Exercise performance after septal myotomy and myectomy in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The effect of left ventriculomyotomy and myectomy on exercise capacity and cardiac function in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has not previously been determined. In this study, 29 patients were evaluated during graded treadmill exercise before and after operation. Postoperatively, 27 of 29 patients reported symptomatic improvement and had greatly reduced left ventricular outflow gradient. Twenty-five of 28 patients (89 percent) attained higher exercise levels after operation, and this was accompanied by an increase in total body oxygen consumption from 16 to 21 ml/min per kg (P less than 0.005). A significant increase in cardiac index during maximal exercise also accompanied this improved exercise performance (5.0 to 5.7 liters/min per m2, P less than 0.05). The increase in maximal cardiac index was associated with greater desaturation of mixed venous blood (34 to 24 percent, P less than 0.02) in patients with preoperative angina. At a given level of mixed venous oxygen saturation (30 percent), overall mean cardiac index was higher postoperatively (4.6 to 5.2 liters/min per m2, P less than 0.05). These results suggest that, although several mechanisms probably contribute to symptomatic improvement after myotomy and myectomy, enhanced cardiac performance plays an important role in the majority of patients.


Clinical manifestations of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract stenosis in infants with d-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum.

Four infants with d-transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum who manifested early clinical symptoms and deterioration due to dynamic left ventricular outflow stenosis are presented. All four had an anatomically adequate atrial septal defect, made at the initial balloon atrial septostomy, that was later confirmed intraoperatively. Two infants continued to have a low arterial oxygen saturation level because of inadequate interatrial mixing, and one of these had severe persistent cyanosis and was treated with the Mustard operation at age 4 days. The other two infants subsequently presented with hypercyanotic spells at age 3 months. All four infants had features of dynamic left ventricular outflow stenosis on hemodynamic, angiocardiographic and echocardiographic studies. The left ventricular outflow pressure gradient was shown to increase after administration of isoproterenol in one infant, and relief of a cyanotic spell with reduction of left ventricular systolic pressure was achieved in another after intravenous administration of propranolol. The Mustard operation relieved symptoms in all infants. The effect of left ventricular outflow tract stenosis on the mechanisms responsible for interatrial mixing in d-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum is discussed.


Pulmonary histoplasmosis associated with exploration of a bat cave.

Approximately 14 days after exploring a limestone cave in northcentral Florida in February 1973, an 18-year-old female developed a respiratory illness with pronounced shortness of breath and cyanosis. The following day, an 18-year-old male presented to the hospital with similar complaints. The association of illness with their recent caving experience prompted further epidemiologic investigation. Twenty-nine members of a church-sponsored youth group explored the implicated cave. Twenty-three of them later became ill with complaints of cough, afternoon fever and sweats, chest discomfort, and dyspnea on exertion. Histoplasmin skin tests were positive in 18 of 24 individuals tested. Serum for complement fixation (CF) was positive in 12 of 26. Testing of area residents revealed a low incidence of skin test and CF positivity (7% and 0%, respectively). That spelunkers are at risk of acquiring pulmonary histoplasmosis has been noted previously; in Florida this has been related to the exploration of caves infested with bats. This is the largest reported outbreak of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis that has been associated with spelunking and further points out that only those individuals who enter the cave are at risk of acquiring the disease, and not those who reside in the surrounding area.


Multifactorial inheritance with cultural transmission and assortative mating. III. Family structure and the analysis of separation experiments.

Demographic data about family composition or structure in the United States is reviewed. About 25% of white children and a majority of black children are reared in either broken or extended families, and this must be taken into consideration for valid studies of cultural inheritance. Atypical family structures are described including those in which parents include: biological parents, stepparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, sibs, foster parents, and their spouses. General formulae for a wide variety of kinship correlations are derived using path analysis. The multifactorial model presented allows for cultural inheritance, polygenic inheritance, correlated sibling environments, and phenotypic assortative mating (as previously described for intact families) plus extensions necessary for the analysis of separation experiments. These extensions allow for variable family structure and differences in parental influence due to separation, age or stage of development of the child, birth order, or type of relationship. Family structure is observed to have a marked effect on familial resemblance. Computer simulation studies demonstrate marked heterogeneity among phenotypic correlations for kinships of the same degree of genetic relationship arising in different family structures. Analyses of multiple types of sibs and other relatives in variable family structures offer great promise for the study of cultural inheritance.


Isolated deficiency of platelet procoagulant activity.

This is a study of a 34 year old woman with a moderate to severe bleeding disorder in whom impaired platelet procoagulant activity (PPA) was found by several methods, including tests of factor 3 availability (PF-3a), prothrombin consumption and contact activation. No deficiencies of platelet adhesion, aggregation, secretion, metabolism or granule-bound substances were detectable. Under adequate platelet coverage, this woman underwent two surgical procedures without difficulty. These findings demonstrate the role of PPA in hemostasis and indicate that a defect in PPA can be an isolated occurrence. The abnormalities in PF-3a found in this patient could be due to the diminished number of factor V binding sites, resulting in impaired factor Xa binding, found in separate studies by Majerus et al.


Argon laser treatment in complications of angioid streaks.

Five patients with subretinal neovascular complications of angioid streaks were treated with the argon laser. One patient, additionally had a central retinal vein occlusion with preretinal neovascularization. In four out of five cases we obliterated the subretinal neovascular membranes with ensuing improvement of visual acuity. In a follow-up period of 14 months on the average, the treatment appeared to be successful.


Photocoagulation of nonproliferative exudative diabetic retinopathy.

We conducted a study of 35 patients with exudative diabetic retinopathy who chose to have laser photocoagulation and 35 similar controls who did not. The mean follow-up period was 17 months. A trend toward stabilizing and improving visual acuity was noted in the treated group, but the difference between groups was not significant.


Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with retinal telangiectasia.

A 34-year-old man with unilateral retinal telangiectasia developed a bullous retinal detachment. A horseshoe retinal tear was found at 12 o'clock. The detachment resolved with placement of an encircling scleral buckle. The prompt and permanent resolution of subretinal fluid supported our belief that this was a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.


Carbon dioxide laser scleral dissection and filtering procedure for glaucoma.

A comparison of eye bank eyes using continuous wave or rapid superpulsed carbon dioxide laser energy indicated that rapid superpulsed was the superior modality for scleral dissection, because there is less charring and puckering of tissue. The results of filtering procedures in five glaucomatous eyes by using rapid superpulsed carbon dioxide energy to perform the scleral dissection revealed the possible advantages of performing the procedure this way might be: (1) the technical ease by which the microdissection is performed under direct microscopic observation with the absence of blood or instruments in the field; (2) the safety factor of never having penetrated into the anterior chamber with a sharp instrument; (3) the possible advantage of the inhibition of healing at the wound margin because of coagulation of tissue at the wound edge by the laser beam; and (4) the bacteriocidal effect of thermal cutting.


Structural observations on epithelioid and giant cells in experimental autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis in guinea pigs.

In order to analyze the role of phagocytic cells in experimental antitubular basement membrane (TBM) antibody-mediated nephritis, Hartley guinea pigs (GP) were immunized with rabbit tubular basement membrane (TBM) in complete Freund's adjuvant and pertussis vaccine. Renal tissue was obtained 10 to 15, 15 to 25, and 25 to 35 days after the start of immunization. Severe renal tubulointerstitial (RTI) nephritis developed in 95% of the animals. Linear deposits of IgG and C3 along TBM were seen 10 days after initial immunization. A few days later, monocytes and macrophages infiltrated the interstitium and subsequently differentiated into epithelioid and foreign body-type giant cells (GC). The GC were most actively involved in the destruction of the TBM: Cytoplasmic pseudopodia of the GC adhered to the TBM; the areas of membrane apposition were several microns in length; no evidence of specialization was found in the plasma membrane adjoining the TBM; no cellular organelles, except for abundant microfilaments, were seen in the contact regions. The initial contact was followed by lysis of plasma membrane of the GC and TBM, perforation of TBM, and phagocytosis of TBM fragments. Concomitantly, fluorescent staining for IgG along the TBM became discontinuous or disappeared. Destruction of TBM was accompanied by degeneration of tubular epithelial cells and collapse of tubular architecture. The morphologic observations are consistent with the hypothesis that, in GP, autoimmune RTI nephritis damage of TBM results from the cooperation of humoral and cellular mechanisms, probably akin to those of antibody-mediated lymphocytotoxicity.


Relationship of luteal blood flow and corpus luteum function in pseudopregnant rats.

An experiment was conducted to examine whether blood flow to corpora lutea may regulate luteal function as judged from plasma levels of progesterone (P) in mature pseudopregnant rats. 141Ce-labeled microspheres (14.1 +/- 0.8 micrometer diam) were used to measure cardiac output and organ and tissue blood flow in rats on days 6, 8, 10, and 12 of pseudopregnancy and in proestrus following luteal regression. The mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output were similar among all groups of rats. Although a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in plasma P was observed in rats on day 12 of pseudopregnancy, no change in luteal blood flow or distribution of ovarian blood flow to the corpora lutea was seen at this stage of pseudopregnancy when compared to day 8 or 10 of pseudopregnancy. However, a significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in luteal blood flow was seen in proestrous rats. Because a decrease in plasma progesterone preceded the decrease in luteal blood flow, it was concluded that physiological luteal regression may not be initiated by a reduction of blood flow to the corpus luteum.


Surface morphology of the rabbit uterus and oviduct during estrus.

The surface profile of the mucosae of rabbit uteri and Fallopian tubes during estrus were examined under the scanning electron microscope. We found that the endometrium forms interconnecting circularly arranged pillows, short mounds and ledges. Straight, continuous, longitudinal folds do not occur. Ciliated cells are found abundantly in the cavum epithelium, occurring either singly or in small groups. The oviducal mucosa in the ampullary region forms tall, unbranching, longitudinally aligned folds. Secondary and tertiary folds are not found. A complicated system of low lying slanting, diagonal mucosal ledges forms between the tall longitudinal folds. They connect neighbouring longitudinal folds together.


[Indications of "post mortem" radiologic study in pediatrics (author's transl)].

