Cultural bases of images of causation in psychological disorder: a Colombian survey.

This study examines the influence of participation in differing socio-cultural contexts on beliefs about the causes of psychological disorder. Data were obtained through interviews with 794 laymen and 333 health workers, all residing in a single Colombian city. Results indicate an emphasis on organic causes among lay respondents and nearly equal emphasis on organic and social causes among medical-paramedical personnel. Futher variations are evident, between as well as within the two samples, when background characteristics are considered. Differences in these images of causation are explained in terms of the socio-cultural organization of Colombian society as well as that of the medical occupational subculture.


Differential effect of the rd mutation on rods and cones in the mouse retina.

The retinas of rd/rd C57BL/6J-rd le mice have been examined by light and electron microscopy to determine whether rod cell degeneration precedes cone cell degeneration. In all regions of the eye, a rapid rod degeneration precedes a much slower cone degeneration. Only about 2% of the rods remain in the posterior region at postnatal day 17, and none by the day 36. By contrast, at least 75% of the cone nuclei remain at day 17. Although most of these slowly disappear, about 1.5% of the original population of cone nuclei in the posterior retina is still present at 18 months of age. A central to peripheral temporal gradient of degeneration exists, such that some rod nuclei persist in the far periphery up to day 47, but none is found at day 65. About 5% of the cone nuclei are still present in the far periphery at 18 months of age.


Synthesis of glycosaminoglycans by cultures of normal human corneal endothelial and stromal cells.

Monolayer cultures of normal human corneal endothelial and stromal cells were incubated with [35S]sulfate and [3H]glucosamine for 4 hr. The labeled glycosaminoglycans resulted from this incubation were isolated from the cell layer and the growth medium and further characterized. Both endothelial and stromal cell cultures synthesized a variety of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, with chondroitin 6-sulfate as the major product. Chondroitin 4-sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate were present in smaller amounts. Keratan sulfate was produced only in minimal amounts. Both cell types also synthesized hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid production in stromal cell strains derived from donors of different ages was similar. The demonstration that the endothelial cell strain derived from a 1-day-old baby contained more hyaluronic acid than cultures from older donors suggests a possible age-related phenomenon as seen in developing tissues.


Critical flicker-fusion frequency as an indicator of human receptive field-like properties.

A psychophysical function, believed to reflect receptive field-like properties, is described. It is based on the determination of the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) of a tiny test target, centered on a round background of fixed luminance, the size of which is varied as the test parameter. Under optimal conditions, the maximal obtained frequency difference is 10 Hz. This function is compared with the so-called sustained-like function, with which it has some common aspects. Additionally, a portion of the flicker-based function apparently derives from a non-sustained-like source.


End-point nystagmus.

Infrared oculography was performed during sustained lateral gaze in 12 normal subjects to investigate end-point nystagmus while fixating a target light. Five failed to develop nystagmus despite deviation up to 40 degrees from 4 to 5 min. Six subjects developed nystagmus immediately or shortly after reaching the deviated position. In one, the nystagmus (0.5 degrees to 1 degree and 1.0 Hz) began with only a 20 degree deviation. In another subject, "fatigue" nystagmus developed after 1 min at 30 degrees, and at 35 degrees nystagmus began within 2 sec. One subject developed only fatigue nystagmus, which began after more than 4 min of sustained deviation. In all instances the slow phase had primarily a linear, rather than exponential, waveform.


Vertical disparity detection: is there an induced size effect?

Horizontal, vertical, and over-all size differences were introduced in the retinal images of the two eyes of normal subjects during brief presentations of simple foveal targets. Horizontal disparities, whether accompanied by vertical disparities or not, induced the appearance of a rotation of the target around a vertical axis out of the frontal plane, according to the expectation from geometry, but vertical disparities had no effect. Over-all size changes in one eye induced the effect of the horizontal component. Threshold experiments showed that even with practice and error feedback, vertical disparity detection has at most only one-tenth the sensitivity of horizontal disparity detection. Although at variance with findings on the induced size effect obtained under more complex observation conditions, these results confirm that the processing of horizontal disparity plays a special role in the integration of the signals coming from the two eyes.


Biophysical aspects of epithelial adhesion to stroma.

The affinity of various corneal boundary surfaces, such as mucus-coated epithelium, demucinized epithelium, denuded basement membrane, and keratectomized cornea, to water and hydrophobic liquids was determined by contact angle goniometry on enucleated rabbit eyes. The mucus-coated surface and the bare stromal surface without the basement membrane were found to be more hydrophilic than the surfaces of the epithelium and the basement membrane. If at least one of the surfaces forming a joint boundary is hydrophilic, then conditions become favorable for the accumulation of water at the interface, forming a weak boundary layer that is detrimental to adhesion, due to its low shear resistance. Thus, even in a normal eye, mucus does not adhere strongly to the epithelium; when the basement membrane is damaged or absent, the epithelium does not adhere well to the stroma. External dehydrating factors such as hyperosmotic conditions favor adhesion, whereas edematic conditions have an adhesive (adhesion-decreasing) effect. Experimental ophthalmic solutions containing macromolecules at hyperosmotic concentrations may demonstrate a therapeutic effect when applied to eyes with recurrent epithelial erosion or other epithelial trauma.


Dexamethasone inhibition of experimental endothelial cell proliferation in retinal venules.

The observation that endothelial cell proliferation in retinal blood vessels is induced by ocular trauma in rats has been extended to mice. Indomethacin, 10 mg/kg/day, failed to block incorporation of tritiated thymidine into nuclei of venular endothelial cells in rat retinas observed 40 hr after puncturing the lens, but dexamethasone effectively suppressed tritiated thymidine incorporation, with 50% inhibition obtained with 0.2 mg/kg/day. The prostaglandin pathway does not appear essential to the activation of endothelial cell proliferation in this system.


Synthesis of gamma crystallin by a cloned cell line from Nakano mouse lens.

A cloned cell line was derived from a culture of Nakano mouse lens epithelial cells. The cloned cells grew vigorously and produced large numbers of lentoid bodies. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and non-SDS slab-gel electrophoresis of the soluble proteins from the cultured cell revealed protein bands identical in pattern to those of purified gamma crystallin. Antibody to mouse gamma crystallin reacted to the soluble protein fraction of the cultured cells, indicating the synthesis in culture of gamma crystallin by this cloned cell line.


Contrast evoked potentials in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia.

Steady-state visual evoked potentials were elicited by the appearance/disappearance of sinusoidal gratings of varying spatial frequency for both eyes of amblyopic subjects. The amblyopic eyes showed reduced responses and a phase shift relative to the nonamblyopic eyes across a wide range of spatial frequencies. Both the nonamblyopic and amblyopic eyes showed a linear relationship between the evoked potential amplitude and the logarithm of the stimulus contrast; however, the slope of the line was flatter for the amblyopic eyes.


Cup electrode for human ERG.

This report describes a cup electrode for measuring the human electroretinogram which improves the comfort of a subject while providing sufficiently large signal-to-noise ratios for most applications. The cup electrode is demonstrated by measuring the electroretinogram for small-amplitude flash stimuli.


Slow control of eye position in strabismic amblyopia.

Unsteady and eccentric monocular fixation were examined in subjects with strabismic amblyopia. Records of horizontal components of unsteady fixation by amblyopic eyes were characterized by abnormally large saccades and a nasalward bias for slow drifts. Typically, these fixational movements aligned the retinal image on an eccentric nasal retinal region. The presence of a slow control mechanism for eye position in amblyopia was examined by teaching subjects to voluntarily suppress fixation saccades. In the absence of saccades, amblyopic eyes continued to fixate eccentrically, using slow drifting movements. When attempting to fixate in the dark, fast drifts moved an amblyopic eye several degrees from its usual eccentric fixation posture, and large saccades were necessary to control eye position. Results demonstrate the operation of a slow control mechanism for eye position in amblyopia.


Correlation of radiographic and histologic findings in arterial calcification.

Intimal calcific atherosclerosis may lead to diminished organ perfusion, whereas medial calcification (Mönckeberg type) is of no physiologic significance. Thirty-nine excised arteries were studied by correlating specimen radiographs with transverse histologic sections to determine whether intimal and medial calcification could be reliably distinguished by radiographic criteria. The calcification was correctly localized in 92% of the arteries studied. Intimal calcification was usually irregular and patchy, whereas medial calcification was regular and diffuse. In one case, extensive medial calcification obscured intimal disease. Plain radiographs may be a useful way to follow progression, regression and the effects of therapy on vaso-occlusive disease in certain high-risk patients.


Failure to prostaglandin A1 to modify renal diatrizoate uptake in experimental acute renal failure.

Acute renal failure (ARF) was induced in rats by intramuscular injection of glycerol. Forty-eight hours later prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) in a dose of 1, 5 or 25 microgram/kg bodyweight or phosphate buffer was infused intravenously over 15 min into these animals and controls. After 14 min, 125I-labeled diatrizoate was injected intravenously in a dose of 15 mg/kg bodyweight. Uptake and distribution of diatrizoate were measured one minute later in whole kidneys or kidney slices to provide indices of glomerular filtration. Diatrizoate concentrations were also measured in liver, plasma and washed red cells. Plasma volume was estimated with 125I-labeled albumin. PGA1 produced a dose-related increase in plasma diatrizoate concentration in ARF which was not accounted for by changes in uptake by the kidney, liver or red cells or by changes in plasma volume. It exceeded the relatively small increase in diatrizoate uptake which occurred in the kidney. Intrarenal distribution of diatrizoate did not change. These observations in the kidney suggest that intravenous PGA1 does not improve glomerular filtration in this model of established ARF.


Validation of regional myocardial flow measurements with scintillation camera detection of xenon-133.

