[Change in the intracellular ATP pool in rat tissues after ATP administration].

Concentration of ATP in thymus, spleen, blood and liver tissues of intact rats constituted 84.6 +/- 9.3, 62.3 +/- 12.8, 18.7 +/- 3.9 and 103 +/- 23.8 mg% per 1 g of tissue, respectively. Intramuscular administration of ATP at a dose 350 mg/kg caused wave-shaped alterations in ATP content in rat spleen and liver tissues. Concentration of the nucleotide tend to increase in blood within the period of examination (4 days). Alterations observed in the pool of ATP in tissues studied appear to be due to the effect of the dephosphorylation products of the ATP administered (adenosine, probably) on intracellular metabolism of adenylicnucleotides, particularly, on the metabolism of ATP.


[Effect of complex compounds of heparin with fibrinogen on the processes of fibrin formation].

Data on dynamics of fibrin formation in blood plasma were obtained by multiple estimation of fibrinogene by Bidwell's method. Underestimated content of fibrinogene in blood plasma within 1 hr after the beginning of the experiment was apparently due to formation of complexes of heparin and fibrinogene. After destruction of the complexes the newly liberated fibrinogene caused gradual increase in the clot weight. Addition of heparin to blood plasma increased binding of fibrinogene in the clot.


[Method of determining serum iron and iron-binding capacity without protein precipitation in very young children].

A modification of bathophenanthroline method is described. The method was used for diagnostics of anemia and in order to control the treatment of anemia in children of early ages. The method was checked by estimation of known concentrations of iron in solutions as well as by addition of known amounts of iron to blood serum. Standard deviations ranged from +/- 1.04 to +/- 6.5 and variation coefficient--from 0.5% to 10%. Normal values of iron content and of iron-binding capacity of blood serum, estimated by means of the modified method in 30 healthy children of early ages, did not differ from the corresponding data published in the literature.


[Effect of the nonspecific biogenic stimulators pentoxyl and mumie on metabolic processes].

Unspecific biogenic stimulants (pentoxyl and mummie) accelerated metabolism of nucleic acids and protein in rat liver tissue. After the treatment with the stimulants the rate of lipolysis exceeded that of lipogenesis. Increase in content of lactate was similar if glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate were used as substrates of glycolysis, but it was stimulated 2-3-fold, when glucose was used; the phenomenon appears to be due to activation of hexokinase. As shown by polarographic measurements mitochondrial respiration was increased in all the metabolic states, but increased doses caused an inhibition of phosphorylation apparently due to functional overstrain of mitochondria. Increased doses of the stimulants accelerated also some other metabolic processes studied, but the effects were not dose-dependent. Pentoxyl and mummie apparently increased processes of protein and nuclei acid metabolism and stimulated the energy-providing reactions.


[Proteolytic enzymes in human saliva and gingiva].

Proteolytic activity was studied in human saliva, gingiva and in other tissues of oral cavity by means of hydrolysis of N-alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), protamine and hemoglobin. Alkaline proteinases were mainly observed in gingiva, leukocytes and in a precipitate of mixed saliva. Acid proteinases (pH 3.5) were localized in submaxillary saliva. In a liquid fraction of saliva maximal proteolytic activity was estimated both at pH 3.5 (by hydrolysis of hemoglobin), at pH 8.0 (hydrolysis of BAEE and protamine) and at pH 9.3 (only in experiments with protamine). The protamine-splitting activity at pH 9.3 was found only in parotid saliva. The optima of the proteolytic enzymes activity were at pH 3.5 (substrate hemoglobin) and at pH 7.5 (substrates protamine and BAEE) in precipitate of mixed saliva and in gingiva. Effects of several inhibitors, chelating agents, thiol-containing substances and metal ions on the proteolytic activity in saliva were studied.


[Spectrophotometric method of determining monoamine oxidase activity in human thrombocytes].

A method for estimation of monoamine oxidase activity in human thrombocytes is developed. The method is based on coupling of monoamine oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase reactions. The method was highly reproducible. Small volumes of blood were required for analysis. Values of MAO activity, obtained by the method, were in good agrement with the data published in literature.


[Change in the content of a series of components of rat lung connective tissue in the process of aging].

Content of soluble and insoluble collagen, glycosamine glycans, glycoproteins, lipids and nucleic acids was studied in rat lungs during postnatal ontogenesis (up to 32 months). Three age groups of animals, corresponding to juvenile, mature and old age, were used. Intensive collagenoformation and high content of soluble collagen fraction were found in animals of juvenile age. Mature age was characterized by static equilibrium between soluble and insoluble collagen fractions as well as by stabilization in concentration of RNA, hexuronic acids, hexoses, tyrosine, sialic acids and total lipids. Decrease of DNA concentration with simultaneous increase in phospholipid content preceded in ageing the alteration in collagen composition - elevation in insoluble and loss of soluble its fractions. At the ageing period content of glycosamines was relatively decreased but concentration of other substances varied slightly.


[Method of measuring binding constants and the number of specific cyclic AMP receptor sites in tissue extracts].

A method for evaluation of binding constants and of amount of cAMP binding sites in crude tissue extracts was developed. The method is based on equilibrium binding of 3H-cAMP by proteins with subsequent ultrafiltration. Hydrolysis of cAMP and its unspecific sorption by proteins were eliminated under the conditions selected. Rat spleen cytosole contained 3.57 +/- 0.34 pmol of cAMP binding sites per mg of protein with dissociation constant of protein-cAMP complex (1.68 +/- 0.28).10(-8) M. As shown by studies on kinetics, binding constants and specificity of binding, the method permitted to evaluate quantitatively cAMP-dependent protein kinases in crude tissue extracts and to estimate their affinity to cAMP.


[New aspects of the effect of isoniazid on transaminase activity in tuberculosis].

New evidence is obtained for inhibitory effect of isoniazid on activity of transaminases in prolonged application of the drug. Increase in the isoniazid inhibitory effect on alanine aminotransferase activity was shown to correlate with elevated concentration of Cu2+ in blood serum arising in experimental tuberculosis. Cu2+ and Co2+ caused the increase in the inhibitory effect of isoniazid due to their incorporation into structure of the preparation. The microelements, combined with pyridoxine, inhibited alanine aminotransferase and vice versa activated aspartate aminotransferase.


[Cerebral lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in different hypoxic conditions].

Spectrum of LDH isozymes and their activity were compared in animal brain tissue under circulatory and hypoxic forms of hypoxia. Dynamics and manifestation of alterations observed correlated primarily with the type of oxygen deficiency as well as with its severity and length of action. Development of oxygen deficiency in brain tissue was accompanied by increase in total LDH activity and by elevation in content of M-subunits, typical for "anaerobic" spectrum of LDH isozymes, with simultaneous decrease in amount of H-subunits.


[Activity of myocardial, kidney and serum isoenzymes in experimental staphylococcal infection].

Alteration in activity and spectrum of multiple forms of some enzymes were studied in rat blood serum, myocardium and kidney cells in dynamics of staphylococcal infection as well as after administration of exo- and intracellular protein of staphylococci into animals. In the infection intracellular distribution of enzymes was impared in animal tissues studied and "tissue" isoforms of enzymes were accumulated in blood. Staphylococcal exo- and intracellular substances were found to effect dissimilarly on spectrum and activity of isoenzymes from rat kydney, myocardium and blood serum.


[Protective effect of arginine in hyperoxia. Activity of cerebral glutaminase and glutamate decarboxylase].

Activity of glutaminase (both phosphate-dependent and phosphate-independent forms of the enzyme) as well as glutamate decarboxylase activity were studied in hyperoxia (6 ati) and under conditions of protection by means of arginine from the effect of hyperoxia. In hyperoxia activity of phosphate-dependent and phosphate-independent forms of glutaminase was decreased by 45% and 51%, respectively. At the same time, glutamate decarboxylase activity was decreased by 32%. Arginine showed a protective effect, delaying the time of oxygen convulsions onset by 2.5-fold. The low activities of glutaminases were maintained but the glutamate decarboxylase activity was increased and even exceeded the control level by 29%. A mechanism of the protective effect of arginine is discussed.


[Content of basic lipid fractions in the myocardium of different regions of the heart in healthy people].

Content of lipids was studied in five parts of myocardium of healthy people by means of thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. The higher content of triglycerides and total lipids was found in dexter parts of heart as compared with sinister parts and septum interventriculare. The same distribution was not shown for free and esterified cholesterol.


[Effect of steroid hormones on glutamate dehydrogenase activity in rat liver mitochondria].

Steroid hormones (sex hormones and corticosteroids) were found to inhibite the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase from rat liver mitochondria in vitro. After blocking of arginine guanidine groups in the mitochondrial preparations the inhibitory effect of sex hormones was decreased and that of corticosteroids - prevented. The data obtained suggest that guanidine groups of arginine residues in glutamate dehydrogenase participate in realization of the inhibitory effect of steroid hormones.


[Effect of thyroid inhibitors and thyroidectomy on sialic acid content of rat blood and liver].

Effect of experimental hypothyreosis, caused by various thyrostatic agents, on content of sialic acids was studied in blood plasma and liver tissue of white rat males. In hypothyreosis content of sialic acids was distinctly increased in blood serum but decreased in homogenate and structure elements of liver tissue. Alteration in content of sialic in blood plasma correlated with their content in liver structure elements. Content of sialic acids in blood plasma and liver tissue was shown to depend on dosage and length of administration of various thyrostatic preparations. Mechanism of increase in concentration of sialic acids in blood serum under influence of experimental hypothyreosis is discussed.


[Peroxidative and antioxidative activity of lipids in experimental pancreatitis].

Peroxidation of lipids and alteration in antioxidative activity were studied in normal state and in experimental pancreatitis within 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days after the operation. Experimental pancreatitis was accompanied by increase in content of lipid peroxides and by decrease in antioxidative activity of lipids extracted from liver tissue. Administration of thiosulfate decreased slightly the lipid peroxides content and increased the level of antioxidants in pancreatitis. The data obtained suggest that thiosulfate is effective inhibitor of free radical oxidation; it may be used as therapeutic drug in acute pancreatitis.


