Electrophysiologic findings in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.

Thirteen patients with catheterization-proved idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis underwent intracardiac electrophysiologic study. There was a large incidence of arrhythmias and a strikingly large incidence of conduction system abnormalities among these patients. The P-A and A-H intervals were normal in all patients. Atrial pacing resulted in Mobitz type 1 block proximal to the His bundle at an abnormal rate (less than 140/min) in 2 of 12 patients (17 percent). H-V intervals were prolonged (greater than 50 msec) in 10 of 12 patients (83 percent) and were greater than 60 msec in 7 patients (58 percent). The atrial effective refractory period was prolonged in 3 of 12 patients and was markedly prolonged in 1 of them. Effective refractory period of the atrioventricular (A-V) node, determined  in five patients, was prolonged in three. Dual responses of the A-V node to atrial extrastimuli were found in seven patients. Dual A-V nodal repsonses were evoked with propranolol in three patients and persisted in the other four patients with dual responses despite propranolol administration.


Familial study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congenital aortic valve disease.

A woman with coexisting calcific aortic valve disease and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was studied before homograft replacement of the aortic valve and in the second and fourth postoperative years. Postoperative hemodynamic findngs, in studies performed with and without pharmacologic agents, were similar to those of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Echocardiographic studies 9 years after operation revealed asymmetric septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve leaflet echoes. The patient eventually died from carcinoma of the bronchus 9 years after aortic valve replacement. At autopsy the heart showed the features of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. In addition, the aorta the arrangement of the smooth muscle and elastic fibers was disordered. Subsequently, 10 asymptomatic relatives from four generations of this family were studied clinically and with echocardiography. Unsuspected asymmetric septal hypertrophy was found in four, and the pattern of the aortic valve echoes was compatible with a bicuspid valve in three. Three relatives had coexisting asymmetric septal hypertrophy and a bicuspid aortic valve. This family study shows that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and bicuspid aortic valve may coexist and may be inherited as a dominant characteristic with variable manifestations.


Rose Bengal staining for detection of conjunctival xerosis in nutrition surveys.

A hospital cum community based study indicated that rose Bengal staining of the eye could not only confirm clinically diagnosed cases of conjunctival xerosis but also detect those missed by clinical examination. However, some cases thus detected did not respond to a massive oral dose of vitamin A.


Adequacy of sexual performance in men maintained on methadone.

Impairment of sexual performance may occur in men on methadone maintenance. A random sample of 50 of 355 men enrolled in a methadone program was interviewed with respect ot sexual activity. Seventeen (33%) reported sexual dysfunction, occurring in 50% within 1 month after initiating methadone therapy. A comparison between these individuals and those without a reported change in sexual activity revealed no differences with respect to demographic parameters, methadone dose, or presence of polydrug abuse. Inadequate sexual function on heroin, however, was reported in 12 (71%) of those experiencing similar difficulties on methadone. This finding was present in only one person (3%) of those individuals whose sexual function on methadone maintenance was considered adequate. This study suggests that those persons with altered sexual function while on street heroin represent a high risk group for the development of inadequate sexual function upon initiation of methadone maintenance.


Rapid reduction of platelet count in essential hemorrhagic thrombocythemia by discontinuous flow plateletpheresis.

Dramatic reduction of the platelet count by discontinuous flow plateletpheresis was achieved safely and swiftly in a patient with essential hemorrhagic thrombocythemia. The patient had a history of thrombo-occlusive arterial disease and on admission had gastrointestinal bleeding. This technic is recommended as an effective means of rapidly controlling marked increase in the platelet count and its consequences in the interval before chemotherapy becomes effective.


The obfuscation of eclampsia by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

All case reports of TTP in pregnancy were reviewed. In some cases the primary diagnosis of TTP may have been inappropriate, with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia being the primary problem. Some cases of eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia satisfy all the criteria for the diagnosis of TTP syndrome. However, the prognosis is much better and management of these patients is very different from the nonpregnant patient with the TTP syndrome. The use of the term TTP syndrome to describe these patients may be confusing. Two cases of eclampsia are presented where the diagnosis of TTP could have been made but would have been inappropriate.


Intracellular granules of the renal medulla in a case of potassium depletion due to renal potassium wasting. Electron microscopic comparison with renal medullary granules in the potassium-depleted rat.

An electron microscopic comparison was made of intracellular granules of the renal papilla and inner medulla in two types of potassium depletion: one in a 47-year-old white male with chronic potassium-wasting renal disease and the other in the experimentally depleted rat. The granules in both cases were composed of small and large vesicles; myelin figures; small particles; and dense bodies, with a partial, or complete, single limiting membrane. Ultrastructurally, the constituent elements of the granules were essentially the same in the two types of potassium depletion. It was concluded that the intracellular granules in the human tissue were the result of potassium depletion and a counterpart to those in the potassium-depleted rat.


Contamination of prolactin preparations by antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin.

Since impurities consisting of neurohypophysical hormones in prolactin powder may be responsible for the vascular and renal effects attributed to prolactin, rat (NIH-RP-1), ovine (NIH-P-S-10, S-12), and bovine (NIH-P-B4) prolactin preparations were examined for their content of ADH and oxytocin by rat antidiuresis, milk-ejection, and blood pressure assays. Activities were identified as due to ADH or oxytocin by incubation of prolactin solutions with antisera against ADH, oxytocin, and prolactin, or with pregnancy plasma. The ADH content of rat, ovine (P-S-10, P-S-12) and bovine prolactin was found to be 104.5 +/- 7.1 (means +/- SE), 2.5 +/- 0.2, 1.6 +/- 0.1, and 1.6 +/- 0.5 mU/mg powder, respectively; the corresponding values for oxytocin content were 155.3 +/- 3.5, 1.2 +/- 0.1, 0.5 +/- 0.1, and 1.2 +/- 0.01 mU/mg powder, respectively. Because antidiuretic, milk-ejection, and blood pressure activities of the various prolactins were eliminated after incubation with antisera against ADH and oxytocin, or with pregnancy plasma, but not with prolactin antisera, it is concluded that the reported vascular and renal prolactin effects are attributable to ADH contamination of the prolactin preparation rather than to the prolactin molecule itself. These findings have implications for renal and vascular prolactin research.


An epidemic of histoplasmosis on the Isthmus of Panama.

Forty-seven men on the Isthmus of Panama were exposed to histoplasmosis in an old bunker inhabited by bats. The resulting epidemic was studied with serial clinical, serological, and radiological examinations. Thirty-seven (78.7%) of the men showed serological evidence of infection and 26 (70.3%) had symptoms. Incubation periods ranged from 4 to 30 days. A general relationship between severity of illness and degree of exposure was noted. The agar gel diffusion test for precipitin antibodies was more sensitive than the complement-fixation test or slide test in detecting infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. Decontamination procedures and environmental studies are described.


The diagnosis of immediate type allergy to Cladosporium herbarum. Differences between extracts and the efficacy of radioallergosorbent test (RAST) assays.

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was used to demonstrate IgE antibodies to Cladosporium herbarum in 35 children. Freeze-dried samples of Cladosporium herbarum were obtained from two commercial products, extracted and used for the preparation of two rast disc series which were compared with the commercially available Phadebas Cladosporium herbarum discs. Marked qualitative differences were found.


Early experiences of ether anaesthesia in North Wales.

An account is given of the history of ether anaesthesia in North Wales during the early months of 1847. It demonstrates that the study of local newspapers can be of invaluable assistance to the medical historian.


Hypersensitivity to milk and egg white. Skin tests, rast results and clinical intolerance.

Prick tests to milk and egg white were compared to clinical histories of sensitivity to these foods. Seventeen RAST-positive versus 17 RAST-negative controls were used. All 34 children and young adults were selected because they had atopic respiratory and/or dermal manifestations. Atopic eczema manifestations were present in 11 of the RAST-postive subjects and in two of the controls. Of these, nine had past history of egg white intolerance. Egg white challenge was associated with dermal reactions as follows: eczema in two, urticaria in two and angioedema in two. Positive clinical histories compared favorably (p less than 0.001) with prick tests for egg white but poorly (p greater than 0.05) for milk. Similarly, positive clinical histories compared significantly (p less than 0.001) with RAST for egg white but poorly (p greater than 0.05) for milk.


Serum concentrations of mibolerone in Beagle bitches as influenced by time, dosage form, and geographic location.

A radioimmunoassay was developed for the assay of mibolerone in the serum of adult bitches with a lower limit of detection of 0.5 ng of mibolerone/ml of serum. Serum concentrations in Beagle bitches given mibolerone were found to be dependent on concentration in and type of formulation. The type of formulation also influenced the time to reach peak serum concentrations of mibolerone. Serum concentrations were also different for the same animals treated at 2 geographic locations.


Tuberculosis in twins: a re-analysis of the Prophit survey.

Data on tuberculosis in twins collected by Dr. Barbara Simonds for the Prophit Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of London were re-analyzed using multiple regression to control for the effects of variables other than zygosity. Concordance for tuberculosis was significantly higher among monozygotic than dizygotic twin pairs. This finding indicates that inherited susceptibility is an important risk factor for tuberculosis among humans.


Vitamin-A reversal of abnormal dark adaptation in cirrhosis. Study of effects on the plasma retinol transport system.

Of 26 patients hospitalized with mild to moderate alcohol-associated cirrhosis, 14 had dark-adaptation abnormalities consistent with marginal vitamin-A status. The response of dark adaptation and the plasma retinol transport proteins, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin, was studied in 12 of these patients after daily oral vitamin-A supplements of 3300 microgram. Vitamin-A supplementation was associated with significant (p less than 0.05-0.005) improvement in dark adaptation and increased plasma concentrations of retinyl esters, retinol, and retinol-binding protein. Thus in patients with cirrhosis and marginal vitamin-A status, supplemental vitamin-A therapy appears to stimulate retinol-binding protein release from the liver. This enhancement of plasma retinol transport and delivery of retinol to peripheral tissues such as the retina is one of several factors that may serve to optimize vitamin-A nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis.


The effect of cyproterone acetate on motor activity, aggression, "emotionality", body weight and testes in wild mice.

