Placodes of the chick embryo studied by SEM.

The otic, the lens and the nasal placodes have been examined in chick embryos between stages 10 and 18 of Hamburger and Hamilton. At the stage when each placode first becomes visible conspicuous differences have been seen in the surface morphology between those cells which will invaginate and form the placode and those which will remain on the surface of the head, forming the epidermis. The differences become more pronounced with increasing development. The placode cells possess many surface projections whilst the epidermal cells do not. These differences in surface morphology are related to other differences which are visible in TEM sections, the placode cells being highly columnar and extending the full depth of the placode, whilst the epidermal cells are cuboidal or even squamous. This modification in cell shape of the placode cells is correlated with the presence of longitudinally orientated microtubules. The mechanism of invagination is discussed and evidence is presented which supports the idea that there is a migration of cells into the placode from one side. Such a phenomenon would help to explain the asymmetrical structure of the placode, including the presence of the overhanging lip.


Regional specialization of the hair cell plasmalemma in the organ of corti.

Nonjunctional and nonsynaptic membranes of hair cells in the chinchilla organ of Corti were examined using the freeze-fracture technique. Cytoplasmic leaflets of the apical membranes of hair cells have particles, 6-12 nm in diameter, but many more particles are found on apical membranes of outer hair cells than on inner hair cells. Cytoplasmic leaflets of the lateral membranes of outer hair cells are covered with large particles, but the corresponding regions of the inner hair cell membrane have fewer particles and these are small or medium-sized. Two types of particle aggregate also distinguish this region of the inner hair cell. The first consists of patches of particles closely spaced in rectilinear arrays. The second consists of parallel strands of widely spaced large particles similar in size, but not in distribution, to the large particles on the lateral membranes of the outer hair cells. The basal membrane of outer hair cells is distinguished from that of inner hair cells by plaques consisting of cross-hatched incisures in the external membrane leaflet. While the significance of these anatomical features is not yet apparent, they give the hair cell plasmalemma a richness or regional specialization found in few other cells and suggest that there are important functional differences between inner and outer hair cells.


Hemopoietic repopulating potential of subcutaneous exudate cells.

Inflammatory exudate (SE) cells were collected from subcutaneous coverslips in mice and transferred into lethally irradiated (1,000 r) recipients. Eight days after transplantation 59Fe incorporation in the spleen and bone marrow was significantly greater than in controls treated with the suspending medium only. One hundred percent of mitoses were of the T6T6 karyotype in the marrow and spleen when SE cells were obtained from CBA/T6T6 donors. The repopulating potential of SE cells, however, lagged significantly behind that of bone marrow cells and the failure to observe consistently macroscopic spleen colonies calls into question whether the observed regeneration was due to pluripotent stem cells. Radioautographic studies with 3H-TdR showed that the majority of SE cells had recently been generated, but long-lived, noncycling cells of lymphoid and monocytoid morphology were also present in the exudate.


Development of neural elements in apical portions of cat primary and permanent incisor pulps.

Pulp development was studied with light and electron microscopy in apical portions of cat primary and permanent incisors at various stages of development in order to qualitatively assess hypothesized differences during maturation. Primary and permanent tooth pulps passed through similar stages up to when the primary teeth began to resorb. At that point permanent tooth pulps continued to develop in complexity relative to myelinated axons and developed thin epineurial sheaths. Although the stages were similar in several regards, the time needed by the permanent tooth pulps to reach each stage was considerably greater than for the primary tooth pulps. It is of interest that the young permanent teeth had only a small portion of their final complement of nerves in spite of their relatively complete development. Individual axons, especially myelinated axons, appeared more immature in younger primary and permanent teeth. This suggests a less mature sensory capability for erupting primary teeth as compared to fully developed primary teeth as well as for erupting and young permanent teeth compared to old permanent teeth.


Fine structure of an end organ in the periodontal ligament of the mouse incisor.

Nerve endings were observed between collagen fiber bundles in the alveolar compartment of the periodontal ligament. In close relation to these endings, cells were observed with a rounded cell body from which cytoplasmic extensions protruded, each forming part of a sheath around the terminal region of a small nerve fiber. The nuclei of these cells occupied an eccentric position in the cytoplasm and were characterized by a typical kidney shape. In the cell's center a prominent Golgi complex was present. In the peripheral cytoplasm ladder-like structures with a periodicity of 160 nm were occasionally observed. The cell bodies were surrounded by a basal lamina, while the cytoplasmic extensions investing the nerve endings were surrounded by an envelope consisting of alternating electron dense and electron translucent layers containing material that stained with PAS and Alcian Blue. Where these envelopes bordered on the connective tissue, areas of filamentous material with a periodicity of 100-150 nm were occasionally found. The end organs may be considered to form part of a receptor system.


The carotid and orbital retia of the pronghorn, deer and elk.

Selective cooling of the brain during heat stress has been shown by others to be a method of temperature regulation for mammals having carotid retia. This study describes the macroscopic anatomy of the cranial circulation of elk, deer and pronghorn as it might pertain to the functioning of carotid retia and orbital retia as heat exchangers. Emphasis has been placed on describing the source of venous blood bathing these retia, for blood flow from these sources to the ophthalmic plexus and cavernous sinus will establish a temperature difference between arterial and venous blood, and influence the magnitude of this gradient. The pronghorn possesses a carotid rete with greater density and smaller calibre vessels overall and a more highly vascular orbital rete compared to the elk and the deer. These anatomical differences may indicate differences in efficiency of heat exchange in the retia. It is suggested that the orbital rete is anatomically in a position to moderate extremes of temperature by cooling arterial blood flowing to neural tissue of the eye and olfactory bulbs.


Immunological studies in patients with mumps orchitis.

Seventy patients with mumps orchitis were investigated. Serological tests for antitesticular antibodies, using four different techniques showed positive results in 25 patients. Antivirus antibodies were detected and they reached higher values during the remission period of acute cases. Delayed hypersensitivity was studied by means of skin tests using homologous antigenic material. Several patients gave definite positive reactions. Testicular biopsies performed in some patients showed a histological picture similar to that obtained in experimental human or animal auto- or iso-sensitization. All patients in whom testicular damage was present also showed positive skin tests, ascertained by histology of the site of reaction, but none of them exhibited circulating antibodies in meaningful titers. The skin hypersensitivity suggest some correlation between this type of reaction and the development of the testicular lesions as shown in several other diseases in which an immune mechanism could be involved.


RNA polymerase activities in isolated nuclei of guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium: influence of castration and androgen administration.

Nuclei from seminal vesicle epithelium of adult guinea pigs were isolated in hypertonic sucrose solution. The incorporation of [3H]UTP by the isolated nuclei into acid-precipitable products was studied. Incorporation required ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP, and Mg+2. It was inhibited by addition of actinomycin D, deoxyribonuclease, or pyrophosphate to the reaction mixture. Thus, incorporation of [3H]UTP by isolated nuclei had the same characteristics that have been demonstrated for the reactions catalyzed by nuclear RNA polymerases. Using alpha-amanitin as a metabolic tool, we established concentrations of (NH4)2SO4. Mg+2, and nucleotides that give maximum assayable activities of nuclear RNA polymerases I and II. When the activities of polymerases I and II were measured in isolated seminal vesicle nuclei of guinea pigs that had been castrated 4 days earlier, a marked decrease in activities was found relative to control values (nuclei from intact animals). No further decrease was found 8 days after castration. Diminished accessibility to the nuclear DNA template and a decrease in the concentration of RNA polymerase molecules seemed to be responsible for the observed effects of castration on activities of RNA polymerases. An increase in ribonuclease activity did not seem to be responsible for the effects of castration. Activities of the enzymes did not change 2, 3, or 4 hours after intraperitoneal injection (2 mg/kg body weight) of each of five different androgens. Similarly, a single intraperitoneal injection of testosterone did not restore enzyme activity of polymerade I or II at any time during the first 24-hour period after hormone administration.


Some interrelationships between plasma levels of LH, FSH, oestradiol 17beta, androgens and semen analysis data in male infertility patients.

Serum LH, FSH and immunoreactive testosterone-like substances (TLS) have been measured by radioimmunoassay in 130 male infertility patients and oestradiol 17beta in 26 cases. A weak but significant negative correlation was found between FSH and sperm count (rs = -0.19, p less than 0.05) but not LH and sperm count. However, LH and FSH were strongly correlated in the azoospermic (rs = 0.71, p less than 0.01) and oligozoospermic (rs = 0.53, p less than 0.01) groups and levels of both gonadotrophins were significantly elevated in the azoospermic and oligozoospermic as compared to the normozoospermic group. The elevated LH levels in the oligozoo- and azoospermic groups could not be explained by reduced negative feedback of testosterone or oestradiol 17beta since firstly, TLS and oestradiol 17beta levels were similar in all three groups and, secondly, within-group correlations between LH and TLS were either non-significant or positive (azoospermic group r = 0.37, p = 0.06). It is suggested that spermatogenesis-related feedback factor(s) may inhibit LH as well as FSH secretion. No role for oestradiol 17beta as a selective inhibitor of FSH secretion seemed likely as oestradiol 17beta levels were similar in the three groups and were correlated (r = 0.51, p less than 0.01) to TLS levels i.e. to leydig cell rather than spermatogenic function. Seminal fructose was negatively correlated (r = -0.26, p less than 0.01) with sperm count but not significantly with plasma TLS. It would thus seem unlikely that the tendency for seminal fructose levels to increase as sperm count decreases is due to increased androgen production or that seminal fructose can be used as an index of a patient's androgenic status. Patients with varicoceles had hormone levels similar to other patients of similar sperm count. Both sperm morphology and motility were strongly correlated to log sperm count (r = 0.84 and 0.55 respectively) and semen volume was significantly greater in oligozoospermic than normozoospermic patients (p less than 0.01).


