[Control of respiratory therapy by means of rheography (author's transl)].

Rheography measures changes in electrical conductivity. In measurements taken at the thorax it was appeared that the changes in conductivity caused by breathing are superimposed by the changes caused by circulatory factors and exceed them in amplitude quite far. This makes the expansion of rheography for electrical respiration control possible. The changes in electrical conductivity are explained by inspiration into the alveoles, by the increase in the distance of the electrodes on thoracic expansion, and by the change in the intrathoracic blood volume. When using respiratory therapy the physiotherapist must pay great attention how the patient reacts to respiratory therapy and whether he is adapted correctly to the mechanical respiratory support devices. The method of "rheospirography" was tested as to whether it allows an objective, direct evaluation of the interplay between respiratory therapy and patient. The method appears to be able to control respiratory therapeutic measures as it allows an evaluation of the respiratory type, the regional ventilation, and the adaption of the patient to the device.


[Circulating tissue antigens in inflammatory heart disease].

Experiments with an antipericardium immune serum of the goat resulted in the proof of two not identical with serum proteins antigens in the pericardium. By means of the same antiserum with the help of the gel diffusion technique after Ouchterlony and immunoelectrophoresis the sera of patients with carditis or myocardial infarction, respectively, were examined for the presence of circulating tissue antigens. In 20 out of 23 patients with carditis 1 or 2 antigens were found which were not identical with normal serum proteins. In 27 cases of myocardial infarction their proof was successful only in 4 patients, in complication by a post-myocardial infarction syndrome in 2 out of 3 cases. In comparative investigations of sera of 100 healthy persons only 4 test persons showed a positive result. There was no clue for the identity of one of the antigens proved with C-reactive protein.


[Brain sulfatides and cerebrosides in experimental hyperphenylalaninemia].

Effect of acute and chronic hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) on metabolism of various fractions of sulfatides and cerebrosides from rat brain was studied. Content of all the fractions was distinctly decreased under the effect of HPA. The specific radioactivity in the majority of the sulfatide and cerebroside fractions decreased more significantly in chronic HPA. The data obtained suggest that synthesis of sulfatides and cerebrosides was inhibited in experimental hyperphenylalaninemia.


Reduction deformities, twinning and mortality in Brazilian Whites and Negroes.

A series of house-to-house surveys in Central Brazil revealed 32 cases of reduction deformities of the limbs (brachydactyly, synbrachydactyly, ectrodactyly, amely, adactyly, achiry, apody, etc.) among 58,761 births (0.54 per thousand, being 0.66 per thousand among Whites and 0.43 per thousand among Mulattoes and Negroes). No sibship was found with two or more equally affected singleton members. One case of concordance among twins is referred. There were no parity, inbreeding, race and sex effects. Both hands and both feet were also equally affected. Precocious mortality and twinning were significantly higher among affected individuals. The presence of cleft lip and palate in one of our index patients may also reflect an etiological relationship. Among the sibs, the total incidence of congenital malformations was similar to that generally accepted for general populations.


Onset of puberty in MX and DZ twins.

A twin study on the significance of genetic factors for the variation in peak height and peak weight velocity, as well as in age at menarche and the development of secondary sex characteristics, is presented. Evidence of a rather strong genetic regulation of the occurrence of puberty was obtained in the analysis. The maximal height or weight gain (in cm/year of kg/year) seems to be, at least in girls, less influenced by genetic factors than the age at which it appears.


[Analysis of changes in the electrical activity of the neocortex in dogs during the formation of the stereotype of food-procuring conditioned reflexes in them].

A system of food-procuring conditioned reflexes (dynamic stereotype after I.P. Pavlov) was elaborated in dogs. In the interstimuli periods, 0.6 to 0.8 sec. prior the action of the conditioned stimulus, they exhibited a "state of expectancy" characterized by an increase of frequency (up to 80 per sec.) of potential oscillations of a small amplitude (20 to 30 mcv) and their pronounced sychroneity, predominantly in the anterior parts of the neocortex. The conditioned signal acting against such background produced specific reactions in the form of a limited number of bursts (3 to 4 in 0.5 sec.) of highfrequency (up to 100 per sec.) synchronized activity (HSA) of considerable amplitude (50 to 60 mcv) which always preceded conditioned reactions, being in certain temporal relations with them. A correlation-spectral analysis has shown that in the HSA period, electrical activity became considerably more regular; in the intensity spectra the extreme frequencies of the analyzed band (5 to 7 c/s and 90 to 100 c/s) became prominent, and in most cases high values of the coherence function were due to them. HSA reactions are regarded as a major link in the trigger mechanism of conditioned food-procuring reactions.


Physical capacity in twins.

A comparison of physical capacity, (measured by vital capacity, muscular strength and physical work capacity) in twin boys and controls failed to indicate significant differences. Intrapair correlations showed the MZ twins to be much more similar than the DZ twins in all the capacity measures. The correlations were lower, however, for both MZ and DZ twins for physical work capacity than for the other two capacity variables. When amount of physical exercise during leisure time is kept under control, the DZ twins tend to be more similar for physical work capacity or muscular strength, and the correlations tend to be of the same magnitude for MZ twins. Physical work capacity therefore appears, in this study, to be a more environmentally influenced variable than either vital capacity or muscular strength.


[Higher nervous activity of rats at early periods after the end of flight in the biosatellite "Cosmos-605"].

Functional changes of higher nervous activity were found in the rats after a 22-day flight in the biosatellite "Cosmos-605". The ability to retain and restore the habit of searching food in the maze deteriorated. The number of refusals to go through the maze increased with an enhancement of the functional load on the central nervous system. This resulted not only from reduced alimentary excitability or muscular weakness developed during the flight, but also from a weakening of the basic nervous processes in the higher parts of the central nervous system.


Persistence of brain hyperexcitability following chronic alcohol exposure in rats.

Eighteen hooded Long-Evans rats were implanted with monopolar electrodes for the purpose of recording visual evoked potentials (VEP's) at the following brain sites: visual cortex, reticular formation and thalamus. Baseline VEP's were obtained to flashes for all animals, and subsequently twelve rats were intubated daily with a progression of increasing quantities of 20% (V/V) alcohol (3-8 g/kg), while the remaining six rats received an equivalent amount of water in the same fashion. Beginning 4 1/2 hours after the last dose of intubated alcohol, withdrawal VEP's were sampled every half-hour up to 8 hours, and 24-27 hours postwithdrawal. All experimental animals manifested their greatest brain hyperexcitability at visual cortex, which peaked sharply between 7-8 hours after alcohol withdrawal. Following two weeks of abstinence, half of the experimental rats (N = 6) and half of the controls (N = 3) received an alcohol challenge dose (2 g/kg i.p.), while the remaining animals received the same challenge dose after five weeks. Marked hyperexcitability was observed in the two-week challenge dose animals that had been previously subjected to alcohol; no such increase in VEP amplitude was apparent for control rats. There is also some evidence of hyperexcitability after five weeks of abstinence from alcohol at visual cortex. The data indicates that the neurophysiological responses of post-addict rats to challenge doses of alcohol are readily distinguishable from those of naive animals, even five weeks after alcohol removal. Furthermore, alcohol seems to act differently at different sites of the brain.


Behavioral changes after chronic ethanol treatment.

Rats were maintained on ad lib food and a forced-intake regimen of ethanol for up to 270 days. Termination of the long-term ethanol treatment caused two types of withdrawal syncromes. The first, an acute withdrawal syndrome was observed within 12 hr after the discontinuation of the ethanol treatment and was characterized by extreme hyper-excitability. The second, a delayed withdrawal syndrome was characterized by a more coordinated behavioral stimulation and developed first after about 3 days after the discontinuation of the ethanol treatment. Bilateral application of dopamine (DA) into the nucleus accumbens of both chronic ethanol and ethanol rats undergoing withdrawal produced a pronounced increase in coordinated locomotor activity which was 8-10 times higher than that of untreated water control rats. This phenomenon was observed first after 5 months of ethanol treatment and lasted for about 4 weeks after the termination of the treatment. This effect of DA was antagonized by haloperidol indicating a specific effect on DA-receptors. It is concluded that prolonged ethanol administration produces an increased sensitivity of the DA- receptors in the nucleus accumbens and further supports the contention that central catecholamine mechanisms are involved in the mediation of the withdrawal syndrome observed after long-term treatment with ethanol.


Comparison of the effects of alcohol, chlordiazepoxide, and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on intraspecies aggression in rats.

The species-specific repertoire of attack, threat, defense, and submission was produced in pairs of male laboratory rats and measured after intraperitoneal injection of a drug or its vehicle to one of the rats. Attack behavior by dominant rats toward nondrugged opponents was increased by a low dose of alcohol (0.5 g/kg) or of chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg), but suppressed by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In experienced subordinate rats, the highest alcohol dose (1.5 g/kg) impaired the defensive upright posture whereas THC (2, 4 MG/KG) prolonged immobile crouch and submissivesupine reactions and resulted in more wounds. Naive rats administered alcohol assumed the submissivesupine posture more readily and for a longer duration, but sustained more biting attacks. Chlordiazepoxide and THC, when administered to naive rats, prolonged the immobile crouch reaction, and THC also impaired the defensive upright posture. We conclude that alcohol and chlordiazepoxide both enhance attack behavior in dominant rats, whereas THC has specific anti-aggressive effects and profoundly alters the submissive-defensive reactions.


The temporal and volumetric components of stress induced drinking in rats.

Two experiments are presented which describe the temporal and volumetric changes in ethanol consumption with rats exposed to recurring schedules of inescapable random shock stress. The animals in Experiment I had an ethanol and water choice and the data demonstrated cumulative increases in voluntary ethanol consumption which occurred immediately after the shock schedule. The post shock changes occurred with both 5% and 10% V/V ethanol, were specific to the appearance of shock and were not reflected by measures of total daily ethanol intake. Experiment II exposed rats to extended 22 hr. stress sessions and each animal had four simultaneous fluid choices available: water, saccharin. 1% W/V, ethanol 5% V/V, and ethanol 10% V/V. Temporal intake patterns for both 5% and 10% ethanol showed pronounced peaks for the interval immediately following the shock schedule. A progressive shift of intake from 5% to 10% ethanol was also evidenced with increasing time under shock, while saccharin and water intake decreased. Blood ethanol levels during shock increased significantly from baseline for all animals and ranged from 30 to 162 mg/100 ml. The results are interpreted as a relationship between voluntary ethanol intake and escape from the consequences of stress.


