Urologic manifestations of Wegener granulomatosis.

Wegener granulomatosis is a disease characterized by necrotizing granulomatous angiitis involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts and the kidneys. The introduction of cyclophosphamide in the treatment of Wegener granulomatosis has dramatically altered the rapidly fatal course of the disease and has altered our thinking regarding its management. Recently we have cared for 3 patients who demonstrated a dramatic spectrum of urinary tract pathology related to Wegener granulomatosis. The cases presented offer three points for consideration by the urologist: (1) the manifestations of the disease in the genitourinary tract can be varied and can present in a dramatic fashion; (2) the rapid progression of renal failure and the nearly uniform mortality associated with the disease have changed largely because of the use of cyclophosphamide; and (3) our approach toward patients with renal failure on the basis of Wegener granulomatosis can be altered, and renal transplantation is certainly feasible with the increased longevity afforded these patients by cyclophosphamide.


Urologists and their surgical practice.

The work characteristics of urologists were studied as part of a national study of surgeon manpower. Urologists were found to work short hours relative to other surgical specialties, and their operative work load ranked sixth among the ten surgical specialties. The major conclusion was that the supply of urologists was greater than necessary to meet the need for urologic consultants.


Forgotten kidney: asynchronous bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

A case is presented in which ureteropelvic junction obstruction developed in a kidney that had apparently been normal at the time of contralateral nephrectomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction nine years previously. Therapeutic implications are discussed.


Retroperitoneal fibrosis with ureteral obstruction secondary to Actinomyces israeli.

A case of Actinomycosis israeli causing retroperitoneal fibrosis and ureteral obstruction is presented. This rare occurrence followed direct extension of the infectious process from intra-abdominal abscesses to the retroperitoneum, resulting in dense fibrosis. Diagnosis is most commonly established by histologic identification of sulfur granules obtained at abdominal exploration. The pathogenesis and treatment of genitourinary as well as retroperitoneal actinomycosis is discussed.


Seminal vesicle cyst associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis.

Seminal vesicle cysts present at the age of high sexual activity. They manifest with symptoms of bladder irritation and pain on ejaculation. They arise because of congenital obstruction of ejaculatory duct. Diagnosis can be made by careful rectal examination supplemented by an intravenous urogram, cystogram, seminal vesiculogram, and cystourethroscopy. Surgical excision of the cyst is the definitive treatment. We present a case of right seminal vesicle cyst associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis, with a review of the pertinent literature.


New method of treatment of immune infertility.

A history is presented of a couple suffering from long-standing infertility, which on laboratory investigation was found to be immunologic infertility, as expressed in the male partner. This case of male infertility was diagnosed by findings of sperm antibody in both the serum and the seminal plasma of the man, using both the Kibrick and the F-D sperm agglutination test methods. A new effort at treatment, by means of attempted immunosuppression, was proposed and applied, using corticosteroid medication. The special feature of this treatment involved a high dosage (96 mg. per day of methylprednisolone) for a short period (seven days). Laboratory studies revealed that the antibody levels, in both his serum and seminal plasma, did fall considerably. The wife became pregnant in the subsequent cycle. It is proposed that such diagnostic and treatment efforts be tried in other cases of male immunologic infertility.


Mucinous urethral caruncle.

A case of urethral caruncle, composed exclusively of mucin-secreting colonic-type glands and believed to be the first on record, is described. The lesion presented clinically as an ordinary caruncle and was treated by local excision. The histogenesis of the lesion is discussed, and its probable origin from an intraurethral cloacogenic colonic gland rest is proposed.


Computed tomography in diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis.

Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare condition which may be associated with obstructive uropathy. The radiologic features may be stimulated by pelvic malignancy and, in the past, surgery has often had to be performed for confirmation of the diagnosis. A case is described in which computed tomography (CT) provided definite proof that the pelvic organ displacement was due to excessive fat. It is considered that CT may obviate the need for further workup or surgery in these patients unless exploration is required for the relief of ureteric obstruction.


Renal venography. New applications in pathologic conditions.

Renal venography may be an extremely useful adjunctive diagnostic procedure in selected cases of renal disease. The techniques utilized in renal phlebography are described, and the newer applications of this technique are discussed and illustrated.


Carcinoma of urachus with extensive abdominal calcification.

Carcinoma of the urachus, a relatively rare genitourinary neoplasm, usually presents as a supravesical mass. This tumor may occasionally calcify, which together with other radiographic and clinical features may permit a specific preoperative diagnosis. The calcifications also enable an evaluation of recurrence via plain films. A case is presented, with the clinical, radiologic, sonographic, and radionuclide imaging characteristics reviewed.


Rabbit dysentery: 1. Clinical, epizootological and bacteriological studies.

Individual and epizootological observations on scouring in a large flock of three-to 10-week-old growing rabbits indicate that spread from animal to animal is not characteristic in outbreaks of rabbit dysentery. Although the disease occurs chiefly after weaning, precipitation of the symptoms seems to be unrelated to weaning stress. Intestinal flora studies on infected and control animals have shown that the bacteriological background of the condition is varied. Marked increase of coliforms over controls occurred in 70 per cent of the cases, coliforms and clostridia had both increased in 20 per cent, and clostridia only in 5 per cent. In the remaining 5 per cent the intestinal flora did not differ from normal, although death from rabbit dysentery was readily obvious. Microscopic examinations for coccidial oocysts of mucosal scrapings from different intestinal segments have shown that oocyst counts sufficient to give rise to clinical coccidiosis were only exceptionally present.


Rabbit dysentery: 2. Therapeutic experiments.

Control of rabbit dysentery in three-to 10-week-old growing-broiler rabbits was attempted by individual therapy of diseased animals and prophylactic flock treatment. Antibiotics selected on the basis of previous resistance tests failed on both therapeutic and preventive application, but a notable reduction of losses could be achieved by prophylactic medication with coccidiostatics. Clinically ill animals did not, however, respond to coccidiostatic therapy. Analysis of intestinal bacterium flora in the diseased animals and the good results of preventive coccidiostatic treatment suggests that the basic mechanism underlying rabbit dysentery is coccidial infection.


Rabbit dysentery: 3. Diagnostic differentiation.

The diagnostic differentiation of rabbit mucoid enteritis from rabbit dysentery by age and post mortem findings is described. The condition termed as "rabbit dysentery" affects three- to 10-week-old growing rabbits and is essentially an acute coccidiosis, while "mucoid enteritis" develops in older rabbits as a sequel to constipation for six to eight days. The main differentiating feature of the two conditions, which have often been confused with one another owing to similarity of symptoms, is the characteristics dissimilarity of gross changes in the caecum.


Clinical observations on the antagonism of immobilon by naloxone in dogs.

The effectiveness of naloxone hydrochloride in reversing Immobilon anaesthesia was evaluated in 14 dogs. Although a dose rate of 0.02 mg per kg body-weight briefly reversed the respiratory and cardiovascular depression, a dose of at least 0.6 mg per kg body-weight was required before full recovery of consciousness occurred. The action of naloxone was found to be relatively short lived and relapse tended to occur after 10 to 15 minutes. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the use of naloxone in the event of accidental self-administration of Immobilon in man.


Cell counts and composition of bovine milk.

Observations were made on 249 first or second calf heifers in which mastitis had been diagnosed in a mammary quarter which was opposite a normal quarter. Cell counts were made on the milk from each quarter and the cows were divided into three groups with the infected quarters classed according to the cell count. The infected quarters gave lower yields of milk with lower fat, solids-not-fat (SNF) and protein percentages than the opposite normal quarters in all three groups, but the differences between the means were only significant in yield and fat and SNF contents in the two groups with cell counts of over 500,000 per ml. In 175 animals the numbers and diameters of the fat globules were measured. The only significant reduction was in the globule numbers in the cows with from 1 to 2 million globules per ml of milk.


Contagious equine metritis: the present situation reviewed and a revised code of practice for its control.

This report contains details of the code of practice for the control of contagious equine metritis (CEM) during the 1979 breeding season. It was prepared under the guidance of a scientific committee established by the Horserace Betting Levy Board under the chairmanship of Sir David Evans, FRS. The code is similar to the one introduced for the 1978 breeding season but takes into account the experience gained during the past 12 months. Following discussions with colleagues in Ireland it has been agreed that a similar code of practice will be introduced in the United Kingdom and Ireland so as to facilitate a uniform policy for the control of CEM. A summary of this report will be circulated to thoroughbred mare and stallion owners.


[Relationship between membrane conformation changes and several metabolic processes in antigen-stimulated macrophages].

The changes are followed up in the properties of the macrophage membrane after treatment with phospholipase C and the activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in order to elucidate the link between the conformation changes observed and some metabolic prosesses in antigen-stimulated macrophages. The studies were carried out on peritoneal macrophages of guinea pig-treated in vitro with phospholipase C. It was found that: 1. The action of phospholipase C essentially changes the linking parameters available for the fluorochrome 1-aniline-8-naphthalin sulfonic acid. 2. The activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase rises by 34.5% in the phospholipase C-treated macrophages. The fast changes observed in the conformation of the membrane that was studied under the effect of the fluorescence stain AHC, the higher activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme used after phospholipase C treatment, the fact that phospholipase C failed to pass through the macrophage membrane, and the capacity of the latter enzyme to bring about the same metabolic changes in the stimulation of the hexosomonophosphate cycle of the normal macrophages as well as the antigen stimulation produced made it reasonable to believe that the conformation changes produced a 'signal' that is transmitted through the cell membrane, and hence the metabolic changes that followed in the metabolic processes.


[Candida infections in farm animals and birds].

Studied were swab samples taken from the oral cavity, the nostrils, and the rectum, resp., the cloaca of a total of 2315 calves, pigs, chickens, poulets, and turkey-poults to demonstrate the presence of fungi of the genus Candida. The material was taken from healthy animals and birds as well as from such that had digestive troubles, bronchitis, and bronchopneumontia. Isolated were the species; C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. albicans, C. pelliculosa, C. gulliermondii, and C. utilis. The various species were differentiated on the basis of their morphologic and cultural characteristics and their biochemical behaviour. It was established that C. albicans only manifested pathogenic properties. It was experimentally demonstrated that the appearance of a Candida infection was facilitated by the simultaneous application of a fungus culture and antibiotics of a broad spectrum. Histopathologic investigations were carried out of experimentally infected and spontaneously affected birds.