The role of the radiological "post mortem" study (PMRS) is comment with special emphasis on the most important indications. The PMRS was performed in 959 children during five years. The PMRS do not pretend top be a substitute of the necropsy but a complement and in the case that the parents do not give the authorization for necropsy, the only tool for explain the cause of death.


Fungal infections of dialysis fistulae.

Bacterial infections of dialysis access fistulae are well known in patients with end-stage renal disease, but fungal infections of these prostheses have not been reported. Two patients who presented with recurrent infections and thromboses of their grafts grew Staphylococcus aureus and Cephalosporium species. This new entity suggests a different approach to the management of clotted grafts in patients with end-stage renal disease. If fungus is isolated from the graft, extirpation of the graft and amphotericin B therapy are suggested. We review here the mycology of Cephalosporium species, in-vitro sensitivity studies, and previous reports of infection with this fungus.


Prolactin-secreting tumors in men: surgical cure.

Two men presented with decreasing libido and impotence. Endocrine evaluation showed that they both had low levels of serum testosterone and a prolactin-secreting adenoma. Transsphenoidal removal of their tumors resulted in normalization of serum prolactin and testosterone concentrations and normalization of sexual function. These patients represent the first two nonacromegalic men with prolactin-secreting tumors and hypogonadism in whom surgical resection of their tumors resulted in a complete clinical and biochemical remission. We discuss the effects of elevated prolactin on male sexual function.


[Action of egg lysozyme on representatives of the family Micrococcaceae. The action on staphylococci].

The results of the study on the effect of various concentrations of lysozyme on staphylococci of three species, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are presented. The study was performed with the use of the turbidimetric method. It was found that all the staphylococci had a common tendency for changing the optic density (OD) of the suspensions under the effect of lysozyme which was different from that in Micrococcus luteus. However, the dynamics of decreasing the OD in Staph. saprophyticus was characterized by some properties which provided a supposition that the structures of the cell walls in Staph. aureus and Staph. epidermidis were close, while the cell walls in Staph. saprophyticus had some unknown characteristics.


Effects of ribavirin on BHK-21 cells acutely or persistently infected with mumps virus.

The effects of ribavirin on BHK-21 cells acutely infected with mumps virus were compared to the effects of the drug on the same cell line persistently infected with mumps virus. Visible cytotoxicity was minimal for both cell types; however, there was an inhibition of cell replication with increasing drug concentrations. Ribavirin had marked antiviral activity against both the acute and persistent infections as determined by an inhibition of hemadsorption plaque formation, decreased immunofluorescence, and a reduction in the release of infectious virus. Even after the drug had been on the persistently infected cells for 72 h, there was still antigen production detectable by immunofluorescence, although the cells no longer hemadsorbed chicken erythrocytes. Ribavirin removal from both types of infection resulted in the renewed synthesis of virus.


Lactate dehydrogenase activity of the rat testis treated with cyproterone acetate during fetal life.

Histological changes, total LDH activity and LDH isozyme patterns of testicular tissues of rats, exposed to cyproterone acetate during fetal life, were studied at different days after birth. While such treated testes revealed all stages of spermatogenesis and normal patterns of LDH isozymes including LDH-X bands, complete loss of isozymes was discernible in the Leydig cell fraction. It is probable that this abnormality in the Leydig cell is a consequence of impairment in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis or due to improper scrotal development following CA exposure.


Killer phenomenon in pathogenic yeast.

Potentially pathogenic yeast strains from four genera, Candida, Cryptococcus, Torulopsis, and Trichosporon, were examined for killer activity and sensitivity using Saccharomyces and Torulopsis strains of known killer status. Tests were performed by using a streak method and by concentration of culture fluid by lyophilization. Of 236 strains examined, killers were found with low prevalence among Torulopsis and Cryptococcus strains; Candida and Trichosporon isolates showed no killing activity. Different specificities of killing activity were observed among strains of a single species. Sensitive strains were found with varying frequencies in all genera but Trichosporon.


[Morphological effects of pituitary gonadotropic hormones on the development of chick embryo testes and ovaries in organ cultures (author's transl)].

Organ cultures of sexually differentiated gonads were studied in order to determine the role played by the gonadotropic hormones LH and FSH in the development of chick embryo testes and ovaries. The groups of gonads examined were: A) gonads of normal 18-day-old embryos; B) gonads explants on standard medium; C) standard medium + LH (60 microgram/ml); D) standard medium + FSH (60 microgram/ml); E) standard medium + LH (20 microgram/ml) + FSH (20 microgram/ml). After culture for eight days, the testicular explants from the control group B demonstrated gonocytes in the cortical epithelium, which was stratified and contained no connective tissue, together with a reduction of the diameter of the medullary cords and stromal tissue in relation to 18-day-old embryos. In groups C, D, and E, the cortical epithelium contained no gonocytes and there was differentiation into an albugineous type of connective tissue. The diameter of the cords and the extent of the stroma was similar to that of normal embryos in groups C and D, but were reduced in group E. The cortex in the control group B ovarian explants was thicker than in normal living embryo's ovaries and somatic cells were rarely seen: cords containing gonocytes and lacunae had developed in the medulla. True ovotestes were sometimes observed. The thickness of the cortex and the morphology of the medulla in group C were similar to those of the control group explants. The FSH in the culture medium in groups D and E, caused a reduction in the thickness of the cortex and the development of lacunae.


Flushing syndrome due to mahimahi (scombroid fish) poisoning.

Scombroid fish poisoning, one of the most common adverse reactions to fish, is also probably one of the most common causes of a flushing syndrome. The reaction usually involves fishes of the Scombridae family but, in Hawaii, the reaction is most often due to mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus). Onset of the reaction is usually abrupt and commonly associated with a prominent flush resembling a sunburn. Headache, tachye to a toxin with histamine-like properties, which is formed because improper refrigeration enables endogenous bacteria to decarboxylate histidine normally present in dark-meat fishes. Symptoms are usually promptly relieved by parenteral antihistamine therapy.


Sex hormone binding globulin as a reliable indicator of hormone dependence in human breast cancer.

One hundred nine pre- and postmenopausal mammary carcinoma cases were studied to elucidate the role of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the hormone dependence of human breast cancer. Our findings indicate that there is a significant negative correlation between SHBG binding capacity and plasma testosterone concentration. All patients with high SHBG titers were found to be cytosol estrogen receptor (CER) positive and the plasma SHBG binding capacity of CER positive was significantly higher than that of CER negative patients. We also found that the level of pretherapy plasma SHBG concentration is a reliable indicator in predicting the efficacy of hormone therapy. Our findings also confirm that, for a tumor to be hormone dependent, high plasma SHBG concentration and estrogen receptors must be present simultaneously. The present pretherapy determination of SHBG titers is easier and more reliable than previous methods for determining the hormone dependence of human breast tumors.


Disseminated Curvularia lunata infection in a football player.

For ten years, a 25-year-old immune-competent man experienced a progressive disseminated infection with the saprophytic soil fungus, Curvularia lunata, following presumptive cutaneous inoculation while playing football. Deep, soft tissue abscesses, pulmonary suppuration, paravertebral abscess, and cerebral abscess all followed leg ulcers from neglected abrasions. The patient's delay in obtaining treatment was partially responsible for the paravertebral-mediastinal-pleural-cutaneous fistula that resulted. The importance of prompt and aggressive surgical drainage procedures is clear. Infection was arrested only by surgery. The fungus was inhibited by miconazole nitrate and amphotericin B but it developed resistance to flucytosine. Miconazole appeared to cause resolution of the cerebral abscess. Amphotericin B (1 mg/kg/day) clearly was beneficial but only after effective drainage procedures were done. The patient refused to continue amphotericin B after 5.4 g had been given in two treatments. He became bedridden one year later from back pain that was caused by recurrent disease.


Production and nutritive value of soybeans.

Soybean world production has been increasing at a rate of 5.2% per year (average yield is around 1,400 kg/ha). This production has been solely used for oil extraction and the protein meal obtained for animal rations, but lately it is being used for human consumption. Brazil, the third largest producer, has had a yearly rate of production increase of 32% in the last years. Average yields in Brazil are still low (around 1,500 kg/ha), but in experimental results, yields over 3,000 kg/ha have been obtained. Some problems needstill to be solved, such as obtention of adapted varieties, soil fertility, adequate agronomic practices, damage by insects and diseases. Protein and oil contents are highly negative correlated, they are genetically controlled and can also be influenced by environmental conditions and agronomic practices. To breed for high protein (above 48%) enhances a decrease in oil and yield, but new varieties containing 43% protein and with a good yielding capacity have been developed lately. Methionine content varies from 1.0 to 1.6% g/16g N; there is a correlation of 0.56 to 0.58 between methionine in the protein and protein in the seed. Particular attention has been given to toxic factors such as trypsin inhibitors, whose action is related to the availability or utilization of methionine; this effect, however, can be eliminated by heat.


[Chemical and biological evaluation of quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd). Effect of the extraction of saponins by heat treatment].

The changes in proximate composition, amino acid content and protein efficiency ratio (PER) caused by hot-water extraction of the saponins were studied in four Bolivian varieties of quinua (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd). Detectable saponin was eliminated with an extraction at 70 degrees C. Extraction at 87 degrees C also eliminated the saponins but, in addition, had the tendency of slightly increasing the protein amino acid content. The maximum PER obtained was 2.99 for the Blanca variety, followed by 2.72 for the Sajama variety, also extracted at 87 degrees C (casein gave a PER value of 3.21).


Familial anthropophobia in pointer dogs?

This article assesses a dog model in terms of a proposed cross-species definition of phobia, the model referring to a strain of unstable dogs that has been produced by selection and inbreeding. The unstable dogs are contrasted with a strain of stable dogs. New findings are presented on approach and activity behavior toward three stimulus objects (man, another dog, and a sheet-covered chair) in a naturalistic setting. The fear response of unstable dogs to objects other than man habituates gradually, whereas the fear response to the sight of man is far more enduring, suggesting a relatively specific fear of man.


Spontaneous CSF otorrhea simulating serous otitis.