Acute cerebrovascular and myocardial ischemia superimposed upon chronically hypertensive and arteriosclerotic male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Repeatedly bred male rats which develop arteriosclerosis spontaneously were subjected to unilateral nephrectomy, 1% saline drinking water, and 2 mg subcutaneous injections of deoxycorticosterone acetate per animal weekly for 7 weeks to induce severe hypertension (+/- 175 mmHg systolic). Acute cerebral ischemia was induced by ligating one carotid artery. Two days later, experimental animals were subjected to acute myocardial ischemia by injecting them subcutaneously with a single dose of isoproterenol (25 mg/100 g body weight). All of the experimental animals died within 4 hours of the injection of isoproterenol. During this same period, blood pressure, body weight, thymus, kidney, and testicular weights were reduced, whereas heart and adrenal gland weights increased markedly. Serum enzymes (CPK, SGOT, and LDH), lipids (triglycerides and free fatty acids), glucose, BUN, and corticosterone rose progressively. Fatty infiltration of the liver, adrenal hyperplasia, myocardial thrombi, renal degenerative changes, and cerebral edema became progressively more severe. A hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis component may be involved in the reaction to the stress of acute cerebral or myocardial ischemia, which is intensified when the two ischemias are combined, and chronic hypertension may exacerbate both.


Carotid cavernous fistula in pregnancy.

A carotid-cavernous fistula in pregnancy is not rare. Increasing pain and worsening of the  proptosis made prompt operative intervention necessary. The fact that other known cerebrovascular lesions lend themselves to surgical attack without undue risk during this time8--11 prompted us to proceed with surgery. There was no adverse effect on the pregnancy, other than premature delivery. Both the mother and child are doing well 4 years after surgery.


Further observations on the morphogenesis of the round headed human spermatozoa.

Sperm and testicular biopsies of an infertile human patient have been investigated using histochemical and electron microscopical technique. Spermiogram revealed a head defect, characterized with lacking acrosome and round and immature nucleoplasm, occuring in practically all cells and coiled tails in about a half of spermatozoa. EM study of spermatids has shown an abortive development of acrosome, whose primordium failed to attach the nucleus and expand, instead regressed. The nucleus failed in shaping and retarded in maturing, a disturbance apparently associated with the aplasia of hypoplasia of caudal manchette. The role of zinc in nuclear differentiation and the shape of head in the movement pattern are discussed.


Cerebral arteriovenous fistula causing congestive heart failure in infancy.

The case of a newborn female in congestive heart failure due to a cerebral A-V fistula is presented. The cardiac manifestations in the presence of this condition are described, and the diagnostic importance of auscultation of the skull is stressed. Because of the precarious condition of most of these neonates, diagnostic procedures should be minimized if the clinical picture is compatible with this diagnosis, and cerebral angiography should be performed before any heart studies are undertaken.


Epididymal resorption of spermatozoa in the field rat (Millardia meltada).

A study has been made of epididymal resorption of spermatozoa in the field rat (Millardia meltada). At the height of its reproductive activity, many spermatozoa penetrate the epididymal epithelium and intertubular tissue where they undergo fragmentation and resorption. Sperm disposal is maximum in the cauda epididymidis.


Reduction of blood flow following ischemia in arteriopathic patients: reversion of the phenomenon induced by propranolol.

In most arteriopathic patients, the release of a transitory ischemia in the affected limb reduces blood flow, instead of increasing it as in normal subjects. In this study the effects of propranolol administration on this paradoxical response have been investigated. After rheographic tracings were recorded in 14 arteriopathic patients in the basal condition and in the postischemic period, 10 mg of propranolol was administered IV and the protocol was then repeated. The blood flow in the affected area, measured as Jantsch's index of the rheographic tracings, was 0.63 +/- 0.04 in the basal condition and was reduced to 0.51 +/- 0.05 (P less than 0.001) in the postischemic period. When the ischemia was repeated after propranolol administration, Jantsch's index rose from 0.57 +/- 0.04 to 0.85 +/- 0.09 (P less than 0.01). The reversion of the paradoxical response to the ischemia induced by propranolol administration suggests that the beta-adrenergic blockade can increase blood flow to the ischemic area, probably through a constrictive action on arterovenous connections.


[Ultraspectrophotometric method of differential determination of DNA and RNA in spermatozoa].

The authors describe a complement of the previously published ultramicrospectro-photometric method for the dosage of nucleic acids. The spermatozoa are scanned by a bundle of U-V. light. It is so possible to obtain the measurement of the U-V. light absorption on a very big number of very small areas. The data are printed very accurately on one histogram. Thereafter spermatozoa are submitted to the action of RNase and DNase and rescanned with U-V. light. The comparison of the histograms allows to estimate the amount of nucleic acids. Further investigations are requested.


Diastolic intervals in cardiomyopathy and abnormal thyroid states: alterations in isovolumic relaxation time and rapid filling time of depressed and enhanced myocardial contractility.

Diastolic and systolic time intervals were measured in 11 control subjects, 11 patients with cardiomyopathy, 7 hyperthyroid patients, and 5 hypothyroid patients. The isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), rapid filling time (RFT), preejection period (PEP), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and PEP/LVET ratio were found by simultaneously recording the ECG, phonocardiogram, external carotid pulse, and apexcardiogram. In cardiomyopathy the IVRT and RFT were prolonged (107.4 +/- 21.1 msec [P less than 0.01] and 111.0 +/- 10.0 [P less than 0.01] respectively) in comparison to the control subjects. (In the controls the IVRT was 85.7 +/- 18.4 msec and the RFT was 94.5 +/- 12.8 msec). In altered thyroid states the RFT was most affected; in hypothyroidism it increased to 123.9 +/- 25.2 (P less than 0.01) and in hyperthyroidism it decreased to 71.5 +/- 21.3 msec (P less than 0.01). In hyperthyroid patients the IVRT, although shorter than in control subjects, was not significantly altered, but it showed a significant increase after treatment. The RFT also returned toward normal after therapy in both groups (116.7 +/- 14.6 msec in hypothyroid patients and 89.0 +/- 23.1 msec in those with hyperthyroidism).


Angiographic demonstration of an acquired internal mammary-to-pulmonary artery fistula.

A patient with a continuous murmur due to flow through an internal mammary-to-pulmonary artery fistula is described. Previously reported cases have been thought to be congenital in origin. A history of an anteriorly placed chest tube suggests an acquired etiology for this malformation.


[Identification and determination of carbohydrates in biologic liquids by gas phase chromatography. Application to blood microsamples on paper].

The authors describe a method of estimation of blood sugar by gas chromatography using a microsample of blood placed on paper. The estimation of blood sugar by gas chromatography carried out both on the disc of blood and on the same volume of fresh blood, leads to identical results which are superimposable on those obtained by the ortho-toluidine method. The estimations of galactose, fructose and xylose, lead to comparable results to those obtained by classical colorimetric or enzymatic methods. This method is of interest in pediatrics by the small volume of blood required and by the means of transport of the sample towards the laboratory. A certain number of applications are described: Estimation of fasting blood sugar, during a cycle, or after a glucose loading test. Estimation of various sugars, e.g. galactose, xylose, fructose, in presence of glucose during the loading tests.


[Hyperglycinemia without ketosis. Biochemical and enzymatic study].

We report a biochemical and enzymatic study of two neonatal cases of non ketotic hyperglycinemia. We report the comparative evolution of glycine level in plasma and CSF during a restrictive diet excluding glycine and serine. The high levels of glycine found in CSF and brain are likely to reflect the brain damage. After autopsy, the glycine synthase activity determination shows a significative partial deficiency in the liver and a total deficiency in the brain. Glycine synthase affinity for glycine is similar for controls and patients and this lead use to think that the deficiency is due to a diminished biosynthesis of the enzyme molecule.


[Human erythrocyte glycerides].

There are difficulties in measuring red cell glycerides mainly because the amount found in erythrocytes is so differne from that of other lipids in blood cells. The red corpuscles contain only very small quantities of glycerides, about 5mg/1, while the amount of cholesterol and phospholipids is 200 to 500 times higher. The methods currently used for estimating glycerides in serum can be used here only after removing these other lipids. The distribution of glycerides in erythrocytes is ver different from that of serum: serum contains mainly triglycerides while there are diglycerides as well as triglycerides in erythrocytes (on average 3,4 micro mol/1 of triglycerides and 1,7 mumol/1 of diglycerides).


[Determination of Ag ions in water, urine and blood].

Developments in polarography techniques over the last thirty years have enabled us to register outstanding increases in sensitivity: the order of concentration studies has evolved from 10(-3) g ions/1 to 10(-10) g ions/1. Pulse polarography with anodic stripping voltammetry is therefore particulary suitable for the determination of numerous metals which are to be found in extremely low concentration in biological samples which may be of limited volume e.g. blood. Our objects has been to describe and to apply in the case of silver a determination technique which would be sufficently sensitive, precise, practical and rapid for it to be easily used by biologists and toxicologists. A fortiori, this method may be applied in hydrology to the determination of these metals in water.


[Study of critical values of plasma concentration of cholesterol in hospitalized patients by an enzymatic method].

The concentration of plasma cholesterol was measured in 794 women and 832 men by a method of enzyme analysis. The populations studied were composed of patients in hospital. The critical values were drawn up using parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. The serum cholesterol varied in these populations between 3.0 and 8.5 mmol/l and neither age nor sex modified seriously these values.


Meteorotropism of seizures in children from birth to seven years (author's transl).

Between Oct. 1st 1971 and Sept. 30th 1976, 2,901 cases of seizures in children under 7 years of age have been treated in the Emergency Service of "La Fe" Children's Hospital of Valencia. On this basis, we have tried to demonstrate the presence of "runs" of such seizure cases, which were thought to exist. We have also studied the relationship between the seizure frequency and the atmospheric pressure. The yearly and monthly seizure distributions don't show statistically any significant difference. Neither do week-days or periods of the day. Mathematic study hasn't shown non-periodic "runs" either of the seizure cases within the total amount of emergency cases, or of the days with an admission rate of three or more seizure cases within all the days with the study period. Statistical studies comparing the seizure frequency with the mean atmospheric pressure in the daily intervals from 8.00 to 14.00, from 14.00 to 19.00 and from 19.00 to 8.00 of the following day, and with the respective barometric gradient, show that there aren't any correlations. Neither is there any correlation between seizure frequency and daily maximum barometric gradient. However it is demonstrated that in extremely low atmospheric pressures (under 1001.9 milibar) the seizure frequency is higher. A bibliographical review on meteorotropism of convulsions is made.


Pathophysiology of spironolactone-induced gynecomastia.