Chronic alcohol drinking and subsequent withdrawal in rats exposed to different diurnal distributions of schedule-induction sessions.

Eight rats drank large amounts of 6.25% alcohol as a consequence of daily exposure to 6 hours of schedule-induction sessions in which a small food pellet was delivered every 90 sec. Rats having a 1-hr session every 4 hr showed slightly more withdrawal distress than rats having a 6-hr session every 24 hr. More significant may have been two different kinds of indication of possible loss of control over drinking by the inducing schedule. Rats experiencing six sessions a day did not drink water excessively when it replaced the alcohol solution. Rats experiencing one session a day drank half their total alcohol intake between sessions. If the schedule-induction procedure loses control over alcohol drinking, its chronic application to animals fails as a model of the factors that maintain excessive alcohol use in humans.


Temporal patterns of voluntary alcohol intake.

This paper describes methods of analysing temporal patterns of alcohol consumption by mice over time-courses of days or hours. Records of daily alcohol intake can be used to identify brief periods when the mice sobered up. These one-day 'breaks' apparently allow the previously acquired level of physical dependence to decay. Effective alcohol intake, calculated by taking account of breaks, is a good indicator of physical dependence. More detailed time studies show the circadian rhythm of intake and of blood alcohol levels. To analyse our records of alcohol consumption over successive 8-hour periods, we fitted the data to cosine curves. These curves show the amplitude of the intake rhythm, which in turn determines the stability of blood alcohol levels. The highest and most stable blood alcohol levels were obtained by administering alcohol in a liquid diet to individually-housed mice.


Anticonvulsant-induced osteomalacia.

Four cases of osteomalacia associated with the long term consumption of phenytoin (Dilantin) were admitted to a geriatric unit in a two-month period. No other cause for their disease was found. The diagnosis was made on biochemical data and no bone biopsy was obtained. Radiographic evidence was found in two cases only.


Zinc and nitrogen balance in adolescent females fed varying levels of zinc and soy protein.

Zinc and nitrogen balances were determined in 14 girls, 12.5 to 14.5 years of age, during a 30-day period. Diets were composed of ordinary foods and supplied 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance for protein. The lunch menus were typical of those served in School Lunch Programs except that milk was omitted and calcium supplements were added. The dietary variables were the levels of zinc and the amount of defatted soy which replaced the meat in noon meals. The diets were: S0Z13.4 (13.4 mg zinc and no soy); S30Z13.4 (13.5 mg zinc and 30% of meat replaced by soy); and S30Z7.4 (7.4 mg zinc and 30% of meat replaced by soy). Subjects fed 7.4 mg zinc daily lost significantly (P less than 0.01) less zinc in their feces than the subjects fed the higher level of zinc during the 18-day collection period. Partial substitution of soy for meat in lunch menus did not affect fecal or urinary zinc or nitrogen losses. Mean retentions of zinc by subjects Diets S0Z13.4 nad S30Z7.4 were +0.53, +0.42 and -0.32 mg/day, respectively. Nitrogen retention was not significantly affected by zinc intake. However, nitrogen and zinc retentions were significantly correlated (r = 0.416, P less than 0.015).


Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese balance in adolescent females.

Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese balances were determined in 14 girls (12.5 to 14.5 years of age) during a 30-day period. Menus were composed of ordinary foods and were typical of subjects' usual dietary habits. The diets contained 1.07 g calcium, 193 mg magnesium, 0.85 g phosphorus, 2.8 mg copper, 3.0 mg manganese, and 7.4 or 13.4 mg zinc daily. Defatted soy was substituted for 0, 15, or 30% of the meat in lunch menus. Neither the alteration of dietary zinc levels or the partial substitution of soy for meat significantly affected retention of the five minerals. Retentions of calcium (r = 0.654), magnesium (r = 0.786), phosphorus (r = 0.560), copper (r - 0.805), and manganese (r = 0.855) by subjects were all significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated to retention of zinc. These correlations probably reflect the correlations between fecal losses of calcium (r = 0.438), magnesium (r = 0.434), phosphorus (r = 0.377), copper (r = 0.318), and manganese (r = 0.318) and the volume of feces. On these dietary regimes adolescents were in positive balances for calcium, phosphorus, and copper, but were in negative balances for magnesium and managenese.


Evaluation of biologic sources of variation of leukocyte counts and other hematologic quantities using very precise automated analyzers.

The authors determined mean day-to-day (daily over five days), mean week-to-week (weekly over five weeks) and mean hour-to-hour (800 h, 1100 h, 1400 h) physiologic intra-individual variation of concentration values of leukocyte cell types, platelet count, and erythrocyte values (hematocrit, hemoglobin) for a group of 20 healthy adult volunteers. Total leukocyte counts and concentration values of leukocyte cell types were determined in duplicate on the Hemalong-DTM Automated Leukocyte Differential Cell Counter to minimize analytic variation. The data sets were analyzed according to an analysis of variance model. The mean physiologic hour-to-hour and week-to-week intra-individual variations in terms of % coefficient of variation included: hemoglobin, 2.5, 2.2; hematocrit, 2.6, 2.7; platelets, 1.6, 6.6; total leukocyte count, 9.4, 15.7; neutrophils, 12.9, 26.0; lymphocytes, 10.3, 13.2; monocytes, 18.6, 19.3; eosinophils, 19.9, 26.9; basophils, 7.4, 15.0; large unstained cells, 13.7, 16.0; "high-peroxidase" cells, 32.7, 25.7. Hour-to-hour variation was partitioned into random diurnal variation, group-consistent diurnal variation, and subject-specific unique individual variation. Subject-specific diurnal variation contributed greatly and statistically significantly to total diurnal variation for many of the leukocyte cell types--especially in the case of eosinophils, where it represented more than half of total diurnal variation.


Effect of daily ethanol ingestion on intestinal permeability to macromolecules.

The effects of regular ethyl alcohol ingestion on morphological and permeability characteristics of the small intestine were assessed in mature rats using the tracer protein, horseradish peroxidase. Thirty adult rats were divided into two groups and provided a standard commercial diet in pellet form. Each morning, after an overnight fast, every animal in the experimental group was administered by gavage an aliquot of 20% ethanol; animals in the control group were provided aliquots of 20% sucrose in water by the same method. After 4 and 8 weeks on the gavage routine (and 10 days and 4 weeks after gavage cessation), jejunal permeability to horseradish peroxidase was examined in animals from each group. Using a routine ligated-loop procedure and light and electron microscopy, ethanol-exposed rats demonstrated increased intestinal permeability to horseradish peroxidase by 4 weeks; sucrose-exposed animals revealed little alteration in mucosal integrity. It is proposed that regular ingestion of sizable amounts of alcohol alters morphological characteristics of the gut and increase the permeability of the mucosa to "undigested" macromolecules.


Loss of the urethra: a report on 50 patients.

A series of 50 patients presented with total urinary incontinence secondary to traumatic loss of much or all of the urethral floor and bladder neck. Previously, the 50 patients had been subjected to 94 unsuccessful operations; this serves to indicate the challenging nature of the problem. Surgical reconstruction was accomplished by creating a small-caliber neourethra from the contractile tissue that remained in the urethral roof. In addition, 22 of the 50 patients (44 per cent) required a supplemental myocutaneous labial skin flap (12 patients) or a bulbocavemosus muscle flap of the Martius type (10 patients). A "second-stage" retropubic urethrovesical suspension was required in 20 patients. After a follow-up period of five to 15 years, 37 of the 50 patients (74 per cent) were cured and an additional four patients (8 per cent) were greatly improved.


Interrelationships between maternal and cord prolactin, progesterone, estradiol, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha, and cord cortisol at delivery with respect to initiation of parturition.

Estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM) were measured in both maternal and cord venous blood obtained at the time of delivery in 24 maternal infant pairs evenly divided among six different physiologic groups. Progesterone and prolactin were significantly higher and estradiol was significantly lower in cord than in maternal blood. There were no significant differences between the groups for cortisol, estradiol, or progesterone in maternal or cord blood. A significant increase in prolactin was demonstrated in women receiving oxytocin for induction of labor. Both estradiol and PGFM were highly correlated between maternal and cord blood. PGFM was significantly higher in cesarean section patients in labor than in those not in labor in both the maternal and cord circulations. Among those delivered vaginally, PGFM tended to be higher in those in spontaneous labor than in those with induced labor. PGFM in induced labor was intermediate between spontaneous labor aptients delivered by cesarean section and those delivered vaginally. Duration of labor was negatively correlated with cord estradiol concentration. The physiologic significance of these findings is discussed.


Subretinal neovascularization and papilledema associated with pseudotumor cerebri.

A 31-year-old man, on routine ocular examination, was found to have bilateral papilledema. Neurologic evaluation confirmed elevated cerebrospinal pressure with no mass lesion and a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri was made. A tiny subretinal hemorrhage adjacent to the right optic disk was found to be secondary to subretinal neovascularization. Over the course of several months, the papilledema resolved. However, the neovascular membrane extended further toward the fovea and was subsequently obliterated with argon laser photocoagulation.


Toxocara infection in animal hospital employees.

The recent development of a sensitive and specific test (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for Toxocara canis infection has made it possible to study the epidemiology of this parasite in man. Antibody to Toxocara was measured in veterinarians, kennel workers, nurses, laboratory technicians, and clerical personnel in an animal hospital (Animal Medical Center, New York, NY) in order to determine the risk of infection in persons with varying degrees of occupational and home exposure to pet dogs. Antibodies were found in 8 (11 per cent) of 73 employees, and the prevalence and intensity of antibody was not statistically associated with either job exposure or dog ownership. However, antibody was not detected in any of the 14 employees who denied both past and present dog ownership. Additional studies using larger numbers of sera are required to determine the significance of these findings.


Comparison of immediate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fixation with delayed Schaudinn's fixation for the demonstration of protozoa in stool specimens.

Immediate fixation of stool specimens in polyvinyl alcohol fixative (PVA) was compared with Schaudinn's fixation delayed until the specimens were received in the laboratory, in a series of 100 consecutive positive stool specimens. More specimens were found positive following PVA fixation, and the numbers of organisms present on the slides were greater in specimens processed by this technique than after Schaudinn's fixation. It is concluded that immediate fixation results in the preservation of larger numbers of organisms in a recognizable state. The routine use of PVA fixation prior to transportation of the specimen to the laboratory is recommended.