Measurement of disappearance rates of diffusible isotopes with a scintillation camera has been used to estimate myocardial blood flow in man, although there has been no data to assess the accuracy of the technique. We compared regional flow measurements using scintillation camera detection of 133 Xe with essentially simultaneous measurements using gamma-emitter labeled microspheres and differential spectrometry of left ventricular tissue. In 16 dogs, flows through 20--50% of the left ventricle were obtained at rest and with intravenous isoproterenol; the coefficient of correlation of paired measurements with the two techniques was 0.74. In eight dogs, a coronary artery was ligated, and regions approximately 2.2 cm2 at nearby locations in normal, infarcted and marginal tissue studied; the coefficient of correlation was 0.73. In five dogs, flow in three to five precisely identical 1.1 cm2 regions were measured at rest and with isoproterenol by both methods; correlations within each dog ranging from 0.81 to 0.93 were obtained. Although flows with the scintillation camera technique tended to be lower than values with the microsphere technique, it is suggested that the linear correlations of paired values with the two techniques is evidence that scintillation camera detection of 133Xe can be used to quantitate changes in regional myocardial perfusion in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.


Histologic effects of Amipaque (metrizamide) and various contrast media on mouse peritoneum.

The histologic effects of Amipaque and various commonly used contrast media on mouse peritoneum were studied by intraperitoneal injections of Amipaque 370 mg I/ml and 170 mg I/ml, Conray 300 mg I/ml, Conray Meglumine 282 mg I/ml, Urografin 60% and 76%, Gastrografin and barium sulfate. Amipaque and the other water-soluble media cause no deleterious effects, whereas barium sulfate evokes granulomatous inflammatory reaction. Amipaque is suitable for gastrointestinal studies when leakage into the peritoneal cavity is expected.


Increased collateral arterial and venous endothelial cell turnover after renal artery stenosis in the dog.

Renal artery stenosis was induced in dogs and collateral arterial formation assessed by serial angiography and histology. Endothelial cell turnover was estimated by radioautography in five normal and five collateral-forming kidneys 18-39 days following stenosis with tritiated thymidine. Normal arterial endothelial labeling was 0.1% with a highly significant (p less than 0.0005), 55-fold increase in endothelial labeling in arterial collateral vessels. A smaller but statistically significant increase in the labeling index was also found in endothelial cells of the renal vein, from a normal of 0.065% to 0.4% (p less than 0.005). An excellent correlation was found between endothelial cell labeling in small arteries and the renal veins (r = 0.97; p less than 0.01). A marked increase in epithelial cell labeling of the ureters draining the stenotic kidneys was also evident (p less than 0.005). Thus, collateral vessel development is characterized by active DNA synthesis in cellular elements, and a humoral factor is implicated in the vascular response.


Hemodynamic and morphologic evaluation of the spleen after splenic vein ligation in the dog.

The splenic vein was ligated in ten dogs in order to evaluate the time course of changes in splenic size and to relate them to splenic arterial flow, splenic pressure and development of venous collaterals. Following ligation of the splenic vein, splenic size and venous pressure immediately rose in all dogs. Arterial flow to the spleen simultaneously fell in roughly inverse proportion to the elevation of venous pressure. During the following weeks, the splenic parenchymal pressure decreased to basline levels in all but one dog, as collateral veins developed through the gastric venous network to the portal vein. Splenic size gradually decreased toward normal in eight of the ten dogs. At the time of sacrifice, 8-16 weeks after splenic vein ligation, pathologic examination demonstrated fibrosis from healed infarction. Recent hemorrhage, indicating persistence of the congestive process, we also present, although difficult to explain in view of normal splenic parenchymal pressure.


[Lipoatrophia semicircularis in the male. Coincidence of arterial variations and micro-traumas as a possible disease cause].

Semicircular lipoatrophy is a new entity with horizontal depressions involving half the circumference of thigh, on the antero-lateral aspect. After seven female patients we observed this condition for the first time in the male. Therefore semicircular lipoatrophy is not specific to the female. The cause could not be determined clinically, nor by biochemical, immunological or histological methods. In our opinion semicircular lipoatrophy represents an ischemic atrophy of the fatty tissue, manifested by repeated microtraumata (corners of wash-basins, dressing tables or desks). The perfusion on the antero-lateral aspect of the thighs is tenous, especially when the course of the lateral femoral circumflex artery varies from the normal. In this case semicircular anastomotic areas become ischemic and horizontal bands of lipoatrophy result.


[Secondary syphills appearing as reticulosis].

A case of secondary syphilis clinically appearing as malignant reticulosis was studied. The histology was characterized by many plasma cells and practically no mitoses. On the ultrastructural level many plasma cells, lymphocytes and macrophages were found, but no morphological signs of a malignant reticulosis such as Sézary or other atypical cells were apparent.


[Ichthyosis vulgaris, deafness, pili torti and tooth abnormalities].

A 18 year old female patient is reported, who has ichthyosis vulgaris, deafness, pili torti and anomalies of the teeth. The parents of the patient were deaf also but had little changes of the skin. The syndrom is not described before in the literature.


[Brush treatment of dirt tattoos].

Dirt-tattoos can easily be removed under short term general anesthesia through viguerous scrubbing with a stiff brush and simultaneous washing with a 0,1% oxyzyanate solution. Seven patients were treated according to this method. Good cosmetic results can be obtained through this treatment even 20 days after the accident.


[Vitamin A acid for the topical management of epithelial neoplasms. Combination with 5-fluorouracil].

15 patients with superficial basaliomas or premalignant epithelial neoplastic disorders (actinic keratosis, leukoplakia, Bowen's disease) were treated locally over three weeks with retinoic acid (RA) alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In 11 cases the lesions disappeared clinically, however, only 5 patients proved to be cured by histological examination. 4 of them were treated with RA combined with 5-FU. There was a decrease of the 3H-index after the first week and an increase after the third week of treatment. These findings suggest, that RA inhibits the proliferation of neoplastic keratinocytes and stimulates the proliferation of normal epidermal cells. Retinoic acid, therefore, has an inhibitory effect on epithelial neoplasias, particularly in combination with 5-FU. Since local therapy with RA and 5-FU is not sufficient for routine clinical purposes in all cases, their use should be restricted to selected patients.


[Kallikrein in a double-blind study  in idiopathic oligozoospermia].

In a double blind study the effectivity of kallikrein (Padutin 100) was investigated in 90 men with idiopathic oligozoospermia. After oral application of kallikrein (600 Kallikrein units per day) over a period of seven weeks a statistically significant increase of the sperm number and sperm motility was observed compared to the placebo group. The conception rate was 38% in the kallikrein group and 16% in the placebo group.


[Enzyme cytochemical studies of malignant cutaneous lymphomas using simple smear preparations].

Cyto-morphological and enzyme-cytochemical investigations were carried out in five patients with lymphoreticular proliferations in the skin, using a simple smear technique. As purely morphological criteria allow only a limited differentiation of the infiltrate cells in the smears, enzyme-cytochemical methods were applied for further identification (detection of hydrolytic enzymes). With this new technique, the single cells are not damaged and keep their cell structure, so that the exact localisation of the enzyme activity is possible. Our investigations demonstrate the change of the cellular infiltration in the cutaneous smear during the clinical course of mycosis fungoides. In the premycotic stage, enzyme cytochemically positive monocytes and enzyme cytochemically negative lymphocytes with small nuclei are prevalent. In the infiltrative and tumor stages the cellular picture is dominated by polymorphonuclear lymphocytoid cells with medium sized nuclei, these cells contain ample amounts of esterases and acid phosphatase. In contrast to these findings, other lymphomas investigated by us are characterized by the lack of monocytes and an abundance of lymphocytes, which according to the stage of differentiation present a different pattern of the alpha-naphthylacetate-esterase and the acid phosphatase.


[Experience with the Thermalsole-phototherapy in psoriasis vulgaris].

Report on 250 patients suffering from psoriasis, who were treated by a new method. This consists of a bath in saturated sodium chloride water from a natural source followed by irradiation with ultraviolet light (maximal output at 350 to 400 nm and peak at 323 nm respectively). 84 percent of the patients showed clearing after 24+/-10 days of treatment.


[The tromantadine contact eczema].

Tromantadinhydrochlorid has been established as a local antiviral substance in the treatment of recurrent herpes. With longer duration of treatment contact allergy can be observed. In our own material we noticed this in 26 of 387 treated patients.


[Localized dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring of the Cottini type].

Dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring restricted to knees and ellbows is relatively unknown and is called Cottini type. We observed a 23 year old female patient, in whom the resolution of the lesions occured after topical steroids. The dermatitis flared possibly following treatment with an iodine-containing coughing sirup.


[4 malignant colo-rectal and peritoneal tumors appearing after pelvic irradiation].

Research on possible effects of ionizing radiations:study of four patients having developed malignant tumor after radiotherapy for primary cancer of female reproductive system: adenoacanthoma and adenocarcinoma of uterine corpus, squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, right ovary adenocarcinoma. Our observations comprise three epithelial tumors (muciparus adenocarcinoma of caecum and sigmoid colon, squamous cell carcinoma of rectum and anal canal) respectively 17, 10 and 9 years after radiotherapy, and one mesenchymatous tumor (peritoneal fibrosarcoma) 4 years after radiotherapy.


[Closed hemorrhoidectomy using Ferguson's technic].

The author describes the "closed" method of hemorrhoidectomy, as advised by J.A. Ferguson, about forty years ago. In retrospect, reviewing 237 cases operated with this method between 1963 and 1976, it appears that the closed hemorrhoidectomy induces less postoperative pain and is fraught with less postoperative complications. Hospitalization averages 5 days. The complete duration of treatment is 4 weeks with an average loss of work of 19.5 days. If our fellow-surgeons are really prepared to relinquish sectarism and to seek for "modern" techniques, they should consider closed hemorrhoidectomy as the treatment of choice for this untoward condition.


[Sphincter function and continence after 2/3-division of the sphincter ani internus].

Pressure and motility in the anal canal in 24 patients with various benign anal disorders were measured before and 4-8 months after partial sphincterotomy. The clinical results were good in most cases. Postoperative manometric measurements showed a drop in pressure and an abolition of irregular slow waves. Partial sphincterotomy is a rational treatment because it corrects a pathological activity of the internal sphincter.


[Effect of calcitonin, somatostatin and cimetidine on stress ulcer in rats].

The prophylactic effect of calcitonin, somatostatin and cimetidine on stress ulcer formation in rats was investigated in two stress models: restraint + ketamin (4 h) and hypovolemia (4 h). The basis of the comparative study was a 70% inhibition of acid secretion for 4 h in pyloric ligated animals. This was achieved with 1000 microgram/kg somatostatin s.c., 10 microgram/kg calcitonin s.c., and 2 X 100 mumol/kg cimetidine s.c. In restraint stress and ketamin with calcitonin and cimetidine a significantly lower frequency of gastric lesions was found than with somatostatin. The most potent substance in hypovolemia was calcitonin, with a significant difference in the frequency of mucosal lesions to the groups with cimetidine and somatostatin.


