[Mutants of the plaque microbe defective in the dark repair system].

The mutants of plague bacteria deficient in dark repair are described. They are sensitive to UV, mitomycin C, polymixin. Mutants have lost the ability to host cell reactivation in phage T7. The data obtained have shown that the addition of caffeine to the plating medium used to assay post-irradiation viability of UV-sensitive mutants did not influence the survival. Data are also given concerning virulence determinants, biochemical and other properties. The mutants formed P- colonies on hemine medium and Ca+ cells on Higuchi-Smith medium. They are avirulent for albino mice.


[Effect of gamma-irradiation on human chromosomes. VIII. Cytogenetic effect of low doses during in vitro irradiation].

Cultures of human lymphocytes obtained from blood of healthy adult donors were irradiated at different doses of gamma-rays (60Co), and irradiated cells were analysed at metaphase in 50 hours after the irradiation. The effect (total yield of aberrations of chromosome type, or total yield of exchange type aberrations) produced by the lowest dose (5 r) appears to be statistically significant in a sample of 1500 cells. Within usual dose-range (25--400 r) both parabolic and linear-quadratic equations give a satisfactory fit of experimental data (dicentrics, fragments, or all aberration of the chromosome type). Low doses of gamma-rays produce, however, more aberrations than expected, if one extrapolates dose-effect curves from higher doses. Both equations should be considered therefore just as empirical equations. Dicentrics show a plateau at low doses (10--30 r) which appear to be statistically significant. Some indications are obtained that the total number of chromosome-type aberrations is a more reliable criterion of cytogenetic damage than usually accepted yield of dicentrics and rings.


[Method of computer processing of genealogic material].

The essential moments of the computer algorithms - a construction of pedigree patterns and determination of inbreeding coefficients - are described. The main attention is given to the field material prossesing for the computer system. The common program is composed to three subprograms: pedigree construction, F estimation and evaluation of information quantity concerning the ancestors. The principal algorithms of the pedigree subprogram is based on computations of a parents computer adress from the proband's code. Such a run is repeated from generation to generation, until the information of ancestors comees to zero. Common ancestors for Wright's inbreeding estimation have been found by sorting out and comparison of husband's and wife's ancestors. The inbreeding coefficient has been formed as the kinship coefficient of parents.


[Wooly hair].

Two cases of wooly hair are described. Genealogical studies of the first proband has revealed that the trait is directly transmitted in six generations. The ratio of persons with wooly hair to those with normal hair in this pedigree was 18:14, rohile sex ratio was 1:1. This is in concordance with the autosome dominant type of inheritance. Another proband's parents and other relatives had normal hair. His psychic and physical development was normal. The case is treated as a new mutation of the trait.


Body weight change over the life span and longevity for C57BL/6J mice and mutations which differ in maximal body weight.

Body weights were obtained monthly for mutant groups with the C57BL/6J genetic background which differ in body weight (bg, c,J Ay, ob), and for a control group (C57BL/6J) (n = 16, N = 80). The mean longevity was significantly lower for all mutant groups compared with the mean longevity of the control group. Although obese mice (ob) had a shorter life span than other mutant groups, mice which also attained a very high body weight (yellow, Ay) did not differ significantly in longevity from thin mutant mice. Moreover, peak body weight was positively correlated with longevity for all mouse groups. All mouse groups showed a terminal decline in body weight except the albino group which gained weight throughout life. In general, long-lived mice obtained a greater terminal weight loss than short-lived mice within groups. The major finding of this study was that within each group there was a negative relationship obtained between growth rate and longevity.


Ageing in Drosophila and Orgel's hypothesis.

Some experimental results of Drosophila studies concerning ageing and the Orgel hypothesis are reviewed. In the light of existing data, it is concluded that the mechanism proposed by Orgel's hypothesis cannot be an important cause of ageing in Drosophila.


Considerations on the role of aspartic acid racemization in the aging process.

Racemization of aspartyl residues in human dentine and enamel proteins has been shown to occur at a rate which corresponds to an enrichment in the D-aspartic acid content of 0.1% per year. This rate can be used to calculate the ages of living people or the in vivo lifetimes of slowly turned over proteins. We present stereochemical arguments for conformational changes in proteins as a consequence of racemized amino acid residues. In metabolically stable proteins, this phenomenon may play some part in the aging process. In renewed proteins, where certain factors may accelerate racemization, conformational changes induced by racemization could regulate protein degradation.


L-tryptophan administration in L-dopa-induced hallucinations in elderly Parkinsonian patients.

L-tryptophan (L-T) was added at a dose of 150-450 mg daily to eight Parkinsonian patients who developed visual hallucinations with paranoidal features under L-dopa (L-D) treatment (112.5-75 mg daily) in combination with alpha-methyldopa hydrazine (12.5-75 mg daily). In six patients L-T ameliorated the symptomatology by arresting the visual paranoidal hallucinations or diminishing their frequency and relieving the psychomotor agitation. As a 'side effect', L-T produced new 'pleasurable', 'LSD-like' visual images in three patients. In two patients, in whom L-T did not affect the mental disturbances, amelioration was obtained only by phenothiazines. Theoretical considerations on the role of dopamine in the genesis of visual hallucinations and mental disturbances emphasizes the benefit of L-T administration in this 'organomental' syndrome.


Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT). The misdiagnosed atrial arrhythmia of old age.

The clinical and electrocardiographic features of multifocal atrial tachycardia are described and illustrated by nine examples. It is almost entirely seen in later life and is often misdiagnosed as atrial fibrillation. It is associated with a high mortality and the majority of the cases described here reverted to sinus rhythm. Little attention has been so far paid to this important arrhythmia in the elderly in standard textbooks of cardiology. The literature is reviewed and management discussed. It is not a rare supreventricular tachycardia in the aged and many examples may be not diagnosed. It merits further study in relation to unanswered questions.


Changes in cell membranes during aging.

Age-related changes in the morphology and composition of mammalian membranes are reviewed. Certain age-related changes in the functional character of mammalian membranes are highlighted. The need for integrated studies of membrane changes during aging is discussed.


The growth velocity prediction using the sampled-transfer-function.

The feasibility of using the sampled-transfer-function to predict the magnitude of peak velocity of human body height was investigated. A sampled-transfer-function for longitudinal growth data was established utilizing the input-output concept in system theory and the z-transform. A computer program was written to generate the predicted circumpubertal height velocities of an individual using his prepubertal height velocities as an input. The predicted results were compared with the actual results of 25 males selected from the Denver growth sample. The predicted magnitude of peak velocity for each individual using the transfer function was significantly better than the one using the mean valu


Influence of chronic undernutrition on oxygen consumption of rats during exercise.

Endurance swimming times and oxygen comsumption during strenuous exercise were measured in age-paired undernourished rats. The animals received restricted or unrestricted amounts of 27, 15 or 8% casein diets for 10 weeks. Endurance times of energy-restricted animals were similar to that of controls, despite a two-fold weight difference. Endurance time of the protein-restricted group (8% casein) was longer than that of any other group, including energy-restricted groups identical in weight. Oxygen consumption of the protein-restricted group during a non-endurance swim was significantly greater than any of the other groups, but was the same as that of the other undernourished groups during the endurance swin. Oxygen consumption by all undernourished groups was higher than that of controls during the endurance swim. Results of the endurance swimming tests show that restriction of protein or energy intake may influence exercise performance differently and that differences in work performance cannot be explained by differences in body weight. Measurements of oxygen consumption during swimming suggests that the differences in performance are related to altered metabolic requirements resulting from the dietary restrictions.


Concanavalin A induced inhibition of cell migration in African green monkey kidney cell cultures.

The effect of concanavalin A (con A) on the mobility of Vero cells into cell free gaps is examined. The movement of cells into these wounds is inhibited by a 30 minute exposure of con A at a concentration of 12.5 ug/ml. The effects of con A on the mobility are dependent on the concentration of the lectin used for treatment as well as the total amount of time the cells are exposed to a given concentration. The con A inhibition is abrogated by alpha-methyl-mannose. The competitive effects of con A inhibition and serum migration stimulation factors are examined. Treatment of the monolayer prior to wounding inhibits as effectively as treatment after wounding, indicating that residual con A on the bed of the wound which the cells cross is not responsible for the demonstrated inhibition.


Regional variations in cell proliferation and matrix formation in the cartilaginous nasal septum of the rat. [3H]-Thymidine and [35S]-sulfate incorporation studies.

The anterior, middle and posterior regions of the cartilaginous nasal septum were studied using [3H]-thymidine and [35S]-sulfate incorporation. Varying intensity in both cell proliferation and matrix formation were found at different developmental stages. Taking the whole experimental period under consideration (from 0-21 days) the greatest proliferative activities were found in the anterior and posterior regions respectively, whereas the greatest activities in matrix formation were found in the middle and posterior regions (cpm [3H]-thymidine/DNA and cpm [35S]-sulfate/DNA). An increase in proliferation was followed shortly after by an increase in matrix formation.


The protective action of zinc against the deleterious effects of cadmium in the regenerating forelimb of the adult newt, Notophthalmus viridescens.

Forelimbs of adult male newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) were amputated and immediately dipped in cadmium nitrate for 2 minutes; in addition, some of the newts were injected with zinc chloride 24 hours prior to, or 24 hours after amputation. Dipping the amputated forelimb of a newt in a solution of 0.4 M cadmium nitrate completely inhibited or retarded regeneration throughout the 65 days of observation. Other effects of cadmium administration included erythema of the limb, an extensive protrusion of the humerus, and in some cases atypical differentiation of regenerates. When zinc chloride was injected (0.04 mg/g of body weight) intraperitoneally into the newt 24 hours prior to limb amputation and cadmium dipping, the deleterious effects of cadmium treatment were prevented and normal regeneration occurred. When zinc chloride was administered 24 hours after amputation and cadmium dipping, it gave no protection against the cadmium. It is suggested that cadmium might inhibit regeneration through the inactivation of zinc metalloenzymes as a result of an exchange of cadmium for zinc. Zinc chloride administered to newts prior to cadmium treatment may prevent the replacement of zinc by cadmium.