Streptocerciasis: observation of adult male Dipetalonema streptocerca in man.

In 75 biopsy specimens of skin from 34 patients with streptocerciasis who had been treated with diethylcarbamazine, we found 39 female and six male adult Dipetalonema streptocerca in the dermal collagen. This is the first report of adult male D. streptocerca in man, and identifying features are described.


Schistosomiasis mansoni in the hamster: cellular and humoral immune responses to soluble egg antigens (SEA).

Cellular and humoral immune responses to soluble egg antigens (SEA) were studied in the course of Schistosoma mansoni infection in the hamster. No immune response to SEA could be detected before the parasite had started oviposition. The liver granuloma size reached a maximum 6 weeks after infection and decreased rapidly thereafter. The in vitro cell-mediated immune response to SEA (lymphocyte blast transformation) showed a maximum reaction 12 to 16 weeks after infection (depending on the infection rate) and also declined later. Parallel to the lowered reactivity of the lymphocytes to SEA in vitro, responsiveness to the nonspecific T-cell mitogen, phytohemagglutinin M, was also reduced in chronic infections. Humoral anti-SEA antibodies could be detected in increasing amounts up to 10 weeks after exposure.


The role of air pollution and weather changes in childhood asthma.

Eighty asthmatic children were studied for two years. Daily records of various parameters of asthma were correlated with levels of different air pollutants and such climatological factors as bad weather conditions and temperature changes. High levels of ozone and carbon monoxide significantly correlated with the number, duration and the severity of asthmatic attacks. However, all the factors combined played only a minor role in the complex etiology of asthma, accounting for only 5 percent to 15 percent of the total variance.


Comparison of Streptococcus uberis and S. infrequens. Pathogenicity for cow udder.

The pathogenicity of Streptococcus uberis and S. infrequens for cow udder was compared by experimental intramammary inoculation, mostly during the dry period. There were no significant differences between the two species according to the number and the length of infections at the subsequent lactation (Table 1). No infections could be established in lactation. The pathogenic and taxonomic implications of these results are discussed.


Angiosarcoma in post-mastectomy lymphoedema. A report of one case of Stewart-Treves syndrome.

A 67 year old woman developed lymphoedema in the ipsilateral arm about 1/2 year after radical mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast with no metastases. 11 years later she developed an angiosarcoma in the same upper arm and this spread rapidly to the forearm and chest wall. She had considerable bleeding from the lesions and had to be given repeated blood transfusions. Radiotherapy was without effect and she died of pulmonary emboli 3 months after the diagnosis of angiosarcoma was made. No sign of distant metastases, 0ut a small carcinoma was found in the right breast. On going through the literature, the author has found 206 cases of Stewart-Treves Syndrome (development of angiosarcoma in post-mastectomy lymphoedema), 7 of which were from Scandinavia.


The secular variation of Australian twin births over fifty years.

Twins born during the fifty years 1920-69 in Australia were analysed statistically and their sex composition was found to be homogeneously distributed in a geographical but not a secular manner. The twinning rate reached a maximum in 1953 after which it fell to pre-war levels. This behaviour was due to dizygotic twins, and the role of intermediate maternal age at parturition as a contributing factor is discussed. Considered in relation to all twin maternities, however, the dizygotic rate declined significantly and linearly with time. This could be attributed to the gradual secular decline in maternal age.


An interpretation of human diaphorase isozymes in terms of three gene loci DIA1, DIA2 and DIA3.

NADH and NADPH diaphorase isozymes have been studied in human tissues. Evidence from rare heterozygotes suggests that the red cell and main tissue forms of NADH diaphorase are products of the same locus DIA1. NADPH-dependent diaphorase appears to be the product of a second locus DIA2. A third locus, DIA3, codes for the polymorphic sperm diaphorase. The products of this locus are also found in foetal tissues including placenta and adult brain and gonads. The products of these three loci may be distinguished by their substrate specificity, thermostability and molecular size.


[Suppression of the damaging effect of amphotericin B on dog kidney lysosomes by amigluracyl].

The effect of amphotericin B and its combination with amigluracyl on the dog kidney lyzosomes was studied in vitro. It was found that on incubation of the lyzosomes with the antibiotic in a concentration of 1 gamma/ml the latter stimulated liberation of proteases from them. At the same time, when the lyzosomes were exposed to amphotericin B in combination with amigluracyl, a significant decrease in the rise of the proteolytic activity in the incubation medium due to the antibiotic was observed. It was found that the combined use of amphotericin B with amigluracyl resulted in an intensive inhibition of the enzyme activity; The data are indicative of the fact that amigluracyl decreases the damaging effect of the antibiotic on the dog kidney lyzosomes.


Destruction of Staphylococcus aureus during frankfurter processing.

We studied the thermal resistance of Staphylococcus aureus during frankfurter processing in respect to whether staphylococci are killed by the heating step of the process and whether heat injury interferes with the quantitative estimation of the survivors. With S. aureus 198E, heat injury could be demonstrated only when large numbers of cells (10(8)/g) were present and at a product temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). On tryptic soy agar and tryptic soy agar plus 7% NaCl media, at temperatures less than 140 degrees F, the counts were virtually identical; above 140 degrees F, the counts converged, with the organisms dying so rapidly that heat injury was not demonstrable. Heat injury was thus judged not to interfere with the quantitative estimation of staphylococci surviving the normal commercial heating given frankfurters. By using a combination of direct plating on tryptic soy agar and a most-probable-number technique, we detected no viable cells (less than 0.3/g) of several strains of S. aureus in frankfurters heated to 160 degrees F (71.1 degrees C). This temperature is compatible with the normal final temperature to which federally inspected processors heat their frankfurters and with the temperature needed to destroy salmonellae.


Production of vitamin B-12 in tempeh, a fermented soybean food.

Several varieties of soybeans contained generally less than 1 ng of vitamin B-12 per g. It was found that use of a lactic fermentation typical of tropical conditions during the initial soaking of the soybeans did not influence the vitamin B-12 content of the resulting tempeh. Pure tempeh molds obtained from different sources did not produce vitamin B-12. It was found that the major source of vitamin B-12 in commercial tempeh purchased in Toronto, Canada, was a bacterium that accompanies the mold during fermentation. Reinoculation of the pure bacterium onto dehulled, hydrated, and sterilized soybeans resulted in the production of 148 ng of vitamin B-12 per g. The presence of the mold, along with the bacterium, did not inhibit or enhance production of vitamin B-12. Nutritionally significant amounts of vitamin B-12 were also found in the Indonesian fermented food, ontjom.


Isolation and characteristics of a skatole-producing Lactobacillus sp. from the bovine rumen.

A bacterium that is capable of decarboxylating indoleacetic acid to skatole (3-methylindole) has been isolated from an L-tryptophan enrichment of bovine rumen fluid. The bacterium is a gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporeforming rod. It is an obligate anaerobe, and strains predominatly produce D-(-)-lactic acid, with smaller amounts of L-(+)-lactic acid and acetic acid, from sugar. All four strains isolated gave a negative reaction to the indole test because they cannot form skatole directly from tryptophan. This is the first report of indoleacetic acid decarboxylation to skatole in pure culture and the demonstration of skatole production by a Lactobacillus species.


Cutaneous mycosis caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus.

A 20-year-old woman had erythematous scaly plaques persistent for 15 years on the left cheek. Cultures from scales and biopsy specimens on Sabouraud's glucose agar repeatedly yielded floccose lilac colonies, and those on a Czapek's solution agar plate developed deep purplish red pigment, which is characteristic of Paecilomyces lilacinus. The PAS stain of the tissue section showed ovoid, divergent, or club-shaped fungal elements among the inflammatory cells or in giant cells. Two months after the patient and a control subject were inoculated with the isolates, P lilacinus could be reisolated from the patient only. Oral administration of griseofulvin significantly reduced erythema and papules. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of deep cutaneous mycosis caused by P lilacinus.


The role of splenectomy in the treatment of thrombocytopenic purpura due to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Splenectomy in the treatment of thrombocytopenic purpura associated with lupus erythematosus has afforded satisfactory overall results in a group of ten patients. Postoperative deaths occurred in two patients, each of whom had significant underlying problems. Clinical manifestations of SLE-induced thrombocytopenic purpura included ecchymoses, petechiae, menorrhagia, epistaxis, and hematuria. Splenectomy in this disorder should be reserved for cases in whom corticosteroids do not produce satisfactory results, or in whom unacceptably high doses are required. Follow-up indicates long term control of thrombocytopenic purpura following splenectomy.


Fine structure of the reticular cells in the rat spleen, with special reference to their fibro-muscular features.

Reticular cells in the rat spleen were studied with the electron microscope. Besides well developed cisterns of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex like in fibroblasts, the reticular cells contain small bundles of microfilaments, dense bodies and hemidesmosomes as in the smooth muscle cell. Based on these cytological characteristics, it is suggested that the reticular cells are fibro-muscular in nature, and they may play roles in fibrogenesis as well as in regulation of the blood flow by their contraction in the splenic reticular tissue.


The association of African swine fever virus with blood components of infected pigs.

The distribution of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in whole blood, plasma, red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cell (WbC) sub-populations was determined in pigs infected with virulent virus. Changes in the RBC and WBC populations were also examined. Total WBC counts decreased and RBC numbers remained unchanged during the course of the disease. The number of circulating lymphocytes decreased whilst neutrophil numbers increased owing to the replacement of mature forms by juveniles. Virus was present in all major blood fractions and was associated with equivalent numbers of both RBC and WBC. However, 90 per cent of the virus in whole blood was associated with RBC. Of the WBC subpopulations, virus was definitely associated with lymphocytes and possibly neutrophils.


[Influence of intrauterine asphyxia on the development of spinal ganglia].

In 17- and 18-day-old rat embryos and in 10-, 30-day-old newborn rats, the development of the spinal ganglia neurons was investigated under normal conditions and after intrauterine asphyxia. It was stated that increase in the profile field of the neuronal body development proceded differently before and after birth. Before birth, the most intensive growth was noted in large ganglial cells, while after birth--in middle and especially small cells. It was stated that embryos subjected to asphyxia in the last fourth of their intrauterine life suffered from chronic disorders in their neuronal cells, their intensity increasing with time reaching maximum to the first month of life. This process involved mainly the cells of middle and small size.