Peripheral blood levels of testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone and the metabolic clearance rates of testosterone and estradiol, as well as the peripheral conversion of testosterone into estradiol, were measured in 16 patients with hypertension. Six of these patients were treated with spironolactone and developed gynecomastia. The other 10 patients served as control subjects. The blood testosterone level in the spironolactone-treated group (2.7 +/- 0.5 ng/ml) was significantly less (P less than 0.02) than in the control group (4.4 +/- 0.4 ng/ml). On the other hand, blood estradiol levels in the spironolactone group (30 +/- 4 pg/ml) were significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than in the control group (13 +/- 2 pg/ml). These changes were primarily due to significant increases in the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone (P less than 0.02) and in the rate of peripheral conversion of testosterone into estradiol (P less than 0.001) in the spironolactone-treated group. Thus, spironolactone does alter the peripheral metabolism of testosterone resulting in changes in the ratio of testosterone to estradiol, which could contribute to the production of gynecomastia.


Treated and untreated recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, or no metabolic disorder.

Two hundred two recurrent calcium oxalate stone-forming patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria or hyperuricosuria, or both, were treated for an average of 2.91 years (1 to 7 years) with thiazide or allopurinol, or both. The frequency of new stone formation was drastically reduced. During the treatment period of 625 patient years, 220.0 new stones should have occurred, whereas 22 were actually formed (chi-square=178, P less than 0.001). Thirty-four patients without discernible metabolic disturbances and treated only with increased fluid intake and dietary advice formed 29 new stones compared to a predicted 33.2 stones (87.3%). Thirty similar patients treated with thiazide and allopurinol formed six stones compared to a predicted 31.8, P less than 0.001. Chronic reversal of idiopathic hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria with thiazide and allopurinol is an effective way to prevent recurrent calcium oxalate stones. Conservative measures are only of marginal effectiveness in treating metabolically normal stone forming patients; however, thiazide and allopurinol appear to decrease new stone formation.


[Di Giorge's syndrome with congenital heart disease (author's transl)].

Authors describe three cases of Di Giorge's syndrome (thymic and parathyroid aplasia) proved through anatomical study postmorten, associated with cardiac malformations (Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, persistent truncus arteriosus and large patent ductus arteriosus). Clinical characteristics of the stated syndrome are analized with special reference to congenital heart diseases that are included in it.


Hepatitis-associated lipid storage myopathy.

We report the case of a 23-year-old woman who developed severe myalgias in association with mild hepatitis B surface antigen-positive hepatitis. Muscle biopsy showed myriads of microvacuoles filled with neutral lipid. Prednisone therapy was associated with complete clearing of all clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Since muscle carnitine levels were normal before treatment, we conclude that infection with hepatitis virus may induce non-carnitine-deficient lipid storage myopathy in man.


A communitywide outbreak of giardiasis with evidence of transmission by a municipal water supply.

Three hundred fifty residents of Rome, New York, had laboratory-confirmed cases of giardiasis between 1 November 1974 and 7 June 1975. A random household survey showed an overall attack rate for giardiasis (defined as a diarrheal illness of 5 days or more) of 10.6%. A significant association was discovered between having giardiasis and using city water and between having illness and drinking 1 or more glasses of water a day. The presence of human settlements in the Rome watershed area suggested that the water supply could have been contaminated by untreated human waste. The infectivity of municipal water was confirmed by producing giardiasis in specific pathogen-free dogs fed sediment samples of raw water obtained from an inlet of a city reservoir. A microscopic examination of the water sediments uncovered a Giardia lamblia cyst in one sample. This was the first time that a G. lamblia cyst has been found in municipal water in an epidemic and the first time that such water has been shown to infect laboratory animals.


[Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (author's transl)].

A four-year old boy with familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is reported. The clinical picture was that of prolonged fever, hepato and splenomegaly, adenopathies and, in the terminal state, bleeding tendency and sligth jaundice. The laboratory data showed anemia, leucopenia and abnormal coagulation studies compatibles with disseminated intravascular clotting. The differential diagnosis with malignant histiocytosis is attempted from a histological point of view.


[Some additional facts about thymus (author's transl)].

Three cases are presented of eventual diagnostic errors concerning the thymus. In the first case right aberrating lobe appeared radiologically as a tumour of posterior mediastinum. In the second case, the large thymic malleability, enabled it to invade medium mediastinum and to show an extraordinary variability in shape when in decubitus. Finally, a post surgical hematomata, in a patient affected by a cyanogen cardiopathy actually showed some problems of radiological diagnosis with the characteristic thymus regeneration.


Curable hypertension with unilateral hydronephrosis. Studies on the role of circulating renin.

Among eight patients with unilateral hydronephrosis and hypertension, peripheral plasma renin activity was normal in seven and borderline high in one. Four patients had hydronephrotic/contralateral kidney renin ratios of greater than 1.5, suggesting excessive renin release from the diseased kidney, and ratios between contralateral kidney and peripheral blood of less than 1.2, indicating suppressed renin production in the contralateral kidney. Nephrectomy normalized blood pressure in each of these patients. Two patients had hydronephrotic/contralateral kidney renin ratios of less than or equal to 1.3 or contralateral kidney/periphery ratios of greater than 1.2, suggesting ischemia of the contralateral kidney; pyeloplasty or nephrectomy, or both, failed to improve the hypertension. Postoperative changes in blood pressure correlated with changes in peripheral renin (r = 0.90; P less than 0.01). These data suggest that hypertension associated with unilateral hydronephrosis is partly renin-dependent; and renal vein renin values are helpful in selecting patients for surgery.


Impaired marrow granulocyte reserve and leukocyte mobilization in leukemic reticuloendotheliosis.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy often induces sustained, severe granulocytopenia in patients with leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. Many of the patients so treated subsequently develop serious infections. Poor marrow reserve has been implicated but lacks supporting evidence as the cause of the granulocytopenia. In six patients we studied with leukemic reticuloendotheliosis, bone marrow showed severe granulocytopenia, blood neutrophil response after intravenous hydrocortisone injection was poor, and leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation showed suboptimal neutrophilia and poor or no mononuclear response. Splenic hypersequestration and pooling were probably not important factors in causing neutropenia, since similar results were seen in patients without spleens. These findings suggest that in this disease the marrow granulocyte reserve and leukocyte mobilization are impaired and the neutropenia is due to poor granulocyte production and not to increased migration of leukocytes to tissues. Cytotoxic chemotherapy should be used with caution in patients with this disease.


[Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to inferior vena cava (author's transl)].

Four cases between one day of life and seven years are presented. Two of them were males and two females. All of them had cardiac pulsation palpable to the right of the sternum, one with some bulging of the left hemitorax. In two cases a systolic murmur was heard over the second intercostal space associated with fixed splitting of the second sound and the other case presented recurrent infections processes of the lung dying ultimately from bronchoneumonia. On the simple X-ray displacement of the mediastine towards the right side, dextroposition of the heart, right pulmonary hyoplasia, enlargement of the right atrium and image in "scimitar" (obvious in two cases and possibly existed in the other two) was observed. In three cases a lung scan was carried out which showed a marked decrease in perfusion of the right lung. Angiocardiography in all cases as able to demonstrate anomalous venous drainage of the right lung to inferior vena cava directly.


Intravenous elemental mercury injection: blood levels and excretion of mercury.

The blood level and excretion of mercury was measured in a patient who injected 1 ml (13.6 g) of elemental mercury intravenously. The chest radiograph showed metallic densities delineating small pulmonary vessels. The patient had no signs or symptoms of mercury intoxication in the year after injection. Mercury blood levels were essentially constant, averaging 62 ng/ml. Although exhalation of mercury vapor was a major route of excretion and urinary mercury rose fivefold with administration of penicillamine, excretion by all routes, estimated for the year after injection, represented only 1% of the dose. Total body clearance of mercury wasonly 5 ml/min. Penicillamine therefore appeared to be of little value in reducing the body burden of mercury. The data also suggest that acute systemic mercury intoxication is unlikely after intravascular elemental mercury injection because blood mercury levels are low.


[Severe combined immunodeficiency with hypergamma-e eosinophilia, icthyosis and normal serum adenosin-deaminase (author's transl)].

A two months old girl whose parents and grand-parents were consanguineous, and a former brother died when eight months old with a similar clinical picture is studied. Our patient developed diarrhea at the age of fifteen days, and icthyosiform skin lesions when she was one month old. Enlarged lymph nodes were prominent. She died with severe lung and ear infection. No evidence of skeletal abnormalities were found. Eosinophil count was high (720-1,000/mm3), IgE was increased for age (760 u.u./ml.), but other immunoglobulins were very decreased or absent. T-cells were decreased and lymphocyte with Ig receptors were not detected. Phytohemagglutinin response was nul but complement was normal. Autopsy revealed typical lymphoid features of severe combined immunodeficiency. Pulmonary "Pneumocystis carinii" infection was not found. Seric adenosine-deaminase was normal and absence of hypouricemia suggested also a normal nucleoside-phosphorilase.


The use of digitalis in patients with pulmonary disease.

A review of available literature suggests that patients with pulmonary disease may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of cardiac glycosides than patients with normal lung function. However, few studies correlating digitalis effects with pulmonary status have characterized the type of respiratory illness present or controlled for concurrent, unrelated left ventricular disease. Indications for digitalis therapy with particular emphasis on its role in the management of cor pulmonale, the evidence for an enhanced sensitivity to cardiac glycosides, and the possible mechanisms underlying such sensitivity in patients with pulmonary disease are considered.


Local immunity in the pig respiratory tract. II. -- Relationship of serum and local antibodies.

Antibody passage from blood to respiratory secretions was studied on pigs. The animals were passively immunized and have a high anti-hog cholera serum antibody titer. With normal animals as with swine influenza animals, no serum antibody could be recovered neither in buccopharyngeal secretions nor in lung washings: it seems that in such conditions no detectable transudation occurs from blood to local secretions. Following intranasal inoculation of swine influenza virus or intramuscular injection of live attenuated hog cholera virus, local antibodies appear, which are considered to be locally produced.


Local immunity in the pig respiratory tract. I. -- Cellular and humoral immune responses following swine influenza infection.

By serial lung washings on living pigs, kinetics of humoral and cellular local immune responses have been studied following intranasal inoculation of swine influenza virus. Local and serum antibodies appeared 8 days post-infection (p.i.) and reached a maximal titer 2 weeks p.i. Antibody titer decreased faster in lung secretions than in serum. Local and systemic cell-mediated immune responses were detected, by in vitro transformation tests, during the second week p.i.