The literature reports on antiandrogenic and antigonadotropic effects of cyproterone acetate (CA) and on its inhibitory influence on the structure and function of the testis and reduction of the sexual drive in man and animals. No one has as yet been able to confirm a reduction of aggression which could be expected under CA. Isolated male wild mice received daily doses of 0.5 mg (17 mg/kg) CA subcutaneously over 32 days and were studied daily for aggressive behavior, motor activity and emotionality during the last 11 days. Aggression was reduced significantly by CA in the form of an increased latent time and continued to decrease during the test period with a reduction of fighting time and the correlated coarse motor activity. A latent period of approximately 4 weeks was determined for the aggression-inhibiting effect of CA. The detection rate was not changed under CA. It is doubted whether it is an adequate parameter of "emotionality". The overall motor activity was not reduced, so that an aggression-specific effect is assumed rather than a general reduction of drive. The body and testicular weight was reduced, the testicular tissue atrophies. Central points of attack of CA probably play a major role in the reduction of aggression.


[Effects of dimilin, a chitin inhibitor 1 (4 chlorophenyl) 3 (2-6 difluorobenzoyl) urea on the oenocytes and molting in the processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff.) (Lepidoptera) (author's transl)].

Te oenocytes of the processionary caterpillar show histophysiological variations during their developing cycle. Grafting experiments and culture in vitro, have not so far allowed us to reveal the least participation of the oenocytes in the determinism of molting and in the transformation of cholesterol into ecdysone. On the other hand, histochemical studies of the oenocytes during the last period of their larval state, reveal, just before nymphosis, the existence of polysaccharides which probably correspond to the synthesis of pre-cuticular substance. When the caterpillars are treated with a chitin inhibitor (pH - 60-40 = Dimilin), the polysaccharides are not longer to be seen in the oenocytes. This deficiency in cuticular material could well be the consequence of one of the most spectacular effects of this product that is a profound perturbation in the formation of the cuticle that leads to the death of animals when molting.


Recurrence rates in sibships and concordance rates in twins for anencephaly.

It is suggested that concordance rates in twins for anencephaly are higher than can be explained by the high recurrence rates within sibships, and the hypothesized higher rate of anencephaly in MZ pairs. The evidence is stronger in the case of same-sexed pairs, but points in the same direction for opposite-sexed pairs.


A multi-end point in vitro system for detection of new antitumor drugs.

By utilizing new types of producing microorganisms and isolating these on rather unusual growth media, we hope to produce new classes of antitumor drugs. In the detection system, we included the highly sensitive L1210 in vitro assay. But be requiring additional antimicrobial activity, we were able to eliminate rather early most of the previously known drugs from further work-up. The screening protocol was arranged so as to detect antimetabolites of a few rationally selected compounds.


[Effect of a UHF field on immunogenesis in mice with normal reactivity and with immunodepression induced by rubomycin].

The experiments on male mice of SVA line showed that irradiation in the UHF-field 48 hours after the animal immunization with sheep erythrocytes increased the number of the antibody-producing cells in the spleen at least 3 times. On the background of immunodepression induced by rubomycin the UHF-field increased the primary immune response 2.5 times and the number of cariocytes in the spleen 1.8 times as compared to the control.


Choriocarcinoma of the nose.

A case of choriocarcinoma in a 17-year-old unmarried female is presented. She attended the E.N.T. Clinic with a rapidly growing mass at the tip of the nose. Histologic report of the excised mass was reported as a secondary deposit from a choriocarcinoma. Further questioning at this stage revealed the history of an abortion two years before. Gynecological examination revealed secondary deposits in the vagina. X-rays of the chest showed evidence of metastases in the lungs. She died of profuse bleeding from the vagina.


Changes in proportions of acetate and carbon dioxide used as methane precursors during the anaerobic digestion of bovine waste.

In an anaerobic digestor which was fed daily with bovine waste, during the early stages after feeding (4 to 7 h) acetate (via the methyl group) accounted for almost 90% of the methane produced. As time after feeding increased, acetate declined as a precursor so that in the 12- to 14-h and 21- to 23-h periods, after feeding the methyl group accounted for 80 and 73% of the methane produced, respectively. Measurements of methane production from CO2 reduction showed that in the 2- to 12-h period after feeding, CO2 accounted for 14% of the methane produced, whereas in the 12- to 24-h period it accounted for 27-5%. These results show that the percentages of methane accounted for by acetate and CO2 vary with time after feeding the digestor.


Growth of Prototheca isolates on n-hexadecane and mixed-hydrocarbon substrate.

Prototheca zopfii, an achlorphyllous alga, was capable of using hydrocarbons as sole carbon and energy source. The ability of P. zopfii to use hydrocarbons did not correlate with source of isolation. Seventy-five percent of the P. zopfii cultures recovered from sewage, plants, or animals utilized hydrocarbons. Other Prototheca species and P. zopfii that did not utilize hydrocarbons were isolated simultaneously from several sources with isolates that did use hydrocarbons. Species type rather than source of isolation was the predominant factor that determined hydrocarbon utilization.


Skin lesions in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an uncommon hemolytic anemia that rarely manifests skin lesions. Leg ulcers and purpura similar to the manifestation of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP); disseminated intravascular coagulation, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura do occur. This is the second known case report of PNH with histopathologic features of TTP. Clinically, our patient's condition resembled TTP with disseminated intravascular platelet aggregation, and she followed a nonfulminant course. She improved on a regimen of systemic steroids, dipyridamole, and cessation of antibiotics.


Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. A benign lesion mimicking angiosarcoma.

Observations were made of three cases of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH). Lesions of IPEH usually occur on the head and neck area as a subcutaneous red or blue nodule. This papillary proliferation of endothelial and stromal tissue occurs de novo in organizing venous thrombi or in preexisting hemangiomas or phlebectasias. An adequate understanding of this benign vascular disorder is important, since the lesion may be clinically and histologically mistaken for low grade angiosarcoma.


Neonatal hypocalcaemia associated with maternal hyperparathyroidism. New pathogenetic observations.

A 32-day-old male infant had hypocalcaemic convulsions associated with asymptomatic maternal hyperparathyroidism. Very low total and ionised serum calcium, increased serum phosphate, and normal serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) concentrations were found at admission. After treatment with calcium and vitamin D, serum PTH and 25-OHD3 concentrations increased markedly before serum calcium levels returned to normal perhaps indicating an inability to convert 25-OHD3 to the metabolically active 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D3 during the hyperphosphataemic state. Treatment with 1,25-dihdroxyvitamin D3 or its analogues is recommended.


Analgesia duration and physical dependence in mice after a single injection of three heroin salts and morphine sulphate in various vehicles.

Mice were given single s.c. injections of morphine sulphate (M.S.), heroin hydrochloride (H.HCl) and the sparingly-soluble diheroin pamoate (H.Pam) and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2,6-dihydroxybenzoate (H.Bnz) in three vehicles, saline, peanut oil, or a slow-release vehicle (SRV) and tested for analgesia by both the tail-clip and hotplate techniques. Duration of analgesia as assessed by the tail-clip method was always longer than that by the hotplate when equivalent doses were used in any vehicle. The H.Pam and H.Bnz salts significantly prolonged the analgesia: the mean duration in mice injected with equivalent amounts of heroin base was 3.0 hr for the group receiving heroin HCl in saline and 7.8 hr after H.Bnz in slow-release vehicle. An inverse relationship was evident between the degree of dissociation of H from the three salts, at pH 7.3 and their durations of analgesia in vivo. This was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) at the higher dose level. All mice were challenged with naloxone hydrochloride (1 mg/kg) 24 hr after the injection of each narcotic agonist preparation. The jumping behaviour elicited by naloxone was not consistently related to dose, salt form, or vehicle employed for the injection of agonists, but from 12.5 too 54.2% of all the mice did jump at that time. The durations of analgesia observed and the intensity of the jumping response correlated significantly with the mean number of jumps per mouse after the naloxone challenge.


Acute megakaryocytic leukemia. Description of a case initially seen as preleukemia syndrome.

A 52-year-old man had aregenerative anemia unresponsive to pyridoxine hydrochloride. Acute leukemia developed, and he died four months after diagnosis. At autopsy he had acute megakaryocytic leukemia with involvement of bone marrow, liver, spleen, adrenals, kidneys, and thyroid. Chromosomal analysis revealed absence of both diploid and Ph1 chromosomes. A mode of 45 chromosomes and aneuploidy were present. This is similar to the only other case with chromosomal studies. Of the 15 acceptable documented cases, eight were men and seven were women. Their age varied from 28 to 76 (mean, 55) years. Only two were less than 40 years of age. Most had pancytopenia, and all were dead within six months of diagnosis.


Hypoglycemia-induced prolactin release.

Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques have made it possible to remove pituitary adenomata with minimal morbidity and mortality. These developments have focused attention on early recognition of pituitary tumors, before the onset of visual disturbances or endocrine dysfunction. We have studied the prolactin response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia as an aid in the evaluation of patients with hypothalamic and pituitary disease. Regular insulin 0.1 units/kg was administered intravenously to normal subjects, to patients with pituitary tumors, and to patients with idiopathic galactorrhea. While the normal subjects regularly showed a prolactin response to hypoglycemia, this was observed infrequently in the other groups. It is possible that prolactin nonresponsiveness to insulin hypoglycemia may reflect nonspecific pituitary damage or may represent an abnormality specific to patients with galactorrhea. Our data suggest that the prolactin response to insulin hypoglycemia is a sensitive index of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction.


Posttransfusion purpura. Case report with observation on antibody detection and therapy.

A case of posttransfusion purpura was notable for the manner of antibody detection and response to therapy. The antibody failed to fix complement but was detected by platelet aggregometry studies and confirmed by the chromium 51 release assay. The course was unaffected by plasmapharesis.


Plasma membrane alterations as a result of heat activation in Dictyostelium spores.