[Caudate-cortical connections in the cat brain].

By means of optical and electron microscopic methods, the cortical fields from the ipsilateral hemisphere was analysed in the cat after electrocoagulation of the dorsal part in the nucleus caudatus (NC). Degenerating axonal preterminals and terminals were detected in the preparations impregnated after Nauta--Gygax and Wiitanen's methods and in electronograms. To exclude degeneration of cortical and projective thalamic fibrillae from the great number of regenerated conductors, additional operations were performed on the same cats--thalamic and ventral NC nuclei were damaged and coagulative electrode was inserted into the dorsal NC a month before the last operation.


[Histochemical aspects of the phylohistogenetic recapitulation of the epidermis].

Epidermis of human embryos and fetuses obtained at abortion and at premature delivery was studied, as well as cell carcinoma of the skin in the biopsies of cheek, external ear and lip. PAS-reaction, treatment with diastase and phenyl hydrosine, staining with alcian blue at pH 1.0 and 2.7 and with basic brown at pH 1.0 were applied. Determination of the total and cationic protein with brom phenol blue (pH 2.2 and 8.2, respectively), aminoacid debris of lisine and histidine, sulfhydril groups of cysteine, disulfate groups of cysteine and others were determined. Histochemical peculiarities of the epidermal protective zone in fetuses recapitulate the epidermal properties of water vertebrates. Presence of hydrophilic groups in the cells of nonkeratinizing type of epidermoid carcinoma resembles histochemical differentiation of amphibian epidermis. In the cells of keratinizing carcinoma, keratine detected is histologically close to that in reptilian squamae.


Lipid-protein globules of avian egg yolk. Isolation and properties of globules stable in concentrated sodium chloride solution.

A new type of globular particle, the 'insoluble yolk globule', was isolated from the egg yolk of three avian species (hen, duck, and emu) by centrifugation or gel-filtration chromatography. These globules are stable in NaCl and urea solutions at concentrations that dissolve or disrupt other constituents of yolk, The isolated globules are about 1% of the dry yolk of hen's and duck's eggs but about 8% emu's-egg yolk. Most of these globules are less than 2 micrometer in diameter. Electron micrographs of sections show a preponderance of globules in the range 0.125-0.25 micrometer, each with a thick shell surrounding a feature-less anterior. Globules with the same appearance were seen in sections of unfractionated yolk. Two kinds of larger particles were also observed: (i) particles with a distinct outer membrane and a vesiculated interior; (ii) featureless spheres, possibly of lipid. The insoluble yolk globules comprise protein (8-11% by dry wt.), phospholipid (31-35% total lipid), triacylglycerols (49-53%), cholesterol (8%) and cholesteryl esters (2-3%); the variations being among species. The phospholipid is accessible to phospholipase C. The isolated protein is heterogeneous and resembles the apoprotein from the yolk low-density lipoprotein.


Mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ribosomes from mammalian tissues. Further characterization of ribosomal subunits and validity of buoyant-density methods for determination of the chemical composition and partial specific volume of ribonucleoprotein particles.

1. At 0-4 degrees C mitochondrial ribosomes (55S) dissociate into 39S and 29S subunits after exposure to 300mm-K(+) in the presence of 3.0mm-Mg(2+). When these subunits are placed in a medium containing a lower concentration of K(+) ions (25mm), approx. 75% of the subparticles recombine giving 55S monomers. 2. After negative staining the large subunits (20.3nm width) usually show a roundish profile, whereas the small subunits (12nm width) show an elongated, often bipartite, profile. The dimensions of the 55S ribosomes are 25.5nmx20.0nmx21.0nm, indicating a volume ratio of mitochondrial to cytosol ribosomes of 1:1.5. 3. The 39S and 29S subunits obtained in high-salt media at 0-4 degrees C have a buoyant density of 1.45g/cm(3); from the rRNA content calculated from buoyant density and from the rRNA molecular weights it is confirmed that the two subparticles have weights of 2.0x10(6) daltons and 1.20x10(6) daltons; the weights of the two subunits of cytosol ribosomes are 2.67x10(6) and 1.30x10(6) daltons. 4. The validity of the isodensity-equilibrium-centrifugation methods used to calculate the chemical composition of ribosomes was reinvestigated; it is confirmed that (a) reaction of ribosomal subunits with 6.0% (v/v) formaldehyde at 0 degrees C is sufficient to fix the particles, so that they remain essentially stable after exposure to dodecyl sulphate or centrifugation in CsCl, and (b) the partial specific volume of ribosomal subunits is a simple additive function of the partial specific volumes of RNA and protein. The RNA content is linearly related to buoyant density by the equation RNA (% by wt.)=349.5-(471.2x1/rho(CsCl)), where 1/rho(CsCl)=[unk](RNP) (partial specific volume of ribonucleoprotein). 5. The nucleotide compositions of the two subunit rRNA species of mitochondrial ribosomes from rodents (42% and 43% G+C) are distinctly different from those of cytoplasmic ribosomes.


Relevance of density, size and DNA content of tumour cells to the lung colony assay.

Mouse fibrosarcoma tumours were dissociated and divided into subpopulations of viable cells by centrifugation in linear density gradients of Renografin. Two of these subpopulations, designated Band 2 and Band 4, differed in their clonogenic ability in lung colony assay. The less dense Band 2 cells were significantly more clonogenic than the Band 4 cells (2.9 percent vs 1.4 percent respectively). Each band was further separated on the basis of cell size by centrifugal elutriation. Each size class of cells comprising Band 2 showed higher clonogenic ability than the corresponding size class in Band 4. Thus cell size differences were not responsible for the clonogenic differences between these bands. To determine whether cell-cycle distribution of the tumour cells was responsible for differences in cloning efficiency, flow microfluorometric and premature chromosome condensation methods were utilized. The unseparated and Band 4 populations showed a higher percentage of cells in S and G2 than did the Band 2 populations, but many of the S and G2 tumour cells showed extensive chromosome damage. From this study we conclude that the increased clonogenic ability of the lighter tumour cells is not due to differences in cell size or cell-cycle parameters.


Transient-state kinetics of L-glutamate dehydrogenase: mechanism of alpha-ketoglutarate inhibition in the burst phase.

Stopped-flow studies of the initial burst of NADPH production accompanying the oxidative deamination of L-glutamate by L-glutamate dehydrogenase and NADP+ were performed in the presence of alpha-ketoglutarate, a product of the reaction. Both binary enzyme-alpha-ketoglutarate and ternary enzyme--NADP+-alpha-ketoglutarate complexes are inhibitory in the burst presence of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Order-of-addition experiments show the binary complex to form rapidly, in the 3 ms dead time of the stopped-flow instrument. There is a distinct lag, however, in the achievement of the full ternary complex inhibitory effect unless the enzyme is preincubated with both NADP+ and alpha-ketoglutarate prior to initiation of the catalytic reaction with L-glutamate. The formation of an inhibitory enzyme--NADP+-alpha-ketoglutarate complex appears to be sufficiently slow to give a delayed kinetic response when alpha-ketoglutarate is added to the reaction system.


Differences in the sulfated macromolecules synthesized by normal and transformed hamster fibroblasts.

Analysis of the 35SO4-labelled macromolecules synthesized by cultures of normal )NIL8) and transformed (NIL8-HSV) hamster fibroblasts has revealed the following differences between the two cell lines: (1) The proportion of sulfate incorporated into cell-associated macromolecules is three times higher in normal than in transformed cells. In addition, normal fibroblasts incorporate more sulfate into extracellular, middle and low molecular weight species than do transformed cells. Transformed cells, however, incorporate more sulfate into  extracellular, very high molecular weight species than do normal cells. (2) Normal fibroblasts, which synthesize much more extracellular dermatan sulfate than do transformed cells, produce a class of extracellular heterogeneous sulfated proteoglycans absent from transformed cultures. This macromolecular species consists largely of dermatan sulfate. The transformed cells instead release a lower molecular weight class of proteoglycans which consist of chondroitin sulfates A and C. (3) The large, external, transformation-sensitive glycoprotein is sulfated in NIL8 cultures. This macromolecular species is present on the surface membrane of normal cells, but absent from transformed cells. Sulfated large, external transformation-sensitive protein is also present in the conditioned medium from normal cultures. A similar species is present in the conditioned medium from transformed cultures, but has a slightly higher apparent molecular weight and differs in other properties from the large, external, transformation-sensitive protein of normal cells.


1-(3'-O-acyl)-beta-glucosyl-N-dihydroxypentatriacontadienoylsphingosine, a major component of the glucosylceramides of pig and human epidermis.

The least polar of four chromatographically distinct glucosylceramides in both pig and human epidermis, was identified from its infrared spectrum and degradation products as O-acylglucosylceramide. Permethylation studies indicated that the acyl group was attached predominantly (80%) to the C-3 of glucose in the pig and only to the C-3 glucose in the human O-acylglucosylceramide. Octadecadienoic acid was the major acid esterified to glucose in both pig and human O-acylglucosylceramides and sphingenine, sphinganine and heptadecasphinganine accounted for most of the long chain bases (87% in pig, 80% in human). Chromatographic and chemical-evidence suggested that a single, unknown unsaturated dihydroxy fatty acid with more than 30 carbon atoms was attached through the amide link to the sphingosines. This was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Precise mass measurements indicated that the acid had a relative molecular mass of 550.496115 (C35H66O4) and was a dihydroxy acid with two double bonds. Other mass spectrometric data suggested that the hydroxyl groups and double bonds were confined to the region between C-16 and C-20. The evidence indicated that the O-acylglucosylceramide in pig epidermis and, by the close similarity of its properties, probably that in human epidermis also was 1-(3'-O-acyl)-beta-glucosyl-N-dihydroxypentatriacontadienoylsphingosine.


The role of holotrichs in the metabolism of dietary linoleic acid in the rumen.