[Isolation of chlamydia in keratoconjunctivitis].

Two isolates, identified as Chlamydia (neorickettsia) were obtained from the lacrimal secretion of calves with an acute infection on two of a total of four investigated farms with a record of infectious keratoconjunctivitis. In about 70% of the calves that survived there were complement-fixing antibodies against the neorickettsial antigen, the titers ranging from 1:8 to 1:64. Calves that yielded the causative agent were investigated in terms of the antibody dynamics. In the remaining herds no specific antibodies were demonstrated in animals that had survived. One of the isolated strains was used to infect (via the external camera oculi) a rabbit. Acute keratoconjunctivitis followed, and the blood serum of the rabbit was found to contain complement-fixing antibodies of a titer within the 1:8-1:16 range from the 30th day on. A neorickettsial strain was also isolated from the ocular secretion of a dog with serofibrinous keratoconjunctivitis, and this was regarded as a rarely encountered finding.


[Production of trivalent vaccine against avian spirochetosis].

Reshetnyak's method was employed to produce a trivalent vaccine against avian spirochetosis, using the serotypes Surnevo I, Pamoukchii, and Venets established in this country. The vaccine was tested for sterility, innocuity, and immunogenicity. Its activity was determined via biologic titration on birds. The vaccine was shown to protect birds against the disease when used at the rate of 0.5 cm3. Six (13.3%) out of all vaccinated birds contracted spirochetosis within various periods following vaccination. It was found that the duration of postvaccinal immunity after treatment with the trivalent vaccine lasted eight months (the time of observation). The vaccine protected 86.7% of the treated birds against spirochetosis.


[Effect of changes in the biochemical composition of serum from cows with normal and pathologic puerperiums].

Experiments were carried out with 72 cows of the Bulgarian Brown breed kept and fed under equal conditions, giving annually from 2600 to 2800 1 of milk. Groups were formed of animals, showing a normal and a pathologic puerperal period. Blood was sampled at one and the same hour, 7 to 10 days following calving. The levels were studied of vitamins (A, E, and C), total protein, protein fractions, blood sugar, and the bactericidal titer of the blood. It was found that except for vitamin A, which dependably dropped by 20.72% all other factors investigated showed unreliable deviations in cows with acute endometritis as against cows having a normal puerperium. Dependable was also the drop (by 13.93%) of the albumin fraction of the blood in cows with acute endometritis.


[Cases of atypical pseudoplague among birds in a vaccinated flock].

Epizootiological, clinical, morphological, and virological investigations have indisputably demonstrated the persistence of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in vaccinated flocks of layers at the age of 5-6 months for a period of three months. The influence was followed up of NDV on mortality rate and the egg performance of birds that had built immunity after ocular/nasal instillation of the Komarov vaccine, birds that had been simultaneously vaccinated and infected, and birds that had been infected and then subjected to i/m treatment with Komarov vaccine. An attempt was made to elucidate the persistence of the virus in various organs and tissues of birds manifesting variations in their immune status as well as to demonstrate it at different intervals of time through isolation in chick embryos. It has been suggested to investigate virologically tracheal swabs or the trachea itself and the nasopharinx of birds that have recently contracted the disease when respiratory troubles are established in vaccinated flocks. The hemagglutination-inhibition test is a valuable adjunct also in the case of employing it as a diagnostic reaction. The difference between the agglutination titers of log2-2 and more in newly affected birds and survivals may dependably serve in establishing the presence of a virulent virus. The atypical course of the Newcastle disease at the rhythmical course of the technologic processes contributes to the creation of a rather dangerous, 'smouldering' focus of NDV.


[Effect of fluorescent lighting on the growth of broiler chickens].

The effect was followed up of green luminiscent light on the growth rate of broiler chickens. The experiments were carried out in a climatic chambers of the Zootron type with a total of 400 day-old chicks kept continuously under such light, which had permanent intensity. In one of the chambers the light was produced by means of a red hot wire, and in the other--through green illumination devices. Within the experimental period of 56 days the chicks were studied in terms of their hematologic and biochemical blood composition (hematocrit, erythrocyte count, total serum protein, liver glycogen, muscle glycogen, carotene, A and E vitamins). Investigated were also the blood sugar and lactic acid levels, and the activity of aldolase, glucose-6-phosphate, succindehydrogenase. It was found that green luminescent light influenced positively the weight gain (3.5%) at lower feed intake as against broilers raised under ordinary light of the same intensity. Certain changes were observed also with regard to the hematological and biochemical indices of the blood of birds belonging to the two groups.


[Pressure transducer for radiotelemetric studies].

Designed has been a combined transformer for pressure on the principle of the photoelectric effect. It records directly the pressure produced within the system and outside through the arrow mechanism of the manometer for blood pressure, and transforms the mechanical fluctuations of the membrane into electric ones. Used has been a blood presser manometer additionally supplied with a photoelement, a tiny electric bulb, and a metal lamelle. The photoelement is connected into the electric scheme of a PC-generator of a 1600-2000 Hz frequency, and the latter produces frequency that supplies the carrying frequency of the radiotransmitter. Shown are original records made at various points of the dorsal sac of the rumen of a ewe as well as of the carotic artery of a cow.


[Minimal human requirement for energy and food substances in hypo- and alkinesia].

An investigation into the actual nutrition and rates of the proteinic, mineral and carbohydrate metabolism in normal humans in the state of hypodynamia and in neurological patients with extensive paralyses and in the state of akinesia showed a reduced level of the food consumption and a lowered level of metabolism. The new level of metabolism is obviously due to a diminished muscular mass of the body.


[Comparative characteristics of the effect of different dietary carbohydrates on atherogenesis].

The action of starch, saccharose, lactose and glucose in the atherogenic rations containing a physiological (5 per cent) or an elevated (21 per cent of the ration's mass) amount of fat on the lipids metabolism and complex carbohydrates, as well as on the morphological structures in the aorta and coronary vessels was studied. It is found that of all the carbohydrates studied the most marked metabolic disorders are produced by rations with saccharose and lactose. Morphological changes in the vessels were in evidence only in rats fed on rations with lactose or saccharose and with an elevated proportion of fat.


[Effect of diet therapy on the immunological indices in rheumatism].

Rheumatic patients with torpid and latent course of the process were kept on a protein-rich diet (up to 140.0 g of protein). The effect of the diet on the organism was appraised by the peripheral blood lymphocytes blast-transformation reaction, as the one most comprehensively reflecting the immunological status of the individual. The patients were examined in dynamics, on admission to and at the time of discharge from the clinic. The data thus obtained suggest that the protein-rich diet tends to bring down the number of activated cells in in vitro cultures.


[Nature of the changes in the indices of lipid metabolism and of the fatty acid makeup of the blood plasma and erythrocyte stroma under the influence of diet therapy on obese children].

In treating 40 obese children aged 8--15 years with the I--III degree of constitutional-exogenous adiposity a hypocaloric diet with a reduced content of fats and carbohydrates was applied. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by determining the body mass, the characteristics of the lipids metabolism, e.g. by measuring the total lipids, tryglycerides, cholesterol, the blood plasma lipoproteins, as well as the fatty acids blood plasma composition and of the erythrocytes stroma before and after the treatment. The coefficient of the food fatty acids metabolization effectiveness into polyunsaturated fatty acids (CEM), e.g. the proportion of the arachidonic acid in the sum-total of other polyunsaturated fatty acids with 20 and 22 carbon atoms, was calculated. The CEM magnitude with the applied treatment was found to change variously, i.e. either rising or falling or remaining unchanged. It is presumed that the unequal orientation of the CEM changes in treating obese changes reflects a different degree of the profoundness of changes of the food fatty acids metabolism occurring in them. The value of the CEM application for prognosis of adiposity and evaluating the effect of the treatment in each individual case is stressed.


[Effect of a food ration unbalanced in fats on the growing body].

Subject to study was the influence of fats differing in their composition on the growing organism of weaned rattlings. An elevated proportion of sunflower oil on the growth and survival of rattlings was found to produce an adverse effect. An autopsy on the 21st day from the outset of tests revealed macro- and microscopically also the affection of the kidneys. In the course of examinations evidence was obtained that at the root of the renal lesion lie changes occurring during the development of the A vitamin deficiency.


[Pyruvate metabolism in rats with dietary B1 avitaminosis].

The influence of alimentary deficiency of thiamine on the pyruvate metabolism in the liver and blood of rats was investigated. Note is taken of a fallen activity of pyruvate-dehydrogenase (PDH) and a rising level of pyruvate in the blood and liver. An inverse relationship between the PDH activity and the pyruvate content in the liver, observed during the whole course of the experiment is in evidence, although the substrate level exceeds significantly that of the control only starting from the 20th day. In the normalization of the pyruvate level in the liver all the studied enzymatic systems partake; they join stagewise in the order of alanine-aminotransferase, pyruvate-kinase, malate-enzyme, which differently change their activity in the course of the experiment, along with physiological mechanisms of the pyruvate transport into the blood. These are most pronounced starting from the 20th day (inverse relationships of the pyruvate levels in the blood and liver). During the whole of the experiment a direct relation between the lactate content in the blood and liver persists. In these tissues no relation between the pyruvate and lactate levels was revealed.


[Effect of the supplemental administration of ascorbic acid on its content in the blood and tissues of rabbits exposed to excess amounts of ultraviolet radiation].

In the blood and tissues of rabbits receiving with the food 40-50 mg of vitamin C per day and irradiated with an excess doses of ultraviolet radiation the vitamin C content decreases. Depending upon the irradiation dose it is recommended that the quantity of vitamin C in the food of rabbits be increased up to 120-220 mg/kg.


[Amino acid metabolic indices in newborn rats].