Postprandial serum bile acids in healthy man. Evidence for differences in absorptive pattern between individual bile acids.

The serum concentrations of cholic acid (C), chenodeoxycholic acid (CD), and deoxycholic acid (D) before and after a standardised meal were determined in five healthy female subjects using a highly specific and accurate gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique. The C level rose significantly 60 minutes after the meal, reached a peak after 90 minutes, and had returned to the original level after 150 minutes. In contrast, the serum concentrations of CD and D displayed a significant rise by 30 minutes, reached a peak after 90 minutes, but had not returned to fasting levels after 150 minutes. The serum bile acid responses after a meal suggest that there is considerable absorption of dihydroxy bile acids in the proximal small intestine in man.


Percutaneous cholangiography with the Okuda needle.

Percutaneous cholangiography with the Okuda needle was performed in 42 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. Six had intrahepatic cholestasis. The technique demonstrated the biliary anatomy in 41 patients and the radiological diagnosis was confirmed by laparotomy, necropsy, or liver biopsy. There were no significant complications. Laparotomy, when indicated, was performed earlier in the course of the jaundice and it was avoided in seven patients. Precise knowledge of the site of the obstruction was of great help to the surgeon. We believe that this technique represents an important advance in the management of the jaundiced patient.


Calcitonin and exocrine pancreatic secretion in man: inhibition of enzymes stimulated by CCK-pancreozymin, caerulein, or calcium--no response to vagal stimulation.

The effect of calcitonin on human pancreatic secretion was studied under various conditions of stimulation. During administration of both secretin plus cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) or secretin plus caerulein, enzyme secretion was promptly reduced by an infusion of calcitonin of more than 50%. In contrast, vagally stimulated enzyme secretion induced by insulin-hypoglycaemia or carbamyl-choline was not altered against a background infusion of calcitonin in comparison with control experiments. Calcium-induced enzyme secretion was abolished by additional calcitonin infusion which also prevented an increase in serum calcium. On the other hand, additional high grade calcium infusion did not modify the inhibitory action of calcitonin on enzyme output stimulated by secretin and CCK-PZ. Secretion of fluids and bicarbonate remained unaffected by calcitonin in all experimental conditions, whereas the outputs of calcium and magnesium paralleled generally the changes in enzymes. It is suggested that calcitonin interferes with hormonemediated stimulation of the acinar cells without influencing cholinergic mechanisms. The inhibitory action of calcitonin on enzyme secretion does not appear to be mediated by a depletion of extracellular calcium in the pancreatic tissue by calcitonin.


Exocrine pancreatic response to the venom of the scorpion, Tityus trinitatis.

This paper records for the first time the exocrine pancreatic response to scorpion venom, in this case that of Tityus trinitatis, a scorpion endemic in Trinidad. The crude venom injected intravenously into fasting anaesthetised dogs induced a secretion of the exocrine pancreas. The secretion evoked was rich in enzymes.


Outcome of gastric carcinoma detected by gastric mass survey in Japan.

The outcome was studied of gastric carcinoma found in six selected mass survey groups. One-hundred-and-thirty-seven cases of gastric carcinoma were detected and followed-up postoperatively for 16 years at the longest. They consisted of 55 cases of early and 74 of advanced carcinoma with eight cases of unknown depth of involvement. Early carcinoma amounted to 42-6% of the cases with known depth of involvement. The relative five-year and 10-year survival rates calculated by the method of Ederer et al. (1961) in the 137 cases were 0-628 and 0-642, respectively, and those for early carcinoma were 0-959 and 1-016. These survival rates are remarkably high. The five-year survival rate in those who were followed-up after operation for more than five years (83 cases) was 0-554, which is much higher than that of the outpatient cases, who presented themselves for medical advice with some symptoms. The good prognosis is largely explained by a high incidence of early gastric carcinoma in the cases detected in the mass survey. Where methods of screening were concerned, the use of the gastrocamera markedly improved the detection rate of gastric carcinoma.


Electrical assessment of functional lactase activity in conscious man.

Using an electrical technique for measuring transjejunal potential differences (PDs) in conscious man, we have estimated the electrogenic absorption of the hexoses liberated by hydrolysis of lactose which was infused into the jejunum of one normal control and 21 patients with diarrhoea. The results were compared with jejunal lactase levels determined from biopsy specimens taken from the recording site immediately after infusion. The PD evoked by 100 mM lactose was very significantly lower in patients with lactase levels below 4 units (lactase deficient) compared with subjects with normal lactase levels. There was also a significant correlation (r = 0.87, P less than 0.005) between the magnitude of the lactose potential (expressed as the ratio of the maximum glucose transfer potential) and the mucosal lactase level in the hypolactasic subjects but not in patients with normal lactase levels. Thus, in the subjects with lactase deficiency, the electrogenic transfer of hexose is clearly limited by the rate of lactose hydrolysis. Unlike other assessments of functional lactase activity, the electrical test provides a specific index of jejunal function and, moreover, can be adapted to investigate the possible disorders of small intestinal motility and secretion associated with hypolactasia.


Selective IgA deficiency and Crohn's disease: report of two cases.

Two patients are described with Crohn's disease and selective IgA deficiency. Serum IgA was undetectable in each case, and immunoperoxidase studies of the lamina propria showed a gross diminution of IgA-bearing plasma cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes, however, showed normal numbers of IgA-bearing lymphocytes. The typical clinical course and histology in these two patients suggest that IgA-mediated responses in the mucosa are not involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.


IgA class reticulin antibodies in relatives of patients with coeliac disease.

IgA class reticulin antibodies were not found in patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and hiatus hernia despite a significant incidence of IgG class reticulin antibodies. None of 56 normal healthy subjects was positive. In contrast, 13 (76%) of the sera from 17 patients with coeliac disease on normal diet were positive for IgA class antibodies as were 19 (20%) of 93 first degree relatives. Seventy-three relatives underwent jejunal biopsy. Grade III (flat) histology was found in 13 and, of these patients, 10 (77%) showed IgA class reticulin antibody in their serum. It is suggested that determination of IgA class reticulin antibodies was a useful test to determine which relative must be biopsied.


Internal sphincter and the nature of haemorrhoids.

Internal anal sphincter activity has been studied in 84 patients with haemorrhoids and 40 asymptomatic subjects. Activity was estimated by measuring maximum resting anal pressure with a water filled anal balloon probe 7 mm in diameter connected to a strain gauge pressure transducer. There was greater activity of the internal sphincter in patients with haemorrhoids than in controls, but there was no significant relationship between sphincter activity and duration of symptoms, predominant symptom (bleeding or prolapse), severity of symptoms, history of pain, history of straining at stool, or size of haemorrhoids. Straining at stool occurred significantly more often in patients whose main complaint was prolapse than in those whose main complaint was bleeding. Anal dilatation reduced sphincter activity and the best clinical results were obtained in those with the most active sphincter. An internal sphincter abnormality may be an aetiological factor in some patients but there must be other factors as well. Straining at stool may determine whether bleeding or prolapse is the predominant symptom.


Sphincter denervation in anorectal incontinence and rectal prolapse.

Biopsies of the external anal sphincter, puborectalis, and levator ani muscles have been examined in 24 women and one man with long-standing anorectal incontinence, 18 of whom also had rectal prolapse, and in two men with rectal prolapse alone. In 16 of the women anorectal incontinence was of unknown cause, but in eight there was a history of difficult labour. Similar biopsies were examined in six control subjects. In all the incontinent patients there was histological evidence of denervation, which was most prominent in the external anal sphincter muscle biopsies, and least prominent in the levator ani muscles. Myopathic features, which were thought to be secondary, were present in the more abnormal biopsies. There were severe histological abnormalities in small nerves supplying the external anal sphincter muscle in the three cases in which material was available for study. We suggest that idiopathic anorectal incontinence may be the result of denervation of the muscles of the anorectal sling, and of the anal sphincter mechanism. This could result from entrapment or stretch injury of the pudendal or perineal nerves occurring as a consequence of rectal descent induced during repeated defaecation straining, or from injuries to these nerves associated with childbirth.


Effect of capsaicin on electrical slow waves in the isolated cat colon.

Because of the laxative effect of capsaicin, we examined the effect of that agent on the electromyogram of the isolated cat colon. At a concentration of 10(-4)M, it caused a significant reduction in the frequency of the electrical slow waves in the proximal half of the colon. Frequency fell to its lowest value, 45% of control (P less than 0-001), in the most proximal 10% of the organ below the ileocecal junction, and the effect progressively diminished along the colon. In the distal half of the colon, the change in frequency was not significant. Sectioning of the colon into segments reduced the frequency of the slow waves in the proximal half of the colon, and capsaicin, in a concentration of 10(-4)M, further reduced the frequency in the segments representing the proximal 30% of the colon. This effect of capsaicin is like that reported previously with other laxative agents.


Carbohydrate content of endoscopic gastric biopsies in carcinoma of the stomach.

An investigation of the glycoproteins of gastric mucus from biopsies of patients with gastric cancer has shown a change in certain carbohydrate components. There is a significant increase (P less than 0-001) in mannose and a significant decrease in N-acetylgalactosamine in both secretors and non-secretors from cancer-free and cancer-bearing regions of the stomach as compared with normal stomachs. The possible reasons for this change and its relation to two possible glycoprotein fractions are discussed.


Sexual problems among married ileostomists. Survey conducted by The Ileostomy Association of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Ileostomy Association of Great Britain and Ireland has conducted a survey to assess the incidence and nature of sexual problems among a one in 10 sample of its membership. The analysis was restricted to married ileostomists; of those aged up to 45 years at the time of operation 16% had married and 23% had had children after the operation. The majority had adapted well to the ileostomy, and this appeared true also for the spouse. However, 12% of those who replied ascribed marital tension, unhappiness, or even separation, to the presence of the stoma. There was no evidence of sexual dysfunction from the construction of an ileostomy without rectal excision. After rectal excision nearly one-third of men reported sexual dysfunction, the frequency and severity of which was related to the age at operation. Up to the age of 45, one of 88 men developed complete erectile impotence and 17 partial dysfunction; over this age five of 30 men developed complete and 11 partial erectile impotence. One-third of women reported some dyspareunia after rectal excision.


