repeated treatment.

The study concerned the effects of maprotiline, imipramine, clomipramine and amitriptyline on the stereotyped and turning behaviour induced by apomorphine in rats. At either single or repeated doses of 25 mg/kg i.p. neither maprotiline nor imipramine changed the stereotyped responses induced by apomorphine. Clomipramine showed in contrast an inhibitory effect which increased after 7 daily injections of the drug. Moderate suppression of stereotypies was also observed after repeated administration of amitriptyline. In rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of the s.nigra apomorphine-induced contralateral turning was markedly suppressed (70%) after a single 25 mg/kg i.p. injection of maprotiline. A tolerance to this effect developed after 7 daily injections of the drug. Clomipramine and amitriptyline caused an inhibition of turning which was markedly increased after repeated treatment. These results suggest that antidepressants do not uniformly affect the behavioural responses mediated by dopamine. Clomipramine and amitriptyline appear to possess dopamine receptor blocking properties which may become more pronounced after chronic treatment. In contrast, the dopamine receptor blockade by maprotiline diminished and disappeared under such conditions. Among the drugs investigated imipramine was the one which seemed to have the weakest influence on dopaminergic receptors.


Genetics and ethanol tolerance.

This paper reviews some of the research on genetic bases of individual differences in ethanol tolerance of mice conducted at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics and at its predecessor laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. Tolerance is, of course, a complex concept. Theoretical distinctions are made between tachyphylaxis and more slowly acquired tolerance and between dispositional and tissue tolerance. Pragmatically, a variety of measures (such as locomotor activity, sleep time, hypothermia) can be used to define these processes, and the different indices may yield quite different results even when they presumably indicate the same process. It is clear that an understanding of genetic influence in "ethanol tolerance" will require wide sampling of this complex domain. The work described here represents only a beginning, but it may illustrate the general approaches that are available for addressing the issue.


In vivo opiate binding unchanged in tolerant/dependent mice.

The in vivo receptor binding was measured for an opiate agonist and antagonist in the brains of naive mice and of mice made tolerant to and dependent on opiates by morphine pretreatment. There was significant differences between the receptor binding of these substances in the naive and in the tolerant/dependent animals. However, these differences disappeared 8 h after interruption of the morphine supply, although tolerance showed no decline. Therefore, the differences in the binding were obviously not produced by changes in the opiate receptors related to tolerance. Rather, the differences were probably caused by morphine in the brain of the tolerant/dependent mice pretreated with morphine and disappeared because the concentration of the morphine in the brains of these animals dropped during abrupt withdrawal. The fact that tolerance persisted for hours beyond this time indicated that tolerance is a time-dependent phenomenon, not directly dependent on receptor occupation by an agonist.


Studies on the ultrastructure of the term amnion in pathological pregnancy.

The ultrastructure of the amniotic epithelium at term was examined in cases of intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus and compared with amnions obtained from women with a clinically unremarkable pregnancy. In uterine growth retardation the amniotic cells exhibit a general deficiency of a series of functionally significant cell organelles. The RER is insufficiently developed, there is a diminution of the normally numerous free ribosomes as well as of those cell organelles which are involved in secretory function. A further atypical finding is the common lack of intercellular canals playing an important role in the transamniotic exchange of material. Besides this, a very poor development or a complete disintegration of the microfilamentous cytoskelet is generally noticed. The present findings give once again evidence for a very close relation between the structural appearance of the intercellular diffusion canals and the microfilamentous system. The results presented are suggestive of an amnion which is in a state of reduced secretory activity, additionally, due to the common lack of intercellular canals an inhibition of the interepithelial passage between the maternal and amniotic compartment cannot be excluded.


Influence of photoinduction on aminotransferase activity in biloxi soybean, Glycine max. L., Merr.

Increasing number of photoinductive cycles markedly influenced the activity of 5 different aminotransferase systems as compared to non-inductive cycles. The activity was related to the requirement of the corresponding aminoacid synthesised during the process of photoinduction in the leaves.