In simulated tests on rats of the 1st months of life set up for the purpose of educing causes accounting for a highly effective utilization of the milk proteins in the early post-natal perions subject to study were the amino acids metabolism rates. An investigation of the enzymes activity showed that a falling of the milk proteins utilization effectiveness proceeds against the background of an intensive inclusion of the catabolic route of the amino acids metabolism in the liver. The urea content in the urine correlated with a gradual inclusion of the enzymatic liver systems partaking in the urine formation. The amino acids metabolism with a ramified chain in the liver tissue of rats of the first days of life was found to stand low to a still greater degree than this was the case in adult animals. One of the causes responsible for a highly effective utilization of the milk proteins in the perinatal period may be due to an incomplete functioning of the catabolic route of the amino acids metabolism in the liver.


[Morphofunctional study of the testes of white rats after the prolonged inclusion in the ration of thermally oxidized fats].

The object of the investigation was to study the gonadotoxic effect of thermally oxidated fats. The experiment was set up on albino male rats given for 12 months sunflower oil oxidated during its production and comprising 1.5 and 3% of the oxidation products. A protracted consumption of thermally oxidated fats leads to a change of some functional and morphological characteristics of the spermatogenesis, e.g. to distrophic changes, a fall of the spermatogenesis index and to diminution in the number of the pathological forms of the spermatozoids, along with a reduced time of the spermatozoids mobility and their resistance to a sodium chloride solution. The functional and morphological changes are observed to occur with inclusion in the oil ration containing 1.5% of the oxidation products and these become stronger on addition of a more oxidated oil.


[Analysis of the N-nitrosamines in products of plant origin].

A spectrofluorometric method of analyzing the carcinogenic N-nitrosoamines in the form of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole derivatives is proposed. The content of nitroso-amines in a number of products of the vegetative origin was determined. In some samples of beetroots, radish and apples dimethyl-nitroso-amine in concentrations of 0.7--1.5 gamma/kg was detected. A conclusion is drawn on a relatively low content of carcinogenic N-nitroso-amines in the products of the vegetable origin.


[Assessment of the human requirement for protein].

The results of investigations involving the participation of humans and literature sources on a comparative assessment of methods for determination and quantitative characterization of minimum, reliable and safe levels of protein allowances for young practically healthy males were compared. A reliable level of allowances for the caseine protein was found to comprise 9.0-9.2 g/day with reference to nitrogen. The optimal allowance of the same protein is 13.5-14.0 g/day calculated to the value of nitrogen.


Inflammatory bowel disease among college students.

Of 52 student patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease who were observed at Stanford University over a three-year period, 16 had Crohn disease, 17 had ulcerative colitis and 19 had ulcerative proctitis. Patients with ulcerative colitis had relatively few complications. During the study period, only two students from the entire group of 52 were obliged to interrupt college attendance because of bowel disease or complications. Of the patients, 33 were first observed on remission or attained remission during the three-year observation period. Incidence and prevalence rates for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis were comparable with age-specific rates from other published studies. At Stanford, the high reported frequency of proctitis, which exceeded that of proximal ulcerative colitis, was possibly a reflection of the diagnostic zeal with which patients with rectal bleeding were evaluated at the student health service.


Cancer of the eye, a review of trends and differentials.

An analysis was made of the incidence and mortality of cancer of the eye in different countries. In general, cancer of the eye was more common in males than in females. The differences in both incidence and mortality rates between countries were great, the white populations in Scandinavia exhibiting the highest rates. The rates were rather constant over time, and only a few increasing or decreasing trends were observable. Tumours in children 0-14 years of age and those in adults were also epidemiologically distinct entities, which suggests differences in etiology. Both incidence and mortality rates in adults were positively correlated to the latitude of the country or area, and a positive correlation was also found between the incidence or mortality rate for cancer of the eye in adults and those for cutaneous melanoma.


A sulphate metabolite of trimethoprim in goats and pigs.

1. Urine from goats and pigs after intravenous administration of [14C]trimethoprim contained an unidentified fraction of 'other water-soluble metabolites'. This fraction accounts for 56% of the administered dose in goat urine and 65% in pig urine. 2. A sulphate metabolite comprising the major part of the latter fraction in both goat and pig urine was isolated by gel filtration and paper chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods as 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-sulphooxybenzyl)pyrimidine. 3. No hydrolysis of the sulphate metabolite occurred on treatment with aryl sulphatase from (a) Helix pomatia, (b) limpets and (c) Aerobacter aerogenes, while treatment with aryl sulphatase from abalone entrails led to very slow hydrolysis.


Absorption and glucuronylation of diethylstilbestrol by the rat small intestine.

1. The absorption and glucuronylation of [14C]diethylstilbestrol (DES) were studied in situ in segments of rat small intestine. 2. DES glucuronide accounted for nearly 50% of the methanol-soluble radioactive material appearing in the intestinal venous blood. 3. There was no difference between DES glucuronide formation in intestinal segments near the pyloric sphincter and in segments located near the ileo-caecal junction. 4. The appearance of DES and its glucuronide in the venous blood of aborally-located segments was dose-dependent from 0.1 to 5 mM, but in orally-located segments, an increase in DES concn. from 2 to 5 mM produced no increase in DES or its glucuronide in the venous blood. In neither of these intestinal regions was the rate of appearance of DES or DES glucuronide dependent upon intestinal blood flow. 5. The results indicate that intestinal glucuronylation of certain compounds during absorption may be significant over a wide range of concn. in all regions of the intestine.


The effect of some cigarette smoke constituents and other compounds on the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in rabbit lung 9000 g supernatant.

1. The inhibitory effects, of a number of compounds, on the formation of two groups of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites in rabbit lung homogenates (9000 g supernatant) have been investigated. 2. The inhibitors comprised two groups: those inhibiting primarily benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity, and those inhibiting the activity of the epoxide-metabolizing enzymes as well as hydroxylase activity. Phenol, 1-naphthol, nicotine and acetone belong to the former group; naphthalene, anthracene and chlorpromazine to the latter group. 3. The most active inhibitors also caused a significant decrease in the amount of benzo(a)pyrene bound covalently to tissue macromolecules.


Aromatic oxidation of some phenothiazines.

The previously reported N-oxidation products phenothiazine-N-OH, N-O. and -NOOH obtained upon chemical and metabolic oxidation of phenothiazine nuclei are now shown to be the C-oxidation products, 7-hydroxyphenothiazines, phenothiazin-3-ones and phenothiazin-7-ones which have the para-hydroquinoneimino and para-quinoneimino type systems. 2. The metabolism of various 2-substituted phenothiazines in vitro gave mainly ring-hydroxylated metabolites and sulphoxides. The phenolic metabolites were further oxidized to phenothiazones either as metabolites or as 'metabonates'. 3. After metabolism of chlorpromazine, nor1-chlorpromazine and nor2-chlorpromazine in vitro, phenothiazones ('pink compounds') were obtained as N-dealkylated products of the phenolic derivatives 7- or 3-hydroxy compounds. 4. The synthesis and physicochemical characteristics including t.l.c., u.v., g.l.c. and mass spectra of the oxidized phenothiazine nuclei and of 8-(N-methyl-anilino)-2-chlorophenothiazin-7-one are reported.


Human urinary metabolites of 3-(2',4',5'-triethoxybenzoyl)propionic acid, a new biliary smooth muscle relaxant with choleretic activity.

Biotransformation of 3-(2',4',5'-triethoxybenzoyl)propionic acid (tri-, ethoxybenzoylpropionate) was studied in man using isotopic cluster technique. From the 24 h urine of a male volunteer given an equimolar mixture of non-labelled and pentadeuterium-labelled triethoxybenzoylpropionate (1 mg/kg) orally, the parent drug, 3-(2',5'-diethoxy-4'-hydroxybenzoyl)propionic acid (4'-phenol) and 3-(2',4'-diethoxy-5'-hydroxybenzoyl)propionic acid (5'-phenol) were isolated and identified by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 2. Urinary components were also quantified by mass chromatography: the parent drug (67.4% of dose) and 4'- and 5'-phenols in a mixture (20.3%). More than 80% of urinary triethoxybenzoylpropionate was present as its glucuronic acid ester, as evidenced by using beta-glucuronidase and saccharo-1,4-lactone, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme. Almost all of 4'- and 5'-phenols appeared as conjugates with glucuronic acid and/or sulphuric acid. These findings indicated that in man triethoxybenzoylpropionate was largely conjugated with glucuronic acid and in part underwent deethylation followed by conjugation for elimination mainly in urine.


Identification of some urinary metabolites of propantheline bromide in man.

The peak plasma concn. of total radioactivity occurred 6 h after a single oral dose of [carboxyl-14C; methyl-2H3] propantheline bromide was administered to a healthy man. At this time 10% of the dose was present in the total plasma volume. 2. A total of 71% dose of radioactivity was excreted in urine in 96 h after dosage, 59% dose being excreted in the first 24 h. About 5.3% of the orally administered propantheline bromide was excreted unchanged. 3. T.l.c. analysis and g.l.c.-mass spectrometry showed xanthanoic acid, hydroxyxanthanoic acid(s), and propantheline as urinary metabolites of the drug. 4. A glucuronide of xanthanoic acid, a hydroxylated propantheline and the (2-hydroxyethyl)diisopropylammonium ion were tentatively identified as urinary metabolites. Hydrolysis of propantheline and conjugation of the resulting xanthanoic acid appear to be the major routes of metabolism of this compound. 5. A mean elimination half-life of 9.2 h was obtained for the total radioactivity by pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma and urine levels of 14C.


The metabolism and excretion of curcumin (1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) in the rat.

Curcumin labelled with deuterium and tritium was prepared. Oral and intraperitoneal doses of [3H]curcumin led to the faecal excretion of most of the radioactivity. 2. Intravenous and intraperitoneal doses of [3H]curcumin were well excreted in the bile of cannulated rats. 3. The major biliary metabolites were glucuronides of tetrahydrocurcumin and hexahydrocurcumin. A minor biliary metabolite was dihydroferulic acid together with traces of ferulic acid. Metabolites were identified using chemical ionization mass spectrometry.


