Giardiasis: clinical and therapeutic aspects.

Malabsorption was present in 29 of 40 symptomatic patients with giardiasis. Twenty-three had impaired D-xylose absorption; in 20 vitamin B12 absorption was low, and 15 patients had steatorrhoea. More severe malabsorption was associated with more marked histological abnormalities. Metronidazole, 2-0 g as a single daily dose on three successive days, produced a parasitological cure rate of 91%. In contrast, the standard course of mepacrine, 100 mg thrice daily for 10 days, eradicated the parasite in only 63% of patients. Improvements in absorption and jejunal morphology followed anti-giardial treatment. Tetracycline in eight patients failed to eradicate the parasite, intestinal absorption was unaltered, and histological appearances of the jejunal mucosa often deteriorated.


Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the bowel in primary hypogammaglobulinaemia: study of in vivo and in vitro lymphocyte function.

In vitro and in vivo lymphocyte function was studied in six patients with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) of the bowel. Lymphocyte transformation, numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes, and delayed hypersensitivity skin tests did not significantly differ when compared with hypogammaglobulinaemic patients without NLH. However, patients with NLH had higher jejunal juice IgM concentrations and a tendency to higher serum IgM concentrations than those without NLH. The morphological features of NLH are similar to the germinal centres of lymph nodes but more closely resemble the follicle zone of Peyer's patches. These findings suggest that NLH represents a local immune response to antigens originating in the gut lumen.


Enterochromaffin cells in the duodenal mucosa of children with coeliac disease.

A cell counting technique was used to count enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the duodenal mucosa of 10 children with coeliac disease and 10 controls, and significantly greater numbers of EC cells were found in children with coeliac disease. In four children with a clinical history suggestive of coeliac disease, but with minor histopathological changes in the duodenum, gluten challenge resulted in increased numbers of EC cells. Abnormalities of 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in coeliac disease may result from hyperplasia of EC cells in the small intestine.


Simple method for the preparation of single cell suspensions from normal and tumorous rat colonic mucosa.

Viable single cell suspensions from rat colonic epithelium were obtained by using phosphate buffered saline containing 0-2 M mannitol. The method, which requires no prior enzyme treatment, provides undamaged cells in high yield within one hour. The procedure was also applied to neoplastic rat colonic tissue, which was induced by repeated intrarectal infusion of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Comparison between normal and neoplastic cells has shown that the latter have a higher nucleus: cytoplasm ratio and a higher metabolic activity.


Effect of the prostaglandin precursor, arachidonic acid, on histamine stimulated gastric secretion in the conscious dog, and observations on the effect of inhibiting endogenous prostaglandin synthesis.

The effects of intravenous infusions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and arachidonic acid (AA) on histamine-stimulated gastric secretion have been studied in conscious dogs with either a simple gastric fistula or a denervated Heidenhain pouch. Both compounds produced a dose-related inhibition of acid secretion, though AA was 86-5 to 203-2 times less potent than PGE2. The maximal effect of AA was not achieved until 20 to 40 minutes after the infusion had ceased, suggesting that AA has to undergo some kinetic or metabolic process before it can act. Eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYN) 1-0 microgram.kg-1min-1, an inhibitor of PG biosynthesis, almost totally abolished the anti-secretory effect of AA up to 200 microgram.kg-1min-1. At 400 microgram AA.kg-1min-1, the antisecretory effect was reduced by about one half. The effect of PGE2 was not altered by ETYN. Furthermore, ETYN did not increase the response to histamine stimulation in control studies, which suggests that, in this model at least, prostaglandins are not involved in regulating gastric secretion.


Calcium stimulation of gastrin and gastric acid secretion: effect of small doses of calcium carbonate.

Oral calcium carbonate (0-5 g, pH 9-4) increased serum gastrin and gastric acid output with slight but insignificant change in serum calcium. A similar rise in serum calcium during an intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate failed to increase serum gastrin and gastric acid output. Both intragastric calcium actions were abolished by acidification of the calcium carbonate solution (pH 1-0). The increase in serum gastrin and gastric acid output after intragastric calcium carbonate was not affected, however, by a simultaneous intraduodenal acid load. Equivalent neutralising doses of magnesium hydroxide (pH 9-4) did not increase serum gastrin and gastric acid output above basal levels, whereas antral acidification with 20 ml 0-1 N HCl resulted in a slight decrease in serum gastrin. Intraduodenal calcium carbonate (pH 3-0) also increased serum gastrin and gastric acid output, whereas an equivalent volume of intraduodenal saline (pH 3-0) had no effect. These findings indicate that calcium increases serum gastrin by local stimulation of antral and duodenal mucosa. They also suggest that the action of calcium on gastric secretion is partly mediated by gastrin.


Post-vagotomy insulin test: improved predictability of ulcer recurrence after corrections for height and collection errors.

Insulin stimulated gastric secretion was studied in 74 unoperated duodenal ulcer patients (DUs), (20 women and 54 men). Three indices of secretion were studied--observed volume, acid output, and volume of gastric juice corrected for pyloric loss and duodenal reflux (VG). These three measurements were expressed both as peak secretion and as secretion during the 1/2 to two hour period after insulin, and also both before and after standardisation for height, making 12 different indices in all. From the data a significant correlation between insulin-stimulated secretion and height in DUs was found. A method of standardising each patient's secretion for height is described. We confirm a significantly higher insulin-stimulated secretion in men than in women and show that this difference can be explained by their difference in height. For each of the 12 indices of secretion, the range of secretion for the unoperated subjects was obtained. The same indices were measured in 155 postvagotomy patients, including 33 patients with recurrent DUs, and compared with the ranges of secretion established in the unoperated patients. Responses above the lower 95% tolerance limit of the preoperative range were designated positive and those below negative. The Hollander status was determined. It was found that the least satisfactory criterion was Hollander's (7% false negative and 69% false positive). The best was 1/2-2 VG standardised for height (3% false negatives and 43% false positives). The improvement in predictably was significant at the 0-0005 level.


Effect of lysolecithin on gastric mucosal structure and potential difference.

The effect of lysolecithin (100 mg%) on the guinea-pig gastric mucosa was studied by instilling a solution for 30 minutes, preceded and followed by 100 MN HCl into 10 total gastric pouches. Ten control animals had HCl throughout. Lysolecithin produced a significant change in transmucosal potential difference, macroscopic erosions, and mucosal damage on histology and electron scanning microscopy. None of these changes was seen in the control animals. This is further evidence that the reflux of lysolecithin from the duodenum is an important factor in causing active gastritis and gastric erosions.


Gastric emptying in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Gastric emptying was studied in 12 diabetic patients, six with and six without objective evidence of autonomic neuropathy and in 20 non-diabetic controls, using a double isotope scinti-scanning technique which differentiated between solid and liquid emptying. Three patients with autonomic neuropathy exhibited gastric stasis, although this was detected by conventional radiology in only one. Neither the patients with stasis nor those without exhibited abnormally rapid early gastric emptying. In patients without stasis, the normal differentiation between solid and liquid emptying was impaired, suggesting an abnormality of antral peristalsis not attributable to vagal denervation. Both intravenous and oral metoclopramide produced symptomatic improvement in two patients with gastric stasis and restored their gastric emptying to normal.


Hepatic damage associated with mineral oil deposits.

The case of a 33 year old male is reported. Hepatic inflammation and scarring were associated with deposits of mineral oil in portal triads. This is believed to be the first reported case of hepatic damage resulting from mineral oil accumulation. Possible sources of the oil are considered.


Intestinal perfusion studies in tropical sprue. 2. Movement of water and electrolytes.

Jejunal absorption of sodium and water has been investigated in 10 normal Indians and 11 patients with chronic tropical sprue. Normal saline and solutions containing amino acids and dipeptides were studied. In both groups little absorption of sodium and water from normal saline was seen. Mean water and sodium absorption from the free amino acid or dipeptide solutions showed no significant difference between the groups and was similar to absorption from normal saline. These results differ from data obtained in normal English subjects where at these concentrations significant stimulation of sodium and water absorption was seen. In a proportion of subjects in both groups net secretion was observed. However, no correlation was seen between mucosal histology or luminal bacteriology and sodium or water movement. These findings in patients with chronic tropical sprue are similar to findings in normal Indians and suggest that jejunal handling of sodium and water is abnormal when compared with normal English subjects, but that the mucosa is not in a secretory phase as seen in certain other diarrhoeal states or in the acute early phase of sprue.


Anal pressure studies in spinal patients.

Maximal and sphincter pressure was measured in 22 patients with spinal cord lesions and in a group of 10 controls, using perfused sleeve manometry. The mean resting pressure of the spinal patients was 63+/-8 (SEM) mm Hg, and of the control group 116+/-14 (SEM) mm Hg, P less than 0-01. When the rectum was distended by a balloon inflated with 100 ml of air a fall in anal sphincter pressure to 33+/-6 (SEM) mm Hg in the spinal group and to 78+/-10 (SEM) mm Hg in the control group was observed.


Effects of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) followed by total vagotomy (TV) on postprandial and fasting myoelectrical activity of the canine stomach and duodenum.

Experiments were designed to study the effect of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) followed by total vagotomy (TV) on the myoelectrical activity of the canine stomach and duodenum after a meat meal and during fasting. Dogs were prepared with chronically implanted Ag-AgCl-electrodes on the stomach and duodenum. Recordings of electrical activity were made for one hour after the ingestion of a meat meal and records of four to six hours were taken on the fasting animals. In the postprandial records no effect on co-ordination of antral and duodenal myoelectrical activity was found after either PGV or TV. These results suggest that the co-ordinating mechanism is not dependent on vagal innervation. Impairment of gastric emptying after TV does not appear to be due to disturbance of antral-duodenal conduction. Normal patterns of fasting activity were found in control and after PGV. They were grossly disturbed after TV, probably because of delayed gastric emptying. These findings suggest that PGV does not delay gastric emptying as does TV, and that the proximal vagal supply to the stomach is unimportant in the control of fasting activity.


Clinical picture of peptic ulceration diagnosed endoscopically.