Colonoscopy and bacteraemia.

A prospective study was performed on 35 patients undergoing colonoscopy. Aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures before, during and after the investigation failed to demonstrate bacteraemia in any instance.


Fractures of the phalanges of the hand.

A retrospective study has been made of 100 unselected adult finger fractures and a smaller group of similar injuries in children. The principles of treatment are reviewed, a simple practical classification of finger fractures suggested, and the treatment of each type described.


Dupuytren's disease--initial symptoms, age of onset and spontaneous course.

647 men and 254 women with Dupuytren's disease of the hands were questioned about how, where and when the disease had started. Usually the disease started in the right hand, and nodules in the ulnar part of the palm were the first symptom in 90%. In 10% of the cases with bilateral disease, it started simultaneously in both hands. One woman and two men noticed the first symptom before 10 years of age. In about 50% of the men, the disease started between 40-59 years of age (women 40-69 years). In men the contracture increased rather constantly during the first twenty years, followed by a stationary phase from about 20 to thirty-five years of duration, whereafter it definitely decreased. In women the disease increased gradually with the duration of the disease.


Scintiangiographic demonstration of bleeding into a wrist ganglion.

Scintiangiography with delayed static scintiphotos may be used to demonstrate bleeding. Bleeding into a traumatic ganglion of the wrist was demonstrated by this technique following failure of conventional contrast arteriography. Scintiangiography with delayed scintiphotography is now performed in any case in which bleeding is suspected.


Sub-ungual malignant melanoma presenting as sub-acute paronychia following trauma.

A woman presenting with a history of trauma to her thumb, apparently followed by sub-acute paronychia, is subsequently shown to have primary malignant melanoma at the site. The case serves as a reminder that wolves can appear in sheep's clothing.


Vacuum splintage of the hand.

As a result of a previous trial in which factors influencing swelling of the hand after fasciectomy were studied it was found that unacceptable oedema occurred in hands elevated in a roller towel by night and a high sling by day. An alternative system of elevation in a vacuum splint was investigated and found to reduce post-operative oedema. The advantages and disadvantages of the vacuum splint in the management of the hand after surgery or injury are discussed.


An unusual cause of ulnar nerve palsy associated with Colles's fracture.

An unusual case of traumatic neuritis of ulnar nerve associated with Colles's fracture is described. The ulnar nerve had the abnormal course in the lower forearm and wrist. The fracture of the styloid process of the ulna was responsible for the traumatic neuritis of the ulnar nerve.


The abductor digiti minimi muscle flap.

The problems of extensive scarring involving the median and ulnar nerves at the wrist are discussed. Possible methods of separating the dermal cicatrix from the nerves are skin flaps or muscle flaps. A case is presented in which an abductor digiti minimi muscle flap was used. The reasons for this choice are discussed and the technique described.


Cut palmaris longus tendon--to repair or not to repair?

It is suggested in certain circumstances, that a divided palmaris longus tendon should be repaired, as it is an ideal choice for a tendon graft, or could be of use as a tendon transfer. The musculotendinous unit may be of use as an autogenous free graft.


Angiomatosis of the metacarpal skeleton.

We present a case of a tumour of the right hand. After carrying out a biopsy it was diagnosed as skeletal angiomatosis which, considering the marked osteolysis present, falls within the description of Gorham's disease. The three bones concerned in the tumour were excised and replaced with a bone graft, and the metacarpophalangeal joints preserved with Swanson prostheses.


An unusual branch of the ulnar nerve in the hand.

A branch passing from the deep terminal branch of the ulnar nerve distal to the piso-hamate hiatus, between the flexor digiti minimi brevis and the opponens digiti minimi to the digital branch of the superficial terminal branch of the ulnar nerve to the little finger is described, and its possible clinical relevance suggested.


Hospitalization of the family in the treatment of mental patients.

Many mental patients who return to their families after discharge from the hospital are soon rehospitalized. An intensive treatment program in which members of a dysfunctional family are hospitalized along with the patient is presented here as an effective way to shorten hospital stays and reduce rehospitalization rates.


The effects of a cultural awareness program on the delivery of health care.

Provision of health care is frequently ineffective because providers of service do not understand the culture of the ethnic groups they are treating. The aim of the program described in this article was to break down cultural and communication barriers by teaching health care personnel about the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of various ethnic groups.


Family planning with Third-World males.

Young people contribute disproportionately to the spread of veneral disease and to the rising rate of out-of-wedlock births in the United States. These factors, along with a growing conviction that males should assume greater sexual and parental responsibility, motivated the development of a pilot program in family planning for young males.


Counseling heart patients and their families.

Because heart disease causes psychological as well as physical trauma and affects not only the victims but also their families, counseling and psychotherapy for both are frequently necessary. To be effective, therapists must have clearly positive values about life and death.


Delinquency and health status.

A physical examination of 223 juvenile delinquents in a comprehensive probation program found the majority in poor health. Although poor health is not a direct cause of crime, it can affect a youth's social and intellectual functioning and hence his ability to use a service program. Thus probation workers must be aware of their clients' health status and available health services if they are to treat these youths effectively.


Medical aspects of cerebral palsy.

If social workers are to be effective in their practice with cerebral palsied patients and their families, it is essential that they be familiar with the causes and manifestations of the condition. The author illustrates this contention through a series of suggestions for social workers.


Perceptions about social work and mental retardation.

This article discusses a research project undertaken to develop a quantitative instrument for assessing the level of societal concern for mentally retarded persons. The responses from parents and professional workers disclosed several value judgments of interest to social workers relating to counseling and other social services, the provision of financial assistance, and the role of social workers in providing habilitative and supportive services.


A new program for hyperactive children.

The magnitude of the problem of hyperactivity among school-age children has attained nationwide attention. The author report on a unique interdisciplinary clinic-based program that was developed to treat this problem. Their article demonstrates that the social work model is an effective tool in treating hyperactivity.


Talking with children about mental illness in the family.

Children may experience extreme stress when a family member becomes mentally ill. Talking with them about mental illness and eliciting their feelings can help them adapt to stress and may in some cases prevent permanent emotional disturbance.


Macromolecular synthesis accompanying the transition from spores to vegetative forms of Streptomyces granaticolor.

The rates of RNA, protein and DNA synthesis were estimated in synchronously germinating spores of Streptomyces granaticolor. Rapid uptake of labelled precursors of RNA and proteins was observed after 20 s. The germination process took place through a sequence of time-ordered events. RNA synthesis started after 3 min of germination, protein synthesis began at 4 min and net DNA synthesis at 60-70 min of germination. A characteristic feature of germination was the biphasic pattern in the rate of RNA and protein synthesis. Spores of Streptomyces granaticolor were sensitive to actinomycin D, rifampicin and chloramphenicol even at the start of germination. Protein synthesis during germination was dependent on new mRNA synthesis and was independent during the first 60-70 min on replication of the spore genome.


Studies on the production of daunomycinone-derived glycosides and related metabolites in Streptomyces coeruleorubidus and Streptomyces peucetius.

Strains of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus ISP 5145, JA 10092 and 39-146, differing mutually in antibiotic activity, were found to produce identical spectrum of metabolites (at least nine antibiotically active glycosides, 13-dihydrodaunomycinone, epsilon-rhodomycinone and a larger number of unidentified compounds); only trace quantities of daunomycin and daunomycinone could be detected. A fraction of glycosides with a higher RF (0.4-0.7), isolated from strain 39-146, could be transformed to daunomycin by mild hydrolysis and to daunomycinone by total hydrolysis. Streptomyces peucetius IMI 101 335 differed from Streptomyces coeruleorubidus in an increased production of epsilon-rhodomycinone and a lower content of glycosides; the zone of daunomycin was most pronounced among the glycoside spots. Streptomyces coeruleorubidus 39-146 exhibited the highest activity in a medium containing 3.5% soluble starch, 3.0% soybean meal, 0.3% NaCl and 0.3% CaCo3; glucose was a more useful carbon source for the remaining strains. The activity of Streptomyces coeruleoribidus was inhibited by 1-propanol, Na-propionate, 5,5-diethylbarbiturate and bacitracin. Ferrous sulphate stimulated the production of glycosides only in strain JA 10092, decreasing simultaneously the production of aglycones.


5-Deoxy-5-fluoro-L-sorbose originating from 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucitol by fermentation with Acetomonas oxydans.

Using fermentation with a selected strain of Acetomonas oxydans it was possible to convert 2-deoxy-2-fluro-D-glucitol to 5-deoxy-5-fluoro-L-sorbose, in agreement with Bertrand's and Hudson's rule. The last-named compound was isolated in a yield of 88%. Both compounds were little toxic against Acetomonas oxydans.


[Malignant tumors of the nails].

The clinical symptoms of malignant neoplasms (M. Bowen, Carcinoma spinocellular, malignant melanoma) in the area of the finger- and toe-nals are described. Because of the poor prognosis of these neoplasms in this area early detection and treatment is of utmost importance


[The therapy of edematous diseases].

In the first part the pathogenetic factors of the various edematous diseases are discussed, especially the pathogenesis of cardiac, hepatic, renal and idiopathic edemas. In the second part the therapy of edematous diseases is discussed, especially the effects, side effects, indications and contraindications of diuretics and mineralocorticoid antagonists.


The effect of short term physiological elevations of plasma glucagon concentration on plasma triglyceride concentration in normal and diabetic man.