A comment on the formation of an N-hydroxymethyl intermediate in the metabolism of N-methylcarbazole.

Interpretation of the mass spectrum of the N-methylcarbazole used in a previous metabolism study suggests that the substrate was grossly contaminated with carbazole. The present study refutes that suggestion.


[Reference values of respiratory parameters in adults 4th paper: reference values for screening parameters of lung mechanics (author's transl)].

Reference values for screening parameters, evaluating the shape of flow-volume-curves on forced expiration, were calculated from measurements in 1127 healthy subjects aged between 13 and 72 years. The following parameters were determined by means of the electronic spirometer pneumo-test: 1. the peak flow value Vmax, 2. the whole time constant tauges of the flow volume diagram and its components tau1 and tau2 from the upper and the lower part of the flow volume curve, 3. the most frequent time constant taumax in the distribution function of time constants. In relation to age Vmax-values show a maximum at 35 years and a significant decrease in younger and older subjects. Values in women are significant smaller than in men throughout the range of age. The time constants tauges and tau1 decrease significantly with increase in age. Differences between females and males are not statistically significant for these parameters. The time constants tau2 and taumax are age-independent. Their mean values are identical in all age decades and in women significantly smaller than in man.


[The lipids of the lungs in experimental aspiration pneumonitis (author's transl)].

In the lungs of LEWE-Mini-Pigs with aspiration pneumonitis, which was produced by intratracheal application of 0,2 n hydrochloric acid, the following parameters were determined post-mortally: Total phospholipid-, water- and cholesterol content and sphingomyelin-, lecithin-, phosphatidylethanolamine- and phosphatidylserine concentration. Furthermore thin-layer- and gelchromatographic investigations were performed. The water- and the cholesterol content are increased (about 4 respectively 40 percent). The total phospholipid- and the lecithin content are decreased (about 10 respectively 30 percent). The lysolecithin concentration is very low in the lungs. By therapy with bromhexine metabolite VII the water- and cholesterol content are reduced, the total phospholipid- and lecithin content are increased in comparison to the lungs without therapy. In this case the total phospholipid- and lecithin content are raised in the liver simultaneously. The biochemical changes are caused probably by a disorder of the surfactant system of the lung (disturbance of phospholipid-protein-interaction) and impairment of the alveolar epithelial cells typ II (decreased lecithin biosynthesis) in consequence of the action of the hydrochloric acid.


[Detections of cases of bronchial carcinoma by reason of complaints and analysis of the times of delay (author's transl)].

52 persons with bronchial carcinoma found by reason of complaints by the Chest Clinic were critically evaluated. Cough, hemoptysis and thoracic pain are of the first place in the range of frequency of complaints caused by the tumour. The time elapsing between the onset of the troubles to the first medical visit and from this consultation to the hospital admission was analysed. The complaints were existing more than 4 weeks in nearly half of all patient before they went to a physician. The causes of delay are discussed. The necessity of immediate x-ray examination of persons in the age endangered by cancer is emphasized if complaints suspicious to carcinoma especially the three symptoms mentioned above persisting more than three weeks inspite of treatment. For that purpose the personal conversation with persons from risk groups and continuous cooperation with other physicians in the territory are important.


[Article in addition of the differentiated diagnostics of chylous pleural effusions (author's transl)].

Today there are still difficulties by differentiating of chylous pleural effusions. It is reported about two forms of chylothorax which are different in their etiology. The chyle were examined with regard to the fats. It can be shown that the thin-layer chromatography of lipids makes possible a rapid diagnostics of chylous pleural effusions.


[Recommendation for a definition of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (author's transl)].

On the basis of diagnostic criteria (history of exposure, airway and general symptoms, detection of antibodies, disturbance of pulmonary function, chest X-ray, allergen inhalation test) a definition of extrinsic allergic alveolitis is proposed. The air is better comparability of case reports, therapy recommendations a. o.


[Morphea resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum in progressive scleroderma].

Lesions of circumscribed scleroderma clinically appeared as pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The histological structure, however, revealed circumscribed scleroderma. The sclerodactyly, Raynaud's phenomenon, acrosclerosis and the laboratory results suggested systemic sclerosis.


[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the skin--behavior of single tumor cells in vitro].

In vitro growth of individual tumor cells is described, deriving from a rhabdomyosarcoma. There can be suggested two different cell-types: fibroblast-like cells with no particular aspects of morphology, and epitheloid-like cells, recognized from structure and nuclear-behaviour as tumor-giant cells. This methods advantages are discussed as a supplement of histological criteria, as well as its clinical pattern in future.


Promotion of L1210 tumour growth by macrophages.

Low numbers (10(4)) of peritoneal exudate L1210 mouse lymphoma cells were injected into DBA/2 mice subcutaneously and the development of tumours was followed. Tumour takes occurred in 100% of the animals within 9 days after tumour transplantation. The latent period of tumour development was prolonged by 6-10 days when tumour cells of the peritoneal exudate, depleted of adherent/phagocytic cells, were used in the inoculum or when tumour cells derived from continuous cell cultures were used. Addition of adherent cells in high numbers to in-vitro-derived L1210 cells accelerated tumour growth. This effect was found to be not specific for adherent/phagocytic cells, as liver cells had the same influence on tumour growth. It is concluded that, under certain experimental conditions, a cell population with the functional properties of macrophages is able to promote tumour development, most likely due to their non-specific effect on the micro-environment of the growing tumour.


Characterization of the serum protein inhibitor of the V.D.R.L. test.

The V.D.R.L. test for syphilis was used to evaluate the ability of various serum protein fractions to inhibit cardiolipin flocculation tests for syphilis. Serum protein fractions obtained by modifications of the method of Ecker et al. (1) were chromatographed by DEAE or gel filtration and characterized by immunodiffusion and electrophoresis. These experiments indicated that the V.D.R.L. inhibitor substance was in the IgM fraction of serum, although it has not yet been determined whether the inhibitor is an IgM antibody or another component which cofractionates with IgM.


Interaction of peanut agglutinin with human lymphocytes. Binding properties and topology of the receptor site.

The relationship between the mitogenic lectin PNA and other mitogenic and non-mitogenic lectins was investigated. PNA labelled with 125I was found to bind equally well to T and B lymphocytes, after neuraminidase treatment, with 3.88 times 10(6) and 3.73 times 10(6) binding sites respectively. Only the T cell fraction was stimulated, however, and only after neuraminidase treatment. Preincubation of neuraminidase-treated cells with non-mitogenic lectins and antiserum which appeared to bind to the same receptor as PNA, enhanced the latter's stimulatory properties. Capping and co-capping techniques were used to examine the topology of lectin receptors on the lymphocyte surface. The receptor glycoprotein for the mitogenic PNA lectin was found to be distinct from that possessing the Con A and PHA receptors, as well as that possessing the receptor for the non-mitogenic lectin from Helix pomatia.


Cell-mediated immunity in response to HBs antigen.

The response of peripheral blood leukocytes to purified HBsAg was studied in vitro by means of the leukocyte migration test in patients with acute viral hepatitis B, patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis carrying GBsAg, and in asymptomatic carriers of HBs antigen. In the acute period of the disease no leukocyte migration inhibition could be observed. Patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis also frequently failed to develop cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg. Results obtained for HBs antigen carriers did not differ from those of normal blood donors. The observations may indicate participation of cell-mediated immunity in the development of liver damage.


[Longterm prognosis of 27 patients with left ventricular aneurysm and conservative treatment (author's transl)].

The results of a follow-up study (mean 42 months after infarction) of 27 patients with conservatively treated left ventricular aneurysms showed: 1. 3/27 patients died of sudden death. Only one of these three could be predicted (ventricular fibrillation during exercise). 2. 3/24 remaining patients developed congestive heart failure. This could be predicted in one patient because of global hypocinesia of the left ventricle. 3. The exercise tolerance (Swan-Ganz) of the remaining 21 patients decreased from approximately 100 to 70 watts. Thus, all patients were able to lead an almost normal live. 4. Therefore conservative treatment of left ventricular aneurysms in most cases is the method of choice, since high surgical mortality, financial burdens of the society and man power has also to be considered. 5. The development of complications which would lead to aneurysmectomy (sudden death, life threatening arrhythmias, embolisation, congestive heart failure) cannot be foreseen from history, non-invasive and invasive data. 6. The close "patient to physician-contact" (risk-factors, medication) may have influenced the relatively good long-term prognosis of this group.


[Pressure-flow relations of artificial valves in the mitral position (author's transl)].

Hemodynamic studies in pts. with Starr-Edwards disc valves (SE), Lillehei-Kaster valves (LK) and normal mitral valves (N) were performed to compare pressure gradient (deltaP) and volume flow (V). Therefore, synchronous pressure-volume measurements at a diastolic filling time of 500 ms and 250 ms were done. The results  show that deltaP in SE valves is much higher than in LK-valves, but this exists only at the beginning of volume acceleration whereas  at the end of diastolic time deltaP is similar to that of LK valves. In normal mitral valves initial pressure gradients are also present. Maximum volume flow in SE valves occurs at the end of diastole, but in normal mitral valves and in LK valves, however, it is reached already at the beginning. The studies showed a substantial obstacle to volume flow in SE-disc valves while LK-valves are similar to normal mitral valves.


[Double and multiple atrial stimulation--a new method for calculation of sinoatrial conduction time (author's transl)].

By means of a new stimulation procedure--double and multiple atrial stimulation--the so-called sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) was calculated in 62 patients. The results were compared to the SACT calculation after premature single atrial stimulation (correlation coefficient 0.94). By means of the multiple atrial stimulation we were able to measure the "sinoatrial conduction time" in patients with SA-block of type II (missing reset phase) if the cases with SA entry block were excluded. The modified stimulation procedure helps to improve the assessment of functional disturbances of the sinoatrial node. This method for calculation of SACT is an advantage especially in patients with abnormally delayed SA conduction and in those with very short duration of spontaneous cycle length.