[Consumption of bread and its substitutes].

Over the years, the consumption of bread has dropped considerably. A consumer survey of 3 109 people of all ages undertaken in several regions in France has revealed different criteria of variation enabling us to understand better the way in which this drop has taken place. The consumption of various foodstuffs replacing bread such as "biscottes" and"croissants" has also been noticed. In 1972, the average consumption of bread was 166 grams per person per day, but this is subjected to considerable variations. The sample reveals 9 p. 100 non-consumers, but 30 p. 100 men and 8 p. 100 women eat more than 250 grams per day. The drop in the consumption of bread is generally linked with an increase in sedentary life. This marked restriction in glucids contained in cereals can have important effects on health as it upsets the balance of the energy intake.


[Thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6 contents of organs in the aged rat. I. Effect of vitamin supplementation administered in drinking water].

Respectualy ten and twenty-two months old rats, fed an equilibrated diet, were given daily and for one month an extra supplementation of thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6 in drinking water. Control animals of the same age were fed identical diets but without vitamin extra supplementation. Vitamin contents of organs (liver, heart, kidneys, spleen, lungs, brain) were determined in order to evaluate both the influence of aging and of vitamin supplementation. Twenty-three months old rats show lower values of thiamin contents (except in liver and brain), riboflavin contents (except in heart and spleen) and vitamin B6 contents (except in heart, lungs and brain) than younger rats. Vitamin extra-supplementation reduces some of these differences: thiamine contents in heart, kidneys and spleen, riboflavin contents in brain, vitamin B6 contents in kidneys and spleen. In all other cases, the extra-supplementation has no effect. Therefore, it seems that the decrease in vitamin contents in organs of old rats is, in many cases an unavoidable consequence of aging.


[Behavior of alpha-tocopherol during the autoxidation of linoleic acid in aqueous solution].

Addition of great quantity of alpha-tocopherol to an aqueous solution containing linoleic acid dispersed with twen 20 conduce to an important augmentation of the rate of formation of linoleic hydroperoxides. In these particular conditions, alpha-tocopherol have a prooxidant effect. In the same time, alpha-tocopherol is rapidly transformed into tocopherylquinone and a dimer of alpha-tocopherol. Transitorily there is formation of a dihydroxydimer of alpha-tocopherol. Comparison of these compounds behaviour on the oxydation rate of linoleic acid in the same conditions show a near relation between a prooxidant effect and chemical structure of these compounds as well as alpha-tocopherol. So, alpha-tocopherol and its dihydroxydimer are both prooxidant and both have a free hydroxyl on carbon 6. Dimer of alpha-tocopherol and tocopherylquinone are both antioxidant and they have neither free hydroxyl on carbon 6. alpha-tocopherol acetate in the same conditions have an antioxidant comportment. This confirms the importance of free hydroxyl on carbon 6 to obtain a prooxidant effect.


[Physiopathological effects or erucic acid-poor rapeseed oil on rat adrenal glands].

The authors explored the influence of colza oils containing variable proportions of erucic acid ("Sinus", containing about 15 p. 100 erucic acid and K-20-40 oil, containing 0,5 p. 100) on adrenal function in the rat. The assays were performed on white male Wistar rats, aged 2.5 to 3 months. For a period of 6-10 weeks, groups of animals were maintained on diets containing 30 and 50 p. 100 of their caloric value as "Sinus" oil, and on diets containing 30 p. 100 of their caloric value as "Zero" oil (K-20-40). Control groups were placed on diets with the same percentages of normal colza or sunflower oils. Corticosterone was assayed in the adrenals and the plasma of treated and control animals. Cholesterol was assayed in the adrenals and in the serum of the same animals. It was found that the functional modifications of the adrenals in male Wistar rats are characteristic for erucic acid. The amount of functional damage to these glands is proportional to the level of erucic acid in the diet.


[Capacity for regulation of food intake and growth of fifth stage larva of Locusta migratoria M. R and F (Orthoptera, Acrididae) in various conditions of fasting and temperature].

Migratory locusts in the fifth instar, have two feeding periods, one obligatory, the other accessory; the duration of which depends on growth and moult. Quantitative data about food intake, are estimated by weighing frasses each day. Food intake raises and decreases gradually between two moults. Starvation during one day is made up for by feeding more during the accessory period. Rearing larva under constant or alternating temperatures, shows that in the three experimented conditions, obligatory feeding period coincides with a daily food intake increasing regularly to raise a maximum at the end of this first period and decrease afterwards in the accessory period.


[Experimental study of the larval development of Hymenolepis stylosa (Rudolphi, 1809), Raillet, 1899 (Cestoda : cyelophyllidea) (author's transl)].

Comparative studies of the larval development of Hymenolepis stylosa Rudolphi, 1809 (Cestoda : Cyclophyllidea), a parasite of Corvid birds are undertaken from three insect species. The development in the beetle, Tenebrio molitor shows that the scolex differenciation occurs before the invagination of the metacestode in the cystic vesicle. The cercomer is long, narrow and flexuous. In the grasshopper, Lousta migratoria, the development is the same one but the scolex invaganation begins early. In another beetle, Dermestes frischi, the oncosphere is stopped in the gut-wall. The morphology and development of the cysticercoids of avian species of Hymenolepis, which have a well known life cycle, are similar. Studies on the structure of the larval stages of avian and mammal species of Hymenolepis seem necessary to find the relations between the different species of this genus.


[Experimental studies on competition between Potamopyrgus jenkinsi against Lymnaea (G.) truncatula in Vienna and Haute-Vienne (France) (author's transl)].

P. jenkinsi is not an intermediate vector of Fasciola hepatica. In Lymneae habitats with periodical dessiccation, Potamopyrgus can not live long. Permanent water is necessary: under these conditions, Potamopyrgus competition has a positive effect upon Lymnaea ecology.


[Share to the Cionella lubrica Müller biological cycle, intermediate host of Dicrocoelium lanceolatum (Rudolphi, 1803) in Limousin (author's transl)].

Description of the habitat and biological cycle of Cionella lubrica in Limousin and surroundings. The species reaches its adult size in a five to six months' period and its longevity may go beyond one year. In spite of existence of young adult individuals for a whole twelve-month, we may notice two generations: the first one in spring and the second one from the outset of autumn.


[Tissular alterations and defence reactions in cymothoids parasited teleosteans (Crustacea - Isopoda - blood sucking) (author's transl)].

Some tissual alterations of the parasitic microbiotope are shown in fishes harbouring Cymothoidae (blood-sucking Isopods). These alterations consist mainly in a hypertrophied epidermis and a deeply disturbed conjunctive tissue; moreover, it can be observed an important production of mucus on the tegument surface and a rush of blood cells (lymphocytes, eosenophilic granulated cells) and of cells of histiocytary origin (giant multinucleated cells).


[Presence in People's Republic of Congo of Sergentomyia decipiens, Sergentomyia dissimillima, Sergentomyia tauffliebi, Sergentomyia wansoni and Sergentomyia squamipleuris (author's transl)].

The authors indicate the presence in People's Republic of Congo of the five following sandflies: Sergentomyia decipiens Theodor, 1931; Sergentomyia dissimillima Abonnenc, 1972; Sergentomyia tauffliebi Abonnenc and Cornet, 1971; Sergentomyia wansoni Parrot, 1938 and Sergentomyia squamipleuris Newstead, 1912. They give the check-list of sandflies of Congo on the 31st may 1976 and a map of their geographical distribution.


[A new report of naturally anautogenous and stenogamic populations of Culex pipiens pipiens L. in the south of France (author's transl)].

The presence of an anautogenous and stenogamic population of Culex pipiens pipiens in Languedoc, France, is reported. The anautogeny was confirmed through 10 generations. A Callot morphogram corresponded to the anautogenous form. These results raise again the question of the type of relationships, genetic or ecological, of the characters classically associated with autogeny.


[Biological cycle of Tarsubulura perarmata (Ratzel, 1868) (author's transl)].

Tarsubulura perarmata (Ratzel, 1868) is described from a primate Tarsius bancanus and from Tupaidae: Tupaia glis and T. minor in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). Its biological cycle is done by the experimental infestation of crickets belonging to the genera Valanga and Oxya. The infective larvae are obtained after three weeks of development of 28 degrees C in the intermediate host. They differ from third stage larvae obtained from Subulurinae by the development of cuticular pharyngeal lobes. The early apparition of this ontogenetic character confirms the isolation of the genus Tarsubulura as compared to the general evolution of the Subuluridae.


[Coelomomyces psorophorae Couch, 1945 (Blastocladiales-Coelomomycetaceae), a parasite of Aedes detritus (Haliday, 1833) (Diptera-Culicidae) in the Camargue (author's transl)].

The Phycomycete, Coelomomyces psorophorae Couch, 1945, was found in the south of France in the salt marsh mosquito Aedes detritus (Haliday, 1833). The fungus invades the ovarioles but leaves the follicules intact. At high magnification, (using a scanning electron microscope), the crater-form punctuations adorning the sporangium were seen to result from openings (ostioles) of the network of small canals that traverse the external wall.


[Studies on Aureum-group (Diptera, Simuliidae) in France (author's transl)].

The study of the male genitalia of blackflies of the complex "Aureum", from several areas of France, has shown four morphological types which are distinquishable by the structures of the ventral plate and of the sytles. These four are S. (E.) aureum Fries, 1824 sensu Rubzov, 1962, S. (E) angustipes Edwards, 1915, S. (E.) lantinum (Rubzov, 1962) and S. latizonum (Rubzov, 1956). S. aureum, sensu Rubzov and S. angustipes, Newly found in France, were collected in Brittany; S. latizonum was found in the south of the Massif Central and S. latinum in both regions. In each case the taxonomy and distribution are given. These four species have a large western palearctic distribution, and the regrouping of several recently described taxa would be useful within the complex "Aureum".


Ommission of pelvic peritoneal closure after abdominoperineal rectal excision.