[Activation of the incorporation of labeled precursors into ubiquinone in slices of rat hypertrophied kidney].

Effect of cycloheximide, ethidium bromide and hydroxytetracycline on incorporation of label from I-14C-acetate into ubiquinone and cholesterol as well as from diffusively labelled 14C-tyrosine into ubiquinone was studied in slices of rat hypertrophic kidney within 2 days after unilateral nephrectomy. Incorporation of these labels into ubiquinone and of 1-14C-acetate into cholesterol was distinctly increased using slices of hypertrophic kidney. Repeated administration of cycloheximide just after the operation and within 24 hrs after it depressed the kidney hypertrophy, inhibited completely the label incorporation into cholesterol and partially - into ubiquinone. This suggests that the rate of enzymes production, responsible for synthesis of these substances, is increased in hypertrophic kidney. Injection of ethidium bromide after the operation inhibited distinctly the label incorporation into ubiquinone and did not effect on incorporation of 1-14C-acetate into cholesterol. Hydroxytetracycline proved to be ineffective in these labels incorporation. Mitochondrial DNA appears to participate in coding of some functionally active proteins responsible for ubiquinone biosynthesis.


[Effect of the body's requirements for vitamin K on the electrophoretic characteristics of erythrocyte membrane proteins].

Proteins from rat erythrocyte membranes were separated by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. Up to II fractions were obtained. Number of these fractions, their content and ratios were altered in rats with primary or secondary vitamin K deficiency.


[Effect of 1-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-carboxamide on the synthesis of cellular macromolecules in cell culture].

Ribovirine (I-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-carboxamide) possesses the distinct antiviral action against many strains of RNA- and DNA-containing viruses. Data on the effect of ribovirine on the synthesis of cellular macromolecules are presented. After treatment with ribovirine the synthesis of cellular RNA was inhibited by 80-85%. The synthesis of DNA and proteins was decreased less distinctly. The experiments were carried out using the primary tryptic-treated culture of fibroblasts from chicken embryos.


[Selection of optimal conditions for measuring aspartate aminotransferase activity].

Various systems for estimation of aspartate aminotransferase activity were compare with regard to national and international recommendations. An increase of 1-aspartate concentration from 33 mM/1 to 200 mM/1 and of alpha-ketoglutarate from 6.7 mM/1 to 12 mM/1 elevated the enzymatic activity by 30-40%. Addition of pyridoxal phosphate into reaction mixture caused a decrease in the activation from 33% to 7.3%, respectively. The ratio of activation varied from 9.9% to 53.3% in the optimal test using blood serum from patients and phosphate buffer. Thus, one of requirements on evaluation of maximal aspartate aminotransferase activity and on production of reproducible results is application of optimal concentrations of reagents with addition of pyridoxal phosphate into reaction mixture.


[Low-molecular weight nuclear RNA in the lymphocytes of healthy persons and chronic lympholeukemia patients].

Low-polymer nuclear RNA (1) of lymphocytes was studied comparatively in healthy individuals and patients with lympholeukemia. In 7.5% polyacrylamid gel both in normal lymphocytes and their leukemic analogs 9 fractions were identified which possess similar electrophoretic mobility. The correlation of separate fractions 1 in pathological lymphocytes was shown to differ from that in lymphocytes of healthy donors. The study of the metabolic activity 1 indicated that one of the fractions (D) is metabolically inert under conditions of a 1-hour label, while in normal lymphocytes one fraction was revealed, whereas in chronic lympholeukemia--two fractions being recorded only by their radioactivity.


[Early diagnosis of lymphogranulomatosis].

The investigation based on the analysis of 275 observations indicates that the recognition of lymphogranulomatosis in the general medical service institutions is not adequately organized. Due to their oncological ignorance 22.5% of patients addressed to a specialist 3 months and longer following the onset of the first symptoms. Prolonged and incomplete examination not infrequently resulted in diagnostic errors and delayed therapy. To the onset of the treatment 50% of patients have developed a generalized process (stage III-IV). Therefore, to improve the early diagnosis of lymphogranulomatosis it is essential to gain adequate enlightenment among the doctors of the general medical service and the population with ragard to the clinical manifestations of malignant lymphomas and also to institute the appropriate organization measures.


[Effect of preoperative gamma therapy on the state of the cardiovascular system in oncological patients].

Forty patients with tumors of the esophagus, cardia and rectum, subjected preoperatively to gamma-therapy (500 rad for 6 days) and 24 patients subjected only to the operation (the control group) were examined for the heart rate, arterial pressure, minute and stroke heart volumes and circulatory volume (AFS--J131) before and after irradiation and 1, 3, 5 days following the operation. Gamma-therapy was found to result in more poor hemodynamic indices whether the heart is irradiated or not. In irradiation of the heart region (cancer of the esophagus and cardia) much poorer hemodynamic indices were noted.


[Hepatic RNA resistance to enzymatic degradation in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats].

During hepatocarcinogenesis, induced in rats with diethylnitrosamine (DENA) and lasting for 6 months, the authors have studied the resistance of hepatic RNA to the degradation by serum RNAs, the resistance being served as a criterion of possible changes in the spacial configuration of polynucleotides. In the precancer period the resistance of RNA molecules (total, cytoplasmic, ribosomal and transfer) is found to considerably increase and then to fall within the range of the studied pH (5.1, 7.6 and 8.5). When the malignancy develops, the RNA resistance to enzymatic cleavage increases again and in most cases exceeds the control level. The comparison of the results obtained with those on the effect of the toxic agent (CCl4) allows a conclusion to be made that the carcinotoxic effect of DENA on the rat liver is accompanied with changes in the spacial configuration of cytoplasmic RNA molecules.


[Effect of high-power pulse laser radiation on experimental tumor metastasis].

Under study was the effect of the energy density and pulse duration of laser radiation on metastasization of Lewis carcinoma and melanoma B16. It was shown that laser irradiation of blastomas, the energy density of the former not exceeding 400 joule/cm2 and the pulse duration being 1 msec, not only fails to contribute to tumor proliferation but, on the contrary, somewhat reduces the number of pulmonary metastases. The phenomenon of such kind is observed in simultaneous rise of the energy density up to 800 joule/cm2 and lengthening of the pulse up to 6 msec.


[Organization of an oncological service and oncological research in Italy].

The data on the organization of oncological researches and anticancer combat in Italy are reported. The main cancer research centers--National Cancer Institute (Milan), the Regina Elene Institute (Rome) and the Paskal Fund Tumor Institute (Naples) are described. A brief survey of the activities of Italian Anticancer League as well as of the largest specialized oncological hospitals and anticancer centers is given. The author concludes that oncological research in Italy is being conducted but, within such scope, which fails to meet the requirements of medical science and practice in the country. The allocations for oncological investigations cover only some part of cancer research programs.


[Urinary excretion of thioamine compounds in oncological patients].

Using iodine-azide method, it was possible first to quantify the concentration and amount of the excretion of thiamine compounds in the diurnal urine of patients. The concentration of thioketones in human urine is shown to be 11--15 mg equivalents of thiourea per 1 ml urine, that is an order of magnitude lower than the threshold of sensitivity of the reaction with selenonic acid. It was found that the amount of thioketones excretion per day and their concentration in 1 ml of oncological patients' urine statistically do not differ from the corresponding values in the urine of patients with non-oncological diseases.


[Delayed hypersensitivity indices in dogs with an excessive protein content in the diet].

The state of an elevated delayed sensitivity was produced in dogs through intramuscular introduction of the human blood serum. Later on lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of the animals which were then tested by using a blast-transformation reaction and with reference to the lymphocite cytotoxicity. The ration containing an excess amount of protein was found to lower the activity of the lymphoid sensitized cells in the delayed type allergy during the said reactions.


[Basal metabolism in patients with a maxillofacial injury and disordered masticatory function].

In 31 patients (males, aged 21 to 50) with maxillary fractures basal metabolism was investigated during 24 days by the method of gas exchange. From the moment of the injury and up to the 18th day its level is shown to be by 19.9--30.6 per cent higher than in healthy persons and later on falls down to the normal value.


[Biological value of a yeast isolate].

Subject to determination was the biological value of protein separated from food yeast by using chemical, enzymatic (chargeability with proteolytic enzymes) and biological (growing male rattlings-weanglings with the initial mass of 45 +/- 1.0 g) methods. The protein content (with no account of nucleinic acids) in rations balanced as to all the ingredients and energy amounted to 10 per cent. The experiments lasted for 28 days. In spite of good assailability of the isolate with pepsin and trypsin and a quite satisfactorily balanced of its amino acids the anabolic effect of the compound was found to be rather low, viz. PER--1.8; BV--49.1%; NPU--40.3% and in the control (caseine)--2,1; 79.0; 60.2 per cent, respectively. This is attributed to the deficiency in compound of sulphur-containing amino acids and to a relative excess of lysine. The biological value of the isolate amounted to 71 per cent of that of caseine. The method of separating protein from the yeast biomass does not have any noticeable adverse effect on its biological value.


[Change in the level of available lysine under the action of moisture and different types of carbohydrates in the thermal processing of casein and sunflower protein products].

Casein, notfat seed meal and extract of the sunflower notfat seed meal were exposed to the effects of moisture, glucose, lactose and saccharose under different thermal conditions to study the degree to which the level of the available lysine falls in all of the study products under the effect of the mentioned factors. Differences in the action of the factors and conditions of technological treatment revealed by the present investigations on the biological value of the protein products justify emphasizing the importance of choosing adequate parameters for each product, together with the need for considering the complexity of physico-chemical and conformable characteristics of the product.


[Cytogenetic activity of freshly irradiated potato].

The anaphasic method was employed in studying the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice after feeding them on irradiated and non-irradiated potatoes. The latter were irradiated raw with gamma-rays in a dose of 10 krad and then fed to the animals for 5 days 24 hours upon irradiation in an amount of 3 g per animal to male albino mongrel mice (10 in each group), viz. in the 1st test series--raw and in the II--cooked. As controls in both series served raw or cooked non-irradiated potatoes. A total of 12 800 cells from 40 animals were counted for the presence of bridges and fragments. The results of the cytogenetic analysis bore proof to the absence of any statistically significant difference in the frequence of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice fed on freshly-irradiated potatoes and in those of control animals.