[Effects of a latent Toxoplasma infection on the learning ability in white laboratory rats and mice (author's transl)].

1. Both white laboratory rats and white laboratory mice had a diminished learning capacity in connection with a latent Toxoplasma infection. 2. Five infected couples of rats out of 12 pairs were not able to learn their task by the double-training program in a given period of time. A second group of five rats was able to learn this program but later than the noninfected control-group of brothers and sisters did. 3. Mice seem to be more damaged by Toxoplasma infections than rats in their learning capacity. All infected mice did not reach the same ability than their control brothers and sisters. The reason for this differences could reflect the higher infection rate of the brain of mice than rats during the latent phase of infection.


Electrophoretic variation of enzymes: a further marker for genetic studies of the Eimeria.

Embryo-adapted strains of Eimeria mivati and E. mivati var. diminuta, differing in their sensitivity to sulphaquinoxaline and electrophoretic mobilities of lactate dehydrogenase, were crossed. E. mivati was sulphaquinoxaline-resistant and characterised by an electrophoretic form of the enzyme denoted lactate dehydrogenase-1 whereas E. mivati var. diminuta was sulphaquinoxaline-sensitive and characterised by lactate dehydrogenase-6. Progeny recovered from the cross were passaged in embryonating eggs given sulphaquinoxaline and the (drug-resistant) parasites recovered were characterised by both lactate dehydrogenase-1 and lactate dehydrogenase-6. Controls showed that those parasites characterised by the recombinant phenotype of drug-resistant and lactate dehydrogenase-6 had been produced by the cross-fertilisation of gametes.


[Equitensity films in x-ray diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip joint and necrosis of the capitular epiphysis of the femur (author's transl)].

The limited resolving power of the human eye is often an obstacle to a clear diagnosis when evaluating X-ray films. The article attempts an assessment of the possibilities offered by the evaluation of equidensity films when comparing X-ray films with tomographs of preparations of the capitular epiphysis of the femur.


[Application of Moiré topography to diagnosis and documentation of anomalies of the trunk (author's transl)].

Following the Moiré method published by Takasaki an apparatus has been established which allows the three dimensional measurement of human trunk shape. The medical applications are demonstrated by the examples of pigeon breast and scoliosis. The measurement of patients suffering from scoliosis and treated with halo gravity traction shows the possible value of Moirétopography analyzing the mobility of spinal segments. An example for the relation of the topograms to radiographs is presented.


[Larsen syndrome--symptomatics and therapy (author's transl)].

We report of three children suffering from Larsen-syndrome with the typical deformity of the face and multiple, mostly bilateral joint-luxations with severe affection of the hip-joints and knee-joints. Two patients had short terminal phalanxes with the typically spatulate terminal phalanxes of the thumb, radiographically visible. One child showed bilaterally dysplastic metacarpophalangeal bones with luxated metaphalanxes. The diagnosis could furtheron be verified by the characteristically twin-formed bone-nucleus of the calcaneus within all patients. Two children early showed a severe, progrediently developing scoliosis of the thoracal spine. The genetic aetiology of this syndrome, caused by a congenital weakness of the connective tissue, is not yet cleared completely. Especially the severe knee-joint luxations are therapeutically a critical problem. The multiple operative interventions which are necessary in the regions of the knee-joint, do not always lead to the expected success of treatment on account of the considerable weakness of the connective tissue. Therefore, additionally orthopaedic remedies are necessary. The already early progrediently developing scoliosis of the spine requires careful treatments with Milwaukee brace. A spondylodesis should be performed in the age from 6 to 8 years on account of the progredience. In any case, it is necessary to investigate carefully for accompanying malformations of the urinary passage.


[Differential diagnosis of metaphyseal dysplasias and osteodysplasty (osteodysplasty of Melnick and Needles) (author's transl)].

The article reports on 4 patients with rare modeling defects of the long bones. These defects are metaphyseal dysplasia, craniometaphyseal dysplasia, frontometaphyseal dysplasia, and osteodysplasty (osteodysplasty of Melnick and Needles). The differential diagnostic criteria are shown in a table to allow diagnosis already in children. This appears important in respect of the therapy to be employed (corrective surgery) and for prognosis, as well as for giving patients proper genetic and vocational advice.


[Electromyographic performance of the lower arm musculature in the spastic patient before and after transplantation of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris (author's transl)].

Quantitative electromyographic studies of the lower arm musculature before and after distal displacement of the flexor of the hand and digital flexor as well as transplantation of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris to the dorsal side of the wrist joint were conducted in 10 patients with a spastic hand. At the same time the absolute force during isometric flexing and stretching was also recorded. The results revealed that the reciprocal innervation in the paretic antagonist improves, and the efficiency of the muscle is enhanced, by the surgical relaxation of the contracted agonist. The flexor carpi ulnaris transplanted to the dorsal side will additionally safeguard the muscular balance between flexors and extensors modified towards approaching the standard values. However, the transplanted flexor does not undergo a "learning" process in cortical level in the sense of performing the tasks of an extensor.


[Thickening of the achilles tendon through intratendinous xanthomas in familial hypercholesterol-anemia (author's transl)].

Basing on two own observations, swelling of the Achilles tendon by xanthomas in familial hypercholesterolaemia is described. This condition is rarely found in literature. Differential diagnosis and indication for surgery are discussed.


[Contribution to capsular hemangioma of the knee joint (author's transl)].

Hemangioma of the knee joint capsule is rare. Although there are exact descriptions of the lesion to be found in the world literature, it is relatively unfamiliar among surgeons. Some characteristic symptoms as painful swelling, hemarthrosis, disappearance of swelling upon limb elevation, muscular atrophy, limitation of the knee motion, occasionally increased leg length or locking in circumscribed tumors and x-ray findings as osteolytic changes, periostal new bone formation and bony atrophy lead to the diagnosis. Phleboliths are pathognomonic. Another very characteristic case is added to the about 160 cases described in the world literature. Arthrography is helpful only in rare instances. Arteriography is critizised differently, but more frequently it is thought to be of diagnostic value. Arthroscopy does not lead any further in diffuse hemangioma. The treatment of choice is radical excision of the tumor whenever possible. In order to avoid secondary arthrotic changes early surgical intervention is favourable.


[The radialis compression syndroma and the epicondylopathia radialis as differential diagnosis. Electromyographic diagnostic and findings (author's transl)].

This report will show the necessarity of the correct differential diagnostic clearing between the so called Epicondylopathia radialis and radialis compression syndroma. After anatomical introductions it's reported about technics of operative treatment. The most exact diagnosis is given by electromyographic tests of the extensor muscles. A good postoperative control of the neurolysis is possible by the electromyographic test.


[Experiences with Refobacin-Palacos with regard to deep late infections following hip-joint endoprosthesis surgery. A 4-years' study (author's transl)].

667 TEP operations were performed in our hospital from 1970 to 1973. Two groups of patients were treated either with Palacos-R without addition of antibiotics (n = 336) or with Refobacin-Palacos (n = 331). Both groups received a combined postoperative systemic antibiotic infection prophylaxis. The authors' own subsequent investigations, completion of patient questionnaires and--in case of subjective complaints--medical questionnaires, were sufficient to follow up all patients, with the exception of two, over a period of 5--4 or 4--3 years. The infection rate in the group without addition of antibiotics was 6,3 or 4,1% for early or late infections respectively, in the Palacos group, whereas in the Refobacin-Palacos group the rate of early or late infections was only 0,6%. No sensitization in respect of the incorporated gentamycin antibiotic was found.


[The vertebrotomy as additional therapy at spondylitis tuberculosa (author's transl)].

One hundred and three patients with spondylitis tuberculosa were treated with 104 vertebrotomies, without deaths. The results of 71 cases, one until 24 years after the operation, were evaluated. Most of them showed bony healing, only one had a soft tissue rezidivism. Through the modern antituberculous therapy the time of immobilization (plaster-bed and cast) could have been shortened in the last 13 years from 38,4 to 20,3 months.


[Methods and results of a regional tumour registrating system with special regard to malignant bone tumours (author's transl)].

The tumor registry of the Saarland registrates all malignant tumours with the "record-lincage-system" in a federal state from about 1,1 million inhabitants, including as well industrial as also country like regions. We examined especially primary malignant bone tumours and the Ewing-Sarkomas with respect to age distribution, regional and chronological incidence during the observation period from 1966--1974. We observated a significantly higher tumour incidence rate in the industrial region, close by refined steel producing foundries, especially of such tumours, occuring in great age. A possible connection of this fact to tumour aetiology is shortly discussed.


[Frequency of necroses of the head of the femur in the treatment of the so-called congenital dislocation of the hip joint according to Hoffmann-Daimler (author's transl)].

The article reports on the results which can be obtained with the method described by Hoffmann-Daimler regarding the functional treatment of the so-called congenital dislocation of the hip joint. The report is based on a patient material of 110 children with 159 dislocated hips treated at the Orthopaedic University Clinic at Erlangen between 1971 and 1976. Observation of the course of the disease revealed a much lower rate of incidence of necrosis of the head of the femur than stated in literature, using the Hoffmann-Daimler method. The incidence of necrosis on pre-treatment of most children with other therapeutic methods, was 2.3% at the beginning of the Hoffmann-Daimler treatment, and increased to 12.7% up to the end of the treatment, dropping to 9.3% at the time of the follow-up examination.


[Isolated dislocation fracture of the trapezium (author's transl)].

As a very rare injury, isolated fracture, dislocation or rarely dislocation fracture of the trapezium can be connected with difficult diagnostical problems. Routine X-rays of the hand are not always sufficient, because of overlying trapezoid-contours. Special X-rays are additionally necessary. Concerning the therapy, there is a balance in conservative and surgical treatment, depending on the kind and nature of fracture and dislocation.


[Comments on the biostatical analysis of the hip joint II (author's transl)].