At the end of heat activation the distribution of spore plasma membrane particles between the two fracture faces (PF and EF) is drastically changed. While in dormant spores the particle number ratio of PF/EF was about 1;1, it increased up to 9:1 in heat activated sproes, indicating a subtle change in plasma membrane properties. The permeability of spores increased within 30 min following heat activation as determined by efflux measurements of radioactively labelled spores. At the onset of swelling this efflux was accelerated. During germination the osmotically active material within the spores increased, part of which could be recovered from the supernatant. The combined experiments point to the plasma membrane as possible target site of heat activation in this system.


Antibiotics produced by Streptomyces olivaceus 142. III. Influence of antibiotic Wr 142 FPG on development of transplantable tumors in mice.

The action of two preparations (I and II) of antibiotic Wr 142 FPG on development of Ehrlich carcinoma, Nemeth-Kellner lymphoma and leukemias L 1210 and P 388 was studied. Preparation I injected s.c. daily during 14 days in doses of 10 mg/kg (1/25 LD50) inhibited growth of Ehrlich carcinoma and Nemeth-Kellner lymphoma subcutaneous tumors in R 3 mice by about 70%. The same preparation in a single i.p. injection (10 mg/kg) in FDF1 mice distinctly prolonged survival of mice inoculated with L 1210 leukemia, but was without effect on P 388 leukemia. Preparation II inhibited growth of solid tumors in doses as low as 0.1-0.2 mg/kg (about 65% inhibition), but in the same doses was ineffective against leukemias L 1210 and P 388 in CDF1 mice.


The course of carrageenin-induced iridocyclitis in rabbits.

On the basis of biochemical indices in the aqueous humor of the eye strictly related to intensity of inflammation, and morphologic observations with the slit-lamp microscope, dynamics of experimental carrageenin-induced inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye was studied. Carrageenin-induced inflammation was characterized by intensity of changes in the aqueous humor within a few hours after infection of the inflammatory factor. Peak intensity of the disease process was observed six hours after administration of the inflammatory factor. Protein levels, seromucoid, sialic acid and proteolytic activity in the aqueous humor were correlated with intensity of clinical symptoms observed with the slit lamp. Carrageenin-induced inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye is an entirely local reaction since the blood serum showed no significant abnormalities of the parameters that were studied. This model, based on biochemical and biomicroscopic studies, may prove useful in the studies of the dynamics of inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye and for evaluation of anti-inflammatory drugs used in ophthalmology.


[Effect of temperature on the duration of mitosis in mammalian cells cultivated outside the body].

Nine cell strains of different origin were cultivated at 28--36 degrees with the interval of 2 degrees. During the phase of logarithmic culture growth, the duration of mitosis (Tm) was determined by means of colchicine method. A strict temperatural dependence Tm, obeyed to Arrenius' law was revealed. Temperature range within which Arreinius' law is valid in different cell strains is not alike. Cultivation of L cells and connective tissue cells from Chinese hamster to 39, 41and 42 degrees demonstrated their upper critical point Tm to be for L cells 39 degrees, for connective tissue cells from the Chinese hamster--41 degrees. Electron microscopic investigations demonstrated that cell cultivation within physiological (mitosis destroying) range of temperatures does not notably effect their ultrastructural organization.


Serological responses in pigs vaccinated with inactivated porcine parvovirus.

The safety and immunogenicity of inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccines were investigated. Both beta-propiolactone and formalin successfully inactivated virus without destroying immunogenicity, which was considerably enhanced by incorporation of a gel adjuvant in the vaccine. Using the formalised-gel vaccine, initial antibody responses were demonstrated in susceptible piglets and adult pigs at 7 days after vaccination. These antibody responses persist at significant levels for at least 6 months after vaccination. Antibody levels increased up to 16 fold when revaccination was carried out. Vaccination of gilts with low level (passive) immunity resulted in antibody responses comparable to those recorded in susceptible pigs. The vaccine was safe as determined by absence of residual virus in the vaccine, absence of viraemia and excretion in vaccinted stock, and absence of effect on litters of sows vaccinated at different gestational ages. Vaccine stored at 4 degrees C for 6 months was as immunogenic as fresh vaccine.


Allelic expression in intergeneric fox hybrids (Alopex lagopus x Vulpes vulpes). III. Regulation of the expression of the  parental alleles at the Gpd locus linked to the X chromosome.

The electrophoretic pattern of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was studied in 60 intergeneric fox hybrids (Alopex lagopus x Vulpes vulpes), 33 females and 27 males. It is shown that the structural gene for G6PD, designated Gpd, is located on the X chromosome in both Arctic and silver foxes. Analysis of G6PD patterns in the erythrocytes of hybrid females demonstrated that the phenotypic expression of parental alleles at the Gpd locus varied considerably: from 1:1 to the hemizygous manifestation of an allele of either the Artic or the silver fox. The expression of the parental alleles at this locus is different in the various tissues of single female hybrids. It is suggested that the variable quantitative expression of the alleles at the Gpd locus in hybrid females is related to the presence of two cell populations having in an active state either the X chromosome of the Arctic fox or that of the silver fox. It is also proposed that the size of the two cell populations is largely affected by the different relationships between cells having different activated X-chromosomes among initiator (stem) cells from which various definitive organs and tissues develop. The number of initiator cells for erythroid tissue has been calculated to be five or six.


DNA sequence organization in the soybean plant.

The arrangement of repetitive and nonrepetitive DNA sequences in the soybean genome was ascertained by a comparison of the reassociation kinetics of short (250 nucleotides) and long (2700 nucleotides) DNA fragments, the size distribution of S-1 nuclease resistant repetitive duplexes, and a direct assay of the spectrum of DNA sequences present on long DNA fragments enriched in repetitive DNA. These measurements reveal the following: (1) The 1N genome size of the soybean plant is 1.97 pg. (2) Approximately 40% of the soybean genome consists of nonrepetitive or single-copy DNA sequences, while 60% is repetitive DNA. (3) The repetitive DNA is partitioned into three discrete classes termed "very fast," "fast," and "slow," containing DNA sequences repeated an average of 290,000, 2800, and 19 times each. (4) Approximately 35--50% of the soybean genome is arranged in a short-period interspersion pattern of 250 nucleotide slow sequences and single-copy DNA averaging up to 2700 nucleotides in length. (5) From 30% to 45% of the soybean genome is organized into long stretches of repetitive DNA at least 1500 nucleotides in length. (6) Minimal interspersion of repetitive sequence classes occurs in soybean DNA.


Characterization of colchicine-binding activity in Dictyostelium discoideum.

A colchicine-binding component was detected in vegetative amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum by using a Millipore-filter assay. The colchicine-binding activity is temperature-and time-dependent, maximum binding occurring at 22-35 degrees C after 60 min incubation. Further increases in temperature are without effect on the extent of binding, but bound colchicine is released with increased time of incubation. Furthermore, colchicine-binding activity itself decreased in the high-speed supernatant from D. discoideum, with half the activity being lost in approx. 2.5h. Several lines of evidence, including the saturation kinetics of colchicine binding, enhancement of colchicine binding by tartrate, insensitivity to lumicolchicine, precipitation of the binding protein by vinblastine and behaviour of the binding protein on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex resins, suggest that the colchicine-binding protein may be tubulin.


The stereochemistry of beta-lactam formation in cephalosporin biosynthesis.

3H and 14C from (2R,3S)[U-14C,3-3H1]cysteine and (2R,3R)-[U-14C,2,3-3H2]cysteine were incorporated into cephalosporin C by Cephalosporium acremonium. Analysis of the radioactive cephalosporin C indicated that the formation of its beta-lactam ring occurs stereospecifically and with retention of configuration at C-3 of cysteine.


Monozygotic twins with Klinefelter's syndrome discordant for systemic lupus erythematosus and symptomatic myasthenia gravis.

Monozygotic twins with Klinefelter's syndrome were evaluated for two distinct illnesses. One subject had clinical and serologic evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus and no symptoms of muscle weakness. His identical twin had typical symptoms and laboratory evidence of myasthenia gravis. Antibodies to acetylcholine receptors were present in both subjects. These patients are discussed in relation to genetic, hormonal, and immunologic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of these two disorders.


[Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis and hyaline membrane. Report of a case].

The case of a newborn with pathological confirmation of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis and hyaline membrane is reported. The lymphagiectasis corresponded to type III, with histological characteristics that make it different from other types of lymphatic dilatation. This association is quite uncommon and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure in the newborn period.


[Gangrene of the newborn. Report of a case].

A case of gangrene of the right lower limb is reported in a 6 hours of age newborn with satisfactory course following management based on the prevention of possible infections and on maintaining good general conditions. World literature is reviewed finding only 50 cases reported of gangrene of the newborn. Guidelines are established to determine an integral diagnosis of the disease and to carry out a correct differential diagnosis. It is concluded that the etiology of this entity is unknown, although a number of factors are invoked. However, most of these factors imply thromboembolic disturbances that may be either of maternal origin, of the product or mixed. Stress in placed on the necessity that the pediatrician becomes not only thoroughly acquainted with these processes, but also, that he develops the capacity to carry out an early diagnosis and management since these may be guidelines for a satisfactory evolution of the problem.


Subendocardial ischaemia in patients with discrete subvalvar aortic stenosis.

The evidence for subendocardial ischaemia was studied in 12 patients with discrete subvalvar aortic stenosis. Symptomatology, electrocardiographic criteria, and pressure difference across the left ventricular outflow tract were compared with the subendocardial flow index (diastolic pressure time index systolic pressure time index). All symptomatic patients had a large pressure difference and abnormal index, but 4 asymptomatic patients had pressure differences greater than 60 mmHg and a low index. One of these 4 patients had a normal resting electrocardiogram. In patients with borderline accepted indications for surgery, calculation of the subendocardial flow index may be an additional useful variable in the timing of surgery.


Immunological monitoring in a controlled trial of immunotherapy in stage IIB malignant melanoma.

Fifteen patients undergoing surgery for Stage IIb malignant melanoma were randomly allocated either to a group who received a vaccine of BCG mixed with irradiated autologous melanoma cells, or a control group who received no further treatment. All patients were monitored sequentially for immunological competence and tumour-directed immunity, using a wide range of techniques, and the results were compared retrospectively with their clinical course. Three months after surgery, there was a trend towards inhibition of PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation by autologous serum in patients who developed recurrent tumour within 12 months after treatment. Serum from patients who remained tumour-free for 12 months did not inhibit stimulation of autologous lymphocytes by PHA. Apart from this test, no other immunological parameters correlated either with clinical course or with the type of treatment received.