Unilateral congenital sensorineural deafness was observed in a 4-year-old boy. The patient had fluid in the left tympanic cavity, simulating serous otitis, which was caused by a spontaneous CSF leak from the oval window, around the edges of a normal stapedial footplate. Polytomography demonstrated an inner ear dysplasia, viz, dilation of the lateral semicircular canal, vestibule, and cochlea. The CSF leak was controlled by packing the vestibule with muscle and fascia. The literature related to this rare syndrome is reviewed.


The changes in protein concentration and bacteria of fleece and skin during the development of fleece-rot and body strike in sheep.

The sequence of events in the development of fleece-rot and body strike in sheep is described. When sheep were wetted by rain, vast increases in the numbers on microorganisms on the fleece and skin surface occured. Frequently, only one bacterial genus, Pseudomonas, proliferated and produced a bacteriostat to inhibit the growth of other resident flora. The development of fleece-rot lesions was characterised by a sudden substantial increase od soluble protein, presumably plasma protein, onto the skin surface. Pseudomonas spp proliferated on the skin surface and frequently produced extracellular, green pigment. First instar blowfly larvae were observed subsequently in such lesions.


[Stimulating effect of schizophrenic patients' plasma on the cellular incorportation of tryptophan in vitro].

A study of 21 schizophrenic patients and 21 normal donors in one experiment, conducted on a pool or erythrocytes in 18 chickens with the use of a double blind method, confirmed the previously obtained data of the stimulant action of plasma in schizophrenic patients on the uptake of tryptophan by chicken erythrocytes. It was demonstrated, that the plasma at the same time evokes an increase of cytoplasmatic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and myokynase). The authors studied the correlations between the influence of plasma on the tryptophan uptake and the release of hemoglobin from the erythrocytes and its concentration in the incubation medium. The data also demonstrate the parameters of functions describing the first correlation and that it has a nonmonotonous character. The problem of the connection between the plasma action on the tryptophane uptake and its hemolytic activing is discussed.


[Recurrent obstructive bronchitis in infants].

The study comprised 458 infants complaining of recurrent obstructive bronchitis from the clinical, chest X-rays and gastroesophageal reflux investigation view points. Spontaneous radiological reflux was found in 49.1% of the patients, although a history of vomiting was present only in 26.6%. In infants with positive radiological reflux, manometrics showed a shorter gastroesophageal sphincter and with lesser pressures than a group of normal infants. With medical treatment of the reflux, remission of the respiratory symptoms was seen in 63.5% of the patients. In a group of infants treated, control X-rays, and manometrics were practiced at the end of the medical treatment showing significant improvement of pressure and length of the gastroesophageal sphincter. The long-term follow-up in infants showing failure of the medical treatment, bronchial asthma appeared in 56.6%.


[Breast feeding].

The research that was carried out with comparative groups showed the influence of the work done by a coordinated health group on the prolonged natural lactation. This experience has proved the evident reduction of percentages of malnutrition and diarrhoea in children under 6 months of age.


[Dyserythropoietic congenital anemia type II with intensive hepatic hemosiderosis in a 1-month-old infant].

A case of dyserythropoietic congenital anemia type II (HEMPAS) in an infant 35 days of age is reported. Diagnosis was based upon morphological features of the erythroblasts, 25% of them were bi or multinucleated and a positive acidified serum test (pseudo HAM). The early and severe anemia which was present from the first days of life is emphasized. An additional and significant hemolytic factor with a relative tocopherol deficiency is suggested. A very important degree of hepatic hemosiderosis was found at necropsy. This finding reveals the very active dyserytropietic disorder in this case from the beginning of intrauterine file.


Angiosarcoma of the heart.

Two cases of angiosarcomas of the heart are described. In one the tumour, which arose from the right atrium, was demonstrated during life by angiography. In the other, diagnosed only at necropsy, the tumour arose from the right ventricle. Both cases illustrate many of the typical features of this rare tumour and the difficulties of antemortem diagnosis.


[Primary thrombocytopenic purpura in infants under 3 months of age].

The analysis concerns 14 cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura among infants from 1 to 3 months old, studied at the Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital San Juan de Dios (Santiago), between 1971 and the first trimester of 1978. In none of them an apparent cause of thrombocytopenia has been found, reason why we called them primary. The very good evolution, the laboratory findings and the history of catarrhal symptoms very recently or developing when illness started leads us to assume that they would suffer from a pathogen similar to the acute ITP. The existence of some clinical differences with acute ITP, as major incidence of anemia, the splenomegaly and the purpura characteristics, could be explained by the age of our patients, but not because they present different disease. The existence of some clinical differences with acute ITP, as major incidence of anemia, the splenomegaly and the purpura characteristics, could be explained by the age of our patients, but not because they present different disease. The increase of the incidence of ITP amongst infants, specially during the first trimester of life, is being emphasized. We suggest that this fact could be due to the presence of new strains of virus.


Mixed agonist-antagonist opiates and physical dependence.

1 General methods (chronic, subacute and acute) for assessing physical dependence potential, abstinence precipitating capacity and abstinence preventing activity are briefly presented. 2 Direct dependence experiments indicate that, in general, mixed agonist-antagonist analgesics have relatively lower physical dependence potentials than pure agonist analgesics. That of buprenorphine seems to be particularly low in various animal species. 3 When substitution techniques are used, the dependence potential of buprenorphine seems to be somewhat more developed than with direct dependence techniques. 4 Among various agonists (morphine, methadone and etorphine), antagonists (naloxone, naltrexone and diprenorphine) and mixed agonist-antagonists (pentazocine, butorphanol and buprenorphine), buprenorphine is the most potent and the longest acting drug in preventing precipitated abstinence in mice, rats and dogs. 5 The low physical dependence potential of buprenorphine may result in part from the very slow dissociation of the complex it forms with opiate receptors. This potential might be underestimated when precipitated abstinence methods are used, as naloxone would displace buprenorphine from its receptors only to a very limited extent. New means of evaluating dependence by more direct means need to be developed. 6 Overall, the properties of mixed agonists in general justify their use as analgesics with lower physical dependence potential than the pure opiates and further, those of buprenorphine seem to indicate its possible utility for the treatment of opiate addiction.


Megakaryoblastic leukaemia (acute myelofibrosis): a report of three cases.

Three patients with megakaryoblastic leukaemia are described. All three presented with pancytopenia, a few blast cells in the peripheral blood and absence of overt hepatosplenomegaly. In two of them bone marrow aspiration yielded a dry tap. Histological investigation of the bone marrow indicated that the megakaryocytic cell line was the dominant proliferating lineage. Cytochemical and EM investigation supported these findings. The isomorphic isoenzyme pattern of the elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase might be of diagnostic importance. Despite chemotherapy, there was a rapidly fatal terminal leukaemic phase with high blast cell counts. The differentiation from other haematological malignancies, especially acute (aleukaemic) leukaemias and the accelerated phase of primary (chronic) myelofibrosis, is discussed. The picture appears to be identical with acute (malignant) myelofibrosis.


Sexual dysfunctional and urinary incontinence.

One hundred and three female patients attending an incontinence clinic gave information about their marital lives and sexual habits. Forty-eight women (46 per cent) maintained that their urinary disorder had adversely affected sexual relations. Women with bladder instability had a significantly higher incidence of sexual dysfunction than women with genuine stress incontinence.


Vascular opacification and leakage in X-linked (juvenile) retinoschisis.

A 22-year-old man had X-linked retinoschisis with extensive vascular sheathing in the posterior pole and dendritic opacified retinal vessels in the periphery. Detailed fluorescein angiographic studies were performed. In the far periphery areas of capillary nonperfusion were seen. Sluggish circulation was present in the majority of dendritic opacified vessels in the areas of schisis. Late staining of the disc and posterior arteries and veins was noted. Scattered intraretinal fluorescein leakage was present even in clinically nonschitic retina, which suggests that the vascular changes may precede the retinoschisis. The patient's half-brother also had X-linked retinoschisis, but the schisis and the vascular changes were much less prominent. Although the retinal vascular changes with X-linked retinoschisis are similar to those seen with the Favre-Goldmann syndrome, a differentiation of the two diseases can be made by family studies, the presence or absence of nyctalopia, examination of the macular areas, measurement of dark adaptation, and electroretinogram determinations.


A comparative study of argon laser and krypton laser in the treatment of diabetic optic disc neovascularisation.

A comparative study of the relative efficacy of the krypton and argon lasers in the treatment of disc new vessels in diabetic retinopathy was made. Resolution of the disc new vessels was achieved in both instances. There were clinical differences in the use and effects of the 2 lasers.


Assessment of the nutritional quality of proteins: the use of "ileal" digestibilities of amino acids as measures of their availabilities.

1. A comparative study was made of two biological techniques for assessing protein quality in wheat and barley, and in a soya-bean-protein isolate both as received, and after being heat damaged by autoclaving. Amino acid digestibility was determined by the "ileal" analysis technique while amino acid availability was measured in growth assays. Some chemical and microbiological tests were also done. 2. Heat treatment of the soya-bean-protein isolate caused little change in amino acid composition but the digestibility of all amino acids and the availability of lysine and methionine were severely reduced, lysine being most affected. The reduced availability of lsyine was not entirely attributable to impaired digestibility. 3. The amino acids in wheat and barley were highly digestible. The availability of methionine and lysine in barley and of methionine in wheat was high, whereas the availability of lysine in wheat was apparently much lower. 4. The results showed that for methionine, digestibility values are a fair measure of the availability. In heat-damaged soya-bean-protein isolate however, digestibility of lysine over-estimated the availability, indicating that amino acid digestibility may sometimes provide a misleading indication of nutritional value.


An evaluation of the phytate, zinc, copper, iron and manganese contents of, and zn availability from, soya-based textured-vegetable-protein meat-substitutes or meat-extenders.