[Gas-liquid chromatographic method of studying the migration into cheese of the volatile components of coatings based on aqueous polymer dispersions].

The Moscow Technological Institute of meat packing and dairy industries has developed in cooperation with a number of branch institutes a technology for obtaining coatings based on aqueous dispersions of BXBD-65 (a copolymer of vinyl and vinylidenchloride) but butyl rubber which posses physico-chemical properties required to ensure biochemical processes attending maturing of the cheese. Gas-liquid chromatography showed that the diffusion of the solvent remnants occurs only in the layer of the cheese in immediate contact with its coating and in amounts below the permissible concentration. At the same time, it was found that vinylchloride was absent both in the coating and in the cheese enclosed in the coating.


Serum pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein levels in autoimmune diseases.

Serum pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (alpha2-PAG) levels have been measured in patients with a variety of proven non-organ specific and organ-specific autoimmune diseases and in age and sex-matched hospital outpatient and inpatient controls. Significantly lower alpha2-PAG levels were only observed in patients with thyrotoxicosis and in patients with atrophic gastritis accompanied by megaloblastic anaemia. In the latter case a significant inverse correlation between alpha2-PAG and haemoglobin levels was noted.


Thrombogenicity of factor IX concentrates: in vitro and in vivo (rabbit) studies.

The reproducibility and correlation between the NAPTT, TGt50 in (vitro) tests and the Wessler (rabbit) stasis thrombus (in vivo) model have been studied using 10 different factor IX concentrates. The TGt50 test was more reproducible than the NAPTT and the overall reproducibility of the rabbit model was poor. The low reproducibility of the rabbit model appeared to be largely confined to those factor IX concentrates which showed a poor correlation between the NAPTT and TGt50 results. The TGt50 test emerged as the in vitro test which correlated most closely with the in vivo (rabbit) test. It is concluded that the NAPTT and TGt50 test are measuring different thrombogenic moieties in factor IX concentrates and that further studies are required to elucidate this phenomenon.


Development of large-scale fractionation methods. VI. An improved method for preparation of antihemophilic factor.

To increase purity and potency of the antihemophilic factor (AHF) concentrate prepared by the American Red Cross method, the following modifications were introduced: (1) A cold extraction step was incorporated to remove cold-soluble impurities. The cryoprecipitate (cryo) was extracted with 0.02 M Tris buffer, pH 7.0 (4 ml/g cryo) at 0 degrees C. Factor VIII loss in this step was negligible. (2) AHF was then recovered from the cold-insoluble portion of the cryo by extraction at 21 degrees C with the same buffer. To increase the AHF concentration, this second extraction step was carried out with a smaller buffer volume (2 ml instead of 3--4 ml/g cryo). The subsequent steps, deprothrombinization, filtration and lyophilization were essentially unchanged. To further increase factor VIII concentration, the dried AHF concentrate was reconstituted to 40 rather than 50% of the initial volume. AHF concentrate prepared on a large scale by this method was 20- to 30-fold concentrated and 40- to 50-fold purified over plasma at a recovery of about 250 factor VIII units per liter of plasma. The final product was readily soluble, clear and almost colorless upon reconstitution.


Variable degradation of factor VIII-related protein in lyophilised concentrates of antihaemophilic factor (AHF).

Factor VIII-related properties (coagulant = VIII : C, 'Willebrand' factor = VIII R : WF, antigen = VIII R : AG) are measured in a constant proportion in normal plasma and certain preparations of highly purified factor VIII (relative ratios: 0.5--1.5). We tested these activities in some commercial, lyophilised concentrates of factor VIII and found a variable increase of the ratio VIII R : AG/VIII R : WF. The relative increase of VIII R : AG, and/or loss of VIII R : WF, was attributed to variable degradation of factor VIII-related protein(s) which was directly visualized by electrophoresis on 2.75% polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate.


Association between HLA and red cell antigens. VI. Family studies.

The reactivity of the HLA antigens A28, B7 and B8 on red blood cells (RBC) has been studied, and the inheritance of the strength of reactivity examined in 13 families where the HLA haplotypes could be determined. Examination of individuals possessing more than one of the three antigens showed that the antigens seemed to be expressed independently of each other on RBC. The family studies showed that the HLA reactivity of RBC does not invariably follow the HLA haplotype determining the particular antigen. It was also shown that heterozygosity/homozygosity did not seem to have much influence on the strength of reactivity. Our conclusion is that several factors are likely to be responsible for the great variation in HLA reactivity of RBC.


Formation of mono(ethylhexyl)phthalate from di(ethylhexyl)phthalate in human plasma stored in PVC bags and its presence in fractionated plasma proteins.

The formation of mono(ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) from di(ethylhexyl)phthalate in human plasma stored in bags of polyvinylchloride has been studied. Substantial amounts were formed and in ten bags from 4 to 56microgram/ml were found. After 2 weeks at room temperature the concentration of MEHP had increased to values between 27 and 79 microgram/ml. However, MEHP was also disappearing as shown in a recovery experiment. Of the fractionated proteins albumin contained MEHP in amounts from less than 3 to 290 microgram/g.


Reversal reaction in patients with lepromatous leprosy after transplantation of human fetal thymic grafts.

An attempt has been made to reconstitute impaired cell-mediated immunity in 1 patient with indeterminate, 4 patients with borderline and 2 patients with polar lepromatous leprosy by grafting three thymus glands obtained from human fetuses of 14--19 weeks gestation. Most of these patients had severe ulcerative erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and were intolerant to dapsone. After thymus transplantation these patients were followed for 1 1/2 years. During this period, all conventional chemotherapy had been withdrawn. In most cases, there was dramatic improvement of the clinical condition, resolution of skin lesions, subsidence of ENL, clearance of bacteria from skin and reconstitution of several immunologic deficits; but late lepromin reactivity returned in none, which indicated permanent lose of resistance to Mycobacterium leprae.


Association between HLA and red cell antigens. V. A further study of the nature and behaviour of the HLA antigens on red blood cells and their corresponding haemagglutinins.

The variation in the reactivity of red blood cells (RBC) with HLA haemagglutinins was studied, and the influence of some variable factors evaluated. A comparison of the HLA reactivity of RBC with automated and manual methods, showed the superiority of the Auto-Analyzer technique. The similarity in the nature and behaviour of HLA RBC antigens and the related Chido and Rg antigens is discussed. Inhibition/adsorption experiments were performed, and the results did not support the theory that HLA antigens on RBC originate from serum-HLA-active substance. The strength of the HLA reactivity of RBC from a donor was shown to vary from time to time without evidence of clinical disease.


[Comparative study of the biophysical properties of the ribonucleoproteins of type A influenza viruses].

The sedimentation and density properties of ribonucleoproteins were studied with different strains of influenza type A virus: A/turkey/Wisconsin/66, A/swine/Iowa/15/31, A/horse/Prague/56, antigenic (A/H3Neq1) and biological (MRC-11) recombinants of the A/Port-Chalmers/1/73 strain. In all the viruses under study, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) was found to be heterogeneous and to sediment in a zone of 30-70 S. Variability in the distribution of fragments in different strains was revealed. In A/turkey/Wisconsin/66 and MPC-11 strains the highest radioactivity was found in the zone of "heavy" fragments (60-70 S), in A/horse/Prague/56 and A/swine/Iowa/15/31 strains it was prevalent in the zone of 40-50 S. In recombinant A(H3Neq1) the distribution of radioactivity varied in different tests. The buoyant density in cesium chloride in all RNP compenents was found to be similar, 1.34-1.36 g/ml.


[Antigenic relationships of strains of the epidemic virus H1N1 isolated in November-December 1977 in the USSR to inluenza viruses of human and animal origin].

The results of the study on the antigentic properties of influenza viruses causing an epidemic outbreak in November, 1977, in the USSR established their relationship with human influenza viruses H1N1 to the homologous titer, with H0N1 to 1/16 titer and the virus isolated from whales in the Pacific ocean (H0-H1Nav2) to 1/8 titer. The epidemic strains have been shown to possess neuraminidase of human influenza virus type 1.


[Oxidative phosphorylation and chemiluminescence in experimental influenza infection].

Influenza A2/Victoria virus in the process of development in chick embryos exerted an inhibiting effect on the energy metabolism of liver mitochondria which was manifested in reduced intensity of oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and increased chemiluminescence of the allantoic fluid. It is assumed that the development of influenza virus is associated with changes in permeability and destruction of membrane structures of the cell leading to the release of lipid complexes and disturbances in electron transport in the respiration chain.


St. Louis encephalitis in children.

St. Louis encephalitis is not an uncommon cause of seasonal meningoencephalitis in children. The clinical presentation is variable and may range from inapparent infection to a severe illness with diverse neurologic signs. A review of three recent cases of St. Louis encephalitis in children in Phoenix, Arizona, stresses the need to consider this type of encephalitis in patients with signs of brain stem dysfunction or acute cerebellar ataxia. The appearance of these clinical signs is supported by the pathologic changes that have been documented to occur, most frequently in the thalamus and brain stem. The importance of serologic identification to facilitate early vector control is emphasized.


Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rural community hospitals.

Carson-Tahoe Hospital is a 77-bed hospital serving a large rural area. During 22 months cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out 89 times in 79 persons. Of these resuscitations, 56 were done in the emergency room and 25 on inpatients. Resuscitation was successful in 46 percent of the patients at least once, and 30 percent of the patients lived and were released. These figures compare favorably with those from larger, urban centers, despite problems unique to smaller hospitals.


[Associated action of the measles and mumps viruses on the lymphatic apparatus of guinea pigs].

The immunomorphological and cytopathological properties of vaccine strains of measles and epidemic mumps viruses inoculated individually and together were studied in experiments in guinea pigs. The optimal doses of measles and mumps monovaccines were found to produce morphological changes of similar intensity in the lymphatic apparatus of guinea pigs. Measles virus stimulated increased alterative changes in lymphoid elements with increased inoculations; mumps virus produced maximum degeneration of the cells immediately after the first inoculation. The combined injection of both viruses enhanced proliferation of lymphoid cells, the extent of their alteration and the frequency of pathological mitoses more than each monovaccine individually. The increased frequency of pathological mitoses occurred mainly due to moderate non-lethal changes in mitosis in which there was a likelihood of the appearance of viable cells with an altered karyotype.