[Arteriovenous fistula for pediatric hemodialysis. Experience of 9 years].

Seventy-eight A-V fistulas were constructed in 45 children whoses age were between 4 to 16 years, in order to use it for chronic hemodialysis. Twenty-four of them were external A-V shunts which were occluded by thrombosis in 13 instances and deinserted in 3 patients. Thirty-six A-V fistulas were performed with saphenous wein autograft between an artery and vein at the forearm. The main complication in this group was thormbosis in 10 instances and dilations of the graft in 5. In 9 patients, latero-lateral arteriovenous anasthomosis was performed. In these, adequate blood flow developed slowly or was poor in most patients. Six patients with saphenous-femoral anasthomosis developed thrombosis in 3 instances and venous puncture was frequently difficult. In three other patients, bovine carotid artery graft was very efficient to give a good access to circulation for hemodialysis. There was no evidence of local or cardiovascular complications associated with fistulas.


Plasma non-esterified fatty acids, cortisol and glucose in maternal blood during abortion induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha.

Serial estimations were made of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glucose in 43 patients, and of plasma cortisol in 27 patients, during mid-trimester abortions induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). The mean plasma concentrations of NEFA, cortisol and glucose showed rises after PGF2alpha. There was no relation betweeen these rises and the induction-delivery interval, signs of fetal distress or of intrauterine fetal death. The changes in plasma NEFA were related to the fasting level and there was an inverse relation between the changes and the patients' weight. A positive correlation existed between the change in plasma concentrations of cortisol and glucose.


Maternal and environmental factors affecting twin births in Canadian cities.

Details of 4972 pairs of twins born to mothers resident in 14 large Canadian cities in the years 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967 were compared to those of a random sample of 4969 single births. Both dizygotic and monozygotic twinning rates, derived by Weinberg's formula, showed increases with both maternal age and with the number of previous livebirths. Dizygotic twinning rates also showed a seasonal variation with an October maximum. Twinning rates were lower in Oriental women, but did not vary between other ethnic groups, or by city of residence, legitimacy, paternal age or maternal history of stillbirths.


Retinal telangiectasis in adults: fluorescein angiographic findings and treatment by argon laser.

This article describes 3 cases of retinal telangiectasia, all presenting in middle age, affecting the macula. They have been investigated by means of fluorescein angiography and sucessfully treated by argon laser.


Characterization of the sex steroid binding protein of human pregnancy serum. Improvements in the purification procedure.

The sex steroid binding protein (SBP) of human pregnancy serum was purified to homogeneity by the sequential use of ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography on 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-17beta-succinyldiaminoethyl-(1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether)-agarose, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The yield of pure SBP was improved from 5% as originally reported [Mickelson, K. E., and Petra, P. H. (1975), Biochemistry 14, 957] to 34%. Homogeneity of SBP was shown by equilibrium sedimentation ultracentrifugation in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride containing 0.1 M mercaptoethanol which yields a minimum molecular weight of 36 335 +/- 525. The protein is also homogeneous when examined by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A value of 52 000 for the molecular weight is obtained by this method. SBP partially purified from Cohn fraction IV has also a molecular weight of 52 000 by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate; that fraction is contaminated with another protein of molecular weight 90 000 which must be removed to obtain homogeneous SBP. The amino acid composition of SBP isolated from pregnancy serum is presented.


Spectroscopic studies of the nature of ligand bonding in carbonmonoxyhemoglobins: evidence of a specific function for histidine-E7 from infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance intensities.

Infrared spectra of carbon monoxide ligated hemoglobins from human, horse, and rabbit donors have been examined. A single vibrational frequency at 1951 cm-1 is observed for CO bound to the heme in horse and human hemoglobins. Studies of the isolated alpha-CO and beta-CO subunits of human hemoglobin reveal that the observation of a single frequency in the intact tetramer is the result of a superposition of the alpha-CO and beta-CO vibrational frequencies. The apparent integrated absorption intensities of these CO vibrations are shown both to have values of 1.0 X 10(5)M-1cm-2 within experimental error. For rabbit CO-Hb two vibrational frequencies appear (Caughey, W. S., et al. (1973) Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol. 32, 552) and are assigned to CO bound to the beta (1951 cm-1) and alpha(1928 cm-1) subunits within the intact tetramer. The beta-CO subunit exhibits both frequency and intensity similarities with horse and human hemoglobins. The rabbit alpha-CO subunit, however, exhibits a markedly lower frequency and much smaller intensity compared with the other CO-hemoglobins. These data are interpreted in terms of a specific role for the distal histidine (E7) in rabbit alpha subunits, in which this histidine functions as a nucleophilic donor to coordinated CO.


An analysis of the Co2+-induced nuclear magnetic resonance perturbations of hen egg white lysozyme.

A general methodology is presented for analyzing dipolar shifts induced by paramagnetic ions in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of ligand molecules. The method is applied to the shift perturbations induced by Co2+ in the spectrum of hen egg white lysozyme. A hypothesis testing scheme is employed to evaluate statistically the relative precision with which the axially symmetric and non-axially symmetric forms of the dipolar shift equation fit the observed data. The assumption of axial symmetry for the magnetic susceptibility tensor of Co2+ is rejected at the confidence level of 99%. Since the results presented here are similar to those reached in our analysis of lanthanide-induced shifts, we suggest that the assumption of axial symmetry may, in general, not hold. Similar conclusions have been reached by other investigators in studies of paramagnetic metal binding to model systems. We have included the three Co2+ coordinates in an eight-parameter fit of the Co2+ shift data. The Co2+ position obtained from this fit is in statistical agreement with the position inferred from x-ray data. Thus, the analysis of shift data may furnish a means for determining the site of metal complexation in macromolecules whose structure has been determined by x-ray crystallography.


Study of the pseudoperoxidatic activity of soybean leghemoglobin and sperm whale myoglobin.

The compound formation between soybean leghemoglobins a and c and H2O2 or ethyl hydroperoxide has been studied and compared with the hydrogen peroxide compound of sperm whale myoglobin. the titration data show that the hydrogen peroxide compounds of leghemoglobins are formed in a 1:1 molar ratio. The kinetics of the formation of the compounds follow first-order kinetics and the compounds are formed considerably faster than the myoglobin peroxide compound. The pseudoperoxidatic activity of leghemoglobins a and c and myoglobin was studied using guaiacol as electron donor. The maximal reaction velocities of leghemoglobins are greater than that of myoglobin. The results indicate that the peroxidatic activity of ferrileghemoglobin may be biologically important for instance in aging root nodules.


Variations of D (-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity of rat liver mitochondria during post-natal development.

1. D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase specific activity of rat liver mitochondria changes during ontogenesis: at birth, the activity is low, then increases to a maximum at 12 days, decreases until 50 days to keep constant thereafter. At the same time, mitochondrial protein amount increases regularly while succinatecytochrome c reductase specific activity slightly increases after birth to keep constant afterwards. 2. The observed changes in activity of D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase are not related to possible interactions between the enzyme and phospholids since addition of lecithin to mitochondria does not change the activity. 3. Electrophoresis of mitochondrial proteins isolated from rats at different development stages demonstrates the presence of a protein band characterized by the same electrophoretic mobility as beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and by significative changes of its proportion during maturation: the relative amount of this protein increases from the new-born to the 10-12 days old rat, to decrease afterwards. 4. These findings may signify that the increased activity of the enzyme with a maximum at 10-12 days followed by a decrease is related to the rate of the enzymes biosynthesis.


[DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of isolated zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) nucleoli].

A fraction of nucleoli is isolated from zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) nuclei, its DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity is studied at different temperature, ionic strength and Mg2+, Mn2+ and antibiotic concentrations. The effect of some factors and alpha-amantine on RNA polymerase activity of exonucleolar chromatin was studied as a control. A comparison of heat denaturation of nucleoli and chromatin RNA polymerase activities within the temperature range 30--55 degrees C has revealed a higher thermosensitivity of nucleoli RNA polymerase. Substitution of Mg2+ with equivalent amount of Mn2+ results in a considerable decrease of rRNA synthesis in nucleoli. Nucleoli RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mg2+ is sensitive to the elevation of ionic strength from 0.12 to 1.30 u; chromatin RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mn2+ is maximal at high ionic strength (1.30 mu). alpha-Amantine and cycloheximide at high concentrations (10 and 200 mkg/ml) practically do not affect RNA polymerase activity of nucleoli. Nucleoli RNA polymerase of zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) is similar to the A-form of the enzyme in higher eukaryotes.


[Vincristin-therapy of chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (author's transl)].

The administration of glucocorticoids and immune suppressives, as well as the splenectomy, are conisered the standard treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In the last few years, however, the indications have increased that the use of vincristine sulphate (VCR)-at least in individual cases-can lead to a significant increase in the number of thrombocytes. On the basis of a therapeutic study with VCR presented herein, the value of this treatment method is investigated. 13 patients with a chronic, previously therapy-resistant form of ITP were treated with VCR. Weekly applications of 1.0 mg/m2 VCR for a maximum 6 weeks led in 2 cases to a temporary normalization of the thrombocyte values, and in 2 other cases to a short-term subnormal increase in the thrombocyte values. The advantages and disadvantages of VCR treatment are discussed by comparing the results of our study with the information presented in the literature. The author's conclusion is that VCR is too ineffective in the treatment of ITP, and the risks too high, to recommend it for general use. Therefore, the problem of treating specifically the chronic type of ITP remains unsolved.


Effects of spiperone on self-stimulation and other activities of the Mongolian gerbil.