For a complete biostatical analysis of the hip joint, it will be necessary, besides determining the load, to calculate the extent of strain. In Part I of this article, we described the fundamentals of an improved calculation method which allows its clinical application. In the present second part of the article, a more sophisticated method of calculating the maximal pressure is explained. This takes into account, in particular, the position of the centre of the head of the femur to level of access to the acetobulum, the anteversion of the acetabulum, and the width of the interarticular space. The biomechanical method of analysis is supplemented by the description of a method to calculate the distribution of pressure in the hip joint. In an appendix, the mathematical connections of this calculation are described in detail.


[Development of an external fixation agent made from Polymers (author's transl)].

With the type of external bone anchorage made from metal and usually employed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the considerable weight of such anchorages and their imperviousness to X-rays are major drawbacks. For this reason, the prototype of an external fixation agent was developed which does not posses these disadvantages. Fibre-reinforced polymeric materials appeared a suitable alternative to metal. Satisfactory strength of the components of the system could be expected provided the anchoring was suitably constructed. External bone anchorage with polymer materials is easy to manipulate, transparent to X-rays, sterilisable, and possesses dimenisonal stability to head. The weight reduction amounts to as much as 70%. A multitude of variants can be mounted from just four system components. Economic manufacture is possible through material-specific processing (injection moulding, machining).


[Restitution of bleeder's joint (author's transl)].

Haemophilics bleed most frequently into the joints. However, not all haemarthroses will necessarily lead to permanent joint damage. An examination of the twelve large extremity joints of sixty bleeders showed that 23% of the joints were restituted. An example of a haemophilic arthropathy of the knee joints serves to illustrate the fact that even a joint showing roentgenologic changes over a period of many years can heal in the course of the growth of the affected juvenile. The chance of a restitution is the greater, the lesser the joint had been damaged, the lesser the haemarthrosis, and the shorter the period during which the blood remained in the joint.


[Comments on the evaluation of the axial cubital joint X-ray film (author's transl)].

Evaluation of 250 axial elbow joint X-ray films included measurement of an angle between the ulnar and radial halves of the trochlea, which varies between 140 and 170 degrees. In cases where this angle was smaller, eminences of various size were found in the radial border of the olecranon. In addition, the distance between the ulnar border and the bottom of the sulcus of the ulnar nerve was increased with steep upright position of the ulnar half of the trochlea. Diffuse complaints were stadet in case of upright positioning of the ulnar half of the trochlea and formation of eminences at the radial border of the olecranon. These complaints were clearly different from the typical symptoms associated with ulnar or radial epicondylitis. The axial elbow joint X-ray film could supply objective pointers to assist in the diagnostic differentiation of these complaints.


[Genetic counseling in Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (author's transl)].

Oligophrenia, ichthyosis, and spastic di- or tetraplegia are the main symptoms of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. Additional findings in some cases are speech defects, seizures, small stature, and changes of the eye. In 1957 the Swedish authors first described this syndrome, untill now there are some 125 cases, on which the diagnosis can be made certainly. Sjögren-Larsson syndrom follows the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Therefore genetic counseling seems to be of great value in families with this syndrome.


Kawasaki disease is diagnosed in Virginia.

First reported in Japan in 1967, Kawasaki disease appeared in Virginia this year. It is an acute febrile malady of childhood, and physicians providing medical care for children should be aware of its unique clinical features.


Alcohol: physicians now charged with society's ancient problem.

With its classification as a disease, alcoholism became the physician's responsibility. Reviewing the rise of alcohol's status, the author comments on the efficacy of treatment today and advocates decisive changes.


CT scanning in head injury: practical applications and pitfalls.

Computed tomography has replaced the invasive techniques of angiography and ventriculography as the diagnostic study of choice in head injury. It has proven not only accurate but extremely safe. Problems still exist with diagnosis, however. Respresentative examples of common lesions seen in trauma are presented along with the errors in diagnosis most frequently made and how to avoid them. The common artifacts, including movement, are also discussed.


Asthma in older patients.

Asthma in older patients usually is a chronic disease requiring prolonged treatment. A study of 40 asthmatic patients at a university center yields an analysis of diagnostic techniques, drug therapy and its complications, and the incidence of associated diseases.


Squamous cell carcinoma of the foot.

The need for considering squamous cell carcinoma when diagnosing foot lesions is stressed in these two cases. Early diagnosis and treatment are the hallmarks of proper patient management.


Guidelines for health education in maternal and child health.

Guidelines are presented for specifying objectives, identifying resources, selecting methods and evaluating the health education component for maternal and child health programmes. Examples of the application of the principles are integrated with the Guidelines. Diagnostic, planning, organizational, administrative and evaluative procedures are presented around a model of health education which emphasizes: a) the careful delineation of the health problem; b) the specification of behaviours influencing the health problem; c) setting priorities among target behaviours on the basis of their relative epidemiological importance and their changeability; and d) the identification of factors that predispose, enable and reinforce the behaviour.


Analysis of admissions to the Arthur Davidson Children's Hospital, Ndola.

The frequency of infectious diseases in 6543 children hospitalised in the year 1974-75 in Arthur Davidson Hospital is analysed. Airborne infections including pneumonias and bronchopneumonias were found in 53.7% of the children and in 79.4% of those who died. Measles was found in 1112 children with a mortality rate of 15.6%. Measles and Malaria were among the top five killer diseases in Arthur Davidson Hospital. Of the airborne infections, measles, tuberculosis, laryngotracheobronchitis and pyogenic meningitis are the worst. Some problems concerning prevention and diagnosis are stressed. Improvement in the diagnosis of infectious diseases will depend on improvement in laboratory facilities.


Obstetric deaths in Lusaka.

A detailed study of the obstetric services in Lusaka is presented. The maternal and perinatal mortality rates for 1976 were estimated at 1.7 and 55.1 per 1000 live births respectively. The persistent increase in mortality suggests a fall of accepted standards of maternity care. The causes of deaths are discussed. Avoidable factors were identified in 79.6% of the maternal deaths and 49.1% of the stillbirths. Recommendations are made for a more integrated type of maternity service, provisions of maternity centres, education programmes for the public and a more thorough perinatal care. Only a concerted effort of this nature will eventually result in a satisfactory progress in the obstetric services and a reduction of obstetric deaths and morbidity.


Normal values in adult Zambians. X. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in normal Zambian males and females in the reproductive period of life; estimation by the radioimmunoassay kit.

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was measured in healthy Zambians in the reproductive phase of their lives, using the radioimmunoassay kit. In males the mean serum FSH level was 7.10mlu/ml. In females, the mean serum FSH level was 9.05mlu/m. These results compare favourably with results obtained by non-kit radioimmunoassay. Furthermore, they are similar to results obtained by other workers in the same phase of life in Caucasians.


Serial electrocardiograms in endomyocardial fibrosis.

Serial electrocardiographic changes, mostly of a minor nature, occurred in two Zambians with endomyocardial fibrosis.


Some aspects of coagulation and fibrinolysis in non-pregnant and pregnant Zambians.

Platelet counts, fibrinogen level, prothrombin time and the level of fibrinogen degradation products (F.D.P.) were studied in a group of Zambian women before pregnancy, during pregnancy, in labour and soon after delivery. The platelet count in the non-pregnant Zambian women were found to be lower than caucasian standard and there were significant falls in the platelet count in the second trimester of pregnancy, labour and after delivery. The fibrinogen level did not rise during pregnancy. The prothrombin time remained normal. The F.D.P. levels were found to be significantly higher in third trimester of pregnancy and after delivery than in labour. It is suggested that further study should be done of the other blood clotting factors which rise during pregnancy and the F.D.P. levels in the Zambian women.


Pendred's syndrome in a rural Zambian family.

A family is reported in which, in one generation, there are more members with goitres and nerve deafness than expected. It is postulated that these abnormalities are due to Pendred's Syndrome and the reasons for this are discussed. An associated finding in three goitrous patients is tuberculoid leprosy.


Wilson-Mikity syndrome--a case report.

We present a premature infant given oxygen at birth for transient respiratory distress with persistent radiological findings and no apparent subsequent clinical abnormality. These features are consistent with Wilson-Mikity syndrome which we describe as the first case report from Zambia.


Acute appendicitis complicating pregnancy. A case report.

The first report of acute appendicitis complicating pregnancy in Zambia is presented. The diagnostic problems were differentiation between Urinary tract infection concealed accidental haemorrhage and acute appendicitis. However emergency appendicectomy was performed and the outcome was satisfactory. The patient went into premature labour but normally delivered a 2,100g baby. The literature is reviewed; an increased awareness of this condition in our environment is advocated.


Bacterial pneumonias in the rural society of Solwezi District of the North-Western Province of Zambia.

Bacterial pneumonias form the major cause of admission for bronchopulmonary infections at Solwezi General Hospital. The figures obtained from this study may represent the rate of incidence and prevalence of bacterial pneumonias in the other districts of North-Western Province of Zambia. The major bacterial organisms involved in pathogenesis of these pneumonias are streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureaus. In none of the cases could tuberculosis bacilli or fungal organism be detected. The patients affected essentially belong to the young and middle age group with predominance of males over females. The involvement of both lungs in the pneumonic process is one of the most interesting findings in this study as it was encountered in 28 patients (25.68%). This could be explained on the basis of low resistance of the afflicted to bacterial infection. Inspite of the severity of pneumonias there was a relatively good response to the general antibacterial chemotherapy and hence 83 patients (76.06%) have had complete resolution of their lesions and the overall rate of mortality was only 2.77%. The main cause of mortality was, however acute respiratory insufficiency and failure. Another interesting point in this study is the involvement of the right lower lobes more than the other lobes of both lungs.


Normal values in adult Zambians: IX. anti-streptolysin-o-titres.

Figures on normal values of Anti-Streptolysin-O-Titres are not available for most parts of Africa. This is certainly so for Zambia. The purpose of this paper is to produce reference figures for the normal adult. The results indicate that the curve is skewed towards the lower values and that 75% of values are 1:100 or below. If the sera of all subjects showing titres of 1:200 are considered however 93% of all cases studied are included. It is therefore concluded that this is the upper limit of normal and that figures above 1:200 must be regarded as abnormal.


