[Action of ultraviolet radiation on chymotrypsin solutions].

The article deals with the influence of UV-radiation (gamma-254 nm) on the chymotrypsin solutions in the atmosphere of O2, Ar and CO2 at 5 degrees C and 40 degrees C as well as with the processes of aftereffect. Inactivation of chymotrypsin due to irradiation was accompanied by formation of SH-groups, high and low molecular weight compounds with low activity and inactive products of photolysis. An increase in temperature led to a greater chymotrypsin inactivation and increase in the number of SH-groups and aggregates, and to a greater photolysis of the enzyme molecules. The irradiation in the atmosphere of O2 and Ar revealed no differences in the course of chymotrypsin inactivation. Nevertheless, it was found that in Ar the yield of high-molecular compounds, their activity and the number of SH-groups exceeded those in O2. In the presence of O2 the formation of active products of low molecular weight increased. Irradiation in the atmosphere of CO2 contributed to the aggregation of the enzyme molecules and increased inactivation of all products as compared with Ar and O2. It is shown that after irradiation there occurs the further inactivation of the enzyme which is accompanied by formation of new fractions. A possible mechanism of chymotrypsin inactivation is discussed.


[Nervous tissue glycoproteins normally and under the action of oxygen under pressure].

Salt-soluble proteins of great hemispheres of rats, intact and those subjected to the effect of hyperbarooxigenation, were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography into 10 heterogenous fractions, each of them containing 5-12 subfractions. The content of glucosamine and sialic acid was determined in each of the isolated fractions. Changes in the degree of heterogeneity and in total content of protein in the fractions as well as variations in the content of carbohydrate components in the chromatographic fractions are observed under the effect of hyperoxia.


[DNA synthesis enzymatic activity in the bone marrow of rats of different ages].

The activity of DNA synthesis enzymes was studied in bone marrow of rats aging from 1 month to 2.5 years. The activity of enzymes of thymidine and thymidylic acid phosphorylation in the rat bone marrow is determined to be practically constant during the whole period of studies. Activity of gCMP-desaminase and DNA-polymerase has a tendency to a decrease during the life period of rats from one to six-eight months, being constant in the following periods.


[Effect of cerebrosides on the oxidative phosphorylation and translocation of hydrogen ions in the brain and liver mitochondria of rats].

Oxidative phosphorylation and translocation of hydrogen ions in the brain and liver mitochondria of albino rats were studied as affected by cerebrosides with their chronic intraperitoneal injection. Cerebrosides are shown to inhibit the rate of respiration in the brain and liver mitochondria with the presence of ADP as well as that of substrate respiration in the liver mitochondria. A decrease in the phosphorylation rate is observed in the brain and liver mitochondria. When studying kinetics of hydrogen ions translocation in the brain and liver mitochondria it was found out that fixation of hydrogen ions induced by ADP is unchanged quantitatively though the fixation time is prolonged. Release of hydrogen ions under the effect of CaCl2 decreases in the liver mitochondria.


[Change in peroxidation and in the phospholipid content in the brain in hyperoxia and the protective action of urea].

The rate of lipid peroxidation (by content of the lipid peroxide transformation end product--malonic dialdehyde) in homogenates of rat brain was studied as affected by hyperoxia and with a protective effect of urea in experiments in vivo and in vitro. In both cases an increase is observed in the malonic aldehyde yield with the effect of oxygen under higher pressure. Urea in physiological concentrations lowers the yield under the effect of hyperoxia in vitro. In experiments in vivo introduction of urea also evokes a decrease in the rate of peroxidation. It is established that hyperoxia and urea affect mainly the ascorbate-dependent system of peroxidation. The compositon of phospholipids in the rat brain was studied under the effect of hyperoxia and urea. No changes were found in the number of fractions under the effect of 6at oxygen, only quantitative changes are observed. With introduction of urea before hyperoxia there occurs a normalization in the phospholipid composition. The authors suppose the protective effect of urea to be due to its influence on membranes.