Peritonealization of the raw areas and closure of the pelvic floor is sometimes impossible to perform in patients subjected to abdominoperineal rectal excision when combined with extensive lymph node clearance. The postoperative course in 34 patients, treated in that way, necessitating sacrifice of the peritoneum on the dorsal aspect of the abdominal wall and in the pelvis was studied with the possible relevances in mind. Complications requiring laparotomy in the early postoperative period, occurred in three patients, but in only one of the patients was the complication considered to be related to the omission of closing the pelvic floor. Admittedly, small intestinal obstruction complicated the postoperative course later on in another three patients, but it can hardly be excluded that this complication, caused by pelvic recurrence, should not have occurred if pelvic closure had been performed. It is concluded that the importance of peritonealization, covering all raw peritoneal surfaces and pelvic reconstruction, has been overstressed in the past. Moreover, it is also suggested that it is in fact better to leave the pelvic cavity widely open than to perform a reconstruction under tension, even in patients treated by conventional abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma.


Rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids. Analysis of 281 patients.

The problems and discomfort resulting from haemorrhoidectomy have led to the development of other forms of therapy. Rubber band ligation has become a popular method of treatment for internal piles. The results are comparable with those achieved by excisional surgery. The material consists of 281 consecutive patients with internal haemorrhoids treated with rubber band ligation. The average follow-up was 12 months. 239 of the 262 patients re-examined were entirely free of discomfort (91%). In all the eight cases with mucosal prolapse the ligation was not successful. In these as well as in patients with rubber allergy, other forms of treatment are suggested.


Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland in Norway. Serum calcitonin in 300 relatives of 43 patients.

Measurements of serum calcitonin (iCT) were performed in 300 relatives of 43 Norwegian patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MCT). Prior to the screening, familial occurrence of the disease was known in only one of the families. Persistant hypercalcitoninemia (serum levels greater than 0.50 ng/ml) was demonstrated in 2 healthy persons from this family and in 3 first degree relatives of 2 patients with apparently sporadic disease. Additional 7 relatives of 5 other "sporadic" cases showed elevation of serum iCT on one occasion, while later controls revealed normal values. Twenty persons had high normal serum levels (0.35 ng/ml less than or equal to iCT less than 0.50 ng/ml). The significance of transitory hypercalcitoninemia and high normal values are at the present unknown, but these persons will have further tests. Stimulation tests for iCT secretion were found to be of limited value in distinguishing between normal and pathological serum iCT. All individuals found to have chronic hypercalcitoninemia belonged to families in which the probands showed one or several of the following "high risk" factors: A positive history of thyroid disease, early age of onset, bilateral presence of the thyroid tumour, association with other endocrine or peripheral neurogenic tumours, and marphanoid habitus. The iCT screening was however negative in the relatives of the two probands revealing 4 and 5 of these factors. Since neither the family history nor the presence or absence of "high risk" factors distinguished between sporadic and familial cases, it is concluded that serum iCT measurements should be carried out in primary relatives of all patients with MCT.


Arthrodesis of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis. A follow-up study of 62 cases.

Two cases of pseudarthrosis of the total of 62 wrists are reported. The motion of the first, fourth and fifth C-MC joints has practical value after "subtotal" wrist arthrodesis in rheumatoid patients. The frequent non-union of the joints between the trapezium/scaphoid and around the os triquetrum was painless and without clinical significance. If the wrist was fused in a neutral position (41 wrists) the position of the index finger was increased more than five degrees in the ulnar direction at follow-up in nine hands (22%). In no single case was the change in the deviation more than five degrees in the radial direction. If the wrist was fused in the radial position more than five degrees (five cases), the change in the deviation of the index finger was correspondingly ulnar in every case. If the wrist was fused over five degrees in the ulnar position (12 cases), in four cases the index finger deviated more than five but ten degrees or less in the radial direction at follow-up compared with the position before the arthrodesis. The wrist was 15 degrees or more in the ulnar direction in each of these four cases at follow-up. The position of the wrist should be in only slight ulnar deviation, less than 10 degrees, when the angle between the radius and the second metacarpal bone is measured. Either slight dorsal flexion or the zero position are recommended.


Desmoid tumour compressing vital pelvic structures. A case report.

A case of a desmoid tumor is presented. The tumour was initially found in an appendectomy scar. Excision of the tumour was not radical enough and it recurred. During the second operation, a tumour weighing 940 g was excised. A segment of the right ureter and right iliac vessels were also resected and reconstructed. Recovery was uneventful. Moderate swelling due to lymphoedema in the right lower extremity persisted after the second operation. There has been no recurrence after the second operation eight years ago.


Effect of long-acting oestriol on the vaginal cytology of postmenopausal women.

Eight postclimacteric women were given 80 mg polyestriol phosphate by intramuscular injection in order to analyse the effect of the drug on the vaginal cytology. In four patients, whose vaginal smears showed complete atrophy before treatment, a clear but weak oestrogen effect was observed after the medication. This effect appeared after one week in three patients and after two weeks in one patient, and it lasted four weeks in three cases and two weeks in one. In four patients, whose vaginal smears showed a weak oestrogen effect before treatment, the therapy did not result in any significant change of the vaginal smear pattern.


[Use of aluminum salts for purifying oleandomycin culture broth].

It was shown that "nepheline coagulant"--Al2 (SO4)3-18H2O was effective in coagulating the admixtures in oleandomycin fermentation broth. The use of the "nepheline coagulant" in an amount of 1 to 3 per cent (by the weight) of the volume of the oleandomycin fermentation broth provided butyl acetate extraction of the antibiotic without formation of stable emulsion. Addition of the "nepheline coagulant" in an amount of 1 to 2 per cent (by the weight) to the fermentation broth markedly increased the rate of the fermentation broth filtration.


[Production of carbon-labelled rubomycin by means of biosynthesis].

The authors obtained 14C-rubomycin biosynthetically with the use of 14C-acetate, 14C-propionate and methionine (methyl-14C) as the label source. It was shown that radiochemically pure 14C-rubomycin may be obtained from a non-purified preparation of radioactive glucose, i. e. a preparation obtained by hydrolysis of chlorella cells grown on a nitrogen-free medium in an atmosphere of 14CO2. It was found that the use of soyabeen meal + glyserol medium for synthesis of the labeled rubomycin from 14C-glucose resulted in a two-fold increase in the specific activity of the antibiotic.


[Br. ovis sensitivity to antibiotics].

Irrespective of their geographical origin the cultures of Br. ovis are highly sensitive to tetracycline and streptomycin. The bactericidal concentrations of tetracycline for 86.6 per cent of the strains and streptomycin for 93.20 per cent of the strains were 0.02--0.04 and 0.1--0.4 gamma/ml respectively. The bactericidal effect of morphocycline, kanamycin, benzyl-penicillin, lincomycin and monomycin was less pronounced. Polymyxin M had no bactericidal effect on the Brucella even in concentrations of 200 gamma/ml. Antibiotic sensitivity of S-subcultures of Br. ovis and the initial R-variants was studied comparatively. It was found that genetically related S-subcultures of Br. ovis were more resistant to the antibiotics than the initial R-strains.


Netilmicin pharmacokinetics after single intravenous doses to elderly male patients.

The pharmacokinetics of the new aminoglycoside antibiotic netilmicin were examined after single intravenous injections at two different dose levels to elderly male patients. The durg obeyed two-compartment model kinetics in serum, and elimination was monoexponential from 1 to 2 h after dosing. Netilmicin levels in serum were above minimum inhibitory concentration values for most susceptible organisms for up to 8 h after dosing in normal individuals and for at least 12 h in uremic patients. Urine levels of netilmicin were uniformly above minimum inhibitory concentration values throughout 24 h after dosing. Netilmicin distribution characteristics were largely independent of both dose level and renal function. Netilmicin elimination kinetics were independent of dose level but were markedly influenced by renal function. Relationships are described between netilmicin elimination and renal function indicators, which provide a basis for dosage adjustment in individuals with renal function impairment.


Biotransformation of sisomicin to gentamicin C2b.

Sisomicin was transformed to gentamicin C(2b) by Micromonospora rhodorangea NRRL 5326. The mechanisms involved in the biotransformation are the 6'-N-methylation and the (4'-5')-reduction. The progression of the methylation was followed by the isotope technique, but the reduction reaction was not monitored.


Bacteriolytic action of fluoride ions.

Bacillus subtilis, Neisseria subflava, and LYT coccus were found to undergo massive lysis after growth in media containing 0.01 to 10 mM NaF. When cells of these organisms were transferred from late-exponential-phase cultures to 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer plus 0.1 M KCl, they underwent spontaneous autolysis. Cells grown in media with fluoride were more liable to autolysis, and walls isolated from them also showed enhanced autolytic sensitivity, even though added fluoride did not directly stimulate autolysins. Sporadic or partial lysis occurred in populations of Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans BHT or LM-7 after growth in fluoridated media. Most bacteria that were tested did not undergo fluoride-induced lysis. However, cells of all test bacteria were found to have reduced amounts of peptidoglycan per unit of cell weight when grown in the presence of fluoride. Incorporation of labeled lysine or glucosamine into peptidoglycan (Park-Hancock residue) was stimulated, instead of inhibited, by fluoride. However, fluoride also stimulated the loss of radioactivity from Park-Hancock residues of cells that had previously incorporated labeled lysine or glucosamine. Thus, fluoride appeared to enhance peptidoglycan turnover, and this turnover reduced the peptidoglycan contents of all bacteria tested, but induced lysis in only those bacteria that normally have highly active autolytic systems.


Enhancement of antistaphylococcal activity of nafcillin and oxacillin by sisomicin and netilmicin.

The in vitro activity of sisomicin, netilmicin, nafcillin, and oxacillin against 35 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from blood cultures of patients with endocarditis or septicemia was studied. The effects of combinations of either of the two newer aminoglycosides and either of the two penicillinase-resistant penicillins on the killing of S. aureus were investigated. All S. aureus strains were susceptible to the four antibiotics. Enhancement of antistaphylococcal activity was demonstrated by the antibiotic combinations.


Acriflavine-resistant mutant of Streptococcus cremoris.