Analysis of human spermatozoal fertilizing ability using zona-free ova.

An in vitro fertilization assay employing zona-free hamster eggs was used to analyze human spermatozoal fertilizing ability. Human spermatozoa were preincubated for 18 to 20 hours in Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham's medium (1971) at a concentration of 1 X 10(7) sperm/ml prior to the addition of zona-free superovulated hamster eggs. Eggs were examined microscopically 2 hours later for evidence of swelling or decondensing sperm heads in the cytoplasm. A total of 6266 eggs were examined in assays for both suspected fertile and infertile donors; 50 eggs/sample were examined. The percentage fertilization was found to range from 14% to 100% in the suspected fertile group with an average of 56.3%. The sperm concentration in this fertile group ranged from 22 to 303 million/ml with an average of 114. The suspected infertile samples yielded fertilization rates of 10% or less and an average count of 50.6 million/ml. These data suggest that human spermatozoa fuse with the vitelline membrane of zona-free hamster eggs and decondense with varying efficiencies. The percentage of fertilization in this cross-species system did not show a significant correlation with sperm concentration or motility. However, suspected infertile samples always yielded 10% or less fertilization in this assay. This method may have potential value as a diagnostic tool in evaluating human spermatozoal fertilizing capacity which avoids the ethical and logistcal problems associated with fertilization of human eggs in vitro.


Sperm antibody activity in human fallopian tube fluid.

Fallopian tube fluid and sera from 33 fertile and 48 infertile patients were investigated for spermatozoal antibodies by gelatin agglutination, immobilization, and indirect immunofluorescence tests. Oviductal fluids were obtained as washings after tubal catheterization. The incidences of antisperm activity in oviductal washings ranged from 9% to 58.3% depending on the tests used. These incidences were higher in infertile patients. Only immunoglobulin (Ig) A antisperm antibody was significantly more common in infertile patients than in fertile patients (P less than 0.01). Gelatin agglutination and antisperm IgG activity in the oviductal washings could be correlated to that in the sera. No relationship was seen between antisperm activity in the oviductal washings and that in the sera for sperm immobilization antibodies and IgA antisperm antibodies.


Determining the impact of sex preferences on fertility: a consideration of parity progression ratio, dominance, and stopping rule measures.

The two methods commonly used to assess the effect of sex preferences on fertility are inadequate to the task. Parity progression ratio analyses suffer from logical problems stemming from the heterogeneity of sex preferences and the riskiness of fertility decisions. While conjoint measurement-dominance procedures overcome these logical problems, they cannot yield quantitative estimates of the impact of sex preferences on fertility. A stopping rule measure which overcomes these limitations is proposed and described and its potential for determining the effect of sex predetermination methods on population is discussed.


A note on the analysis of parity progression ratios.

Contingency table modeling procedures are proposed to examine the effects of independent variables on parity progression ratios. The methodology is outlined and an incremental-factorial linear model is developed.


Aqueductal stenosis in X-linked hydrocephalus: a secondary phenomenon?

Two cases of x-linked hydrocephalus are reported. One underwent postmortem examination: serial sections of the brain stem failed to show stenosis of the aqueduct, the mean and minimal cross-sectional areas of which were normal. However, there were some morphological changes which were compatible with a mechanical compression of the brain stem. It is postulated that in the Bickers and Adams syndrome of x-linked hereditary hydrocephalus the primary defect is a communicating hydrocephalus leading usually, but not always, to aqueductal stenosis. The importance of electrophysiological investigations for the correct diagnosis of the characteristic clasped-thumb deformity is also indicated.


Mixed bacterial and fungal meningitis in a neonate.

Mixed infections of the central nervous system occurring in children without underlying neurological disease may be more frequent than previously suspected. In this case report, a neonate whose cerebrospinal fluid culture at 24 hours showed group B streptococcus only, was found on postmortem examination at six days of age to have disseminated candidiasis with cerebral abscesses. The degree of systemic involvement in this newborn suggested intra-uterine acquired candidiasis. Early diagnosis of polymicrobic infections is difficult, but this case suggests it should be considered in patients not responding to antibiotic therapy.