[Uroflowmetry and its methodology for establishment of urinary flow parameters. I].

In the present paper the author deals in a short form with the importance of the uroflowmetry as a functional examination method. Prerequisite for every documentation of the picture of the miction curve is the diagram of the urinary flow. Here only the direct curve of the flow is suited for the immediate readability of the adequate values as well as for the simultaneous recognition. For the superficial orientation about the course of the flow the control of the curve is enough, but for the differentiated evaluation the following factors must be taken into consideration: Time of flow, time of waiting, different and maximum urinary flow, increase of the curve of the urinary flow and number of the peaks of flow. Also the differentiating uroflowmetry should be taken into consideration, in order to separate neurogenic disturbances of the urinary bladder from obstructive changes of the vesical outlet in the screening method.


[Regression: the development of the term and its meaning for therapeutic concepts].

The position of regression in the frame work of classical psychoanalysis is referred. Its term has been extended gradually since desolving out of the frame of psychopathology by Kris 1952 (Regression in the service of the Ego). Today regression can be understood as an ubiquitous phaenomenon in the individual and in social organism. Beyond the regression in the service of the ego (today in a more expended sense) regression stands in the service of adaptation and of recreation. Metapsychologically speaking regression can be considered as an at any time in latency readily kept mental reactionmatrix even in the "healthy" individuum. Ego-regression can manifest itself in diverse ego cernals with different grades of maturity and regressive tendencies. Partial regression is frequent and accompanied by reciprocal progression. The treatment of borderlines, basis disturbances and narcistic neuroses needs the empathetic but controlled regression of the psychoanalysist to the level of preverbal communication and to allow the patient a therapeutic regression. Psychoanalytic research on regression gives way to conceptualize advanced psychotherapeutic methods in border areas of psychoanalysis and should be promoted moreover.


[The prospective image the psychotherapist holds of his patient and its effect on the therapeutic process].

Psychonalytic theory of the therapeutic process is predominantly determined by the concepts of transference, resistance and countertransference. Decisive through the insight into the relationship between analyst and patient thus derived may be, the range of, potential meanings of these concepts does not in the first place encompass a complete theory of the therapist-patient-relationship. It mainly indicates how to use the therapeutical techniques which in turn define the theoretical scope of these terms. What is called the real aspects in the therapeutic relation, ie, those relatively free from transference, and their influence on the therapeutical process are so far unterrepresented in the theory of psychoanalysis. Yet the prospective view the therapist holds of his patient most probably has a decisive impact on the course of a treatment. Although the notion of countertransference offers some technical possibilities for correcting this image and for adjusting it to reality it is not sufficient to account for the complexity of the process in the psychoanalytic theory. The real features of the therapeutical relationship are the secret condition, the very background which alone allows the phenomena of transference and counter-transference to be detected as such.


[Radiogenic alterations following telecobalt irradiation of urinary bladder tumors].

The investigation reports on the frequency of radiogenic changes after high dosage radiotherapy of carcinomata of the urinary bladder carried out on 109 patients. Severe changes on urinary bladders and rectum were established in ca. 15% of the patients, 61.5% were clinically without any complaints. The importance of the single focus dose for the complication rate is proved and an adequate radiotherapy regime for the reduction of late sequelae is recommended. With regard to the necessity of the telecobalt irradiation one must cope with smaller lesions.


[Psychophysiologic approaches in the etiology and therapy of psychosomatic disorders].

Psychosomatic phenomena were considered within the framework of psychophysiology and general stress research. Startingpoint for an adequate understanding and interpretation of etiology and symptom-specifity of psychosomatic diseases are neurophysiologic-endocrinologic and psychodynamic findings. The familiarity with the concept of the specifity-of-attitude-hypotheses is important, too. Concerning the described etiologic hypotheses three psychotherapeutic procedures are demonstrated: 1) Relaxation trainings combined with biofeedback techniques, 2) rational-emotive therapy, 3) social-skill training. Furthermore it is referred to the clinical importance of slow cortical potentials (contingent negative variation--CNV) as central nervous correlates of information processes in the treatment of anxiety and hyperactivation of the autonomous system in stress situations. Prognostic criteria and indication for different treatment procedures of psychosomatic disorders were discussed.


[New trocar housing with an interchangeable cryotherapy sound for after-treatment of bladder outlet tumors].

The cryotherapy of tumours of the urinary bladder hitherto used by means of transurethrally introduced sounds with or without optics made necessary the development of an irrigation trocar casing with exchangeable cryotherapy sound for the entire therapeutic comprehension of all parts of the wall of the urinary bladder, particularly in the region of the outlet of the urinary bladder from 7 till 17 o'clock. The optic control is performed by means of a simultaneously suprapubically introduced trocar cystoscope. Thus also extremely localised tumorous changes in the region of the outlet of the urinary bladder (dead angle) are optically established and rendered accessible to cryotherapy.


[The psychology of pacemaker patients].

Examinations of 50 patients with pacemakers showed in relation to 50 control persons that the former reacted on their specific situation with emotional and behaviour disturbances. In relation to the control group there were signs of neurotic developments marked by hysterical symptoms, hypochondriac fears, and depressive reactions. Simultaneously there existed obvious tendences to minimize the problem of the implantation. Furthermore increased grievances of multiple bodily complaints were observed. In contrast to this the intellectual capacities of the patients provided with a pacemaker generally did not seem more impaired than those of the control group.


[Coagulation disorders following surgical intervention for urologic tumors].

Coagulation disturbances were discussed which appeared after operative removal of a hypernephroid carcinoma and teratocarcinoma. Despite taking into consideration preoperative coagulation tests after operation secondary haemorrhages appeared which could at first not be explained and which must be seen in the connection with the tumour metabolism changing the coagulation. Diagnostic and therapeutic propositions follow.


[Experienced changes of various behaviors through autogenic training].

Changes in certain physiological and psychological areas of 152 adult participants of several courses in Autogenic Training were examined. Before and after the 6-week courses the participants completed the Freiburger-Personality-Inventory (79 Form A, 73 Form B). Each of the 103 Items of the psychosomatic complex within the FPI was examined regarding the different nominal frequencies in both tests. Of the 20 of the Items changed most signified an improvement of the basic reaction.


On the biology of Tropidurus delanonis, Baur (Iguanidae).

A field study of Tropidurus delanonis was carried out on an uninhabited island (Hood) of the Galapagos Archipelago over 18 months. The purpose of the study is to show the interrelation between social structure, behaviour and ecological aspects of the iguanid lizard Tropidurus delanonis. Five lizard categories are distinguished and the interrelation between colouration type and behaviour is shown. Data are given on population structure, composition and flexibility, reproductive cycle, clutch size, ontogeny and changes in colouration and behaviour. Detailed maps show the distribution of female and male territories and the area occupied by those male male that attempt to acquire a territory. The biomass is calculated for all categories in resect to total area available and to favorable and unfavorable areas within the observation area. The significance of various colouration types was tested experimentally.


The significance of antecedent auditory experiences on later reactions to the "seeet" alarm-call in great tit nestlings Parus major.

Like many other naive young birds, great tit nestlings, Parus major, respond by a persistent cessation-of-begging and immobility response to the "seeet" alarm-call of the species (RYDEN 1978). The experimental antecedents of this reaction were investigated through a systematic manipulation of the auditory environment preceding it. Limiting nestlings' experience with the "seeet"-call to either a "positive", a "neutral" or a "negative" setting led to their normal aversive response to the call being weakened, unaltered and strengthened, respectively. Nestlings brought up in a "reversed", artificial environment showed a radical decrease in their aversive response. The results lend support to the hypotheses that a) the 'seeet'-call owes its aversive effect to the fact that its acoustic character contrasts sharply with the main features of the nestlings' normal auditory environment; b) context-specific experiences may either increase or decrease this basic response tendency. Some functional implications of the results as related to the behavior of the species in nature are discussed.


Long term effects of social deprivation during early adulthood in the mongolian gerbil (meriones unguiculatus).

The influence of isolation on male-female relationships was investigated. Animals isolated between 90 and 200 days of age showed more agonistic behaviour in paired encounters than controls. This difference disappeared when the animals had been housed with a cagemate. A secondary isolation late in life resulted in a more rapid onset of agonistic behaviour in the early isolates than in the controls. Thus it is concluded that the early isolation had a lasting influence, which only became evident after renewed isolation treatment.


[On an intercapillary cell type in the brain of old men (author's transl)].

We observed primitive cells in human brains of aged individuals. The processes of the cells are connected with capillaries. It may be that this connection is a sign of the aging process.


[Necrotizing "sarcoid" angiitis and granulomatosis of the lung (author's transl)].

Report of 2 cases (59 years male, 53 years male) of necrotizing "sarcoid" angiitis and granulomatosis of the lung. This disease has the character of a local pneumonia or of a coin-lesion and a favourable course. Emphasis is put on the morphological set of problems; the differential diagnosis concerning other pulmonary forms of granulomatosis and angiitis is discussed. The diagnosis is confirmed only by investigation of biopsy tissue; mere clinical features prove to be insufficient.


[Intravascular endothelioma (author's transl)].

A 76-year-old woman developed a slowly growing lesion over the right index and the adjacent part of the metacarpus. A cell proliferation filling up the skin veins was classified as intravascular endothelioma. This rather rare oncological entity with a good prognosis should be differentiated from peculiar pattern occasionally seen in organisation of thrombi as well as malignant endothelial tumours.


[Contribution to the Louis-Bar syndrome (ataxia telangiectasia) (author's transl)].

An autopsy case report of a Louis-Bar syndrome (Ataxia telangiectasia) is given on a 9 year-old boy who was ill for 7 years. The Louis-Bar syndrome mostly is a hereditary familial disease transmitted by an autosomal recessive gene. We are considering the syndrome as a special form of hereditary ataxias which is morphologically belonging to the systematic atrophies of the cerebellum and, above all, combined with oculo-cutaneous telangiectasia and an immunopathy. As a peculiarity the present case exhibited the existence of generalized angiectasia (cerebellum, meninges, dura mater, epiphysis, skin, eyes, lungs, spleen, kidney).