Selection for resistance to acriflavine in Streptococcus cremoris resulted in cross-resistance to the drugs neomycin, streptomycin, ethidium bromide, mitomycin C, and proflavine. Furthermore, the mutants showed resistance to lytic bacteriophages to which the parental strain was sensitive, and, unlike the parent, the mutants grew well at higher temperatures (40 degrees C). Revertants selected independently either for temperature sensitivity or for acriflavine sensitivity lost resistance to all the drugs and dyes but retained the bacteriophage resistance phenotype. The acriflavine-resistant mutation resulted in an increase in resistance by the bacterial cells to sodium dodecyl sulfate, a potent solvent of lipopolysaccharide and lipoprotein. It is suggested that the acriflavine resistance mutation determines the synthesis of a membrane substance resistant to higher temperatures.


Mode of action of morganocin 174.

Morganocin 174-induced lethality was characterized by one-hit kinetics. Although it induced simultaneous inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and protein syntheses, the most striking effect of morganocin was a rapid reduction of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate to less than 10% of the initial values within 2 min of addition. Accumulation of thymidine, uridine, glutamine, and proline was also inhibited. A gradual efflux of K(+) was observed, but the lethal effects of morganocin 174 could not be prevented by maintaining a high K(+) or Mg(2+) concentration. The Mor174 plasmid codes for an immunity substance that protects cells against the effect of morganocin 174.


Bacteriocin from Actinomyces odontolyticus with temperature-dependent killing properties.

A strain of Actinomyces odontolyticus, originally isolated from human dental plaque, produced a non-dialyzable, trypsin-sensitive substance that was bactericidal for certain strains of bifidobacteria at 42 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C. Detectable quantities of the bacteriocin were not produced in liquid media. Experimentally useful yields were obtained by extraction from pour plate cultures of producer cells. At 42 degrees C, exponential killing did not occur until indicator cells had doubled at least once. At 37 degrees C, the bacteriocin effected a transient bacteriostasis. Partially purified concentrates were obtained by diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography, and such material was not inactivated by ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, or lipase. Pronase, trypsin, and exposure to 100 degrees C for 20 min completely abolished activity. Inhibitory activity was considerably reduced by exposure to a pH of either 3 or 11. Treatment of producer cells with curing agents did not induce a high frequency of non-bacteriocinogenic cells. The odontolyticin was adsorbed by susceptible, as well as resistant, bacteria.


Elimination of plasmids from several bacterial species by novobiocin.

Certain plasmids can be eliminated by exposure to growth-inhibiting concentrations of novobiocin. Novobiocin cured 8 of 14 plasmids (13 R-plasmids and an F' lac) among one or another of four different bacterial hosts.


Tolciclate: further antimycotic studies.

In vitro comparison on dermatophytes showed, on a microgram-per-milliliter basis, that tolciclate was more active than clotrimazole and miconazole in inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes in Sabouraud agar with and without 10% horse serum.


Host function specified by Bacillus pumilus plasmid pPL7065.

Plasmid pPL7065 ( approximately 4.7 x 10(6) daltons; approximately 20 copies per chromosome) determines the production of, and immunity or resistance to, a killing activity in strains of Bacillus pumilus. Plasmid pPL7065 is compatible with plasmid pPL576 ( approximately 28 x 10(6) daltons; approximately 2 copies per chromosome).


Methicillin hemorrhagic cystitis.

Interstitial nephritis is a recognized complication of methicillin therapy. Hemorrhagic cystitis due to methicillin has not been emphasized. Evidence of hemorrhagic cystitis developed in six patients receiving methicillin therapy and was confirmed by cystoscopy in three of them.


Stability of antibiotics in Wilkins-Chalgren anaerobic susceptibility testing medium after prolonged storage.

Wilkins-Chalgren medium, when prepared in advance and stored over a 14-day period under various conditions, supported the growth of anaerobic bacteria. When antibiotics were incorporated into the medium and held under the same storage conditions, there was no detectable change in activity of the antibiotics.


In vitro activity of cefaclor, a new orally administered cephalosporin antibiotic.

The in vitro antibacterial activity of cefaclor, cephalothin, and cephalexin against 261 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae was compared. Cefaclor and cephalexin were about equally active against S. aureus. Cefaclor was the most active cephalosporin against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The effect on the antimicrobial activity using a relatively high and low inoculum was pronounced for cefaclor when compared with that of cephalothin.


Effect of Tween 80 on glucosyltransferase production in Streptococcus mutans.

Glucan production from sucrose by Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 was stimulated approximately threefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80. When OMZ 176 was grown in a medium containing glucose, the glucosyltransferase level in the medium was also increased about fivefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80. The glucosyltransferase level increased in proportion to the logarithm of the concentration of Tween 80 in the glucose medium. Tween 80 affected neither bacterial growth nor the activity of glucosyltransferase. The appearance of glucosyltransferase in the glucose medium was inhibited immediately by chloramphenicol and actinomycin D and, after a lag, by rifampin as well. It was observed that the fatty acid composition of the cells grown with Tween 80 was altered. These results suggest that Tween 80 stimulates glucosyltransferase synthesis either directly, or indirectly by promoting glucosyltransferase secretion.


Seasonal distribution of vitamin B12 in Lake Kinneret.

Vitamin B12 is formed in Lake Kinneret in the hypolimnion and in the sediment. The highest value of B12 recorded in the lake water was about 100 ng/liter in November and December of 1975 at a 40-m depth. The vitamin was liberated from the hypolimnion during the turnover period. This supply of the vitamin to the photic zone was accompanied by increasing biomass of Dinoflagellates, Bacillariophyta, and Chlorophyta. The decrease in the vitamin concentration, followed by an increase, is correlated with a decline and subsequent rise in the algal biomass, respectively. Cyanophyta biomass, on the other hand, increased when the vitamin concentration in the photic zone was at its lowest level.


Rapid spectrophotometric differentiation between glutathione-dependent and glutathione-independent gentisate and homogentisate pathways.

A total of four pathways are known for the catabolism by microorganisms of gentisate (2,5-dihydroxybenzoate) and homogentisate (2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate). Both of these dihydric phenols can be degraded by either a glutathione-dependent or a glutathione-independent reaction sequence. We found that it is not always possible to unequivocally assign glutathione dependence or independence to a particular catabolic sequence by using the well-established spectrophotometric assays at 330 nm (gentisate pathway) or 320 nm (homogentisate pathway). This paper reports a modification of the classical spectrophotometric assays that allowed an unequivocal differentiation between glutathion-dependent and glutathione-independent pathways, even when crude cell extracts contained significant quantities of cell-derived, reduced glutathione. This was accomplished by performing assays in the presence of an approximately 10(-3) M solution of the sulfhydryl-binding agent N-ethylmaleimide.


Bacterial association in the gastrointestinal tract of beagle dogs.

Nine male beagle dogs, housed in either a conventional or locked environment for 2.5 years, were killed, and the bacterial flora present in various regions of each gastrointestinal tract was assessed by culture techniques, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All dogs possessed a complex microflora in their colons; in almost every dog anaerobes predominated. The highest number of bacteria cultured was 10(10)/g (dry weight) of tissue and contents; highest counts obtained with a Petroff-Hauser counting chamber were 10(10)/ml (wet weight). Although there was a consistency in the detectable genera, there were also noticeable differences in the flora of dogs housed under different environmental conditions. These differences included qualitative and quantitative changes in the flora as well as alterations in the distribution and localization of microorganisms along the gastrointestinal tract and in the crypts of Lieberkuhn. No bacterial layers were detected on the surfaces of stomach or proximal bowel in any of the dogs. Dogs housed in a conventional, open, environment had bacteria that occurred in layers on their ceca and colons and in their crypts of Lieberkuhn; however, dogs housed under "locked" environmental conditions did not possess them or had them less frequently. Dogs removed from the locked environment and kept (30 days) in conventional housing conditions were the only ones with detectable segmented filamentous microbes in their ilea. This study shows that the microbial flora does not simplify when dogs are housed in a locked environment. Indeed, it may increase in complexity and cause alterations in the bacterial flora that is associated closely with gastrointestinal epithelial cells and crypts of Lieberkuhn.


Nose, throat, and fecal flora of beagle dogs housed in "locked" or "open" environments.

The microbial flora of the nose, throat, and feces of male beagle dogs housed in a "locked environment" (i.e. confined to germfree-style isolators and supplied with sterile food, air, and water) or an open environment were assessed between 26 and 30 months into the study. Forty-five genera and 170 different species or types of microorganisms were cultured from the nose, throat, and feces of the beagles. Clostridia, eubacteria, corynebacteria, bacteroides, lactobacilli, and anaerobic, gram-positive cocci accounted for most of the microbial diversity in the flora. Some of the facultative anaerobes, especially streptococci and lactobacilli (in feces), occurred in numbers that were comparable to the most numerous anaerobic species. Confinement to the locked environment resulted in an increased diversity of microorganisms in the flora, but the total microbial counts did not increase to any great extent. Even with the increased diversity of bacteria in the flora of confined dogs, some bacteria seemed to favor certain areas of the gastrointestinal tract over others. The increased diversity of bacteria observed in these confined dogs may pose some infectious disease problems for other mammals (including humans) that may be confined to a locked, ultra-clean environment for a prolonged period of time.


Fungal transformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene.

Screening of 190 fungi representing 98 genera showed that the ability to transform 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was common, whereas transformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene was rare.


Amylase production by thermomonospora curvata.

Thermomonospora curvata produces an extracellular inducible amylase which does not accumulate products repressive to cellulase production during growth on starch-cellulose ratios similar to those of compost.


Isolation, extraction, and measurement of acetylcholine from Lactobacillus plantarum.

The isolation, extraction, and spectrophotometric determination of acetylcholine from Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 10241 is described. Acetylcholine was extracted with a mixture of sodium tetraphenylboron-butylethylketone-acetonitrile and was measured enzymatically at 340 nm.


Rate of microbial transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a chromatographic quantification procedure.

A chromatographic procedure has been developed for isolating and quantifying microbial transformation products of 14C-labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Transformation rates of naphthalene, anthracene, benz(a)anthracene, and benz(a)pyrene by a mixed bacterial population have been measured. With this procedure, extremely slow or incomplete transformations may be quantified that would not be detectable by previously used techniques.


Effects of glucocorticosteroids on primary human skin fibroblasts. I. Inhibition of the proliferation of cultured primary human skin and mouse L929 fibroblasts.