Clinical features and laboratory data are presented for 100 patients with benign gastric ulceration and 150 patients with duodenal ulceration confirmed endoscopically in a district general hospital unit. Abdominal pain was the commonest indication for endoscopy, but one third of examinations were performed for acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Although the patients were selected by referral for endoscopy their clinical presentation, age, and sex distribution were similar to those reported in previous general surveys. There were no clinical features which clearly distinguished gastric from duodenal ulceration. However, of those with gastric ulceration younger patients more often had distal ulcers and presented with pain, while elderly subjects tended to have high lesser curve involvement and presented with haemorrhage. Moreover, all females presenting with haemorrhage were aged over 50 years, while 6% of males bleeding from gastric ulceration and 40% of males bleeding from duodenal ulceration were under this age. Anaemia when present, except in two premenopausal females, indicated either a recent acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage or a coexistent second diagnosis.


Gastric emptying of barium sulphate suspension compared with that of water.

Test meals consisting of water or a suspension of barium sulphate were given to two normal subjects. The rates of decrease of the volume of the gastric contents were indistinguishable for the two meals.


Cholelithiasis in subjects with hypercalcaemia and primary hyperparathyroidism detected in a health screening.

The frequency of gallstone disease was studied in a group of 82 subjects (69 females and 13 males; mean ages 55-0 and 52-3 years, respectively) with verified hypercalcaemia (VHC) detected in a health screening in the Stockholm area. All non-cholecystectomised subjects were examined with a peroral cholecystography. Causes of hypercalcaemia other than primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) had been excluded as far as possible. Sixty-two patients had been operated upon and all but two males were found to have parathyroid adenomas. The patients were compared with a series of 82 normocalcaemic age- and sex-matched subjects, selected from the health screening register. The patients with VHC and/or PHPT had about the same frequency of gallstone disease as the controls. The results are at variance with those of other investigators who have reported that PHPT is associated with an abnormally high frequency of gallstone disease. Possible explanations of the discrepancy in results is discussed.


Behaviour of 125I-fibrinogen and 131I-albumin in experimental galactosamine-induced hepatitis.

The turnover of 125I-labelled fibrinogen and 131I-labelled albumin was studied in the course of galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rabbits. In addition to galactosamine, some animals were treated with epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) to inhibit the activation of the fibrinolytic system. The infusion of galactosamine and EACA caused generation of fibrin-rich microclots in the renal glomerular capillaries in seven out of 12 rabbits. Correspondingly, the incorporation of 125I-radioactivity into liver, spleen, and kidneys was pronounced in galactosamine- and EACA-treated rabbits compared with control animals treated with EACA. An acceleration of the 125I-fibrinogen elimination from the plasma was observed between eight and 12 hours after the start of the galactosamine infusion. The administration of heparin in addition to galactosamine and EACA prevented the occurrence of intravascular coagulation, but shortened the survival times of the animals because of bleeding into visceral organs. The elimination of 131I-albumin in plasma as well as the distribution of 131I-radioactivity in organs were similar in all the rabbits independent of the treatment with galactosamine, EACA, or heparin. The experiments indicate that, in addition to diminished synthesis of coagulation factors, disseminated intravascular coagulation is involved in galactosamine-induced hepatitis and contributes to the haemostatic disorder.


Hyperoxaluria correlates with fat malabsorption in patients with sprue.

The effect of fat malabsorption on the absorption and renal excretion of dietary oxalate was studied in four patients with sprue and in two patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and sprue-like jejunal histology. Hyperoxaluria was present in all patients with sprue when fat malabsorption was severe. Urinary oxalate excretion decreased in two of the three patients with coeliac sprue when their fat malabsorption had improved after three months of dietary gluten restriction. Neither patient with dermatitis herpetiformis and sprue had steatorrhoea. In these patients, urinary oxalate excretion was always within normal limits. A significant positive linear relationship (y=28.25 +4-84x; r=0-82; P less than 0-01) was demonstrated between faecal fat and urinary oxalate excretion. The results of this study support the concept that severe malabsorption of dietary fat plays a primary causative role in enteric hyperoxaluria.


Effect of intraluminal oxygen on endotoxin absorption in experimental occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery.

Absorption of bacterial endotoxin has been shown to occur after release of the occluded superior mesenteric artery in the rat. A significant reduction in endotoxin absorption was observed as a result of the infusion of gaseous oxygen into the bowel lumen during the period of ischaemia (P less than 0-001). The methods of endotoxin identification and assay are described, and the possible reasons for this effect of intraluminal oxygen are discussed.


Variation in the incidence of diverticular disease within the city of Edinburgh.

An estimate of the incidence of diverticular disease of the colon was based on all the barium enema examinations in Edinburgh over four years (12 335 cases); using the census data for 1971, incidence rates for the city by age, sex, and electoral ward were calculated. The overall annual incidence rate was 1-55/1000, the rate rising sharply with increasing age. The incidence of diverticular disease varies from ward to ward (range 0-92-2-04/1000), adjacent wards have similar incidence rates and the six wards with the lowest rates are clustered together in the South East of the city. Ward incidence rates have a significant negative association with the percentage of owner occupiers living in that area.


[Neuropathies following hand surgery under supraclavicular plexus anesthesia].

15 cases with pain in the shoulder girdle following an operation in supraclavicular brachial plexus anesthesia are reported. The pain developped after an interval of several days. According to the neurological findings the diagnosis is regarded as neuralgic amyotrophy. Possible causes are discussed.


[Classification of total and subtotal amputations].

Up to now the succes rates in replantation surgery which are reported in the literature do not include the functional results. To compare the final functional results it is necessary to have a common international classification of what is a complete amputation and what is a incomplete one. It is then important to compare only similar subtotal amputations. In this paper we suggest a definition and classification of amputations in the upper extremity in the following way: type I....bone type II....extensor tendons type III....flexor tendons type IV....palmar digital nerves type V....skin A subtotal amputation will intakt flexor and extensor tendons as well as palmar nerves should be classified as "type II, III. IV".


[A rare anatomical condition causing carpal tunnel syndrome].

We present a case of carpal tunnel syndrome that was caused by longitudinal splitting of the median nerve by an additional M. flexor digitorum sublimis. This is an anatomical variant, that has in this form not yet been described as the cause of a carpal tunnel syndrome.


[Intraosseous neurinoma].

A case of neurilemmoma in bone localized in the proximal phalanx of the right thumb is described. There are less than 40 cases of this typoe of tumor to be found in the literature. The majority of them were localized in the jaw and maxillary bones. The tumor usually grows slowly, histories of up to 20 years duration being described. Clinical symptoms are not characteristic. X-ray examination shows cystic bone defects. The origin of the neurilemmoma in bone is believed to be cells of SCHWANN of the paravasal nerves, which accompany the nutrient artery. Microscopically two types of cells can be distinguished in the tumor. The neurilemmoma in bone is probably always benign. The therapy of choice is local excision of the tumor.


[The "open-palm" technic in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture].

We report our experience in the treatment of 39 patients with Dupuytrens' contracture using the "open-palm" technique (McCASH). In this method the palmar fascia is excised through a transverse incision in the distal plamer crease. The wound is left open. The advantages of this method are: no necrosis of the skin, absence of haematomas, closure of other incisions without tension, early motion with little postoperative discomfort. Based on our experience we recommend this method for a selected group of patients.


Cooperative apartments: new programs in community mental health.

The potential of cooperative apartments as an alternative in residential care for former mental patients is only beginning to be explored. Existing programs demonstrate the viability of these apartments as a last stepping-stone to be used by patients as they move toward a completely independent way of life. In contrast to other residential arrangements, such as foster home care or halfway houses, cooperative apartments seem on balance to be less likely to induce patient dependence or to have an aura reminiscent of the hospital to patients. Moreover, they are relatively inexpensive, can be established without attracting untoward attention in the community, and permit their occupants to live more like other people and with comparatively little stigma. As indicated by the variety of sponsoring agencies described in this article, the impetus to establish cooperative apartments can come from many sources. Such diversity is currently necessary. Only through the evaluation of different models and their effectiveness will criteria be established for a national policy regarding residential care.


Social work with genetic problems.

The generic utility of social work practice skills and knowledge applies to this field of practice as to any other. What is required is a delineation of the role that social workers are to take, a clear articulation of what they can do and do well, and their acquisition of the specific knowledge related to genetic problems that would provide the framework in which to practice social work in this area. From their practice experience, social workers in genetics are in a unique position to contribute important knowledge about their clients that would help to provide essential and needed services as well as guide social work intervention. The key role for social workers in genetics is the provision of supportive counseling to help clients deal with the social dimensions of their genetic problems. In other words, genetic social work focuses mainly on assisting clients with problems in living that are generated by a genetic diagnosis and that may be more problematic or distressing than the genetic defect itself.


[Puerperal mastitis].

The puerperal mastitis is a staphylococcal infection of the lactating mamma cumulating during the third and fourth week after delivery. It is seen three times as often after hospital than after house delivery, and it is also more frequent with primiparae than with multiparae. The infection is caused by bacterial hospitalism. Most commonly mamilla and milkducts are infected via the child's nasopharynx. Mastitis rarely occurs in non-nursing women. Early diagnosis before the appearance of all classical inflammatory symptoms is important, to start the treatment with antibiotics before abscess formation takes place. We mentioned Fucidine, Oleandomycin and Oxacillin as staphylococcal-effective, penicillinase-resistent antibiotics. Additionally low-dose X-ray radiation may be given. In case of abscess formation local antibiotic-instillation combined with oral antibiotic treatment should be tried before incision. It is best to incise an abscess only after is complete breakdown. Complications to be looked for are maternal sepsis and staphylococcal infection of the newborn.


[Pathogenesis of the toxic and allergic nephrotic syndrome. Metabolic studies on kidney-cortex slices and on glomeruli].