[Heterologous artificial insemination (author's transl)].

The indications for insemination, the selection of donor, consultation with the recipient parent and the technique will be described, based on our four-year experience. A description of the examination before the insemination and the results from a small collection of cases will be discussed.


[Sulfalene pharmacogenetics. I. The genetic determination of the pharmacokinetic indices].

Genetic determination of pharmacokinetics of sulfalen, a new antibacterial drug, has been studied in 28 twin pairs of Moscow Russian population. In order to determine the degree of heritability of such pharmacokinetic parameters of sulfalen as t 1/2 (half-life); Vd and delta (apparent and specific volumes of distribution) and Co (apparent initial concentration) Holtsinger H-statistics values have been calculated, which are 0.891, 0.866, 0.766 and 0.797 respectively. Possible causes of discrepancies between these values and the coefficients of genetic determination G, calculated by decomposition of general phenotypical dispercion of the parameters via the main equation of quantitative traits of genetics are given (0.913, 0.762, 0.828, 0.856 in that order). The data obtained make it possible to assume that genetic determination t 1/2 of sulfalen is carried out within the system of monogenous interaction (HD = 0.91, HA = 0), that of Vd and Co--within the system of additive-polygenous interaction, while linear and non-linear effects contribute to delta determination (HD = 0.232, HA = 0.596).


Degradation of organic nitrogenous wastes by a soil streptomycete.

A soil streptomycete degraded hair, silk, wool, feather and leather which were collected from solid wastes. The organism was identified taxonomically and designated Streptomyces sp. A956. It degraded leather to the maximum extent and solubilized 35.9% of the total nitrogen, 2.32 mg of glycine equivalent amino nitrogen could be obtained by degradation of 100 mg leather.


Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza and nodulation in soybean.

Dual infections of Glycine max with VA endophytes and Rhizobium, compared with Rhizobium alone, increased the number and weight of nodules significantly in natural field soil and obviated the need of phosphate application for successful nodulation.


[Correlations between pre, peri, and postnatal risk factors and the psychomotor development during the 1st half year of life].

Data from 1288 illustrated questionnaires were analysed with regard to the correlation of pre-, peri- and postnatal complications and infant psychomotor development. The information on the infants' case history was obtained through the parents retrospectively. Data on psychomotor development were gained prospectively by means of continuous parental observation. Statistical evaluation showed that correlations among many risk factors in our sample and developmental items decrease already during the first six months of life. That is to say, depending on the length of time subsequent to their pre- and perinatal effects many obstetric complications lose their significance for a given state of psychomotor development as well as for prognosis. Furthermore, one should consider that even prediction through recent and current risk factors may often only be of short-term value.


[Efficacy and tolerance of Uroflux, a bladder and kidney tea, in the treatment of urinary tract infections, especially in diabetes mellitus].

In an open study the use of Uroflux tea and sugar coated tablets individually and in combination with chemotherapeutic or antibiotic therapy in 52 patients is described. Urine analysis showed improvement rates of 92 and 93 per cent respectively. A blind trial was carried out separately in diabetic patients over a period of 14 days in order to evaluate the effects on daily blood sugar levels of Uroflux tea against a comparative product. It was clearly shown, that the patients on Uroflux tea showed no changes in daily blood sugar profiles. Contrary to this is was noteworthy that blood sugar concentrations in patients receiving the comparative product were elevated in the morning before breakfast as well as one hour after the midday meal. There were no side effects observed with any of the Uroflux dosage forms; even patients complaining of "sensitive stomach" reported excellent tolerance.


[Synthesis of (LysA13)bovine insulin A chain fragments using the S-tert-butylmercapto residue for thiol protection (author's transl)].