Femoral tibial bypass grafts. The alternative to amputation.

Severe ischemia and distal gangrene of lower extremities due to obstruction of the popliteal artery and its branches need not require major amputation. Autogenous vein grafts to the distal anterior tibial, posterior tibial, peroneal and dorsalis pedis arteries can avoid tissue loss in many instances.


[Effect of the physiological state of ticks on the intensity of tick-borne encephalitis virus replication in them].

The features of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus reproduction in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor anderson ticks were studied in relation to the age of ticks, duration of fasting, feeding, and conditions of keeping the ticks before and after the experiment. Parenteral infection of ticks at various intervals after molting showed that the most favourable conditions for reproduction, survival, transphase and transovarial transmission of the virus occurred when the virus was given to the ticks in the first days after the period of postlarval development followed by feeding the vectors on vertebrates. In this case, owing to increased metabolic activity and intensive organogenesis and histogenesis, the virus persisted in ticks in high titers till the moment of oviposition and penetrated into the egg batch. When the virus was inoculated into old exhausted females (8-18 months) virus titers in ticks were low and penetration of the virus into the egg batch was irregular.


[Comparative study of the toxicity of poly G-poly C and poly I-poly C in different objects].

The poly(G).poly(C) complex has the same interferon-inducing and antiviral activity upon parenteral administration to white mice as poly(I).poly(C), but is considerably less toxic. Upon intravenous inoculation of poly(I).poly(C) to mice its LD50 is 15.8 mg/kg whereas poly(G).poly(C) is not toxic in doses up to 200 mg/kg. In rabbits inoculated with poly(I).ploy(C) intravenously its LD50 is 0.22 mg/kg, while poly(G).poly(C) is not toxic in doses of 1 mg/kg. Histological examinations of different organs of mice and rats revealed no pathomorphological changes after a single intravenous and intraperitoneal inoculation of poly(G).poly(C). It exerted no embryotoxic effect in mice in a dose of 5 mg/kg and was considerably less toxic than poly(I).poly(C) in continuous diploid cell cultures of human embryo lung cells.


[Bacteriophages isolated from smallpox vaccine].

A number of lots of dermal and tissue culture smallpox vaccine was studied for the presence of bacteriophage. The presence of bacteriophage was established in lots of tissue culture vaccine but not in the dermal vaccine. Bacteriophage was detected by a modified method for phage isolation. The concentration and activity of the isolated bacteriophage were low. Its activity was increased by passages. The bacteriophage was stable and lysed the main serotypes of enteropathogenic E. coli as well as strains of Shigella sonnei and Salmonella of typhoid A.


The central San Joaquin Valley area health education center.

With federal financial support, an area health education center was established in the central San Joaquin Valley of California. The center is a cooperative health sciences education and health care program organized by the University of California and some of the educational and health care institutions of the valley. The center's goals include providing and improving primary health care education, and improving the distribution of health personnel. These goals are achieved through the cooperative development of a number of independent and interdependent activities. An extensive evaluation of the Area Health Education Center has shown that it is a highly effective program.


Medical insurance feasibility study. A technical summary.

There are risks of adverse outcomes to patients in the course of health care management. A study was undertaken to measure these outcomes in California for 1974. Secondary benefits of the study include new insights into the types and sources of disabilities caused by health care management and the development of new methods for carrying out generic adverse-outcome monitoring.


Why patients choose homeopathy.

Interviews with 100 homeopathic patients in the San Francisco Bay Area show that for the most part the patients are young, white and well-educated, and have white-collar jobs; most had previously tried mainstream medical care and found it unsatisfactory. Among the reasons for their dissatisfaction were instances of negative side effects from medication, lack of nutritional or preventive medical counseling, and lack of health education. Experiences with conventional physicians were almost evenly divided: nearly half of the subjects reported poor experiences, slightly fewer reported good experiences. Three quarters of the patients suffered from chronic illness and about half considered their progress to be good under homeopathic care. The majority were simultaneously involved in other nontraditional health care activities.


Pulmonary embolectomy.

Embolectomy was carried out in eight patients with pulmonary emboli. Angiographic diagnosis was obtained in six, and in two cases pulmonary angiography could not be done because of the very critical condition of the patients. In the latter two, diagnosis was made based only on clinical findings. Two patients died in the operating room (25 percent). Six patients were discharged in good condition. It is emphasized that pulmonary embolectomy should be done in cases of pulmonary emboli when a clinical status of shock is present (systolic blood pressure less than 80 mm of mercury and the patient in low cardiac output syndrome) and when there is no response to medical treatment regardless of the degree of obstruction in the pulmonary arterial tree.


A biological perspective of slow virus infection and chronic disease.

Sequential events characterize the interaction of viruses with parenchymal cells, and acute lytic infections of tissues and organs have broad biological attributes. A knowledge of these permits a keener understanding of persistent, intermittent herpesvirus infections and persistent, continuous respiratory virus infections. In addition to unique biochemical mechanisms which may permit the latter chronic infections to evolve, the roles of defective and mutant strains of virus, viral interference, and the genetic, developmental and immunological expressions of the host are of considerable and provocative importance. The traditional view of viral infections embraces a broad spectrum of acute pathological and inflammatory events. The relationship of measles virus to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, the elucidation of the latency of herpes simplex virus, and the slow unmasking of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis have illustrated the subtle elements of persistent viral infections of the human being. These chronic neurological diseases have provided the opportunity and stimulus for sharp dissection of the biological and biochemical processes which embellish the logical link of viral infections to other forms of chronic human illness.


Blood transusion: use and abuse of blood components.

Transfusion of whole blood and some blood components may result in serious or fatal complications, among which hepatitis is most frequent (20,000 to 30,000 cases and 3,000 deaths a year). Although hepatitis B virus (HB Ag) sometimes is implicated in posttransfusion hepatitis, non-A non-B. virus(es) (hepatitis "C" virus) probably accounts for most posttransfusion hepatitis. Half of all blood transfusions may be unnecessary.Responsible transfusion practice requires use of appropriate blood components for which there is adequate justification. Transfusion of red blood cells should be given as packed cells in most instances and whole blood should seldom be used.


Adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a common respiratory emergency which follows a variety of severe direct and indirect lung insults. Major features are severe respiratory distress, diffuse pulmonary infiltrations, reduced compliance and refractory hypoxemia due to shunt effect. Surfactant abnormalities may play a role in the mechanical derangement of lung function. Supportive care with mechanical ventilation and positive end expiratory pressure results in survival of approximately 50 percent of patients. Only minimal abnormalities in lung function are found in long-term survivors.


A medical resident in Ponape.

The University of Hawaii has an elective two-month primary care rotation in Ponape, in the Eastern Caroline Islands, for senior medical residents. Many diagnostic and therapeutic situations provide unusual challenges because of the tropical environment and the paucity of medical facilities. Parasitoses, tuberculosis and trauma are common, and certain diseases, such as cholelithiasis and coronary artery disease, have a low incidence, reflecting the socio-economic conditions. The local intoxicant, sakau, seems to be responsible for dermatologic, pulmonary, and possibly hepatic and neurologic disorders. The rotation has proved to be a worthwhile educational experience for residents and a benefit to the people of Ponape.


Psychiatric treatment. General implications and lessons from recent court decisions in California.

The California legislature enacted tight constraints on the use of psychosurgery and electroconvulsive therapy in 1974. In April 1976 a State Court of Appeals declared part of the law to be unconstitutional. In doing so, the court enunciated several principles for regulating medical procedures. It affirmed the inherent police powers which permit the state to safeguard the public, especially incompetent, involuntary or confined persons, with respect to intrusive and hazardous medical procedures and to procedures which affect thought or feeling. Although limited to legislation concerning two psychiatric procedures, the court's decision, and subsequently enacted legislation governing these procedures, has implications for other medical procedures and for other parts of the nation.


Death on Denali.

Between 1903 and 1975 about 1 percent of climbers on Mount McKinley (Denali) and Mount Foraker in Alaska died. In 1976 a total of ten (1.7 percent) of 587 mountaineers died, but this rate of death was not significantly higher than previously. Nineteen percent of climbers in 1976 suffered major or minor injuries, illness or death. Acute mountain sickness (AMS), frostbite and fractures were common. Thirty-three rescues or retrievals of bodies were mounted at a cost of more than $82,000. Inexperience (particularly with arctic mountaineering), poor leadership, faulty equipment and undue reliance on rescue by helicopter contributed to the alarming incidence of accident, illness and death on big peaks in Mount McKinley National Park in 1976.


Respiration during sleep in children.

In 22 children (11 boys and 11 girls), aged 9 to 13 years, respiration was monitored during one night of sleep. No child had a significant history of breathing problems during sleep. Sleep was recorded using standard techniques (electroencephalography, electrooculography, electromyography), and respiration was measured with nasal thermistors and abdominal or thoracic strain gauges. Respiratory pauses (five seconds or longer) were determined for all sleep stages. Respiratory rate was scored only in the first and last sleep cycles and during ten waking minutes before sleep onset. Respiratory rate was significantly affected by wakefulness or stage of sleep: highest in wakefulness and stage 1, lowest in stage 2 of the last sleep cycle. Regularity of respiratory rate showed a similar effect. Variance of respiratory rate was significantly lower in girls than boys. Respiratory pauses during sleep were seen in every child, ranging from 3 to 40 pauses per night (average, 17.2 for boys and 18.0 for girls). Significantly greater numbers of pauses per minute were seen in stage 1 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than in stages 2, 3 and 4. The longest respiratory pause was 25 seconds. The conclusion is made that a small number of respiratory pauses during sleep are normal in children of this age.


Management of Briquet syndrome (hysteria).

The common psychiatric disorder Briquet syndrome (hysteria) has no specific treatment, but it can be managed effectively. Careful diagnosis and differentiation from other psychiatric and medical disorders is the important first step. Surgical intervention should be kept to a minimum; medicines are given cautiously and controlled carefully. The treatment of choice is supportive psychotherapy which ignores physical symptoms and encourages the patient to change the method she uses of coping with her environment.