The uptake and metabolism of linoleic acid by rumen holotrichs (mainly Isotricha prostoma and I. intestinalis) has been examined in in vitro infusion experiments. Maximum absorption and metabolism of [1-14C]linoleate by 2 . 10(6) Isotricha suspended in 100 ml buffer was obtained using an infusion rate of 1.6 mg linoleate/h. After 90 min, 84% of the added substrate was recovered within the cells, mainly as free fatty acid or phospholipid. There was a rapid incorporation of radioactivity into phospholipid, mainly phosphatidylcholine, at the commencement of linoleate infusion but no further incorporation after about 40 min. The presence of bacteria during incubations, in approximately the same Isotricha/bacteria ratio as found in the rumen, reduced the uptake of linoleate and the accumulation of free fatty acid by holotrichs but the incorporation into phospholipid remained similar to that obtained in the absence of bacteria. Very little biohydrogenation of linoleic acid occurred in incubations with holotrichs alone. Bacterial suspensions converted linoleic acid to mainly trans monoene and a small amount of stearic acid, but in incubations containing both bacteria and holotrichs, both stearic acid and trans monoene were major products. Using the latter mixed culture, about 20% of the added [1-14C]linoleic acid was present in holotrich phospholipid of which 62% remained as octadecadienoic acid. The Isotricha population was 3 . 10(3)--2 . 10(4)/ml rumen fluid and it contributed about 23% of the linoleic acid in the rumen of a cow on a hay diet.


Isoelectric focusing of heparin. Evidence for complexing with carrier ampholytes.

The basis for heparin fractionation into 21 components by isoelectric focusing has been shown to be a strong interaction between the polysaccharide and different amphoteric species in the Ampholine mixture. This was demonstrated by altering the heparin/Ampholine ratio, by loading the sample either before focusing or to a prefocused gel slab and by re-running single heparin bands. The complexes exhibiting apparent pI values in the pH range 3.2--4.5 appear to be particularly stable, probably because an optimal amount of amino groups (4 to 5) in the Ampholine molecules are protonated. When stained with Toluidine blue, the heparin/Ampholine complexes precipitated in the gel exhibited different degrees of metachromasia, reflecting competition of the dye and individual components of Ampholine with respect to binding sites of heparin: at least three colours, violet, blue and indigo, are distinguishable. Ampholine, when added to a heparin . Toluidine blue complex in solution displaces the dye from the polysaccharide.


Polymerization and colchicine binding. Two independent properties of tubulin.

When stored frozen in 1 M sucrose and 1 mM GTP, tubulin loses polymerizing ability exponentially. Since addition of diethiothreitol does not change the decay half-life, this decrease in activity can not be attributed to disulfide bond formation. When tubulin is stored frozen in dithiothreitol and GTP only, the decay half-life increases by a factor of four, indicating that sucrose destabilizes polymerizing ability. Frozen storage in sucrose has the opposite effect on colchicine binding, which remains at 100% for 40 days. This temporal divergence indicates that colchine binding and polymerization are two independent properties of tubulin.


Modification of a specific tyrosine residue of ribonuclease A with a diazonium inhibitor analog.

The diazonium salt of 5'-(4-aminophenyl phosphoryl)-uridine 2'(3')-phosphate reacts stoichiometrically with pancreatic ribonuclease and modifies only one tyrosyl residue, which was identified as Tyr 73 in the amino acid sequence. The modification does not inhibit the biological activity of RNAase on ribonucleic acid, although a large change in the binding constant towards cytidine cyclic phosphate was observed. The modification can be inhibited by addition of the competitive inhibitor cytidine 2'(3')5'-diphosphate and may indicate that Tyr 73 is the most exposed residue or has a unique reactivity towards this reactive substrate analog.


The incorporation of homologous and heterologous hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoriboxyltransferase into mutant cells.

Experiments are described leading to partial compensation of a deficiency in the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase in mutant cells by supplying the cells with exogenous purified enzymes. DEAE-dextran is an effective helper agent, whereas poly (L-lysine), lysolecithin and amphotericin B seem to inhibit the entry of the enzymes of their activity. Enzyme preparation from Chinese hamster was found to have different effects in different mutant cell lines. In mutant Chinese hamster cells, the electrophoretic activity pattern remains unchanged for the Chinese hamster enzyme, but changes progressively to faster-moving activity peaks for the human enzyme after several hours. The metabolic effect of the incorporated enzyme is in the range between 3 and 4% of the normal cellular enzyme activity which corresponds to a 10--20 fold increase of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in the mutant cells.


A band model for melanin deducted from optical absorption and photoconductivity experiments.

Natural and synthetic melanins have been studied by optical absorption and photoconductivity measurements in the range 200--700 nm. Both optical absorption and photoconductivity increase in the ultraviolet region, and a negative photoconductivity was observed with a maximum near 500 nm. This behaviour has been interpreted by the band model of amorphous materials and an "optical gap" of 3.4 eV has been determined.


Studies on lectins. XXXVI. Properties of some lectins prepared by affinity chromatography on O-glycosyl polyacrylamide gels.

A number of lectins has been purified by affinity chromatography on O-glycosyl polyacrylamide gels. The lectins isolated (and the particular sugar ligands used in the affinity carriers) are as follows: Anguilla anguilla, serum (alpha-L-fucosyl-), Vicia cracca, seeds; Phaseolus lunatus, seeds; Glycine soja, seeds; Dolichos biflorus, seeds; Maclura pomifera, seeds; Sarothamnus scoparius, seeds; Helix pomatia, ablumin glands; Clitocybe nebularis, fruiting bodies (all N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminyl-); Ricinus communis, seeds (beta-lactosyl-); Ononis spinosa, root; Fomes fomentarius, fruiting bodies; Marasmius oreades, fruiting bodies (all alpha-D-galactosyl-), Canavalia ensiformis, seeds, (i.e., concanavalin A) (alpha-D-glucosyl-). Physicochemical properties of Glycine soja, Dolichos biflorus, Phaseolus lunatus, Helix Pomatia and Ricinus communis lectins corresponded well to properties of the preparations studied earlier by other workers. For the other purified lectins the essential physiochemical data (sedimentation coefficient, molecular weight, subunit composition, electrophoretic patterns, amino acid composition, carbohydrate content, isoelectric point) were established and their precipitating, hemagglutinating and mitogenic activities determined.


[Isolation and structure of an external glycoprotein of the cell wall of Torulopsis candida].

The treatment with ethylenediamine of Torulopsis candida yeast cell walls has permitted to isolate a mannoprotein. It has been possible to collect this glycoprotein in a pure state after separation of the different hydrosoluble products by gel filtrations and paper electrophoresis. This compound contains 62 per cent of mannose, 3 per cent of N-acetylglucosamine and 31 per cent of amino acids. The mannose units are attached by 1 leads to 2 linkage, short oligosaccharides are bound to serine of the peptide chain by O-glycosidic linkages while polysaccharides are attached to asparagine of this peptide chain by a N glycosidic linkages probably through the intermediate of chitobiose.


[Quantitative dansyl micromethod of amino acid analysis. Study of peptide maps of ribonuclease tryptic hydrolysate].

Some variants of the quantitative dansyl method in combination with thin-layer chromatography on polyamide plates have been compared, and principles of its optimization have been demonstrated. Sensitivity of the method is about 10(-11) mole, the error does not exceed 10%. Data are given on the analysis by the dansyl method of peptides of the tryptic hydrolysate of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease after their separation by peptide mapping procedure.


Small doses of apomorphine and chronic administration of d-amphetamine reduce locomotor hyperactivity produced by radiofrequency lesions of dopaminergic A10 neurons area.

The lesion of the ventral mesencephalic tegmentum region (VMT) induces a behavioral syndrome characterized mainly by locomotor hyperactivity and reduction of attention processes. Previous data indicated that this syndrome was due at least in part to the destruction of dopaminergic (DA) A10 neurons. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of two dopaminomimetics drugs: apomorphine (APO) and d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) on the VMT behavioral syndrome. The acute administration of very low doses of APO (30 microgram/KG; Sc) reduces the behavioral deficits; similarly a chronic administration of d-aMPH (two injections daily for 43 days) reduces locomotor hyperactivity. In these two cases, the lesioned rats activity reaches the control level. These results confirm the primary role of DA-A10 neurons in the VMT behavioral syndrome. Acute APO and chronic d-AMPH effects are discussed in terms of (i) reactivation of DA postsynaptic receptors disafferented after DA-A10 group destruction and (ii) strengthening of the hyperfunctioning of the remaining DA-A10 neurons. VMT-A10 syndrome could be a good animal model for pathophysiological studies.


Action of ultrasonic irradiation on the DNA of cultivated bovine epithelial lens cell.

Cultivated epithelial lens cells have been submitted to a 20 kHz continuous ultrasonic irradiation. At relativity high intensity, destruction of the cells was observed. At lower intensities, where no cell destruction appeared, the molecular weight of the single strand DNA of these cells was monitored to determine whether breakage of DNA molecules was induced by the ultrasound. No breakage of the single strand DNA was observed for intensities below 0.1 and 0.4 W cm-2 with irradiation times of less than 20 minutes and 15 seconds, respectively. These intensities and their corresponding irradiation time are higher than those used in current diagnostic practice.


Implantable telemetry system for long-term EMG.

Our aim was to record the uterine muscular activity of the badger or the fox. For long-term physiological experiments, commercial transmitters cannot be used. The operating time of commercial transmitters with a single set of batteries does not exceed 15 days at the most. In addition, the dimensions render implantation of such equipment impossible. It is not always necessary to record permanently but sometimes a few minutes a day are sufficient to assess the evolution of a phenomenon. We have conceived and constructed a miniature implantable receiver module which allows the transmitter to be switched on and off in order to be operated only during selected periods of time.


[Physiological assessment of the method of autohemoperfusion through activated carbon].

The results of study of the sorption properties of phenolformaldehide-activated coal in respect of several physiologically active substances from the physiological saline under static conditoins and under conditions of autohemoperfusion of the limb vessels in experimental animals are presented. Phenolformaldehide-activated coal proved to sorb actively serotonin, adrenaline and noradrenaline, and--to a lesser extent--histamine from physiological saline. Serotonin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and acetylcholine are sorbed well, histamine--less, papaverine--very weakly from the flowing blood. No alteration of the systemic arterial blood pressure was noted with the inclusion of phenolformaldehide-activated coal into the animal's arterial circulation; a fall of perfusion pressure associated with the decreased vascular resistance occured in a number of cases.


Hb Potomac (101 Glu replaced by Asp): speculations on placental oxygen transport in carriers of high-affinity hemoglobins.