1. A study has been made of the zinc, copper, iron, manganese, protein (nitrogen X 6.25) and phytic acid contents of nineteen soya-bean-based textured-vegetable-protein (TVP) meat-extenders and meat-substitutes and of three "ready-prepared" canned meals containing TVP. 2. Phytate analysis was performed using a newly-developed method based on Holt's (1955) procedure. This method enabled the phytate content of milligram quantities of TVP to be estimated, with an SD for six replicates of 3%. 3. The Fe, Cu and Mn contents (mg/kg) of the meat extenders or meat-substitutes varied, with values of 59.4-144, 14.1-19.7 and 19.5-29.1 respectively. The protein content of these products was approximately 500 g/kg. 4. The phytate content of the meat-extenders and meat-substitutes ranged from 11.0 to 20.2 g/kg and the Zn content from 35.0 to 49.4 mg Zn/kg. The calculated molar ratio, phytate: Zn varied from 25 to 42. 5. The trace element, phytate and protein contents of the "ready-prepared" canned meals were 30-50% lower than the meat-extenders and meat-substitutes. 6. Cooking the "ready-prepared" meals as specified by the manufacturers was without effect on the trace element or phytate content. 7. When TVP was fed to rats as the only protein source, they had significantly lower growth rates and plasma Zn concentrations than rats given an egg-albumen-based diet of similar Zn content (14.5 mg Zn/kg). Supplementation of the TVP diet with Zn (100 mg Zn/kg) significantly increased growth rate and plasma Zn concentration whereas Zn supplementation of the albumen diet was without effect. 8. The possible implications of consumption of TVP products in relation to Zn status of the human population is discussed.


Studies on the phytate: zinc molar contents in diets as a determinant of Zn availability to young rats.

1. Studies were carried out in vitro to examine the effects of phytate on the solubility of the trace elements zinc, copper and manganese. Appropriate volumes of a solution of sodium phytate were added to a mineral solution to achieve phytate: Zn values of from 0 : 1 to 45 : 1. In a second series the same values for phytate: Zn were achieved by varying the amount of added Zn at a fixed phytate concentration. 2. In both experiments greater than 85% of the Zn was rendered insoluble at pH 6.5 even at the lowest value for phytate: Zn (5 : 1). The effect of phytate on Zn solubility was greater than effects on Cu or Mn. 3. In a dietary study, rats were offered a semi-synthetic egg-albumin-based diet with added phytate. Two series of diets were prepared, the first had a constant Zn content (18.5 mg Zn/kg) and the amount of sodium phytate varied so as to achieve values for phytate: Zn of from 0 : 1 to 40 : 1 (series 1). In the second series, the same values for phytate: Zn were achieved by adding a fixed amount of phytate (7.4 g phytic acid/kg) while the amount of Zn was varied (series 2). 4. Dietary phytate caused significant reductions in growth rates, plasma Zn concentrations and hair Zn concentrations and greying of the coat at values for phytate: Zn of 15 : 1, 10 : 1, 15 : 1 and 15 : 1, respectively. 5. While phytate was apparently slightly more effective in reducing Zn status when phytate: Zn values were achieved at the lower absolute levels of phytate and zn (series 1 diets), the differences at equivalent phytate: Zn values were small. It was concluded that phytate: Zn values can be used as an indicator of Zn availability from phytate-rich diets. 6. Rats offered three diets containing soya-bean-based textured-vegetable-protein (TVP) exhibited low rates of weight gain compared with rats offered an egg-albumen-based diet of similar Zn content (14.5 mg Zn/kg). Additional Zn supplied in drinking-water (25 mg Zn//l) was without effect on rats consuming the egg-albumin diet but significantly improved the weight gain of rats on the TVP diets. 7. It was concluded that phytate naturally present in TVP behaves similarly to phytate added to an otherwise phytate-free diet and that the reduced availability of Zn in TVP diets can be accounted for entirely by their phytate contents.


The metabolism of methionine in silage-fed sheep.

1. L-[U-14C]methionine was used to study methionine metabolism in sheep fed on untreated silage, silage treated with formaldehyde and untreated silage plus intraperitoneal infusion of L-methionine. 2. Over-all the values ranged from 0.43 to 0.86 mmol/h for methionine turnover rate, from 13.3 to 19.9 for the percentage of methionine oxidized to carbon dioxide and from 245 to 1089 mumol for methionine pool size.


Dioxygen replacement reaction in myoglobin.

The replacement reaction of myoglobin (Mb), MbCO + O2 leads to MbO2 + CO leads to MbCO + O2, has been studied with flash photolysis in the temperature range from 140 to 320 K and the time range from 2 mus to 200 s. In a fraction of the Mb, the photodissociated CO remains within the protein; rebinding is not affected by the presence of O2 and occurs with rates that are identical with the ones observed earlier in solvents containing only CO. In the remaining fraction CO migrates into the solvent and Mb combines preferentially with oxygen. The rate of the subsequent replacement of O2 by CO permits calculation of the oxygen dissociation rate ko2; ko2 has been determined from 260 to 320 K. The measurements support a multibarrier model.


Sequence complexities of the poly(A)-containing mRNA in uninfected soybean root and the nodule tissue developed due to the infection by Rhizobium.

In order to determine the number of structural genes expressed specifically in root nodules, the total complexities of poly(A) + polysomal RNA populations from uninfected roots and mature nodules were compared. Hybridization kinetics of nodule poly(A) + RNA (NRNA) to its cDNA (NcDNA) revealed a very abundant component comprising 18--20% of the NRNA. This component was shown to be leghaemoglobin (Lb) by the similarity of its kinetics of hybridization to that of purified Lb-cDNA. The hybridization kinetics of uninfected root cDNA (RcDNA) to root poly(A) + RNA (RRNA) indicate that this abundant RNA fraction is absent in RRNA. The extent of sequence homologies between root and nodule tissue was determined by heterologous hybridizations of RcDNA to NRNA and vice versa. The data suggest that the mRNA populations of the two tissues are substantially homologous, though shifts in abundance of certain sequences are quite marked. The hybridization of purified Lb-cDNA to total polysomal RNA from developing nodules shows that the increase in concentration of Lb-mRNA sequences parallels the leghaemoglobin synthesis in this tissue. Lb sequences appear to increase between 8 and 13 days after infection with Rhizobium.


Interaction of rhodium(III) with DNA.

The nature of interaction of Rh(III) with DNA was studied using viscometry and ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopy. The rate of interaction was found to be very slow at room temperature taking several days for completion. The time needed to attain equilibrium is dependent on the concentrations of metal ion, higher the concentration shorter the period required for equilibration. Visible spectra of Rh(III) were found to alter considerably in the presence of DNA. An increase in absorbance and a red shift were observed in the ultra violet spectra of DNA in the presence of Rh(III). The specific viscosity of DNA solution was found to decrease asymptotically with time and concentrations of metal ion. The melting temperature of DNA was found to increase at lower metal ion concentrations, whereas at higher values a decrease was obtained. At still higher metal ion concentrations (metal ion/DNA-P greater than 3) a 'nonmeltable state' of DNA was observed. These results seem to indicate that Rh(III) binds both with the phosphate and the bases of the DNA.


Characterization of a dinoflagellate (amphidinium carterae) dna.

The DNA of the photosynthetic Dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae shows, by certain physico-chemical criteria two major components, a light satellite and a permanent DNA-RNA hybrid whose presence explains the unusual behaviour of Amphidinium DNA according to classical methods of analysis. The frequent presence of a slow-growing accompanying bacterium does not seem to interfere with any of these findings.


Bombyx mori development: the context for its endocrine system.

Quantitative data on neurohormones (brain-hormones) steroïd hormones, juvenile hormones, in an insect : Bombyx mori are outlined. The variations of hormonal contents throughout larval and pupal development, in eggs and ovocytes are analyzed.


[Change in phenamine stereotypy in cats after the electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus].

Two types of behavioral shifts occur in cats after cessation of repeated low-frequency stimulation of the caudate nucleus head. Behavioral depression originates more frequently from the dorsomedial part of the head whereas stimulation of the ventrolateral part induces the activation before depression. The number and pattern of stereotype movements are variously changed against the background of these shifts following administration of the minimal effective phenamine dose. Desorganization takes place after stimulation of the dorso-medial nucleus parts followed by stereotypy reduction or, on the contrary, by its enhancement in combination with caudate activation.


[Relationship of the homovanillic acid content in the rat brain after the administration of a neuroleptic and the degree of dopamine receptor sensitivity to an agonist].

In the experiments on male Wistar rats it was established that the intensity of apomorphine stereotypy gradually increased 6--12 hours after a single injection of haloperidol in a dose of 1 mg/kg. 24 hours later the stereotypy was much higher than in the control animals, its intensity being negatively correlated with the homovanillic acid (HVA) concentration in the rat forebrain. It is suggested that HVA concentration reflects the degree of dopamine receptor sensitivity to the agonist.


Substrate specificity of a lipase preparation from Geiotrichum asteroides as a function of the experimental conditions.

A lipase preparation obtained from the culture fluid of the fungus Geotrichum asteroides was shown to hydrolyze natural plant oils well. Tweens and triglycerides, both soluble in water and insoluble, containing saturated fatty acids (tripalmitic, tristearic, trimyristic and tributyric) are barely hydrolyzed. The nature of the emulsifier and the composition of the buffer used in the reaction mixture exert a great influence on the lipolytic activity of G. asteroides. The optimal temperature for the enzyme preparation with respect to all the oils studied was 37 degrees C.


[Pararenal angiosarcoma as a manifestation of sexual dimorphism in carcinogenesis].

Pararenal angiosarcoma developed in 42% of CBA male mice injected subcutaneously 1.2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) in a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight within 30 weeks. None of 176 CBA female mice given the same treatment developed such tumors. Histologically, the tumors represented various angiosarcomas characterized by a marked invasive growth into the renal parenchyma.


Stimulation of lymphocytes by platelet-antibody-complexes and their role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenia.

The effect of washed human platelets, platelet lysates, and platelet antibody complexes on 14C-thymidine incorporation by human lymphocytes was studied. For sensitization of platelets, HLA-specific alloantibodies as well as platelet autoantibodies were used. Lymphocytes for in vitro cultures were collected from unsensitized individuals, healthy women with proven fetomaternal immunization against HLA antigens and patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Unsensitized platelets have a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the in vitro proliferation of normal lymphocytes induced by mitogens (PHA, ConA, PWM). Platelet antibody complexes (allo- and autoantibodies; allogenic and autologous lymphocyte-platelet combinations) did not stimulate 14C-thymidine incorporation. Lymphocytes from ITP patients showed a significantly reduced stimulatory response toward PHA compared to normal persons. These findings are discussed in the light of our present knowledge regarding the role of cellular immune reactions in the pathogenesis of ITP.