[Acute ischemic gastric mucosal and duodenal lesions in dogs: "stress ulcer" after experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation].

Experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) without considerable effect on blood pressure is shown to produce within 80 min acute mucosal bleeding in stomach and duodenum. A documented high degree of tissue hypoxia caused by mucosal microthrombosis is necessary for the genesis of mucosal lesions. These results stress the necessity to look for DIC in patients with upper gastrointestinal "stress ulcers".


[Role of the bile in lesions of the intestinal mucosa above a mechanical occlusion].

In dogs, the principal lesion in the ileal mucosa above a mechanical obstruction is the induction of a secretory state in which there is a net loss of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. The role of stagnated bile as a possible agent provoking this secretion was explored by ligating the common bile duct and diverting the bile by means of an anastomosis between the gall bladder and the ileum distal to the obstruction. Seven days after creation of an obstruction with bile derivation, the functional and morphological changes in the obstructed loop were almost identical to those occurring in animals with obstructions without bile diversion. The secretory response above the obstruction continued unabated. These results suggest that the secretion in the obstructed intestine is not influeced by the presence of bile.


[Arthroscopic knee diagnosis in the non-specialized surgical department].

From the review of 200 cases we conclude that arthroscopy is not only indispensable to the specialized knee surgeon, but also very useful to the general surgeon in a smaller hospital who has to deal with the routine knee problems. The method allows to establish the diagnoses in almost any situation and helps to avoid unnecessary delays and unnecessary operations. Arthroscopy needs general anaesthesia, but when the diagnosis calls for surgical treatment, the operation is performed immediately under the same anaesthesia. The knee examination by arthroscopy is neither time-consuming nor technically or financially demanding. Complications are extremely rare.


[Bending and torsion stability of healed metatarsus osteotomy after plate osteosynthesis].

72 transversal osteotomies on metatarsus of sheep were stabilized under contact or gap conditions with three different thicknesses of bone plates. After 16 weeks we measured bending or torsion break loading, moment of inertia of bone by transmission methode and calculated moments of bending and torsion strength. ultimate bending strength on osteotomied bone 100.4 +/- 14.4 N/mm2 under contact, and 77.4 +/- 11.4 N/mm2 under gap condition, torsion bending strength 26.1 +/- 4.9 N/mm2 under contact, and under gap condition 21.5 +/- 4.3 N/mm2. The best results were given by the 2.8 mm plate with the same moment of inertia like the small ASIF plate.


[Hospital infection and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in a regional hospital. Value of sertyping].

Staphylococcus aureus isolated from purulent material has been systematically submitted to seroagglutination by Pillet's method as from 1972 to 1976. 495 serotyped strains from 333 patients are considered in the spread of infection. Epidemiological incidence and antibiotic resistance of each serotype is evaluated. As a result a new approach has been introduced in the operating theatre and in the wards. Hospital serotypes tend to disappear and new serotypes appear less virulent.


[A new surgical lavage].

The application in purulent peritonitis of a novel surgical lavaging agent with unique properties is reported. Taurolin is a non-toxic formaldehyde-transmitter with a Thiadiazine structure exhibiting a twofold action in gram-negative sepsis owing to its bactericidal potency and its ability to denature endotoxins in vivo. The present study reports the surgical treatment of 62 patients with appendicitis and peritonitis of varying genesis, using 0.5% Taurolin as lavaging and 2% Taurolin as instillation agents. After 5 days 22 out of 25 patients with purulent peritonitis were void of intraperitoneal bacteria. To date no significant adverse drug reactions were observed.


[Pathophysiology of burns].

Ultrastructural and metabolic alterations of the liver were studied in mice and rats after standardized "in vivo" burn injuries or i.p. injections of a specific cutaneous burn toxin. The main findings of the ultrastructural investigations were delayed and specific intramitochondrial vacuolizations appearing not before the 5th-7th day after burning or toxin-injections. -By applying the Schimassek model of the isolated and perfused liver for investigating liver metabolism we found a drastically reduced ATP/ADP-quotient on the 5th day after burns or toxin-injection as compared to the normal controls. The total content of adenonucleotides, however, remained unchanged. The urea and glucose release into the perfusate was also significantly decreased in both groups of animals and the glucose synthesis was not adequately stimulated by an additional lactate load. The results show a direct effect on the burn toxin on the hepatic metabolism as well as the hepatic cell structure suggesting a marked alteration of the oxydative phosphorylation.


[Late results of different methods of surgical treatment of experimental retropatellar cartilage defects].

The result of the experimental studies encouraged us to treat our patients with chondro-malacia patellae not only by superficially rasping the damaged cartilage, but also by drilling several holes down to the subchondral layer. This allows a type of tissue repair by connective tissue. In addition we prefer a section of the retinacula and an anteposition of the patella ligament.


[Leg length differences and rotation defects after femoral shaft fractures in childhood. Therapeutic influence and spontaneous correction].

A follow-up study of 149 pediatric fractures of the femoral shaft (146 patients had a radiographic control) demonstrated a significant influence of multiple reductions and residual axial deviations on the incidence and extent of posttraumatic overgrowth. The presented group of patients did not show a positive correlation between therapeutic shortening at the time of the initial reduction and reduced incidence of long term overgrowth. Neither extent nor incidence of overgrowth could be prevented by this method. We therefore recommend to reduce fractures of the femoral shaft without forshortening, because it stimulates repair mechanisms at the growth plate and enhances overgrowth. In contradiction to the current concept of therapeutic recommendations it could be shown that posttraumatic rotational deformities will correct themselves in the course of physiologic detorsion of the femoral neck. In 67% of the studied group of patients initial errors of rotation corrected themselves by this mechanism. According to our results the therapeutic concept of pediatric femoral shaft fractures is revised and a new concept of initial and long term treatment is proposed.


[Animal experimental study with different suture materials in colonic anastomosis in rats].

On colon anastomoses of the rat four different suture materials were tested under standardized conditions. The tensile strength was determined by means of a microtraction apparatus. As a result it became evident that there are significant differences in the behaviour of the various suture guts.


[Replacement of Bauhin's valve with an end-to-end telescope anastomosis between the ileum and transverse colon. Experimental study in dogs].

A method of a telescope anastomosis for prevention of reflux was developed experimentally in dogs. After the resection of 40 cm of ileum and colon ascendens the ileal part was intussuscepted into the colon and fixed by seromuscular stiches. The vessels were left untouched. The intussuscepted part measured 3-4 cm. No ileus was observed in the 24 weeks. Glass balls of 1.2 cm diameter could pass through. Barium enema as well as air insufflation of different pressures showed no reflux. The serosa was covered pretty soon by a granular tissue and later on by normal mucosa.


[Postoperative gastritis caused by reflux. Apropos of 16 cases].

We observed 16 patients suffering from postoperative gastritis: 8 after a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, 6 after a Billroth II type gastrectomy, 1 after a truncal vagotomy with a Billroth I type antrectomy, 1 after correction of a hiatal hernia with pyloroplasty. Symptoms appeared from 1 month to 16 years after surgery. They consisted in epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss. The diagnosis is established essentially on the clinical picture and the endoscopy, which shows the presence of bile in the stomach and hyperemia of the mucosa. Microscopic lesions are constant, but there is no histologic specificity. 12 of 16 patients were operated on (Roux-enY loop). The reflux was suppressed in each case. Results of the operation were excellent or good in 10 patients, fair in one and unsatisfactory in one.


[Stomach perforation and other complications after splenectomy].

The complications of 151 cases of splenectomy are analyzed, the methods of their prevention discussed. As a special complication two cases of gastric fistula following splenectomy are reported. As prevention we recommend several broad Lembert sutures to invert the entire danger zone.


[Dissolution of choledochus stones with heparin-saline solution].

In a series of 336 cholecystectomies a revision of the bile ducts was necessary in 60 cases (18%). One to three residual concrements were evident in 6 patients from control cholangiograms made 8-10 days postoperatively (1.8%). Three of these patients were successfully reoperated. The remaining three were treated by irrigation with a herparin solution: the stones of two patients disappeared in 13 and 20 days, respectively. The third patient had to be reoperated due to septic fever on the 13th day, whereby soft, decayed material could be extracted. All patients had a complication-free recovery. Check-ups made six to twelve months later revealed painfree patients and normal cholangiographic values.


[Lengthwise growth of the lower extremities after shaft fractures in children].

Clinical and orthoradiographic follow-up of 50 tibial and 36 femoral fractures in children at an average of 4 1/2 years post trauma has revealed the follwing trends: Increased growth is irrelevant with regard to tibial fractures. Most of the conservatively treated femoral fractures were shortened at the time of follow-up, most of the operatively treated were longer than the uninjured side. This may be explained by lack of primary shortening after anatomical reduction. The increased growth of the fractured femur was more pronounced after conservative than operative treatment, probably because of the more marked primary shortening. Increased growth of the femur is almost 50% less in children older than 12 years whether they are treated operatively or conservatively. Therefore anatomical reduction if necessary by an operation has to be achieved in children older than 12 years. Finally an account is given on the shortening effect of a dislocation ad axim and the radiological projection of this dislocation in two plains.


[Results of closed medullary nailing of leg fractures (27 controlled cases)].

One of the possible methods for osteosynthesis of leg fractures is Küntscher's closed medullary nailing. The problems resulting from this type of injury, the surgical method, and the results obtained will here by presented on the basis of 27 checked cases. In 25 of those cases the fracture healed within the normal time span. In one case the consolidation was delayed, and one case gave rise to pseudarthrosis.


[Experiences with plate fixation in 131 femoral shaft fractures].

