[Juvenile hemorrhagic ocular choroidopathy (author's transl)].

We observed in 13 young patients a serous or hemorrhagic paramacular detachment of one third to one half disc diameter size. In eight, we have seen also atrophic choroidal scars. In one patient the serous detachment occured at the site of a previously studied choroidal scar. Our cases resemble the presumed ocular histoplasmin choroiditis described in American literature. In our cases histoplasmosis can be excluded. Visual prognosis is dependent upon proximity of the choroidal lesion to the fovea. In most cases this prognosis is poor. The term juvenile hemorrhagic ocular choroidopathy is suggested for the disease.


Inhibition of thyrotropin and prolactin secretion by dopamine in man.

The effect of dopamine on thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) levels was studied in 5 normal subjects, 7 women with galactorrhea, 9 acromegalics and 4 patients with primary hypothyroidism. Dopamine infused at the rate of 280 micrograms/min produced significant decrease in plasma TSH and PRL levels in all four groups, though a lower fall in TSH was noted in acromegalics. A similar reduction in PRL was also noted after 28 micrograms/min dopamine. Phentolamine infusion (0.5 mg/min) had no effect on PRL response to dopamine. These results indicate that a dopaminergic stimulation led to an inhibition of TSH and PRL secretion. Since the high polarity of dopamine impedes its passage through the blood-brain barrier, its site of action should be outside this barrier, probably in the pituitary.


Klinefelter's syndrome: a study of its hormonal plasma pattern.

Plasma testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (delta), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), 5-androstene-3 beta-17 beta-diol (A-diol) and cortisol (F) have been measured in a group of normal males and in a group of patients with Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) before and after hCG stimulation. Significantly lower baseline levels of T and DHT and significantly higher baseline levels of E2 were found in patients with KS. No significant differences were found between baseline levels of 17-OHP, delta, DHEA, DHEAS, A-diol, and F. After hCG stimulation between T, DHT, E2 and 17-OHP levels showed a significant increase in the two groups of subjects. The percentage variation of T and DHT, however, was much less important in Klinefeiter patients, while E2 and 17-OHP did not show a significantly different pattern from that of normal controls, hCG administration did not produce any significant variation of delta, DHEA, DHEAS, and F in the two groups of subjects, while A-diol levels increased significantly in normal subjects, but not in Klinefelter patients. Our data may be consistent with the hypothesis that testicular steroidogenesis in Klinefelter patients is impaired below the 21-C-steriod level not only at delta 4 but also at the delta 5 pathway.


Specific stimulation and suppression of a primary in vitro plaque-forming cell response by monovalent lipid haptens in fluid liposomal membranes.

Multilamellar, "fluid" liposomes containing an appropriate concentration of a synthetic dinitrophenylated lipid hapten behave as T-independent (TI), adherent cell-dependent antigens for primary, in vitro, stimulation of hapten-specific IgM plaque-forming cells (PFC). The appropriate concentration of hapten is approximately 1 mol% with respect to the other liposomal lipids, cholesterol, and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). At a higher hapten concentration, 4 mol%, liposomes will suppress the anti-dinitrophenyl PFC response to co-cultured immunogenic liposomes, but not the anti-sheep cell response to co-cultured sheep cells. This suppression is also TI. The ability of "fluid," haptenated liposomes specifically to stimulate or to suppress the TI PFC response is determined by the ratio of hapten to other lipids in a manner that is independent of the total hapten concentration in culture.


At 24-26 degrees C, force-area isotherms show that unionized dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid forms a solid-condensed film while unionized egg and dioleoyl phosphatidic acids form liquid-expanded films. Surface area is a characteristic feature of a specific phosphatidic acid and the purity of a phosphatidic acid preparation can be established by the surface area of the unionized phosphatidic acid (acid subphase) at 17 dynes/cm (castor oil piston). Ionized dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid desorbs from a monolayer at a measurable rate while ionized egg and dioleoyl phosphatidic acids desorb too slowly for rate studies. The apparent surface pK(2) for dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid, calculated from desorption rates, is 9.4. Surface areas of the phosphatidic acids expand with ionization. Solid dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid films expand only in the pK(2) region, showing one inflection point which indicates that the K(1)/K(2) ratio is less than 100 and that, as a consequence of this ratio, the apparent surface pK(1) is greater than 7.4. Liquid egg and dioleoyl phosphatidic acid films have two inflection points, expanding in both the pK(1) and pK(2) regions. The apparent surface pK(1) and pK(2) values, calculated from inflection points in surface area data, are 3.5 and 8.0, respectively. Film expansion with phosphatidate anions is less than anticipated, showing the presence of weak transient hydrogen bonds. Expanded phosphatidate anion films are condensed by alkaline earth cations. The Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) salts of completely ionized phosphatidic acids collapse from monolayers, showing that the phosphatidate anion may function as an ionophore for the transport of alkaline earth ions.-Patil, G. S., N. J. Dorman, and D. G. Cornwell. Effects of ionization and counterion binding on the surface areas of phosphatidic acids in monolayers.


Glucose utilization was studied in isolated fat cells prepared from rat adipose tissue which had been cultured for 18 hr in TC 199 medium. When 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) was in the culture medium, basal rates of (14)CO(2) and [(14)C]triglyceride production from [1-(14)C]glucose were markedly depressed and there was no effect of insulin. With 4% BSA, basal (14)CO(2) production was the same as in cells prepared from fresh tissue and basal triglyceride production was greatly increased. Insulin effect on these cells was minimal. One-minute uptake of [(14)C]2-deoxyglucose was stimulated by 800-1000% in fresh cells and 300-500% in cells cultured with either 1% or 4% BSA. Oxidation of [U-(14)C]glucose showed a much smaller impairment in cultured cells than for [1-(14)C]glucose, suggesting that the pentose phosphate shunt was more severely impaired than glycolysis. Glyceride-glycerol production was increased in cultured cells relative to preculture (fresh) cells. There was no effect of insulin in the culture medium in any of these systems. Rates of free fatty acid and glycerol release were markedly increased in cultured cells, especially when insulin was present in the culture medium. The acute antilipolytic effect of insulin was retained, so that insulin in the test incubation decreased lipolysis by 40-80%. Nevertheless, cell-associated fatty acids were increased in cultured cells and FFA/albumin ratios in the medium often reached potentially toxic levels. The reduction in pentose phosphate shunt activity, lipogenesis, and insulin effect resembles other models of insulin insensitivity. The impaired metabolism is probably due to an intracellular defect. A possible toxic role of either intracellular or extracellular fatty acids cannot be excluded. This system should be a useful model in which to study the cellular mechanisms of insulin insensitivity in adipocytes.-Bernstein, R. S. Insulin insensitivity and altered glucose utilization in cultured rat adipose tissue.


Effects of salmon calcitonin on blood glucose and insulin levels under basal conditions and after intravenous glucose load.

A study of the effects of salmon calcitonin (sCT) infusion on blood sugar and serum insulin levels under basal conditions and after intravenous glucose load in normal subjects is reported. Under basal conditions, a 30 min infusion of sCT at approximately a rate of 1 U/min produced a highly significant increase in the blood sugar (p less than 0.01) and a highly significant decrease in the serum insulin levels (p less than 0.01). After intravenous glucose load, there was a decrease of the coefficient of glucose utilization and of the insulin response both of which were highly significant (p less than 0.01).


Partial amino acid sequence of human plasma retinol-binding protein. Isolation and alignment of the five cyanogen bromide fragments and the amino acid sequences of four of the fragments.

Studies are reported on the primary structure of human retinol-binding protein (RBP), the specific plasma transport protein for vitamin A. The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 186-187 amino acids. RBP was cleaved by cyanogen bromide into five fragments, CB-I (27 residues), CB-11 (25 residues), CB-III (20 residues), CB-IV (15 residues), and CB-V (99-100 residues). The cyanogen bromide fragments were isolated, their compositions were determined, and they were aligned after studies that included the tryptic digestion of maleylated, reduced, and carboxymethylated RBP and subsequent enzymatic digestion of some of the resulting tryptic peptides. The amino acid sequences of four of the five cyanogen bromide fragments were determined, and the sequence of almost two-thirds of the NH2-terminal portion of the RBP molecule was determined as: H2N-GLU-Arg-Asp-Cys-Arg-Val-Ser-ser-Phe-Arg-Val-Lys-Glu-Asn-Phe-Asp-Lys-Ala-Arg-Phe-Ser-Gly-Thr-Trp-Tyr-Ala-Met-Ala-Lys-Lys-Asp-Pro-Glu-Gly-Leu-Phe-Leu-Gln-Asp-Asx-Ile-Val-Ala-Glu-Phe-Ser-Val-Asx-Glx-Gly-Thr-Met-Ser-Ala-Thr-Ala-Gly-Lys-Arg-Val-Arg-Leu-Leu-Asn-Asn-Trp-Asp-Val-Cys-Ala-Asp-Met-Val-Gly-thr-Phe-Thr-Asp-Thr-Glu-Asp-Pro-Ala-Lys-Phe-Lys-Met-Lys-Tyr-Trp-Gly-Val-Ala-Ser-Phe-Leu-Gln-Lys-Gyl-Asn-Asp-Asx-His-Trp-Ile-Val-Asp-Thr-Asx-Thr-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-Val-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Ser-Arg---.


Dependence of spontaneous and angiotensin-induced drinking in the rat upon the oestrous cycle and ovarian hormones.

The influence of the oestrous cycle on spontaneous and dipsogen-induced drinking was studied in female rats. Spontaneous fluid intake was lowest on the day of oestrus. Drinking induced by subcutaneous isoprenaline, and by angiotensin II (injected into the preoptic area), also showed marked cyclical variation, being lower at pro-oestrus and oestrus than at other stages of the cycle. Drinking induced by subcutaneous hypertonic NaCl or by intracranial carbachol did not vary with the oestrous cycle. Cyclicity of spontaneous and of angiotensin-induced water intake was not apparent in rats before puberty or after ovariectomy. Ovariectomy reduced drinking in response to isoprenaline. Treatment with oestradiol benzoate (20 micrograms) caused a reduction in spontaneous water intake, but a marked increase in the drinking response to isoprenaline. Treatment with oestradiol benzoate and progesterone (2.5 mg) caused a larger decrease in spontaneous water intake and an insignificant increase in isoprenaline-induced drinking. Water intake induced by subcutaneous hypertonic saline was unaffected by gonadal steroids. The results provide further evidence for the view that the thirst of extracellular origin, in which the renin-angiotensin system is involved, is brought about by mechanisms different from those that respond to cellular dehydration. Only drinking caused by activation of extracellular mechanisms appeared to be sensitive to the ovarian cycle and to ovarian hormones.