Various glucocorticosteroids were added to logarithmically growing cultures of primary human skin fibroblasts and of mouse L929 fibroblasts. These steroids inhibited proliferation of the human fibroblasts at concentrations which fall in a range expected to occur during the topical treatment of skin disorders. In terms of the concentrations required for the inhibition hydrocortisone was least and clobetasol-17-propionate most effective. All other steroids studied (hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone-17-valerate and hydrocortisone-21-acetate) showed medium effectiveness. Fluorination as such may not enhance the inhibitory effect. The inhibition was independent of the source (baby foreskin or adult arm skin) and passage number (7th to 13th or 15th and 16th passage, respectively) of the cells. The possible relationship between the inhibition of cell proliferation by such steroids and their therapeutic effect in psoriasis and their atrophic side effects is discussed. Mouse L929 fibroblasts were affected at 10(3)--10(4)-fold lower steroid concentrations and the range of the effective concentrations was 10(4)--10(5) times as wide as that for the primary human skin fibroblasts. It was concluded that these mouse fibroblasts are a poor model system for the study of in vivo effects of glucocorticosteroids in man.


Effects of glucocorticosteroids on primary human skin fibroblasts. II. Effects on total protein and collagen biosynthesis by confluent cell cultures.

Confluent cultures of normal primary human skin fibroblasts were incubated with various glucocorticosteroids which are in current use clinically for the treatment of various skin disorders. For all steroids concentrations were found at which collagen hydroxyproline formation was inhibited, while total protein synthesis was little affected. The concentration effective for inhibition was highest for hydrocortisone and lowest for clobetasol-17-propionate. All other steroids (hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone-17-valerate) showed medium effectiveness. Fluorination as such was not a factor in the degree of inhibition. The inhibition observed was shown to be independent of concomitant specific effects on cell proliferation or cell turnover. The possible implications of these findings on the therapeutic effects in psoriasis and the frequently occurring atrophic side-effects of these steroids are discussed.


New experimental model for the primary evaluation of topical contra-inflammatory agents.

Assays of steroidal and non-steroidal drugs in an experimental model of dermatitis induced in the ear of the rabbit by the application of a solution of croton oil revealed clearly differentiable inhibitory effects on the rise in skin temperature, the oedema and the increase in tissue mass due to the inflammatory process. The results obtained in this test system fairly accurately reflect the relative therapeutic potencies of known dermatocorticoids and, in conjunction with those found by other methods, afford a more exact characterization of the activity profiles of non-steroidal contra-inflammatory agents.


[Biochemistry of free amino acids in the stratum corneum of human epidermis. I. The reaction of arginase (author's transl)].

The human horny layer contains insoluble arginase, which is tied to keratinic cells, with an activity of about 1 mU/cm2 skinsurface. About 50 p.c. of arginase is inhibited by water soluble substances of horny layer or by using soaps and syndets. By washing the skinsurface with water the activity increases. Presumable the horny layer arginase has a function in the urea production of sweat.


[Modification of relative amount of free amino acids in the stratum corneum of human epidermis by special factors of the environment. I. The influence of UV-irradiation (author's transl)].

By repeated uv-irradiation the quantity of all free amino acids (per surface unit) in human horny layer increase considerably. 4 different groups of substances are found by taking the relative values in mole per cent. 1. No difference for urea, threonine, serine, glutamine, tyrosine and ammonia. 2. Decrease of about 20 p.c. for glutaminic acid, citrulline, arginine, histidine. 3. Increase of about 20 p.c. for urocanic acid, aspartic acid, proline, glycine, valine, isoleucine. 4. The rest of amino acids increase about 30--50 p.c.


Composition and function of "hornmark" in cutaneous horns.

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism underlying the formation of cutaneous horns, 43 cases of cutaneous horns were examined histologically and histochemically. Three of 43 cases were also investigated by using direct immunofluorescence technique and electron microscopy. The structure identical to "Hornmark" was found in all of 43 cases of cutaneous horns except two which consisted only of horny masses. The substance found in the intercellular space of "Hornmark" was homogenous, eosinophilic and mostly diastase-resistant PAS positive, and showed strongly positive immunofluorescence for immunoglobulins, complement, and fibrinogen. Electron microscopically, it was moderately electron dense, fine granular and in part fine fibrillar, and was similar to the contents of capillary lumen. From these findings, it was suggested that the substance found in "Hornmark" consisted mainly of the components of plasma protein, and that coagulated plasma protein might play an important role on the increased cohesiveness of the horny cells, i.d. on the formation of cutaneous horns.


Porphyria cutanea tarda-like dermatosis by hemodialysis. Ultrastructural study of exposed skin.

The authors studied by electron microscope, the sun-exposed skin of the back of the hand from three heavily hemodialysed patients with a porphyria cutanea tarda-like bullous skin disease. The vascular impairment, like that of PCT, closely resembles that seen during medicamentous phototoxic processes. The connective tissue is infiltrated by large granulo-filamentous masses and the fibroblasts are secretory in appearance. At the dermal-epidermal junction, the abnormalities are important, with a diffuse infiltration of the upper dermis by a hyalin substance, probably resulting in a collagen degeneration and cellular necrosis. The aetiological factors are uncertain, as no common medicamentous factor appeared in our patients, and as the plasticizers used in the hemodialysis tubes probably played no part.


[Effects of peeling agents (resorcinol, crystalline sulfur, salicylic acid) on the epidermis of guinea pig (author's transl)].

The mode of action  of "classical peeling agents" such as resorcinol, crystalline sulfur, and salicylic acid on the epidermis is almost unknown. There are only a few experimental data available. Therefore the effects of resorcinol, crystalline sulfur, and salicylic acid were studied. A 1% and 3% concentration of these chemicals in vaselinum flavum or Unguentum Cordes was applied to the ears and flanks of adult male guinea pigs up to 14 days. Prior to biopsies at various time intervals, 3H-thymidine was injected intradermally. Specimens were paraffin embedded and routinely processed for autoradiographical analysis. The following parameters were assessed: Labelling index (L.I. in %); number of labelled basal cells per unit length of basement membrane; papillomatosis-index; and acanthosis-factor (projection histoplanimetry). The data were statistically analysed. The peeling agents induced a concentration-dependent increase of the L.I., acanthosis, and papillomatosis. Crystalline sulfur caused the most pronounced effect, followed by resorcinol. In contrast salicylic acid caused only a minute acanthosis factor  and a slight increase in labelling. The correlation coefficient r of epidermal thickness to the L.I. for all concentrations and peeling agents used reaches the high figure of 0.978 for the ear. The 1% and 3% salicylic acid has a lower acanthosis factor than vaselinum flavum by itself. Preliminary autoradiographical studies in humans with 1% and 10% salicylic acid confirm these data. Salicylic acid counteracts acanthosis. These experiments show that crystalline sulfur and resorcinol have a potent effect on cell proliferation and acanthosis. They peel via proliferation hyperkeratosis. The mode of peeling by salicylic acid must be different, as cell proliferation and acanthosis are barely enhanced. The clinically known "keratolytic" effect of salicylic acid may be due to a direct action on the intercellular cement substance of the horny cells.


[Long time HCB exposition of rats: influence on the porphyrin excretion in the urine and on the cytochrome P-450 in the liver (author's transl)].

Adult female Wistar rats were fed with a diet containing 0.05% HCB. About the 55th day of the experiments an increase of porphyrin and its precursors (ALA and PBG) in the urine of the rats can be measured. In contrast the induction of the O-dealcylation reaction of 7-ethoxycoumarin could be already measured 2 days after starting with the HCB feeding. The inhibition of the enzymatic reaction by metyrapone, naphthoflavone, tetrahydrofurane or CO/O2 presents neither the typical pattern of the phenobarbital type nor the typical pattern of the benzpyrene type of cytochrome P-450. When the animals became porphyric (about the 55th day of the HCB exposure) no qualitative changes in the cytochrome P-450 pattern could be demonstrated. The relationship between the enzyme induction in the liver and the porphyria following the HCB application is still remaining unclear.


Degradation of O, O-dimethyl S-[alpha-(carboethoxy)-benzyl] phosphorodithioate (phenthoate) in soil.

The degradation of ring-labeled 14C-phenthoate in a moist sandy loam and silty clay loam soil was studied. Phenthoate degradation was attributed to the action of extracellular heat-labile soil enzymes which converted to its carbon ester hydrolysis product, phenthoate acid. Thus, rate of phenthoate degradation was greatly retarded in autoclaved soil, but was equally rapid in nonsterile soil under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Degradation was also rapid even at a soil treatment of 100 ppm. Phenthoate acid was extensively degraded to 14CO2 by soil organisms under aerobic conditions, but due to unfavorable factors, degraded only by slow first-order kinetics under anaerobic conditions and at the 100 ppm fortification level under aerobic conditions. Phenthoate and phenthoate acid were confirmed as the principal soil components by isolation and identification by IR and NMR data.


Potential exposure from smoking parathion-contaminated cigarettes.

Pesticide workers usually contaminate their cigarettes with less than 100 microgram per cigarette by handling them, but in some instances such contamination has been found to be over 200 microgram. To obtain values for potential exposure resulting from smoking contaminated filter tip and nonfilter cigarettes, from 10 to 200 microgram of parathion was applied to the cigarette surface area found to be most often contaminated by hands. This was followed in two separate experiments by simulated smoking using a special apparatus to determine (1) passage of toxic material through cigarettes in mainstream smoke, (2) amount found in sidestream smoke, (3) amount trapped in the filter or equivalent butt end, and (4) amount recovered in ashes. The amount of parathion passing through cigarettes as a potential for inhalation exposure ranged up to 28% of dosing levels. No paraoxon or S-ethyl parathion was detected. Although there was an indication that slightly more pesticide was recovered from filters than from equivalent butt ends, the amount recovered in mainstream smoke of filter type cigarettes was not significantly lower than for nonfilter cigarettes. Location of contamination on a cigarette had minimal effect on the amount found in mainstream smoke.


Preliminary assessment of the acute toxicity of malathion in animals.