A consecutive series of 131 comminuted fractures of the femur in 123 patients has been reviewed. All fractures were stabilized by means of rigid ASIF-plate fixation (mostly DCP). About 60% of the patients were polyfractured or polytraumatized (including brain, chest and abdominal injuries). In 85% of the cases the fracture was stabilized within 24 h after the accident and usually the patients remained on a ventilator with PEEP for 1 to 2 days postoperatively. Of the 4 postoperative deaths only two patients died of a pulmonary complication. All patients could be reexamined 1-3 years postoperatively. Although a number of them had suffered from complications (osteitis, fatigue fractures of the plate, delayed union) and had to be reoperated,92% of the cases displayed an excellent or good functionl result. The factors to reduce the complication rate(i.e. primary cancellous bonegraft) are being discussed.


[Surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures].

The instable fractures of os calcis are usually treated by conservative methods with early functional mobilization. In a few cases we think that in the Tongue Type and especially in the Joint Depression Type of Essex-Lopresti a surgical treatment may be useful to reestablish the congruence and the geometry of the joint surface.


[Stress fracture of the calcaneus].

The localization of a stress fracture of the os calcis seems to be unknown in Switzerland. A typical case is reported. A review of the literature shows a remarkable change of frequency in the localization of stress fractures from the matatarsals to the os calcis caused by modern methods of military training.


[Treatment of unstable pelvic girdle fractures with Wagner external fixation].

Two cases of unstable pelvic ring fractures were stabilized by external fixation with a Wagner apparatus. This enabled a pain-free mobilization treatment to be started immediately afterwards, and, already 6 weeks later, a painless mobilization with a walking frame was achieved.


[Experiences with primary osteosynthesis in radial head fractures].

Displaced fractures of the radial head are indications for early surgery. The resection is unsatisfactorily leading often to an instable elbow in valgus deformity and to painful troubles in the distal radio ulnar joint. Prosthesis implantation has its own problems. Reconstructive surgery is obviously the best solution. 21 internal fixations in 20 patients were performed using small screws (and 2 plates) between 1968 and 1976. The functional and radiological results are excellent in 15 out of 19 controlled patients. 3 patients have a moderate reduction of the mobility, 1 patient a non-union. -We were impressed by 4 operative observations: The fractures and the displacements use to be unexpectedly important. There is usually a periostal bridge between the head fragments and the neck. That is why complete devitalization of the articular fragments  is rare. In about half of our cases we found an important avulsion of the humeral articular cartilage. In 8 of 10 cases these avulsions were interposed in the fragments of the radius. Their removal is necessary for the reduction. -These observations should influence the indication for reconstructive surgery in fractures of the radial head.


[Results of surgical treatment of acute knee joint injuries after winter sport accidents].

From 1974 to 1976 140 patients with knee joint injuries required immediate surgical treatment. 119 of these patients have been reexamined 1 to 3 years after operation, 83 by the authors. Clinical findings, indication for operation, operative procedures and the criteria for analysis of the late results are discussed. Good and satisfactory results were found in 96% of the cases. The results after reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament are excellent, 39 of 41 operatively treated patients showing a good result. After combined reconstruction of collateral and cruciate ligaments in 2/3 of the cases good results were obtained. Complications occurred in two cases requiring further surgery. The importance of intensive physiotherapeutical training until full rehabilitation of the injured joint was stressed.


[Indications and tactics in recurrent hiatal hernia].

The collective term "recurrent hiatus hernia" groups the pseudo-recurrent lesions after inappropriate surgery together with true recurrencies. An early recurrency can often be attributed to surgical technique, a late recurrency is usually biological in nature. The manifold pathophysiology of these cases is dominated by an intercurrent relux, dysphagia or paraoesophageal stomach volvulus. A decision to operate must, because of the important technical risks inherent, be made only after fully exhausting the conservative alternatives. The reoperation requires surgeon specially qualified for the task, with experience in thoraco-abdominal procedures. Approaches and alternative operating techniques are discussed with reference to personal experience from 56 cases.


[Pre- and postoperative manometeric findings in the esophagus in proximal selective vagotomy].

15 patients with duodenal ulcer underwent clinical and manometric studies to assess distal esophageal function before and after proximal selective vagotomy. Position, pressure and function of distal esophageal high pressure zone were not altered by the operation. No rationale has been found for the trend to combine proximal selective vagtomy with antireflux procedures.


[Clinical and nutritional status after jejuno-ileal shunt operation for exogenous morbid obesity].

Eight patients were operated upon for morbid obesity using strict criteria for operation. The average age was 35 years and average Broca's index 1.76. One patient underwent the Scott operation and seven the Buchwald-Varco procedure. There were neither postoperative deaths nor wound or bowel complications. The weight loss was 9.6% at the end of the 3rd postoperative week, and 24.6% at the end of the 4th postoperative month. Glycaemia and lipidaemia showed an important decrease upto the 3rd week postoperatively after which period this decrease became less marked. Electrolytes did not show any variation. Hepatic function tests indicated a slight increase at the 3rd postoperative week but normal levels at the later control. The frequency of diarrhoea varied between 8 and 10 liquid stools daily in the immediate postoperative period and 2-6 at the 4th month, without any pharmacological control. However, small intestinal shunts seem to create some favourable metabolic changes. Patient selection is important to the outcome of the operation. Long-term follow-up is mandatory since patients may develop medical complications.


[Results of a fast colic preparation].

Experience with whole-gut irrigation as a method of bowel preparation in 100 patients undergoing surgery is described. The use of this technique, the physiological records and the results are very satisfactory. Bowel movements start on the 3.2 postoperative day; stools are passed on the 5.7 day. Despite the absence of antibiotic prophylaxy, there were only 3.7% anastomotic leakage and 3.4% wound septic complications.


[Spontaneous colon perforation in patients with chronic kidney failure].

Although spontaneous colonic perforation is a rare event, if has recently been observed with increasing frequency in patients with renal failure. Several of the drugs given to such patients may induce dehydration of faeces; the combination of very hard faecal masses and an abnormal fragility of the uraemic intestinal mucosa will then lead to the formation of a decubital ulcer. Prophylaxis or at least early diagnosis are imperative because after completed perforation the prognosis is very poor. The operative method of choice is the incontinuous resection of the entire segment of the colon affected by faecal impaction.


[Methods of local excision of rectal neoplasms].

Recent experience in the behaviour of rectal carcinomas allows local tumour excision under certain conditions to be carried out as a "total excision-biopsy in healthy tissue". The indication for operation depends on criteria referring to the tumour as well as to the patient. The operation technique is that of transanal excision. Brief survey of personal results.


The incidence of cystic fibrosis in Caucasian populations.

Estimates of the newborn frequency of cystic fibrosis in different Caucasian groups range from 4 times more to 40 times less common than the generally accepted figure of 1:2000. Current meconium screening trials which may be effective in populations with the incidence equal to or greater than 1:2000, may be useful for populations with an incidence as low as 1:7000 only after maximum improvement of the methods. Once the true incidence or the variable incidence is proven for Caucasian populations, screening trails in Negro, Oriental and Indian populations will be required.


Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome with various arterial lesions.

The authors present a four-month-old boy with acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome who had hemiparesis of the left side of face and body, electrocardiographic findings suggesting myocardial infarction, angiographic evidence of obstruction of the right middle cerebral artery, and aneurysms of the coronary arteries and the brachial arteries. The authors suggest that the disease of this boy is a syndrome of systemic vasculitis.


Bartter's syndrome presenting with features resembling renal tubular acidosis. Improvement of renal tubular defects by indomethacin.

A 2-year-old girl presenting with features of both Bartter's syndrome and renal tubular acidosis was investigated. Hypokalemia, increased plasma renin activity in the absence of hypertension, insensitivity to the pressor effects of angiotensin and a histological picture of juxtaglomerular hyperplasia were characteristic of Bartter's syndrome, but an unusual finding was the presence of metabolic acidosis instead of alkalosis. Functional studies revealed a proximal tubular defect in sodium and bicarbonate reabsorption and a distal defect in sodium reabsorption, urinary acidification and concentrating mechanism. Indomethacin administration was followed by an excellent clinical response and improvement of most functional abnormalities. The defect in distal sodium reabsorption was, however, not corrected by prostaglandin inhibition, and could represent the primary event leading to potassium wasting and secondary hypersecretion of prostaglandins.


Congenital pseudohypoaldosteronism: case report and review. Effect of indomethacin during sodium chloride depletion.

A newborn boy (birth weight 2550 g) presented from the first days of life with poor drinking, moderate vomiting and persistent weight loss. On hospital admission at age 4 weeks, there were severe dehydration, dystrophy and electrolyte disturbances (Na 107, Cl 80, K 5,4 mval/l). The usual causes of salt wasting were excluded, but plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide were markedly increased. DOCA had no salt-retaining effect, but a sodium chloride supplement of 3 g per day improved the clinical condition dramatically and normalized the electrolyte values. With this treatment, plasma renin activity and aldosterone were normal or almost normal beyond the age of 6.5 months, but urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide remained slightly increased. Considerable augmentation of the plasma renin activity and of urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide, but no clear salt loss were induced by spironolactone. With salt restriction, there was evidence for marked salt loss. Its progress could be inhibited by administration of indomethacin. Since indomethacin inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins with saluretic activity, it is probable that the prostaglandins participate in the pathogenesis of the salt wasting in pseudohypoaldosteronism.


Response to vincristine and Procarbazine of recurrent medulloblastomas. Report of 2 cases.

2 cases of recurrent medulloblastomas are described who both responded to vincristine alone and in combination with procarbazine. The combination of vincristine and procarbazine is discussed and recommended for chemotherapy of medulloblastomas. The effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy after the primary treatment should be investigated.


Why not saline nose drops?

Most respiratory tract infections are of viral origin. The nose is obstructed and bypassed. Dry air is inspired and this paralyses the ciliary mechanism. Body temperature falls and dehydration threatens the infant as water is lost by evaporation. Humidification by saline nose drops prepared and applied by the people themselves, offer a simple, cheap and harmless means of humidification. Teaching and educating the patients and parents to help themselves is much more efficient than prescribing more or less hazardous, expensive and inaccessible drugs. The author has employed this method in mass medicine treatment in poor countries as well as in individual curative medicine of rich countries with striking success. Controlled studies will be needed to prove scientifically that quantitative reduction in pharmaceutical zeal does not imply qualitative loss in medical care.


25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels in maternal, cord and infant serum in relation to maternal vitamin D intake.

The plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), total calcium, phosphorus and proteins were measured in 40 healthy mothers and their infants at the time of delivery during the months of December and January. Calcium, phosphorus and proteins were again measured in the plasma of the infants on the fourth day of life. Vitamin D intake of the mothers during their last 3 months of pregnancy were estimated by interviews. The mean (+/-SE) plasma levels of 25-OHD was 9.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml in the mothers and 5.05 +/- 0.4 ng/ml in cords. There was a significant correlation between mother and cord plasma levels (r = 0.75, p less than or equal to 0.001). The concentration gradient of 25-OHD plasma levels between mother and cord is higher at high 25-OHD maternal concentrations. This suggests that the placenta plays a regulating role in the 25-OHD transfer between mother and foetus. The 4-day-old infants from mothers having a suboptimal vitamin D intake (less than 150 IU/day) have a lower mean serum plasma level than infants born from mothers with a vitamin D intake of more than 500 IU/day.


Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of human muscle biopsies.

The elemental composition of human muscle fibres have been determined by electron probe microanalysis. In order to distinguish between different types of fibres, two approaches were used. In one approach individual fibres were isolated, portions of them used for a typing by histochemical methods and the main part used for X-ray microanalysis. In the other approach the muscle biopsy was serial-sectioned, some sections used for a histochemical typing and the others (16 micrometer thick cryosections) used for X-ray microanalysis in th eelectron microscopy. The comparison of the ratios between P, S and K in Study No. 1 and 2 indicates different concentrations of sulphur in the subsarcolemmal zone and in the interior of the fibre. Both routes give information on all elements (except the ten lightest ones) contained in the fibres or in sections of them, provided the concentration is high enough. In order to obtain quantitative data, expressed as mmol/kgw, the spectra of the specimens were compared to those of standards of known composition and the data subjected to a so called ZAF-correction (corrections for the atomic number effect, absorption of X-rays in the specimen and secondary fluorescence). Quantitative data concerning phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine and potassium were obtained in Study No. 2. A significantly higher sulphur concentration was found in type IIA muscle fibres as compared to those of type I.


Inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase in cultured SIRC cells by cigarette smoke.

SIRC cell monolayer cultures were exposed to whole smoke from a mid tar and nicotine level research cigarette (ASFC, 72 puffs), or from a high tar and nicotine level reference cigarette (Kentucky 2RI, 48 puffs) over a period of 65 days. The activity and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cells were investigated, and the electrophoretic characteristics of its isozymes studied. Cell morphology was examined by light microscopy and by transmission- and scanning electron microscopy. LDH activity was reduced by exposure to smoke from both cigarette types, the greater inhibitory effect being produced by that of the Kentucky cigarette. In addition, cells exposed to this high tar and nicotine smoke displayed intramitochondrial granules which were larger and more numerous than those found in cells exposed to the mid tar and nicotine smoke, or in the control cells. It is speculated that cation accumulation in the mitochondria may be involved in the observed inhibition of LDH activity.


[The sperm of Equisetum arvense L. I. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of nuclear constituents of the ripe sperm].

Several ultrastructural cytochemical methods are used to determine the constituents of the ripe nucleus of Equisetum arvense L. They show that: DNA, associated with an arginine-rich histone, is localized in central region of the nucleus; nucleoplasm is reduced to a thin peripheral coat and contains a probably lysine rich histone; RNA is not detectable; non histone proteins form lenticular amounts disposed against the nuclear membrane.


Visualization of proteinaceous granules in the clear synaptic vesicles.

A method for demonstration of electron-dense particles within clear synaptic vesicles from various areas of the CNS as well as from neuromuscular junctions of rat is described. Electron-dense granules of 70-250 A were visible in the center of the synaptic vesicles, or in some cases excentrically situated and bound to the vesicular membrane. Digestion with proteolytic enzymes lead to a negative reaction, whereas treatment with hyaluronidase and neuraminidase, as well as the lipid extraction had no effect. Based on the obtained data, it may be assumed that this method manifests the proteinaceous structures.


Heavy metals in the spinal cord of normal rats and of animals treated with chelating agents: a quantitative (zinc, copper, and lead) and histochemical study.

The amounts of zinc, copper, and lead in the rat spinal cord were determined by means of flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zinc was present in a concentration about 100 p.p.m. (dry weight), copper in a concentration about 5 p.p.m., and lead in slightly more than 1 p.p.m. Analysis of various levels along the cranio-caudal axis of the rat spinal cord revealed differences in the heavy metal content. The Timm sulfide silver staining method has demonstrated that metals in the spinal cord have a distinct regional distribution. To obtain a differentiation between the stainable metals, the effects of six chelating agents (DEDTC, dithizone, oxine, EDTA, dipyridyl, and phenantroline) on the Timm pattern were tested. EDTA left the pattern unchanged, while the other compounds showed individual differences in their influence on the Timm pattern, suggesting that the heavy metal pattern of the spinal cord consists of multiple compartments. The effect of intravital multiple low dose treatment with three of the chelating agents on the histochemical pattern and the metal content of the spinal cord was also investigated. It was found that a decrease in the metal content was not followed by reduction of stainability and vice versa.


Glycogen-lead relationship in the earthworm Dendrobaena rubida from a heavy metal site.

Control individuals contained no lead in the chloragocytes but high alpha-glycogen rosette reserves. Starvation of contaminated earthworms for 4d caused a lead loss and the chlorgocytes possessed fewer debris vesicles than those of unstarved worms, suggesting that the debris vesicles may be the route for at least some of the lead loss. No glycogen deposits were observed in the chloragocytes of starved or unstarved earthworms from contaminated soil. Maintenance of contaminated earthworms in potting compost caused lead losses similar to those sustained by starvation, but the chloragocyte cytoplasm possessed beta-glycogen reserves. Specimens maintained in lead-spiked potting compost showed lead levels similar to those of earthworms taken directly from contaminated soil. No beta-glycogen accumulations were observed under this enriched regime. Although the possible interference of lead in carbohydrate metabolism is discussed, the results do not wholly support metabolic inhibition by lead. It is hypothesised that lead sequestration is energy-demanding and that in the absence of an energy-rich diet glycogen stores fail to accumulate. In the presence of an organic-rich medium, elevated lead levels preclude glycogen formation, because of the high sequestration-demand, but at lower lead levels beta-glycogen deposits occur if a high organic diet is available.


[Early and late functional hearing results from a modified technique for tympanoplasty (author's transl)].

This paper is a comparative study of the early and late functional results of tympanoplastic operations, as modified by Khan. Following such surgery, we examined 494 patients who had been operated on between 1970--1972 in the ENT Clinic of the Free University of Berlin (Klinikum Westend). Preliminary and final hearing results were recorded with the aid of sound audiograms, which were critically assessed by two different types of evaluations. These included the results of pure-tone changes and speech reception thresholds as achieved by the tympanoplastic operations. On the basis of socially useful hearing improvements, the functional results of cases operated in our clinic are above average. The hearing gain shown from post-operative controls to the final studies is especially satisfactory, since this also includes an improvement in bone conduction.


[The anatomy of the laryngeal ventricle and its importance in carcinoma of the vocal cords (author's transl)].

An anatomical study was made of the sinus of Morgagni (laryngeal ventricle) in 10 normal larynges and 15 larynges with vocal cord carcinoma. The most striking difference in those patients with malignancy was the relatively greater goblet cell population found. It is assumed that these anatomical changes reflect a disturbed function of the laryngeal ventricle. The epithelial metaplasia and the high goblet cell count probably indicate an increased risk of vocal cord carcinoma.


[Metastases to the larynx (author's transl)].

Four cases of metastases to the larynx are reported and 43 similarly reported in the literature are reviewed. Most were metastases from hypernephromas or melanomas, producing supraglottic soft tissue tumours. Metastases from bronchial and mammary carcinomas in most cases are "bone metastases" within the laryngeal skeleton. Metastases in the larynx from all other malignancies are extremely rare. The clinical picture is variable and can cause considerable diagnostic difficulty especially in laryngeal skeletal metastases. Solitary metastases can be successfully treated by surgery and irradiation.


[Endoscopic needle biopsy in larynx and pharynx. A simple method for the histological diagnosis of tumours (author's transl)].

The needle-biopsy taken in the pharynx and larynx is a simple and reliable procedure for the histological diagnosis of submucosal tumours. It can be performed either in local anaesthesia using the zoom-endoscope by v. Stuckrad or during microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia. This method however does neither replace the single biopsy of exophytic tumours nor the microlaryngoscopic excision of suspicious, precancerous lesions.


[Temporary blindness after transnasal ethmoidectomy (author's transl)].

A unilateral blindness after transnasal ethmoidectomy was diagnosed postoperatively while the patient was still in theatre. Exploration via an external approach was performed immediately, a haematoma was drained and the posteroir ethmoid artery was cauterized. This led to a recovery of vision. The temporary blindness was probably due to increased intraorbital pressure by the retrobulbar haematoma which led to stretching of and pressure on the optic nerve.


[Audiograms from coalminers of the Anna mine (author's transl)].

1240 coalminers were examined otoscopically and by audiogram. For all age groups and for the collective mean value and standard deviation, thresholds for hearing (dB) were calculated. The audiograms obtained showed sloping changes which involved low and high frequencies and indicated that the understanding of conventional speech was impaired. The investigation also shows that a rising number of claims for damages for hearing loss in miners will occur in the near future. However, coalminers should be motivated to use personal hearing protection through standard conservation measures.


[Conservative treatment for acute otitis media (author's transl)].

The local treatment of acute otitis media consists of an early paracentesis or in the care of the external auditory canal when suppuration occurs. Causal treatment requires a restoration of the nose, the paranasal sinuses, and the nasopharynx to normal function. For general treatment, chemo- or antibiotic therapy is most prominent. Such is not always necessary, but if it is required, it must be given in high doeses until all cardinal symptoms have disappeared. An insufficient treatment leads to a pathomorphosis which can be observed as mucoid or secretory otitis media in 4--8 year old children.


[A contribution to the closing of perforations of the nasal septum (author's transl)].