Lithium treatment for psychiatric disorders.

Although used around the world since 1949, lithium has come into extensive use in psychiatry in the United States only within the past decade. Before initiating treatment with this drug, physicians must be familiar with the diagnostic scheme of the major affective disorders, the indications and contraindications to lithium's use, and its principles of treatment, including evaluation before lithium therapy, criteria for monitoring blood levels and signs of impending toxicity. Despite earlier reports about the toxicity of lithium when it was promoted as a salt substitute, lithium is a safe drug. Its use not only has revolutionized the treatment of the major affective disorders, but has opened up new and broad avenues of research into the regulation of man's emotions.


Eastern and western approaches to medicine.

An objective comparison of Eastern and Western approaches to medicine is necessary to further evaluate the validity of Oriental medical techniques such as acupuncture. The development of medicine in Western nations follows the way of hypothetical deduction and the Eastern approach uses the inductive method. The Western approach clearly divides the health from the disease, yet the Eastern approach considers health as a balanced state versus disease as an unbalanced state. The Western approach tends to change the environment and the Eastern way is to prefer to adapt to the environment. There are numerous difficulties in comparing these two approaches. The same terminology may apply to entirely different facts, the teaching and learning methods are quite different, and the evaluation of the treatment is almost not comparable. IN ORDER TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE EASTERN APPROACH BETTER, AN UNDERSTANDING IS NEEDED OF THE BASIC CHINESE CONCEPTS: the concept of a small universe living in a large universe; the duality concept of yin and yang; the concept of anatomy; the concept of physiology in Chinese medicine-the state of equilibrium expressed by the five elements; the concept of pathophysiology expressed by the external and internal insults; the concept of maintaining and promoting health expressed by the circulation of chi and hsieh; the therapeutic concept in Chinese medicine-the normalization or reestablishment of balance of the body function; the concept of preventive medicine.


Planning continuing medical education activities.

A review of program development literature in adult education and continuing medical education (CME) indicates the pervasive influence of a single approach to designing instructional activities. An examination of the assumptions of this model indicates several weaknesses. An alternative model is proposed that recognizes the importance and impact of the planners' interaction with representatives of the learner group, institutional colleagues and persons in outside agencies. Results of previous research, experience in planning, observations of the planning processes of others and discussions with expert continuing medical educators show that planning is a dynamic process of suggesting and selecting from many alternatives those instructional activities with the greatest potential for effecting the desired changes in learners. Through a series of deliberations, needs are specified, instructional activities are designed, goals and objectives are stated, and evaluation techniques are selected. CME planners direct the process and constantly focus on the immediate impact on the learners and ultimately on the learners' practice behavior.


[The significance of transfemoral cerebral angiography in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases (author's transl)].

Comprehensive angiographical investigation is a prerequisite for successful vascular surgery in the region of the head and neck. An examination of the clinically involved region alone is not normally sufficient. The decision to operate can be made only after taking into account the results of cerebral panarteriography, i.e. investigation of the flow areas of both carotid arteries and the vertebral-basilary circulation, together with any comparable method, the advantages and dangers must be flow measurement. Transfemoral cerebral angiography (TCA) is not only the least strenuous method for the patient, butit is also the most effective available, especially as far as assessment of the origins of the four large cranio-cervical vessels is concerned. However, as with any comparable method, the advantages and angers must be weighed up carefully beforehand in each individual case. A definite indication is absolutely necessary. This paper describes the technique, indications and results of investigations in 70 patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases.


[The EEG in multiple sclerosis (author's transl)].

An abnormal EEG was obtained in altogether 76% of cases in a series of 172 patients with multiple sclerosis. Among the patients with minor neurological defects and a shorter duration of illness, only 26% of the EEGs were abnormal, whereas abnormal recordings were found in a high percentage of bedridden patients with severe neurological disturbances, irrespective of the duration of the illness, i.e. in 83% and 85% of these patients, subdivided according to illness of under or over 10 years' duration, respectively. Hence, severity of multiple sclerosis rather than length of the disease appears to be reflected in an abnormal EEG. Definite prognostic information concerning life expectancy cannot be otained from the EEG. Organic brain syndrom were closely correlated with the severity of EEG changes. Epileptic manifestations were clinically observed in 5.23% of the patients, all of whom manifested pathological EEG recordings.


[A case of lithium intoxication at therapeutic lithium dosage due to additional diuretic therapy (author's transl)].

A case is presented of lithium intoxication with therapeutic doses of lithium, owing to the additional administration of a sodium-excreting diuretic. Since the patient was receiving neuroleptic therapy at the same time, intoxication symptoms at the onset were falsely attributed to neuroleptic extrapyramidal effects. The possible effects of widely-used diuretics in conjunction with lithium therapy are presented. The combination of both therapeutic substances is possible, but calls for extreme caution and strict control of medication, diet and serum lithium levels.


[Lactacidosis of the cerebrospinal fluid in apoplexy as indicator of prognosis (author's transl)].

Blood and CSF gases, as well as the level of lactate and pyruvate in blood and CSF were determined in 43 cases. of severe stroke with softening of the brain. It transpired that the CSF lactate level is the best prognostic indicator of survival. CSF values above 2,5 mMol/1 in apoplexy imply a very unfavourable prognosis. The CSF lactate level is also a very useful prognostic indicator in patients suffering from diabetes and/or uraemic metabolic disorders. As the determination of CSF lactate presents no tecnical difficulties and furnishes valuable prognostic information it would merit inclusion as a routine procedure in relevant cases.


[Diagnosis of tuberculosis of the spine (author's transl)].

An analysis is presented of the case histories of 302 patients, admitted with tuberculosis of the spine to the Orthopaedic Department of the University Clinic, Vienna for surgical or conservative treatment. The average time between the onset of pain and the diagnosis was 13 months. Two thirds of the patients had no preceding history of healed or active tuberculosis. The average age of the patients was 40 years. Most of the patients showed tuberculous infection of only two vertebral bodies, mainly affecting the 8th thoracic to the 5th lumbar vertebrae. The diagnosis is made in most cases on the basis of the case history, clinical examination and, in particular, the radiological findings.


[Surgical treatment of uraemic pericarditis (author's transl)].

Surgical therapy was undertaken in 8 patients with uraemic pericarditis. The clinical symptoms and signs, operative technique and results are presented and compared with the relevant literature. Extended pericardial resection after median sternotomy has proved to be the method of choice in the management of pericardial tamponade due to uraemic pericarditis with haemorrhagic effusion. Acute pericardial tamponade is thereby alleviated, relapse prevented and intra- and postoperative respiratory function maintained.


[The incidence and significance of amyloid deposits in gingival, buccal and rectal mucous membranes (author's transl)].

The commonly-chosen location for biopsy proof of generalized amyloidosis are the gingival, buccal and rectal mucous membranes. In 100 cases of unselected autopsy material, mucosal specimens were taken from these locations and searched for the presence of local amyloid deposits. Control specimens were obtained from the liver and kidneys. Evidence of local amyloid deposits were detected in 75 of the gingival, 56 of the buccal and 33 of rectal mucosa specimens. 30 cases showed positive findings of local amyloid in all 3 locations simultaneously. Histologically, the amyloid distribution strictly followed the pericollagenous pattern. Furthermore, the tendency towards amyloid deposition diminished with increasing age. No relationship to underlying basic disease was found. In view of the frequently extensive amyloid deposits and the special structure of the tissue we object to the use of specimens from gingival mucosa to prove the existence of generalized amyloidosis. It is suggested that of all examined tissue biopsies the rectal mucosa is most suited to this purpose. The morphological differences between the mode of deposition in local and in generalized amyloidosis are discussed on the basis of the literature, as well as our own results.


[Recent advances in examination of the fundus (author's transl)].

Morphological examination of the fundus has improved considerably over the past decade. By means of identation biomicroscopy, hitherto inaccessible, extremely-peripheral areas of the fundus can be examined by the slit lamp now; this of importance in the study of intraocular inflammation and the judgement of retinal tears along the ora serrata. Fluorescein angiography has provided important findings recently in cases of disturbed retinal blood circulation, in lesions of Bruch's membrane and of pigment epithelium and in pathological changes of the optic disc. The advances in fundal examination achieved over the past years are based essentially upon indentation biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography.


[Familial incidence of juvenile diabetes mellitus and primary optic atrophy (author's transl)].

The syndrome of juvenile diabetes mellitus, primary optic atrophy and hydronephrosis, hydroureter and megacystis was observed in two brothers. One patient showed consistent elevation of the plasma creatine phosphokinase activity (isoenzymes MM 71%, MB 29%), without any sign of myocardial or skeletal muscle disease. This rare syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It has not yet been reported in Austria, to our knowledge.


[Proliferative retinopathy in growth-onset diabetes and in maturity-onset diabetes (author's transl)].

95 diabetics with proliferative retinopathy were divided into two groups according to the type of diabetes, Group I consisting of 25 cases of growth-onset diabetes and Group II of 70 cases with maturity-onset diabetes. A distinct tendency was observed in Group II cases towards a shorter duration of diabetes prior to the manifestation of retinopathy, i.e. less than ten years. The pre-proliferative phase of the retinopathy is similar in duration and manifestation in both groups. There is no difference in the ophthalmoscopic findings or development of proliferative retinopathy either, except that its course is more aggressive in Group I, in contrast to the slower course with longer remissions seen in Group II cases. Thus, the basic characteristics of proliferative retinopathy appear to be independent of the form of diabetes, in keeping with the concept of diabetes mellitus as a single disease entity.


[Results of screening for diabetes within the health-care program of vienna (author's transl)].