Single case study. Amoxapine, a new antidepressant, appears in human milk.

A young woman developed galactorrhea during treatment with a new dibenzoxazepine antidepressant, amoxapine. Both amoxapine and its active and major metabolite, 8-OH-amoxapine, appeared in breast milk. More recent literature suggests that probably all antidepressants can appear in human milk.


Circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol in migraine.

Diurnal rhythm of plasma cortisol, of psychological state, and of pain was measured for two days in 25 migraine patients and eight control subjects. Fourteen of the migraine patients and none of the controls displayed either consistently high plasma cortisol or an occasional aberrant peak. Abnormal psychological findings, particularly depression, were found in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory only in migraine patients with abnormal plasma cortisol levels. Neither psychological abnormality nor pain seemed the single cause of elevation of plasma cortisol.


Identical twins with papilloedema and cranial nerve palsies.

Central nervous system involvement has not been reported previously as a manifestation of sarcoidosis in monozygotic twins. Twin sisters developed multiple cranial nerve palsies and papilloedema within a two month period. Clinical features and the course of their diseases were remarkably similar.


Aplysia ink release: central locus for selective sensitivity to long-duration stimuli.

1. A behavioral and electrophysiological analysis of defensive ink release in Aplysia californica was performed to examine the response of this behavior and its underlying neural circuit to various-duration noxious stimuli. 2. Three separate behavioral protocols were employed using electrical shocks to the head as noxious stimuli to elicit ink release. Ink release was found to be selectively responsive to longer duration stimuli, and to increase in a steeply graded fashion as duration is increased. 3. Intracellular stimulation of ink motor neurons revealed that ink release is a linear function of motor neuron spike train duration, indicating that the selective sensitivity of the behavior to long-duration stimuli is not due to a nonlinearity in the glandular secretory process. 4. In contrast, electrophysiological examination of ink motor neuron activity in response to sustained head shock revealed an accelerating spike train. During the later part of the spike train, compound excitatory synaptic potentials show a positive shift in reversal potential. 5. Our results suggest a central locus for the mechanisms that determine sensitivity of inking behavior to stimulus duration. 6. In contrast to ink release, defensive gill withdrawal was found to be extremely sensitive to short-duration stimuli.


Biophysical mechanisms contributing to inking behavior in Aplysia.

1. The release of ink from the ink gland of Aplysia californica in response to noxious stimuli is mediated by three electrically coupled motor neurons, L14A, L14B, L14C, whose cell bodies are located in the abdominal ganglion. The initial synaptic input to the ink motor neurons is relatively ineffective in firing the cells. As a result, a pause of 1--3 s often occurs before the cells attain their maximum firing frequency and cause the release of ink. Using current and voltage-clamp techniques we have analyzed the mechanisms underlying the firing pattern of these cells. 2. The presence of a fast transient K+ current appears to play an important role in mediating the firing pattern of the ink motor neurons. Their high resting potential (-75 mV) ensures that the steady-state level of inactivation of the conductance channels for the fast K+ current will normally be low. Thus a train of EPSPs or a depolarizing current pulse can activate this current maximally, thereby reducing the initial effectiveness of the excitatory input. 3. In addition to the fast transient K+ current, four other currents were identified: 1) a fast transient tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward current, presumed to be carried by Na+; 2) a slower tetrodotoxin-insensitive inward current, presumed to be carried by Ca2+; 3) a slow transient outward tetraethylammonium- (TEA) sensitive current; and 4) a very slow TEA-insensitive outward current. 4. A decreased conductance EPSP, which turns on over a several-second period, contributes to a late acceleration of spike discharge in the L14 cells. 5. The results suggest that a unique combination of biophysical properties of the L14 cells and the features of the synaptic input cause them to act as a low-pass filter in the reflex pathway for inking. Their high resting potential, which ensures minimal inactivation of the fast transient K+ current channel, makes these cells preferentially responsive to strong and long-lasting stimuli. The delayed recruitment of a decreased conductance EPSP augments the tendency of the L14 cells to fire in an accelerating burst pattern.


Intensification of essential fatty acid deficiency in the rat by dietary trans fatty acids.

Two studies were conducted using male rats to assess the effect of trans fatty acids upon essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. In the first study 5% corn oil (CO), hydrogenated coconut oil (HCNO) or margarine stock (MS, partially hydrogenated soybean oil) were fed, and the levels of trans fatty acids in tissue lipids were measured. The trans fatty acids present in MS were found to intensify EFA deficiency and to be retained in tissue lipids to a high degree, especially in heart phospholipids (PL). In the second study, as the level of trans fatty acids increased in the diet, increasingly higher levels of trans fatty acids were deposited in the heart PL. As dietary trans acid increased, a decrease in total omega 6 fatty acids, and a decrease in the sum of 18:2 omega 6 + 20:4 omega 6 - 20:3 omega 9 fatty acids in heart PL occurred, both criteria indicating a shift toward an increasing EFA deficiency state. Studies of delta 5 desaturase activity of liver microsomes in selected groups showed an increase in the conversion of 20:3 omega 6 to 20:4 omega 6 as the trans fatty acid level in the diet increased.


Therapy of osteogenesis imperfecta with synthetic salmon calcitonin.

We evaluated the long-term use of synthetic salmon calcitonin in the management of osteogenesis imperfecta tarda and congenita. Forty-eight children, ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years, and two young adults, received synthetic salmon calcitonin 2 MRC units/kg three days a week and a daily oral calcium supplement of 230 to 345 mg. The annual fracture rate was decreased during calcitonin therapy as compared to the period preceding therapy. There was an increase in the ability of the patient to stand and move and in the subjective feeling of strength in the lower extremities during calcitonin therapy. There was also a significant improvement in radiographic bone density, as determined by the method of photodensitometry, in patients under 5 years of age. Long-term administration of synthetic salmon calcitonin may be beneficial to young children with osteogenesis imperfecta.


New perspectives in fetal surgery: the chicken embryo.

After a short literature a review a comparison is made between the development of the human digestive tract during the second trimester of gestation and that of the chick embryo (Gallus domesticus) during the last week of incubation. The surgical procedure for chick embryosis is discussed in connection with the the study of the pathogenesis of small bowel atresia and meconium peritonitis. The results corroborate that the chick embryo is a valuable laboratory animal in experimental fetal surgery.


Effects of internal potassium and sodium on the anomalous rectification of the starfish egg as examined by internal perfusion.

1. The effects of alterations of the intracellular ionic composition on the properties of anomalous (or inward) rectification of the egg membrane of the starfish, Mediaster aequalis, were studied by using an intracellular perfusion technique. The following results were obtained, analysing the membrane current with the voltage-clamp technique. 2. The inward rectification of the K conductance depends only on the membrane potential, V, when the K equilibrium potential, VK, is altered by changing the internal K+ concentration at a fixed external K+ concentration, while it depends on V-VK when VK is altered by changing the external K+ at a fixed internal K+ concentration. 3. From the above the conclusion is reached that the gating of the K channel of the inward rectification depends on V and external but not internal K+ concentration. 4. The conductance of the K channel at a given voltage is roughly proportional to the square root of [K+]i when the latter is altered at a fixed external K+ concentration. 5. Since the conductance is proportional to the square root of [K+]o when this is altered at a fixed internal K+ concentration, the final conclusion is that this conductance is proportional to the geometric mean of the external and internal K+ concentrations. 6. Intracellular Na+ ions are necessary for the activation of inward rectification; the K conductance increases sharply with internal Na+ concentration, reaching saturation at 200 mM. 7. A similar potentiating effect is found for Li+, although it is weaker. Rb+, Cs+ and organic cations such as arginine+ do not have this effect.


RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei of the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii.

Atypical eukaryotic RNA polymerase activity was demonstrated in nuclei of Crypthecodinium cohnii, a eukaryote devoid of histones. Nuclei were isolated from growing cultures of this dinoflagellate and assayed for endogenous RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) activity. There was a biphasic response to Mg2+ with optima at approximately 0.01 and 0.02 M MgCl2, but in contrast to other eukaryotic RNA polymerases, this enzyme activity was inhibited by low MnCl2 concentrations. In the presence of 0.01 M MgCL2 the optimum (NH4)2SO4 concentration was 0.025 M, a concentration at which the nuclei were lysed. Incorporation of [3H]UMP into RNA was inhibited by actinomycin D and dependent on the presence of undergraded DNA, and the reaction product was sensitive to ribonuclease and KOH digestion. Omission of one or more ribonucleoside triphosphates greatly reduced the incorporation. Only a slight enhancement of RNA polymerase activity resulted from the addition of various amounts of native and denatured calf thymus DNA. Spermine caused a marked inhibition while spermidine had little effect on RNA synthesis in the nuclei. Under the optimum conditions described in the present paper the nuclei incorporated approximately 3 pmoles of [3H]UMP/microgram DNA at 25 C for 15 min, and approximately 80% of this activity was inhibited by the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II inhibitor, alpha-amanitin (20 micrograms/ml). A unique situation therefore exists in C. cohnii nuclei, in which absence of histones (a prokaryotic trait) is combined with alpha-amanitin-sensitive RNA polymerase activity (a eukaryotic trait).


[Radiological examination of the thorax and abdomen in new-born babies with Rhesus incompatibility (author's transl)].