The in vitro metabolism of isolated rat glomeruli in Daunomycin-nephrosis (DMS) and neophrotoxic nephritis (ANS) was determined in order to investigate questions about the nephrotic syndrome. Glomeruli of rats with Daunomycin-nephrosis influenced metabolic steps as follows: 1. Oxydative decarboxydation of pyruvate and probably also of alpha-ketoglutarate is decreased. This disturbance might be located in the formation of acetyl-and/or succinyl-CoA. 2. Incubation with pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarat resulted in reduced oxygen uptake, and resynthesis of ATP. 3. Incorporation of thimidin into glomerular DNS is inhibited in the beginning stage of Daunomycin-nephrosis; while incorporation of amino acids into glomerular protein is not, beta-oxydation of fatty acids is at least until entrance into the TCA cycle undisturbed. In contrast, glomeruli of rats with nephrotoxic nephritis utilised more oxygen and the stationary concentration of ATP within the glomeruli was elevated. The pathway of the nephrotic syndrome is not exactly known. Metabolic and morphologic studies with glomeruli of the immunologically and the toxically induced nephrotic syndrome showed different biochemical and histological disorders for the same clinical symptoms. As the beginning of nephrotic syndrome very different lesions in the glomerulus have to be expected, which result in a greater permeability of basal membranes.


[Squamus epithelial carcinoma in anal fistula].

The case of a patient is reported, who developed a squamous cell cancer in a long standing anal fistula track. The observations seem to prove that irritated epithelium of chronic anal fistulas may be the source of a malignant disease.


[Are sandflea infections increasing?].

A report on two cases is given. The patients showed the typical skin affections after trips to Africa. Tungiasis occasionally leads to secondary infections and may be the cause of longterm inflammation or erysipelas. Treatment is discussed and a possible increase of tungiasis because of an increase of tourists to tropical countries is pointed out.


[Chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis and its treatment].

In spite of modern therapeutical concepts chronic osteomyelitis is a disease, which can be resistant to all trials with antibiotics, surgical or other treatments. Since the percentage of bone infections increases by increasing accidents the possibilities of classical treatment are discussed and new therapeutical ideas developed by considerations regarding the pathomechanism. The basical reflections for this new treatment can be summarized with the fact that a chronic infection can only develop in an organism with a lack of immune resistance. As the immune response of an organism can be stimulated by vaccination there is a high possibility to overcome a chronic infection by a vaccination procedure. In fact, first therapeutical results confirm this consideration in chronic osteomyelitis.


[Proliferation kinetic models for the understanding of the epidermal cell cycle in psoriasis].

Pulse labeling of spontaneous, stimulated or disturbed epidermal cell reinforcements with tritium thymidine offers a simple system to appraise relations of different phases in cell cycle. For example, if the duplication of DNA during the S-phase takes much time, many cells actually synthesizing DNA must be found labeled. Therefore, a high labeling index does not necessarily indicate fast cell cycles (and fast cell cycles do not necessarily produce high labeling indices). The slower S-phases proceed, the less use is for tritium thymidine, offered during the short availability time of a single pulse label. As a result, only few silver grains per cell nucleus are produced in the film emulsion by autoradiography. The typical pattern of this DNA-synthesis would be a high labeling index, combined with a low silver grain index. All other possible combinations and degrees of high, low, normal silver grain indices with high, low or normal labeling indices allow to appraise not only the S-phase duration in comparison with controls, but also in dependence of the other phases, mainly G1, and their duration in cell cycle.


[Experimental principles of immunotherapy in malignant tumors using microbial substances. 2. Effect of streptococci on ascites-rethotelsarcoma of the mouse in vitro].

The antitumoral activity of specific strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci, group A, published by Okamoto and his group, could be confirmed also with an in vivo-method. An own strain (No. 1C) with good antitumoral effect was used in the ascites-retothelsarcoma of the mouse. This effect was strain-specific. A hypothetical anti-tumor-factor of the streptococci is assumed. First clinical results are described.


[Follow-up of 2300 vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies].

The report deals with the 2330 hysterectomies, performed in the "Women's Hospital of the City of Nuernberg", in 1968 through 1973. One thousand extirpations were done the abdominal way, whereas 1330 were done using the vaginal method. The average age of the patients was 50 years. The distribution of the parity of the abdominal hysterectomies was about equal, whereas the parity of the vaginal operations was 11 times higher, mainly because of technical reasons. The main indications of the vaginal extirpations were: descensus, uterus myomatosus and non invasive cancer; the one of the abdominal extirpations was uterus myomatosus, benign and malign ovarial tumors and cancer of corpus uteri. The total ratio of complications (including abscess of the abdominal wall, seromes etc.) amounts ot 19,1% of the abdominal operations, 9,6% of the vaginal operations. The total mortality of the abdominal operations was nearly 1,7% the one of the vaginal operations approached 0,37%. In 50% respectively 80% the cause of death was an acute emboly of the lungs.


[Classification and pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas in humans and animal experiments].

Pituitary adenomas should be classified by the grade of differentiation in undifferentiated (acidophil or mucoid cell type) and in highly differentiated types. Corresponding to their structural identify, the latter are separated into GH cell-, prolactin cell-, TSH cell-, or ACTH cell-adenomas. Chromophobe adenomas which are nearly ungranulated tumors, were divided into small cell- and large cell-adenomas and into oncocytic adenomas. Undifferentiated acidophil and GH cell-adenomas mostly induce an acromegaly. Undifferentiated mucoid and ACTH cell-tumors result exclusively in a hyperfunction of ACTH. The morphological correlate of a hyperprolactinemia is variable. Chromophobe adenomas of small cell type and oncocytic adenomas are on the whole endocrinologically inactive. Studies of the paraadenomatous adenohypophysis let us assume that prolactin cell- and ACTH cell-adenomas develop from hyperplasias of the specific cells. In animal experiments, pituitary adenomas can be classified into highly differentiated (prolactin cell-, TSH cell-, or ACTH cell-adenomas) and also into undifferentiated adenomas. The highly differentiated ones develop hyperplasiogenic and are monohormonally active. They are on the whole structurally identical with the human adenomas. The undifferentiated ones are the consequence of a process of dedifferentiation. They show in part a plurihormonal activity.


[The treatment of premature labor with partusisten. Observations by 35 patients].

The authors describe the results of treatment of premature onset of uterine contractions with Partusisten in 35 patients. Therapeutical tocolysis was performed in 32 cases, prophylactic treatment after operations on the pregnant uterus in 2 cases, spray-tocolysis in uterine tetanus in third stage of labour in 1 case. The pregnancies could be prolonged for 7,1 weeks. No effect of the treatment could be achieved in case of contractions because of premature rupture of membranes and in chorionamnionitis.


[Continuous intrauterine pO2 determination in the fetus during birth].

A study about continuous intrauterine pO2-measurement of the human fetus sub partu. It is reported about a continuous intrauterine unbloody pO2-measurement of the human fetus sub partu. There was found a good correlation in different cardiotocographic patterns between labour, fetal heart frequency and pO2-registration.


[Blood coagulation activity and fibrinolysis in umbilical vein blood of healthy and asphyxiated newborn infants].

In two groups of 35 healthy and 15 asphyctic newborns the factors of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were determined and compared with the normal values of non-pregnant women. The study demonstrates an increased coagulability and increased fibrinolytic activity at decreased levels of most of the single factors in the umbilical vein blood of the newborn. There is a statistically significant decrease of the concentration of plasminogen and increase of the concentration of fibrin degradation products and fibrin monomers in the groups of asphyctic newborns as compared with healthy newborns. These results may be considered as factors in the etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn resulting in the formation of hyaline membranes. An increased tendency to hemorrhages in asphyctic newborn due to a hypocoagulation of the umbilical vein blood cannot be suggested by these results. The study confirms and supplements previous research findings from our laboratory and from others reported in the literature.


[Colestipol by hypercholesteremia in diabetics].

The study comprises 90 diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. They received colestipol, a basic anion exchange resin, which binds the bile acids in the intestinal tract and thus prevents its enterohepatic circulation. The constant regeneration of bile acids from cholesterol leads to a decrease of the cholesterol level. A significant reduction of the cholesterol level was achieved in 73 of 85 evaluated cases. The observed triglyceride levels showed a different behaviour. All other laboratory data, especially the blood-sugar level, remained unchanged under the treatment with colestipol. Colestipol was well tolerated and, due to its neutral taste, was readily taken by the patients. Only a few patients suffered from slight constipation which did not lead to discontinuation of the treatment.


Distributing the goods the right way.

Distribution is an integral part of the supply process; a product or supply has little value until it is in the hands of those who can use it. The traditional "reverse distribution process," in which nursing or other departmental personnel go down to central stores to pick up any needed materials, results in a costly, inefficient use of manpower. When choosing a supply system, one of the foremost considerations that a hospital should keep in mind is how the supply or product will be delivered to where it can be used.


Equipping a new hospital: bringing method to the madness.

Equipping a new hospital involves quickly shifting and sometimes overlapping phases. Consequently, considerable coordination is required among the hospital administration, user departments, purchasing department, suppliers, architect, builder, trade unions, and other involved parties. Detailed procedures such as those described in this article can help to efficiently organize this effort and protect the hospital's interests regarding the costs, specifications, acceptability, and safety of the equipment that is acquired and installed.


Capitalizing on capital purchases.

The acquisition of capital equipment is considerably more involved than the purchase of supply items. Because of the long life of capital equipment, errors in judgment at the time of acquisition can haunt a purchasing manager for years. But if he exercises good judgment and does not lose sight of the particular needs of his hospital, capital equipment can be acquired in a manner that will be in the continuing best interests of the hospital.


Negotiating and bidding for good results.

When determining a method of procurement, the purchasing manager must remember his goals. Whether it be by bidding, negotiating, or open-ended contracts, the method chosen is a means of obtaining savings for the hospital and, ultimately, for the patient.


Committees ensure cost efficiency in purchasing.

Purchasing committees are essential to effective materials procurement and management. These committees perform not only initial evaluation of materials and supplies but also ongoing reevaluation. Thus, they help to ensure that the hospital obtains and maintains appropriate quality, quantities, and cost effectiveness in its purchases and its inventory.


Schizophrenia: genetic factors.

In the first of three articles on schizophrenia, evidence for a genetic component is reviewed, including the high concordance in monozygotic twins, even when reared apart, and in children born to a schizophrenic parent or parents. The myth of the "schizophrenogenic mother" is rejected, though it does appear that as yet undefined environmental factors, by bringing about biochemical changes, may play an important role.