[Study of the stability of the alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase from the brain of a bull].

Stability of alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase (alpha-KGDC) from the bull brain was studied in different temperature regimes. The high-purified preparations of alpha-KGDC are highly unstable both when kept at a temperature of 0 degrees C and as affected by temperature. The least loss of the alpha-KGDC activity is observed in the preparations obtained after lyophilization and stored for a long time as powder. The temperature inactivation may be prevented by adding to the medium Ca2+ (10(-3) M) and TPP (10(-2) M) as well as TPP and Ca2+ and Mg2+ in different combinations. At low temperatures none of the mentioned components and such substances as histidine and serum albumin has no stabilizing effect on alpha-Kgdc preparations show that the inhibitory effect of the latter is more pronounced. It is peculiar to both less purified and highly purified alpha-KGDC preparations. The action of urea is less pronounced and is greatly similar by the inhibitory effect as compared to alpha-KGDC from the pigeon muscles.


[Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity in the rat liver after the administration of sodium selenite].

Sodium selenite 24h after its single administration to rats causes an increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the liver tissue. 6 h after the selenium administration the enzymes activity does not differ from the control. Doses of 0.15, 0.3, 0.5 and 1 mg of selenium per 1 kg of the animal weight were investigated. 0.3 mg proved to be the least effective dose. An increase in the enzyme activity after administering 0.5 mg of selenium is retained for 6 days and 14 days after it does not differ from the control. The liver relative weight 24 h after administration of 0.5 mg of selenium per 1 kg of animal weight proved to be higher but three days later it did not differ from the control. After administering selenium in a dose of 1 mg/kg the liver relative weight was higher for 6 days. Actinomycin D administered in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg simultaneously with selenite prevents the rise in the enzyme activity and relative weight of the liver caused only by a single injection of selenium in the same dose.


[Use of the orcin reaction for the simultaneous determination of the RNA and DNA content in tissues].

It is shown that the orcinol method may be applied for simultaneous determination of the DNA content (by extinction at 600 nm after 2 min of the orcinol reaction) and RNA in the biologic meterial. By calculating for DNA standard solutions the value of the ratio between the extinction at 665 nm after 15 min to the extinction of 600 nm after 2 min of the orcinol reaction it is possible to increase specifiaty of the orcinol method for determination of the RNA content. The results of determining the content of nucleic acids in the biological material by the orcinol method are in good agreement with the data of its determination by the two-wave spectrophotometric method and the method of Barton.


[Effect of carboxyline on some metabolic processes and the productivity of cattle during fattening].

Feeding carboxylin to bulls of the black-piebald breed for six months with the beet-cutting fattening essentially increases assimilation of nitrogen, in particular of diammonium phosphate nitrogen, from the ration. In the experiments with liver sections and homogenates of animals of the control and experimental groups it is established that carboxylin activates incorporation of acetate-2-14 C into proteins and lipids as well as from NaH14CO3 into the acid-soluble organic substances. In the liver tissue of the animals under experiment the oxygen uptake is intensified. The content of alkaline reserves increased, concentration of area and citrate rises. No difference is established in the content of calcium, phosphorus, allantoin and ketonic bodies in blood between the animals group.


[Phenolic extraction of nucleic acids from the spermatozoa of the roach and the bream].

The results are presented of nucleic acids isolation from spermatozoids of roach and bream by the method of nucleproteid phenol deproteinization. The quantitative yield is given for DNA and RNA preparations from the mentioned objects, the molecular weight of roach and bream DNA, nucleotide composition of roach DNA as well as fractional composition of bream spermatozoids RNA are determined.


[Effect of phenylalanine and alpha-tocopherol on ubiquinone and ubichromenol metabolism in the liver of E-avitaminotic rats in vitro].