Laboratory studies were conducted to acquire information concerning the acute toxicity of malathion in animals under various conditions of exposure. The responses in rabbits and quail exposed to aerosols generated from technical grade malathion (95%) and approximating an ultra-low volume ground spray were compared with those from a 6% malathion/No. 2 fuel oil mixture simulating a high volume spray. Results indicate that technical grade malathion (95%) as an ultra-low volume spray and at effective insecticidal concentrations in particle sizes having a mass median diameter of about 12 mu is relatively nonhazardous compared to the possible toxic fuel oil effects of a 6% malathion/No. 2 fuel oil mixture with a mass median diameter of 25 mu. Based on blood plasma cholinesterase activity analyses, quail were more sensitive to equivalent malathion exposure concentrations than were rabbits. Oral administration of technical grade malathion to rabbits resulted in reduction of plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity at dosages of 120, 300, and 600 mg/kg with death resulting from 1200 mg/kg.


Prenatal effects of herbicides: evaluation by the prenatal development index.

The herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and many of the esters of these compounds produced cleft palates in CD-1 mice. Silvex and Agent Orange also produced cleft palates. Depending on the dose and means of administration variable responses relating to the production of cleft palates, effect on fetal weight, and effect on fetal mortality were obtained. In order to view these data comprehensively, the Prenatal Development Index was determined. This index was computed from the incidence of malformed fetuses, fetal mortality and fetal body weight. This made it possible to evaluate data from some experiments with feto-toxic doses of compounds in which the high incidence of fetal mortality and consequently low incidence of viable fetuses obscured the response.


Toxicological studies on hydrocarbons--Iomex.

Hematological changes and concurrent enzymatic activities in various tissues were determined in rats injected parentally with Iomex, a petroleum derivate and proposed weedicide. Among the hematological parameters studied only the differential leucocytic count showed significant alterations. This was indicated by a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes and an increase in those of neutrophils. Significant differences were not observed in the levels of acid phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic, and glutamic pyruvate transaminase activities in brain and liver of the experimental group of animals.


Uptake and distribution of cadmium in mice following repeated administrations.

The research was undertaken to analyze the uptake and distribution of cadmium-109 in mice following repeated injections and to observe how the simultaneous administrations of zinc affected the cadmium retention. Mice were given one, two, or three intravenous administrations at 48-hr intervals. Animals were sacrificed 2 min to 48 hr after each injection. Zinc had little effect on the retention of cadmium in the samples analyzed, and injections behaved independently of each other.


A study of different analytical extraction methods for nondetrital heavy metals in aquatic sediments.

4.0 N HNO3-0.7 N HCl, 0.5 N HCl, 1 N hydroxylamine hydrochloride-25% acetic acid and 0.05 N EDTA were investiagted as extractants of nondetrital heavy metals from the sediments of the Rideau River. A comparison of these partial extraction methods with a total extraction method, showed that the 4.0 N HNO3-0.7 N HCl attacks the silicate crystal lattice considerably. 1 N hydroxylamine hydrochloride-25% acetic acid was found to be unsuitable for copper extraction. Both of the other two methods were suitable for the simultaneous extraction of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, and Al from the organic adsorbed and precipitated phases of sediments. They both gave a measure of nondetrital heavy metals in sediments and are thus useful to environmental contamination studies.


Effects of DDT on reproduction in multiple generations of beagle dogs.

The effects of chronic oral exposure to 1, 5, and 10 mg of technical DDT/kg/day on: 1) age at puberty, length of gestation, fertility, success of pregnancy, litter size, and lactational ability of dams; 2) viability, survival to weaning, sex distribution and growth of pups; and 3) morbidity, mortality, organ/body weight ratios, gross and histologic abnormalities in all animals were studied through three generations of Beagle dogs. There were a total of 135 adult female and 63 adult male dogs in the project which produced 650 pups. There were no statistically significant differences among control and DDT-treated dogs in any of the reproductive variables, with the exception of age at puberty of the females. DDT-treated females had their first estrous cycles 2 to 3 months earlier (P less than .001) than the control dogs. Selected DDT-treated females, held for a second breeding period, had normal anestrous periods between their first and second estrous cycles. There was no effect of DDT on survival, growth, and sex distribution of pups, nor was there any influence on morbidity, mortality, gross or histologic findings in any of the dogs. All organ/body weight ratios were normal, with the possible exception of an increase in liver/body weight ratio in some DDT-treated animals.


Correlation of cerebral blood flow with outcome in head injured patients.

In order to determine the relationship of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the clinical outcome of head injury, serial determinations of CBF were performed by the intravenous Xenon technique in 24 patients. The patients were of mixed injury severity and were classified into four groups depending on the neurological exam at the time of each CBF study. All eight patients who were lethargic on admission demonstrated increases in their minimally depressed CBF as they improved to normal status. Eleven patients in deep stupor or coma ultimately recovered. Ten of these patients initially had moderate to profound decreases in CBF which improved as recovery occurred. The single exception was an adolescent whose initial CBF was high but became normal at recovery. Five comatose patients died. In four of these, already depressed CBF fell even lower, while one adolescent with initially increased CBF developed very low CBF preterminally. The data presented in this report demonstrated a good correlation between CBF and clinical outcome. In every one of the adult survivors, depressed CBF increased as the patient recovered to normal status. All adults who died showed a deterioration of CBF as the neurological status worsened. The only exceptions were two adolescents who initially showed high CBF values. In the adolescent who died, CBF dropped to low levels while in the survivor a normal CBF was achieved. Thus in adults a traumatic brain injury was associated with depressed CBF which increased with recovery or decreased further with deterioration while the reaction to injury was quite different in the younger brain.


Transampullary septectomy for post-cholecystectomy pain.

Twenty-eight patients with chronic, incapacitating upper abdominal pain after cholecystectomy had excision of the common wall between the terminal bile duct and duct of Wirsung (ampullary septum). Twenty-two also had a sphincteroplasty: six had had this procedure previously. Pancreatic function studies, scintiscans, ultrasound and pancreatograms were non-diagnositic. Hyperamylasemia was an uncommon finding. Eight patients were found to have evidence of mild pancreatitis at exploration. There was gross scarring of the ampullary septum in 22 cases. Histologic examination revealed inflammation in 12 septa; the degree of fibrosis could not be assessed since 14 control septa from autopsy material free from biliary tract disease revealed a comparable degree of collagen and smooth muscle. There were no deaths, and minimal morbidity. In follow-up from seven to 59 months (mean = 26), 16 patients are relatively free of pain, five have occasional episodes which require non-narcotic analgesics, and seven have gained no relief from the operative procedure. A randomized controlled trial is recommended.


Influence of the burn wound on local and systemic responses to injury.

Total resting leg blood flow, measured by venous occlusion plethysmography; leg oxygen consumption; substrate turnover; and leg surface temperature were determined in 21 nonseptic burn patients and four normals. The patients studied during the second to third week postinjury sustained total body surface injuries averaging 45% (range 12-86%) and leg injuries of 35% total leg surface (0-82.5%). To integrate the peripheral metabolic and circulatory events with the systemic responses to injury, total body oxygen consumption, cardiac output, rectal and mean skin temperatures were also measured. Leg blood flow and leg surface temperature generally increased with total burn size but did not correlate with cardiac output, total body oxygen consumption, or body temperature. However, leg blood flow was closely related to the extent of the leg burn (r(2) = 0.73). To evaluate the metabolic determinants of the wound blood flow, patients were matched for burn size (40.5% total body surface in one group vs. 42%), resulting in similar systemic responses to injury (cardiac index 7.8 +/- 0.7 L/min m(2) vs. 7.5 +/- 0.8, VO(2) 204 +/- 12 ml/min m(2) vs. 241 +/- 22, rectal temperature 38.5 +/- 0.3 degrees vs. 38.3 +/- 0.3 degrees , NS). One group (n = 7) had extensive leg burns (58% of the leg surface), the other (n = 9) minimal leg injuries (9.5%). Leg oxygen consumption was similar in the two groups (0.24 +/- 0.01 ml/100 ml leg min vs. 0.19 +/- 0.04, NS), although leg blood flow was markedly increased in the injured extremities (8.0 +/- 0.5 ml/100 ml leg min vs. 4.2 +/- 0.4, p < 0.001). Glucose uptake and lactate production were enhanced in the burned extremities (glucose 0.34 +/- 0.08 mg/100 ml leg mmn vs. 0.04 +/- 0.03, p < 0.01, lactate 0.30 +/- 0.08 mg/100 ml leg min vs. 0.06 +/- 0.06, p < 0.05) and related in a general manner with size of the leg burn. Increased peripheral blood flow following injury is directed to the wound and unrelated to aerobic metabolic demands of the extremity. The selectively perfused wound consumes glucose and produces lactate. The increased systemic cardiovascular and metabolic responses to thermal injury are essential for the enhanced circulatory and anaerobic demands of the healing wound.


Immune RNA therapy for renal cell carcinoma: survival and immunologic monitoring.

Twenty patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and nine patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) but at high risk for recurrence following nephrectomy received weekly four milligram intradermal injections of purified RNA extracted from lymphoid organs of sheep immunized with human renal cell carcinoma. Eighty-six consecutive UCLA patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma served as retrospective controls. Survival between subpopulations in each group matched by computer according to extent and location of metastases, age, sex, and interval between nephrectomy and occurrence of metastases were compared by Life Table Analysis. Survival was significantly greater in RNA-treated patients (P < .05) who had multiple metastases limited to the lungs when compared with matched controls. RNA therapy did not influence survival of patients with metastases to other sites (bone, brain, liver, lymph nodes, or skin) or multiple organ involvement. All nine MRD patients treated with RNA remained free of recurrence for a mean observation period of 18 months, range ten to 34 months. No significant toxicity was observed. Changes in skin test responses were related primarily to tumor burden. Increased lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity in RNA recipients was associated with a somewhat improved survival period. Changes in absolute lymphocyte counts had no correlation with clinical course, and complement fixing antibody generally decreased after excision of tumor, was absent in patients with progression, and was present in low levels in patients with a favorable clinical response. RNA therapy may be of value in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and as an adjunct to definitive surgery.


Revascularization methods in chronic visceral ischemia caused by atherosclerosis.

A comparison of revascularization methods used in 35 patients who underwent 39 operations for chronic visceral ischemia caused by atherosclerosis is presented. All but two of these various methods have been abandoned either because of technical difficulties encountered during the procedure, or the high failure rate observed after operation. The two techniques which overcame these objections are: (1) antegrade aorto-celiac prosthetic grafts, and (2) transaortic endarterectomy using a thoracoretroperitoneal approach.