1 Self-stimulation to lever pressing and capacitance probe touching was obtained in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) from electrode placements within the medial forebrain bundle. 2 Lever pressing was more sensitive to the decremental effects of a central depressant, pentobarbitone, than capacitance probe touching, suggesting its greater responsiveness to disturbances of motor function. 3 Spiperone (0.005 to 0.05 mg/kg) attenuated capacitance probe touching and lever pressing equally, a finding explained by action on either reward pathways or on the ability to initiate responding. 4 This same dose range of spiperone (0.005 to 0.05 mg/kg) attenuated locomotor activity, whether spontaneous or evoked by non-contingent electrical stimulation, and produced catalepsy. 5 The spiperone-induced attentuation of self-stimulation was not necessarily a result of its action on dopaminergic reward pathways since the effects could equally well be explained by a failure to initiate responding.


Behavioral correlates of social anxiety.

High school students' scores on a paper-and-pencil test of social anxiety were correlated with talking, eye contact and gesturing behaviors during a 10-min vidotaped interview. Results showed that high anxious subjects talked less while listening to instruction. They also held the gaze for less total time and in bouts of shorter duration while they were talking;while they were listening, they were significantly more variable in their average bout duration. Within-group variability suggested that non-verbal behaviour should be analysed according to individual rather than group differences.


Spontaneous and amphetamine-induced behavior after bilateral injection of ethanolamine-O-sulfate into the substantia nigra.

Injections of ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS) (200 microgram/kg) through chronic indwelling cannulae into the zona reticulata of the substantia nigra in rats produced immediate contraversive turning (away from the injection side). Bilateral injections produced spontaneous stereotyped behaviors including sniffing and biting. Twenty-four hours after the first injection of EOS the rats showed a significantly decreased locomotor response to 1.5 mg/kg D-amphetamine. The spontaneous behaviors elicited following the initial injection of EOS increased both in nature and duration with the second and third injections of EOS, and persevered for 24 h. At this time 1.5 mg/kg D-amphetamine intensified this spontaneous stereotyped behavior. GABA levels were significantly higher in substantia nigra, hypothalamus, corpus striatum and cerebral cortex 24 h following single or repeated (3 x) injections of 200 microgram/kg of EOS into the zona reticulata of the SN. Dopamine levels in the corpus striatum were unchanged 24 h following the EOS treatment except by the injection procedure itself. Control injections into the thalamus produced no turning or stereotypy, nor an enhanced response to 1.5 mg/kg D-amphetamine. GABA levels were, however, significantly higher in the substantia nigra and thalamus 24 h following repeated injections (3 x) of EOS into the thalamus. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that GABA containing neurons comprise part of the efferent output of the corpus striatum and do not act exclusively through a dopaminergic substrate.


Changes in catecholamine content in discrete brain nuclei during the estrous cycle of the rat.

Norepinephrine (NE) and dopomine (DA) concentrations were measured in discrete brain nuclei in female rats at different stages of the 4-day estrous cycle. In the medial preoptic and paraventricular nuclei, NE levels were reduced on the days of proestrus and estrus as compared to metestrus-diestrus. NE levels sharply increased between estrus and metestrus in the lateral septal nucleus but did not vary significantly at other times. In the mesencephalic central gray catecholamine area, NE levels were elevated on metestrus as compared to all other days of the cycle. DA concentrations also varied in certain nuclei during the estrous cycle. In the lateral septum, DA levels were highest during diestrus, and in the nucleus of the tractus diagonalis, DA levels were highest on metestrus. The DA concentration of the caudate nucleus decreased between proestrus and estrus and remained low through metestrus. DA in the medial preoptic nucleus showed a similar pattern of change as did NE. In the median eminence DA levels increased significantly from proestrus afternoon to estrus, but did not vary on the other days. It is concluded that cyclic activity of catecholamines in a few discrete areas of the brain may be related to the fluctuations of the gonadotropins and ovarian hormones to influence ovulation and mating behavior.


The localization within plant cells of enzymes involved in arginine biosynthesis.

Studies were carried out to determine the distribution of the following: (1) carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (EC 2.7.2.9), (2) ornithine carbamoyltransferase (EC 2.1.3.3), (3) argininosuccinate synthetase (EC 6.3.4.5), and (4) argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1) in soybean cells grown in suspension culture. Protoplasts were produced from the soybean cells by treatment with cellulase (EC 3.2.1.4) and pectinase (EC 3.2.1.15); the protoplasts were then ruptured by osmotic shock with distilled water. This treatment was followed by differential centrifugation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation to isolate various organelle fractions including mitochondria and plastids. Examination of these fractions using specific enzyme assays showed that carbamoylphosphate synthetase and ornithine carbamoyltransferase were localized in a fraction found to be composed primarily of plastids. Argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase appeared to be associated with either the cytosol or a membrane fraction in close association with the cytosol such as the endoplasmic reticulum or protoplast membrane.


Evaluation of cytotoxic responses caused by selected organophosphorus esters in chick sympathetic ganglia cultures.

Ten day old chick sympathetic ganglia cultured in a microslide assembly were treated with a selected group of organophosphate pesticides to evaluate their cytotoxicity ranges, and the usefulness of such a model for screening pesticides. Examination by phase contrast and light microscopy for chemically-induced morphological alteration of nerve fibers, glial cells and neurons provided the criteria for quantitation and assessment of the toxic effects. Concentrations that produced half-maximal effects ranged from 1 x 10(-6)M (severely toxic) for methylparathian, diazinon, paraoxon, mevinphos, diisopropylfluorophosphate, tri-o-tolyl phosphate and its mixed isomers to a 1 x 10(-3)M (intermediate) for malathion, leptophos, coumaphos, mono- and dicrotophos. Some or no effects were evident at 1 x 10(2-)M for O'ethyl-O-p-nitrophenyl phenyl phosphonothioate, tri-m-tolylphosphate, chlorpyriphos and triphenyl phosphate. In all instances, nerve fibers were more sensitive than neurons or glial cells to insecticides. All cellular growth was inhibited at 1 x 10(-2)M (except triphenyl phosphate). Below 1 x 10(-7)M, no inhibitory effects were evident. The secondary abnormalities included decreased cellular migration, diffuse cellular growth pattern, increased vacuolization, nerve fiber swelling and cellular degeneration. The cytotoxic effects of these chemicals do not appear to be related to in vivo toxicity or cholinesterase inhibition potential.


Human neutrophil--mediated destruction of antibody sensitized herpes simplex virus type I infected cells.

Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were tested for their ability to act as effector cells in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infected target cells sensitized with anti-HSV serum. The PMN from all 29 individuals tested could mediate ADCC in the presence of a standard human anit-HSV serum. Since PMN are prominent cells early in herpes lesions, it was hypothesized that because ADCC could represent an in vitro model for antiviral recovery, perhaps the efficacy of PMN at mediating ADCC might be impaired in those subjects to frequent recrudescent herpes. However, evidence for the hypothesis was not obtained since the PMN from individuals with frequent, infrequent, or unrecorded herpes labialis all showed approximately the same activity at mediating ADCC. Alternative ways in which PMN could be involved in antiviral recovery were discussed.


Ultrastructural and chemical distinction of melanins formed by Verticillium dahliae from (+)-scytalone, 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene, catechol, and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine.

Microsclerotia of three melanin-deficient mutants of Verticillium dahliae formed malanin from (+)-scytalone, 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene, catechol, and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. The melanins formed from (+)-scytalone or 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene resembled wild-type melanin chemically and ultrastructurally, whereas the melanins formed from catechol and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenlalanine were different. This suggests that scytalone and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene but no catechol or L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine are natural intermediates of melanin biosynthesis in V. dahliae.


Effects of heavy metals and other trace elements on the fermentative activity of the rumen microflora and growth of functionally important rumen bacteria.

The inhibitory effects of high concentrations of essential and non-essential trace elements were tested on the rumen microflora using the rate of fermentation in vitro as the assay. The elements (and the concentration causing 50% inhibition) in decreasing order of toxicity were Hg2+ (20 microgram/ml), Cu2+ (21 microgram/ml), Cr6+ (70 microgram/ml), Se4+ (73 microgram/ml), Ni2+ (160 microgram/ml), Cd2+ (175 microgram/ml), As3+ (304 microgram/ml) and As5+ (1610 microgram/ml). The elements tested that were either weak or noninhibitory at concentrations greater than 400 microgram/ml included Zn2+, Cr2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and Co2+. Methylmercury was as inhibitory as mercuric chloride to the fermentation. When the inhibitory effect of Cd2+ was tested on separated bacterial and protozoal fractions, it was more inhibitory to the bacteria. The inhibitory effects of trace elements were also determined for a number of axenic cultures of rumen bacteria. The bacteria which most frequently exhibited the greatest sensitivity were Bacteroides succinogenses, Ruminococcus albus, Bacteroides amylophilus, and Eubacterium ruminantium. Those often exhibiting intermediate sensitivities included Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Selenomonas ruminantium, and Megasphera elsdenii, while Streptococcus bovis was very refractory to all elements tested. Rumen fluid provided a modest protective effect for the bacteria.


Hydrogen evolution and uptake by nodules of soybeans inoculated with different strains of Rhizobium japonicum.

Hydrogen evolved by nitrogenase may be recycled by a hydrogenase present in some legume nodules. Anoka and Portage cultivars of soybeans were inoculated with each of 8 and 24 strains, respectively, of Rhizobium japonicum and surveyed for H2 evolution and C2H2 reduction rates nodule weight, and plant dry weight. Six of the strains (3Ilb 110, USDA 122, USDA 136, 3Ilb 6, 3Ilb 142, and 3Ilb 143) which exhibited no H2 evolution in air were shown to take up H2. The relative efficiencies of nitrogenase energy utilization based on C2H2 reduction rates of nodules relative efficiences of nitrogenase energy utilization based on C2H2 reduction rates of nodules ranged from 0.96 to 1.0 for the six strains. Nodules formed by strain WA 5099-1-1 evolved small amounts of H2 in air and had a relative efficiency of 0.92. Nodules formed by the remaining 25 strains had relative efficiencies ranging from 0.41 to 0.80. A H2-evolving (3Ilb 123) and non-H2-evolving (3Ilb 143) strain were tested on seven soybean cultivars to determine the effect on the expression of hydrogenase. Nodules formed by strain 3Ilb 143 exhibited an efficiency of 1.0 on the following cultivars: Amsoy 71, Anoka, Bonus, Clark 63, Kent, Peking, and Portage. Relative efficiencies from 0.63 to 0.77 were determined for the five cultivars nodulated by strain 3Ilb 123. From the experiments with these cultivars, the capacity to recycle H2 produced from the nitrogenase system appears to be determined by the R. japonicum strain.