To explore the effect of physiological elevations of glucagon on plasma triglyceride concentration, glucagon was infused for thirty minutes at 3.0 ng/kg/min into both normal and insulin dependent diabetic subjects. The effects of this hormonal infusion on plasma triglyceride, free fatty acids, glucose, and insulin were compared to a control saline infusion study. A differential effect of glucagon on plasma triglyceride concentration between normal and diabetic subjects was observed. In normal subjects, glucagon infusion was accompanied by a concomitant increase in endogenous insulin secretion and free fatty acid levels, and no observable effect on circulating plasma triglyceride concentration. In contrast, in diabetic subjects, no change in insulin or free fatty acid concentration occurred during glucagon infusion and circulating plasma triglyceride concentration declined after twenty minutes of hormone infusion. These results suggest that plasma triglyceride concentration may be modulated, at least in part, by alterations in circulating plasma glucagon in concert with insulin secretion and free fatty acid availability in man.


Effect on pancreatic blood flow and insulin output of infusions of aminophylline, galactose and galactose plus aminophylline into an isolated in situ portion of pancreas.

Effects on pancreatic blood flow and insulin output of infusions of aminophylline, galactose and galactose plus aminophylline were studied on an isolated portion of dog pancreas with only one afferent and one efferent blood vessel remaining. Infusion of aminophylline at 8 mg per minute gave significant increases in pancreatic blood flow and insulin output. Infusion of galactose at 7.2 mg per minute significantly increased insulin output. Galactose (7.2 mg per minute) plus aminophylline (8 mg per minute) also increased both pancreatic blood flow and insulin output. Pancreatic venous plasma glucose levels rose slightly during these infusions. Since the perfusing plasma contained a fasting level of glucose both aminophylling and galactose when infused alone or together were infused in the presence of approximately 1 mg/ml glucose. Pancreatic blood flow and insulin output increased to a lesser extent when aminophylline was infused along with galactose, the when aminophylline was infused alone.


Effect of alpha adrenoreceptor stimulants infused intrapancreatically on glucagon and insulin secretion.

To see the effect of alpha adrenergic receptor stimulation upon in vivo basal secretion of glucagon and insulin, phenylephrine and methoxamine were infused at a dose of 236 pmol/kg/min and 2.36 nmol/kg/min, respectively, for 10 min into the cranial pancreaticoduodenal artery in anesthetized dogs. During the infusion of either drug pancreatic venous blood flow was markedly diminished, resulting in a significant decrease of basal output of both glucagon and insulin. Intrapancreatic administration of the stimulants exerted neglible effects on the plasma levels of both hormones in the systemic circulation. Pretreatment with phentolamine abolished the alpha stimulant-induced inhibition of bihormonal output. Under alpha blockade which per se results effectively in a stimulation of insulin release, basal output of glucagon was not significantly augmented. These results suggest that the alpha receptors on the A cell of the islets may be involved in the similar inhibitor mechanism, but less potently than those on the B cell under basal physiological adrenergic control in the canine.


Stimulation of antiglucagon antibodies in rabbits.

Glucagon antibodies were generated in rabbits using two antigenic conjugates. All of the rabbits produced significant titers of sensitive antisera and many of the sera were quite specific for pancreatic glucagon.


The distribution of arylamidases in the hypothalamus of rat and the effect of exogenous testosterone.

Arylamidase activities towards specific substrates, the 4-nitroanilides of L-alanine, L-leucine, L-phenylanine, L-tyrosinb L-cystine, L-glutamic acid, and L-glycine, have been investigated in different regions of the hypothalamus of adult, male rat. It was found that the activities with respect to these substrates decreased in the order listed above, in all tissues examined. The arylamidase activity towards L-alamine-4-nitroanilide and L-cystine-bis(4-mitroanilide) was elevated in hypothalamic tissues as compared to the cerebral cortex, but the relatives distribution of the activity towards these two substrates varied in different regions of the hypothalamus. Testosterone caused a decrease in the level of arylamidase activity towards the cystine substrate in all hypothalamic regions, an effect which was found to be dose dependent. The role of hypothalamic arylamidases is discussed.


The purification and characterization of a lipolytic factor from bovine pituitaries.

During the purification of a bovine growth hormone preparation (S408A) a yet unknown lipolytic peptide as obtained. This substance was subjected to CM cellulose chromatography followed by differential precipitation with trichloracetic acid. The resulting purified peptide was homogenous on disk electrophoresis and consisted of 36 amino acids with a molecular weight of 4.000. The lipolytic activity was found to be very high and 20-fold that of the starting material, Protein recovery was 1.8%. This peptide, called bovine pituitary lipolytic factor (BLF) was active in rat adipose tissue, exhibiting a minimal effective dose (MED) of 0.05 x 10(-9) mMol/ml. An immunological cross reaction was found between BLF and anti luteinizing hormone beta chain. This can denote that BLF and LH beta chain share similar or identical immunological determinants. The possibility is raised that LH beta chain is precursor of BLF.


Lipogenesis in hepatocytes of genetically obese rats.

A simple method for the preparation of hepatocytes in good yield from obese rats is described. Lipogenesis from [U-14C]-lactate, [U-14C]-glucose and tritiated water has been investigated in hepatocytes prepared from both genetically obese 'fatty' rats and their lean littermates. Hepatocytes from obese rats demonstrate elevated rates of fatty acid and sterol synthesis in contrast to hepatocytes from lean animals. The rate of fatty acid synthesis is sensitive to the dietary status of the animal prior to preparation. The enhanced lipogenesis in hepatocytes from obese rate depends on lactate as a source of carbon rather than glucose. The role of the liver in genetic obesity is discussed with particular reference to the major precursor for hepatic lipogenesis.


Hypomagnesemia resulting from adrenaline infusion in ewes: its relation to lipolysis.

Intravenous infusion of adrenaline (40 microgram Kg-1 h-1 for 5 hrs) causes hypomagnesemia in ewes. Hypomagnesemia is increased by phentolamine and inhibited by propranolol. Thyroidectomy, with thyroxine supplementation, does not inhibit the hypomagnesemia caused by adrenaline and phentolamine. Sodium nicotinate (15 mg Kg-1 h-1 for 5 hrs) inhibits the increase in non-esterified fatty acids and hypomagnesemia resulting from infusion of adrenaline and phentolamine. Sodium nicotinate inhibits the increase in non-esterified fatty acids and hypomagnesemia resulting from theophylline infusion (20 mg Kg-1 h-1 for 90 min). It is concluded that an increase in the level of intra-cellular cyclic AMP due to beta adrenergic stimulation by adrenaline or to inhibition of phosphodiesterases by theophylline, results in hypomagnesemia which seems to be correlated with stimulation of lipolysis.


Effect of a spirolactone on plasma and urinary aldosterone in primary aldosteronism.

In primary aldosteronism due to an adrenal adenoma (n=2), treatment with a spirolactone (160 mg Canrenone/day for 7 days) decreased plasma aldosterone and urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide. However, in the presence of a normalization in urinary aldosterone 18-glucuronide plasma aldosterone remained elevated above normal. Continued therapy with higher doses (320 mg/day for 7 days and 480 mg/day for 28 days) did not significantly alter plasma aldosterone, while urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide returned to values comparable to those obtained before therapy. Cessation of the drug resulted in a marked increase in plasma aldosterone and urinary aldosterone-18-glucuronide. The results indicate that in primary aldosteronism due to an adrenal adenoma, the spirolactone (Canrenone) inhibits aldosterone biosynthesis and seems to influence aldosterone degradation.


Conversion of monomeric human growth hormone and big growth hormone into different molecular weight forms in vitro and after injection into humans.

Monomeric human growth hormore (hGH) and big hGH obtained by a new purification procedure from human pituitary glands were examined for a possible conversion into different molecular weight forms under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Sephadex G-150 gel filtration was used for separation. Big or monomeric hGH was incubated in hormone-free serum or injected into normal individuals in order to induce a peak of immunoreactive hGH. Specimens from early and late stages of the surge were subjected to gel filtration. It could be shown that not only the big hGH is converted to the smaller form but that monomeric hGH is also recovered in two higher molecular weight regions by gel filtration in vitro and in vivo experiments. A significantly higher conversion of monomeric to big hGH was found in vitro. This suggests an inhibition of big hGH formation from monomeric hGH in normal individuals. There was no apparent time relation of big hGH formation from monomeric hGH in vivo. Regarding the conversion of big hGH, more of this material remained in its original form in vitro. The immunoreactivity recovered in the region of the very large form was found to be higher in vivo. The formation of the monomer from big hGH was similar under in vitro and in vivo conditions.


Plasma testosterone of rats subjected to immobilization stress and/or HCG administration.

The effect of immobilization stress (IMO) on the plasma testosterone level in rats has been investigated. Plasma testosterone was not changed after 10 or 20 min IMO for 3 consecutive days as compared to nonstressed animals and the 10-min trial was without effect even if it was applied daily for 42 days. Thre days IMO for 60 min caused a significant hormone decrease, which was even more pronounced after 3 or 42 days IMO for 120 min. The administration of HCG to rrats immobilized 3 days for 120 min resulted in the increase of testosterone, however, the final level was significantly lower in comparison to nonstressed controls.


Lipids in human testis.

The lipid composition of human testis intesticular and post-testicular causes of infertility was studied. The testicular causes of infertility was represented by patients with adult seminiferous tubule failure and Klinefelter's syndrome. The post-testicular causes of infertility were represented by patients with obstruction of efferent ducts of testes. A significant accumulation of total testicular lipids was observed in both causes of infertility. A marked increase in free and esterified cholesterol, monoglycerides and triglycerides caused the accumulation of total testicular lipids in testicular causes of infertility. The accumulation of these lipids was more pronounced in Klinefelter's syndrome compared to adult seminiferous tubule failure. In post-testicular causes of infertility, a vary marked increase in phospholipids along with cholesterol fractions and glycerides led to the accumulation of total testicular lipids. The significant increase in total phospholipids caused by the increases in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine differentiates post-testicular causes of infertility from testicular causes in which phospholipid classes remained unaffected. Thus, changes in hormonal mileu due to pathological conditions also lead to marked alterations in testicular lipids.


Free-flow electrophoresis. III. An analytical version for a rapid, quantitative determination of electrophoretic parameters.