The synthesis of the peptide derivatives A1-8 and [LysA13]A9-15 as well as A1-7 and [LysA13]A8-15, belonging to the [LysA13]-bovine insulin A chain is described. The S-tert-butylmercapto group was used for thiol protection.


[Synthesis of (LysA13)bovine insulin A chain analogs as (Lys(Tfa)A13)A(SO3H)4 and Nalpha-A1-Msc-(LysA13)A(SO3H)4 derivatives using the S-tert-butylmercapto residue for thiol protection (author's transl)].

The following paper describes the synthesis of the [LysA13]bovine insulin A chain analog as [Lys(Tfa)A13]A(SO3H)4 and NalphaA1-Msc-[LysA13]A(SO3H)4 derivatives using the S-tert-butylmercapto residue for thiol protection. Although the intermediate S-tert-butylmercaptocysteinyl-peptide derivatives showed a good solubility in organic solvents the resulting fully protected A chain derivatives had a poor solubility in organic solvents and therefore were deblocked converted into the tetra(S-sulfonic acid) derivatives and purified via ionexchange chromatography.


A crystalline A14-(2-nitro-4-trimethylammoniophenyl) derivative of bovine insulin.

[O-(2-Nitro-4-trimethylammoniophenyl)-TyrA 14]insulin (bovine) is a product formed on reaction of bovine insulin with the hydrophilic reagent 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-trimethyl-ammoniobenzene iodide (TAN-F) in an aqueous buffer at pH 8.00. The derivative was isolated and its purity established by standard procedures. The identity of the derivative was determined by degrative studies with alpha-chymotrypsin. The addition of zinc to the above reaction decreases the yield of the title derivative, but increases the yield of the [N alpha-TAN-GlyA1] derivative. [N alpha-Boc-GlyA1]insulin was also reacted with the above mentioned reagent in an attempt to improve the yield of the A14-tyrosine derivative. The biological activity of this microcrystalline derivative was found to be 12.4 units/mg as measured by the mouse convulsion assay.


Transplacental mutagenesis: the micronucleus test on fetal mouse blood.

The induction of cytogenetic damage (micronuclei) in mouse fetal blood was studied with four selected mutagens: cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, trenimon, and mitomycin-C. For comparison the standard micronucleus test on maternal bone marrow was also performed. In contrast to the results obtained from maternal bone marrow the changes in the cellular composition in fetal blood were only slight after treatment with mutagens. A significant and dose-dependent increase in the incidence of micronucleated fetal blood cells was found with all four mutagens. The inducibility of micronuclei by indirect mutagens was particularly interesting. The three mutagens other than mitomycin-C induced a higher frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in fetal blood cells than in maternal bone marrow. The results indicate that this modified micronucleus test is well suited and useful for mutagenicity screening of environmental chemicals and especially for assessment of risks to the fetus when pregnant females are exposed to environmental chemicals.


A cytogenetic survey of an institution for the metnally retarded. III. Q-Band chromosome heteromorphisms.

Heteromorphisms of chromosomes 3, 4, 13-15, 21-22, and Y were studied in a population of 374 mentally retarded patients from diverse ethnic groups. A significant variation in the size of the Y chromosome was found among different racial groups, those of the Orientals and Filipinos being larger than those of the Caucasians or Polynesians. No other significant variation was found among the different racial groups, although suggestive differences were seen in bands 3 cen, 13p3, and 14p3. Band 13 cen/pl was significantly larger in the category of socio-familial retardation than in the other two categories. However, as the significance was at the 0.05% level and as this was the only heteromorphism whose distribution was different among the three categories of mental retardation, we assign little importance to this observation.


Interaction of hyperoxia and blood flow during fatigue of canine skeletal muscle in situ.