Within the health-care program of Vienna 1577 volunteers (1203 female, 374 male persons) were screened for diabetes mellitus during 1975/76. Besides measurement of glucose tolerance one hour after the ingestion of 100 g glucose the following parameters were analyzed: cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid and blood pressure. Male persons had a slightly decreased glucose tolerance; a distinct relationship with age was found in both sexes. After elimination of volunteers in whom pathological results were obtained with respect to other examined parameters, a significantly greater glucose tolerance was found in the remaining "normal" group. There are no parameters which are closely correlated with glucose tolerance although it was possible to reject the null-hypothesis in several cases due to the large sample involved. For statistical reasons (test sensitivity, test specificity, prevalence of disease) single glucose-tolerance measurements do not give enough evidence for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. Depending on the aims of the screening program one has to define the detection limits as well as frequency of retesting.


Vitrectomy in diabetics. A new procedure for prevention of blindness in diabetic retinopathy.

A report is presented of 46 diabetics submitted to pars plana vitrectomy on account of severe intravitreal haemorrhage. The follow-up period lasted up to 15 months. The visual acuity alone is not an adequate parameter for the evaluation of postoperative success in view of the central retinal lesions resulting from severe diabetic retinopathy. The vitreous cavity was found to be clear in 33 cases and in 27 cases visual acuity reached at least 6/60. In 11 cases new haemorrhages occurred postoperatively, 6 of which cleared spontaneously within 2 weeks. In the remaining cases irrigation of the vitreous chamber by means of the vitrectomy instrument was necessary. Retinal injury due to the tip of the instrument was avoided in every case. The patients were out of bed on the first postoperative day and discharged between the 8th and 10th postoperative day provided that no relapse haemorrhage occurred.


[Somatostatin in the treatment of acute haemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer (author's transl)].

A massive haemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer verified on endoscopy in a 21 year-old patient was stopped by a 62--hour infusion of somatostatin at a dosage of 250 microgram/hour. Suppression of gastric secretion is probably more important than the reduction in splanchnic blood flow with regard to the mechanism of action of this drug. No side effects were observed.


Reductive drug metabolism in isolated perfused rat liver under restricted oxygen supply.

1. Hepatic azo and nitro reductase activities were studied in the perfused rat liver under normal and restricted oxygen supply. 2. Formation of sulphanilamide or p-aminobenzoic acid from neoprontosil or p-nitrobenzoic acid under aerobic conditions of liver perfusion was negligible, even at a reduced oxygen saturation of a pO2 of 300 mm Hg in the haemoglobinfree perfusion system. At a pO2 of 200 mm Hg reductase activities were almost maximal. 3. Conjugation of sulphanilamide (0-08 mM) was similar under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Hepatic elimination of p-aminobenzoic acid (0-08 mM) showed an oxygen-dependent increase for 15 min after addition of substrate. 4. p-Nitroanisole demethylation was inhibited 80% under hypoxic perfusion at 200 mm Hg pO2 and was completely inhibited after gassing with anoxic mixtures. 5. Restitution of aerobic conditions after 30 min anaerobic perfusion restored hepatic respiration, lactate pyruvate ratio, and pH value to levels found under aerobic conditions, but bile flow remained 50% reduced.


Enhancement of nitro reduction in rat liver microsomes by haemin and haemoproteins.

1. Reductive metabolism of p-nitrobenzoic acid and neoprontosil in rat liver microsomes was studied in the presence of haemin, haemoglobin and myoglobin. 2. Microsomal nitro reduction is enhanced 4-fold in the presence of haemoglobin, whereas azo reduction is not affected. 3. Microsomal nitro reduction is enhanced to a similar extent by haemoglobin, haemin and boiled haemoglobin, whereas myoglobin is about half as active. 4. Maximal enhancement of microsomal nitro reductase activity by haemoglobin is achieved at high substrate concentration (6 mM) and low microsomal protein concentration (0.5--1.0 mg/ml). 5. Control microsomal nitro reduction as well as the haemoglobin-enhanced microsomal nitro reduction are inhibited completely by O2 and CO whereas potassium azide as a ligand of ferric haem iron is a less potent inhibitor.


A poly[methyl-14C]methacrylate source for use in whole-body autoradiography and beta-radiography.

1. A cheap, robust, radioactive source in sheet form has been designed and constructed from commercially available material. Log-related isotopic dilutions of the source have been used to prepare a Standard Radioactive Scale. 2. The Standard Radioactive Scale has been developed as a method of internal standardization of whole-body autoradiography and its use as an aid to quantitative determination is discussed. 3. The distribution of radioactivity in the sheet source is sufficiently uniform to allow its use for high resolution radiography of thin specimens. This radiographic technique has been applied to whole body sections to demonstrate differences in quenching by tissues and to examine calcification in the rat foetus.


Metabolism of papaverine IV. Urinary elimination of papaverine metabolites in man.

1. A gas chromatographic method is described for the quantitative determination of the metabolites of papaverine in urine. 2. The urinary excretion of papaverine metabolites was studied in man. About 50% of the metabolites of papaverine are excreted in the urine within 48 h. 6-Desmethylpapaverine is the major metabolite in the urine. The metabolites are excreted almost completely in conjugated form.


The metabolism of azidomorphine in a human subject.

1. The metabolism of azidomorphine, a potent narcotic analgesic, was studied in a human subject who had received a single 1.8 mg dose subcutaneously. 2. Azidomorphine was excreted in the urine in small amounts as the intact drug and as a metabolite, 6-deoxy-6beta-aminodihydromorphine. Larger amounts of conjugated azidomorphine also were detected. 3. The azido group of azidomorphine was relatively stable towards enzymic and chemical change.


[Demonstration of alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucosidase in a yeast cell-wall lytic system of Streptomyces spec. 5s].

Streptomyces spec. 5s accumulates in the culture fluid lytic activities against living cells of Candida guilliermondii H. From the culture fluid a freeze-dried dialyzed ammonium sulfate precipitate was prepared. Except beta-glucosidase-activity of alpha-mannosidase which was characterized. Separation of both enzymes by chromatography on polyacrylamide gel was possible.


Fine structure of imbibed sclerotial cells of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul revealed by freeze-etching.

The fine structure of the cortex of the natural sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea was studied. The cell wall of sclerotial cells is thickened due to overproduction of the fibrillar component of the wall. The intracellular spaces of the cortex tissue form a continuous system which is apparently instrumental in mediating communication between the growing sclerotium and the external milieu. The cytoplasmic membrane of imbibed sclerotial cells carriers abundant signs of secretory activity. Secretion vesicles, the content of which is discharged into external space, apparently contain exo 1,3-glucanase. Cytoplasmic vesicles migrating toward the plugged pores of the thickened septa apparently involve hydrolase secretion too. Spherosomes with lipid content are a predominant component of the cytoplasm of sclerotial cells. The activity of the membrane systems of imbibed cells indicates that the mobilization of lipids sets in only after activation of the hydrolases. Findings of phagocytosis of lipid granules by vacuoles are relatively frequent so that lipolysis might proceed in the vacuoles. Alkaloids could not be detected with the aid of freeze-etching.


[Biological modelling of potassium metabolism].

1. General principles of the modelling of compartments were described with the aim to use this methodology for the investigation of the potassium metabolism. 2. For the modelling of the potassium metabolism the necessary processes of investigation and calculations in the analysis of 42-potassium-kinetics were described in detail at an example. 3. By analogy references to the haemodynamics the general significance of the modelling of compartments was explained.


[Relation of radiographic and clinical findings to the pathomorphological changes in Wegener's granulomatosis].

On the basis of two own observations the clinical and radiological routine methods undergo a critical judgment concerning their valency for the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. The two patients showed the picture of a severe septical disease with high fever and expressed inflammatory changes of the biological reactions. In the first observation a pulmonary round focus and terminally the renal failure, in the second case severe inflammatory changes of the lungs without response to antibiotic therapy were in the foreground. The appearance of this disease as generalized vasculitis is conditioned by the manifold clinical symptomatology and thus renders the diagnostics extraordinarily difficult. The simultaneous affection of the nasopharyngeal space, of the lung and the kidneys may be a guide for the diagnosis. The X-ray findings of the lung are not able to found sufficiently the diagnosis.


[Physical capacity of patients with liver diseases as well as its significance for therapy and evaluation].

In 50 patients with different liver diseases (20 with subsided viral hepatitis and 30 with degenerative liver damages) the serum enzyme course of SGOT, SGPT, LDH and CPK was investigated after ergometer load. The enzymes were estimated before as well as 1/2, 2, 4, 24, and 48 hours after load. 48 hours after load additionally the liver biopsy after Menghini was carried out. According to the histological findings the 20 patients with viral hepatitis were subdivided into 13 with still active and 7 with residual hepatitis as well as the 30 patients with degenerative liver damages into 15 with toxical hepatosis, 6 with fatty degeneration of the liver cells and 9 with signs of metabolic activation. Since the significant increases of enzymes could not be proved in any of the fours enzymes 1/2 to 48 hours after load we are of the opinion that the liver, independent on the kind of the lesion, better tolerates physical work. Moreover, it seems that load investigations under ergometry with estimation of the course of the serum enzymes are unsuited for the judgment of the degree of activity and the degree of cure of liver diseases, respectively.


[The value of clinical and paraclinical parameters in the diagnosis of acute abdominal diseases as based on the patient material of a medical clinic].

The triad pains, tension of the abdominal wall and disturbances of the peristalsis, cited in the special literature, had no diagnostic significance for the recognition of acute abdominal diseases. In more than half of the patients examined we found leucocytosis and tachycardia as individual parameters. In about one third the simultaneous presence of several symptoms (leukocytosis, tachycardia and increase of temperature) was observed. Among the parameters got in our patients none was referring to making the diagnosis of an acute abdominal disease in the individual case. Even when the adequate symptomatology is absent in old and frail patients should be thought of an acute abdominal disease, the more so when most modern anesthetic and operative methods and an intensive postoperative care is used the prognosis of such diseases may be favourable also at older age.


[Intestinal absorption in the short-bowel syndrome].

An extreme diminution of the absorption surface by resection or exclusion of the small intestine leads to the clinical picture of the short-intestine-syndrome. The absorption effect of the proximal small intestine can be exactly established with the help of the modified D-xylose-test. On the basis of three typical examples the high evidence of this functional test can be demonstrated. The pathophysiological principles of the intestinal adaptation after by-pass-operations and resections of the small intestine are discussed.


[Rare monoclonal immunoglobulins, and analysis of their biological and clinical value].