A method of closure of septal perforations is described. A wide pedicled flap of mucoperichondrium based by the inferior margin of the perforation is raised and having been rotated and drawn through closes the perforation on the one side. The defect is further patched by a composite retro-auricular graft, the cartilage of which is shaped to fit the perforation. During the past 2 years, 7 large perforations have been closed in this hospital by this method. Apart from one posterior defect, which at operation could not be covered the other perforations were closed.


The intelligibility of whitened and peak clipped speech.

Consonant-nucleus-consonant monosyllabic words were filltered such that each spectral component had equal energy (i.e., "whitened") and peak clipped in one of four ways: minimal, 20, 30, and 40 dB of clipping. In addition, unmodified consonant-nucleus-consonant words were used as stimuli. These different types of sppech were presented to 20 persons with normal hearing at various sensation levels. The results indicate that whitening and peak clipping do not substantially degrade speech intelligibility. In fact, under some conditions whitening and peak clipping may slightly enhance intelligibility.


Dynamic auditory localization by normal and learning disability children.

Twenty children from regular classrooms and 20 children from self-contained, learning disability classrooms tracked four different acoustic stimuli through three fixed paths in space. An apparatus specifically designed to provide objective data on accuracy of tracking was used. The results showed that learning disability children as a group were inferior in their abilities to follow a moving speech signal and a moving white noise. The position of the target with respect to the listeners' midlines affected accuracy of tracking, but this was not a function of the hand used to control the pointer.


Quality judgments of hearing aid-processed speech and music by normal and otopathologic listeners.

Ten normal listeners and ten listeners with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss were given a paired-comparison task designed to elicit relative quality preferences among hearing aids when male speech, female speech, and music were processed by five different instruments. Results revealed notably high intrasubject test-retest reliability within the two groups of listeners for the male speech condition and in normal listeners for the female speech condition. Preferences assigned for any one of the three stimuli were found to be statistically correlated with those assigned for each of the other two stimuli. Furthermore, preferences of the otopathologic listeners were statistically equivalent those yielded by the normal listeners. Within the separate groups of listeners, rankings derived from the preferences of individual subjects were highly related to those of the other subjects within the respective group, suggesting the lack of a hearing aid-listener interaction. The relationship between preferences and "goodness" of selected electroacoustic characteristics, examined descriptively, was found to be equivocal. Overall results suggest that, while paired-comparison quality judgments may serve as an adequately reliable and adequately differentiating index of behavioral performance with hearing aids, incorporation of such a task within the traditional philosophy of hearing aid evaluation appears unjustifiable.


Perception of rapid spectral change in speech by listeners with mild and moderate sensorineural hearing loss.

An experimental method is described for assessing the effect of sensorineural hearing impairment on the perception of particular speech cues. Stimuli consisted of synthetic consonant-vowel syllables, varying along a continuum in the duration of initial formant transitions, such that the shorter stimuli sounded like [bepsilon], and the longer ones sounded like [Wepsilon]. Subjects with mild and moderate hearing losses were asked to identify the stimuli, and their performance was compared to that of normal-hearing listeners. Observed differences suggest that categorizing these sounds as stops versus glides is especially difficult for some impaired listeners. This difficulty is shown to be specific to the "rapid spectral change" cue, independent of frequency content or intensity level. The importance of this finding with respect to categorical perception and the implications for further tests of impairment for speech are discussed briefly.


A comparison of results--acoustic susceptance and otolaryngology.

A screening study of hearing and middle-ear function was conducted on 2125 preschool children. Results are reported here for 504 of the subjects with static acoustic susceptance. Of these children, 380 had otolaryngological examinations. Static acoustic susceptance reliably provides an estimate of the stiffness component of the middle ear, but it does not predict middle ear abnormalities consistently. Three-year-old female subjects seem to show low values of static acoustic susceptance associated more with developmental factors than with middle ear disease.


Natal patterns among registered dogs in the United States.

Breed, geographic, and seasonal distributions of canine births registered with the American Kennel Club for the years 1971 to 1973, accompanied by litter size and sex ratio data, were studied. A few breeds accounted for a large portion of the births. The breed distribution of births changed as popularity of various canine types waxed and waned. The geographic distribution of births generally paralleled the pattern of human population and was relatively stable. A distinct, repetitive seasonal distribution of births was evident. Human intervention probably molded much of this pattern, but genetic factors and environmental conditions also were involved. Litter size and sex ratio varied primarily with breed rather than with region or season and hence appeared genetically based.


Comparison of pure-tone, warble-tone and narrow-band noise thresholds of young normal-hearing children.

Pure-tone, warble-tone, and narrow-band noise thresholds were compared in terms of sensitivity and clinical test-retest reliability. Eighty normal-hearing young children, equally divided in four discrete age levels (3 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/2, and 6 1/2 years) were examined. Thresholds were ranked from most to least sensitive as follows: warble-tone, pure-tone, and narrow-band noise. Test-retest reliability was equivalent for all three stimuli. Clinical implications are discussed.


Repair of carpometacarpal instability after radiocarpal arthrodesis in a dog.

A 4-year-old male German Shepherd Dog sustained subluxation of the right radiocarpal joint. A coaptation splint did not adequately stabilize the carpus, and arthrodesis of the radiocarpal joint was undertaken, utilizing a wedge graft and bone plate. Despite successful fusion of the joint, lameness persisted in the affected limb. The lameness was attributed to subsequent carpometacarpal subluxation, which was presumed to result from the added stress of weight bearing on the carpometacarpal joint following the arthrodesis. Arthrodesis of the right intercarpal and carpometacarpal joints, utilizing cortical bone grafts and a bone plate, restored normal gait.


The influence of audiometric configuration on pure-tone, warble-tone and narrow-band noise thresholds of adults with sensorineural hearing losses.

Thresholds measurements for pure tones, warble tones, and narrow-band noise were compared for adult sensorineural hearing-impaired subjects with gradual and sharp audiometric configurations. Results demonstrated that audiometric configuration does not significantly affect the relationship between pure tones and warble tones but does affect the relationship between pure tones and narrow-band noise. Differences were most apparent at the higher frequencies. Clinical implications are discussed.


Seizure-induced rhabdomyolysis accompanied by acute renal failure in a dog.

Secondary complications from extreme and prolonged convulsive seizures occurred in a young dog. Physical exertion resulted in necrosis of a substantial amount of skeletal muscle. The release of large quantities of myoglobin into the circulation caused severe impairment of renal function. Anoxia, apparently associated with the inability to breathe during seizures, resulted in brain damage. It was concluded that, although primary therapy must be directed toward alleviation of intense seizure activity, subsequent screening for renal disease and corollary supportive therapy would be appropriate.


Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in six dogs.

An acute progressive CNS disease characterized by fever, nystagmus, head tilt, facial paralysis, circling, and cervical pain was studied in 6 mature dogs. The term "granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis" was proposed for the disease complex, which was characterized pathologically by disseminated granulomatous lesions having a predilection for brainstem structures.


Intestinal pseudoobstruction in a dog.

A 6-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier had clinical signs including intermittent vomiting and diarrhea associated with abdominal distention. Contrast radiography disclosed dilatation and decreased motility of the small intestine, with dilution of barium. Hemograms, blood chemical profiles, and results of fecal examinations and urinalyses were normal. Obstruction was not found at exploratory laparotomy, but a dilated segment of mid-jejunum was biopsied. There was hypoplasia of the tunica muscularis of the jejunum, without fibrosis, inflammation, or myenteric plexus involvement. The diagnosis was idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. Post-operative care consisted solely of feeding bland foods. Three months after surgery there was progressive deterioration and emaciation due to chronic intestinal malabsorption.


Bilharziasis in a Nanday conure.

Natural infection with a schistosome in a pet Nanday conure caused weight loss, blood-flecked diarrhea, and death. Hemorrhagicoulcerative colitis and cloacitis were found at necropsy. The schistosome was not identified but was believed to be Gigantobilharzia sp.


Aflatoxicosis in swine.

In an episode of aflatoxicosis in feeder pigs, mortality was about 20%. Histopathologic findings characteristic of experimentally induced aflatoxicosis and the finding of aflatoxin B1 in the serum of pigs and in the cornbased feed confirmed the diagnosis. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 were found in the corn used to prepare the feed. Combine harvesting of the corn, which cracked a large percentage of the kernels, coupled with prolonged drying time of the corn probably contributed to the aflatoxin production. Although the corn was fed to adult swine without observable effect, 47 of the 250 feeder pigs developed typical signs of aflatoxicosis. Unseasonably cold weather apparently was a factor in initiating the onset of clinical signs and probably increased the severity of the disease.


Monitoring of plasma and milk progesterone for evaluation of postpartum estrous cycles and early pregnancy in mares.

Plasma and milk progesterone concentrations in 13 mares were determined 3 times a week for 5 months, beginning at parturition. The estrous cycle was divided into 2 phases. Estrus was considered to occur when the plasma progesterone concentration was less than 1 ng/ml, with diestrus occurring when plasma progesterone content was greater than or equal to 1 ng/ml. Based on this classification, the period of estrus averaged 8.9 days, diestrus averaged 13.9 days, and the estrous cycle averaged 22.8 days. During estrus, the progesterone concentration in plasma averaged 0.4 ng/ml and in milk averaged 2.2 ng/ml. During diestrus corresponding values were 6.8 and 6.9 ng/ml. In the early pregnant mare, the average progesterone concentration was 5.4 ng/ml for plasma and 4.7 ng/ml for milk. The progesterone pattern was similar in milk and in blood plasma, and the correlation between 362 paired values was 0.7 (P less than 0.01). It was concluded that the estrous cycle of the mare can be mapped accurately by measuring plasma or milk progesterone content at 2- to 3-day intervals. A breeding program based on monitoring blood progesterone was outlined.


Embryo transfer for cows with reproductive problems.

Surgical embryo recovery and transfer methods were applied to 25 cows and heifers with chronic reproductive problems. In 16 of the 25 animals, abnormalities could not be detected by palpation per rectum and, at laparotomy, the probable cause of low fertility was found to be oviductal obstructions or periovarian adhesions in 6 of them. Four pregnancies were obtained from 3 of these 6 animals. A definitive diagnosis was not obtained through laparotomy in the other 10 animals in this group; however, an abnormal uterine environment associated with senescence may have been responsible for low fertility in the older cows. Eighteen calves were obtained by embryo transfer from 8 of these 10 donor animals. The remaining 9 heifers and cows had lesions detectable by palpation per rectum. Chronic, purulent metritis was found in 2 cows, one of which produced 7 calves by embryo transfer. The other 7 had periovarian adhesions, and 8 calves were obtained from 2 of them. The adhesions in 6 of these 7 cows were attributable to cesarean section. Laparotomy was valuable for defining the extent of the adhesions and establishing a reliable prognosis in some cases.