Blood from a woman with unexplained erythrocytosis had increased oxygen affinity, but no abnormality could be detected by electrophoresis or chromatography of her hemolysate. Separation of the tryptic peptides of her beta chains disclosed two half-sized peaks in the regions of beta T-11. The faster of these was abnormal, with the structure beta 101 Glu replaced by Asp. The new hemoglobin was called "Potomac." Three of the proband's four surviving siblings and both of her children were carriers. Differences in the ratio of carrier: normal children born to male of female carriers of 23 other high-affinity hemoglobins were not significant. The high proportion of carriers in this kindred was probably due to chance alone, and not because high maternal oxygen affinity interfered with oxygen transport to fetuses with normal hemoglobin.


Effect of apomorphine and its N-propyl homologue on ethanol withdrawal head twitches in mice.

Collier, Hammond & Schneider (1976) reported that apomorphine, given orally, decreased the incidence of head twitches induced by ethanol withdrawal. These results were confirmed in the present study. Moreover, the N-propyl homologue of apomorphine was about 45 times more potent than apomorphine in affecting head twitching.


Can social interaction be used to measure anxiety?

1 Pairs of male rats were placed in a test box for 10 min and the time they spent in active social interaction was scored. Maximum active interaction was found when the rats were tested under low light in a box with which they were familiar. When the light level was increased or when the box was unfamiliar active social interaction decreased. 2 Exploration (time spent sniffing objects) decreased in the same way in relation to test conditions as did social interaction. As these decreased, defecation, and freezing increased. 3 Anosmic controls showed that the decrease in social interaction across test conditions could not be attributed to olfactory changes in the partner. 4 Chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg) given chronically prevented or significantly reduced the decrease in social interaction that occurred in undrugged rats as the light level or the unfamiliarity of the test box was increased. Controls showed that this effect could not be entirely attributed to chlordiazepoxide acting selectively to increase low levels of responding. 5 The effect of chronic chlordiazepoxide contrasts with its action when given acutely; in the latter case it has only sedative effects. 6 Whether this test can be used as an animal model of anxiety is discussed and this test is compared with existing tests of anxiety.


Monozygotic twins concordant for infantile autism: follow-up.

This paper presents a well-documented case of monozygotic male twins concordant for infantile autism, with a twelve-year follow-up. Assessments include birth records, laboratory studies, physical measurements, psychometrics and quantifiable behavioural ratings by independent raters using multiple scales. Possible aetiological factors of infantile autism, as well as outcome are discussed.


Diurnal variation in urinary oxalate.

The diurnal variation in urinary oxalate concentration and output was measured in 10 catheterised males. There was an increase in urinary oxalate concentration and output during the day and evening and an early morning decrease. It is thought that the daytime increase is related to dietary oxalate. These data suggest an elevated urinary oxalate excretion is more likely to occur during the day and a 24-hour urine collection may mask this effect.


Direct vision urethrotomy in the management of urethral strictures.

A series of 32 patients underwent direct vision urethrotomy. The technique is simple and the stay in hospital short. Intra- and postoperative complications are rare. Postoperatively, a silicon catheter is left for approximately 7 days, then hydraulic self-dilatation is performed by the patient for 6 months. 25 patients in this series (83%) voided satisfactorily after the procedure and needed no further treatment. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in patients with long strictures, in traumatic strictures with large scarred areas and in patients who failed to carry out regular hydraulic self-dilatation. We advise direct-vision urethrotomy as a treatment of choice for urethral strictures which do not exceed a length of 3 cm.


Effect of photoperiod on gonadotrophin concentrations in domestic turkeys.

1. Circulating immunoreactive luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations have been measured during photoperiodically-induced changes in the reproductive state of turkeys. 2. In a period of sexual quiescence on short photoperiods (6L: 18D) LH concentrations were higher during the hours of darkness in both sexes. 3. Transfer to long photoperiods (16L: 8D) stimulated a rapid increase in LH and FSH concentrations. This was maintained for between 2 to 3 months when the concentrations of both gonadotrophins decreased as the birds became photorefractory. 4. Return to short photoperiods had no immediate effect on the concentrations of LH and FSH in females. The concentration of LH was increased during the 3rd week of short photoperiods when the hens were moulting. 5. LH concentrations fluctuated during the ovulatory cycle and were highest about 6 h before ovulation.


Magnesium and the mineral metabolism of chick embryo tibiae in organ culture.

Using bone organ culture techniques, three concentrations of magnesium were evaluated for their effects on the mineral mass of embryonic chick tibiae incubated for 3 days with or without a metabolic inhibitor (1 mM iodoacetic acid) added to the media. Varying the medium Mg level from 0.3 to 3.0 mM had little effect on the net increase in mineral in live bones (without the inhibitor), but in dead tibiae (with the inhibitor) there was a marked net decrease in mineral deposition with increasing Mg concentration. Bone Mg mass varied directly with the level of Mg in the medium regardless of whether or not the tibiae were inhibited. Responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH) with regard to mineral loss and increased lactate production was not affected by Mg even in tibiae incubated in Mg-free media. However, PTH-treated bones cultured in Mg-free media had a significantly elevated Mg mass, suggesting that the hormone may have a Mg-conserving effect on bone during severe Mg deficiency. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that bone cells regulate the level of Mg to which newly forming mineral is exposed and that PTH-responsiveness in embryonic chick tibiae is not dependent on the ambient Mg concentration.


Radiorespirometry of Candida utilis in phased culture under nitrogen-, carbon-, and phosphorus-limited growth.

The release of 14CO2 from specifically labelled glucose ([G-1-14C],[G-2-14C],[G-3,4-14C], and [G-6-14C]) by phased cells of C. utilis was examined at intervals during 6-h cycles under conditions of N-,P-, and C-limited growth. On the basis that the release of 14CO2 from [G-1-C14] could serve as a measure of hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP) activity, of 14CO2 from [G-3,4-14C] as a measure of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) activity, and 14CO2 from [G-6-14C] as indicative of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, it was concluded that a relatively uniform operation of EMP occurred throughout the cycle in N-, P-, and C-limited cells, and of HMP and TCA in C-limited cells, but considerable variations took place in HMP and TCA cycle activities in N- and P-limited cells. The patterns of 14CO2 released from [G-2-14C] were more closely related to those observed from [G-1-14C] and [G-3,4-14C] than from [G-6-14C]. Changes in the rate of 14CO2 evolution during the cycle were sometimes abrupt and likely coincided with 'critical points' of metabolic activity in the cycle.


Differentiation of chick embryo neuroretina cells in monolayer cultures. An ultrastructural study. I. Seven-day retina.

Neuroretinas from 6--7 day-old chick embryos were cultivated after trypsin dissociation as monolayer cultures in Petri dishes, and examined after various intervals of time with the electron microscope. Soon after plating, cells begin to reaggregate in small clumps, and typical rosettes are formed. During the first week in vitro, cells appear to differentiate as neuroblasts and presumed Müller cells; the latter form a continous sheet on the substrate, upon which neuroblasts migrate and grow their neurites. Differentiated ribbon synapses are found after 8 days in vitro, the time at which they normally appear in situ. After 15 and 21 days in vitro, synapses are still found in large numbers, mimicking their "in vivo" counterparts. Photoreceptor cells were identified on the basis of the presence of typical ribbons in their cytoplasm, but no outer segment was found. It appears then that synaptogenesis in the retina is programmed independently of the tissue environment, which is markedly disturbed in the monolayer culture.


Ultrastructural differentiations in the developing follicle cortex of Locusta migratoria, with special reference to vitelline membrane formation.

Electron microscopic studies on developing follicles of Locusta migratoria show the vitelline membrane to be composed of two ultrastructurally distinguishable components: The vitelline membrane bodies (VMBs) and, in addition, fine granular material, cementing the VMBs together. VMBs form first in the oocyte-near zone within the oocyte-follicle cell space. Subsequently, the second vitelline membrane substance is secreted between the VMBs through apical protrusions of the follicle cells. The possible origin of the VMBs is discussed. Yolk uptake in Locusta seems to occur predominantly by pinocytosis. During oocyte development the oocyte membrane is enlarged by numerous microvilli and folds. In addition pinocytotic vesicles are pinched off. It is supposed that the latter loose their coat and eventually transform into large proteid yolk spheres.


The isolation and characterization of a second oocyte 5s DNA from Xenopus laevis.

A second and minor DNA component containing 5s RNA genes has been purified from the genomic DNA of Xenopus laevis (XIt 5S DNA). Some of its physical and chemical characteristics are described. It contains a 5S RNA gene sequence which has some oocyte and some somatic-specific residues, as well as nucleotides which differ from both types of 5S RNA. There are about 2000 of these 5S RNA genes per haploid complement of DNA compared to about 24,000 of the principal oocyte 5S RNA genes. The multiple repeating units of XIt 5S DNA are homogeneous in length (about 350 base pairs). We present evidence that XIt 5S RNA is transcribed in ovaries but not in somatic cells; XIt 5S DNA may therefore be under the same control as the major oocyte 5S DNA.


Diffusible and bound actin nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Several criteria have been used to identify actin in hand-isolated nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes; these include co-migration with actin on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, immunological cross-reactivity with antiserum against actin, binding to DNAase I and peptide mapping on SDS gels. The use of hand-isolated nuclei precludes the possibility of contamination from cytoplasmic actin or the leakage of significant amounts of actin from nuclei during isolation. Actin constitutes roughly 6% of the total nuclear protein. Approximately 75% of the actin is diffusible under the conditions of nuclear isolation used. About 25%, however, is stably associated with an insoluble nuclear gel, in which chromosomes, nucleoli and other nuclear granules are embedded. Actin is the single most promient component of the nuclear gel, comprising roughly 16% of the total protein of the complex. The possible significance of diffusible and bound actin in these nuclei is discussed.


Measurement of the 24 hour integrated plasma concentration of growth hormone, in assessing the response of acromegalic patients to treatment.

The integrated concentration of growth hormone (ICGH) has been measured in fourteen acromegalic patients, and compared with the basal plasma growth hormone concentration (BGH). Seven patients were treated by trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery, and in these, similar percentage reductions of BGH and ICGH occurred after treatment. The other seven patients were treated with bromocriptine alone, and in these the percentage reduction of ICGH was significantly less than that of BGH. Measurements of basal plasma growth hormone concentration may be unreliable in assessing the response of acromegalic patients to treatment with bromocriptine. The ICGH can be measured easily on a single blood specimen obtained by continuous sampling over 24 h, and may be more reliable for this purpose.