The results of radiological examination of the thorax and abdomen were studied in premature babies with Rhesus incompatibility. In the 53 cases where Rhesus incompatibility was the only abnormal finding, various measurements were made on the radiological images: cardiothoracic index, liver and spleen, distances between the digestive tract loops and the thoracic wall. The same measurements were made in two groups of premature babies, born at the same period of gestation, who acted as controls. The most frequently observed thoracic abnormality was interstitial edema with hypervascularization (50% of the moderate forms) which was present in 14 of the 18 severe cases. Total opacity of both lung fields was noted with the same frequency in the severe forms with anasarca as in the moderate forms without clinical edema. The cardiothoracic index was increased in 40% of the moderate cases and in all severe cases (normal values for premature babies of 30 to 36 weeks: 0.48 +/- 0.04). Pleural effusions were present in 20% of the moderate, and 6 out of 18 severe cases. Abdominal organ measurements in the two control groups were as follows: --premature babies (34 to 36 weeks): --liver: 47 mm +/- 5.3, --spleen: 11.5 mm +/- 2.1, --distance between loops and wall: 7.1 mm +/- 1.4. --premature babies (30 to 33 weeks): --liver: 41 mm +/- 4.7, --spleen: 10.4 mm +/- 3.4, --distance between loops and wall: 6.4 mm +/- 1.2. The babies with Rhesus incompatibility had hepatosplenomegaly which was constant in all severe cases but present in only 70% of moderate cases, an increased distance between the digestive loops and the thoracic wall in all severe forms, and in 15% of moderate forms without clinical ascites. Normal radiological images developed after about 5 days for thoracic signs, and between 7 and 10 days for abdominal signs. Complete recovery occurred in all cases, even severe, except one case, where Rhesus incompatibility was the only abnormality. In 22 cases, Rhesus incompatibility was associated with another disorder: in 12 cases a hyaline membrane was present which radically changed the prognosis (8 deaths secondary to this infection out of a total of 12 deaths). Apart from the study of the Rhesus abnormality, a systematic examination of the size of the liver and the spleen, and measurements of the distances between digestive tract loops and thoracic wall in the first thoraco-abdominal radiological image in a premature baby, can be of diagnostic value for intraperitoneal infections and eflusions of the new-born.


N-Alkyl derivatives of (+/-)-alpha-methyldopamine.

A series of N-alkylated alpha-methyldopamine derivatives has been prepared for comparison of their biological effects with those of semirigid dopamine congeners derived from 2-aminotetralin systems. All of the alpha-methyldopamine derivatives were inert as dopaminergic agonists in a variety of animal assays, both centrally and peripherally, although certain compounds produced powerful and prolonged locomotor hyperactivity on intra-accumbens injection in mice, by indirect mechanism(s). A rationalization, based upon conformational analysis, is presented for the lack of direct dopaminergic agonist activity of alpha-methyldopamine derivatives.


A phenazine analogue of actinomycin D.

An analogue of actinomycin D (1), in which the phenoxazone chromophore has been replaced by a phenazine, has been synthesized and characterized. Although this compound (2) lacks the 2-amino group and does not possess the quinoid structure of 1, it does bind to DNA, but less tightly than either 1 or the 2-deamino derivative of 1. NMR and CD spectra indicate that the peptide conformations in 2 are approximately as in 1; there was no apparent asymmetry of the two peptide rings. Compound 2 inhibited nucleic acid synthesis in L1210 cell cultures more effectively than does 2-deaminoactinomycin D, but about one-tenth as well as does actinomycin D.


Synthesis and biological activity of potential antimetabolites of L-fucose.

6-Substituted 6-deoxy-L-galactose (L-fucose) derivatives were synthesized as potential antimetabolites of L-fucose. The cytotoxic effects of these compounds were evaluated on P388 leukemia cells in culture. The L-fucose analogues which showed the most potent growth inhibition were the sulfonyl ester, bromo, and iodo derivatives; since these compounds were all capable of alkylation, it is conceivable that their cytotoxic action is a consequence of this property. In agreement with this interpretation, none of the agents synthesized showed specific inhibition of the incorporation of L-[3H]fucose into glycoprotein.


46,XY/45,X mosaicism in an amniotic fluid cell culture: suppression of abnormal cell line after subcultivation.

An abnormal cell population, 45,X, appeared in 3 of 4 cell lines established from an amniotic fluid specimen obtained from a normal mid-trimester pregnancy. Two of the cell lines were subjected to repeated chromosome analyses until VII passage. The abnormal cells were suppressed after repeated trypsinisations; simultaneously, fibroblast-like cells outgrew the cultures, which were previously predominated by epithelial-like cells. Polyploidy was found in 0 to 12% of the cells, the highest level existing in the early passages. The question of whether chromosomally abnormal cells present in primary cultures and the early subcultures reflect the karyotype of the fetus is discussed.


A study of dielectric membrane breakdown in the Fucus egg.

Unfertilized eggs and zygotes of the marine brown alga, Fucus serratus, have been subjected to single external electric field pulses of 1 to 1760 musec duration (tau p) and 50 to 400 V field strength (Upcm-1). During exposure, the difference in electric potential across the plasmalemma (Vm) was recorded intracellularly from single eggs, and the efflux of 86Rb+(K+) from the cytoplasm was measured on egg populations. A given single pulse instantaneously depolarizes the plasmalemma by a few (i.e., 6) millivolts and releases a certain fraction (i.e., 5%) of the cytoplasmic 86Rb+(K+). The dependence of these responses upon Up and tau p is fully consistent with the assumption that the membrane undergoes a localized reversible dielectric breakdown and reseals within less than 3 sec. The data are treated in terms of the electro-mechanical model for a compressible membrane by H.G.L. Coster and U. Zimmermann (1975, J. Membrane Biol. 22:73) and verify this model on a nonvacuolated plant cell. A threshold Vm for membrane breakdown (Vc) of 0.58 and 0.51 V is estimated for the turgorless unfertilized eggs and the turgescent (4.8 bar) zygotes, respectively. Using these values for Vc, and a reasonable value of the membrane's elastic modulus (i.e., Ym approximately 10(6) Nm-2), possible sites of membrane breakdown are discussed in terms of membrane thickness and relative permittivity.


Recent advances of high voltage electron microscopy in biology.

Recent advances in the understanding of the structure of biological material made possible by the high voltage electron microscope are reviewed by briefly summarizing some of the more important results obtained in the past few years. The examination of thick sections of selectively stained specimens has continued to be the most widely used approach and has yielded information on the three-dimensional organization of a range of organelles, including the Golgi apparatus, neurofibrils and the transverse tubular system of striated muscle. The alternative method of studying intact cells prepared by critical-point drying is becoming increasingly popular, and has already made a significant contribution in demonstrating the microtrabecular systems within the cytoplasm of cultured cells.


Tularemia pneumonia in Washington, DC. A report of three cases with possible common-source exposures.

In June 1978, three cases of tularemia pneumonia occurred in persons residing in the Washington, DC, area. The patients, all men, became ill three to four days after a brief session training their hunting dogs in an undeveloped wooded area adjacent to a housing complex. One of the dogs, which later died, had captured a wild rabbit during the training session. All three men had handled the rabbit while familiarizing their dogs with the rabbit's scent. The men had no other common exposure that was a likely source of infection.


[Prevention of stress-induced and hypoxic heart lesions by means of an antioxidant ionol].

It was shown in experiments on male Wistar rats that activation of peroxidized oxidation of myocardial lipids and accumulation of hydroperoxides in the myocardium comprise the decisive link of the pathogenic chain of stress and hypoxic damages to the heart. Injection of a potent non-toxic antioxidant into the animals before exposure to the stress or hypoxia blocks the activation of peroxidized oxidation and prevents disorder of the contractile function and damage to the heart muscle appraised according to the elimination of enzymes from the myocardial cells.


[Effect of hypokinesia on the state of higher nervous activity in white rats].

The effect of a 22-day hypokinesia study on the labyrinthine behavior of white rats was investigated. The test animals showed certain behavioral changes which developed throughout 22 days. However, significant changes occurred only during the first 6--7 days. Later, the changes diminished but retained their trend. It is believed that the behavioral changes are mainly associated with inhibition of the nervous processes of higher cerebral compartments responsible for the higher nervous activity.


Ribosome crystallization in homogenates and cell extracts of chick embryos.

Ribosome microcrystals have been obtained for the first time in homogenates and extracts of chick embryos mainly in the form of P422 stacks that have average linear dimensions some 40% greater than those obtained in vivo.


The role of temperature in the crystallization of ribosomes in chick embryos.

The relationship between ribosome crystallization and cell degeneration has been studied in chick embryos at various temperatures, and new methods of inducing ribosome microcrystals are described. A model is discussed that reinterprets the role of low temperatures in these phenomena and provides a unitary explanation of the various cases in which the occurrence of ribosome crystallization in chick embryos has been reported.


Ribosome crystallization in nuclei of chick embryos.

Ribosome crystallization within nuclei has been studied in chick embryos with procedures which increase its frequency by various orders of magnitude as compared to previous findings. The extrusion of ribosome microcrystals from nuclei is reported for the first time, and a model for the transfer of ribosomes from nucleus to cytoplasm is proposed.


Cardiopathogenicity of soybean oil and tower rapeseed oil triglycerides when fed to male rats.

The triglycerides of soybean oil were purified by molecular distillation and those of Tower rapeseed oil by molecular distillation and adsorption chromatography. The original oils and the purified triglycerides were incorporated in semisynthetic diets at 20% by weight and fed for 16 weeks to weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats to compare the nutritional and pathological effects of the oils and their triglyceride fractions on rats. The study was carried out at two independent laboratories. No significant differences were observed between the results of the two establishments. The incidence of myocardial lesions was significantly higher in rats fed Tower rapeseed oil than in those fed soybean oil. Purification of the triglycerides by molecular distillation and adsorption chromatography appeared to have no major effect on the incidence of myocardial lesions. This supports our previous findings that the cardiopathogenicity appeared to have no major effect on the incidence of myocardial lesions. This supports our previous findings that the cardiopathogenicity of the test oils to rats resides in the triglycerides of these oils.


Psychopathology in epilepsy and learned helplessness.

It is proposed that epilepsy is a high psychological risk disorder because persons with epilepsy are vulnerable to the powerful behavioral ramifications of exposure to unpredictable, uncontrollable, aversive events. The most commonly reported psychopathologies in persons with epilepsy parallel those noted in humans and infrahuman organisms subjected to unpredictable/uncontrollable aversive events and it is suggested that Seligman's theory of learned helplessness provides a useful framework for interpreting and predicting psychologic dysfunctions in epilepsy.


Male pseudohermaphrodite reared as a female.