Uterine tube abnormalities in cattle.

A total of 250 reproductive tracts from nonpregnant cows were obtained from a slaughterhouse. Uterine tubes were tested for patency by infusing methylene blue solution, and gross lesions were recorded. Of the 500 uterine tubes, 24 were occluded (unilateral in 20 tracts and bilateral in 2 tracts), and 26 had gross lesions (unilateral in 16 tracts and bilateral in 5 tracts). Approximately one-half of the occluded tubes were not associated with gross lesions. Approximately one half of the tubes with gross lesions were patent.


Anaplasmosis: a regional serologic survey and oral antibiotic therapy in infected herds.

A test and treatment program was conducted in northern Idaho and southeastern Washington to detect bovine reactors to Anaplasma marginale and to achieve anaplasmosis-free status in the herds tested. Of 3,920 cattle tested, 214 (5.5%) were reactors; 110 of the reactors (from 7 herds) were tested after being treated orally for 45 days with chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline at a calculated daily dosage of 11 mg/kg of body weight, and all were seronegative. Two reactors refused to eat the medicated feed and were seropositive at retest. In untreated herds, the prevalence of reactors remained constant. It was concluded that a test and treatment program would have to be continued for several years to achieve an anaplasmosis-free status in cattle herds of the area.


Echocardiographic diagnosis of endocarditis in a bull.

A 2-year-old Charolais bull was examined because of lameness that developed after infection of a tail laceration. A systolic murmur was auscultated during the routine physical examination. A diagnosis of endocarditis and polyarthritis secondary to septicemia from the tail lesion was made. The diagnosis was supported by echocardiography and blood cultures, which yielded Corynebacterium pyogenes. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.


Rabies vaccine virus infection in three dogs.

Ascending paralysis developed in 3 dogs, 12 to 14 days following inoculation with a modified live virus, chicken embryo origin, low egg passage, Flury strain rabies vaccine. The paralysis began in the inoculated limb but rapidly involved both hindlimbs. Partial paresis of the forelimbs was seen several days following the hindlimb paralysis in all 3 dogs, and in 1 of these dogs the infection ascended rapidly to the brain as well. Two of the dogs recovered within 1 and 2 months, respectively, but the 3rd dog died within 5 days of the onset of paralytic signs. The fatal case was complicated by naturally acquired coincidental distemper. Serologic studies in 2 dogs and virus isolation from the 3rd dog indicated that rabies virus was the cause of the paralysis in 2 of the dogs and contributed to the disease syndrome in the 3rd dog. Virus could not be isolated from the saliva of CSF of the 2 surviving dogs. The virus isolated in the fatal case appeared to have some of the characteristics of the vaccine virus, as determined by its behavior in mice, cell culture, and embryonating chicken eggs and by its failure to produce Negri bodies in the brain of the infected dog.


Remission of orbital sarcoma in a dog, using doxorubicin therapy.

A 7-year-old female mixed-breed dog with an undifferentiated sarcoma of the orbit was treated for 7 months with doxorubicin hydrochloride. Though remission was achieved, the dog died of acute heart failure.


Deltamycins, new macrolide antibiotics. I. Producing organism and fermentation.

A streptomycete strain, P3409, which produced new basic macrolide antibiotics, deltamycins A1, A2 and A3 and carbomycin A (deltamycin A4) was considered to be a new subspecies for which the name Streptomyces halstedii subsp. deltae was proposed. Deltamycins A1, A2, A3 and A4 which were active against Gram-positive bacteria were produced in organic complex media.


Deltamycins, new macrolide antibiotics. II. Isolation and physicochemical properties.

The new macrolide antibiotics were isolated by silica gel chromatography. They showed a UV absorption maximum at 240 nm. Deltamycins A1, A2 and A3 were demonstrated to be new macrolide antibiotics on the basis of their physicochemical properties whereas deltamycin A4 was identified as carbomycin A.


Teichomycins, new antibiotics from Actinoplanes teichomyceticus Nov. Sp. I. Description of the producer strain, fermentation studies and biological properties.

A soil isolate of Actinoplanes that produces the chemically unrelated new antibiotics teichomycins A1 and A2 has been proposed as a new species named Actinoplanes teichomyceticus nov. sp. (ATCC 31121). Studies of medium and fermentation conditions indicated that the highest antibiotic titers, ca 900 u/ml, are obtained in a medium containing 1% (w/v) glucose, 1% cotton seed meal, 1% malt extract, and 0.4% yeast extract. Both teichomycin A1 and teichomycin A2 are highly active against gram-positive bacteria. Teichomycin A1 shows some activity against gram-negative bacteria. Both antibiotics cured mice experimentally infected with sensitive bacteria and showed low acute toxicity. Of the two antibiotics teichomycin A2 is the more active.


The complete assignment of the 13C NMR spectra of lasalocid and the sodium salt-complex of the antibiotic.

All thirty-four signals observed in the 13C nmr of both the free acid form (Ia) and sodium salt (Ib) of the polyether antibiotic lasalocid have been assigned. This was achieved using model compounds such as 3-methylsalicylic acid, the retroaldol ketones from both lasalocid and lysocellin and a gamma-lactone from a third polyether, salinomycin. The last assignments to be made were accomplished using biosynthetically enriched samples of the antibiotic.


Solution conformation of septamycin and its sodium salt.

The interpretation of the 300 MHz 1H-nmr spectra of septamycin (1) and its sodium salt (1+) allow one to extract most of the parameters revealing their resemblant conformations in solution. The backbone forms a pseudocyclic structure closed by head-to-tail hydrogen bonding between the carboxylate fragment and the OH-14. In 1+, the sodium ion is trapped in a central hole by coordinating around it six to seven oxygen atoms (including COO-). The external lipophilic zone of the molecule keeps the sodium ion away from the surroundings. The dangling sugar-like fragment does not participate in the metal binding. It was not possible to detect any water molecule participating in the cyclization of septamycin-free acid, nor in septamycin-Na+, as was found in an X-ray study for the p-bromophenacyl ester.


HPLC as a rapid means of monitoring erythromycin and tetracycline fermentation processes.

Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used as a rapid means of monitoring the erythromycin and the tetracycline fermentation processes. The sample preparation process for tetracycline in the fermentation broth includes simple dilution and filtration through a Millipore filter prior to injection into the HPLC column. Fermentation growth samples showed no interference, and excellent separation for selective determination of tetracycline, 4-epitetracycline, anhydrotetracycline, chlortetracycline, and 4-epianhydrotetracycline was obtained. The relative standard deviation for the HPLC analysis for tetracycline is about one percent and the correlation coefficient between the HPLC and the spectrophotometric assay methods is better than 0.994. The sample preparation procedure for erythromycin determination in fermentation broth requires solvent cleanup and extraction processes. The chromatographic analysis takes approximately 25 minutes, and the HPLC method is capable of separating and quantifying erythromycins A, B, C, and various epimers and degradation compounds. The correlation coefficient between the HPLC and the microbiological assay method is 0.970.


Biological glycosidation of macrolide aglycones. II. Isolation and characterization of desosaminyl-platenolide I.

Biological glycosidation of platenolide I (I), a biosynthetic intermediate of 16-membered macrolide antibiotic platenomycin aglycones, with desosamine by Streptomycetes producing 14-membered macrolide antibiotics was attempted. Streptomyces narbonensis producing narbomycin gave a new product designated as 5-O-desosaminyl-platenolide I (III), and Streptomyces venezuelae producing narbomycin and picromycin gave III together with a second new product, 5-O-desosaminyl-14-hydroxyplatenolide I (IV). A nonantibiotic-producing blocked mutant of Streptomyces platensis subsp. malvinus, a producer of platenomycins, converted III to an antibiotically active compound identified as 3-O-propionyl-5-O-desosaminyl-9-dihydro-18-oxo-platenolide I (V).


Biomodification of albocycline by Streptomyces venezuelae.

The macrolide antibiotic albocycline, when added to the fermentations of Streptomyces venezuelae UC-2560 (WC-3627) underwent a gradual loss of antimicrobial activity. The inactive product of this biotransformation was isolated from the fermentations and was shown to be 2,3-dihydroalbocycline.


On the mode of action of pseudomonic acid: inhibition of protein synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect of the antibiotic, pseudomonic acid, on the major metabolic processes in Staphylococcus aureus was studied. The primary effect of low concentrations of the antibiotic, leading to bacteriostasis, is inhibition of protein synthesis. Pseudomonic acid also severely inhibits RNA synthesis which can be prevented by chloramphenicol treatment. DNA and cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis are inhibited to a lesser extent and interference with these processes is considered to be a secondary effect. Oxidative phosphorylation as measured by ATP levels was not inhibited.


Purification and characterization of an aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme from Staphylococcus epidermidis FK109 that nucleotidylates the 4'- and 4''-hydroxyl groups of the aminoglycoside antibiotics.

The resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in Staphylococcus epidermidis FK109, is mediated by an enzyme that catalyzes transfer of the nucleotide monophosphate moiety from the nucleotide triphosphates, either to the 4'-hydroxyl group, that is in the equatorial plane of the aminoglycoside molecule. The enzyme, modifying the two sites, appears as a single and homogeneous entity in affinity chromatography, in chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, in isoelectric focusing and in gel-filtration. It requires divalent cations, notably Mg++, and dithiothreitol for optimal adenylylation. It has a molecular weight of 46,770 and an isoelectric point of 5.0. The ability of the enzyme ANT (4', 4'') to modify the two hydroxyl groups of aminoglycoside molecules, enables it to have a spectrum of substrates that surpasses, in range, the substrate spectrum of all the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes which have been characterized hitherto.


"Asthma Alley": a space clustering study of asthma in Brooklyn, New York City.