Renal artery stenosis and diurnal rhythm of water and sodium excretion under conditions of restricted fluid intake.

The diurnal rhythm of urinary excretion of water and sodium is inverted in patients with arterial hypertension and concomitant renal arterial stenosis. Fluid withdrawal for 36 hours normalizes the rhythm of water and sodium excretion. The authors' findings support the assumption that the changes in the diurnal rhythm of urinary excretion of water and sodium in such patients depend on their state of hydration.


Ultrastructural and immunochemical evidence of actin in the tendon cells.

Evidence obtained by means of ultrastructural and immunological methods, reveals actin filaments within the cytoplasm of tenocytes. Actin filaments suggest that the tendon cells have contractile activity, and may play an important part in the physiology of muscle tendon fiber interactions.


Chick-embryo DNA polymerase gamma. Identity of gamma-polymerases purified from nuclei and mitochondria.

The level of DNA polymerase gamma as compared to DNA polymerases alpha and beta has been determined in chick embryo by means of specific tests: the amount of gamma-polymerase in the 12-day-old chick embryo reaches about 15% of the total polymerase activity. This enzyme is mainly localized in nuclei and mitochondria, where it represents the prevailing if not the unique DNA polymerase activity. The mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma is likely to be associated with the internal membrane or the matrix of this organelle since it is not removed by digitonin treatment. The gamma-polymerases have been purified from chick embryo nuclei and mitochondria 500-700 times by means of DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and hydroxyapatite chromatographies. The purified mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma is closely related to the homologous enzyme purified from the nuclei of the same cells. So far, they cannot be distinguished on the basis of their sedimentation, catalytical properties and response to inhibitors or denaturating agents. The purified gamma enzymes are distinct from the chick embryo DNA polymerases alpha and beta and are not inhibited by antibodies prepared against the latter enzymes. The nuclear and mitochondrial gamma-polymerases do not respond to the oncogenic RNA virus DNA polymerase assay with natural mRNAs.


A new method for the purification of RNA polymerase II (or B) from the lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum. The presence of subforms.

The DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II or B from the lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum has been purified to apparent homogeneity by a new method employing poly(ethylene imine) precipitation and elution, and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The method is readily scaled up or down and affords a purification of over 5000-fold with a yield of 35-45%. The procedure is easy to perform and can be carried out in less than three days even on a large scale. Furthermore, it gives enzyme of higher purity and in at least 10-fold greater yield than previously published procedures for its purification from this organism. These improvements have allowed the detection of a series of subforms of the enzyme. The combination of precipitation using poly(ethylene imine) with chromatography on heparin-Sepharose may prove useful in the preparation of other proteins which interact with nucleic acids.


Investigations on supercoiled DNA in various rat cells.

The effect of radiation induced single-strand breaks in nuclear DNA and the repair of this damages on the sedimentation properties of nucleoids obtained from rat spleen, rat thymus and rat Yoshida tumour cells was studied. A dose dependent effect of ethidium bromide intercalation on the behaviour of supercoiled DNA could be demonstrated. The repair process of radiation induced single-strand breaks in the DNA of Yoshida tumour cells was delayed in the presence of prostaglandin E2 in the incubation medium. Additionally some in vivo repair experiments were carried out on cells of whole body irradiated rats.


Mouse brain extract with "fibroblast growth factor"-activity.

Crude tissue extracts prepared by homogenization and ammonium sulfate precipitation of mouse brains as described by Gospodarowicz et al. (1975) for brains and hypophyses of cattle have also been found to contain fibroblast growth factor-activity. In the presence as well as in the absence of calf serum in the medium the survival and proliferation of primary mouse embryo fibroblasts in culture were promoted as documented by dose-dependent increase of cell number and protein content during an incubation period of 48 hours. In the case of serum-free incubation also a significant rise of thymidine incorporation induced within 24 hours by the extract was noted. In contrast, the proliferation of primary chicken embryo fibroblasts or transformed mouse cells of the line "L" was not stimulated. Some possibilities for a practical use of such extracts are discussed.


The lectin from viscum album L. purification by biospecific affinity chromatography.

A lectin from Viscum album which specifically binds to D-galactose was isolated by affinity chromatography on O-lactosyl-, O-galactosyl-polycarylamide or hydrolized sepharose 4 B. Some serological and physicochemical properties of the agglutination are reported.


Small lymphocyte production and lymphoid cell proliferation in mouse bone marrow.

In mice given 3H-thymidine systemically during temporary circulatory occlusion of one hind limb, comparison of the labeling of rapidly-renewing small lymphocytes in the tibial marrows demonstrated that these cells were locally produced. Labeling by 3H-thymidine infusion revealed that many marrow large lymphoid cells, presumptive small lymphocyte progenitors, had a marked proliferative activity and rapid turnover which varied according to cell size, was maximal in young mice and declined with increasing age.


Modification of hepatotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1 in rabbits by immunization.

Reduction of acute toxic effect of aflatoxin B1 was achieved by immunizing the rabbits with small amounts of bovine serum albumin-aflatoxin B1 conjugate. Rabbits after immunization showed lower mortality, near normal serum isocitric dehydrogenase activity, no abnormality in livers when challenged with a single dose of aflatoxin B1. The results suggest that immunization might be used prophylactically against aflatoxicosis.


An infertility data registry.

A computerized infertility data registry form has been developed in order to facilitate the storage of a large amount of reproductive data to allow subsequent analyses pertinent to the managment of the infertile couple. This abstract form of the patients' medical records had been readily applied to computer analysis using the SPSS reporting system. The abstract can be utilized both for the facilitation of patient management and as a means for obtaining a standardized, objective, retrospective review of clinical data. Through the evaluation and standardization of the therapeutic techniques frequently utilized by physicians, the treatment of infertile couples should be improved. Such an approach is essential for anyone involved in today's health care system.


[Participation of the amygdaloid complex in the regulation of insulin and corticoid secretion in emotional stress].

The emotional stress induced in dogs by means of electrodermal stimulation, lowered the blood insulin and increased the corticoids and sugar contents. Bilateral amygdalectomy eliminated the inhibitory effect of the electrodermal stimulation on the insular apparatus and caused a lesser albeit prolonged increase in the blood corticoid content. The blood sugar under these conditions was also somewhat increased. Different effects of separate amygdaloid nuclei on insulin secretion were revealed in acute experiments. The inhibitory effect of amygdaloid nuclei is realised through ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus


Vocal output in preterm infants.

Data on vocal output of 51 preterm infants and 16 term infants were obtained during naturalistic home observations at 1, 3, and 8 months; during the administration of a preference-for-novelty paradigm in the laboratory at 8 months; and by the administration of the Gesell Developmental Schedules at 9 months. Preterm and term infant groups were found to show both similarities and differences: both groups vocalized a similar amount in the preference-for-novelty situation; both groups earned similar scores on the language subtest of the Gesell; both groups increased the percentage of awake time they spent in nondistress vocalization from 1 to 8 months. Term infants showed an earlier increase than did preterm infants: term infants significantly increased during the 1-3 month period, whereas preterm infants only increased significantly during the 3-8 month period. The developmental differences suggest a link between vocal output and perinatal conditions in that caregiver behavior was not found to be different among groups. Within the preterm groups, some relationships were found between  vocal output and later test performance: infants who vocalized more during mutual gazing with the mother earned significantly higher scores on the language subtest of the Gesell.


Benzo[a]pyrene metabolizing activity of cultured cells as determined by a simplified radiometric method.

Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in various kinds of mammalian cultured cells was measured by a simplified method. Cells growing in the bottom of glass test tubes were treated with 2micron of 14C-benzo[a]pyrene for 24 hr; unmetabolized benzo[a]pyrene was then extracted with organic solvents in the same test tube, and the amount of water-soluble products recovered in the aqueous phase was measured by a liquid scintillation counter. Among rodent embryo cells, embryo cells of C3H/He mice and Syrian hamsters showed a higher activity in benzo[a]pyrene metabolism than those of DDD, AKR, and C57BL/6 mice. Several cell line sensitive to density-dependent inhibition, such as Y-AK, DL1, and C3H/10T1/2, actively metabolized benzo[a]pyrene to water-soluble products. The metabolizing activity of C3H/He mouse embryo cells was markedly enhanced by pretreatment with benz[a]anthracene. tthe amount of water-soluble products by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes was much less than that by most cultured cell lines and embryo cells, but clearly increased with extension of culture days.


Inhibition of gastrin secretion by sulpiride treatment in duodenal ulcer patients.

The serum gastrin response to whole beef extract was measured in 14 duodenal ulcer patients before and after sulpiride administration. A significant inhibition of response was found both after acute intramuscular injection of the drug and after oral administration for 1 week. Fasting serum gastrin was also significantly reduced after chronic treatment; gastric acid secretion did not change. Although the mechanism of the gastrin-lowering action of sulpiride is unknown, it could be mediated by some known effects(s) of the drug, such as modifications in brain monoamine metabolism or perhaps reduced growth hormone secretion.


[Practical aspects of toxoplasmosis].

Progress during the last 10 years in parasitologic, epidemiologic and clinical areas has led to new insight concerning toxoplasmosis. Many earlier beliefs concerning toxoplasmosis must be revised. One of these is that dogs or other domestic animals are a source of infection for man. Only domestic cats excrete in their feces toxoplasma oocysts which are potentially infectious for man; oocysts, however, have little importance under living conditions in Central Europe. Concern about connatal transmission of toxoplasma by mothers who have been infected prior to conception is now considered baseless. Only a primary infection during pregnancy constitutes a certain danger for the fetus and chemotherapy is suggested. The former clinical concept of toxoplasmic endometritis was never confirmed by histopathology. The same applies to specific placental changes supposedly due to toxoplasma infection which could lead to abortion. In spite of the usefulness of serologic evidence for clinical diagnosis, there is no danger for the fetus when a mother has a high antibody titer prior to pregnancy; the mother could be regarded as vaccinated. Appropriate information should be supplied in the "motherhood-passport" use in Germany to avoid worrying a mother with positive titer, and to congratulating a woman with negative findings for her hygienic standard. Only in case of primary infection during pregnancy a certain danger of infection and disease for the child exists. However if treated the chemotherapeutic treatment significantly reduces the risk.


Molecular mechanisms of fertilization.