An experimental approach to the breast cancer, reserpine problem.

Reserpine was administered intraperitoneally 3 times weekly to inbred female Syrian BIO hamsters of the 15.16 strain previously shown to be susceptible to methylcholanthrene (MC) induction of mammary cancer. Other groups of hamsters received non-carcinogenic doses of MC along with the reserpine administrations, and an additional group received a carcinogenic dose of MC alone. This last group demonstrated that BIO 15.6 females were indeed susceptible to MC mammary cancer induction, since 4 mg of MC administered by stomach tube (a total dose of 200 mg) caused mammary cancer in 52% of the animals. Mammary cancer was not observed in any of the animals given reserpine or reserpine in combination with the non-carcinogenic dose of MC.


Differences between melphalan and nitrogen mustard in the formation and removal of DNA cross-links.

The formation of DNA cross-links is thought to represent the lethal lesion following exposure of cells to bifunctional alkylating agents. Since differences in rates of formation and repair of cross-links may explain differences in activity of these agents, we have studied these events following exposure of L1210 cells to nitrogen mustard (HN2) and melphalan. With the technique of alkaline elution, it was possible to measure cross-linking at doses that result in relatively little cell kill. Following a 30-min exposure to HN2, DNA cross-links increased for 1 to 2 hr and were then removed by a process that was virtually complete in 24 hr. In contrast, following a 30-min exposure to melphalan, cross-link formation increased for 12 hr and removal was much slower than it was for HN2. Comparison of cell survival with cross-linking kinetics suggests that persistence of the cross-links with time is an important factor in determining lethality.


Ultrastructure of adult rat hepatocytes cultured on floating collagen membranes.

The ultrastructure of primary hepatocytes cultured for 2 to 17 days on floating collagen membrane was evaluated. A pellet of the hepatic cell suspension used to inoculate the collagen membranes contained some single cells and many aggregates of two, three, or four cells. Desmosomes were split during the perfusion, but tight junctions and gap junctions remained intact. By 2 days in culture, the hepatocytes had formed a monolayer of cells of polygonal shape with newly synthesized desmosomes between cells. Since the flexible floating collagen membrane decreases in size as the monolayer forms, the hepatocytes do not flatten out, as is characteristic of cells cultured on a rigid substrate. Hepatocytes in culture for 10 days or less exhibited large lamellar arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum, well developed Golgi complexes, and structures resembling bile canaliculi, which possess tight junctions and desmosomes separating them from the intercellular space. Microfilaments oriented parallel to the plasma membranes of adjoining cells and in an intermeshed network at the edge of the monolayer and beneath the plasma membrane bordering the medium increased in size and number in older cultures. After 17 days in culture, the cells maintained tight junctions, desmosomes, Golgi complexes, and rough endoplasmic reticulum in small lamellar stacks and in small vesicles. Since hepatocytes on the floating collagen membrane retain most of the subcellular structural elements characteristic of normally functioning hepatocytes for 2.5 weeks, this system may be valuable for future experiments involving drug metabolism and carcinogenesis in vitro.


Inhibitory effects of phytohemagglutinin isolectins L4 and E4 on L1210 cells.

Phytohemagglutinin isolectins L4 and E4 inhibit the growth and proliferation of cultured L1210 murine leukemia cells. L1210 cells were incubated with L4 or E4, and the metabolic and morphological characteristics of the cells were assessed. Dose-dependent inhibition of up to 90% occurs for [3H]thymidine and [14C]uridine incorporation. L4 is 30 to 50 times more potent an inhibitor than is E4. Inhibition begins 2 to 3 hr after exposure of L1210 cells to L4 and persists for as long as the cells are exposed to this isoleuctin. Total DNA and oxygen consumption in L4-treated cultures is also decreased. Whereas protein synthesis assessed by [14C]valine incorporation is less affected, glucose utilization remains unchanged. The binding of L4 and E4 to L1210 cells and human lymphocytes is similar and is reversible by porcine thyroglobulin. Porcine thyroglobulin also reverses L4-induced inhibition of nucleotide incorporation. Cell aggregation is the major morphological consequence of isoleuctin treatment observed by light or electron microscopy. L1210 cells are agglutinated at lower doses of isoleuctins than are normal murine lymphocytes. No evidence of cell death as estimated by 51Cr release or trypan blue uptake has been noted. Our data indicate that L4 and E4 have cytostatic properties and demonstrate that the reversible binding of a macromolecule to the surface of a malignant cell can modulate synthetic pathways and the rate of proliferation.


Kinetics of formation and disappearance of a DNA cross-linking effect in mouse leukemia L1210 cells treated with cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (PDD) produced a DNA cross-linking effect in mouse leukemia L1210 cells, which was demonstrable after subtoxic treatments with the DNA alkaline elution technique. Cross-linking effects developed following treatments with concentrations as low as 1 micron for cis-PDD and 5 micron for trans-PDD, which permitted over 80% survival of colony-forming ability. The maximum cross-linking effect by cis-PDD required about 12 hr of posttreatment incubation before it was fully developed, whereas the cross-linking effect of trans-PDD was fully developed at the end of the 1-hr drug exposure. The cross-linking effects of both agents were reversed upon further incubation of the cells.


Precipitins to different avaian serum antigens in bird fancier's lung and coeliac disease.

Precipitins to avian serum antigens have been found in the sera of bird fanciers and, until now, they have been considered strong supporting evidence for a clinical diagnosis of bird fancier's lung (BFL). We now report that 35% of patients with coeliac disease, none of whom had recently kept a bird, had precipitins against an avian serum antigen common to all the avian species tested, but which was distinct from the antigens usually associated with BFL. This antigen was a component of hen egg yolk but not of bird droppings. In patients with BFL the antibody response results from inhaled antigens in the bird droppings, whereas the antibody response in patients with coeliac disease probably results from eating uncooked or soft-boiled eggs.


24 hour profile of 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone in normal supine man: relationship with cortisol and aldosterone.

Daily profiles of plasma 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) were studied in four normal supine men on a normal sodium intake. Blood was taken every hour from 01.00 to 24.00 hours. Plasma cortisol (F) and aldosterone (A) were determined hourly for comparative studies. 18-OH-DOC fluctuated considerably during the 24 h period of investigation, the highest values being found during the early morning hours in synchrony with F. The episodic secretions of 18-OH-DOC were also significantly correlated with those of A, which in turn paralleled those of F. We conclude that ACTH, plays a definite role in the regulation of 18-OH-DOC in normal supine men on a normal sodium diet.


Antibody mechanisms implicated in digestive disturbances following ingestion of soya protein in calves and piglets.

Serum antibody responses to ingested aqueous alcohol-extracted soya proteins were studied in thirty-six pre-ruminant calves. Characterization of this antibody showed it to be predominantly a complement-fixing IgG1 preciptin. No evidence of tolerance was seen; previously sensitized calves responded to reintroduction of a soya diet with marked increases in antibody levels. The soya antigen was shown to be resistant to proteolysis and, to a lesser degree, to the microbial action of rumen fluid. Biopsy studies showed that the feeding of soya protein resulted in morphological disturbances to the villi and lamina propria of the intestine. Physiological studies by Thirty-Vella loop perfusion in the pig showed that soya protein solutions resulted in significant inhibition of flow rates. The effect was only observed after previous sensitization with the soya antigen. This study shows the necessity of applying immunological criteria to the quality control of soya bean processing in order to ensure that the sensitizing agent is eliminated and the nutritional qualities of soya protein concentrates are optimized.


Computerised axial tomography in posterior fossa lesions.

The author found that 191 patients out of the first 6000 examined by the EMI brain scanner had lesions in the posterior fossa. Appearances in acoustic tumours, meningiomas, astrocytomas, haemangioblastomas, medulloblastomas, gliomas of the brain stem and metastases are described.


Arterioportography.

Arterioportography has superseded splenoportography which has given inadequate and at times misleading information. Eighty-two arterioportograms have been done in 78 patients with portal hypertension. The arterial phase may disclose malignancy, pancreatitis, diminished liver perfusion and the venous phase flow reduction, occlusion and the presence of thrombus. Arterioportography should provide evidence of suitability for specific shunts and features relevant to the performance of of a mesocaval or distal spleno-renal shunt are given in detail. An attempt is made to relate arterioportography and transhepatic portal catherisation into a combined function in the management of patients with portal hypertension.


Computerized tomography of in vitro abdominal organs--effect of preservation methods on attenuation coefficient.

The effect of formalin, freezing, and refigeration on the attenuation coefficient of fresh abdominal tissue of rhesus monkeys and dogs was investigated over a 1-week period. These techniques were used individually and in combinations designed to simulate circumstances involved in future in vitro investigations of human specimens. Statistically significant alterations of attenuation coefficients were found to occur at all scanning times within the first week except for the first 48 hr of formalin storage. Refrigeration resulted in the largest alteration. The results indicate the attenuation coefficients of tissues preserved by these three methods may be altered and that the magnitude of the change will vary according to the preservation techniques, tissue, and duration between tissue death and scanning.


Meiotic studies in mice carrying the sex reversal (Sxr) factor.

A sex reversal factor (Sxr) that causes mice having apparently normal X chromosomes to become phenotypically male is transmitted in an autosomal pattern. The origin of the Sxr factor is still unknown. It seems most likely that it has originated from an autosomal gene mutation or is the result of a translocation of part of the Y chromosome to one of the autosomes. Chromosomes from four XY and six XO mice carrying this sex reversal factor were examined in the diakinesis stage of meiosis. The following unusual observations were noted: (1) in XY males carrying the Sxr factor, the X and Y chromosomes were separated more often than in controls. (2) The Y chromosome tends to be closer to an autosome when the X and Y are separate than when the X and Y are attached. (3) A chromosome fragment was present in 4/226 cells from two XO males and a single cell from an XY, Sxr carrier. Although there is no direct evidence, these observations seem to favor the possibility that the Sxr factor involves a chromosomal rearrangement rather than a single gene mutation.