A 31-year-old male pseudohermaphrodite has been brought up as a female. The parents had told their child not to discuss the problem of ambiguous genitalia with anyone. As a teenager masculinization had occurred. Chromosome analysis of both peripheral blood and gonadal tissue was 46XY. The internal gonads were testes surrounded by a rim of ovarian stroma. A rudimentary cervix opened into a small vagina, as did the urethra in a valve-like fashion. The phallus was amputated during surgical reconstruction of the external genitalia to create a phenotypic female and the vagina was enlarged. Oestrogen therapy resulted in breast development.


[Urogenital tuberculosis in African (author's transl)].

A report of nine recent cases of urogenital tuberculosis in Africans with a review of literature. This possible but rare complication must be discovered, although it is a difficult process mainly in rural areas, since tuberculosis may bring about severe urogenital tract damage. Schistosomiasis and unspecific epidimymitis may hide it. Acido-alcoolo-resistant bacillus, detected in urin, must be cultivated on Loewenstein medium to remove contaminants and to confirm tuberculous pathogenesis.


[Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: non-invasive diagnosis by directional Doppler-ultrasound (author's transl)].

Directional Doppler-ultrasound has been found to be helpful in detecting disturbances of the left ventricular outflow tract, especially in aortic incompetence. Also in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy characteristic changes of flow in carotid artery have been demonstrated by directional Doppler-ultrasound, similar to those of the carotid pulse curve. These changes lead to diagnosis but usually do not allow an information about the hemodynamic status of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. However, characteristic changes of the flow curve in the subclavian artery -- which are described in this paper -- seem to appear only in severe cases, when an intraventricular gradient was measurable, either at rest or under provocation test. So a combination of two non-invasive methods, echocardiography and directional Doppler-ultrasound of the carotid and the subclavian artery enables us to diagnose hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and at the same time informs us about hemodynamic conditions.


[First alarm symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in Upper-Volta [author's transl)].

In order to comply with the W.H.O. recommendations about detection of the sources of tuberculous infection the authors have studied the respective frequency of the main symptoms noticed by the suspects. The two more significant symptoms are: cough of long duration and lost of weight. They strongly indicate a control of spupum which proved to be in these conditions and in developping countries the more effective and less expensive way of detection.


The synthesis and secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin by tissue slices from first trimester placentas.

Placental tissue slices from first trimester placentas synthesize and secrete proteins labeled by radioactive glucosamine are preferentially secreted as compared to proteins in general. One of the proteins synthesized and secreted is hCG. Processing and secretion of proteins, including hCG, by the tissue slices need a two-hour period. Both secretion and glycosylation of the protein can take place independently of protein synthesis. A method was developed for the specific determination of newly synthesized radioactive hCG in placental tissue.


The relation between reaction kinetics and mutagenic action of mono-functional alkylating agents in higher eukaryotic systems. II. Total and partial sex-chromosome loss in Drosophila.

In Drosophila the connection between primary alkylation pattern and genetic activity of 8 mono-functional alkylating agents (AA)--ENU, DEN, iPMS, MNU, DMN, EMS, MMS and DMS--was investigated in spermatozoa and spermatids of treated R 1 (2), y B/BS Y y+ males. The induction of ring-X loss, Y-chromosome loss, and Y-rearrangements served as parameters of their effectiveness to produce chromosomal aberrations. (1) The ability to cause chromosomal losses decreased in the sequence MMS = DMS greater than MNU = DMN greater than EMS greater than iPMS greater than ENU = DEN. This ranking is consistent with the sequence in effectiveness in producing translocations. (2) The low frequencies of Y-chromosome rearrangements made any meaningful comparison between the AA impossible. The diagnostic value of such tests is poor, because even at toxic concentrations large numbers of offspring must be scored to obtain statistically significant effects. (3) With MNU, DMN, EMS, MMS and DMS, a time-dependent increase in the frequencies of ring-X losses ("storage effect") was found. (4) A stage-by-stage comparison revealed a differential response of spermatozoa and spermatids to these AA. Mature spermatozoa tended to be more resistant to the induction of breaks by MNU, DMN, EMS and MMS. (5) A general observation with all the AA was a reduced rate in survival of X-bearing sperm after treatment with mutagen. There was, however, no apparent quantitative relationship between the shift in the sex ratios observed and the yield of chromosomal aberrations. It is concluded that differences between these AA in their selectivity to numerous nucleophiles of DNA, as expressed by their s values, account for most of the diversity in their genetic effectiveness. The significance for genetic activity of other parameters than the s value appeared from the lower activity of EMS relative to MNU, indicating that methylation was more effective than ethylation in breaking chromosomes.


Occurrence of subcutaneous zygomycosis caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus in Brazil.

There were described the first three South American cases of subcutaneous zygomycosis caused by B. haptosporus. The patients were children from nearby towns lying just north of 13 degrees latitude S. The diagnosis was based on histopathological aspects plus cultural isolation of the fungus.


False morel mushroom Gyromitra esculenta toxin: N-methyl-N-formylhdrazine carcinogenesis in mice.

N-Methyl-N-formylhydrazine was administered in drinking water as a 0.0039% solution to randomly bred Swiss albino mice for life starting from 6 weeks of age. The compound induced tumors of lungs, livers, blood vessels, gall bladder and bile ducts. The tumor incidences in these five tissues were 77, 46, 21, 10 and 7% while in the untreated controls they were 18, 1, 6, 0 and 0% respectively. Histopathologically, the tumors were classified as adenomas and adenocarcinomas of lungs, benign hepatomas and liver cell carcinomas, angiomas and angiosarcomas of blood vessels, adenomas and adenocarcinomas of gall bladder and cholangiomas. The macroscopic and light microscopic involvement of the tissues with the tumors are described and some of them are illustrated. N-Methyl-N-formylhydrazine is an ingredient of the edible mushroom, the false morel Gyromitra esculenta. The findings are discussed from the viewpoint of a potential human health hazard.


A study on gelation of soy bean globulins solutions. Part I. Thermal denaturation conditions corresponding to the maximum shear modulus value of the gel.

The effect of heating temperature and duration (t = 80--120 degrees C and tau = 10--50 min) on gelation of the soy bean globulins solutions has been studied using the method of mathematical planning of experiment and taking the shear modulus (G) of the gel as an equivalent of the degree of conversion. The G(t, tau) depence has been found to have an only maximum at t = 88 +/- 2 degrees C and tau = 42 +/- 2 min, irrespective of gel concentration values C = 10--18.5 wt. %. Under these conditions, the concentration dependence of shear modulus is described by empirical relation G = alpha . C4.67. These results indicate that there exists a certain physical similarity of gelation mechanism at different values of C.


Changes in free nucleotides, nucleosides and bases during preparation of pre-cooked dehdyrated minced meats.

Changes in free nucleotides, nucleosides and bases during preparation of pre-cooked dehydrated minced meats from goat and sheep are reported. Major changes took place during cooking stage only; the changes during dehydration were relatively minor. Addition of EDTA at 500 ppm level significantly reduced the rate of dephosphorylation during curing process. Concentration of free nucleotides and related compounds were very low in commercially prepared accelerated freeze dried meat chunks.


[Square-wave polarographic determination of tin in products of the food processing industry].

A square-wave polarographic method suitable for measuring tin in canned products and raw materials for food industry was examined. After wet digestion of the sample tin was directly determined from the acidic stock solution gained. If 10 ml of the stock solution was equivalent to 1 g sample,--varying sensitivity of the instrument--tin could be determined in the range of 5 micrograms/g--400 micrograms/g with +/- 5% relative error. By increasing sensitivity of the instrument this range could be extended to as little as 0,5 micrograms tin/g sample. The optimal quantity of hydrochloric acid to be added to the sulphuric acid solution of the digested sample before the instrumental measurement was determined by means of model solutions. Examinations concerning interference of lead were also performed. It is established, that if the ratio of Sn/Pb is at least 4/1, lead does not interfere with the polarographic tin determination. If the ratio of Sn/Pb is 2/1 or 1/1 tin content can be calculated after measuring the height of the peak of lead in sulphuric acid electrolyte. The method was applied for several canned products and comparative tests were performed with the spectrophotometric method given in the Hungarian standard MSZ 3612/7-77.


Perception of illusory movement.

Intensive studies of visual illusion have rarely shown examples of polymorphic responses. We show here that, using figures consisting of stripes shaded from dark to light, arranged in repeating sectors, an illusion of movement can be induced in about 75% of observers when viewed peripherally. The responses of the viewers fall into four categories. This polymorphic response suggests a genetic origin.


The effects of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions of extrapyramidal and mesolimbic sites on spontaneous motor behaviour, and amphetamine-induced stereotypy.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine lesions of the nucleus accumbens septi, or substantia nigra, resulted in a twofold increase in spontaneous locomotor activity. Striatal 5HT depletion also raised basal activity levels, as well as increasing rearing behaviour in an open field. The sterotyped responses to all doses of amphetamine tested (2.5--10 mg/kg, i.p.) were enhanced by lesions of the nucleus accumbens or substantia nigra. Striatal lesions only affected the response to the lowest dose of amphetamine. Lesions of the tuberculum olfactorium were without effect on spontaneous or amphetamine induced responses. The results support the concept of a modulatory 5HT influence on nigro-striatal function, and suggest that 5HT in the nucleus accumbens has an antagonistic role with respect to dopamine function in this site.


Insulin withdrawal impairs sexual receptivity and retention of brain cell nuclear estrogen receptors in diabetic rats.

Acute withdrawal of exogenous insulin significantly impairs estradiol and progesterone-induced sexual receptivity and retention of brain cell nuclear estrogen receptors in ovariectomized (OVX), streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Insulin withdrawal for 18--24 h of a 24 h estradiol benzoate (EB)-conditioning period resulted in significant reductions in mean lordosis ratings. Omission of insulin for any 12 h period during EB conditioning was without effect on sexual receptivity. 24 h insulin deprivation resulted in a signficant reduction of cell nuclear estrogen receptor levels in hypothalamus-preoptic area of rats sacrificed 26 h after EB administration. Withdrawal of insulin during the middle 12 h of conditioning had no significant effect on the quantities of brain cell nuclear estrogen receptors. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that decreased cell nuclear binding of estradiol by neural target tissues may contribute to the reproductive dysfunctions of diabetics.


[Characteristics of the uptake of precursors into the developing egg of Nereis virens Sars].