An analytical device based on the principle of free-flow electrophoresis is described. Electrophoretic mobility distributions of proteins or cells can be obtained quickly with field-strengths of about 140 V/cm. Up to 100 samples can be tested per hour. The accuracy and reproducibility of the device is illustrated by the example of the serum protein separation. Quantities in the picomole range can be quantitatively evaluated. In the course of mobility measurements of cells and cell mixtures, a reproducibility of +/- 1.4% was obtained. Therefore this device meets both the needs of electrokinetic research and the requirement of routine measurements in clinical diagnosis. Finally, the application of a pH gradient is described and the limitation due to methodical aspects is shown.


The biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans in normal rat liver and in response to experimental hepatic injury.

The synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in slices from normal and acutely injured rat liver was studied. The rates of incorporation of [14C]-glucosamine into specific types of glycosaminoglycans varied markedly; nearly 90% was incorporated into a fraction containing predominantly heparan sulfate and far less if any heparin; about 9.5% was incorporated into chondroitin 4-and 6-sulfate, and only 0.2% of the radioactivity was found in hyaluronic acid. The rate of synthesis of a fraction having several of the characteristics of keratan sulfate comprised only 0.3% of the synthesis of total glycosaminoglycans. No [14C]hexosamine was incorporated into dermatan sulfate. Following acute hepatic injury, the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans was stimulated by 80 to 100%, and the proportions of various types changed. If calculated on the basis of the specific activity of the precursors of glycosaminoglycans, which was found to be strongly reduced in injured liver, the maximum enhancement of total glycosaminoglycan synthesis was 6.6-fold 5 days after onset of liver injury.


Purification and properties of choriogonadotropin from human term placenta.

Affinity chromatography has been applied successfully to the isolation of human choriogonadotropin from human term placenta. In a single step, a 57-fold purification was achieved. Evidence is presented which indicates that the product contains intact hormone as well as its free alpha-subunit. Preliminary data suggest that a variant form of alpha-subunit is also present which has serine as its N-terminal and contains relatively little arginine and proline as compared to the authentic alpha-subunit.


[Binding of colchiceine to isolated gangliosides and ganglioside-containing membranes (author's transl)].

The binding of the alkaloid colchicine and its metabolite colchiceine to different membranes and gangliosides has been investigated. In contrast to colchicine, colchiceine binds to erythrocyte ghosts, plasma membranes of rat liver and heart muscle, and synaptosomes of rat brain. The binding properties of isolated gangliosides are analogous to those of the membranes investigated. On a molar basis the binding capacities of the gangliosides GT1, GD1a and GM1 for colchiceine are 7:4:1, respectively. The binding of alkaloid to ganglioside structures is diminished in the presence of EDTA and after pretreatment with neuraminidase, suggesting a specific, Ca2 -dependent interaction of colchiceine with gangliosides. The results are discussed with respect to the different biological activities of colchicine and its metabolite colchiceine.


[Regulation of respiration at high altitudes and its molecular interpretation: the sequence of beta-chains of hemoglobins from pig and llama (author's transl)].

The primary structures of the beta-chains from pig (Suidae) and llama (Lama glama, Camelidae) hemoglobins are given. They differ from human beta-chains in the exchange of 22 and 23 amino acid residues, respectively. Some aspects of the sequences are discussed and the molecular interpretation of respiration at high altitudes is given. This interpretation is based on the exchange of the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate contact beta2His leads to Asn from man to llama: the interaction between the heterotropic allosteric effector 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and protein is diminished, which results in higher oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin of llama. Thus the placental respiration and the high-altitudes respiration have the same molecular mechanism.


Deinstitutionalization of mental health services in rural areas.

While the deinstitutionalization movement in both urban and rural areas has been plagued by problems, the author feels that they are exaggerated in rural communities and are complicated by such factors as the essentially urban nature of the deinstitutionalization model, the unique demographic conditions of rural America, and the lack of anonymity in rural communities. However, rurality also has several advantages for the deinstitutionalization movement, including the existence of a strong sense of community, and the increased opportunity for the therapist to know personally the patient, his family, and his friends and thus to make more humane decisions concerning his treatment.


An Indian-controlled mental health program.

The control of health care programs for American Indians is shifting slowly from the federal government to the tribes. In 1971 the Apaches began operating a community mental health center on a reservation in northeastern Arizona. The tribal council appointed a 14-member board to administer the center; a majority of the members were Apaches. The board then hired an executive director who was not an Indian. There were 15 professional and paraprofessional staff members; 12 were Apaches or other Indians. In January 1976 the tribal council fired the director and disbanded the board of directors, although the clinic continued operation. The authors discuss sociocultural factors that influenced the center's development and give several reasons for the center's problems, including the general expectation that agencies run by Indians will not be successful.


Witchcraft and soul loss: implications for community psychiatry.

The author uses the case study of a Chicana patient who believes in witchcraft and soul loss to illustrate the importance of understanding alternate theories of disease causation. He describes the patient's unsuccessful attempts to find treatment appropriate for her culturally determined beliefs and feels her efforts were hampered because she was a member of a culture in transition. She was finally treated through home visits and medication. The author discusses factors related to the underuse of mental health  services by Chicanos and the role of the indigenous therapist. He also suggests how mental health centers can be made more relavant to Chicanos by providing such services as home visits and family therapy.


A model training program for child mental health specialists.

The Child Mental Health Specialist Training Program was established in 1970 at Camarillo State Hospital to train personnel specifically for work with mentally disturbed and delinquent children in a variety of settings. In collaboration with local colleges, the two-year program offers training at the master's-, bachelor's-, and associate-degree levels. Its focus is on clinical experience, supplemented by academic courses taught by staff of the Camarillo Children's Treatment Center. The authors describe the growing need for qualified child-care workers, the concepts underlying the program's structure, and the operation of the program. They emphasize the importance of designing training programs to produce versatile and flexible workers with skills that are adaptable to changing treatment approaches.


A follow-up study of disturbed children treated in a Re-ED program.

In 1974 the authors undertook an evaluation of the children's program at Marshall I. Pickens Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. The program, based on the Re-ED model, accepts only boys of normal intelligence between the ages of six and 12; most are referred because of disruptive behavior in the classroom and at home and low academic achievement. To evaluate the program, questionnaires were mailed to the families of all children who had been discharged from the program six months or longer a total of 123. Sixty-three of the 101 parents responding said the program had provided very much help for their child. At follow-up 89 children were enrolled in some kind of school program, and one had graduated from high school. However, 66 parents reported their child continued to have academic problems. The authors compare the findings with follow-up studies of three other Re-ED programs and discuss possible modifications that might make such programs more effective for children who fail to adjust.


The volunteer program in the psychiatric division of a children's hospital.

Volunteers in the division of child psychiatry of Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago are interviewed and given a general orientation by the volunteer department, which is headed by a paid employee, and are given specific, task-oriented, on-the-job training by staff members in the division. Volunteers ranging in age from the teens to the mid-sixties are active in outpatient services, in the day hospital program, which accomodates 48 children, and in the 18-bed inpatient unit. In a typical month an average of 90  volunteers give approximately 1900 hours of service. The authors list several reasons for the successs of the volunteer program, including the one they feel is most important--administrative and staff acceptance of volunteers as an integral part of the program, not as do-gooders to be tolerated.


Three utilization styles at an urban mental health center.

The authors report a study of utilization of services based on data obtained on two patient groups at an urban mental health center: a one-year applicant population, consisting of an unduplicated count of all adults applying for psychiatric care during a one-year period; and a one-day prevalence population, consisting of all persons on a psychiatric roster on a single selected day. Juxtaposing diagnosis, applicant-to-prevalence ratios, and treatment or services used, they found three styles of utilization of services--the intensive user, as exemplified by the neurotic in psychotherapy, the casual user (the schizophrenic attending medication clinic), and the pseudo user (the alcoholic using detoxification services). The intensive user represents a minority utilization style, while the last two styles are predominat at the center. Taken together they characterize the typical patient as a therapeutically passive user of services.


Pulmonary angiitis and granulomatosis. The relationship between histological features, organ involvement, and response to treatment.

The histologic findings, natural history, and response to treatment were investigated in 62 patients with pulmonary angiitis andgranulomatosis seen over a 23 year period. Three histologic types were recognized: lymphocyte depleted angiitis and granulomatosis, 24 cases (39 per cent); benign lymphocytic angiitis and granulomatosis, 14 cases (22 per cent); and malignant lymphoproiferative angiitis and granulomatosis, 24 cases (39 per cent). Lymphocyte depleted angiitis and granulomatosis corresponds to Wegener's granulomatosis of either the "limited" or "classic" variant. The lesions frequently show extensive liquefactive necrosis. Eosinophils may be abundant, but lymphocytes and plasma cells are relatively scarce. Histiocytic proliferation with the occasional presence of sarcoid-like granulomas was observed only in cases with no evidence of glomerular involvement. Cyclophosphamide is highly effective regardless of whether extrapulmonary manifestations are present. Benign lymphocytic angiitis and granulomatosis is characterized by dense benign infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes. Necrosis may be absent or minimal; the angiitis is usually mild to moderate. Only one of 14 patients (7 per cent) had extrapulmonary involvement (skin). Chlorambucil is highly effective, sometimes resulting in dramatic cures. Malignant lymphoproliferative angiitis and granulomatosis corresponds to lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Its lesions show extensive coagulative necrosis, a highly atypical lymphoreticular infiltrate with frequent mitoses, and angioinvasion. Extrapulmonary involvement is frequent (83 per cent), particularly in the skin (46 per cent) and central nervous system (33 per cent). The mortality is high: 65 per cent of the patients were dead within the first year of disease. Although cytotoxic drugs were of no value, corticosteroids were associated with prolonged remissions in three young patients.


Malignant and benign papillary lesions of the breast.