When incubating the liver pulp of vitamin E-deficiency rats with 2-14C-sodium acetate and phenylalanine for an hour the content and radioactivity of ubiquinone and ubichromenol increase as compared to the control level. In this respect phenylalanine in in a dose of 60 and 120 mumol per 1 g of the liver pulp is most effective. Under conditions of these experiments incubation for 3 h causes no noticable changes in the content and metabolism of ubiquinone and ubichromenol in the liver pulp of vitamin E-deficiency rats as compared to the control level. Introduction of different amounts of alpha-tocopherol into the incubation medium results 3 h after an increase in concentration and radioactivity of ubiquinone, the alpha-tocopherol dose of 116 nmol being the most effective. An increase in the concentration and radioactivity of ubichromenol occurs at lower doses of exogenous alpha-tocopherol (58 nmol). All the used doses of alpha-tocopherol cause a decrease in intensity of radio-label incorporation into the unsaponifiable fraction of vitamin E-deficiency rat liver incubated for 3 h. Phenylalanine also results in a decrease of these values with the system incubation for an hour and produces no changes in them in the 3 h incubation. The results of the experiments give grounds to suppose the presence of interrelation between alpha-tocopherol and biosynthesis of ubiquinone and ubichromenol in the rat liver.


[Aminotransferase activity in the brain tissue in hypothermia and self-heating].

A single as well as repeated (3 days later) hypothermia of 20 degrees C is accompanied by a significant rise in the transaminase activity in great hemispheres, cerebellum, midbrain and diencephalon. An increase in the enzymes activity is especially pronounced at the incubation temperature corresponding to the body temperature of a hypothermal animal. Organism self-heating causes a decrease in the activity of aspartate- and alanine aminotransferases. Three days after rats self-heating these enzymes manifest a lower activity as compared to that in the normothermal control animals.


Indwelling catheter and risk of urinary infection: a clinical investigation with a new closed-drainage system.

A new device for the drainage of an indwelling urethral catheter is described. The disposable one-piece-set includes the connector to the catheter, the tubing, and a cylinder to collect a urine aliquot up to 150 ml. Disconnection is impossible. The urine passes through a siphon which prevents air bubbles rising along the tubing. Aurine sample for bacteriological culture can be withdrawn from the closed system by sterile puncture of this siphon. The calibration of the cylinder enables accurate measuring of urine flow rate even in oliguric patients. The apparatus was tested in 250 patients (1386 patient-days) by daily bacteriological cultures. Compared to the literature it is at the moment the most effective system preventing urinary infection during catheter drainage.


Vascular absorption of intravesical formalin in cyclophosphamide induced haemorrhagic cystitis.

Haemorrhagic cystitis was induced in dogs by the administration of cyclophosphamide. The bleeding was stopped by intravesical instillation of Formalin. Vascular absorption of formaldehyde was determined by measurement of serum levels. Progressively increasing amounts in apparent relationship to the concentration of Formalin instilled into the bladder were found in all dogs. Higher serum levels were noted in animals with haemorrhagic cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide than in dogs with normal bladders. This study reinforces our clinical impression that formaldehyde is absorbed continuously through the wall of the urinary bladder in dogs and absorption is related to the concentration gradient. These kinetics should be kept in mind when treating patients with intravescial Formalin in order to prevent the systemic effect of the vascular absorption.


Indwelling and transrenal splint techniques for pyeloplasty.

A report is presented on experience with 118 pyeloplasties using indwelling and transrenal splints. Detailed analysis of infections with both splint modifications has confirmed that better long-term results are achieved with internal drainage, due to the absence of potential contamination between splint and renal parenchyma which exists with external drainage.


Surgical injury to ureter.

The incidence of surgical injury to the ureter varies from as low as 0.5% to as high as 30%. By being aware of various pitfalls in prevention, recognition, and treatment, the operating surgeon may perhaps minimize the incidence of surgical injuries to the ureter or their sequelae. The authors' experience with twenty-four surgical ureteral injuries is discussed and 5 cases are reported. In spite of a thorough knowledge of embryology, anatomy, and pathology predisposing to ureteral involvement, the possibility of ureteral injury must always be kept in mind.