Preliminary studies on the anti-schistosomal effect of Ammi majus L.

AMMI MAJUS L., a plant belonging to the family Umbellifereae was found to possess a certain antischistosomal effect in mice infected with S. mansoni. This was proved by applying two techniques, the worm burden and the Oogram change. Bergapten, a pure furocoumarin naturally present in Ammi majus was found to have certain schistosomicidal effect.


Effect of ethanol and vinyl chloride on the induction of liver tumors: preliminary report.

Preliminary results of a long-term animal study (rats) indicate synergism between inhaled vinyl chloride and ingested ethanol in tumorigenesis.


Inhalation toxicity of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride.

Exposure of mice to 1000 ppm of vinyl chloride (VC), 6 hr/day, 5 days/week, caused some acute deaths with toxic hepatitis and marked tubular necrosis of the renal cortex. Starting the sixth month, mice exposed to 1000, 250, or 50 ppm of VC became lethargic, lost weight quickly, and died. Only a few mice exposed to 50 ppm survived for 12 months. Pulmonary macrophage count was elevated in some mice. There was a high incidence of bronchiolo-alveolar adenoma, mammary gland tumors including ductular adenocarcinoma, squamous and anaplastic cell carcinomas with metastasis to the lung, and hemangiosarcoma in the liver, and, to a lesser extent, in some other organs. The incidence of these tumors quickly increased, and the severity was in direct proportion to the levels of VC and the length of exposure. Malignant lymphoma involving various organs was observed in a few mice. Rats were more resistant to the toxic effects of VC. Exposure to 1000 ppm slightly depressed the body weight of the females. Exposures of 250 or 1000 ppm caused a number of deaths and hemangiosarcoma in the liver starting the ninth month. Most rats with hepatic hemangiosarcoma also developed hemangiosarcoma in the lung. Hemangiosarcoma occasionally occurred in other tissues of one or two rats exposed to 50 ppm or higher level of VC. Exposure of mice to 55 ppm of vinylidene chloride (VDC) also caused a few acute deaths and a few hepatic hemangiosarcomas. Inflammatory, degenerative, and mitotic changes occurred in the liver. No mouse exposed to VDC developed any mammary gland tumors. Several mice had bronchioloalveolar adenoma. Exposure of rats to 55 ppm of VDC slightly depressed the body weight. Hemangiosarcoma occurred in the mesenteric lymph node or subcutaneous tissue in two rats.


Mutagenic and carcinogenic risks associated with halogenated olefins.

Recent experimental evidence indicates that structural analogs of vinyl chloride namely, vinylidene chloride and trichloroethylene, are mutagenic. Carcinogenic response also has been observed in experimental animals following exposure to vinylidene chloride, trichloroethylene, and perchloroethylene. More recent observations demonstrate low-level vinyl chloride-induced mammary carcinoma. An additional chlorinated olefin, chloroprene, has demonstrated a mutagenic response in several test systems. Likewise, several studies have indicated significant excesses of chromosomal aberrations as well as adverse effects on reproductive function following male exposure to chloroprene. Although reports have indicated an increased incidence of lung and skin cancer among workers occupationally exposed to chloroprene, adequately designed studies have not been carried out which would allow the development of valid inferences regarding its carcinogenicity. The question facing the scientific community and society is whether observations in subhuman species are adequate to institute prudent public health practice by controlling these agents as carcinogens or mutagens or whether, once again, epidemiologic enumeration of the toll will be required.


Congenital occipitoatlantoaxial malformations in the horse.

From a clinical, radiological and morphological study of 9 horses with congenital malformations of the occiput, atlas and axis, and from a study of 2 reported cases, 3 diseases were defined: A. Familial occipitalisation of the atlas with atlantalisation of the axis in Arabian horses (7 cases in this report and the case reported by Leipold, et al., 1974). These horses had congenital atlantooccipital fusion, hypoplasia of the atlas and dens, malformation of the axis and modification of the atlantoaxial joint. B. Congenital asymmetrical occipitoatlantoaxial malformation (2 cases in this report). A Standardbred and a Morgan horse had atlantooccipital fusion, a wedge shaped vertebral piece attached to the caudal end of the axis and sigmoid scoliosis of the cervical vertebrae. C. Asymmetrical atlantooccipital fusion (the case reported by Schmaltz, 1915). This horse of an unknown breed had asymmetrical fusion between the atlas and occiput and cervical scoliosis. The clinical syndromes shown by horses with these malformations were variable but were broadly classified as: 1. Foal dead at birth, seen in one foal with A. 2. Tetraparesis at birth, seen in 5 foals with A. These foals were born with signs varying from tetraparesis to tetraplegia. 3. Progressive ataxia, seen in 2 foals with A. Clinical signs were due to a progressive focal cervical compressive myelopathy. 4. Congenital cervical scoliosis/deviated head, seen in the 2 horses with B and the horse with C. These horses had no signs of spinal cord or brain disease. The diagnoses were made clinically by palpation of the occipitoatlantoaxial region and were confirmed radiographically and/or by post mortem examination in all except one case. Pedigree analysis showed the familial nature of the particular occipitoatlantoaxial malformation seen in horses of only the Arabian breed.


Short term immobilization in the horse with ketamine CHl and promazine HCl combinations.

Combinations of promaxine HCl and ketamine HCl were used to produce short term dissociative anaesthesia in the horse under normal clinical conditions. Premedication with 1 mg/kg promazine HCl followed 5 min later by a rapid i.v. injection of 2 mg/kg ketamine HCl, induced dissociative anaesthesia of 16 +/- 1 min. When 1 mg/kg promazine HCl and a 2 mg/kg ketamine HCl were given simultaneously by rapid i.v. injection, a state of dissociative anaesthesia was induced with a mean duration of 17.1 +/- 2 min. Both treatments permitted minor surgery in the horse.


Priapism after sedation, neuroleptanalgesia and anaesthesia in the horse.

The paper reports 6 cases of priapism with subsequent protrusion and paresis after neuroleptanalgesia and anaesthesia in horses. Five were ultimately treated by amputation of the penis but the sixth horse is responding satisfactorily to conservative treatment at the time of writing. Causative factors, preventive measures and possible methods of treatment are discussed.


Ameloblastic ondontoma in a foal.

A 4 month old foal with right sided maxillary enlargement and considerable upper airway obstruction had an ameloblastic odontoma in the right maxillary sinus. This odontogenic tumour, probably congenital in nature, had extensively distorted the structure and contours of the sinus, and displaced the adjacent turbinates and nasal septum.


Changes in the sustentaculum tali associated with distension of the tarsal sheath (thoroughpin).

Results of the clinical and radiographic examination of 8 lame horses with tarsal sheath distension are described. In chronic cases pathological exostoses were identified radiographically in the sustentaculum tali and were demonstrated at post mortem in 4 of the horses which were destroyed. The prognosis and the feasibility of treatment are discussed in the light of these changes and the associated damage found at post mortem in the deep flexor tendon and its sheath. Trauma to the hock was known to have occurred in half the cases and was suspected in the others.


Studies on the conformational properties of the high-mobility-group chromosomal protein HMG 17 and its interaction with DNA.

The conformation of the non-histone chromatin protein, HMG 17, has been studied using circular dichroism, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, and by small-angle scattering. The results show that in free solution this protein has little or no secondary or tertiary structure in contrast to the other high-mobility-group proteins, HMG 1 and 2, which exhibit highly ordered structures. Protein HMG 17 binds to calf thymus DNA in an ionic-dependent manner, precipitating the DNA at high protein/DNA ratio. The nuclear magnetic resonance data suggest that the principle DNA-binding segment of HMG 17 is that between about residues 15 and 40.


An analysis of the bovine genome by density-gradient centrifugation. Preparation of the dG+dC-rich DNA components.

The dG+dC-rich fractions obtained by density gradient centrifugation of bovine DNA in Cs2SO4/BAMD [J. Cortadas, G. Macaya & G. Bernardi (1977) Eur. J. Biochem. 76, 13--19] were centrifuged in Cs2SO4/Ag+ density gradients. These experiments led to the preparation of the DNA components which had been detected (by analytical centrifugation in CsCl) in the Cs2SO4/BAMD fractions, and also of DNA components which had identical behaviors in Cs2SO4/BAMD gradients and identical buoyant densities in CsCl. A total of eight satellite components and 11 minor components, accounting for 23% and 4% of the bovine genome, respectively, were thus isolated and charcterized in their relative amounts and buoyant densities. The implications of these results on the interpretation of renaturation kinetic data on the bovine genome are discussed.


Restriction enzyme analysis of satellite DNA components from the bovine genome.

A restriction enzyme analysis was performed on satellite DNA components, isolated, as described in the preceding paper, from the bovine genome by a combination of Cs2SO4/BAMD and Cs2SO4/Ag+ density gradient centrifugation. Such an analysis has led to the unambiguous identification of eight satellite DNA components and to new information on their repeat units; this indicates that identical repeat lengths are shared by them, a fact strongly suggesting a common origin.


Structural requirements for maximal inhibitory allosteric effect of estrogens and estrogen analogues on glutamate dehydrogenase.

The inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase by estrogens, estrogen analogues or polyphenylethylene derivatives (about one hundred molecules, most of them having estrogenic or antiestrogenic activities) was measured. The efficiency of these compounds in inducing allosteric inhibition of the enzyme was compared and correlated to their chemical structure: an aromatic ring A, a free phenolic group in the region of carbon 3 of the steroid nucleus and a lipophilic substitution in the region of C-12, C-13 or C-17 were found to be the main structural features required for maximal efficiency on glutamate dehydrogenase. A tentative model for the relative orientation of the main inhibitor families is proposed. It accounts for most of the kinetic results and can be used as a tool for the selection of affinity labels directed towards the estrogen binding site of glutamate dehydrogenase.


Association of DNA polymerase with nucleosomes from mammalian cell chromatin.