This presentation describes criteria that we found most helpful in classifying the various proliferative changes of the breast and in separating papillary carcinoma from other benign papillary lesions. The criteria we used are easily understood and extremely reproducible. The true incidence of benign proliferative changes in fibrocystic disease and the significance of these lesions in later development of cancer were determined by studying 200 randomly selected cases of fibrocystic disease seen at least 10 years earlier. Of the 200 cases of fibrocystic disease, 40 showed intraductal papillomatosis or terminal duct hyperplasia. None of the patients with benign proliferative lesions for whom we have complete follow-up data (up to 14 years) developed cancer. In order to determine the type of proliferating cells in papillary carcinoma and benign proliferative lesions, some of the recently encountered cases were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and histochemistry. Our ultrastructural and histochemical study suggests that both epithelial and myoepithelial cells participate in papillary lesions of the breast.


Morphology of the epithelial component of human lung hamartomas.

Unusual ultrastructural bodies were found in about one-fifth of the epithelial cell nculei in three cases of pulmonary hamartoma. Those bodies often appear to be twisted tubules with recognizable branching. Morphologically different structures are also seen in occasional nuclei. Although the nature and significance of the bodies are obscure, they may represent different stages of development of the same structure. Similar bodies have not been encountered to date in any of our other examinations of epithelial cells.


Ultrastructural abnormalities of liver cells in Reye's syndrome.

Electon microscopic observations were made on liver biopsy specimens from nine infants and children diagnosed as having Reye's syndrome by clinical, laboratory, and light microscopic criteria. In addition to excessive fat content, mitochondrial abnormalities were the most frequent abnormal finding in the liver. However, no correlation could be established between the severity of mitochondrial changes and clinical or biochemical data, and two patients with low levels of the first two urea cycle enzymes showed only mild mitochondrial abnormalities. Nonspecific or artifactual factors have been suggested to explain the mitochondrial changes. However, the data of this study suggest that most of the reported mitochondrial abnormalities are not artifacts, and that they can be helpful in the ultrastructural diagnosis of Reye's syndrome.


Malignant gastric neuroendogrinomas. Ultrastructural and biochemical characterization of their secretory activity.

In two cases of malignant gastric tumors originally diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinomas electron microscopy revealed a neurosecretory type of granule. Subsequently tumor extracts were tested by biochemical methods and shown to have vanillylmandelic acid and 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid activity. Neither patient had signs or symptoms referable to the presence of these or related substances. These observations parallel those made in a variety of neuroendocrine tumors in which demonstration of neurosecretory granules or isolation of amine or peptide materials or their metabolites has not necessarily been reflected in clinical hormonal syndromes. Our findings indicate that regardless of clinically apparent hormonal activity or lack thereof, some undifferentiated gastric carcinomas may in fact derive from neuroendocrine APUD elements.


Benign (nonpolypoid) mucosal changes adjacent to carcinomas of the colon. A light microscopic study of 20 cases.

Numerous reports deal with the presence or absence of remnants of benign polyps adjacent to colonic carcinomas. Little attention has been paid to light microscopic mucosal alterations of a nonpolypoid nature found adjacent to these neoplasms. The general assumption has been that this mucosa is normal or not significantly altered. In this presentation we describe nonpolypoid mucosal changes found adjacent to 20 randomly selected carcinomas of the colon. We found these changes to be variably but consistently present. Their possible significance is briefly discussed.


A proposal for the reporting of cancer by hospital pathologists.

A proposal is presented that pathologists submit diagnostic information in each newly diagnosed case of cancer. An existing regional cancer incidence reporting system would be the recipient of these confidential data. The information could be used for monitoring the total cancer population within a geopolitical region. Problems that can be anticipated in planning for implementation of this proposal are addressed in general terms.


Meibomian gland carcinoma seeding intracranial soft tissues.

Meibomian gland carcinoma is a rare sebaceous gland malignant tumor of the eyelid. Local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases are common among this group of eyelid neoplasms. Distant liver metastases have been mentioned in one case report, but this represents and unusual finding. In addition to local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases, this autopsy case report demonstrates meibomian gland carcinoma with extension to the trigeminal ganglia and metastases to the cerebellum.


A population genetic study of the Kota in the Nilgiri Hills, South India.

A population genetic study among the Kota of the Nilgiri Hills, South India, involved tests for abnormal haemoglobins, 5 red cell antigen systems, 4 serum protein and 13 red cell enzymes systems. Twelve systems are invariant in the Kota. The most distinctive characteristics are extremely low frequency of the A1 gene and complete absence of A2 in the ABO system, r(cde) in the Rh system, LDH cal-1 among the enzyme systems as well as absence of abnormal haemoglobins. A comparison of gene frequencies in those systems, which show variation, suggests that the Kota are more similar to the Toda than to any other tribal or caste population of the area. Genetic distance as well principal component analysis also reveals that the Toda and Kota are close to each other, in agreement with tradition.


Nosologic groups. An overview.

A general analysis is made of the concept of nosologic groups. It is concluded that, even when 'artificial',they may prove to be useful research, didactic and differential diagnosis purposes. Nosologic groupings must, however, progress toward the finding of 'phenotypic communities' whose component syndromes share multiple foci of dysmorphogenetically intimate phenotypic overlap. The concepts of syndrome, anomalad, association, combination, dysplasia, phenotypic community and family of diseases are briefly analysed.


Genetic patterns in thalassemia intermedia (constitutional microcytic anemia). Familial, hematologic and biosynthetic studies.

Globin chain synthesis has been studied in 17 patients with thalassemia intermedia, and their relatives, also investigated by routine hematologic and hemoglobinic tests. The mean a/non a ratio was always around 2.20-2.30. In patients with severe thalassemia major, used as a control, the mean a/non a ratio was significantly higher, that is 3.11-3.07. Therefore, the hypothesis that the cause of the lesser severity of the thalassemia intermedia is a lesser imbalance of globin chain synthesis, is suggested. One or both the parents of patients with thalassemia intermedia have mild beta-thalassemia and normal alpha/beta ratio, whereas the parents of patients with severe thalassemia major show a marked beta-thalassemia and a mean alpha/beta ration of 1.76. These data suggest that genes for beta +-thalassemia are responsible for thalassemia intermedia, and genes for beta o-thalassemia are responsible for thalassemia major. In two patients with thalassemia intermedia, the association of an alpha-thalassemia gene with homozygous beta-thalassemia that it is well known to reduce the globin chain imbalance typical of the beta-thalassemia, has also been observed.


Genetics of asymmetry in dermatologlyphic traits.

Differences between the right and left hand in ridge counts and pattern type counts were analyzed using data obtained from 711 families consisting of all parents and 2,466 children. Heritability estimates for each trait were derived from regressions of offspring on either parent or average value of the two parents, and from full-sib correlations. These estimates varied from 0.09 for bimanual difference in the number of arches to 0.24 in the number of ulnar triradii. The low expected value of heritability for bimanual difference in dermatoglyphic traits was demonstrated.


Placental enzyme polymorphisms in Canadian populations. II. Phosphoglucomutase.

Phenotype distributions and allele frequencies of phosphoglucomatase loci PGM1, PGM2, and PGM3 were determined for four Canadian populations: SWO-Random,  a randomly chosen group from southwestern Ontario; SWO-Caucasian, selected from SWO; Indian and Eskimo from the James and Hudson area. In the two population samples from southwestern Ontario, allele frequencies were similar to those of European populations but there was a marked excess of homozygotes at the PGM1 locus. In Indians the PGM1 1 allele had a frequency of 0.922, that of the PGM1 3 allele was 0.765.The allele frequencies for the Eskimo population were 0.848 for PGM1 1 AND 0.884 FOR PGM1 3. One rare phenotype was found at each of the PGM1 AND PGM2 loci.


New data on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Saudi Arabia. G6PD variants, and the association between enzyme deficiency and hemoglobins S.

67/369 male Saudi subjects (18%) were found to be G6PD deficient on screening, and electrophoresis of blood samples stored on filter paper strips revealed B-like variants with intermediate enzyme activityin 11%, presumed Mediterranean variant in 13%, Gd + (A+) in 2%, Gd--(A--7) in 0.8%, and indeterminate enzyme status in 6% of the subjects tested. A significant association between G6PD deficiency and hemoglobin S correlated with previous studies on similar samples from the general population.


Pi (antitrypsin) typing methods. A comparison of acid starch-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing.

The Pi typing methods acid starch-gel electrophoresis (ASGE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF) have been compared by three reference laboratories: 564 samples of phenotypes Pi M, MS and MZ were tested in each of the three laboratories with a 96% agreement on initial typing. The discrepancies are recorded and reasons for disagreement discussed. IEF is a reliable method for Pi typing and gives results comparable to those obtained by ASGE.


Esterase D polymorphism in several population groups in Israel.

The genetic polymorphism of red blood cells esterase D (EsD) has been investigated in 9 population groups in Israel: Ashkenazi Jews, non-Ashkenazi Jews from North Africa, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Balkan, Iraq, Yemen as well as Arabs living in Israel. The distribution of EsD1 and EsD2 genes among the 9 communities was not homogenous chi2 = 42.3; d.f. = 8; p less than 0.0005). The Ashkenazi and North African Jews had significantly lower frequencies of EsD2 (0.100 and 0.102 respectively) than did Yemenite Jews and Arabs (0.212 and 0.206 respectively). The other communities investigated showed intermediate values. A Jewish family from Greece carrying the rare allele EsD2 has been detected.


Detection of anti-exfoliatin antibodies in healthy adults and children by the passive hemagglutination test.

Sera collected from healthy adults and children were examined by the passive hemagglutination test for the presence of antibodies to exfoliatin A and B.


Specific method for the purification of Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase.

A convenient and rapid method for the purification of Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase is described. Affinity chromatography, on a column containing insoluble dextran purified from a culture of S. mutans 6715-49, gave an almost 300-fold purification, with 76% recovery of enzyme. Subsequent hydrophobic chromatography on butyl-agarose increased the overall enzyme purification to more than 1,000-fold, with a 65% recovery of activity. Two components of the dextransucrase activity were separated during hydrophobic chromatography. Both synthesized insoluble glucan as their major product and were capable of synthesizing soluble glucan in the presence of exogenous soluble dextran. However, the major enzyme component, which coeluted with a catalytically inert, dextran-binding protein, was greatly stimulated by exogenous soluble dextran, whereas the second enzyme component was not.