Under rare monoclonal immunoglobulins we understand double or multiple formations in the same patient and above all the appearance of fragments, semimolecules or free heavy chains. Among our material of 309 cases of monoclonal immunoglobulins we could five times establish such findings. The cases in question were twice the combination of complete molecules, in three cases we saw fragment formations, partly in combination. By evaluation of literature and on the basis of an own observation we come to the determined result that these anomalous formations of fragments--which by all means may be called real paraproteins--must represent products of an incomplete synthesis. This anomaly is the functional expression of the structural changes concomitant with the cancerisation of the cell. Double and multiple formation is by no means at the same time bi- or oligoclonality. Our findings are discussed under these aspects.


[The effect of diphenylhydantoin on the automatism of the sinus node and on the sino-atrial conduction time in patients with and without sick sinus syndrome].

In 30 test persons (15 patients with disturbed function of the sino-auricular node, 9 of them with classical sick-sinus-syndrome as well as 15 test persons without disturbance of the sino-auricular node, of them 7 healthy ones) the influence of diphenylhydantoin on the function of the sino-auricular node was tested. By means of atrial stimulation the so-called sino-atrial conduction time, the recreation time of the sino-auricular node as well as the duration of the sinus period before and after intravenous application of 250 mg of diphenylhydantoin was estimated. The auricular stimulation was carried out either through an oesophageal electrode probe or usually through an electrode catheter directly placed in the right atrium. In the entire collective the sino-atrial conduction time did prolong itself statistically not significantly by 2 +/- 5ms (x +/- 2 s), in which cases there was not to be observed a different behaviour between test persons with a healthy rhythm and patients with disturbed function of the sino-auricular node. In 2 patients with sick-sinus-syndrome, however, after diphenylhydantoin and individual atrial stimulation in each case sino-atrial blockings of higher degree developed. The maximum absolute and corrected recovery time of the sino-auricular node prolonged itself in patients with syndrome of the sino-auricular node by on an average 1406 +/- 2120 ms or 1378 +/- 2338 ms, in which cases in 1 test person a threatening prolongation of the poststimulation pause to 10 s developed. In another patient after application of diphenylhydantoin an atrial arrest was observed. The automatism of the sino-auricular node of test persons with healthy rhythm was not influenced.


[The risk of diabetes after existing cholecystectomy].

No further increase of the risk of diabetes after cholecystectomy is shown in men. In the female sex the number of cases of diabetes may not be decreased by cholecystectomy, in particular, if an obesity occurs after the operation. From this is derived the demand for a normal nutrition after operations of the bile ducts.


[Sclerosing of varicose veins in general practice].

The great number of patients suffering from varicosis and its complications urgently requires an active therapy. This treatment simultaneously represents a prophylaxis against the development of thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, leg ulcers and hypostatic congestion dermatoses. The varicosclerosation is not bound to instrumental preliminary examinations and therefore feasable without great efforts in the outpatient department. After testing the patency of the deep veins and taking into consideration the indications and contraindications the varicosclerosation achieves good results and is nearly free from side-effects. The percentage of relapses is caused by the constitutional weakness of the connective tissue and must be taken into account from the very beginning. General practitioners and specialists of internal medicine should make use of this method, since dermatologists and surgeons alone are not able to cover the quantitative demand.


[Renal potassium-loss syndrome as origin of extreme hypokalemia].

Case report on a 35-year-old female patient with life-threatening respiratory insufficiency in extreme hypopotassemia with unclear genesis. A simultaneously existing systemic acidosis and alkaline urine render a secondary tubular acidosis as a sequel of a symptom-poor chronic pyelonephritis probable. Ascertainment by ammonium chloride load. Discussion of the most essential causes of a hypotassemia and emphasizing of a consequent antibiotic sanation also of asymptomatic bacteriurias. It is referred to the necessity of a highly dosed long-term potassium substitution.


Red cell esterase-d-polymorphism in the Veneto population.

630 individuals and 102 mother/child pairs from the Veneto provinces were examined for their red cell EsD by Cellogel electrophoresis. Compared with the horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis no differences in the zymogram patterns have been found. The gene frequencies observed (EsD1 = 0.8556; EsD2 = 0.1444) differ only slightly from those reorted for various European populations and are nearly identical with data for other Italian populations. Family studies confirmed the Mendelian co-dominant inheritance.


Esterase D phenotypes in North-eastern Japan.

Esterase D (EsD) was typed in 2,367 unrelated healthy blood donors from Yamagata and Miyagi districts, north-eastern area of Japan. The gene frequencies observed were: EsD1 = 0.642, EsD2 = 0.358. In these blood donors two rare EsD phenotypes, EsD 3-2 and a new variant, were found. As for this new variant, the mode of hereditary transmission was discussed by family study.


Properdin factor b-polymorphism in the population of Hessen, Germany.

The polymorphism of properdin factor B (Bf, C3 proactivator) in a population sample from Hessen, Germany has been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis and immunofixation. In 522 unrelated individuals seven different phenotypes were observed and the following allele frequencies calculated: BfS = 0.7998, BfF = 0.1772, BfS0.7 = 0.0163 and BfF1 = 0.0077. Investigations of 100 families with 198 children and 30 mother-child combinations support the assumed autosomal codominant way of inheritance.


Rupture of a subclavian artery aneurysm in a heroin addict. Report of a case.

A previously healthy heroin addict died suddenly and unexpectedly of hemothorax due to rupture of a subclavian artery aneurysm. He had been using the neck veins for mainlining. The pathogenesis of the aneurysm is discussed.


[On the problem of defensive dismembering of a dead body by a person not involved in the previous homicide (author's transl)].

A person accused of murder maintained that he found his nextdoor neighbour dead. Because he had already served a long sentence for homicide he stated that in a state of panic he dismembered and removed the dead body not to be suspected again.--For collecting information legal medicine institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland were consulted. The results are very instructive and are completed by reports from the literature. No proven case was found in which a person dismembered and disposed of an incidentally found body (or the body of someone who incidentally died in the presence of the subject) in order to prevent suspicion of guilt. Occasionally those statements were made, and also refuted.


Preparation of crystalline bovine liver beta-glucuronidase.

A method is described for the preparation of pure beta-glucuronidase from bovine liver. The procedure includes ammonium sulfate, acetone and ethanol fractionation and a simple two-step ion exchange chromatography. The yield is acceptable and the method requires only standard laboratory equipment. The pure enzyme is easily crystallized from ammonium sulfate. Some practical applications of the pure beta-glucuronidase are discussed.


[Problems of infectious hospitalism in the Hungarian urology].

1. In more than half of the urological basis disease an asymptomatic significant bacteruria is present. 2. The asymptomatic bacteruria must be treated, since it is a sign for endangering by pyelonephritis (potential pyelonephritis). 3. In our clinical material the distribution of the pathogenic agents has changed and that in favour of bacteria resistant to medicaments. 4. This appearance could be observed above all in patients who were hospitalised for a longer time and in the older age groups. 5. With all remedies at our disposal must be tried to reduce the resistance.


[Comparative bacteriological examinations of bladder-puncture and middle-stream urine].

In 100 patients the bacteriological results of the urine got by suprapubic puncture of the urinary bladder were compared with the results of the mid-stream urine. In the vesicular urine the proportion of the urine samples infected as well as of the mixed flora is essentially lower so that, in contrast to the mid-stream urine, it gives more reliable findings. According to this the puncture of the urinary bladder should be used more frequently, particularly in certain groups of patients. A comparison of the bacteriological investigation of the vesicular urine with the semiquantitative investigation of the sediments of the mid-stream urine resulted in a large proportion of pathological sediments of the urine when the vesicular urine was sterile so that the reliability of this investigation appears restricted in its modern form of performance.


[Ureteral polyps].

The fibrous polyp of ureter is a rarely found benign neoplasm, which however is found more often in the last few years. The therapy consists of local resection of the polyp carrying part of ureter. By the knowledge of the disease diagnosis can be suspected from urography. Knowing this, nephroureterectomy, which is usually done in case of tumour of ureter, can be avoided. Problems of ureter polyps are shown by means of 3 own patients.


["Removing of infection" through nephrectomy of the pyelonephritic atrophic kidney].

On the basis of own examinations is shown: 1. In female patients with non-obstructive infections of the urinary tract and unilateral pyelonephritic cirrhosis of the kidney the recidivations of the infections are in general not to be traced back to the flaring up of old germinal areas in them. 2. For this reason the removal of the diseased kidney also does not in general effect a sanation of the infection. In most cases it is not necessary, occasionally even harmful. 3. The nephrectomy with the aim of the sanation of the infection is indicated only then, when was proved that kidney is focus of the germ. This is possible only with the help of an exact localisation diagnostics and identification of the germs.


[Therapeutic possibilities in ulcus simplex vesicae].

On the basis of own clinical experiences in the treatment of the ulcus simplex vesicae in connection with the special literature is described that frequent failures in therapy may be traced back to the up to now still uncleared genesis of the disease. According to the modern stage of knowledge the disease in question seems to be determined by trophoneurotic disturbances. Success in therapy may be achieved by interruption of pathological reflexes of the autonomous nervous system by means of infiltration of procoffin.


[Studies on the pharmacokinetics of Sulfaclomid, Mebacid, Nevigramon and Metindol in patients with reduced kidney function].

In patients with restriction of the renal function the pharmacokinetics of Sulfaclomid, Mebacid, Nevigramon and Metindol was investigated. According to the different elimination mechanisms of the drugs investigated the kinetics was infleunced in different way by the restriction of the renal elimination of these drugs: The half-life periods for the elimination of Metindol, Nevigramon and Mebacid remained unchanged in patients with renal diseases; the half-value period for the elimination of Sulfaclomid was prolonged.


[Epidermoid cyst of the testis].

Epidermoid cysts of the testis are very rare tumours. It is reported on a case of a typical epidermoid cyst. Based on the histopathological facts, the problems of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach are discussed.


[Sterilization of drinking water using peracetic acid].