The incorporation of 3H-thymidine, 3H-cytidine, 3H-adenine and 3H-glycine in the egg prior to insemination, as well as during the period from insemination up to 16 blastomeres, was investigated in a polychaete Nereis virens. The above compounds were shown to accumulate in the egg against the concentration gradient. Following the insemination the egg permeability falls sharply. This phenomenon coincides in time with the massive transport of substances from the egg resulting in the formation of gelatinous envelope. Within 2 hrs following the insemination, the egg permeability is restored up to the initial level. During the first four cleavage divisions, the activity of transport of the above substances suffers periodical changes, the maximum level of transport being timed to telo- and early interphase.


[Reactivity of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal complex of adult rats after the administration of hydrocortisone to their mothers during pregnancy].

The effect of single and repeated injection of hydrocortisone to rats during the last week of pregnancy on the reactivity of the hypothalamic-hypophysial-suprarenal complex of their adult descendants was studied. The reaction of hypophysial-suprarenal system of the adult rats to an amotional stressor and injection of norepinephrine in the brain lateral vesicle was shown to decrease. Under similar experimental conditions the reaction to ether and combined stressors, as well as to intraventricular injection of 5-HT or carbocholine resembled that in the control animals. It is suggested that hydrocortisone injected during the prenatal period exerts, to a certain extent, the selective influence on the central adrenergic mechanisms the changes in which may serve as one of the causes of decrease in emotional reactivity of adult animals.


Elevated free testosterone in an obese, hirsute premenarchial girl: effects of norethynodrel and mestranol.

An 11-year-old premenarchial girl who demonstrated the clinical and biochemical abnormalities of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome is reported. Although the concentration of total circulating testosterone was within normal limits, levels of free testosterone and testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin (12.9 to 22.7 pg/ml and 7.9 to 11 X 10(-9) moles/liter, respectively) were markedly different from those of prepubertal girls (1.1 +/- 0.9 pg/ml and 102 +/- 27 X 10%-9) moles/liter, mean +/- 1 SD) and normal women (4.3 +/- 1.2 pg/ml and 82 +/- 30 X 10(-9) moles/liter). Luteinizing hormone but not follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were increased. In the absence of abnormal adrenal steroid excretion or response to dexamethasone suppression and with a clear biochemical response to oral contraceptives (decreased levels of luteinizing hormone and free testosterone and increased concentrations of testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin), this patient closely resembles older individuals with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Therefore, the measurement of testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin and free testosterone may be useful in the laboratory evaluation of any adolescent girl in whom no other cause for hirsutism can be identified.


Factors affecting perceptual functioning and activity in albino rats.

The effects of crowding and estrus cycling upon visual observing behavior and general activity level in the albino rat were investigated. Experimental groups were composed of non-estrus or estrus females and were subjected to one of three different crowding conditions. Measures of the frequency and duration of observing of photographic slides were taken as well as a measure of general activity. Slides were composed of either geometric patterns or color photographs depicting rats in various social postures. Contrary to previous reports, observing measures did not vary with levels of crowding or stage of estrus. There were, however, differences among the various crowded conditions on a measure of general activity. Relatively short-term crowding was shown to affect estrus based cyclical variation in activity and observing.


A syndrome with lack of udder developments in a high-yielding Jersey herd.

A syndrome with lack of udder development in a high-yielding jersey herd is described. The syndrome first appeared in the herd about 10 years ago. To try to elucidate this syndrome the endocrine pattern visualized by serum estrogen (Fig. 1) and progesterone (Fig. 2) levels was followed in 12 parturient cows. One case of typical lack of udder development appeared and was followed up by slaughter and pathological and histological examinations (Fig. 3 and 4). Pedigree investigations indicated that genetics could be involved in the syndrome. The endocrine pattern observed combined with the lack of udder development seems to indicate a complex disorder in the hormonal regulation which trigger the maternal preparation and initiation of parturition.


[Ankylosing spondylitis in monozygous twins. Study of HLA complex (author's transl)].

A study of HLA complex (HLA A, B, C, DRw, Bf, chiddo) in monozygous twins suffering from ankylosing spondylitis with different clinical courses. All the markers studied were identified. The results would tend to suggest that hereditary factors are not alone responsible in the course of ankylosing spondylitis. Furthermore, they are not the sole causative factor of the disease since the literature contains reports of discordant pairs of twins.


[Detection of platelet antibodies in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (author's transl)].

The amount of IgG present on the surface of platelets (platelet-bound IgG, or PBIgG) was measured using a quantitative antiglobulin consumption assay developed by Dixon et al. (1975). Normal platelets or platelets from patients with thrombocytopenia due to a decreased production had less than 10 X 10(-15) g of IgG/platelet. Studied were 364 blood samples drawn from 196 patients; 173 patients had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; 65 (93 %) of 70 in the acute phase of their disease had elevated PBIgG (values up to 100 times greater than the normal); 98 (76.5 %) of 128 blood samples from patients during a chronic phase had abnormally high PBIgG but the levels of IgG were generally lower than those observed in the acute phase; 75 (75 %) of 100 samples from patients in remission did not have pathologically increased PBIgG. Usually when the platelet count improved (after prednisone therapy or after splenectomy), PBIgG decreased. The PBIgG determination was not useful for predicting the response to prednisone therapy or the further evolution of the disease, except when PGIgG remained elevated after high-dose prednisone therapy; this generally implied a poor prognosis. PBIgG have also been found elevated in other diseases such as lupus erythematosus and in one case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This assay may be of a great clinical interest, especially for the diagnosis of ITP.


Partial purification and characterization of the messenger RNA for cell fibronectin.

Fibronectin mRNA has been partially purified by guanidine extraction, oligo-(dT)-cellulose chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. We obtain a fraction which programs a wheat germ in vitro translation system to synthesize a polypeptide species which co-electrophoreses with fibronectin in SDS-polyacrylamide gels and which is immunoprecipitated with affinity purified fibronectin-specific IgG. Analysis of this RNA fraction by methyl mercury hydroxide-agarose gel electrophoresis reveals the presence of a band accounting for 30 percent to 50 percent of the ethidium bromide-staining material in the fraction. The RNA of this band has an estimated molecular weight of about 3 million daltons and is greatly reduced in the corresponding RNA fraction from RSV transformed CEF. This RNA has been tentatively identified as fibronectin mRNA.


Identification of procollagen mRNAs transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper from formaldehyde agarose gels.

Poly A containing RNA isolated from embryonic chick calvaria was transferred from 6% formaldehyde 0.75% agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper and the paper then hybridized to either nick translated pro alpha 1 collagen cDNA clones, pCg1 or pCg54, or to the nick translated pro alpha 2 collagen cDNA clone, pCg45. From the mobilities of the bands hybridizing most strongly to each, pro alpha 2 collagen mRNA was shown to be slightly larger than pro alpha 1 mRNA; they are 5100 and 4900 nucleotides long respectively. pCg54 also hybridized weakly to two bands of lower mobility, corresponding to RNAs 6.4 and 5.6 kb long. Neither pCg54 nor pCg45 hybridized to type II procollagen mRNA in poly A containing RNA isolated from embryonic chick sterna.


Cloning of soybean leghemoglobin structural gene sequences synthesized in vitro.

Double-stranded soybean leghemoglobin DNA was synthesized from leghemoglobin mRNA isolated from soybean nodules. The dsDNA was inserted into the Bam H1 site of plasmid pBR322 using the poly-dAT-joiner method. A cloned DNA fragment of one recombinant plasmid was isolated and characterized by restriction endonuclease digestion. The restriction cleavage map and the DNA sequence of a selected part of the inserted DNA are in complete accordance with the amino-acid sequence of soybean leghemoglobin.


Interaction of DNA with a porphyrin ligand: evidence for intercalation.

The porphyrin photosensitizer, meso-Tetra (4-N-methylpyridyl) porphine tetraperchlorate binds to calf thymus DNA by intercalation and by external electrostatic association. This was concluded from the results of measruements involving Scatchard analysis, viscometry, thermal denaturation, and circular dichroism.


Intercalative binding to DNA of antitumour drugs derived from 3-nitro-1,8-naphthalic acid.

Two new antitumour drugs, imide derivatives of 3-nitro-1,8-naphthalic acid having different basic side chains linked to the imide nitrogen, have been shown to bind to double-helical DNA by intercalation. At ionic strength 0.01 mol/litre, pH 7, their intrinsic association constants are about 1.45 x 10(5) M-1 and each bound ligand molecule occludes about 3.4 nucleotides of the DNA lattice. They remove and reverse the supercoiling of closed circular duplex PM2 DNA with apparent unwinding angles of 11-12 degrees per bound drug molecule, referred to an assumed unwinding angle of 26 degrees for ethidium. They increase the viscosity of sonicated rod-like DNA fragments, each bound drug molecule producing a calculated increment in length of 2.2 - 2.5 A. No important differences between the DNA-binding characteristics of the two drugs were detected, though one appears marginally more active than the other in certain biological tests.


Retrograde amnesia in chicks and mice induced by 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline, a proline analog.

L-proline induces retroactive amnesia without causing brain seizures or isoelectric activity. 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline, a proline analog containing a double-bond in the 5-membered ring, has similar effects at a smaller dose. Three experiments describe the amnestic qualities of 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline in a chick memory paradigm, the retrograde quality of this amnesia, and its existence in a mammalian (mouse) preparation. Finally, EEG records show that chicks injected with amnestic doses of 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline do not exhibit seizure spiking or abnormal electrical activity.


The effect of aspartic acid on the intensity of physical dependence in morphine dependent mice.

The mice (Balb/C strain) given 2% aspartic acid in 5% saccharose solution or only saccharose solution (p. os) starting 12 hr before the sc morphine pellet implantation until the removal of pellet were rendered physically morphine dependent. During the development of morphine dependence and after the removal of pellets (on 3-d day) spontaneous motor activity and analgesic threshold were measured as reliable abrupt withdrawal signs. Aspartic acid prevented to some extent the appearance of symptoms of physical morphine dependence.


Effects of lithium chloride injections on rank-related fighting, maternal aggression and locust-killing responses in naive and experienced 'TO' strain mice.