Reflex urethral instability.

Eleven patients with incontinence and large post-voiding residual urine volumes have been studied with a urodynamic technique. Results indicate that reflex urethral relaxation was responsible for urinary incontinence. A probable relationship of this syndrome to bladder overdistension is suggested by ancillary evidence.


The influence of refined carbohydrate on urinary calcium excretion.

In the course of study of the influence of varying the amount of refined carbohydrate (sugar and sugar products) in an otherwise standardised diet in 18 normal subjects it was evident that the analysis of 24-h urine collections failed to show the profound diurnal variation in urinary electrolyte excretion and, in particular in this instance, calcium excretion. The analysis of individually voided specimens showed some normal subjects to have spontaneously high peaks of urinary calcium concentration throughout the day even whilst on a diet with low refined carbohydrate content. Increase in the refined carbohydrate content of the otherwise standardised diet caused significant increase in the number of urines with a calcium concentration above 9 mmol/1. Refined carbohydrate, a common cinstituent in Western diets, can therefore influence urinary electrolyte excretion in such a way that there may be an increased risk of over-saturation with calcium oxalate.


Longitudinal study of bladder cancer with cytology and biopsy.

A study of urinary cytology and selected mucosal biopsies in conjunction with cystoscopy provided additional information of value in the management of 318 patients with bladder cancer. These procedures were especially helpful in patients with no visible lesions on follow-up cystoscopies in assessing the bladder epithelium, the behaviour of which may be unpredictable in that no further tumours may occur, or they may arise at irregular intervals.


Has the suprapubic suspension operation any influence on the urethral pressure profile?

The urethral pressure profiles of 35 patients suffering from stress incontinence before and after suprapubic suspension operations have been analysed. Irrespective of the post-operative result there were no significant changes in the various characteristics of the pressure profile. The results suggest that a suspension operation for stress incontinence has no direct effect on the sphincteric urethral mechanism but places the urethra in a higher position where it can be affected by increases in intra-abdominal pressure.


Management of pregnancy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The outcome of 54 pregnancies in 23 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was analysed. No mother or infant died in the perinatal period. Six patients developed dyspnoea requiring treatment with diuretics. Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs were given in 18 pregnancies and three of the infants in this were small for dates and in two fetal bradycardia occurred. The results comfirmed that pregnancy is safe in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A flexible approach should be adopted towards administering beta-adrenergic blocking drugs to pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Many such patients do well without these drugs and can thus avoid the potential hazards--namely, small-for-dates babies and fetal bradycardia--that are associated with them.


Inhibition of mourning by pregnancy: psychopathology and management.

A bereavement during pregnancy is difficult to mourn: a pregnant woman is so increasingly preoccupied with the new life that mourning is interrupted and often impossible to resume later. This may lead to idealisation of the child as a reincarnation of the dead person or child abuse. A bereaved woman should be helped to mourn at the time of death and to keep alive the expectation of future mourning once her baby is thriving.


Contribution from geriatric medicine within acute medical wards.

In 1977 a scheme of attachment to acute medical wards of consultants in geriatric medicine and associated junior medical staff was instituted in a large Edinburgh teaching hospital. The effect on admissions of patients aged 65 and over was examined for comparable periods before and during this arrangement. Mean and median stays were reduced for both sexes but more noticeably for women. The mean stay for all women aged over 65 was reduced from 25 to 16 days and for women aged over 85 from 50 to 19 days. The proportion staying under two weeks was significantly increased in both sexes, and the proportion discharged home also increased, correspondingly fewer patients being transferred to convalescent wards. These changes were not accompanied by increased transfers to the geriatric department, and probably the skills and extra resources available to the geriatric service were the factors mainly responsible for the changes in performance.


Self-stimulation of the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area of Tsai attenuated by microinjections of spiroperidol into the nucleus accumbens.

The contribution of dopaminergic neurons to self-stimulation of the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex was investigated. The ventral tegmental area is the site of non-striatal dopaminergic neurons and their axons project to the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Injections of spiroperidol, a dopamine antagonist, into the nucleus accumbens significantly reduced self-stimulation of the ipsilateral ventral tegmental area but did not influence self-stimulation of the contralateral ventral tegmental area. Injections of spiroperidol into the prefrontal cortex did not reduce self-stimulation of the ipsilateral or contralateral ventral tegmental area. Electrical stimulation of sites in the nucleus accumbens positive for self-stimulation antidromically activated neurons of the ventral tegmental area, and a reduction of discharge of these neurons following administration of apomorphine suggested that they were dopaminergic neurons. These observations provide additional evidence implicating dopaminergic neurons in brain-stimulation reward and suggest that dopaminergic neurons contribute to self-stimulation of the nucleus accumbens but not the prefrontal cortex.


Pericapsular smooth muscle cells in renal corpuscles of the Mongolian gerbil.

During the course of a systematic investigation of the renal corpuscles in various desert rodents (Meriones unguiculati, Meriones shawii, Psammomys obesus, and Dipodymis), a thickened Bowman's capsule was observed light microscopically in some kidneys of adult Meriones unguiculati (Mongolian gerbil). Electron microscopic studies show that this unusual finding may depend on the presence of one or two layers of typical smooth muscle cells adjacent to the outer surface of the basal lamina. In the kidneys of other species of desert rats examined, no pericapsular smooth muscle cells were observed.


Ascorbate blocks amphetamine-induced turning behavior in rats with unilateral nigro-striatal lesions.

Unilateral nigro-striatal lesions were produced in rats using 6-hydroxydopamine. Intraperitoneal injections of amphetamine induced circling behavior in these rats due to release of striatal dopamine contralateral to the lesion. Intraperitoneal injections of 1 g/kg of ascorbic acid elevated brain ascorbate. Ascorbate, like other drugs blocking dopamine receptors, attenuated the amphetamine-induced turning behavior. Thus, ascorbic acid might have a role in regulating dopaminergic transmission and could be of therapeutic value in disorders involving functional dopamine excess.


Enhancement of immune cellular agglutination by use of an avidin-biotin system.

Classically, one can increase the titer of an agglutinating or first antibody with an antiglobulin or second antibody. We have used an avidin-biotin system in place of antiglobulin to similarly extend the agglutination by an initial anticellular antibody. Erythrocytes were agglutinated by adding in succession, caproylamidobiotin-antibody, avidin, and extender (caproylamidobiotin-macromolecule). The macromolecules evaluated as extenders, in order of increasing potency, were fibrinogen, albumin, succinylated polylysine, and ribonuclease A. From comparative testing, we found that antiglobulin raised the titer of antibody from 2560 to 20,480, and the avidin-biotin tool raised the titer of caproylamidobiotin-antibody from 2560 to 10,240 without extender and to 81,820 with an extender of caproylamidobiotin-ribonuclease. Thus noncovalent extenders add to the capability of the avidin-biotin system to facilitate and substitute for an antibody.


Dizygosity of discordant twins with Noonan syndrome.

A pair of discordant twins, one of whom had Noonan syndrome, is reported. Most of the cardinal signs of Noonan syndrome were demonstrated by the affected twin. The etiology of the syndrome is briefly reviewed. The dizygosity of the twins was proved by ABO blood grouping and mixed lymphocyte reaction. The findings are interpreted as reasonably good evidence that genetic factors are the prime etiology in the pathogenesis of Noonan syndrome.


A critical examination of the foundations of immunotherapy for cancer.

It is argued that immunotherapy (IMTH) for cancer, as well as the theory of cancer immunogenicity on which it rests, derives no secure foundation either from clinical observations or from experimental study of valid animal tumour models. Discouraging clinical observations include: the long history of failure of IMTH; the rejection of IMTH for choriocarcinoma--a true allograft in the patient; the extreme rarity of spontaneous regression, and progressive discrediting of the theory of immunosurveillance; the high frequency of nodal metastasis; and the failure to demonstrate a tumour-specific antigen in man. The great majority of animal tumours used for experimental studies of IMTH display artefactual immunogenicity associated with their mode of induction or conditions of transplantation and cannot be accepted as valid models of clinical cancer. The author reviews his total failure to demonstrate immunogenicity or successful IMTH using a wide range of animal tumours from which known laboratory artefacts have been strictly excluded. The inordinate promotion of tumour immunology and IMTH in recent years is attributed to unfortunate sociological influences encouraging premature assertion of clinical relevance from experimental research.


Various manifestations of stratification phenomenon during intravenous cholangiography.

The authors classify various types of stratification phenomenon during intravenous cholangiography. The stage of gallbladder opacification in the recumbent position has been classified as (I) mottled, (II) dendritic, (III) ring-like, and (IV) homogeneous. 'Dendritic' type of stratification phenomenon has never been reported in the literature to our knowledge. At 20 min following infusion of contrast material homogeneous opacification of the gallbladder was noticed in only 14% of patients. The others fell into types I, II or III of stratification phenomenon. In contrast, 87% of the opacified gallbladders were homogeneous on the after fatty meal film. It is therefore mandatory for diagnosis that either a 24 h film or a fatty meal film be taken to avoid the stratification phenomenon.


Effects of prazosin on blood pressure and plasma renin activity during onset and withdrawal of action in the anaesthetized rat.

1. The effects of single intramuscular injections of prazosin, 0.1 mg/kg, upon blood pressure, heart rate and plasma renin activity, were studied, over 24 h, in groups of anaesthetized rats, control rats receiving 0.9% saline. 2. Within 6 min of prazosin administration, heart rate fell by 50 beats/min (s.e.m = 19) and blood pressure by 40 mmHg (s.e.m. = 8). Starting levels were regained within 90 min and 16 h of injection, respectively, and thereafter both parameters remained unaltered. Plasma renin activity showed a slight though insignificant rise during the initial hypotension, but subsequently fell to 32% of the control level. 3. The hypotensive response to prazosin, unlike that to the centrally acting agents clonidine or guanfacine, was not followed by overshoots in blood pressure, heart rate or plasma renin activity. Instead, suppression of plasma renin activity was demonstrable after re-establishment of control blood pressure.


The entrainment of caecotrophy-rhythm of the rabbit following 6- and 12-h phase-shifts of the Zeitgeber.