The fertilization process serves the species as a mechanism for increasing its genetic diversity and ultimately its evolutionary persistence. For the biologist, it provides many fundamental problems for study. Several different types of membrane fusion reactions occur, each with a specific role in the sequence of fertilization. The sperm faces problems in transport and interaction with the egg; the egg modifies its surface and its internal metabolism in response to fusion with the sperm; and all these processes contain a wealth of interesting biochemical and biophysical problems. Many systems under study are easily manipulated, and, as a result, different portions of the fertilization sequence can be studied in isolation. Despite the enormous progress and insights made on this problem over the last century, our understanding of fertilization is still tentative, and the above discussion should be viewed as a progress report. We are just beginning to obtain some of the clues to unravel the mechanism of the complex machinery that Aristotle predicted was in the egg.


Human triploid embryo: cytogenetic and anatomopathologic study.

A cytogenetic and anatomopathologic study of an embryo of 24 mm crown-rump length showing pure triploidy (69,XXY) is reported. Anomalies such as unilateral genitourinary agenesia, aortic alterations, defects in cerebral development, and anomalies of the chorionic villi were detected.


Cultivation of mammalian pineal cells: retention of organization and function in tissue culture.

By means of a newly developed method of cultivating pineal tissue in vitro, the types of cells which comprise rat pineal glands have been identified. Previous in vitro studies have involved short-term culture more suitably called "organ culture" and provide no means of assessing the contribution of a putative "pineal" cell versus any other cell type found in the cultures. Short-term outgrowths of minced rat pineal glands provided a reproducible and easily dissociated source of pineal-derived cells. In monolayer culture these cells continued to have pineal enzyme activities which were sensitive to pineal-activating substances, and the cells aggregated to mimic the lobular organization of intact glands. Two types of aggregates were found, each composed of a single morphological cell type. In addition to the transient appearance of skeletal muscle straps, connective tissue and neural/glial tissue was consistently found. The cell types are discussed in relation to their in vivo counterparts.


Establishment of duck cell line derived from experimental tumor induced by 20-methylcholanthrene.

Experimental tumors developed in white Pekin ducks after intramuscular implantation of 20-methylcholanthrene. Cells derived from the primary tumor were adapted successfully to grow in vitro and have growth characteristics similar to that of established cell lines of mammalian origin. The cell density rises rapidly and the doubling time is approximately 17 hr. The duck cells have been cultured successfully for at least 80 passages in votro. The continuously cultured cells have the characteristic chromosome pattern of duck, and the DNA of the duck cell line hybridized with duck liver DNA. We believe we have established a continuous cell line of avian origin. Electron-microscopic examinations of the tumor cells and RNA-directed DNA polymerase of the cell-free supernate show no evidence of endogenous virus production.


Separation of IgE from IgG subclasses using staphylococcal protein A.

When human serum was passed through a column of insolubilised protein A, IgE was not removed, but IgG sublasses 1,2 and 4 were retained. Protein A did not show a similar selectivity in its interaction with rat immunoglobulins. The separation of human IgE from the bulk of the IgG was used to examine the effect of IgG on IgE-mediated sensitization of lung tissue for histamine reslease. Removal of IgG led to a significant increase in histamine release, suggesting that homocytotropic IgG competes with IgE, for binding sites on mast cells.


Effects of variation in the level of haptenation of heterologous protein immunogen on cellular and humoral responses of the guinea pig.

Groups of guinea pigs were sensitized with bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) substituted with 0, 4, 12, or 40 dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups per molecule. Skin tests, lymphocyte stimulation, two lymphokine assays and antibody determinations were carried out after 21 days using all four antigens. In the extreme situations when BGG-sensitized animals were challenged with DNP40-BGG, or when DNP40-BGG-sensitized animals were challenged with BGG, the delayed skin reactions were transient and weakly indurated. BGG-sensitized guinea pigs injected with anti-DNP40-GBB serum showed no change in delayed skin response to DNP40-BGG, whereas anti-BGG serum enhanced the response of DNP40-BGG-sensitized anamals to BGG. All immunized groups showed lymphocyte stimulation and lymphokine production by all antigens, but migration inhibition and lymphocyte stimulation followed less closely the pattern of delayed skin responses than did mitogenic factor output. The serum antibody response to DNP40-BGG as immunogen indicated that all carrier determinants were masked. At lower levels of substitution, anti-hapten titres were reduced and appreciable levels of anti-carrier antibody obtained.


Specific antibodies in infants with gastrointestinal intolerance to cow's milk protein.

Antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes against cow's milk proteins were studied in infants and children with cow's milk protein intolerance, gluten-sensitive enteropathy and acute gastroenteritis. Their IgE, IgG, IgM and IgA antibody levels determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the IgE antibodies also determined with RAST, were compared with reference groups of children and adults. IgE, IgT or IgA antibodies against unseparated cow's milk proteins, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-casein and beta-casein were present in many of the studied samples, but did not discriminate between the individuals with and without intolerance symptoms. As a group, the infants with late reactions to cow's milk showed increased levels of IgE and IgG antibodies detected with the ELISA, while patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy had significantly increased levels of IgG and IgA antibodies of cow's milk proteins compared to the reference group. By combining the findings of antibody increases in various immunoglobulin classes, an individual discrimination could be reached. Thus, 8 of 9 of the patients with late reactions to cow's milk had increased levels of IgE or IgG + IgA antibodies as compared to 3 of 22 in the reference group. Serodiagnosis with the ELISA may, therefore, be of some use in patients with a suspicion of cow's milk protein intolerance.


Studies on rosette formation of human lymphocytes with pig red blood cells.

In this paper, data are presented which indicate that receptors of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) for pig erythrocytes (PRBC) and sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) are identical or at least very similar to each other with a higher avidity of PBL for SRBC than for PRBC. As an average, 50 +/- 9% of human PBL formed PRBC rosettes (Ep), compared to 70 +/- 7% of SRBC rosettes (Es). Lymphocytes incubated with SRBC plus PRBC ('co-rosetting') formed 10 +/- 5% of mixed rosettes (Em) but no pure Ep. Resuspension of rosetted lymphocytes followed by co-rosetting with the other erythrocyte species revealed that the majority of Ep became Em, while the majority of Es remained pure Es even after co-rosetting with PRCB; no pure Ep was newly formed. Incubation at 37 degrees C abolished almost all Ep as compared to 9% Es. Anti-thymocyte serum inhibited both types of rosette formation. PBL from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia formed only 2.5 +/- 2.5% Ep. 1.7 +/- 1.1% of PBL expressed both membranes immunoglobulins and receptors for PRBC. Trypsin treatment abolished both kinds of rosette formation almost completely, while neuraminidase treatment of erythrocytes led to a raise in Ep formation from a mean of 53% to a mean percentage of 68%. Electron microscopic investigations did not reveal differences between binding sites of lymphocytes for PRCB and those for SRBC; however, with a technique different from the conventional one, intimate contact areas were observed between lymphocytes and both kinds of red blood cells.


Replication of equine herpesvirus type 1 and type 3: resistance to hydroxyurea and thymidine.

The replication of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 3 (EHV-3) was unimpeded in three different cell types-equine epithelial cells, equine fibroblasts, and mouse fibroblasts-which had been blocked in their capacity to synthesize host DNA by 2.5 mM hydroxyurea (HU) or 2 mM thymidine (TdR). The rate of DNA synthesis in uninfected or equine herpesvirus-infected cells in the presence of HU or TdR was measured by pulse-labeling cell samples with a labeled DNA precursor at different times after infection. DNA synthesis in uninfected cultures was completely inhibited by both compounds. However, in cells infected with EHV-1 or EHV-3 and incubated in the presence of HU or TdR, a burst of DNA synthesis occurred which coincided in time with that of virus-specific DNA replication in infected cells without inhibitors. Analysis by cesium chloride isopycnic centrifugation confirmed that the DNA made in drug-treated, infected cells was viral. A possible mechanism of the HU and TdR resistance of the equine herpesviruses is the induction of a ribonucleotide reductase which is insensitive to inhibition by these compounds.


[Cytoplasmic microfilaments in laryngeal carcinoma malignant keratinocytes (author's transl)].

The fine structure of malignant keratinocytes of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the human larynx was studied by electron microscopy. In these malignant cells a system organized 50--70 A microfilaments is prominent in the cortical cytoplasm of the lateral and basal cell surfaces. The microfilaments are arranged either in oriented bundles or form a complex filamentous network. The bundles may lie parallel to the plasma membrane and to the long axis of the cell. The microfilaments are situated at the base of the pseudopodia-like cell processes or are found extending into microvillous cytoplasmic extensions. In some places the bundles are some associated with the plasmalemma displaying electron-dense attachment sites. Desmosomes or other types of junctional complexes invariably remain free of microfilaments. At higher magnification the individual microfilaments are seen to be interconnected transversely by a polygonal interfilamentous meshwork. Within the bundles of microfilaments focal regions of increased electron density, similar to the Z-band of sarcomeres, are observed. Organized bundles of oriented 50--70 A microfilaments do not occur in normal squamous epithelial cells of laryngeal mucosa. By analogy with various motile microfilament containing cell systems which have been shown biochemically to contain the contractile protein actin, these cytoplasmic microfilaments may be the structural elements responsible for the migratory invasive properties of malignant keratinocytes in cancer of the larynx.


[Cerebellar dysarthria (author's transl)].

Dysarthria due to involvement of the cerebellum represents a facultative symptom of cerebellar disease. The mechanisms by which such dysarthrias are produced are unknown but may result from pathologic involvement of the entire cerebellum. The symptoms of cerebellar dysarthria in children and in adults are described in two case histories. Characteristic speech defects or dysarthrophony occur. In addition to speech pathology, computer tomography of the skull is useful in obtaining both differential diagnosis and an estimate of prognosis. The goal of treatment should be the improvement of muscle defects of tonus and coordination needed for speech, and can employ both physio- and ergotherapy.


Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in milk.

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method developed by other workers for determining pentachlorophenol (PCP) in water has been adapted for determining PCP in raw and homogenized milk. PCP is extracted from milk with benzene and from the benzene into a potassium carbonate solution. Acetic anhydride is added to the aqueous solution to form PCP acetate, which is extracted into hexane and then determined by electron capture GLC. Duplicate determinations of PCP in milk fortified at levels of 0.02, 0.2, and 2.0 ppm gave respective average recoveries of 80.0, 87.2, and 85.0%. PCP levels as low as 0.005 ppm can be detected in 20 g milk.