Bacteriocins as factors in the in vitro interaction between oral streptococci in plaque.

The effect of bacteriocins on the composition of dental plaque flora was studied in vitro with bacterial plaque formed by oral streptococci on glass rods suspended in broth medium. Cell-free preparations containing mutacin SW31, a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus mutans, killed sensitive cells present in the plaque selectively, but did not affect resistant cells. Similar preparations from a non-bacteriocinogenic mutant exerted only a slight effect. Mixed growth of bacteriocin-producing S. mutans SW31 with the sensitive S. sanguis Ny101 resulted in a nearly single-strain plaque of the former. Mutacin could be detected in the plaque substance as well as in the surrounding medium. A non-bacteriocinogenic mutant, which was shown not to be altered in functions affecting growth in plaque, allowed substantial growth of S. sanguis Ny101. Sequential inoculation of the bacteriocinogenic plaque former S. sanguis P3A3 and the sensitive S. mutans OMZ61 showed that the cells of the latter are killed rapidly in established plaques when inoculated with the bacteriocinogenic strain. A trypsin-sensitive antagonistic substance could be detected in the plaque, but not in the surrounding medium. The results indicate that bacteriocins can be active in plaque in vitro and suggest that bacteriocins could play a role in determining the composition of plaque in vivo.


Simple method for purifying choleragenoid, the natural toxoid of Vibrio cholerae.

Choleragenoid, a nontoxic aggregate of the B subunit of cholera toxin, has been purified from concentrated culture filtrates in a single step by ion-exchange chromatography on phosphocellulose or other cation-exchange resins. This procedure is far simpler than others currently used to isolate choleragenoid and yields a preparation essentially free from nucleic acid, lipopolysaccharide, toxin, and other proteins present in the crude culture filtrates. The purified choleragenoid retained the specific receptor-binding capacity of the toxin but exhibited no enterotoxic activity by either the ileal loop assay or the skin permeability assay. This purification methods may therefore be superior to others currently used for obtaining choleragenoid for immunization or other purposes.


Immunization of mice against Naegleria fowleri infection.

Naegleria fowleri produces fatal meningoencephalitis in humans and in experimentally infected laboratory animals. The course of the disease in mice is dependent upon the infecting dose of amoebae, route of inoculation, and prior exposure to Naegleria antigens. DUB/ICR mice were immunized by various routes and antigen preparations, held for 21 days, and, together with noninfected control mice, challenged intravenously (i.v.) or intranasally (i.n.) with 10(7) or 10(6) N. fowleri per mouse, respectively. Mice immunized with liver or formalinized N. fowleri or live N. gruberi subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, i.v., or i.n. were significantly protected against a subsequent lethal challenge with N. fowleri i.v. or i.n. In general, i.v. inoculation afforded greated protection than other routes of immunization, intact cells immunized mice better than did cell fragments, and N. gruberi appeared to be a better immunogen than N. fowleri.


Transmission of hepatitis B to chimpanzees by hepatitis B surface antigen-positive saliva and semen.

To assess the infectivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-containing body fluids other than blood, chimpanzees were inoculated intravenously with saliva and semen obtained from HBsAg-positive individuals implicated in non-percutaneous transmission of hepatitis B. Saliva and semen samples were negative for occult blood. The titer of HBsAg in saliva was on the average only 1/3,000 that of the corresponding serum. One chimpanzee, inoculated sequentially with saliva from three individuals, developed HBsAg at 9 weeks and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase elevation at 13 weeks after injection. HBsAg persisted for 15 weeks. This animal also developed e antigen, anti-core antibody, and anti-surface antibody. Liver biopsies showed acute hepatitis that subsequently resolved. A second chimpanzee, inoculated with HBsAg-positive semen, developed HBsAg and elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase 4 weeks after inoculation and then died suddenly without explanation. HBsAg was positive in two consecutive samples and was confirmed by specific neutralization. Autopsy did not reveal evidence of hepatitis. This study demonstrates that HBsAg-positive saliva and, probably, semen contain infectious virus and suggests that saliva and/or semen may serve as important mechanisms in the transmission of type B hepatitis.


Factors regulating cell wall thickening and intracellular iodophilic polysaccharide storage in Streptococcus mutans.

The effects of a series of different antibiotics on the synthesis and accumulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein, cell wall peptidoglycan (PG), and intracellular iodophilic polysaccharide (IPS) in Streptococcus mutans FA-1 were examined. d-Cycloserine, penicillin G, or vancomycin treatment resulted in rapid inhibitions of PG synthesis and a consequent decrease in the relative amount of lysine found in PG fractions. Decreases in culture turbidity, an indicator of gross cellular lysis, were not observed. Secondary inhibitions of the rates and extent of syntheses of DNA, RNA, and protein were observed. With all three inhibitors of PG synthesis, IPS synthesis continued for varying time intervals but, at most, resulted in only relatively small and transient increases in cellular IPS content. Chloramphenicol inhibited protein synthesis but permitted continued synthesis of RNA and PG. After 6 h, the cells contained 42% of their [(3)H] lysine in the PG fraction compared with 25% in exponential-phase cells, a good indication of thickened cell walls. In the presence of chloramphenicol, cellular IPS content increased about 2.5-fold during the first 45 min and then decreased to a level (13%) at 6 h very similar to that of exponential-phase cells (about 10%). Rifampin inhibition of RNA (and, consequently, also protein) synthesis resulted in accumulation of cellular PG and IPS. After 6 h, IPS accounted for 38% of the cellular dry weight, and the cells contained 43% of their lysine in PG. Thus, rifampin-inhibited cells appear to have both thickened walls and a high IPS content. The correlation between inhibition of RNA synthesis and IPS accumulation was confirmed by exposing cultures to rifampin for 60 min and then removing the drug, thus permitting the cells to regrow. Upon removal of rifampin and resumption of RNA synthesis, cellular IPS content rapidly decreased to the level expected for exponentialphase cells.


Biological and physicochemical properties of the lipopolysaccharide of Chromatium vinosum.

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Chromatium vinosum has anticomplementary activity. This anticomplementary activity is destroyed by alkaline digestion of the LPS and is suppressed by both Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. Treatment of the LPS with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium deoxycholate, or dimethyl sulfoxide did not affect its toxicity toward mice; however, alkaline-treated LPS was not toxic. Treatment of the LPS with sodium deoxycholate, dimethyl sulfoxide, or sodium dodecyl sulfate resulted in reversible dissociation into subunits. Aggregation of the subunits into the original form was achieved by removing the dispersing agent by dialysis against distilled water followed by freezing and thawing. Electron micrographs of phenol-extracted LPS showed long filaments. Electron micrographs of sodium deoxycholate- and sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated and dialyzed LPS showed a mixture of small subunits and short filaments, whereas dimethyl sulfoxide-treated and dialyzed LPS contained only small ovoid spheres. The LPS produced an ordered series of multiple bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A similar banding pattern was observed for Salmonella abortus-equi and Proteus mirabilis LPS. The C. vinosum LPS appears to be mitogenic for mouse spleen cells.


Effect of oil composition on both adjuvant-induced arthritis and delayed hypersensitivity to purified protein derivative and peptidoglycans in various rat strains.

We confirmed that, when immunized with a conventional complete Freund adjuvant (water in oil), Lewis rats were highly susceptible to adjuvant arthritis, Fisher rats were less susceptible, and Buffalo rats were much less susceptible. However, mycobacterial delipidated cells in squalane (squalane-type adjuvant) produced severe arthritis with almost 100% incidence even in the less susceptible rat strains except for Buffalo rats. With regard to an immune response, Freund complete adjuvant induced strong delayed hypersensitivity to purified protein derivative (PPD) and peptidoglycan (PG) in all rat strains used, Whereas the squalane-type adjuvant induced these hypersensitivities only in Lewis and Buffalo rats, but not in Fisher and Brown Norway rats. No correlation was found between development of arthritis and delayed hypersensitivity to either PPD or PG, or both. It seems that PPD hypersensitivity may be inherited differently from PG hypersensitivity.


Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibodies in ethnic groups of a Canadian hospital staff population.

Hospital staff members were analyzed with respect to ethnic origin and prevalence of anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies (Anti-HBs). The staff members were categorized into four "risk groups" according to frequency of exposure to blood, patients' speciments, and patient care. Of the total 526 staff members studied, one-half (51.5%) were of North American origin, one-quarter came from Europe (25.9%), and the rest came from Asia, the West Indies, Africa, and Australia. The prevalence of Anti-HBs was lowest among North American staff members (8.1%) and highest among Asians (42.3%) (P less than or equal to 0.05). Low-risk administrative staff had the significantly lowest number of Anti-HBs-positive members (6.1%), whereas low-risk dietary staff (29.6%) and hospital assistants (30.6%) had the significantly highest prevalence of Anti-HBs staff members. In contrast, the high-risk group of laboratory workers and special nurses had only 16.1% of staff members with Anti-HBs. Our results show that ethnic background and socioeconomic conditions have to be considered when various risk groups are compared for the presence of Anti-HBs. The frequency of exposure to blood and patients' specimens or patient care is not the only determining factor in the prevalence of Anti-HBs in health workers.


Comparison of the patterns of increased in alpha-toxin and total extracellular protein by Staphylococcus aureus (Wood 46) grown in media supporting widely differing growth characteristics.

A comparison has been made of total exoprotein formation by Staphylococcus aureus (Wood 46) in a tryptone soya broth (TSB) medium and a casein hydrolysate-yeast extract-containing (CCY) medium in which exponential growth occurred with doubling times of 3.0 and 1.3 h, respectively. It was found that the differential rate of exoprotein formation was biphasic in each case, increasing after the cessation of exponential growth by a factor of 4 in TSB and 7 in CCY medium. Although this relative change was greater in CCY medium, the maximum value of the differential rate was less than 40% of that achieved in TSB medium. It was further shown that throughout the growth cycle, and in both cultures, alpha-toxin accounted for the same proportion of total extracellular protein.


Mechanisms of resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri in mice.