By means of automatic registration of hard faeces excretion the caecotrophy-rhythm of 10 rabbits was monitored. In the animals a negative phase angle difference existed between 'lights on' and the start of caecotrophy in LD 12:12. Five rabbits practised caecotrophy once and 5 rabbits twice/24 h. Following 6-h phase-shifts of the LD-regimen the caecotrophy-rhythm was shifted in the same direction as the Zeitgeber. The time of re-entrainment for advance shifts of caecotrophy is significantly longer than for delay shifts. The inversion of the Zeitgeber causes caecotrophy to be delay-shifted in all animals.


Progesterone receptors in normal mammary glands of mice: characterization and relationship to development.

Although progesterone receptors have been characterized in a number of target tissues for progesterone, including some mammary tumors, relatively little is known about these receptors in normal mammary tissues. In the present study using R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione), a synthetic progestin, we have identified and characterized the cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in normal mammary glands of mice. The receptor had a high binding affinity (Kd = 2.8 X 10(-9)M) for R5020 and was specific for progestins. The levels of receptor varied at different stages of mammary gland development; the levels were inversely proportional to the secretory activity of the gland. This negative corelation between receptors and secretion was further observed in studies in which lactational involution was induced experimentally. We propose that the functional significance of the modulation of progesterone receptors in normal mammary glands may be related to the known different effects of progesterone in this tissue.


Serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in girls with hirsutism and menstrual disturbances).

Seventeen girls with hirsutism and menstrual disturbances aged 16--19 years and 7 hirsute women were investigated. Groups of 15 normal girls and 10 normal women were also included in this study. Serum concentrations of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in basal conditions and following stimulation and suppression tests were estimated. Mean values of T and DHT in hirsute girls were higher than in normal ones but only 4 estimations of T and 2 estimations of DHT exceeded the upper normal limit. The binding capacity of SHBG for T was significantly decreased and in most cases the results were within male ranges. According to the results of dynamic tests 7 cases of the adrenal hyperandrogenism, 5 cases of the ovarian hyperandrogenism and 5 cases of the mixed type of androgen over-production were diagnosed. The authors suggest that the estimations of T, DHT and SHGB in basal conditions and following dynamic tests are of value in the selection of long-term therapy in hirsute girls with menstrual abnormalities.


Changes in the mouse thymus observed during puberty.

The changes in the female mouse thymuses during puberty were investigated. During this period the lymphatic cell number in the thymus and its proliferative activity were found to decrease while the mitogen reactivity to PHA to increase. These changes cannot be observed in females ovariectomized before puberty. The role of ovarian hormones in the observed phenomenon is discussed.


Changes of dry mass of blood lymphocytes in the course of mouse estrous cycle and their dependence on the sexual steroid hormones.

The dry mass of blood lymphocytes in female mice has been found to underline the variations according to the phases of estrous cycle. Ovariectomy caused disappearance of cyclic changes and reduced the mean dry mass of lymphocytes. Whereas estradiol was effective in restoration of the lymphocyte dry mass to the values characteristic for non-operated animals, progesterone failed to produce any noticeable effect. It is concluded that estradiol is responsible for the changes of lymphocyte dry mass observed during the successive phases of estrous cycle.


Dissociation and aggregation of lactic dehydrogenase by high hydrostatic pressure.

As shown by earlier experiments high hydrostatic pressure affects the catalytic function of lactic dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle. In the presence of substrates denaturation occurs, whereas in the absence of substrates and --SH-protecting reagents oxidation of sulfhydryl groups takes place [Schmid, G., Lüdemann, H.-D. & Jaenicke, R. (1975) Biophys. Chem. 3, 90--98; (1978) Eur. J. Biochem. 86, 219--224]. Avoiding oxidation effects by reducing conditions in the solvent medium and by chelation of heavy metal ions, the remaining high-pressure effects consist of dissociation of the native quaternary structure into subunits followed by aggregation. Both reactions are influenced by temperature and enzyme concentration. Short incubation (less than or equal to 10 min) at pH 6.0--8.5 and pressures of 0.3--1.0 kbar causes dissociation which is reversed at normal pressure. At 5 degrees C the activation volume is found to be delta V not equal to = -62 +/- 3cm3 . mol-1. Above 1.2 kbar irreversible aggregation takes place; the reaction is favoured by low temperature and decreased pH. The activation volume for the aggregation process at 5 degress C is delta V not equal to = -97 +/- 3cm3 . mol-1. The results may be described by a reaction sequence comprisign pressure-induced dissociation of the native enzyme into its subunits followed by subunit aggregation to form inactive high-molecular-weight particles.


Enzymic synthesis of lignin precursors. Further studies on cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase from soybean-cell-suspension cultures.

Isoenzyme 2 of cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase from soybean suspension cultures was purified about 3800-fold to apparent homogeneity by an improved purification procedure involving biospecific elution of the enzyme from a NADP+-agarose column. On sodium dodecylsulfate gels the dehydrogenase showed only one protein band with Mr 40 000 +/- 500. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by thiol reagents. Various metal chelators as well as the nonchelating 7,8-benzoquinoline also inhibited enzyme activity. Inhibition by 10 mM 1,10-phenanthroline could be partially reversed by addition of Zn2+. 1,10-Phenanthroline and 7,8-benzoquinoline are non-competitive inhibitors with respect to NADP+. The presence of zinc in the dehydrogenase was proved by atomic absorption spectroscopy and by specific incorporation of 65Zn into the enzyme. In steady-state kinetics inhibition patterns were obtained which are consistent with an ordered bi-bi mechanism in which NADP(H) is the first substrate to bind and the last product released. The cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase belongs to the A-specific dehydrogenases and removes the pro-R hydrogen from coniferyl alcohol. The enzyme shows many similarities with alcohol dehydrogenases from horse and rat liver and from yeast.


Combined dynamic studies of the bladder and urethra. Report of a method.

The authors report a method of complex urodynamic investigation. The intravesical pressure, the intrarectal pressure, the electronically computed detrusor pressure, the urinary flow and the electromyography of the anal and urethral striated sphincters are recorded simultaneously with the fluoroscopic image on 16 mm film using the kinescopic procedure. The intravesical pressure is measured per urethram. The routine examination method is described. The authors consider that the use of 16 mm film has advantages in comparison to videotape recordings. The installation was made out of existing materials except for the electronic mixing device, which was created in the research laboratory. Radiation dosis measurements show that even by extensive examination the received radiation dosis does not exceed the exposure of a standard voiding cystourethrogram.


Serotonin--dopamine interactions in the nigrostriatal system.

A study was made of the effects of serotonin uptake inhibition and receptor blockade on the increase in rat striatal homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and on some behavioural responses induced by haloperidol. The serotonin uptake inhibitors CGP 6085 A (4-(5,6-dimethyl-2-benzofuranyl)-piperidine-HCl), citalopram (Lu 10-171), fluoxetine (Lilly 110140), and clomipramine potentiated the increase in striatal deaminated dopamine metabolites after the neuroleptic. In contrast, the serotonin antagonists methysergide, mianserin and cinanserin antagonized the acceleration of dopamine turnover induced by haloperidol. The catalepsy induced by this neuroleptic was potentiated by CGP 6085 A and citalopram. These 5-HT uptake inhibitors also potentiated the antagonism by haloperidol of apomorphine-induced stereotypies. These results seem to make it worthwhile to test a combination of haloperidol and a serotonin antagonist in schizophrenic patients to see whether the ratio of the therapeutic effect to the extrapyramidal side effects can be improved.


Central noradrenergic--cholinergic interaction and locomotor behavior.

Depletion of forebrain noradrenaline by intracerebral injection of 4 micrograms of 6-hydroxydopamine into the fibres of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle was found to block the cataleptic effects of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist arecoline and to potentiate the locomotor stimulant effects of the muscarinic cholinergic blocker scopolamine. The nicotinic drugs, mecamylamine, a nicotinic blocker, and nicotine itself were unaffected in their actions by the depletion of forebrain noradrenaline. It is concluded that a noradrenergic--cholinergic interaction of the muscarinic type exists in brain and may have a function in the control of arousal, with catalepsy at one extreme and locomotor stimulation at the other.


Benzodiazepine receptors in "emotional" and "non-emotional" mice; comparison of four strains.

The binding of 3H-diazepam to membrane benzodiazepine receptors was examined in four inbred strains of mice. "Emotional" or "anxious" BALB/cJ mice had significantly lower specific benzodiazepine binding when compared with three other "non-emotional" strains. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the lower specific benzodiazepine binding is the result of a lower density of receptors in the "emotional" BALB/cJ mice. These results reinforce the contention that a system involving the benzodiazepine receptor may play a role in emotional behavior.


The effects of cholinergic agents on morphine-induced circling behavior in the intact mouse.

The effects of morphine on locomotor activity in mice was studied. It was shown that morphine in this species induces circling, a dose-dependent, stereotyped behavior. At high doses of morphine, mice engaged virtually exclusively in circling uninterrupted by other activities. The effect was modified by muscarinic agents. Blockade of muscarinic receptors with atropine potentiated circling while the muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine, attenuated it. The mixed muscarinic/nicotinic cholinergic agonist, physostigmine, had no effect on this behavior.


Diurnal rhythm of ethanol metabolism in the rat.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats injected with 2.0 g/kg of ethanol and analyzed 1 h later at 8 specific times of the day showed diurnal rhythms for alcohol concentrations in the blood, urine, brain and liver tissues. The circadian fluctuation noted for the concentrations of blood and tissue ethanol might indicate a diurnal variation in the enzymatic metabolism of ethanol.


A note on the mechanism of action of UV-irradiation of amphibian embryos.

The actions on amphibian embryos of UV-irradiation, exposure to Li+ or exposure to ouabain show interesting parallels with their effects on spontaneous release at the presynaptic terminals of the neuromuscular junction. It is suggested that these treatments serve to raise intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in these examples, and that UV-promoted abnormalities in embryogenesis are a consequence of changes in [Ca2+]i at critical stages in development.


Effect of p-coumaric acid on immature estrogen treated and cyclic female mice.