A double outlet to relieve left ventricular hypertension.

The patient with aortic stenosis may have reduced left ventricular outflow with a relatively normal valvular architecture and little or no myocardial hypertrophy. For such a patient, surgery directly on the outflow structures may involve serious problems and "trade-offs". Construction of a supplementary conduit from the ventricular apex to the abdominal aorta can provide a valid alternative to more conventional approaches.


Epidemiological review of lung cancer in man.

Lung cancer is primarily a 20th century phenomenon; its epidemiology is reviewed and the usefulness of epidemiological studies in providing clues to etiology is evaluated. Internationally, lung cancer accounts for up to 13% of all deaths in age groups above 45 years. It is a disease characterized by large international variations in incidence; in addition, urban-rural differences occur in many countries. Male:female ratios are high, 4 to 5; but after a rise during the first half of the century, these ratios are now declining in a number of countries. Neither racial distribution nor migrant studies indicate that genetic factors play any important role in the etiology of lung cancer. The only possible indication of their playing such a role is the high incidence of lung cancer among Chinese, primarily Cantonese, women. A genetic determination of individual susceptibility has been suggested, but racial differences remain to be demonstrated. The increase in lung cancer that started during the first decades of the 20th century in Europe and North America is consistent with the introduction of a carcinogen into the environment at the turn of the century. Both spatial and temporal trends of lung cancer support the hypothesis that cigarette smoking is the major etiological factor. This is further supported by numerous specific investigations of the problem. A decrease in lung cancer incidence in certain age groups in a number of countries may reflect changing smoking habits and the diminishing tar content of modern cigarettes, thus indicating ways of prevention. Current knowledge of general air pollution seems to ascribe it a secondary role as an etiological factor. The risk of lung cancer is greater in certain occupations, often because of an interaction between industrial air pollution and smoking. It may be concluded that lung cancer is largely a problem of modern society and that the epidemiological results are consistent with an etiological role of preventable environmental factors.


Epidemiology of lung cancer in the United States.

This paper has reviewed the temporal and spatial distribution of lung cancer in the United States. Some of the personal characteristics which are important determinants of this type of cancer and which need to be considered in assessing the role of environmental air pollution have also been considered. Recent studies which have attempted to relate lung cancer mortality to possible arsenic exposure or to levels of benzo[a]pyrene in different places are noted. While an urban effect is undoubted, it is still not certain that it is due to carcinogenic pollutants in the air. Although there may be exceptional areas, environmental air pollution probably contributes only a very small fraction to the effect of cigarette smoking on this type of cancer.


Microsomal metabolism of chemical carcinogens in animals and man.

As the first step in the interaction between chemical carcinogen and cell, it has been recognized that most carcinogens, being chemically inert, must be metabolically converted into reactive, electrophilic 'ultimate carcinogens'. Ironically, the enzymes that activate carcinogens are the same microsomal, drug-metabolizing enzymes, mostly mixed-function oxidases, whose primary function is the detoxification and disposal of foreign chemicals. From the limited data available, it appears that, qualitatively, animals and man metabolize carcinogens via very similar pathways. However, in animals as well as in man there are marked species-related and individual differences in the basal levels of microsomal metabolism as well as in its inducibility. Therefore, the extrapolation to man of existing animal data on metabolic activation and carcinogenesis of chemicals is at present impossible. However, it might be possible to detect 'high-risk' individuals, i.e., individuals who might be especially endangered by exposure to environmental carcinogens due to their high rate of metabolism (for instance, some cigarette smokers), by determinations of human microsomal metabolism in vitro, using human leucocytes, or in vivo, employing safe drugs which are metabolized in a similar way to carcinogens, as indirect indices for individual variations in microsomal metabolism.


Benzo[a]pyrene-induced early alterations of the respiratory epithelium in the Syrian golden hamster.

Pathological alterations occurring in the epithelia of the trachea and the lobar and segmental bronchi of Syrian golden hamsters during a 20-week period of weekly BaP administrations were examined by means of light and electron microscopy. In the trachea these early changes included hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia. In the bronchi the development of small adenomas was observed, but no squamous metaplasia occurred.


Earthworm coelomocytes in vitro.

Contamination and low viability of earthworm coelemocytes in tissue culture have delayed in vitro studies. Using penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and Amphotericin B, Lumbricus terrestis coelomocytes were maintained viable and uncontaminated for 10 days at 15degreesC in medium L-15 supplemented with 5 to 10% fetal bovine serum. The coelomocytes survived for at least 10 days with 85% viability as assessed by trypan blue exclusion assays and phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast. Studies on the thymidine uptake, however, were negative. With the involvement of coelomocytes in tissue graft rejection, in vitro techniques can now be applied to study their capacity in the immune response.


Fibroblast monolayer cultures in scintillation counting vials: metabolic and growth experiments using radioisotopes and a microfluoremetric DNA assay.

We have developed a simple technique for the investigation of cellular metabolism and growth in cultured human fibroblasts which facilitates experiments using up to 3 x 10(5) cells in each of 100 or more culture vessels. The method has been used to study cell growth, glucose utilization and oxidation, and protein, RNA and DNA sysnthesis. The use of radiolabeled substrates in tracer experiments is  simplified since transfer of cell material is not required. Methods for measuring both total cellular protein and DNA have been adapted to this culture system. Although we have used this tecnique for fibroblast cultures, it also can be easily applied to experiments on any other type of cell that can be grown in a monolayer.


Effect of activated charcoal on callus growth and shoot organogenesis in tobacco.

Incorporating activated charcoal (AC) in culture media has been shown to affect growth and development of various organisms. Since AC stimulates the development of tobacco haploid plantlets from cultured anthers, research was conducted to determine the effect of activated charcoal on pith-derived callus growth and shoot development in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38. Our results indicate that the hormones required for callues growth and shoot development in Wisconsin-38 tobacco are adsorbed by AC, thereby inhibiting callus growth and prohibiting shoot development. This effect was observed even when AC was removed from the medium by filtration prior to culturing the callus.


Defined conditions for the initiation and growth of cotton callus in vitro. I. Gossypium arboreum.

Defined in vitro conditions for callus initiation by Gossypium arboreum L. were determined, and different tissues were evaluated as explant sources, Environmental conditions tested included light versus dark, and low light versus high light. Different nutrient media as well as carbohydrate sources were examined. Our data show that hypocotyl tissue was superior to cotyledon or leaf tissue as the explant source for callus proliferation; the Murashige-Skoog inorganic formulation with (in mg per 1) 100 myo-inositol, 0.4 thiamine-HCl, 2 indoleacetic acid (IAA), 1 kinetin, and 3% glucose solidifield by agar was the best medium to initiate callus. Cultures with sucrose as a carbohydrate source browned rapidly. Callus proliferation was superior under high light (8000 to 9000 lux) conditions at 20 +/- 1 degree C. Various combinations of auxins and cytokinins were tested for their ability to improve callus proliferation and subsequent growth of subcultures. Although the MS medium containing IAA and kinetin was found superior for obtaining rapid proliferation of callus from hypocotyl explants, a second medium containing 2 mg per 1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 to 1 mg per 1 benzyladenine (BA) was found necessary for vigorous growth of subcultured callus. A MS medium with 5 to 10 mg per 1 N6-[delta2-isopentenyl]-adenine (2ip) and 1 mg per 1 NAA was also favorable for continued subculturing.


Host serum proteins in Echinococcus multilocularis: complement activation via the classical pathway.

The presence of host serum proteins, including IgG and IgM, within the cyst membranes and on the surface of protoscoleces of Echinococcus multilocularis was demonstrated by the use of HRPO-conjugated purified antisera. Viable protoscoleces incubated either in EDTA- or EGTA-fresh human sera were not lysed; the addition of calcium restored the protoscolecidal activity of the EGTA serum. It is concluded that the complement-mediated lysis of this metazoan organism proceeds via the classical pathway of complement activation. The results are discussed in relation to the ability of this parasite to survive in the immunologically hostile environment of the host.


The effect of sera from patients with connective tissue diseases on red cell binding and phagocytosis by monocytes.

The uptake by human blood monocytes of sheep erythrocytes treated with rabbit anti-sheep antibody with or without mouse complement was assessed by a radioactive method to discover whether immune complexes would inhibit this reaction. It was found that sera from SLE patients inhibited uptake whereas normal sera enhanced. Some rheumatoid sera and rheumatoid joint fluids inhibited uptake whereas sera from juvenile rheumatoid patients did not.


Thermodynamics of the interaction of epsilon-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine and the subunits (Fab) of bovine colostral immunoglobulin G1 anti-dinitrophenyl antibody.

Investigation of the binding of epsilon-DNP-1-lysine to the subunits (Fab') of bovine colostral IgG1 anti-DNP over a wide range of temperatures yielded non-linear van't Hoff plots with curvatures which were indicative of large positive heat capacity changes. Thermodynamic functions which were calculated using a non-linear least-squares procedure revealed an enthalpy-entropy compensation mechanism for binding. While the enthalpy factor was the driving force for the hapten-subunit interaction(s) at low temperatures, the entropy factor assumed greater importance with increasing temperatures. In addition, the enthalpy-entropy compensation plot for the interaction of epsilon-DNP-1-lysine with bovine colostral Fab' anti-DNP, intact anti-DNP IgG1 and rabbit IgG anti-DNP revealed a constant compensation temperature (T degrees c) of 27 degrees which might be considered as indicative of a single kind of protein-solvent conformation.


Augmented local anaphylaxis at sites of delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions.

The magnitude of passive anti-ovalbumin IgE-mediated reactions was quantified at normal skin sites and sites of tuberculin reactions in rats by measurement of induration. It was found that significantly greater immediate reactions occurred at sites of positive tuberculin reactions than at normal skin sites. The augmentation of IgE-mediated reactions was maximal in tuberculin reactions elicited 1 week after active immunization but was still significant in reactions elicited 6 weeks after immunization. The magnitude of the delayed reaction influenced the degree of augmentation of the IgE-mediated reaction observed, greater tuberculin reactions producing greater augmentation. Similar degrees of augmentation by the tuberculin reaction were observed in IgE-mediated reactions elicited 24, 48, and 72 hs after elicitation of the delayed skin test.