Three experiments investigated lithium chloride's (LiCl) effects on three forms of aggression in male 'TO' strain mice. Models of aggression investigated, included attack by preisolated males on male conspecifics (rank-related or intermale fighting), attack by lactating females on male intruders (maternal aggression) and the locust-killing response (a form of predatory aggression?) In the first study, injections of naive male mice with 0.2 and 0.4 mEq of LiCl resulted in marked declines in rank-related fighting. The effects of this treatment on locust killing could not be assessed, as this activity was already at a low incidennce in controls. In a second experiment, LiCl injection had little influence on the locust-killing response in selected, experienced male killer mice. As in Experiment 1, rank-related fighting was suppressed by this treatment. The third experiment revealed that LiCl injections did not influence either maternal aggression or locust killing in naive females and predatory aggression in experienced-killer females. These results provide further support for the contention that these three behaviors have very different physiological bases. The data suggests that one should be cautious when extrapolating between different models of aggression even within the same species.


Determination of the role of serotonergic and cholinergic systems in apomorphine--induced aggressiveness in rats.

Aggressive behavior was produced in rats by administration of apomorphine (APO) 20 mg/kg ip. Serotonin (5-HT) agonists, L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan and a MAO inhibitor, pargyline, suppressed the APO-induced aggressiveness. However, cyproheptadine was the only one of four 5-HT antagonists used which potentiated the aggressive behavior. Cyproheptadine, metergoline and PCPA released aggressiveness in rats pretreated with a subthreshold dose of APO. Cholinomimetics (pilocarpine, oxytremorine and physostigmine) completely blocked APO induced aggressiveness while cholinolytics (atropine and scopolamine) partially suppressed the inhibiting effect of pilocarpine on aggressive behavior. The results obtained suggest the existence of an interaction between serotonergic, cholinergic systems and dopaminergic system in apomorphine-induced aggressiveness in rats.


[Determination of the content of specific estrogen-binding protein in the rat liver cytosol].

A method of quantitative determination of the areas of binding of a peculiar estrogen-binding protein (PEBP) in the cytosol of the rat liver by means of ion-exchange sorption on DEAE-cellulose is suggested. For differential determination of the PEBP contribution to the total estradiol (E2) binding with cytosol proteins a unique capacity of PEBP to form complexes with 3H-E2, which were rapidly decomposed on addition of an excess of unlabeled E2, was used. Theoretical prerequisites and experimental substantiation of the suggested method of the PEBP testing are considered. The content of the binding PEBP areas in the cytosol of the liver of male rats, measured by the mentioned method, constituted (5.8 +/- 0.7).10(-12) mol per 1 mg of protein (M +/- m, according to the data of 18 determinations). No analogous areas of E2 binding were revealed in the cytosol of the liver in female rats. It was also demonstrated that the cytosol of the liver of male rats contained specific areas of testosterone (T) binding,  forming highly labile complexes with 3H-T, rapidly decomposing in the presence of an excess of T and E2.


Distribution, survival and biological effects in mice of a behaviorally active, enzymatically stable peptide: pharmacokinetics of cyclo(Leu-Gly) and puromycin-induced amnesia.

Cyclo(Leu-Gly), the enzymatically resistant diketopiperazine formally derived from the C-terminal dipeptide sequence of oxytocin, exhibits activity in several behavioral systems. The distribution of cyclo(Leu-14C(U)Gly) in brain, and the time course of the disappearance of this labeled peptide from brain and plasma after subcutaneous injection into mice have been studied. The intact peptide was distributed equally in the five cerebral areas studied, for up to 96 hours after injection. Two exponential components were determined for peptide disappearance rates in plasma and brain; peptide half-lives in plasma up to 10 hr and from 24--96 hr after injection were, respectively, 0.8 and 33 hr; in brain, 1.0 and 42 hr. The peptide was found to accumulate in brain intracellular space to some degree. The time course of distribution of labeled cyclo(Leu-Gly) in subcellular fractions of mouse brain was also examined, and the concentration of peptide in the synaptosomal fraction was significantly correlated with the degree of protection against puromycin-induced amnesia of a maze-learning test. The results obtained not only confirm that cyclo(Leu-Gly) penetrates brain tissue intact and remains intact after peripheral administration in order to exert its behavioral effects, but, moreover, suggest an intriguing dynamic relationship between peptide concentration in the synaptosomal fraction and behavioral activity.


Morphine withdrawal induced behavior in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

The effects of morphine withdrawal on a number of behaviors was assessed using a design varying sex, amount of morphine implanted, degree of dependence at the time of testing and amount of morphine antagonist injected. Increases in two types of agonistic behavior were seen and may be related to the aversive interoceptive stimuli associated with withdrawal. Furthermore, correlations for males were found between agonistic behavior and activity, wet shakes, digging and vocalization. Agonistic behavior was correlated only with activity in females.


[Effect of androgens (testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17-beta androstanediol and 3 beta, 17 beta androstenediol) on the nocturnal activity of N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase in the pineal body of castrated rats].

To prove the effect of sex steroid hormones on the specificity of the pineal organ metabolism the activity of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes--N-acetylserotonine transferase (AST) and hydroxyindol-O-methyltransferase (HIMT) in the circadian rhythm was studied in castrated animals and in those administered androgens (testosterone 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstandiol). Male Wistar rats, aged 30 days, kept for 12 hours under light conditions and for 12 hours in darkness were used in these experiments. Androgens (50 micrograms) were injected to rats two days after castration and 1 to 6 hours before the animals were sacrificed (at 2 a.m.). Activity of the enzymes under study was maximal at night (between 2 and 3 a.m.). Castration of rats weakened the peaks of the AST and HIMT activities by 30 and 40%, respectively. A single androgen administration stimulated the nocturnal rise of both androgens activities in 2 to 4 hours. By physiological activity the androgens were distributed in the following way: 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstandiol, testosterone. beta-Epimer of androstandiol produced no effect on AST and HIMT activities in the epiphyses of castrated rats. Experimental data demonstrate that epiphysis serves as the target organ for sex steroid hormones, and that androgens are capable of modulating the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes' activity.


Effects of morphine upon the pituitary-adrenal system and adrenal catecholamines: a comparative study in cats and rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acute and chronic administration of morphine upon the pituitary-adrenal activity and adrenal catecholamines in rats and cats, two animal species with very different behavioural patterns of response to the opiate. Acute administration of the drug induced in both animal species an activation of the pituitary-adrenal system. Chronic administration of morphine to cats and rats induced a depression in the pituitary-adrenal function. No significant changes in the adrenal levels of catecholamines were observed in rats treated chronically with the drug. However, in the cat, the effects of morphine on adrenomedullary function seemed to depend on the stage of morphine treatment. The behavioural patterns of response in both animal species during chronic administration of the opiate, as well as the effects of induced withdrawal with nalorphine (an antagonist of morphine), indicated that dependence on morphine had developed, not only in the rats, but also in the cats. Acute morphine administration had a sedative effect, while in the cats the opiate produced a species-specific manic response characterized by hyperexcitement and aggressive behavior.


Prenatal and postnatal chronic lead intoxication and running wheel activity in the rat.

Prenatal and postnatal chronic lead intoxication was induced in Wistar rats with 0.1 mg/ml PbCl2 in the drinking water of pregnant and lactating females. Offspring were supplied lead water at weaning. Exposure totaled 14 months. Activity was measured in the Wahman LC-33 wheel. Running activity in experimental and control rats was maximized with a 23-hr light cycle followed by a 5-hr dark period in the wheels. There was no significant difference in body weight gains or lead intake (as measured by water consumption) between any sex-matched group. Lead was found to produce overall hypoactivity in both males and females. Under auditory stress the hypoactivity in the males was normalized by combination of a hypoactivity component in the controls and a progressive hyperactivity in the lead animals. This study clearly shows a sex-dependent hypoactivity effect of chronic lead intoxication and suggests its mechanism as an interaction between lead and environmental stress.


Effect of morphine on 'wet-dog' shakes caused by cerebroventricular injection of serotonin.

Intraventricular administration of serotonin to rats causes 'wet-dog' shakes, a sign of morphine withdrawal. The frequency of shakes is dose-dependent. Shaking is potentiated by pretreatment with an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase or with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, and is depressed by morphine or serotonin receptor blockers. Depression of serotonin-induced shaking by morphine is reversed rapidly by naloxone. However, naloxone did not reverse the inhibition of 'wet-dog' shakes caused by serotonin receptor blockers.


The radiographic manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau disease.

The radiographic findings and method of investigation are presented in the retrospective and prospective study of 221 descendents of an individual affected with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Among 42 affected individuals, most of the reported manifestations were found, such as cerebellar hemangioblastoma, retinal angioma, and renal cell carcinoma. A new manifestation, pancreatic carcinoma, was also seen. Although pheochromocytoma is common in some reported families, no cases were found in this group. An organized multidisciplinary approach is necessary to effectively identify and treat individuals affected with this disease.


Is the spontaneous motility of isolated rat uterus controlled by prostaglandin E?

Variations in the spontaneous contractile activity during 6 hours following isolation of uterine horns from proestrus, metestrus and spayed rats, were explored. In estrus and metestrus preparations the contractions declined during 60 min and between 180--200 min a progressive spontaneous recovery (abolished by indomethacin) was observed up to 360 min. Uteri from proestrus and spayed animals exhibited a continuous depression without recovery during the whole experimental period. At 60 min, uterine horns from estrus animals (which showed a marked contractile decrement) released to the suspending medium significantly less prostaglandin E-like material than at 360 min, i.e. when contractions had almost completely recovered. No modification in the amount of prostaglandin F-like material was detected accompanying these spontaneous contractile variations. In the spayed group at 60 min of functioning (i.e. when the contractile impairment was significantly smaller than at a later time) the release of PGE was greater than at 360 min. These findings suggest a possible control of rat uterine contractions by PGE, rather than by PGF.


Abnormal characteristics of the blood from chick embryos maintained in "shell-less" culture.

Chick embryos were maintained in shell-less culture up to a total age of 15 days. The composition of their blood was analyzed together with the blood from coontrol embryos of comparable degree of differentiation. The blood from cultured embryos had lower hematocrit values; their serum contained a reduced concentration of proteins, phospholipids and total calcium and an increased concentration of inorganic phosphorus. In view of the reduced concentration of proteins and phospholipids, the concomitant hypocalcemia must represent, at least in part, a reduction in the binding capacity of the serum and not only a decrease in the ionic fraction of serum calcium.