Right and left gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle preparations in 20 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium were used to investigate the effect of hyperoxia on tension maintenance. Muscles were stimulated via the sciatic nerve for 20 min at 60 200-ms tetanic contractions/min (10 impulses/contraction). Direct muscle stimulation after the experimental period resulted in no significant change in tension. In control experiments the tension developed by the right or left muscles over the 20 min was not different. The tension developed by muscles perfused with hyperoxic blood decreased 14% after 20 min, whereas tension in the normoxic muscles decreased 35%. Blood flow in the hyperoxic muscles was significantly higher at 20 min (P less than 0.05). Pump perfusion of one of a pair of normoxic muscles resulted in a tension decrease of 13% in the pump-perfused muscles, whereas tension in the control muscles decreased 34%. Tension maintenance was flow dependent. The effect of hyperoxia could be mediated through the involvement of oxygen in the long-term control of muscle blood flow.


Paraformaldehyde-induced fluorescence as a histochemical test for 5-hydroxytryptamine in the epididymis of the opossum.

Epididymides of four opossums were tested histochemically for the presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). In addition, testes and epididymides of two opossums were analysed biochemically for the same substance. Biochemical analysis revealed a high concentration of 5-HT in the epididymis, while the amount in the testis proved to be insignificant. Fluorescence microscopy gave positive results in the apical portion of the epithelium. There was also fluorescence in the connective tissue in general, in mast cells, and in a thick subepithelial band in particular. Following treatment with 2% sodium borohydride in 1,2-propanediol for 15 minutes, the fluorescence of mast cells was removed, while there was a slight reduction in epithelial fluorescence and that in the subepithelial band and other connective tissue. The subepithelial band stained metachromatically with azure B, and this staining characteristic was removed by treatment with RNAse. Feulgen reaction revealed elongate nuclei in the band. It would seem that the 5-HT is located in both the mast cells and the epithelium. It seemed to be also present in the subepithelial band, but because of strong autofluorescence it is difficult to demonstrate. At the present time the function of 5-HT in the opossum epididymis is unknown, and is under further investigation.


A unifying concept of chorionic gonadotrophin production in malignancy.

Elevated blood levels of immunoreactive human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) have been reported in many patients with non-trophoblastic tumours, but also in various non-malignant conditions. Even normal tissues other than placenta have been shown to produce HCG, such as gonads, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pituitary. Since HCG is produced, albeit at a low level, by a variety of normal tissues, there is no need to invoke the gene derepression theory to account for 'ectopic' HCG production. However, tumours associated with excess of biologically active HCG as evidenced by endocrinological abnormalities, such as precocious puberty or gynaecomastia, are very rare. We have reviewed the world literature and found 44 such tumours in the lung, adrenal gland, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract (excluding the gonads). The analysis of their histological pattern shows that they typically contain syncytial giant cells or frankly choriocarcinomatous elements. In this respect they are like germ-cell tumours associated with excess HCG production. The precursor of the HCG-containing cells in 'somatic' tumours is unknown but their functional and morphological similarity to the trophoblast revives the old concept of pathophysiological correspondence between some malignant tumours and invasive trophoblast.


Isolation and characterization of two forms of a cytoskeleton.

Isolated petaloid coelomocytes from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis transform to a filopodial morphology in hypotonic media. Electron micrographs of negatively stained Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons show that the petaloid form consists of a loose net of microfilaments while the filopodial form consists of paracrystalline bundles of microfilaments. Actin is the major protein of both forms of the cytoskeleton. Additional polypeptides have molecular weights of approximately 220,000, 64,000, 57,000, and 27,000 daltons. Relative to actin the filopodial cytoskeletons have an average of 2.5 times as much 57k polypeptide as the petaloid cytoskeletons. Treatment with 0.25 M NaCl dissociates the filament bundles into individual actin filaments free of the actin-associated polypeptides. Thus, one or more of these actin-associated polypeptides may be responsible for crosslinking the actin filaments into bundles and maintaining the three-dimensional nature of the cytoskeletons.


The Z lattice in canine cardiac muscle.