Macrophage phagocytic recognition sites. Demonstration of selectivity by hetero- and alloantisera.

Separate and independent phagocytic recognition sites have been identified on mouse peritoneal macrophages through the use of xenogeneic antimacrophage serum (AMS) and allogeneic anti H-2 antisera. Anti H-2d and anti H-2b antisera inhibit the binding and ingestion of opsonized erythrocytes (EA) by macrophages bearing H-2 haplotypes d and b, respectively. AMS and its F(ab')2 and Fab fragments inhibit the binding and ingestion of EA, and the ingestion but not the binding of 125I-labelled Shigella by macrophages. Neither antiserum inhibited the binding or ingestion of latex particles by macrophages. The results suggest that particulate binding to macrophages can be inhibited by two different mechanisms: a non-specific one where antibody bound to certain cell-surface antigens can mediate either directly or indirectly, and a specific interaction with Fc receptors. The possible mechanisms of non-specific antibody mediated phagocytic inhibition are discussed.


Circulating immune complexes in schistosomiasis.

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were investigated by the [125I]Clq binding test, the complement fixation test (CFT) and optical density measurement after redissolving 3% polyethylene glycol precipitates of serum from patients infected by Schistosoma mansoni. A highly significant correlation was obtained among these three techniques. More than 60% of the patients demonstrated significantly higher values than control individuals. The level of CIC was found to be higher in the mild than in the hepatosplenic form of the disease. Parasite antigen, IgG, IgM and IgE were characterized in these CIC. In experimental schistosomiasis in mice, maximum levels of CIC, evaluated by the CFT, were observed between the 40th and the 70th day of infection.


A neutrophil-dependent pathway for the generation of a neutral peptide mediator. II. Subcellular localization of the neutrophil protease.

The human neutrophil neutral peptide-generating protease was associated with the plasma membrane marker 5'-nucleotidase on sucrose density gradient centrifugation of sonicates of granule-free fractions following homogenization and velocity sedimentation. The two activities were also associated on sucrose density gradient fractionation of plasma membranes obtained by hypotonic lysis in EDTA containing buffers, a technique which minimizes aggregation. Treatment of fractions containing these enzymatic activities with 1-0 M NaCl separated the neutral peptide-generating proteasein to the eluate while leaving the 5'-nucleotidase in the pellet. Gel filtration of the solubilized neutral peptide-generating protease through Sephadex G-100 in 1-0 M NaCl demonstrated that the protease had an approximate mol. wt of 20,000 while filtration in physiological salt concentrations yielded activity only in the excluded volume. In both cases, there was complete recovery of neutral peptide-generating activity suggesting that the filtration characteristics of the protease were determined by the salt concentration. The solubilized purified protease, the whole cell sonicates, and the intact cells interacted with heat-inactivated plasma to yield the same product, a neutral peptide with a 1000 molecular weight and an isoelectric point of 7-2-7-6. The neutral peptide-generating protease in each instance was inhibited in dose-response fashion by alpha-1-antitrypsin, LBTI, and DFP. Only 30-60% of the protease sites were functional on intact cells as revealed by substrate cleavage or were available to inhibitors. The neutrophil protease which generates neutral peptide is an extrinsic plasma membrane protein with an approximate mol. wt of 20,000 which functions as an ectoenzyme.


Assay of immune cytolysis of lymphocytes and tumour cells by automatic determination of cell volume distribution.

Immune cytolysis (lysis) of cells due to the action of antibody in the presence of complement is usually substantiated by the uptake of vital dye by the cells, or by the escape of radiolabel from the cells. Immune cytolysis has now been assayed by determination of cell volume distribution with a Coulter multi-channel particle size analyser used in conjunction with a Coulter counter. For Ehrlich ascites and sarcoma-180 cells, volume degradation corresponding to vital staining was obtained only if trypsin (final concentration 625 microgram/ml) was added immediately after the usual 1 h incubation period for cells, antibody and complement. For L1210 leukaemia cells, trypsin was added at 0 degrees just 1 min before Coulter evaluation, to avoid potentiation of antibody-mediated cell lysis by trypsin. Immune cytolysis of mouse thymic, splenic and lymph node lymphocytes required addition of pronase (final concentration 625 microgram/ml) at 0 degrees for further disruption of antibody-damaged cells, prior to determination of cell volume distribution in the Coulter equipment. Scanning electron micrographs of L1210 cells undergoing immune cytolysis illustrated the changes in cell volume recorded by the Coulter apparatus. This new method for determination of immune cytolysis provides detailed information about the volume distribution of target cells, which permits detection of subtle changes and gives insight into the process of cytolysis. It is not intended to displace other procedures in routine use, except that complete automation of the present method is possible in future.


Sedative action of some substituted benzylamides.

Substituted benzylamide derivatives of amino acylamide (compound A,B,C, & D) were found to be less potent local anaesthetics than lignocaine and procaine. However, the four compounds exhibited sedation without ptosis and reduced spontaneous locomotor activity better than methaqualone. Compound A alone antagonised methylamphetamine induced hypermotor activity. The test compounds potentiated hexobarbitone induced hypnosis. Three compounds antagonised calcium induced stoppage of isolated heart of frog. Except compound C all caused a transitory fall of blood pressure in dog which was not blocked either by atropine or propranolol. These compounds showed neuromuscular blockade and possessed slight analgesic activity but were devoid of anticonvulsant and tranquillizing activity. LD 50 values were calculated to be 164.1 +/- 23.0, 229.1 +/- 51.0, 181.6 +/- 28.18 and 416+/-38.2 mg/kg for compounds A,B,C & D respectively.


Effect of centrally administered insulin on blood glucose levels in dogs.

The effects of minimal doses of insulin administered by intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intracisternal (IC) routes in mongrel dogs, on peripheral blood glucose level (BGL) have been studied. The dose of 0.1 U of insulin was found to be the minimal dose. This dose produced an immediate short lived hyperglycaemia followed by a marked and sustained hypoglycaemia. Both the effects were not observed in spinal cord transected-vagosympathectomised animals. The immediate hyperglycaemic effect was not observed in adrenalectomised animals whereas the subsequent hypoglycaemic effect did not appear only when the liver was removed. In an attempt to identify the precise site of action in the central nervous system (CNS), The cerebellomedullary angles were found to be the most sensitive sites for the action of locally applied insulin. It is suggested that insulin on central administration causes a rise in the BGL by an action on the adrenal glands and subsequently causes a marked fall in BGL by an action on the liver through some nerve fibers.


Effect of hyperthermia on glucose homeostasis in young dogs. An experimental study.

Hyperthermia was produced in healthy anaesthetized young dogs by keeping them in a theromostatically controlled chamber, and the effects on blood glucose concentration were studies. The blood glucose levels decreased significantly at body temperatures of 40.5 degrees C and 42.5 degrees C. The decrease was greater at the latter temperature. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed to study the rates of glucose utilization during hyperthermia. The calculated fractional rates of disappearance of glucose (Kt values) were found to be significantly higher in dogs having a body temperature of 42.4 degrees C. The cause of hypoglycemia produced at high body temperature seems to be due to an elevated insulin secretion which increases the over all utilization of glucose by the peripheral tissues. The study of time course of hyperglycemic response following intravenous glucose tolerance tests performed at high body temperature further support the possibility of an increase in insulin secretion in dogs subjected to hyperthermia.


Some pharmacological investigations of embelin and its semisynthetic derivatives.

Embelin, obtained from Embolin ribes was condensed with different primary amines. Depending on the conditions of reaction, disalts or diimines were formed. Ten such disalts and fourteen diimines were developed. Embelin and all its disalts showed analgesic activity whereas all the diimines derivatives were inactive. The disalt, 2:5 disobutyl amine embelin showed maximum action. Analgesic effect was noticed only after intraperitoneal administration but not after subcutaneous, intramuscular or oral administration. The compounds cause some local irritation. The possibility of peritoneal irritation rendering the animals unresponsive to experimental pain seems to deserve consideration. However, analgesic effect could be seen in dogs and cats after intravenous injection. Embelin and its disalt, 2:5 isobutyl amine embelin also exhibited antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities.


Single plane cineangiographic study of normal left ventricular volumes in human subjects.

Single plane cine angiographic estimation of left ventricular volumes in 10 Indian subjects with no evidence of left ventricular disease was carried out. The figures obtained were end diastolic volume 72.43+/-10.27 ml/M2, endsystolic volume 26.82+/-7.46 ml/M2, stroke volume 45.61+/-12.23ml/M2, ejection faction 62.30+/-10.90%. These values compare well with those already reported in literature from Western countries. No study in Indian subjects was available for comparison so far.


A pharmacological study of the effect of adrenaline, noradrenaline and acetylcholine on kidneys.

The effects of different doses of adrenaline, noradrenaline and acetylcholine administered intravenous intrarenal and intra-cerebro-ventricular routes were studied on the urine out put in dogs. The findings are correlated with the known haemodynamic actions of these neurohumors as well as their direct actions on the reabsorptive mechanisms of the renal tubules. The effects of ICV administration are possibly due to the liberation of A.D.H. from posterior pituitary.


Parasympathomimetic effects of mono sodium glutamate.

The effects of Mono sodium glutamate on smooth muscles were studied using the guinea-pig isolated ileum. Mono sodium glutamate produced spasmogenic effect. Atropine blocked the contractile response elicited by Mono sodium glutamate whereas mepyramine and hexamethonium failed to do so. These findings suggest a cholinergic involvement at post ganglionic site of action.


Dispersion of sulfamoxole in tissues of poultry.

The blood levels and tissue dispersion of sulfamoxole in poultry has been investigated. The clinical importance and public health hazards on the basis of the results obtained has been discussed.


Metallic ions as negative modifiers of cholinesterase.

Copper and Zinc have been found to be potent inhibitors of pseudo-cholinesterase of human plasma and true-cholinesterase of erythrocytes and rat brain.


Action of acetylcholine on the atropinised frog heart during the winter months.