Hepatic glutathione levels in D-penicillamine-fed ethanol-dependent rats.

Ethanol oxidation is accomplished primarily by alcohol dehydrogenase. However, a microsomal system involving hydrogen peroxide formation operates at elevated ethanol concentrations. Removal of the resultant hydrogen peroxide may depend on the activity of glutathione peroxidase. In the study, we have examined the effect of chronic ethanol exposure on hepatic glutatione levels and found that ethanol exposure resulted in elevations of hepatic reduced and oxidized glutathione. The dietary inclusion of the sulfhydryl amino acid, D-penicillamine, increased hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) in both ethanol-dependent and control rats. However, D-penicillamine did not have a differential effect on hepatic GSH when comparing ethanol-dependent and control animals. Following two weeks exposure, the exclusion of ethanol and/or D-penicillamine from the diet for 24 hours resulted in a significant decrease in hepatic GSH.


Particulate emboli retained by a screen and a depth transfusion filter. A SEM study.

Microembolization by platelet leukocyte aggregates is a threat to the pulmonary microvasculature when blood is transfused to patients. Those aggregates can be removed by filters (either depth filter or screen filter); their efficiency, as shown by SFP measurements is not questionable, however they are working in different ways as observed by SEM: mechanical retention and adsorption.


Development of factor VIII antibody in haemophilic monozygotic twins. European Study Group of Factor VIII Antibody.

The immunologic consequences of replacement therapy have been studied in 2 pairs of young haemophilic monozygotic twins. In both pairs one cotwin only developed a factor VIII specific antibody. This non-concordance illustrates the influence upon a specific immune response of non-genetic factors since the blood products, administered to each brother-pair, were not at all time identical nor were the regimens of transfusion therapy.


Strong electrical currents leave the primitive streak of chick embryos.

The electrical fields above chick embryos were explored with a vibrating probe. These fields indicate that steady currents with exit densities of the order of 100 microamperes per square centimeter leave the whole streak and return elsewhere through the epiblast. The epicenter of these strong exit currents lies near Hensen's node. They are probably pumped into the intraembryonic space by the epiblast and then leak out of the streak because it is a zone of junctional disruption.


Ethanol embryotoxicity: direct effects on mammalian embryos in vitro.

Exposure to ethanol retards growth and differentiation in cultured rat embryos during organogenesis. The development of untreated embryos is indistinguishable from growth in utero. These data suggest that the hypoplastic features of children born to chronically alcoholic mothers are due, at least in part, to a direct action of ethanol, which causes reduced embryonic cellular proliferation early in gestation.


[Ultrastructural diagnostic problems of pleural tumors. A study of 125 cases (author's transl)].

Ultrastructural studies may improve the diagnosis of pleural tumors. A comparative study of 125 primary and secondary pleural cancers provided the major structural features needed for differential diagnosis. Two cell types were always present in malignant mesothelioma: differentiated mesothelial, and fibroblastoid cells. The former had some features of metastatic epitheliomas (microvilli, microfilaments, junctional complexes, basement membranes). The later were specific. They were sometimes isolated, had the general aspect of fibroblasts but possessed typical microvilli. It was difficult to assess the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma on isolated differentiated mesothelial cells in pleural fluids or biopsies. Cilia or secretory granules were found only in metastatic cells. The finding of fibroblastoid cells in a pleural tumor proves its mesothelial origin.


Prenatal stress reduces fertility and fecundity in female offspring.

Female rats subjected to prenatal stress later experienced fewer conceptions, more spontaneous abortions and vaginal hemorrhaging, longer pregnancies, and fewer viable young than nonstressed rats. The offspring of the prenatally stressed rats were lighter in weight and less likely to survive the neonatal period. Prenatal stress may influence the balance of adrenal and gonadal hormones during a critical stage of fetal hypothalamic differentiation, thereby producing a variety of reproductive dysfunctions in adulthood.


Release of luteinizing hormone in male mice during exposure to females: habituation of the response.

Male mice release luteinizing hormone when exposed for a short time to a female. In this experiment, multiple blood samples were withdrawn by atrial cannulas from tethered males during either continuous or intermittent exposure to nonreceptive females. After an immediate, transient release of luteinizing hormone, continuous exposure to the same female was accompanied by only random, spontaneous elevations in plasma levels of this hormone. Successive presentations of the same female at 2-hour intervals elicited gradually diminishing luteinizing hormone responses. Exposing such unresponsive males to novel, diestrous females, however, dramatically stimulated their release of the hormone. These results demonstrate habituation of a socially induced, neuroendocrine response involving reproductive hormones.


Comparison of dairy cows with low or high rate of udder infection.

Within farms, animals with low and high rate of udder infection were selected from data of a mastitis-prevention field experiment during 3.5 years. Differences between the groups in udder conformation and milkability appeared to be small but were consistently to the disadvantage of the high infection rate group. In the course of a least three preceding lactations the percentage of quarters infected at any time was 53 per cent in the low and 91 per cent in the high infection rate group. The number of infections per quarter infected was 1.53 for the low infection rate group and 2.53 for the high infection rate group. As compared with infection-free quarters it was shown that the duration of infections with udder pathogens was significantly shortened if a quarter was already infected with secondary, i.e. less or non-pathogenic, bacteria. It was not possible to demonstrate differences in cell count or immunoglobulin levels in infection-free quarters between the low and high infection rate groups.


The endocrine background of human renal cell carcinoma. III. Role of inhibitors of R 5020 binding in tumour cytosol.

Cytosol preparations obtained from 9 different human renal cell carcinomas were investigated for the eventual presence of progestin-binding inhibitors which might offer an explanation for the previous failure to demonstrate high receptor levels in the tumour tissue. The inhibitory potency of these preparations was estimated by measuring the decrease of R 5020 binding to uterine progestin receptors in the presence of tumour cytosol. Interestingly, cytosol from human renal cell carcinoma was found to contain progestin-binding inhibitors. The average inhibition of R-5020-receptor interaction amounted to 46%. In only 1 out of 9 cases, binding was completely suppressed. In order to circumvent the inhibitory reaction potentially occurring in cell-free systems, R-5020-binding studies additionally were performed in cell suspension. Out of 7 carcinomas studied using this assay system, 5 did not contain any specific progestin-binding entities. In 1 tumour, receptor-atypical non-saturable binding was observed. Only in isolated cells prepared from 1 other carcinoma, could slight indications for the presence of low concentrations of progestin receptors be detected.


A test for bladder neck competence: the fluid bridge test.

The momentary entry of urine into the proximal urethra during coughing can be demonstrated by a new test which can be conducted using apparatus now commonly available for urodynamic investigations. If the bladder neck opens, a fluid bridge is established between points of pressure measurement in the bladder and in the proximal urethra. Thus, the pressures at these two points momentarily become equal. The clinical value and relevance to physiology may not become clear for some time, but the relatively simple apparatus and procedure, and the ease with which the results can be translated into physical facts, provide important advantages over other dynamic tests of the urethra which are currently possible.


[Two rare congenital malformations of the female urethra].

Two cases of incontinent females due to malformations of the dorsal wall of the urethra are presented and surgical corrections are discribed. The causal factors for the development of the malformations are explained by irregularities of the Wolffian ducts' regression during the transition period between in gonadal development between the 3rd and 5th week of gestation. The new medical technical term "indifference-syndrome" is proposed, to distuingish these malformations of the female urethra from true hypospadia.


Patient costs for urodynamic testing.

Urodynamic investigations are not completely standardized. However, the number of exhibits of urodynamic equipment at urologic meetings by commercial firms suggests that these studies have considerable applicability and relevance to everyday practice. Investment by a urologist in equipment for urodynamic testing should be cautious in the light of the costs for these investigations reported from centers in Canada, the United States, and Western Europe. The figures suggest that sophisticated urodynamic testing is not a screening test -- it is too expensive, but large urodynamic laboratories appear to charge only for a portion of the actual cost of such testing. Since urodynamic testing is much more expensive than actual patient charges, it is probably not yet cost effective in its present state of development.


Effect of drugs on progesterone metabolism in the female rat.

Various drugs brought about a reduction of serum progesterone level irrespective of whether or not a potent inducer (phenobarbital, 4-methyl-coumarin) or a hepatotoxin (carbon tetrachloride, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate, coumarin) has been administered. The decrease by hepatotoxins was highly significant during the estrus phase of the cycle. These treatments affected the hepatic level of progesterone and altered the uptake of [4-14C]progesterone in vivo. The serum level of progesterone was significantly decreased by phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride; however, the incorporation into the liver was enhanced by phenobarbital and reduced by carbon tetrachloride. This opposing hepatic action showed selectivity; phenobarbital increased the oxidative pathway of progesterone metabolism (formation of 6 beta-, 16 alpha-, 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone) but the reductive pathway remained unaltered (formation of pregnanediol, pregnanolone). Conversely, carbon tetrachloride diminished oxidation and raised reduction of progesterone. These results have been confirmed by measurements of progesterone metabolism in vitro using isolated microsomes. Phenobarbital brought about an induction of progesterone 16 alpha-, 6 beta- and 20 alpha-hydroxylase, did not affect progesterone delta 4-5 alpha-dehydrogenase, whereas carbon tetrachloride inhibited hydroxylase and raised dehydrogenase activities. The action of these test compounds on serum and liver levels of progesterone and on the variation of progesterone metabolism seemed to be related to changes manifest in the function of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. Similar changes might be associated with the development of mild hepatic lesions induced by various steroids.


Clinical effect and metabolism of S-sulfonated immunoglobulin in 7 patients with congenital humoral immunodeficiency.

7 patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency were given an S-sulfonated IgG preparation, 100 mg/kg i.v. at intervals of 3--4 weeks, for treatment of, or prophylaxis  against, infection. The clinical effects and metabolism of S-sulfonated IgG were studied. No side reactions attributable to S-sulfonated IgG occurred in any of the patients. The S-sulfonated IgG was completely transformed into intact IgG within 24 h after administration, and had a mean half-life of 21 days, comparable to that of intact IgG. Complete restoration of IgG Fc fragment activity occurred within 24 h following injection, as assessed by reversed passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.


Posttransfusional immunologic thrombocytopenia. A case report.