Filtered images of mammalian cardiac Z bands were reconstructed from optical diffraction patterns from electron micrographs. Reconstructed images from longitudinal sections show connecting filaments at each 38-nm axial repeat in an array consistent with cross-sectional data. Some reconstructed images from cross sections indicate two distinctly different optical diffraction patterns, one for each of two lattice forms (basket weave and small square). Other images are more complex and exhibit composite diffraction patterns. Thus, the two lattice forms co-exist, interconvert, or represent two different aspects of the same details within the lattice. Two three-dimensional models of the Z lattice are presented. Both include the following features: a double array of axial filaments spaced at 24 nm, successive layers of tetragonally arrayed connecting filaments, projected fourfold symmetry in cross section, and layers of connecting filaments spaced at intervals of 38 nm along the myofibril axis. Projected views of the models are compared to electron micrographs and optically reconstructed images of the Z lattice in successively thicker cross sections. The entire Z band is rarely a uniform lattice regardless of plane of section or section thickness. Optical reconstructions strongly suggest two types of variation in the lattice substructure: (a) in the arrangement of connecting filaments, and (b) in the arrangement of units added side-to-side to make larger myofilament bundles and/or end-to-end to make wider Z bands. We conclude that the regular arrangement of axial and connecting filaments generates a dynamic Z lattice.


High resolution scanning electron microscopy of isolated and in situ cytoskeletal elements.

Evidence is presented that cytoskeletal structures (actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules) can be resolved by scanning electron microscopy after osmium impregnation of biological material, using thiocarbohydrazide as a ligand, followed by critical-point drying. These different classes of filaments or tubules can be identified both as purified protein polymers and as structured organelles within cryofractured or detergent-extracted cells.


Membrane fusion during secretion: cortical granule exocytosis in sex urchin eggs as studied by quick-freezing and freeze-fracture.

Exocytosis of cortical granules was observed in sea urchin eggs, either quick-frozen or chemically fixed after exposure to sperm. Fertilization produced a wave of exocytosis that began within 20 s and swept across the egg surface in the following 30 s. The front of this wave was marked by fusion of single granules at well-separated sites. Toward the rear of the wave, granule fusion became so abundant that the egg surface left with confluent patches of granule membrane. The resulting redundancy of the egg surface was accommodated by elaboration of characteristic branching microvilli, and by an intense burst of coated vesicle formation at approximately 2 min after insemination. Freeze-fracture replicas of eggs fixed with glutaraldehyde and soaked in glycerol before freezing displayed forms of granule membrane interaction with the plasma membrane which looked like what other investigators have considered to be intermediates in exocytosis. These were small disks of membrane contact or membrane fusion, which often occurred in multiple sites on one granule and also between adjacent granules. However, such membrane interactions were never found in eggs that were quick-frozen fixation, or in eggs fixed and frozen without exposure to glycerol. Glycerination of fixed material appeared to be the important variable; more concentrated glycerol produced a greater abundance of such "intermediates." Thus, these structures may be artifacts produced by dehydrating chemically fixed membranes, and may not be directly relevant to the mechanism by which membranes naturally fuse.


Subaortic stenosis caused by an accessory tissue of the mitral valve.

A case of a three years old boy with subaortic stenosis caused by accessory tissue of the mitral valve is presented. We can find only four similar cases in the literature. In surgery of this anomaly, it is a peculiar problem that the most of stenotic tissues can not be identified through the aortotomy only. We opened the left atrium and pulled up the mitral valve with threads, so that we could distinguish the stenotic tissue from true mitral valve through the aortotomy.


Relative binding of testosterone and estradiol to testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin.