Oral administration of p-coumaric acid to estrogen-primed immature female mice exerts neither estrogenic nor anti-estrogenic activity, but when it is administered to cyclic female mice in single dose at proestrus or in repeated doses, induces alteration in estrus cycle, ovarian and uterine weight and structure.


Dopamine-agonist drugs and cerebral electrical activity in the rabbit.

The eeg changes induced by acute administration in rabbits of dopamine-agonist drugs (bromocriptine, apomorphine, piribedil) were studied. We examined the spontaneous electric activity of cortex and deep structures, the electric excitability thresholds and the action of these drugs in "cerveau isolé" rabbit. Eeg findings were correlated with behavioural reactions. The modes of action and the probable double point of attack of the drugs at the CNS are discussed.


In vivo evaluation of an effervescent intravaginal contraceptive insert by simulated coital activity.

Sixteen women ages 20 to 41 participated in a project to evaluate the in vivo intravaginal spermicidal effectiveness of nonoxynol-9 foaming suppositories. Testing of each subject was done at 18 different time intervals ranging from 5 seconds to 6 hours following insertion of the vaginal contraceptive. Simulated coitus using a latex dildo was incorporated in the test design to simulate dispersal of the spermicide that occurs during coitus. Semen specimens meeting uniform criteria for sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume were injected intravaginally; three vaginal aspirates were then immediately obtained to evaluate sperm motility microscopically. Maximal spermicidal effectiveness was found between 5 minutes and 1 hour after insertion of the vaginal contraceptive.


Assessment of pituitary function in patients with serum prolactin levels greater than 100 ng/ml.

Twelve women with galactorrhea-amenorrhea and prolactin levels greater than 100 ng/ml were evaluated with dynamic pituitary challenge testing. Forty-two per cent of the patients had positive findings on polytomography and subsequent surgical confirmation of a pituitary tumor. Patients with tumors had a delayed elevation of growth hormone (GH) and cortisol following induction of insulin hypoglycemia. Patients had increased thyroid-stimulating hormone levels after injection of thyrotropin-releasing factor, but showed blunting of prolactin secretion. Patients with tumors had decreased basal levels of GH and showed a blunted response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRF) stimulation. These patients had normal elevations of follicle-stimulating hormone after LRF challenge. Patients with tumors showed a delay in elevation of GH levels following l-dopa treatment. They also failed to show prolactin suppression following this treatment. There are consistently predictive changes that occur in pituitary functions in the presence of a pituitary tumor. However, absolute prolactin levels and sellar polytomography are more reliable in diagnosing the presence of a pituitary tumor in the patient with galactorrhea-amenorrhea.


The effect of transection of the accessory ligaments on reproduction in the rabbit.

The mesotubarium superius (MTS) and uterovarian ligament (UOL) contain smooth muscle, are mechanically active, and have been implicated in ovum transport in a number of species. To assess the reproductive importance of these ligaments, they were unilaterally transected in 27 rabbits and the effects on reproduction determined. Reproductive function was characterized in terms of the numbers of corpora lutea, uterine implants, and normal conceptuses resulting from breeding with fertile bucks. Fertility was defined by the proportion of ovulating follicles resulting in implantation and normal conceptuses. Grouped and paired sample analyses of these data showed no differences between the experimental and control sides of the reproductive tracts of animals in which the UOL, MTS, or both were transected. The structural integrity of these ligaments is thus not necessary for normal conception and fertility in the rabbit.


Age of measles immunization in tropics.

Maternal immunity to measles was studied in a group of 500 newborn children and another group of 500 children aged one to 12 months, before vaccination. The geometric mean titer of detectable hemagglutination-inhibition antibody was 16 for newborn children. This titer was absent in most children aged 3 to 5 months. Our previous studies indicate that from 1970 to 1972, children from the lower socio-economic classes aged 5 to 9 months were the main target of measles complications and deaths. Based on the present data, we suggest that children in developing countries should be vaccinated as young as 6 months and should be revaccinated 3 to 4 months later to assure full protection.


[Controlled tests of anti-meningococcal polysaccharide A vaccine in the African Sahel area (Upper Volta and Mali) ].

After the first tests of this vaccine in Egypt (1972) and in the Sudan (1973), two controlled tests in the field were performed in two high-risk areas for meningitis: --firstly, in the region of Koudougou (Upper-Volta), in November-December 1973 (17,300 vaccines). Its major aim was to solve operational and logistical problems; --secondly, in the Koutiala (Mali) area, according to a very strict schedule, in November-December 1975 and December 1975 (37,979 vaccines). The complete innocuousness of the vaccine was proven and excellent seroconversion was observed after its administration. On the individual level, it was confirmed that the vaccine ensures excellent protection for a period of at least three years. This new prophylactic weapon inspires the authors to suggest a new strategy in the fight against meningitis epidemics caused by meningococcus in the African Sahel area, taking into account the current increase there in serogroup C, against which there is also a vaccine whose efficacy has already been demonstrated.


Serum requirement for growth and immunoglobulin synthesis by cultured human lymphocyte lines.

Swine serum is an inexpensive substitute for foetal calf serum for lymphocyte culture. It gives an increased yield of Ig from 1788 cells and permits the large scale production of cells for Ig mRNA isolation.


In vitro capacitation of ejaculated rabbit spermatozoa.

Prior to fertilization mammalian spermatozoa undergo physiological changes in the female reproductive tract. These changes are collectively known as capacitation. In essence capacitation is a further differentiation that the sperm cell must acquire beyond the maturational changes that it undergoes in the epididymis. Although capacitation in vitro has been easily achieved in rodents, its accomplishment in the rabbit is inconsistent and difficult. We report here successful in vitro capacitation of ejaculated rabbit sperm, assessed by in vitro and in vivo fertilization of rabbit ova. Sperm were used from pooled ejaculates collected from bucks of proven fertility since sperm collected from individual bucks resulted in significant differences in fertilization levels. Conditions favoring in vitro capacitation were: (1) extended incubation time of 12 h, (2) addition of 20% heated rabbit serum to incubation medium, and (3) an atmosphere of 5% CO2, 8% O2, and 87% N2 during incubation. In vitro capacitation of sperm under these conditions resulted in 67% fertilization compared to 89% for control sperm capacitated for 13 h in the uterus.


[A study of the natural evolution of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Analysis of 100 cases (authors' transl)].

The authors present a study of the course of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (C.I.O.), diagnosed both through noninvasive (52) and invasive (48 cases) techniques, in 100 patients. The average period of observation (prospective and retrospective) was 8.2 years; in 68 cases prospective inquiries were carried out over an average period of 4.6 years. In 80% of the cases the first symptoms occurred when the patient was under 40, while the first diagnosis and period of observation usually took place between the ages of 20 and 50. The results of this study confirm that CIO is an illness with a slow evolution; the following facts emerge: a) considerable stability of the symptoms; b) low yearly mortality rate (1.8%); c) high rate of survival 10 years after the first onset of the symptoms. The most frequent cause of death is usually sudden, which leads to the supposition that one of the most important elements for prognosis is the identification and treatment of arrhythmias.


[The carotidogram in the diagnosis of the juxtavalvular fibrotic aortic stenosis. Report of 47 cases (author's transl)].

The morphological aspect of the carotid pulse has been under study in 47 cases of juxtavalvular aortic stenosis previously confirmed through hemodynamic and surgical examinations. The study included 39 cases of subvalvular fibrous stenosis (subaortic fibrous stenosis) (SAsV) and 8 cases of supravalvular annular aortic stenosis (S AsV). In 75% of both SAsV and SAsV cases the carotid pulse showed a rapid ascent and a finely notched apex, while in 25% of the cases it followed the pattern of a typical valvular stenosis. This is more obvious for the left carotid artery. The morphology of the carotid pulse resulted as independent from the aortic ventricular gradient, but, on the other hand, connected with the simultaneous stenotic involvement of the valvular cusps. The sign possesses not only high sensitivity but also high specificity with regard to juxtavalvular aortic stenoses because it has only been met with in 2 cases of valvular aortic stenosis. The pathophysiological explanation remains as yet obscure.


[Specificity of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in the echocardiographic diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (author's transl)].

In order to determine the prevalence of sistolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, we evaluated the echocardiographic records of 229 consecutive patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions. SAM was present in all the 9 patients of this series with hypetrophic cardiomyopathy and in additional 4 patients with other conditions. Their diagnosis were: arterio-venous fistula of the forearm, tetralogy of Fallot, Prinzmetal angina and idiopatic hypercynetic cardio-circulatory state. Thus SAM without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not a rare event in patients undergoing echocardiography. The wide variability of conditions associated with SAM suggests that it represents a functional and aspecific abnormality and does not involve peculiar anatomic factors.


Antitumor activity of norditerpenoid dilactones in Podocarpus plants: structure-activity relationship on in vitro cytotoxicity against Yoshida sarcoma.

The in vitro cytotoxicity of norditerpenoid dilactones isolated from Podocarpus plants was determined against cultured Yoshida sarcoma cells. The dilactones involved 15 natural lactones as well as their derivatives, which include appropriate modifications necessary to the estimation of the structure-activity relationship. The unsaturated system on the B/C ring portion, the dienolide or the epoxyenolide moiety, is essential for the activity, but the gamma-lactone group on the A/B ring portion is not. Other oxygenated substituents on the skeletal carbons, such as hydroxyl, acyloxyl, or epoxide group, also show some significant effect.


Neodymium-yag laser treatment of experimental canine gastric bleeding. Acute and chronic studies of photocoagulation, penetration, and perforation.

Determination of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic laser photocoagulation to control upper gastrointestinal bleeding is prerequisite to the general application of this treatment in humans. We studied photocoagulation hemostasis, penetration, and perforation produced by a 55-W neodymium-yag (Nd:YAG) laser to control standardized experimental gastric bleeding lesions in a heparinized canine model. Photocoagulation of bleeding lesions was 100% successful with an application time of 3.56 +/- 1.65 sec (mean +/- SD). Histologic examintion of the gastric wall revealed a depth of injury to the muscularis externa of 40-100% with greater than 2 sec photocoagulation. Continuous photocoagulation exceeding 4 sec produced an 80-100% depth of muscle injury. Perforation of the gastric wall occurred after 9.6 +/- 1.5 sec, and all dogs studied after perforation survived. These studies indicate that Nd:YAG photocoagulation is an effective method to control experimental gastric bleeding lesions with a ratio between mean photocoagulation hemostasis and perforation times of approximatley 1:3. Further studies are required to define the implications of photocoagulation injury to muscle and the role of the gastric serosa in laser applications.