During the winter months, high doses of acetylcholine produced positive inotropic action without any chronotropic action on the perfused atropinised frog heart, in 5 out of 24 preparations. In the remaining preparations acetylcholine failed to produce any action and positive inotropic effect of acetylcholine on these preparations was noticed if they were perfused with the medium containing excess of calcium. However, the rate remained unchanged. The positive inotropic action was blocked by the local anaesthetic amethocaine and thus may be due to increased penetration of calcium into the cardiac cell.


Gastric responses to flupenthixol, a new thioxanthene derivative in rats.

Flupenthixol, a new thioxanthene derivative, was studied for its effects on gastric secretion and gastric ulcers in rats. The compound diminished the volume of gastric secretion, decreased total acid output and protected the glandular gastric mucosa. The observations may be of clinical significance.


Polyol metabolism by a caries-conducive Streptococcus: purification and properties of a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase.

The mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH) (EC 1.1.1.17) from Streptococcus mutans strain FA-1 was purified to approximately a 425-fold increase in specific activity with a 29% recovery of total enzyme units, using a combination of (i) streptomycin sulfate and ammonium sulfate precipitation and (ii) diethyl-aminoethyl-cellulose (DE-52), agarose A 0.5M, and agarose-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) affinity column chromatography. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme preparation showed a single protein component that coincided with a band of M1PDH activity. The enzyme had a molecular weight of approximately 45,000 and was stable for long periods of time when stored at -80 degrees C in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol. Its activity was not affected by mono- or divalent cations, and high concentrations of ethylenedia-minetetraacetic acid were not inhibitory. The M1PDH catalyzed both the NAD-dependent oxidation of mannitol-1-phosphate and the reduced NAD (NADH)-dependent reduction of fructose-6-phosphate. The forward reaction was highly specific for mannitol-1-phosphate and NAD, whereas the reverse reaction was highly specific for NADH and fructose-6-phosphate. The K(m) values for mannitol-1-phosphate and NAD were 0.15 and 0.066 mM, respectively, and the K(m) values for fructose-6-phosphate and NADH were 1.66 and 0.016 mM, respectively. The forward and reverse reactions catalyzed by the M1PDH from S. mutans appeared to be under cellular control. Both adenosine 5'-triphosphate and fructose-6-phosphate were negative effectors of the forward reaction, whereas adenosine 5'-diphosphate served as a negative effector of the reverse reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.


Serial enzymatic hydrolysis of cell walls of two serotypes of yeast-form Histoplasma capsulatum with alpha(1 leads to 3)-glucanase, beta(1 leads to 3)-glucanase, pronase, and chitinase.

A serial enzymatic hydrolysis procedure for the partial lysis of Histoplasma capsulatum yeast-form cell walls was described, and  its application for the differentiation of two serotypes was evaluated. Cell walls were serially digested with alpha(1 leads to 3)-glucanase and beta(1 leads to 3)-glucanse of Cladosporium resinae, then by Pronase, and then by chitinase. The walls of serotype 1, 2, 3 (61.5% digested) were not susceptible to alpha(1 leads to 3)-glucanse, and they contained 30.3% chitin, thus identifying the strain as chemotype 1 (chem 1). Serotype 1, 4 cells walls (51.6% digested) released 27.3% as glucose after treatment with alpha(1 leads to 3)-glucanse and contained 7.8% chitin, compatible with chemotype 2 (chem 2). In addition to quantitating the monomeric products of enzymolysis, I recovered soluble nondialyzable polysaccharide from the digests of both serotypes.


Selectivity of the 2-deoxyglucose transport system in human and guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

To determine whether the deleterious action of D-galactose upon phagocyte function could be related to inhibition of glucose uptake, the properties of glucose transport were investigated by following the incorporation of [G-3H]2-deoxyglucose into human and guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Uptake of [G-3H]2-deoxyglucose by guinea pig PMN proceeded in vitro with a Km of 1.8 mM and Vmax of 0.67 nmol/min per 10(6) cells. This system was competitively inhibited by glucose and mannose but was not significantly affected by galactose, fructose, or 3-0-methylglucose. Maximal uptake of 2-deoxyglucose occurred at 41 degrees C, and phosphorylation was necessary for its intracellular concentration. Transport of 2-deoxyglucose, although not altered by uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, was sensitive to inhibitors of glycolysis. Preincubation of cells with 2 mM iodoacetate for 30 min significantly reduced the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose and the intracellular levels of adenosine-5'-triphosphate without decreasing cell viability. These results indicated that uptake of 2-deoxyglucose in guinea pig PMN occurred by facilitated diffusion with subsequent phosphorylation. Similar results were obtained with PMN isolated from human peripheral blood.


Decreased oral colonization of Streptococcus mutans during aging of Sprague-Dawley rats.

The colonization by streptomycin-resistant Streptococcus mutans strains of the teeth of conventional and ex-germfree Sprague-Dawley rats of various ages fed either a high-sucrose or a high-glucose diet was studied. Bacterial colonization occurred with increasingly greater difficulty as the rats became older. This was observed in studies of the implantation of the test organism after oral inoculation with different cell numbers as well as its transmission between infected and uninfected rats. With rat fed sucrose diet, the effect of age could not be demonstrated until they were age 3 months or older; the results from rats fed a glucose diet suggest that changes may already have occurred early after weaning. Changes in susceptibility to colonization during aging manifested themselves as a decrease in the proportions of rats which became infected as well as lower population levels in infected rats. The possible mechanism(s) involved as well as the possible significance of the findings was discussed.


Effects of cigarette smoke components on in vitro chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Some ciliostatic components of cigarette smoke were studied as inhibitors of in vitro chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In comparison to their concentration in an inhibitory level of cigarette smoke, the unsaturated aldehydes acrolein and crotonaldehyde were the most potent inhibitors, whereas nicotine, cyanide, acetaldehyde, and furfural were the next strongest inhibitors. In contrast, sulfide, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and the phenols (phenol and o-, m-, and p-cresol) were relatively weak inhibitors of PMN chemotaxis. Acrolein and crotonaldehyde mimicked whole cigarette smoke in their effects on PMNs by not causing loss of PMN viability, yet their effects were prevented by the addition of cysteine. On the other hand, addition of nicotine, cyanide, acetaldehyde, and furfural to PMN suspensions resulted in a limited loss of cellular viabilities, and their effects on PMNs were not prevented by cysteine. Of the tested components, only cyanide significantly altered PMN glucose metabolism by increasing carbon flow via the glycolytic and hexose monophosphate pathways in a manner similar to that observed with whole cigarette smoke. The results of this study suggest that the unsaturated aldehydes, including acrolein and crotonaldehyde, are major contributors to the inhibitory properties of cigarette smoke. The inhibitory effects of these unsaturated aldehydes are probably due to a direct interaction of these oxidants and/or thiol-alkylating agents with PMNs, yet the glucose metabolism of these cells is unaffected. One interpretation of these data is that PMN chemotaxis is dependent upon particular cellular proteins containing one or more essential thiol group(s) but that these proteins are unrelated to glucose metabolism.


Experimental model of corynebacterium renale pyelonephritis produced in mice.

Corynebacterium renale type I (strain 115), 1.7 X 10(7) to 4.5 X 10(7) organisms, introduced intravenously into mice disappeared from the blood less than 24 h after inoculation and did not produce pyelonephritis. The same strain, 1 X 10(7) to 5 X 10(7) organisms, inoculated into the urinary bladder of mice was not recovered from the blood in any of the mice, but caused pyelonephritis accompanied by ureteritis and cystitis in 16 of 21 (76%) mice. Pyelonephritis and cystitis in mice were histopathologically similar to those found in cows. The antibody response was observed only in the mice with pyelonephritis or pyelitis, but not in those with only cystitis or in those without lesions, as found in cows. Similar diseases were produced in mice by C. renale types II and III but less frequently than by type I. It is suggested, therefore, that mice may be useful in the study of bovine C. renale infection.


Effect of treatment with BCG on the course of visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice.

Intravenous inoculation of BCG was found to be both prophylactic and therapeutic in BALB/c mice against challenge with amastigotes of Leishmania donovani. Spleens and livers of mice inoculated with BCG maintained total parasite burdens at significantly lower levels when compared to controls. BCG administered intravenously 14 days prior to and on the same day of protozoan challenge was more protective than vaccine given 30 and 14 days prior to challenge. A level of 10(7) viable units of BCG provided more protection against challenge with parasites than did 10(6) viable units. BCG given the same route as the challenge dose of amastigotes provided more protection than if administered via some other route. BCG given to mice with an already established infection was shown to significantly reduce their parasite burdens.


Experimental animal infections with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Subcutaneous tissue cavities in mice and guinea pigs were infected with human isolates of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. The minimal infective dose for M. hominis was as low as less than 10 color-changing units (CCU) for mice and 10(2) CCU for guinea pigs. The minimal infective dose for U. urealyticum was as low as less than 10 CCU for mice and 10(4) CCU for guinea pigs. Mouse infections with either U. urealyticum or M. hominis persisted for 1 day to greater than 4 months. Guinea pigs remained infected for up to 4 weeks. Two M. hominis isolates were similar in their ability to infect subcutaneous tissue cavities but two U. urealyticum isolates varied in their ability to infect the cavities. The histopathology of the M. hominis and U. urealyticum infections was similar: an initial intense polymorphonuclear response with giant cells, followed in 4 weeks by histiocytes and giant cells with some plasma cells and lymphocytes.


Comparative study of invertases of Streptococcus mutans.

Sucrase activity was studied in 13 strains of Streptococcus mutans representing the five Bratthall serotypes. Sucrose-adapted cells have sucrase activity in the 37,000 x g-soluble fraction of all strains. The enzyme was identified as invertase (beta-d-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.26) because it hydrolyzed the beta-fructofuranoside trisaccharide raffinose, giving fructose and melibiose as its products, and because it hydrolyzed the beta-fructofuranoside dissacharide sucrose, giving equimolar glucose and fructose as its products. Invertases of c and e strains exhibit two activity peaks by molecular exclusion chromatography with molecular weights of 45,000 to 50,000 and about 180,000; those of serotypes a, b, and d strains exhibit only a single component of 45,000 to 50,000 molecular weight. The electrophoretic mobility of invertases is different between the serotypes and the same within them. Inorganic orthophosphate (P(i)) has a weak positive effect on the V(max) of invertases of serotypes c and e cells but a strong positive effect on the invertases of serotype b cells; P(i) has a strong positive effect on the apparent K(m) of the invertases of serotype d cells, but has no effect on the V(max); P(i) has a strong positive effect on both the apparent K(m) and V(max) of the invertases of serotype a cells. Thus, the invertases were different between all of the serotypes but similar within the serotypes. These findings support the taxonomic schemes of Coykendall and of Bratthall. It was additionally noted that 37,000 x g-soluble fractions of only serotypes b and c but not serotypes a, d, and e cells have melibiase activity, and it could be deduced that serotype d cells lack an intact raffinose permease system.