The binding of estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) to testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin (TeBG) was studied in vivo at 37 C by three independent methods: equilibrium dialysis, steady state polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and TeBG-ligand dissociation kinetics. Equilibrium dialysis was performed at 37 C with the dialysate containing human serum albumin in amounts equivalent to that of the plasma dialysand. Scatchard analysis indicated that under these conditions E2 does not measurably bind to TeBG, while T has a Kd of 3.7 X 10(-10) M. Similarly, Scatchard-type analysis of E2 binding to TeBG in steady state polyacryalmide gel electrophoresis at 37 C revealed no high affinity saturable binding, while dihydrotestosterone was bound with a Kd of 2.7 X 10(-10) M. Examination of the dissociation kinetics of T and E2 ffrom TeBG revealed that the mean (+/-SD) T1/2 of dissociation of T from plasma at 37 C (10.8 +/- 2.4 min) was significantly shortened to 3.5 +/- 0.4 min by saturation of plasma with dihydrotestosterone (P less than 0.01), whereas that of E2 (8.9 +/- 1.4 min) was not changed (9.6 +/- 3.0 min). These data suggest that TeBG is not an important binder of plasma E2 at physiological temperatures and explain the observation that in diseases characterized by high TeBG levels, such as hyperthyroidism and liver disease, the MCR and free E2 levels have generally been normal.


Hormonal induction of lactation: estrogen and progesterone in milk.

Estrogen and progesterone in milk during the first 21 days of induced and postpartum lactation in Holstein cows and heifers were estimated by assay procedures. Lactation was induced with estradiol-17 beta and progesterone treatment for 7 days. Estrogen and progesterone in induced lactations differed from concentrations in postpartum lactations. In early lactation estrogen was higher in postpartum milk (521 +/- 103 pg/ml on day 1) than in induced milk (336 +/- 46 pg/ml on day 1), but after day 7 the reverse was true (192 +/- 33 pg/ml and 233 +/- 32 pg/ml on day 7). Progesterone remained higher in induced lactation through the first 21 days than in postpartum lactation with the exception of day 19. Progesterone in postpartum milk increased from 4 +/- 1 ng/ml on day 1 to 11 +/- 2 ng/ml on day 21. Progesterone in induced milk showed greater fluctuation (11 +/- 3 ng/ml on day 1 and 22 +/- 9 ng/ml on day 3) but gradually decreased to 12 +/- 2 ng/ml on day 21 (11 +/- 2 ng/ml on day 21 of postpartum lactation).


Relationships between milk yield and fertility in dairy cattle.

In three studies of 51,618 Holstein, 6,630 Jersey, and 1,524 Guernsey records, correlation was .07 between 120-day milk yield and number of services required for probable conception, independent of days postpartum. The partial regression coefficient for Holsteins was .014 +/- .001 more services for each additional 100 kg of 120-day milk. For Jerseys and Guernseys, .028 +/- .008 more services were required for each additional 100 kg of 120-day milk.


Evaluation of Myrothecium verrucaria as a nutrient source for ruminants.

The soil saprophytic fungus Myrothecium verrucaria was cultivated from glucose, starch, or xylan as the carbon source, and the biomass was compared with three selected feedstuffs. Fungal biomass was analyzed for nitrogen, protein, lipid, water soluble fraction, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and residual ash, and the in vitro dry matter disappearance was determined. The chemical composition of M. verrucaria varied with substrate. In nitrogen content, the fungal biomass was more similar to alfalfa hay than to milo stalks or wheat straw. Content of water soluble fraction of fungal biomass was between those of alfalfa hay and milo stalks; content of hemicellulose was between those of milo stalks and wheat straw. The fungal fractions identified as cellulose and lignin varied widely with substrate. The fungal biomass was less digestible than alfalfa hay but more digestible than milo stalks or wheat straw. There may be potential uses of this organism in upgrading nutritive value of low-quality forages.


Diurnal expiratory flow after inhalation of Freons and fenoterol in childhood asthma.

Eighteen children aged 8 to 14 years with bronchial asthma were studied with respect to the diurnal variation in pulmonary expiratory flow and the influence on it of inhalation of Freons and of a beta 2-receptor stimulator, fenoterol. A double-blind technique and randomized order of the different conditions were used. Dynamic spirometric tests were performed every hour from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The low expiratory flow in the morning increased during the day and influenced the estimated duration of the beta 2-receptor stimulator. This must be taken into consideration when evaluating the long-term effect of bronchodilator drugs. The Freons acted as irritants and lowered the expiratory flow during the first 2 hr after inhalation. However, this impairment of lung function does not seem to be of any clinical importance when freons are used as propellants for potent beta 2-receptor stimulators such as fenoterol.