More than half of the DNA polymerase beta in mouse ascites cell chromatin was found to be associated with monomeric nucleosomal particles (produced by micrococcal nuclease treatment of chromatin). Almost all nuclear DNA polymerase activity in lymphocytes was found to be associated with nucleosomes. The nucleosome-associated enzyme was mainly DNA polymerase beta in chromatin from resting and mainly DNA polymerase alpha in chromatin from concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocytes.


The effects of phencyclidine on amphetamine stereotypy in rats.

In two separate experiments a 9 point rating scale was used to assess the effects of various doses of phencyclidine on the behavioral stereotypy produced by d-amphetamine in rats. A dose of phencyclidine (2.5 mg/kg) which had no effect when given alone, enhanced the behavioral effects of 1 and 3 mg/kg of d-amphetamine. Higher dises (5 and 10 mg/kg) of phencyclidine produced some stereotypy when given alone but they also produced ataxia which confounded the rating of their other behavioral effects. These higher doses did not enhance the effects of d-amphetamine. This study provides further evidence that phencyclidine may have dopaminergic activity similar to amphetamine.


Cytogenetics of recurrent abortions.

Chromosome banding studies were carried out on both partners of 37 couples who had had two or more spontaneous abortions. Three patients had chromosome disorders; one was a triple-X female and the other two (one male and one female) were t(13;14) translocation carriers. Review of the literature indicates that the over-all frequency of major chromosome disorders in couples with repeated abortions is 2.6%. About three-fourths of these disorders are reciprocal and Robersonian translocations.


Dextran T 500--induction of spreading in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells on glass surface.

The experiments were carried out in order to find factors which could induce attachment and spreading of Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cells on solid substrata. In normal culture media, serum-free as well as serum-containing, these cells did not spread and very weakly attached onto glass. It was found that after coating the cell surfaces with dextran T 500 the EAT cells strongly attached and spread extensively on glass. This spreading could be inhibited or reversed by washing out the dextran or adding calf serum. Dextran T 500 caused rapid spreading also in chick embryo fibroblasts and mouse lymphocytes. Some aspects of these results in connection with contemporary views concerning the processes of cell attachment and spreading are discussed.


[Twin pregnancy in a patient with Glanzmann disease (congenital thrombasthenia) (author's transl)].

Report on a 30-year old primigravida with a family history of bleeding and a personal history of nasopharyngeal bleeding since age four. Severe menorrhagia since her menarche. First seen at 20 weeks gestation with naso-pharyngeal bleeding and a twin pregnancy. The patient was found to have Glanzmann's disease (congenital thrombasthenia) with an excessive lack of factor XIII. Ambulatory treatment with packed cell transfusions until 35 weeks gestation. The thrombelastogram did not improve with transfusions of platelet concentrates. In-patient treatment from 35 to 37 weeks gestation, no vaginal bleeding throughout the pregnancy. Elective Caesarean hysterectomy at 37 weeks gestation with lo units fresh blood, 3 units platelet concentrate and 10 ampules factor XIII concentrate in readiness. Delivery of twin girls 3180 and 3050 g without signs of Glanzmann's disease. Treatment of the maternal bleeding by replacement. Factor XIII 80% of normal 8 weeks postpartum. This appears to be the first case of twin pregnancy in the presence of Glanzmann's disease and the fourth case in the world literature.


Effect of brefeldin A and actinomycin D on culture growth and brefeldin A yield in Curvularia lunata.

Cultures incorporated with increasing quantities of brefeldin A in the form of crude extracts of fungal metabolites prior to inoculation demonstrated reduced growth rate and no significant increase in brefeldin A content. On the other hand, cultures incubated with increasing levels of actinomycin D on the 8th day of cultivation showed slight stimulation of brefeldin A formation with insignificant effect on growth.


[Hemoglobins, XXI: sequence analysis of porcine hemoglobin (author's transl)].

The hemoglobin of a bavarian domestic pig (Suidae) was isolated. The chains were separated by countercurrent distribution, then cleaved with trypsin. The isolated peptides were sequenced with hydrophilic phenylisothiocyanate I and IV, or with a dimethylaminopropyne program in the sequenator. The sequences of the chains are given. Some methodical aspects of automatic sequencing are discussed and the sequences of human porcine hemoglobin are compared. The role of adult pig haemoglobin as foetal hemoglobin is discussed.


A further case of a 22;22 Robertsonian translocation associated with recurrent abortions.

A case of 22;22 Robertsonian translocation, identified in the husband of a woman who had five early abortions, is reported.


Familial occurrence of severe ulnar aplasia and lobster claw feet: a new syndrome.

In this paper we describe a previously unreported association of ulnar defect and lobster-claw deformity of the feet, occurring in four males belonging to two generations of the same family. Minor expression of the same ulnar reduction defect in female relatives suggests X-linked recessive inheritance, but an autosomal dominant with irregular expression cannot be excluded.


[Indications and contraindications for plasma substitutes in surgery].

The indication for the infusion of plasma substitutes has been considerably limited as the result of a series of grave incidents. Prior to each application, differential-therapeutic deliberations must decide on the choice of plasma substitute bringing about the desired success in accordance with its physico-chemical characteristics and clinical values. The type and severity of a probable anaphylactoid incident and its therapy should also be considered.


[Effect of temperature on the donor and the thrombocyte function in thrombopheresis with a cell separator (Aminco)].

In the continuous cell separation (Aminco) the temperature of the extracorporal blood is diminished by 9.3 degrees C. The calculated cooling of the intracardiac blood of 0.1 degrees C does not lead to an irregular cardiac rhythm. The donor only needs 0.339 kcal/min to rewarm the blood. It is necessary to rewarm the blood before retransfusion only if you have proved evidence of coldness antibodies with an extremely wide amplitude of temperature.


[Diagnosis of disorders of the electrolyte metabolism by means of Frank's corrected orthogonal (k.o.) ECG].

The usual ECG criteria in the metabolism disturbance of calcium and potassium are touched. The content of electrolyts in the cells is not to be found in vivo by chemical methods. A loss of potassium in the cell makes a potential difference, which is defined as lesion potenial between the lesion focus and its intact environment. Lesion potentials change the ECG in such a typical manner, that it is possible to locate the latered focus by the ECG pattern in lead x, y and z.


[Thrombocyte aggregation after abdominal hysterectomy with combined prevention of thromboembolism using 6% macrodex and sintrom].

Thrombocyte aggregation was investigated, according to Born, in 14 patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy due to benign illness. The patients received dextran 60 and 4-hydroxycoumarin as prophylactic therapy for early and late thromboembolism. The following results were obtained: 1. The ability of the thrombocytes to aggregate was reduced by half, 2 hours postoperatively, after administration of dextran 60, and remained at this level during the first postoperative day. This action was independent of the concentration and type of agent used in the aggregation test. The original values were attained again on the 4th postoperative day. The speed and force of desaggregation showed reverse behaviour. 2. Results bore no relationships to the age of the patient. 3. This combined prophylactic therapy with macrodex (500 ml intraoperatively) and sintrom (from the 1st postoperative day) seems to give adequate protection in both the intra- and postoperative risk phases.


Liver lesions in experimental lepromatoid leprosy of the armadillo. A histopathologic study.

A retrospective study of liver lesions was made in 13 armadillos infected intracutaneously with 10(7) M. leprae from the same inoculum, to evaluate the pathogenesis of the experimental disease. Survival times ranged from 13 to 55 months. In seven armadillos the liver lesions were markedly less severe than in six of these animals. The extent of the lesions was unrelated to the duration of the infection and was interpreted as reflecting individual differences in resistance. In contrast to man, leprosy bacilli were found in the liver cells of both groups of armadillos but to a lesser extent in those of the more resistant armadillos. The latter also had no obvious changes in the liver tissue except for round cell infiltration and prominent Kupffer's cells which contained M. leprae. These lesions can be compared to indeterminate leprosy in humans. The lesions in the more susceptible (lepromatoid) armadillos were initiated in Kupffer's cells. Later, large collections of bacillated macrophages infiltrated the liver lobules. The liver cells heavily loaded with M. leprae developed a pale granular cytoplasm which became foamy in the late lesions. In three of the lepromatoid livers, lesions compatible with erythema nodosum leprosum were seen.


Hepatic lesions in asymptomatic children of leprosy patients.

Forty-two asymptomatic children of leprosy patients were studied for possible hepatic lesions. Hepatic lesions were observed in 47% while acid-fast bacilli in the liver were found in 9.5%. The most frequent lesions encountered included granuloma in 9.5%, focal areas of necrosis in 14%, portal triaditis in 17%, and Kupffer cell hyperplasia in 33%. Occasionally more than one lesion was observed in a biopsy. No correlation with the occurrence of the various hepatic lesions could be made with a history of BCG vaccination or results of skin tests done with tuberculin and lepromin.


Palmar flexion creases and dermatoglyphics in leprosy patients.

Palmar configurations of 115 male and 48 female leprosy patients were compared with 536 males and 426 female normal individuals of the same population. The data was derived from Nekararu (weavers) castes of Karnataka State, India. Among flexion creases, the single radial base crease (SRBC) especially showed more association with leprosy in both male and female patients than their respective controls. Among dermatoglyphics, only C-line types are significantly different in male leprosy patients as compared to their controls. The female patients also showed more C-absent lines than the control group. The susceptibility to bacterial infection may be due to some biologic deficiency which warrants continued investigation on a broader and more intensive basis.


Surgical decompression of nerves in leprosy. An attempt at prevention of deformities. A clinical, electrophysiologic, histopathologic and surgical study.

Forty-five leprosy patients were electively subjected to extraneural decompression and medial longitudinal epineurotomy in anticipation that relief from compression may favorably alter the course of the disease by retrieving reversibly damaged nerve bundles and preventing further progression of disease. Neurolysis was performed in 69 nerves, including the ulnar, median, lateral popliteal and posterior tibial. The period of follow-up was up to three years. Excellent sensory recovery was seen in most patients while motor recovery was less predictable. The recovery seen was better in those patients taking treatment early and also at the age the surgery was carried out. Motor damage appeared more severe in the 10-20 year age group. Most of the beneficial effects can be explained on the basis of increased vascularity due to relief from extraneural and intraneural compression.