Heterogeneity of hepatitis B surface antigen-associated particles isolated from chimpanzee plasma.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was purified from approximately 8 liters of pooled plasma from a carrier chimpanzee. Precipitation of HBsAg with polyethylene glycol resulted in more than 20-fold purification, with about 80% recovery of antigenic activity. The sample was separated by further purification and fractionation into three populations of HBsAg-associated particles by column chromatography on hydroxylapatite: the first contained short filaments and 22- to 28-nm spheres, the second was composed of larger filaments and variable-sized spheres, and the third contained mostly 16- to 22-nm spherical particles. A large volume of the polyethylene glycol precipitate passed through hydroxyl-apatite twice yielded over 650 mg of partially purified HBsAg. A pooled preparation of purified HBsAg was separated by zone-convection electrofocusing into five peaks of antigenic activity within the pH range of 4.7 to 5.7.


Effect of zinc on peritoneal macrophages in vitro.

Rat peritoneal macrophages incubated in a medium with 10% autologous serum showed 50% inhibition of O2 consumption by 0.4 mM zinc only when activated by yeast. Zinc ions had no effect on resting macrophages. The inhibitory efficiency of zinc depended on the ratio of yeast particles to macrophages; with more activated cells, the inhibition was less. The multiple-shaped intact macrophages changed into rounded cells in the presence of 0.1 and 0.5 mM Zn2+ as shown by photomicrography and scanning electron microscopy. When the incubation medium was replaced by zinc-free medium, cells recovered and became irregularly shaped. The reversibility of zinc effect on cell morphology corresponded with uptake and release of zinc by macrophages. The presence of serum in the medium interfered with the magnitude of zinc uptake by macrophages. We conclude that besides already reported effects of zinc on mast cells, platelets, and granulocytes, zinc ions also inhibit some functions of macrophages.


Bacteriolytic activity in staphylococci.

The bacteriolytic activity of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus strains was tested with various media. Whereas S. aureus strains were found to be active under all conditions, the percentage of active S. albus strains was significantly influenced by the composition of the medium. Ionic strength and concentration of the organic nitrogen source were found to be the main factors affecting the expression of bacteriolytic activity of straphylococci. Virtually all of 318 S. aureus and 603 S. albus strains were active on a medium containing 3% peptone, 0.3% glucose, 0.2% yeast extract, 0.1% disodium phosphate, 2.2% sodium chloride and 0.9% agar. The optimal conditions for the bacteriolytic activity of S. aureus strains were different from those of most S. albus strains. Within S. albus, optimal conditions differed also from strain to strain. It is suggested that further studies on this subject may prove useful for the identification and taxonomy of staphylococci. A possible relationship between the production of extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes and pathogenic properties of staphylococci is also considered.


New models of chronic synovitis in rabbits induced by mycoplasmas: microbiological, histopathological, and immunological observations on rabbits injected with Mycoplasma arthritidis and Mycoplasma pulmonis.

A dose-dependent chronic synovitis was induced in rabbit knees after the intra-articular injection of both Mycoplasma arthritidis and Mycoplasma pulmonis. The inflammation progressed from an initial acute phase at 1 week characterized by edema, infiltration of the synovium with monocytes and heterophils, and desquamation of lining cells, to a more chronic phase at 1 and 3 months, in which villus hyperplasia, lymph "nodules," mononuclear cell infiltration, fibroplasia, and collagen deposition were prominent. With one exception, mycoplasmas could no longer be cultivated from the joints 1 month postinoculation. Both mycoplasma species evoked a humoral antibody response that was more marked in synovial fluids than in peripheral blood. A cell-mediated immune reaction, as evidence by enhanced uptake by [3H]thymidine by sensitized blood, spleen, or node lymphocytes in the presence of homologous antigen, was detected only in rabbits injected with M. pulmonis. Lymphocytes taken from arthritic rabbits were no more cytotoxic toward synovial cells derived from normal or arthritic rabbits than were normal lymphocytes. The models of synovitis described in this study offer a convenient probe for determining the mechanisms of mycoplasma-induced inflammation, since they require only a single injection of the initiating agent and, in addition, utilize an animal host large enough for detailed investigation into the nature of mycoplasma/synovium interactions.


Release of e antigen from a Dane particle-rich preparation of hepatitis B virus.

Tween 80 treatment of a Dana particle-rich pellet obtained from sera of a carrier with a hepatitis type B infection resulted in the release of e antigen.


Immunoprophylaxis of experimental Mycoplasma pneumoniae disease: effect of route of administration on the immunogenicity and protective effect of inactivated M. pneumoniae vaccine.

Formalin-inactivated Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine was administered subcutaneously or intranasally to hamsters to examine the effect of route of administration on immunogenicity and protective effect. Parenterally administered vaccine in the doses employed induced serum complement-fixing antibody formation, but did not significantly decrease the frequency of pneumonia following challenge with virulent M. pneumoniae. Intranasally instilled vaccine was ineffective in stimulating serum antibody, but did diminish the frequency of experimentally induced pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae. However, a greater degree of resistance was induced by intranasal infection with either wild-type organisms or the ts 640 attenuated mutant of M. pneumoniae.


Immunoprophylaxis of experimental Mycoplasma pneumoniae disease: effect of aerosol particle size and site of deposition of M. pneumoniae on the pattern of respiratory infection, disease, and immunity in hamsters.

The distribution of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the respiratory tract and the extent of pulmonary pathology were determined by the site of deposition and the number of organisms administered to hamsters. Infection of the upper and lower areas of the respiratory tract occurred when organisms were introduced into both areas by small-particle aerosol (2.3 micrometer) or by intranasal (i.n.) instillation of a 200-microliter inoculum. In contrast, when organisms were delivered primarily to the upper respiratory tract by large-particle aerosol (8 micrometer) or by i.n. instillation of a small volume of inoculum (2 or 20 microliter), infection remained limited to this area in most or all instances. When the lungs became infected after i.n. administration of a 200-microliter inoculum, the most extensive pulmonary lesions were seen in the animals given the largest number of organisms. Each of the modes of administration of M. pneumoniae initiated an infection which conferred measurable resistance to a subsequent challenge capable of inducing extensive pulmonary disease. The most effective resistance was induced by the two modes of administration which produced an infection involving the entire respiratory tract, i.e., small-particle aerosol or i.n. instillation of a 200-microliter inoculum.


Immunogenicity of random polymers of l-glutamic acid, l-alanine and l-tyrosine in inbred hamsters.

The random terpolymer GAT has been found to be immunogenic in hamsters whereas the random copolymers GA or GT were found to be nonimmunogenic. Although no immune responses to GA or GT could be elicited, the anti-GAT antibody response contained populations inhibited specifically by GA, GT and poly-G. These data suggest that in hamsters, recognition of GAT occurs via determinants which are not present in GA or GT.


Killer cell (K) activity in human normal lymph node, regional tumour lymph node and inflammatory lymph node.

Human normal lymph nodes, irrespective of their anatomical site of origin, have a low K cell activity, which may not be detected except with the appropriate target cell and at high lymphocyte to target cell ratios (100:1). This very low killer cell activity is also found in all the homolateral axillary nodes of patients with clinical stage I and II carcinoma of the breast and in the regional draining nodes of a variety of solid tumours, whether small and localized or large and with extensive spread. In all cases proximity to the tumour and obious hyperplastic changes in the nodes have no modifying effect. This pattern of minimal reactivity is similarly found with tonsillar lymphocytes and with nodes draining inflammatory foci. The Fc and C3 receptors on surface membranes are dectected with ease, and pretreatment of lymphocytes by incubation, washing and enzymatic treatment fail to alter their reactivity, thus excluding effector cell inhibition by immune complexes. The killer cell activity of lymphocytes from the blood of breast tumor patients is similar to the activity of lymphocytes from healthy controls.


Solid phase radioimmunoassay for quantitating anti-HBs in hepatitis B immune globulin.

A solid phase radioimmunoassay was used to quantitate the antibody in hepatitis B immune globulin. Polystyrene tubes coated with HBsAg were incubated with several dilutions of trace-labeled immune globulin, and the specific uptake was measure. Resulting data could be used to obtain the total antibody concentration in micrograms per milliliter as well as the intrinsic binding constant and index of heterogeneity.


IgG anti-gamma-globulin factor in rheumatoid arthritis sera detected by mixed agglutination test.

In mixed agglutination tests with patient's sera and sensitized sheep erythrocytes on a glass slide, IgG rheumatoid factor was dected in 15 of 30 rheumatoid arthritis, 3 of 4 progressive systemic sclerosis and 1 of 3 systemic lupus erythematosus sera as well as in 3 of 4 synovial fluids of rheumatoid patients but in none of 10 normal sera. The IgG nature of this factor was confirmed by demonstrating this factor in IgG fractions of positive sera eluted from DEAE-cellulose and its insensitivity to mercaptoethanol.


Studies on adsorption by tumor tissue of erythrocytes sensitized by IgG antibodies.