Mechanisms responsible for antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity to isolated hepatocytes in chronic active hepatitis.

Lymphocytes from patients with chronic active hepatitis have been found to be cytotoxic for isolated rabbit hepatocytes. Although this reaction has been shown to be of the antibody-dependent type, no autologous serum was added to the assay system and in the present experiments the source of the antibody has been sought. The failure of puromycin to block the reaction argued against a role for antibody synthesised during the culture period, and the demonstration that normal mononuclear cells could become cytotoxic when preincubated in chronic active hepatitis sera was more in favour of the passive acquisition of an antibody from the circulation. Evidence for the existence of free antibody in the sera reacting with hepatocyte surface antigens came from an additional series of experiments in which it was shown that preincubation of hepatocytes in chronic active hepatitis sera rendered them susceptible to damage by normal mononuclear cells. This effect was almost completely abolished by adding a membrane lipoportein fraction of human liver (LSP) to the sera during the preincubation step, suggesting that the LSP contained those antigens on the hepatocyte surface against which the majority of the antibodies were directed.


Small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte levels in cow's milk protein intolerance.

The mean small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte count in seven children with untreated cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) on a milk-containing diet was significantly higher than 22 control children also having a milk-containing diet. Ten milk-intolerant children on a milk-free diet had a mean intraepithelial lymphocyte count which was significantly lower than the level in the 22 control children on a milk-containing diet. When these 10 children were challenged with cow's milk they relapsed clinically, and in every case the intraepithelial lymphocyte count rose, although it remained within normal limits. Nineteen children on milk-free diets who had recovered from CMPI had a mean lymphocyte count which was also significantly lower than controls on normal diets, suggesting that when milk is remo-ed from the diet the lymphocyte count is low regardless of whether the child is milk sensitive or not. The reaction of intraepithelial lymphocytes to milk in CMPI is markedly different from their response to gluten in coeliac disease.


[Synthesis of the bis(S-methoxycarbonylthio)-B-chain of beef insulin (author's transl)].

The bis(S-methoxycarbonylthio)-B-chain of beef insulin was synthesized from B-chain bis(S-sulfonate) and methoxycarbonyl-sulfenylchloride and reacted with thioglycolic acid as well as with cysteine in acidic solution to the corresponding unsymmetrical disulfides in 80% yield.


The IRS strikes out in court!

Three organizations that recently took the IRS to court to obtain tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the code have won their cases--an HMO and a PSRO on the basis of their benefit to the community, and a cooperative hospital laundry because of its connection with tax-exempt institutions and its nonprofit operation.


Heteromorphic X chromosomes in 46,XX males: evidence for the involvement of X-Y interchange.

G- and R-banded chromosome preparations from eight of twelve 46,XX males, with no evidence of mosaicism or a free Y chromosome, were distinguished in blind trials from preparations from normal 46,XX females by virtue of heteromorphism of the short arm of one X chromosome. Photographic measurements on X chromosomes and on chromosome pair 7 in cells from twelve 46,XX males, eight 46,XX females, and four 46,XY males revealed a significant increase in the size of the p arm of one X chromosome in the group of XX males, independently characterised as being heteromorphic for Xp. No such differences were observed between X chromosomes of normal males and females or between homologues of chromosome pair 7 in all groups. The heteromorphism in XX males is a consequence of an alteration in shape (banding profile) and length of the tip of the short arm of one X chromosome, and the difference in size of the two Xp arms in these 46,XXp+ males ranged from 0.4% to 22.9%. From various considerations, including the demonstration of a Y-specific DNA fragment in DNA digests from nuclei of one of three XX males tested, it is concluded that the Xp+ chromosome is a product of Xp-Yp exchange. These exchanges are assumed to originate at meiosis in the male parent and may involve an exchange of different amounts of material. The consequences of such unequal exchange are considered in terms of the inheritance of genes located on Yp and distal Xp. No obvious phenotypic difference was associated with the presence or absence of Xp+. Thus, some males diagnosed as 46,XX are mosaic for a cryptic Y-containing cell line, and there is now excellent evidence that maleness in others may be a consequence of an autosomal recessive gene. The present data imply that in around 70% of 46,XX males, maleness is a consequence of the inheritance of a paternal X-Y interchange product.


Do the partners of dizygotic schizophrenic twins run a greater risk of schizophrenia than ordinary siblings?

An exceptionally high incidence in dizygotic co-twins of schizophrenic index cases, together with normal incidence in siblings, was reported by M. Fischer in 1973. Apart from chance fluctuation, a methodological explanation for the difference is suggested.


Antibody-containing cell response in lymph of sheep after intra-intestinal infusion of ovalbumin with and without DEAE-dextran.

The output of antibody-containing cells (ACC) was monitored in efferent ileal lymph after continuous infusion of ovalbumin into the ileum of sheep with and without the adjuvant DEAE-dextran. When ovalbumin was infused at the slow rate of 5 ml/h, maximum outputs of 2.9 x 10(5) and 2.4 x 10(5 ACC/h were observed on days 9 and 16 respectively. When infused at the faster rate of 15 ml/h, peak levels of 6.9 x 10(5) and 11.7 x 10(5) ACC/h were recorded on days 10 and 16 respectively. The maximum response was substantially enhanced when ovalbumin was infused simultaneously with DEAE-dextran when a mean output of 51.7 x 10(5) ACC/h occurred on day 10. With all treatments the distribution of ACC amongst various immunoglobulin classes was similar. During the first few days of the response IgM-specific ACC predominated and later IgG1-specific ACC were most abundant. Throughout the response a substantial proportion (10-81%) of ACC in efferent ileal lymph were IgA-specific.


Intestinal response of sheep to intraperitoneal immunization.

The aim of the present study was to develop an immunization procedure which centrally stimulated the IgA system of sheep with the release of antibody-containing cells (ACC) of the IgA class into intestinal lymph. It was found that intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin resulted in a substantial output of ACC in intestinal lymph. ACC of the IgA class reached a peak 8--9 days after intraperitoneal injection when they comprised 1.4% of cells in lymph. ACC of the IgM and IgG1 classes comprised 3.5 and 2.9% of cells in lymph at this time. The output of ACC of the IgA, IgM and IgG1 classes in lymph at the peak of the response was respectively, 3.7 X 10(6), 9.8 X 10(6) and 8 X 10(6) cells/h. In marked contrast to rats, virtually no ACC appeared in intestinal lymph of sheep following intraduodenal infusion of ovalbumin in animals primed 2 weeks earlier by intraperitoneal injection of antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA).


Histological investigation on the so-called urethral syndrome.

The urethral syndrome is generally not associated clinically with urethral changes, however, histology often reveals inflammatory or degenerative alterations. The conventionally diagnosed urethral syndrome can certainly be considered to be a synonym of chronic urethritis in adult females. The remarkable histological lesions were rupture of elastic fibers in the submucosa and the vascular wall, and a decrease of acid mucopolysaccharides in each layer of the urethra, accompanied by lymphocytic infiltration.


Urethral pressure changes in reflex micturition.

The mechanism and pattern of urethral pressure changes during bladder filling and voiding were investigated in anesthetized female dogs. A series of experiments was performed involving simultaneous recording of intraurethral and intravesical pressures before and after surgical separation of the bladder from the urethra. Similar experiments were done after pharmacologic blockade of the striated muscles, alpha-adrenergic receptors, and autonomic ganglia. The urethral pressure rise during the collection phase and its drop simultaneous with bladder contraction were observed both before and after vesicourethral interruption. Tubocurarine did not block pressure changes recorded in the proximal urethra. Phentolamine did not prevent a urethral pressure drop simultaneous with detrusor contraction. After effective blockade of autonomic ganglia by pentolinium, reflex micturition could not be induced by bladder filling. However subsequent administration of bethanechol chloride induced a bladder pressure rise together with a simultaneous drop of urethral pressure. We conclude that both vesicourethral muscle continuity and autonomic reflexes contribute to the urethral pressure changes during the two phases of bladder activity, passive collection and active expulsion.


Muscle and liver glycogen content: diurnal variation and endurance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of diurnal variations of muscle and liver glycogen stores on exercise endurance in male albino rats. Animals were swum to exhaustion at either 0700 or 1900 h, after which samples of soleus, white vastus lateralis, and red vastus lateralis muscles as well as liver were excised and subsequently analyzed for glycogen content. Glycogen content of all tissues from nonexercising control animals was higher in the morning than in the evening. Consequently, animals at 0700 h swam 60% longer than those at 1900 h (209 +/- 20 min vs. 130 +/- 23 min, respectively). However, because the skeletal tissues of the exhausted animals were not totally depleted of glycogen, it was concluded that fatigue under the swim protocol was the result of hypoglycemia secondary to hepatic glycogen depletion. The results of this study demonstrate the physiological consequences of diurnal glycogen fluctuation and establish experimental support for the importance of controlling this variable in rodent exercise investigations.


The fine structure of macrophage granules in experimental granulomas in rodents.

Macrophages in granulomas in four rodent species contain cytoplasmic granules with an ordered substructure similar to those previously described in human granuloma macrophages. These appearances, as well as other ultrastructural features of the cells, are compatible with the view that those macrophages have a secretory function.


The mode of action of a new antitumor antibiotic, sporamycin.

Sporamycin, an antitumor antibiotic, primarily inhibited DNA synthesis, while RNA and protein synthesis were not significantly affected in HeLa S3 cells. The antibiotic also caused strand scission of cellular DNA. However, the effects were not observed when the cells were incubated at 0 degrees C before washing and subsequently incubated at 37 degrees C. The Tm of calf thymus DNA decreased when incubated with sporamycin in vitro. Sporamycin did not affect DNA synthesis in vitro catalyzed by partially purified DNA polymerase alpha, beta, and gamma derived from EHRLICH ascites cells.