A certain section of the borough of Brooklyn has sometimes been referred to as "Asthma Alley," expressing a feeling that this area in Brooklyn shows a markedly higher rate of asthma than adjacent areas. This study describes an epidemiologic method developed to determine whether the popular perception of spatial clustering of cases reflects reality. The spatial distribution of respiratory visits to the emergency room is taken as a reference against which clustering of asthma visits is compared, on the assumption that it is a good measure of the proportion of people in that area that make use of the emergency room facilities. From approximately 9,000 visits for asthma during the study period we were able to show that: (1) the differences in distribution of asthma cases among the health areas of Brooklyn are statistically significant; and (2) the health areas that show an excess of asthma visits lie along a belt east of the two hospitals and coincide with the popular impression of the location of "Asthma Alley."


Evidence linking penicillinase formation and secretion to lipid metabolism in Bacillus licheniformis.

The formation of penicillinase by cultures of Bacillus licheniformis was preferentially suppressed by cerulenin, an antibiotic known to specifically inhibit fatty acid synthesis in microorganisms. The effect was studied at cerulenin concentrations that had almost no effect on the rate of cell growth and overall protein synthesis, but that reduced the rate of [14C]acetate incorporation (by 50 to 70%), indicating partial inhibition of lipid synthesis. The levels of both the released enzyme (exopenicillinase) and its cell-bound precursor were reduced to the same extent (70% to 80%). Enzyme formation was gradually resumed after the removal of cerulenin or the addition of a mixture of fatty acids prepared from lipids extracted from B. licheniformis. Reversal was less effective as the time interval between treatment with cerulenin and addition of fatty acids increased. We conclude that de novo synthesis of fatty acids is required for the formation of both the membrane-bound and extracellular penicillinase. Suppression of the membrane-bound enzyme is a likely consequence of the altered membrane (decreased lipid-to-lipid ratio and increased density) seen in cerulenin-treated preparations. The corresponding suppression of exopenicillinase is consistent with the view that it is derived from the membrane-bound form. A mechanism linking the general class of exportable proteins to specific aspects of lipid synthesis is discussed.


Regulation of bacterial cell walls: correlation between autolytic activity and cell wall turnover in Staphylococcus aureus.

Cell wall turnover was examined in parent and mutant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Peptidoglycan and teichoic acid were observed to undergo turnover in the wild-type strain during exponential growth; however, the rate of turnover did not decrease when the growth rate slowed, as the culture entered stationary phase. Isolated native cell walls and crude soluble autolytic enzyme were prepared from cells harvested during exponential and postexponential phases of growth. Native cell walls from both phases of growth autolyzed in buffer at identical rates; similarily, crude soluble enzyme from both preparations degraded radioactive cell walls at the same rate. Therefore, the activity of the autolysin in both exponential and postexponential cells was similar. The autolysis of whole cells of a mutant tar-1 was enhanced by 1.0 M NaCl. When 1.0 M NaCl was present under growing conditions, the rate of cell wall turnover was greatly increased. The presence of chloramphenicol, which inhibits whole-cell autolysis, also inhibited turnover. Analysis of the cell wall material recovered from spent medium revealed products consistent with the known mode of action of the endogenous autolysin. It is concluded that cell wall turnover in S. aureus is independent of the stage of culture growth but is dependent instead on the activity of the autolysin.


Tetrahydrofolate enzyme levels in Acetobacterium woodii and their implication in the synthesis of acetate from CO2.

Acetate synthesis from CO2 by Acetobacterium woodii may occur as in homoacetate-fermenting clostridia, as indicated by high levels of enzymes of the tetrahydrofolate pathway and by pyruvate-dependent formation of acetate from methyl-B12 and methyltetrahydrofolate.


Chemoresponses of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been found to respond to chemicals in two ways: chemokinesis and chemotaxis. Several amino acids, fatty acids, and inorganic salts can stimulate these responses.


Some properties of Streptomyces viridochromogenes spores.

Dry spores of Streptomyces viridochromogenes exhibited no endogenous metabolism when tested by the sensitive radiorespirometric technique. Wetting the spores resulted in a sharp increase in endogenous respiration followed by a gradual decrease to a constant level, whereby 0.02% of the spore carbon was respired to CO(2) per h. The rate of endogenous metabolism increased slowly as unactivated and heat-activated spores germinated in a defined germination medium, reaching rapid rates only after germination was completed. Components of the defined germination medium, adenosine, l-alanine, and l-glutamic acid, were oxidized to CO(2) at appreciable rates only after germination was complete. The QO(2) (microliters of O(2) uptake per hour per milligram [dry weight] of spores) values for endogenously respiring spores were 3.9 for unactivated and 7.8 for activated spores. Various sugars, amino acids, and organic acids were oxidized only slowly or not at all by unactivated and activated spores. The dry spores contained 5.2 x 10(-2) mumol of ATP per g (dry weight). The ATP content of spores increased approximately 4-fold after suspension in buffer and approximately 11-fold after heat activation. During germination, the ATP level increased to a level of 1 mumol of ATP per g (dry weight) and remained constant. Germination was accompanied by excretion from the spores of approximately 8 and 12% of the total spore carbon from unactivated and activated spores, respectively. A potent germination inhibitor was released from the germinated spores. The germination inhibitor had no effect on heat-activated spores or spores which had begun germination for as short a time as 5 min.


Freeze-fracture study of the filamentous, segmented microorganism attached to the murine small bowel.

A freeze-fracture study has provided new information about the filamentous, segmented microorganism known to live in the murine small bowel. The intracellular bodies produced by this microbe appear to arise by a modified sporogenesis so that they are enclosed in an envelopment membrane at least prior to release by the filament mother cell. At least some of the intracellular bodies divide while still within the mother cell, suggesting a reproductive role for these structures. The host epithelial membrane remains intact at the site of attachment, but does appear to have a reduced concentration of intramembrane particles. Changes in the host cytoplasm adjacent to the attachment site are documented and interpreted to be a sol-gel transformation which may stabilize the attachment socket.


Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase from methanol-grown Paracoccus denitrificans.

Paracoccus denitrificans grows on methanol as the sole source of energy and carbon, which it assimilates aerobically via the reductive pentose phosphate cycle. This gram-negative bacterium grew rapidly on 50 mM methanol (generation time, 7 h, 30 degrees C) in excellent yield (3 g of wet-packed cells per liter of culture). Electron microscopic studies indicated that the late-log-phase cells were coccoid, having a thick envelope surrounding a layer of more diffuse electron-dense material and a relatively electron-transparent core. Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in the 15,000 X g supernatant of fresh cells had specific activities (micromoles of CO2 fixed per minute per milligram of protein) of 0.026, 0.049, 0.085, 0.128, and 0.034 during the lag, early, mild-, and late log, and late stationary phases, respectively. The enzyme was purified 40-fold by pelleting at 159,000 X g, salting out, sedimentation into a 0.2 to 0.8 M linear sucrose gradient, and elution from a diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex column. The enzyme was homogeneous by the criteria of electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels polymerized from several acrylamide concentrations and sedimentation behavior. The molecular weight of the native enzyme, as measured by gel electrophoresis and gel filtration, averaged 525,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate dissociated the enzyme into two types of subunits with molecular weights of 55,000 and 13,600. The S20,w of the enzyme was 14.0 Km values for ribulose bisphosphate and CO2 were 0.166 and 0.051 mM, respectively, and the enzyme was inhibited to the extent of 94% by 1 mM 6-phosphogluconate.


Association of long surface appendages with adherence-related functions of the gram-positive species Actinomyces naeslundii.

Electron microscopy of new isolates of gram-positive Actinomyces naeslundii demonstrated long, fragile appendages. Removal of the appendages impaired attachment to epithelial cells and reaggregation, thus implicating them in attachment-related functions.


Transfer from Rhizobium japonicum to Azotobacter vinelandii of genes required for nodulation.

A mutant strain of Azotobacter vinelandii that is unable to fix N2 (Nif-) was transformed to Nif+ with DNA from Rhizobium japonicum. Of 50 Nif+ transformants tested, 3 contained the O antigen-related polysaccharide that is present on the cell surface of a nodulating R. japonicum strain, but is absent from a non-nodulating mutant strain.


Relationship between the heat resistance of spores and the optimum and maximum growth temperatures of Bacillus species.

Heat resistance of spores of Bacillus strains was compared with the temperature adaptation of each strain as measured by the optimum and maximum growth temperatures and the heat resistance of vegetative cells. Maximum growth temperatures ranged from 31 to 76 degrees C and were little affected by the nature of the growth medium. The temperature giving maximum growth rate was closely correlated to the maximum temperature for growth, and about 6 degrees C lower. Vetetative-cell heat resistance, determined on exponential-phase cells, was also correlated with maximum growth temperature. The temperature at which spores were inactivated with a decimal reduction time of 10 min was in the range of 75 to 121 degrees C. This temperature was 46 +/- 7 degrees C higher than the maximum growth temperature and correlated with it and the other cell parameters. Spore heat resistance can be considered to have two components, the temperature adaptation characteristic of the species and the stabilization conferred by the spore state.


Regulation of the degradative pathway enzymes coded for by the TOL plasmid (pWWO) from Pseudomonas putida mt-2.

Pseudomonas putida mt-2 carries a plasmid (TOL, pWWO) which codes for a single set of enzymes responsible for the catabolism of toluene and m- and p-xylene to central metabolites by way of benzoate and m- and p-toluate, respectively, and subsequently by a meta cleavage pathway. Characterization of strains with mutations in structural genes of this pathway demonstrates that the inducers of the enzymes responsible for further degradation of m-toluate include m-xylene, m-methylbenzyl alcohol, and m-toluate, whereas the inducers of the enzymes responsible for oxidation of m-xylene to m-toluate include m-xylene and m-methylbenzyl alcohol but not m-toluate. A regulatory mutant is described in which m-xylene and m-methylbenzyl alcohol no longer induce any of the pathway enzymes, but m-toluate is still able to induce the enzymes responsible for its own degradation. Among revertants of this mutant are some strains in which all the enzymes are expressed constitutively and are not further induced by m-xylene. A model is proposed for the regulation of the pathway in which the enzymes are in two regulatory blocks, which are under the control of two regulator gene products. The model is essentially the same as proposed earlier for the regulation of the isofunctional pathway on the TOL20 plasmid from P. putida MT20.