Cryostat sections of methylcholanthrene-induced murine tumors were previously shown to adsorb erythocytes sensitized by subagglutinating concentrations of antierythocyte antibodies. This type of hemadsorption was seen also with sections of normal murine spleen. It was shown in the present study that immune complexes composed of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and rabbit anti-BSA serum, or human IgG and mouse anti-human IgG serum inhibit adsorption of sensitized erythocytes by tumor and spleen sections. Maximum inhibition was produced by complexes formed at excess of antigen. In contrast inhibition was not seen with complexes formed at equivalence. In addition, heat-aggregated human IgG, but not monomeric human IgG, inhibited hemadsorption by tumor tissue. Anti-BSA, antihuman IgG, BSA or human IgG alone did not produce significant inhibition. These results support the contention that murine tumor cell and lymphocytes have similar Fc receptors on their surface. The implication that the nonspecific attachment of immune complexes to the tumor cells and lymphocytes may alter the immunological response of the host to the tumor is discussed.


Biologic activity of transfer factor tested in vitro with cord blood lymphocytes.

Cord blood lymphocytes, generally believed to be immunologically uncommitted, were used for investigating the possible conversion by transfer factor (TF) of non-immune to immune lymphocytes in vitro. TF was prepared from pooled buffy coats of normal blood bank donors by ultrafiltration and lyophilization, and it ability to influence lymphocyte transformation was assessed by measuring increases in 3H-thymidine uptake into DNA after stimulation with purified protein derivative of tuberculin and/or streptokinase-streptodornase in 23 experiments with cord blood and 15 adult controls. TF stimulated cord blood lymphocytes nonspecifically when added to the medium alone. In the presence of antigen, TF acted in a synergistic, antigen-dependent way with either amplifying or inhibitory effects in adult good responders. These effects were negligible in adult low responders and in cord blood. From our observations no specific conversion of lymphocytes by TF in vitro can be deduced.


HLA antigens and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

HLA antigens (27 HLA alleles of the A and B loci) were determined in 20 subjects of the same family, covering three generations; 6 of them were suffering from hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. The haplotype HLA A2, Bw17 was found in all the sufferers. The same haplotype was not found in clinically health members except two of the generation III, but a visceral angiomatosis without clinical evidence cannot be excluded. An association of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with the haplotype HLA A2, Bw17 can be suspected in this family.


HLA antigens and erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in Sardinia.

The frequency of 17 HLA antigens from locus A and locus B has been evaluated by microlymphocytotoxicity test in a population of 233 subjects (157 normal and 76 with deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6PD]in red cells) from a village of Sardinia, a mediterranean island relatively close to continental Italy. It appears that G-6-PD-deficient people show a frequency of some HLA antigens (A2, A10, B12, BW35) significatively different from normal Sardinian subjects but close to (A10, BW35) or higher (A2, B12) than that of subjects from peninsular Italy.


A new allergen from the perienteric fluid of Ascaris suum with respect to charges.

A NEW ALLERGEN WITH PI in the 6.0 region was obtained from the perienteric fluid of Ascaris suum through isoelectric focusing techniques. This new allergen shows strong allergenicity, at a concentration of 10(-9) microgram/ml, in rats passively sensitized with the reaginic antiserum produced against Ascaris perienteric fluid.


Effect of phenytoin on the immune response in rabbits.

Rabbits treated with phenytoin in various ways, were immunized with human serum or with sheep erythrocytes. The antibody response in rabbits injected with the antigen mixed with phenytoin differed distinctly from the response obtained in animals having received the antigen alone or mixed with diluent. The effect of phenytoin on the antibody response depended on the nature of the antigen. The response to some antigens was suppressed, to some potentiated, and to some potentiated in the early phase and then suppressed. The effect comprised both IgM and IgG responses. Skin hypersensitivity tests did not reveal any effect on the cellular immune response. These findings may explain why particularly IgA is affected in patients taking phenytoin by the oral route, and why either reduction or elevation of IgA may occur.


Relationship between mitogenic factor and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation during guinea pig immune response to KLH.

Lymphocyte stimulation and production of the lymphokine mitogenic factor (MF) in response to specific in vitro challenge were studied in parallel using lymphocytes from animals sensitized with different doses of keyhole limpet haemocyanin at various times after sensitization. Overall, agreement between the two assays of cellular response was good. However, examination of the antigen dose-response characteristics in each experimental situation revealed dissociation in some cultures. Blood leucocyte responses developed later than those of lymph node cells. The latter gave good MF but were poorly stimulated at day 60, when both responses were maximal for blood leucocytes, indicating a possible redistribution of responsive cells from the nodes to the blood. Treatment of guinea pigs with cyclophosphamide affected lymphocyte stimulation to a greater extent than MF production. Only a part of the antigen-induced stimulation of lymph node cells could be attributed to MF elicited in culture.


Norepinephrine uptake in guinea pig lung. Effects of anaphylaxis, phenoxybenzamine and cocaine.

Lungs from control and sensitized guinea pigs were perfused via the pulmonary artery with Tyrode's solution. Infusion of equimolar concentrations (3x10(-9) to 3x10(-6 M) of 3H-1-norepinephrine (NE) and 14C-urea was started 1 min after injection of 1 ml 0.9% NaCl or 50 mg ovalbumin in 1 ml 0.9% NaCl and continued for 15 min. Anaphylactic lungs retained more urea, NE, and NE metabolites than control lungs at all NE concentrations and the proportion of unchanged NE was higher. Phenoxybenzamine decreased the 3H/14C ratio due to decreased 3H accumulation. Cocaine affected predominantly the control lungs. The results indicate that anaphylaxis increased the net uptake of NE in the lung and decreased the metabolism of retained NE.


Platelet migration inhibition test for platelet antibodies. Parameters and simplified methodology.

A simplified methodology and parameters associated with the performance of a platelet migration inhibition test for the detection of antiplatelet-associated antibodies is described.


Mast cell numbers and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in irradiated mice.

IgE antibody levels in irradiated mice immunized with primed spleen cells are significantly higher than those measured in actively immunized intact mice. The possible role of mast cells in this elevated IgE response was assessed by the enumeration of mast cells and by determining their capacity to give rise to passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reactions in the skin of irradiated mice. The number of mast cells was found to be not significantly depleted over a period of 11 days by the irradiation doses used. Furthermore, the capacity of these mast cells to give PCA reactions was unimpaired. Radiation effects on mast cells in adoptively immunized mice therefore do not contribute to the high IgE levels observed in such animals.


Effect of aluminium hydroxide gel on the secondary response in mice.

The necessity of using A1(OH)3 gel as an adjuvant in the IgE secondary response to a low dose of ovalbumin in mice was studied. Our results demonstrated that a good secondary response can be obtained independent of the presence of A1(OH)3 gel.


Assessment of the older person in the community.

The Cross-National Geriatric Community study is being conducted by the United States-United Kingdom Cross-National Project. Semi-structured interviews have been completed with over 850 community residents over the age of sixty-five years randomly selected from the metropolitan regions of New York and London. The assessment techniques described in this section may be of interest not only to other research workers conducting geriatric community surveys but also to health professionals concerned with the clinical examination of the older ambulatory patient and the early detection and appropriate referral of the need for health and social services.


Loss of specific natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity with absorption of natural antibodies from serum.

When effector cells from most individuals are tested directly against a number of target cells for cell-mediated cytotoxicity, most of the reactivity is non-selective. This apparent non-selectiveness is a result of specific activity against multiple antigens on target cells by each effector suspension. The specific reactions can be demonstrated through competitive inhibition of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The specific inhibition of cytotoxicity by competitor cells directed our attention toward the determination of specificity to the effector cell surface. Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity was decreased when effector cells were treated with proteolytic enzymes or low pH and regained when these cells were incubated in serum, suggesting an antibody on cell surfaces of the effector cell. Reconstitution of trypsinized effector cells with absorbed serum resulted in selective loss of cytotoxicity against the absorbing cell. To determine the role of the effector cell and the role of antibodies in natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity, effector cells from two different persons were reconstituted in the same absorbed sera. The selective pattern achieved was similar. When effector cells from the same individual were reconstituted with two different sera absorbed in the same way, the selective pattern achieved showed greater differences. We concluded that natural antibodies loosely attached to effector cells provided the specificity of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity.


Assessment of mental health and social problems during multiple friendly visits: the development and evaluation of a friendly visiting program for the isolated elderly.

The Friendly Visitor Program was designed to reduce social isolation. Visits were made by a pair of trained visitors to twenty-three isolated, elderly New York City residents. Pre- and post-testing visits to experimental and control Ss collected data on measures of isolation, adjustment, cognitive impairment and mental state. The major procedure was an hour long structured visit every two weeks for six months and a six month follow-up. For the experimental group only apartment upkeep and mental state improved and isolation diminished at the time of follow-up, indicating friendly visiting probably was therapeutic.


Evaluation study of the exploratory visit: an innovative outreach activity of the ILGWU's friendly visiting program.

The exploratory visit to recent retirees, an outreach component of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union Friendly Visiting Program, was evaluated during a ten month period beginning in September 1973. An operations analysis found that need identifying activities of Friendly Vistors by type of service need. A post-test only control group effect study revealed exploratory visits were effective in establishing a link between the program and the retiree although they had no significant impact on the retirees' service needs.


K cell mediated lysis of cultured colon carcinoma and urinary bladder carcinoma cells induced by monospecific antisera against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and two CEA-related normal glycoproteins.

Antibody dependent lymphocyte (K cell) mediated lysis of tumor cells in vitro was used to assay for cell surface associated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and two CEA-related normal tissue components, "normal glycoprotein" (NGP) and biliary glycoprotein I (BGP I). Three tumor cell lines were used as target cells. These were HT-29, colon carcinoma, T-24, urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma and Mel-1, malignant melanoma. To induce lysis we used the IgG-fraction of specific rabbit and monkey anti-CEA sera and of specific rabbit anti-NGP and anti-BGP I sera, respectively. Purified human lymphocytes were used as effector cells. HT-29 was efficiently killed by low concentrations of rabbit anti-CEA and less efficiently by monkey anti-CEA. T-24 and Mel-1 were not lysed by anti-CEA, HT-29 and T-24 were lysed by low concentrations of anti-BGP I. In contrast only HT-29 was lysed by anti-NGP. Only a fraction of the tumor cells was killed by the different antisera although kinetic studies showed that the lytic reaction was complete well before the end of the eighteen hour incubation period used in the assay. Anti-CEA and anti-BGP I gave 30-40% corrected lysis of HT-29. With anti-NGP the corresponding figure was 10-20%.