The efficiency of peracetic acid on drinking-water conservation and sterilization was investigated. It was determined in watering experiments that a starting concentration of 0.01-0.02% peracetic acid was required in order to guarantee the sterility of water and water-bottle for a duration of one week. As the applied peracetic acid concentration could be reduced by addition of organic substances such as saliva and stomach content, the possibility of peracetic acid resorption by the animal is negligible.


[Behavior of total serum cholesterol in aging rats in relation to food intake, weight development and mortality rate].

Rats (OFA - Sandoz) were kept under barrier conditions their whole lives in order to study the correlations between food intake, body weight, serum cholesterol and mortality rate. The cholesterol levels in males in the first life-half rose in correlation to food intake and body weight increase. In the second half, however, the cholesterol level increased again, whereas body weight and food intake decreased. The mortality rate rose, which was correlated to the second increase of the cholesterol level and the body weight loss (probit analysis). These findings were not made in females, which had lower food intake, body weight and cholesterol levels.


[Development of swimming behavior in mice as a behavioral test in toxicology].

The development of the swimming behaviour in mice is described by 7 stages. The inbred strains and hybrids investigated showed differences in the progress of this development. In comparing the swimming behaviour of offspring from Cyclophosphamid- treated and untreated dams temporal differences have been registered, too. The swimming test is thought to be a suitable behavioural test within embryotoxicological investigations.


[Passive avoidance learning in the rat as an industrial toxicology test].

The techniqual design of a test procedure for determining the passive avoidance learning of rats is described. Experimental results with 1.1.2.2-tetrachloroethylene and benzene demonstrated the principal usefullness of this method in industrial toxicology.


[Food and water intake of the rat in a recording device].

Knowledge of the normal eating and drinking habits of the rat is indispensable for comparative experiments concerned with the cariogenicity of different diets. At a time six rats were maintained individually in a registration apparatus (Hofer, Switzerland). Food (basal diet "ssniff") and normal tap water was made available ad libitum. The amounts of food and water, as well as the frequency and duration of food intake, were registered by a pen recorder, which was connected to an electronic balance. The experiment began with three week old rats, and lasted 9 weeks. Conclusions on the procedure of short term caries experiments with rats could be drawn from the results.


[Microbiological and chemical investigations into amelioration of spruce raw humus on phosphorus-deficient sites in the Mittelgebirge (author's transl)].

In spruce stands on quartz-porphyry sites raw humus is formed on strongly acid, calcium and phosphorus-deficient soils which were treated with lime, phosphate, and ammonium nitrate individually and in combined form. The most favourable microbiological and chemical effect was attained by CaNP fertilization, which is suitable for raising the yield of spruce stands with simultaneous amelioration of raw humus. The long-term effect of the phosphate is bound to simultaneous liming which ensures the persistence of phosphorus in the A0 horizon. The nitrification-based nitrate content of the soil is increased in the variants CaNP, CaNP and, to a somewhat lesser extent, also in NP. Simple treatment with N hardly raises the bacteria content, the combinations CaN, NP, and particularly CaNP, on the other hand, gave a favourable effect. Germination number and number of species of actinomycetes are also furthered most effectively by CaNP. The percentage of fungi in the total number of germs is reduced by fertilization without negatively influencing the species spectrum. Liming has a negative effect on the absolute germination number of the fungi, treatment with N gives a positive effect. The metabolism conditioned by microbes in the raw humus is not activated by N, moderately by NP, and strongly by CaNP.


Composition and properties of the actinomycete flora in a ferralitic tropical soil (oxisol)-sugar cane ecological system.

Streptomycetes constituted about 46--48 per cent of the total aerobic microflora in the cultivated horizon of the studied ferralitic tropical soil below sugar cane plantation. This streptomycete fraction of the soil microbial community was composed of 13 (or more) species of Streptomyces (S. chromofuscus, S. chromogenus, S. diastatochromogenes, S. flavochromogenes, S. griseolus, S. nigrescens, S. phaeofaciens, S. sterilis, S. violaceus, Streptomyces sp. I--III), and Streptoverticillium (Sv. aspergilloides). None of these organisms did occur, with detectable frequency of occurrence, in the root surface region of sugar cane. Here, in the rhizoplane, we found a numerically small population of streptomycetes (about 5 per cent of the total bacterial flora), composed of two species (Streptomyces sp. IV and S. griseorubiginosus) which were, however, not detected in soil samples.


[The importance of antagonistic soil micro-flora for eliminating soil-born fungal pathogens in intensive corn-growing (author's transl)].

In a sandy soil, the antagonistic bacterial and fungal flora was analysed and their effectivity with respect to corn foot and stem rot was investigated. Measures that promoted total micro-flora in soil (organic fertilization) stimulated, in most cases, the antagonists as well. Different organic substances supported various types of antagonists. In soil with inhibited aeration the antagonists were reduced. A full effectivity of the antagonistic biological soil component presupposes the absence of host plants.


Influence of light on pectic enzymes in root exudates of Trifolium alexandrinum inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii.

An in vitro experiment was conduced under bacteriologically controlled conditions to examine the effect of light on the production of pectin methyl esterase (PME) and pectin polygalacturonase (PG) in the root exudates of Trifolium alexandrinum inoculated with an efficient strain of Rhizobium trifolii. The results revealed that PME and PG increased with an increase in the duration of light to which plants were exposed. However, both the enzymes were detected in the root exudates of nonphotosynthesizing plants.


Effect of sulfur application on sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and yield of two leguminous crops.

The effect of elemental sulfur application at the rate of 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg/feddan on broad-bean and lentil was tested in field experiments. Sulfur application resulted in increasing the numbers of the autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as well as in the concentration of available sulfate in the soil; the increases were proportional to the level of sulfur added. The sulfur treatments neither affected the soil pH nor the nodulation of the leguminous plants tested. The application of sulfur at the rates used slightly increased seed yield and nitrogen content of lentil seeds, but had no effect on broadbean.


[Verification of the plum pox virus (PPV) using the tray test (author's transl)].

A comparison of 6 host plants reacting by local lesion if infected by the Plum Pox Virus (PPV) demonstrated that beside Chenopodium foetidum Schrad. also Nicandra physaloides (L). Gärtner, Nicardra physaloides violacea Bitter and Verbena officinalis L. are pretty well suitable to verify the PPV serving as locally reacting test plants. Using the tray test, the PPV was verifiable by separated leaves of C. foetidum Schrad., N. physaloides violacea Bitter, N. physaloides (L.) Gärtner and V. officinalis L. Applying experimental conditions precisely defined, an abridgement of the period between infections and development of the symptomes by three days was acquired here, compared with the plant test.


[A conbribution to the characterization of asparagus virus 2 (author's transl)].

In host range investigations with 152 plant species of 37 families, 96 species from 28 families proved to be experimentally susceptible to asparagus virus 2 (AsV 2). From these, 82 species of 26 families were systematically infectible and 14 species of 10 families only locally. Most frequently were symptomless systemic infections. Of 86 species, their susceptibility for AsV 2 was unknown before. The number of families that contant experimental hosts of the virus increased from 11 to 33. Transmission of AsV 2 was neither possible with Myzus persicae nor with Cuscuta californica or C. campestris. AsV 2-infected mother plants transmitted the virus by about 40 per cent to their seedings. Open-pollinated plants, not infested by AsV 2, showed 3 to 22 per cent of infected seedings. Mechanical back-transmission of AsV 2 from test plants to asparagus succeeded only in one case. The properties of the virus in vitro were as follows: thermal inactivation point between 64 and 66 degrees C, dilution end point between 10(-3) and 10(-4), stability in sap, stored at room temperature, up to 96 hours. Serological investigations demonstrated no relationship to the virus to numerous other viruses. An antiserum with a titer of 1 to 16 was useful for the detection of AvV 2 in asparagus sap. Electron microscopical investigations proved for the virus isometric particles for the first time. In negatively stained preparations they had a diameter of 27 nm.


Effect of C.C.C. [2-(chloroethyl)] trimethyl ammonium chloride on growth and sporulation in Fusarium oxysporum f. udum (butl.) Sn. et H.

In Fusarium oxysporum f. udum sporulation of macroconidia was completely inhibited due to the influence of C.C.C. [2-(Chloroethyl)] trimethyl ammonium chloride). Microconidial proliferation, on the other hand, was adversely affected and with increase in concentration of this compound a parallel and proportional decrease in the amount of microconidia was found. Size of microconidia, too, showed a concomitant decline. Although the size of the chlamydospores was also reduced, a tremendous increase in its population was evident, showing a positive response in favour of C.C.C. addition. Fungal mat accumulation, another important aspect of growth, did not evince any inhibitory pattern, compared to the progressive increase in C.C.C. amoung in younger cultures. In older cultures (15-day old), an initial depressing shock of C.C.C. addition could be seen. However, after stepwise and gradual adjustment to the new environment the same positive response of mycelial growth was discernible, although in a less degree than that of the young cultures.


Effect of some organic phosphorus and carbamate pesticides on Streptomyces scabies.

Of all the organic phosphorus and carbamate pesticides, tested on Streptomyces scabies, Thimet, Chlorothion, Dithane M-45, and Karathane, were effective at relatively low concentrations (1, 20, 16, and 115 ppm). Minimal inhibitory concentrations of these pesticides were the same in vitro as well as in vivo. The other organic phosphorus and carbamate compounds tested were less effective under the laboratory conditions of these tests.


[Interdisciplinary cooperation between anaesthesiology and surgery from the surgeon's point of view (author's transl)].

The development of anaesthesiology has brought about a great variety of problems e.g. unforeseen capacities, money, vacancies and equipment. The patients welfare, of course necessitates the establishment of anaesthesiological departments wherever operations are being performed. We believe that in hospitals without anaesthesiologists an experienced physician should devote himself to the above mentioned duties, which should not be allowed to be of less quality. This is the only way to avoid serious complications. Furthermore, the type of operation and selection of patients have to consider these factors. Risky patients should not be operated on in hospitals without an anaesthesiologist. In a single-man-anaesthesia department the surgical colleagues should be temporarily transferred to assist in the anaesthesiologic department. If there is no possibility of using modern anaesthesia, neither through an anaesthesiologist nor an experienced surgeon, the range of surgery should be limited to the more riskless areas of the body or to operations that can be done in local anaesthesia.