Effect of melatonin on induction of ovulation in the light- induced constant estrous-anovulatory syndrome and possible role of the brain serotoninergic system.

Continuous light (CL) induces constant estrous anovulatory (CEA) syndrome and blockade of pineal gland activity. Chronic treatment with metatonin is able to overcome the anovulatory state in about 70% of CL-CEA rats, and the luteinizing effect of melatonin is significantly counteracted either by feeding the animals with a tryptophan-poor diet or by injecting methiothepin, a blocker of central serotoninergic receptors. It appears that melatonin elicits luteinization in CL-CEA rats through the brain serotoninergic system.


[Clinical feature and calcitonin therapy on Paget's disease of bone (author's transl)].

Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP was performed on 8 patients with Paget's disease of bone. The radionuclide uptake by all the involved lesions was markedly increased, even in subclinical lesions without pain. Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-phosphorous compounds were thought to be the most simple and sensitive technique to define the precise extent of the lesions, and to detect asymptomatic occult cases with Paget's disease. Possible A-V shunt was estimated in 3 cases by measuring the radioactivity over the lungs after the injection of 99mTc-MAA through a catheter into an artery which supplied the lesion. A-V shunt was calculated as 14.5%, 10.0% and 12.0%, respectively. An uptake study of 99mTc-MDP was attempted to quantify the effect of calcitonin treatment using a gamma camera combined with a computer. An "uptake ratio" was obtained for each lesion by dividing the count rate over the bone lesion by that over the control bone. Three cases of Paget's disease were treated with synthetic eel calcitonin analogue ([Asu1,7] E-CT) in a dose of 40 MRC unit per day. The effectiveness of CT therapy was evaluated by the X-ray film, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity (S-Al-P), the serum phosphate level, the serum calcium level and the "uptake ratio". No remarkable changes were obtained on bone X-ray films at one year after the initiation of the CT treatment in all cases. The S-Al-P levels did not show significant difference in the 2 cases, in which the S-Al-P levels were within the normal range before the treatment. In all cases, however, the "uptake ratio" of the diseased bone fell remarkably within the first three months and the rate of the fall was parallel to the decrease in the bone pain. It was considered that the "uptake ratio" on bone scintigraphy offered the most sensitive and reliable information in evaluating the CT treatment for Paget's disease.


Cyclical changes in concentrations of alpha-melanotrophin in the plasma of male and female rats.

Radioimmunoassay measurements of alpha-melanotrophin in plasma have identified a diurnal rhythm in male rats. Animals maintained on a 12 h light : 12 h darkness photoperiod had raised levels of plasma alpha-melanotrophin during the dark phase. Time-series analysis gave a fitted mean level of alpha-melanotrophin of 52.4 pmol/l, an amplitude of 12.1 pmol/l and peak levels 2.2 h before dawn. Measurements throughout the oestrous cycle in female rats showed that similar variations between the dark and light phases occurred on the 2 days of dioestrus. The raised levels during the dark period were, however, absent on the nights of pro-oestrus and oestrus. During this pro-oestrous/oestrous period, plasma alpha-melanotrophin levels were below average but higher than the normal minimum levels found during the light period.


Effects of intracranial implantation of oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone on the sexual behaviour of the lizard Anolis carolinensis.

Intrahypothalamic implantation of oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone rapidly restored sexual behaviour in castrated, sexually inactive Anolis carolinensis. Implants in areas other than the anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area failed to elicit sexual behaviour. Male aggressive behaviour was unaffected by intracranial hormone implants. Histological examination of the renal sex segment, a secondary sex structure, gave no indication of leakage into the peripheral plasma. The effectiveness of oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone in inducing male courtship behaviour when administered intracranially was compared with the relative ineffectiveness of systemic injections of these hormones.