Parasitic relationships between Pythium oligandrum Drechsler and some other species of the Oomycetes class.

Parasitic relationships between Pythium oligandrum Drechsler and some phytopathogenic species of the Oomycetes class were investigated on agar plates. A high parasitic ability of Pythium oligandrum on Pythium ultimum Trow, P. debaryanum Hesse, and Aphanomyces laevis De By species was proved in this study of relationships among these fungi, commonly populating the rhizosphere of emerging sugar beet. P. oligandrum produces numerous thin haustorial threads, searching the hyphae of host species and enwrapping them during the parasitation. In a later parasitation stage the host organs were enwrapped by thicker hyphae of P. oligandrum as well. P. oligandrum grew through the colony of parasitized species mostly within 24 hours after inoculation and was able to destroy it entirely within 5--6 days. P. oligandrum produced numerous fructification organs in contradistinction to parasitized species. P. oligandrum oospores germinated abundantly when host species were present. Hyperparasitism of P. oligandrum was found both in cultivation with a single host and in common cultivation with all three host species simultaneously.


Mode of action of gentamicin antibiotics produced by Micromonospora purpurea.

Gentamicin antibiotics were produced fermentatively by Micromonospora purpurea. They were separated into gentamicin C1, C1a and C2 by paper chromatographic technique, using chloroform, methanol, and 17.0% of NH4OH (2: 1: 1 v/v) as developing solvent. The different antibiotics showed variable antimicrobial activities. The gentamicin antibiotics inhibited the biosynthesis of DNA and RNA of the proteins, present in the cells of Staphylococcus aureus.


Aramycin, a streptothricin-like antibiotic, produced by a local strain of Streptomyces MYS-20A.

One strain of actinomycetes, designated as MYS-20 A, was isolated from the Egyptian soil. The organism produces a substance that appears to be different from previously described antibiotics. The substance was named "Aramycin". A description of the strain of actinomyces MYS 20 A is given as well as conditions of growth for maximum production of the antibiotic substance. The bacterial and fungal spectra of aramycin are given. The substance appears to exhibit a very significant cytotoxic effect. The antibiotic was toxic to mice, the lethal dose being, however, about 15 times higher than the curative dose.


Algal organic matter and plant growth.

Since investigations on the ecology of soil algae have shown that this microbial group constitutes an important component of the soil biota, the evaluation of the role played by micro-algae in soil economy and plant growth has caused a lively interest. Working in the well defined conditions of gnotobiotic cultures, it has been shown that micro-algae actively interact with higher plants at the level of the root apparatus. These interactions give rise to favourable effects on the growth of seedlings. The same results were obtained when the plants were grown in soil under axenic-conditions. Biosynthesis of growth-promoting substances by micro-algae must be considered a factor of primary importance in the explanation of these results. Nevertheless, the physiological and biochemical bases of plant-micro-algae interactions are more complex, and many other problems are to be taken into account before a satisfactory explanation can be put forward. The results summarized here on the favourable influences, exerted by some algal strains on the growth of higher plants, show that the study of the plant-micro-algae relationships, to which poor attention has been devoted up to this time, besides contributing to a better understanding of the role played by micro-algae in soil fertility, may be of interest in relation to agricultural applications and crop algalization.


Trifluralin effect on Pisum--Rhizobium relationship.

Trifluralin inhibited root and shoot elongation of Pisum sativum plant and caused isodiametric increase in cell volume of both tissues. The water content of the plant was not affected. The weedicide inhibited also growth and O2 uptake of Rhizobium leguminosarum, isolated from Pisum plant. Reduction in the nitrogen content of Pisum tissues was noticed, and this may be attributed to the inhibition of nodule formation. Variations in the free and protein-amino acids were observed in the plant tissues, due to the application of the weedicide.


The correlation between the efficiency of rhizobia and nitrate reductase and dehydrogenase activities of cowpea nodules.

Cowpea seeds variety Fettriat were planted in Nile silt soil and inoculated with 5 strains of cowpea rhizobia. After 50 and 80 days, the plants were uprooted, analysed for dry weight, total nitrogen, fresh weight of nodules, nitrate reductase activity in the leaves, and nitrate reductase and dehydrogenase activities in the nodule homogenate in the presence or absence of succinate, citrate, and ethyl alcohol. The data were analysed to establish the correlation coefficients between total nitrogen and other characteristics. A significant positive correlation existed between total nitrogen and fresh weight of nodules in both cuts (after 50 and 80 days). The correlation was significant between total nitrogen and dry weight of the plants in the first cut, but was non-significant in the second one. Nitrate reductase activity in leaves and nodule homogenates in the presence of different hydrogen donors were positively correlated in the first cut and negatively correlated in the second one. Nitrate reductase activity in the leaves was much less than that in the nodule homogenates. A negative correlation was noticed between phenol content of the nodules and total nitrogen. In the first cut, while the correlation between total nitrogen and dehydrogenase activity in the presence of citrate or absence of any hydrogen donors was positive, it was negative with ethanol and succinate. In the second cut, however, all the dehydrogenase activities were negatively correlated with total nitrogen.


The influence of water-logging stage upon the paddy soil mycoflora in the Ukraine.

The soil fungal flora of paddy soils from the southern districts of the Ukraine was investigated. From 287 soil samples 170 species were isolated. They belonged to the following genera: Oomycetes 1.2%, Zygomycetes 8.8%, Ascomycetes 5.8%, Deuteromycetes 84.2%. Certain fungi were found to be dominant forms, among them Mortierella alpina Peyron., Penicillium funiculosum Thom, P. rugulosum Thom, P. chrysogenum Thom, Acremonium strictum W. Gams, Acr. breve W. Gams, Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Riessler, Cladosporium brevi-compactum Pidopl. et Deniak, Gliocladium roseum (Link) Thom, Harposporium sp., Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. var. orthoceras (App. et Wr.) Bilai, Trichoderma lignorum (Tode) Harz etc. The total number of fungi decreased in the paddy fieldsoils. It was found low frequency of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and high frequency of Mucorales.


Interrelationships between soil microorganisms and polystyrene.

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy along with autoradiographic procedures were used for evaluating the interrelationship between soil microorganisms and polystyrene. Two hypotheses, allowing to explain the properties of polystyrene as a soil conditioner, were investigated: the first is concerned with a possible action of soil microorganisms on the compound; the second, reciprocally, with the polystyrene interference on microorganisms. Radioactivity translocation of 14C-Ecolyte-polystyrene along fungal hyphae and asexual fructification of strains, isolated from soil, as well as cytological modification at the cell wall level of the same microfungi, cultivated in the presence of polystyrene have been ascertained.


The influence of Peronospora tabacina Adam upon the growth rhythm of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun.

The cinematographic method was used for studying the changes of the growth rhythm of the leaves in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun after the inoculation with Peronospora tabacina Adam. The leaves were screened only at the maturing phase when displaying characteristic disturbances of the growth rhythm. The leaves of a healthy plant show a regular growth rhythm, with regular amplitudes of growth spirals and growth rate. The growth spiral increments are elongated regular and even up to the mature stage of the leaf. In Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun the original regular rhythm was kept for 130 hrs. after the infection with the conidia of Peronospora tabacina Adam. When the first symptoms of the disease appeared on an inoculated leaf (approximately after 20 hrs.), fructification of the mould occurred, the growth rhythm was retarded and, after the necrotization of spots, the leaf died away.


Coagulase in starved Staphylococcus aureus.

The resting cells of S. aureus strain Smith (diffuse) lost marked amount of free amino acids and proteins during their starvation. The starved cells contained less coagulase and that enzyme was released into the medium during starvation. After transfer into nutrient medium, those cells produced less coagulase than the non-starved ones. The restoration of amino acid pool resulted in coagulase production on initial level.


[Heart rate during perinatal period].

Observations on heart frequency during the perinatal period. Registrations of the fetal heart rate were carried out on 133 children before and after delivery. 3 different types of heart rate patterns were found, each of them could be subdivided in 2 groups. The several groups are different in the shape and the steepness of fetal heart rate ascent after delivery. Supplementary other fetal parameters were examined (Apgar-score, time of the first breath, moment of first newborn cry, onset of regular respiration). These parameters showed significant associations with the above-mentioned types of the fetal heart rate patterns. For the blood gas parameters however such relations to the heart rate patterns were not found.


[Utrasonic B-scan diagnosis in connection with normal prenatal care].

It is a description of a programme aimed at the inclusion of the method of Ultrasonic-B scanning diagnosis within the system of measures of cares, undertaken during pregnancy. Every fresh entry in a consultation centre, dealing with cases of pregnancy and covering a certain section of the population, undergoes echoscopy three times during the pregnancy. Investigations of the longitudinal section helps to ensure the diminishing of the deep seat of placenta with advancing stage of pregnancy. Views have been expressed about the use of echoscopy for determining the exact stage of pregnancy, for an early recognition of hypotrophy and for the calculation of the weight of the fetus. The authors recommend the integration of the method of ultrasonic diagnosis in the system of measures taken for tending the pregnant.


[Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities--a rare complication of amniography].

An unusual complication during amniography is reported. Indications and contraindications for amniocentesis are discussed and possible complications described.


[Value of ultrasonic studies in obstetrics].

We have improved our perinatal mortality and morbidity by investigations of an ultrasonics A-Scan device. Especially important were the diagnosis of twins, calculation of the fetal weight and the localisation of the placenta.


[Continuous monitoring of the fetus using an ultrasonic-Doppler-device during delivery].

85 pregnant women were supervised during labor continuously 4--8 hours by an ultrasonic method. The evaluation of the alterations in the CTG has demonstrated, that diseases in pregnancy reduce the ability of the fetus to compensate stress caused by labor.


[Problems and hazards in resuscitation of newborn infants].

Some dangers, errors and complications during the reanimation of newborns are shown. Especially are discussed problems of the therapy of respiratory distress and of disorders in the circulation.