Involvement of the mononuclear phagocyte system in the mechanism of resistance to Corynebacterium kutscheri was studied in C57B1/6 and Swiss Lynch mice. A major difference between the two mouse strains was that the phagocytic cells of the livers of C57B1/6 mice destroyed the bacteria with much greater efficiency. There was no evidence of serum factors which might have led to this greater bacterial killing observed in the C57B1/6 mice, and in vivo phagocytosis of C. kutscheri was identical in both mouse strains. Resistance to C. kutscheri could be transferred with spleen and/or bone marrow cells from resistant (Swiss Lynch X C57B1/6) F1 mice to 650-rad irradiated susceptible Swiss Lynch mice. Nonspecific and acquired mechanisms of resistance to C. kutscheri are discussed.


Molecular basis for the different sucrose-dependent adherence properties of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis.

The enzymatic and adherence properties of Streptococcus mutans GS5 and S. sanguis ST3, both isolated from human carious lesions, have been compared. During growth in sucrose media, S. mutans GS5 adheres to smooth surfaces approximately three times more effectively than dose S. sanguis ST3. However, strain ST3 does not display sucrose-dependent adherence under nongrowth conditions, whereas strain GS5 displays significant adherence. Although both organisms synthesize both water-soluble and -insoluble glucans, the glucosyltransferases from S. mutans GS5 synthesize much more adherent glucan molecules than do the comparable enzymes from S. sanguis ST3. Both cell types bind exogenous glucosyltransferases synthesized by strain ST3 equally well, whereas cells of strain GS5 bind the comparable enzyme fraction that it synthesizes to a greater degree than do cell of S. sanguis ST3. However, in contrast to the results with cells of S. mutans GS5, the absorption of the glucosyltransferase activity synthesized by S. mutans GS5 to the surface of S. sanguis ST3 results in low levels of subsequent sucrose-dependent adherence. These results are discussed in terms of the molecular basis for the sucrose-dependent adherence of the oral streptococci to smooth surfaces.


Congenital abnormalities in newborn calves after inoculation of pregnant cows with Akabane virus.

A fresh isolate of Akabane virus was inoculated intravenously into 11 seronegative pregnant cows at 62 to 96 days of gestation. Two of the cows were slaughtered 18 days post-inoculation, and the fetuses were examined; the remaining cows were allowed to give birth. All the inoculated cows developed viremia and neutralizing antibody for the virus, indicating that the cows were actually infected with the virus, although fever or any other clinical abnormalities were not noted. The virus further infected the fetuses. This was proved by virus isolation in one of the two fetuses from the slaughtered cows, and polymyositis was noted in both fetuses. Six of seven calves born alive had anti-Akabane antibody in their precolostral sera, indicating that in utero infection with the virus took place in these calves. Some of the in utero-infected calves demonstrated congenital abnormalities such as cerebral defect, hydranencephaly, and arthrogryposis. These findings provide additional evidence that Akabane virus is the etiological agent of epizootic abortion and congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in cattle.


Evaluation of vascular clearance as a marker for virulence of alphaviruses: disassociation of rapid clearance with low virulence of venezuelan encephalitis virus strains in guinea pigs.

The concept that relates low virulence of certain alphaviruses to low viremia and efficient vascular clearance of virus was tested in guinea pigs. Previously published studies with hamsters suggested that virulent strains maintain high viremias primarily because they are cleared inefficiently from the blood. In the present study, with guinea pigs, six of six virulent strains of Venezuelan encephalitis virus were cleared inefficiently, whereas three of six nonlethal or benign virus strains were cleared rapidly. However, three other guinea pig-benign Venezuelan encephalitis virus strains cleared slowly, to produce a high viremia was correlated with inefficient growth in primary viral replication sites. Thus, the potential of some alphaviruses to produce destructive lesions may be restricted by efficient clearance of virus from the blood, whereas the growth of other benign alphavirus strains may be restricted after the virus is presented to target cells.


Effect of vitamin A on the systemic and local antibody responses to intragastrically administered bovine serum albumin.

The effects of vitamin A on the immune response to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied in adult mice. Treatment with vitamin A by the intragastric or parenteral routes markedly increased the local as well as the systemic antibody response to different concentrations of the antigen (BSA). In contrast, in animals given BSA alone, antigen concentrations above a certain dose resulted in a decreased or even absent anti-BSA response. These studies suggest that vitamin A may be an appropriate adjuvant in oral immunization.


Clostridium botulinum type D toxin: purification, molecular structure, and some immunological properties.

Clostridium botulinum type D progenitor toxin was purified. The addition of ribonucleic acid to the whole culture helped initial acid precipitation of the toxin. As with type B, both L (16S) and M toxins (12S) obtained from a hemagglutinin-positive strain, whereas M toxin only was produced by a hemagglutinin-negative strain. M toxin (molecular weight, 300,000) consisted of one molecule each of a toxic (molecular weight, 170,000) and a nontoxic component (molecular weight, 130,000); L toxin consisted of both components plus hemagglutinin. The specific toxicity of M toxin was 5 X 10(8) mean lethal doses per mg of N; that of L toxin was 2.4 X 10(8) mean lethal doses per mg of N. These toxins were fully or nearly fully active, but in un-nicked form. Trypsinization caused nicking in the toxic component, forming a molecule made up of two peptide chains with molecular weights of 110,000 and 60,000; there was little or no increase in toxicity. The toxic component of type D was not antigenically related to that of type C, whereas the nontoxic component was antigenically indistinguishable from that of type C. The toxicities of both L nad M toxins of the hemagglutinin-positive strain were increased twofold by trypsinization. Neither toxin contained the C2 toxic factor elaborated by C and D strain.


Awareness of death and self-engagement in later life: the engagement continuum.

This paper discusses three ideas: 1) The Engagement continuum--the range of activity patterns which succeed and supplement social disengagement in later life. 2) The relation between Awareness of Death and Self-Engagement, as the initial cause and final outcome of disengagement. 3) The practical implications in terms of effecting psycho-social transitions conducive to maximum self fulfillment in later life. The thoughts garnered in this paper are based on theoretical perspectives and empirical observations made in two cities in Canada and U.S.A., related to the theme.


Toward a stage theory of adult cognitive development.

Specifications are offered for a stage theory of adult cognitive development. It is argued that cognitive processes are differentially organized and expressed during periods labeled as acquisitive, achieving, responsible, executive and reintegrative. Current psychometric technologies may suffice for the description of cognitive behavior during the acquisitive and achieving periods. Such techniques are inadequate, however, to describe and understand cognitive function beyond young adulthood, and the development of novel technologies is suggested for the study of cognitive development in mid-life and old age.


An examination of the vulnerability hypothesis.

Follow-up information from three groups of older persons (community residents, clinic clients, the institutionalized) confirms and extends data presented by Yolmans and Yarrow [1] indicating that increasing interdependence among different areas of functioning increases with age, possibly resulting in increased vulnerability in time of loss. Some implications of these findings were indicated.


Instrumental and expressive learning: some comparisons.

Preferences for and learning activity in instrumental (basic or skill mastery) and expressive (enjoyment or self-fulfillment) education are examined. Interviews with 256 Nebraskans, fifty-five or older, provided information to examine hypotheses of 1) greater preference for instrumental learning (supported), 2) no preference differences according to age, sex, and location groupings (partially supported), 3) predicted preference for expressive learning by white collar workers and college graduates (not supported), and 4) no preference differences according to race, marital status, and social class groupings (partially supported). Comparisons with earlier (1972) data are included; an increased overall preference for instrumental education was found.


The meaning of cherished personal possessions for the elderly.

An interview survey was conducted with ninety-four elderly persons, sixty-two in community senior service centers and thirty-two in a nursing home, to find out whether aged persons do identify certain possessions as cherished above all others and to see what meaning these possessions had for their later years. It was found that 81 per cent of the sample could quite readily identify a most cherished object. Different kinds of possessions tended to have different meanings and referents in the lives of the subjects. The lack of a cherished possession was associated with lower life satisfaction scores, which suggests that such a lack might be an indicator of poor adjustment to old age.


Growing up and growing old: the politics of age exclusion.

The young and the old are inherently vulnerable to the workings of power in a society dominated by the middle-aged. This situation is an outcome of the gradual exclusion of the two ends of the life cycle from productive roles, despite their increasing biological capacities. Consequences of age-based exclusion include economic discrimination, age stereo-typing, and territorial segregation.


Establishment of a human medulloblastoma cell line.

A cell line consisting of polygonal and fusiform cells was derived from a cerebellar medulloblastoma. Cells grew to high population density in liquid medium and formed colonies in agar medium. No neural or glial elements could be demonstrated in the cultured cells by electron microscopy nor were virus particles detected. The cells formed tumors in nude mice and in antithymocytic serum (ATS)-treated hamsters. The tumors had a microscopic appearance similar to that of the medulloblastoma from which the cell line was derived. The cell line and lines derived from the transplant tumors in two hosts had four common "marker" chromosomes as well as non-specific cytogenetic changes.


The influence of the anaesthetic on survival rates of breast cancer patients after surgery.

The end results of therapy of 1,358 breast cancer patients were studied. Anaesthesia was performed by ether-nitrogen-oxygen (554 cases) or halothane-nitrogen-oxygen (804 cases) mixture with addition of oxygen. The method of Holstead was employed in all cases. A comparison of groups of patients on the basis of such parameters as the anaesthetic used, age and degree of tumour progression (according to the TNM classification and results of post-operative histological assays) showed them to be identical. The study showed that the type of anaesthesia influenced the end results of therapy of cancer patients: the survival rates of patients receiving halothane anaesthesia were much higher than those of the ether-anaesthetized patients. The differences were most pronounced among patients who received pre-operative radiation therapy and post-operative chemotherapy as well as in cases of metastasis spread into regional lymph nodes. The mechanism of the effect of the anaesthetic on the survival rates of cancer patients may be explained on the basis of the data available on the varying influences of anaesthetics on the pituitary-adrenal cortec system and carcinemia development during operation as well as the role of immunity in tumour cell implantation and growth of metastases.