A case of posttransfusional immunologic thrombocytopenia is reported in a 75-year-od PlA1-negative woman. This was the second episode of postoperative and posttransfusion thrombocytopenia in the same patient who had had only one pregnancy. Both thrombocytopenic episodes were subclinical and discovered by systematical hematologic study. A potent anti-PlA1-antibody (titer 1/128) was demonstrated by the platelet-indirect radioactive Coombs test which appeared more sensitive than other platelet immunological assays used. The very long duration of the thrombocytopenia is discussed as well as the therapeutic possibilities in such cases.


Studies on the embryogenesis of the tapeworm Cittotaenia variabilis (Stiles, 1895) using transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

The embryogenesis of the tapeworm Cittotaenia variabilis from the oocyte to the oncosphere is followed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with ethanol cryofracture. Transmission electron micrographs and histochemistry are used to corroborate the inferences drawn from the SEM studies. Evidence is given for oocyte granules, the uterine epithelium, and the outer envelope as sources of components for the outer capsule. The contributions and senescence of the inner envelope and its relationship to the embryophore are given.


The contents of water-insoluble dietary fibre in finnish berries and mushrooms. A preliminary study.

The contents of water-insoluble dietary fibre were estimated in Finnish berries and mushrooms. The contents in berries varied from 8.9 to 26.6% in dry matter and in mushrooms from 19.6 to 41.6 in dry matter.


Maternal behavior in the primiparous and multiparous golden hamster.

Changes in the normal behavior patterns seen during lactation in the female golden hamster have received relatively little attention in the past (Rowell 1961; Daly 1972). The purpose of this experiment was to characterize and compare maternal behavior in female hamsters during gestation and 24 days of lactation, with their first and second litters. Each was observed for 1/2 h daily, and her behavior recorded every 10 s. Maternal behavior decreased over time in the mothers during both first and second lactations, while "non-maternal" behavior increased. No differences were observed in these measures between the first and second lactation.


[Stability of the cardiovascular functions of different genetic strains of rats subjected to emotional stress].

The level of catecholamines was measured in various brain parts in rats of August and Wistar lines, characterized by different stability of cardio-vascular functions in emotional stress. In norm, the August line has a higher content of dopamine (DA), in the mid-brain in particular; the Wistar line has a higher content of noradrenaline (NA) in the hypothalamus. In susceptible animals, which showed different cardio-vascular disorders during 30 hours of immobilization (48% of the Wistar line and 90% of the August), and in animals resistent against emotional stress, the changes in the initial level of catecholamines were observed, both common and specific for two lines. An assumption is made that the stability of cardio-vascular functions in the emotional stress is provided for by an intensive metabolism of the NA-synthesizing neurones in the brain isthmus, and by a moderate activity of the DA-synthesizing neurones of the mid-brain; the susceptibility to cardio-vascular disorders in the emotional stress is due to increase in the activity of the DA-synthesizing mid-brain neurones, the decrease in the activity of the DA-hydroxilase and the exhaustion of NA in the hypothalamus.


Preparation and properties of pectic enzymes produced by Trichoderma lignorum.

Polygalacturonase and protein-methylesterase were isolated from shaken culture of Trichoderma lignorium. Isolation was carried out with various agents. Methanol was the most suitable precipitant for isolating polygalacturonase, yielding enzyme preparations 6.6 times more active than that of culture filtrate. Likewise, tannin afforded active fractions at pH 4 and 0.05% concentrations. Similarly, 50% ammonium sulphate saturation gave active fractions. The least polygalacturonase activity was obtained from ethanol. In any of the organic solvents used, highest enzymic activity was obtained when using only one volume. As regards pectin-methylesterase, no correlation existed between its activity and concentration of the precipitant used. A substrate concentration above 0.8% was a limiting factor for polygalacturonase activity, while optimum enzyme concentration was 40 microgram protein/ml at 40 degrees C and pH 4.45.


[Increased tolerance of the dopamine- and serotoninergic systems during chronic administration of haloperidol and levomepromazine].

In experiments on male albino rats single administration of haloperidol produced catalepsy, increase in dopamine turnover, enhancement of main dopamine metabolite homovanilinic acid in the forebrain. After single administration of the levomepromazine the cataleptogenic effect was accompanied by an enhanced 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid level, and no influence on the dopamine metabolism was observed. During chronic administration of haloperidol and levomepromazine their ability to induce catalepsy and to increase homovanilinic acid or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration diminished. Thus, it appears that chronic administration of haloperidol reduces the sensitivity of dopamine receptors, and chronic administration of levomepromazine--reduces the sensitivity of dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.


[Psychoneurologic status of preschool children who have sustained hyperbilirubinemia during the newborn period].

A study of the neurological and mental state (as well as of the functional state of some system) with the aid of EMG, REG and EEG in 110 children permitted the authors to conclude that the residual period of hyperbilirubinemia is characterized by a morphofunctional brain immaturity. Clinically it may be expressed in frequent vegetovascular disorders and different psychopathological syndromes, decreasing the adaptational possibilities of the functional systems and disturbing the social adjustment of children. The residual period of hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn is being considered as a period of a relatively favourable and unstable compensation. The authors recommend a certain system of organizational, pedagogical and medical measures ensuring mental and physical health of these children.


[Pathogenesis of stereotyped behavior].

The paper concerns the syndrome of stereotyped behaviour in rats induced by disturbance of inhibition in both caudate nuclei under influence of tetanus toxin, penicillin, and pirotoxin injected in these nuclei. Stereotyped behaviour could be inhibited by administration of GABA into the same brain area, as well as by a systemic administration of haloperidol, diazepam, aminalon, and lithium chloride. The conclusion is made that the disturbance of GABA-egric control in the caudate nucleus is a significant pathogenetic condition of the hyperactive neostriar dofaminergic apparatus, appearing due to disinhibition. Both links compose the pathogenetic basis of the syndrome of stereotyped behaviour.


[Changes in innate forms of motor behavior in rats during long-term hypokinesia].

The structure of motor behaviour in response to environmental tests--"open field" and "with-a-partner" situation (according to P. V. Simonov)--was studied in rats after 1, 3 and 6 weeks of hypokinesis, (to K. Hecht), as compared to the control. In control animals a relatively low level of orienting-investigation reactions and of grooming was observed as well as a low alimentary activity, which is considered as a manifestation of innate passive defensive reactions in the above situations. Disappearance of these reactions in the course of hypokinesia has two stages: predominant increase in orienting-investigating reactions (1-3 weeks); their subsequent decrease and an increase in the grooming (after 6 weeks). The relation between innate and conditioned behavioural changes is discussed as well as stability of alimentary behaviour in rats.


Purification of cobalt-activated acylase by affinity chromatography.

alpha-Hydroxyisocaproyltyrosine (HyIc-Tyr-OH), a potent competitive inhibitor of the cobalt-activated acylase form 2, was synthesized. Its derivative, alpha-aminopentyl-HyIc-Tyr-OEt was coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B and was used for about 100-fold purification of the acylase from human liver by affinity chromatography. The preparation obtained did not show aminoacylase, aspartyl acylase or alanylarylamidase activities. The same chromatographic method was also applied to isolate form 2 of the serum acylase from patients with viral hepatitis and guinea pig placenta.


Prostaglandin-stimulated LH release in cyclic and ovariectomized rats.

The ability of prostaglandin (PG) E2 treatment to stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) release was compared in cyclic (4-day) and ovariectomized rats. PGE2 (500 micrograms) was injected sc and plasma LH concentration was determined in serial jugular blood samples. Administration of PGE2 at 13.30 h on each day of the oestrous cycle resulted in a significantly greater increase in plasma LH levels at pro-oestrus and oestrus than at dioestrus 1 and 2. This differential response by the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis during the oestrous cycle implicates regulatory activity by ovarian steroid feedback. In oestrogen-primed ovariectomized rats, PGE2 administration stimulated a significant increase in plasma LH, but similar treatment in non-primed castrates decreased plasma LH levels. This finding suggests a major role for oestrogen in regulating this response.


Twenty-four hour sleep-wake pattern of plasma LH in patients with anorexia nervosa.

The 24-h sleep-wake pattern of plasma LH was studied in 18 patients with severe weight loss. Sixteen patients had anorexia nervosa, one suffered from schizophrenia and one had a gastric ulcer. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 31 years. Seventeen women and one boy participated in the study. Their weight ranged from 51 to 73% of the ideal body weight (IBW) at the first 24-h study which was at one week after admission to the hospital. Blood was taken through an indwelling venous catheter every 30 min. The patients' weight increased under behavioural therapy and they were re-studied when they had gained approximately 10% IBW and again prior to release from the psychiatric ward. The LH patterns were classified as infantile, pubertal or adult. All patients except for two had an infantile pattern at the first study. Except for the two patients who had no anorexia nervosa, all developed a pubertal and/or an adult pattern. All patients whose weight was below 69% IBW had an infantile LH pattern. All patients whose weight was below 69% IBW had an infantile LH pattern. Adult patterns were only seen when the body weight was greater than 80% IBW. The increase of the average 24-h LH values was slower the older the patients were and the longer they had been anorectic.


Immune thrombocytolytic purpura (ITP): a diagnostic and therapeutic survey of 86 cases with regard to the results of splenectomy and conservative therapy.

The therapeutic results in 86 cases of ITP seen over a period of 15 years are reported. Distribution of the haemorrhagic manifestations was in agreement with published data. On follow-up of the 40 splenectomized patients, the shortened platelet life-span, the reduced "recovery" as well as the increased rates of platelet turnover and platelet formation revealed a manifest tendency of normalization. One year after splenectomy the results were found "good" or "moderate" in 86%, more than two years after the intervention in 85%, of the cases. Retrospective analysis of the platelet-sequestration studies having shown "good" or satisfactory results in 93% of the splenic cases, this investigation is regarded as crucial to the indication of splenectomy. The absence of increased thrombocytopoiesis in approximately 15% of the cases is attributed to an antibody effect, reflected in a reduced polyploidy of the megakaryocytes. Normalization or increase in platelet count early after splenectomy is interpreted as a favourable prognostic sign. On the other hand, neither age of the patients nor the time of splenectomy was found to affect the success of the intervention. The results of corticosteroid treatment (Prednisolon 52%) lag far behind those of splenectomy. Ten patients were given combined immunosuppressive treatment.