Doxorubicin hydrochloride (adriamycin) in irradiated patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma.

Twenty-five patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract were treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin). Eight evaluable patients who received extensive external irradiation therapy and at least two doses of doxorubicin hydrochloride were studied to assess bone marrow toxicity and possible augmentation of radiation dermatitis. Myelosuppression was similar in both irradiated patients and those who received doxorubicin alone. None of the irradiated patients displayed skin augmentation reactions with doxorubicin. In the dose range used chemotherapy with doxorubicin did not appear to be particularly hazardous in irradiated patients.


Current trends in treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma of lower genitourinary tract.

Treatment of childhood embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the lower genitourinary tract is in the process of undergoing drastic changes. Extensive surgery with excision of the lesion and its contiguous structures leaving the patient with significant physical disability is being replaced by biopsy and aggressive combined chemotherapy along with radiation therapy. Although it would appear that survival may be improved by this approach, caution is recommended and extirpation advised should the tumor fail to respond rapidly to chemotherapy.


Transureteroureterostomy for urinary diversion in children.

Transureteroureterostomy with cutaneous ureterostomy has been used effectively as a method of external urinary diversion in ten children. Of the 20 renal units involved, 15 showed pyelographic improvement and 5 stabilized after diversion. The method requires that at least one ureter is sufficiently dilated to provide a stoma of adequate caliber. It avoids the disadvantages or complications associated with most other forms of external diversion.


Experimental bladder tumor induction, propagation, and therapy.

The development of animal bladder tumor models as a research tool for different modes of therapy has been widely evaluated. Recently these tumors have either spontaneously grown or have been propagated in inbred strains. Bladder tumors have also been chemically produced by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT) when orally administered over a long period of time. It has been further reported that these tumors have been inhibited by various chemotherapy regimens. The availability of an experimental bladder tumor model offers an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of a prescribed treatment. In our studies FANFT was noted to produce only from 33 to 40% bladder tumors in several experiments in an inbred strain of rats conducted over several years. Reproducible transplantability of these tumors was not demonstrable in the same inbred strain. In addition, treatment with mitomycin C an an effective chemotherapeutic agent was not detectable in part, since comparably the percentage of control bladder tumor growth was low. These findings of a three-year study should be carefully considered when evaluating recommendations for clinical adjuvant chemotherapy based on results obtained with FANFT.


Pre- and postejaculation serum acid phosphatase.

A clinical investigation was carried out to analyze the frequency of elevated serum acid phosphatase (SAP) levels after ejaculation and needle biopsy of the prostate gland. Major mechanical manipulative procedures such as needle biopsy caused marked acute elevations in SAP levels but return to normal within twenty-four hours. It is demonstrated that SAP levels remained essentially unchanged after ejaculation. It has been previously shown that procedures such as prostatic massage, catheterization, and endoscopic examination normally do not elicit abnormal SAP levels. Hence any elevation of SAP warrants further evaluation for serious urologic disease.


Vesicosalpingovaginal fistula.

The first reported case of a vesicovaginal fistula in which the fallopian tube serves as a conduit between the bladder and vagina is presented. Clinical manifestations, including recurrent urinary tract infection and cuff abscess, followed vaginal hysterectomy performed three years perviously.


Renal cystic disease.

Renal cystic disorders have long represented an area of diagnostic confusion. We have attempted to correlate renal microdissection findings with clinically established renal cystic disorders by examining each disorder in sequential fashion. The clinical presentation of a child with a multicystic kidney is followed by a review of the cystic diseases with emphasis on clinical presentation, distinguishing factors, course, and prognosis.


Late recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.

The case is presented of a patient with local recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma eleven years after preoperative irradiation and cystourethrectomy.


Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to urinary bladder.

A case is presented of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the urinary bladder. The rarity of this lesion makes it worthy of report.


Total duplicate exstrophic bladder and urethra: variation of incomplete bladder exstrophy.

A rare variant of incomplete bladder exstrophy with an intact internal bladder and urethra and a duplicate exstrophic bladder and urethra is reported.


Scanning electron microscopy of normal and malignant human urothelium.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate and compare normal bladder mucosa to tumor epithelium as well as to normal-appearing mucosa in patients with diagnosed bladder tumor. Bladder urothelium adjacent to tumors exhibits a characteristic pattern of fine structural relief which is distinct from normal uroepithelium. These changes in microcontour may be guides to the identification of early malignancy, and thus the technique will be helpful in deciding how aggressive the treatment of bladder tumor should be.


Bilharziasis of urinary bladder and ureter: comparative histopathologic study.

The relative incidence and intensity of oviposition in schistosomiasis in different layers of both the urinary bladder and the ureter are presented. Histopathological changes in both organs are elucidated. Oviposition was heaviest in the submucosa of the urinary bladder, while the muscle layer was affected in 15% of specimens. Oviposition was mainly periureteral and in outer muscle layer of the ureter, and was present in only 22% in the ureteral submucosa. Epithelial changes, namely, Brunn nests, cystitis glandularis, cystitis cystica, and squamous metaplasia, were more marked in the bladder specimens than in the ureteral specimens. Squamous cell papilloma and squamous metaplasia associated with acanthosis of the bladder specimens were identified. Results indicate unanimously that the heavy deposition of ova in the submucosa of the bladder leads through its mechanical and toxic irritation to marked epithelial and premalignant changes which pave the way for the disturbing frequency of carcinoma of the bladder in the bilharzial patients which is not the case in the ureter.


Bladder epithelial neoplasms metastatic to glans penis.

A rare case of bladder tumor metastatic to the glans penis is presented. It is the fifth such case in the literature. Clinical aspects and review of the literature are presented.


Plasma cell granuloma of kidney.

A case report of a plasma cell granuloma presenting as a solitary avascular intrarenal mass lesion is presented with angiographic and ultrasonic findings.


Nephropexy: fact or fiction?

At the Mayo Clinic, from 1940 through 1974, 21 patients have undergone nephropexy for nephroptosis. Fourteen of the 16 patients with long-term follow-up were cured; 2 of the 16 patients were partially relieved. An additional 2 patients who had one-year follow-up examinations were asymptomatic. Three patients were lost to follow-up. In this series results with the various methods of fixation did not differ, and results in patients who retained their normal position postoperatively as compared with those whose kidneys reverted to their preoperative level also did not differ. Patients who had psychologic disorders fared as well as those who did not. Greater use of renography probably could be made in the assessment of symptoms. Although this review does not suggest that nephropexy for primary nephroptosis be restored to its former appeal of the 1930s, we suggest that its use be considered again in urologic surgery.


Pneumopyelography.

Poorly opacified calculi that are completely obscured by high-density contrast media can be delineated by pneumopyelography. Three examples of pneumopyelography are presented.


Incidence in Tanzania of CF antibody to Coxiella burneti in sera from man, cattle, sheep, goats and game.

A total of 3735 sera were examined for the presence of CF antibody to Coxiella burneti. Of the samples tested 724 sera were from humans, 1507 from cattle, 525 from sheep, 575 from goats and 404 from game collected in the Serengeti National Park or Selous Game Reserve. It has been demonstrated that Q fever is well established in the above mentioned species in Tanzania (humans 3-9 per cent, cattle 13-3 per cent, sheep 17-1 per cent, goats 13-6 per cent and in game mainly in ruminants). Possible transmission links in the maintenance cycle of the disease are discussed.


Meningeal haemorrhage and congestion associated with the perinatal mortality of foals.

A high frequency of meningeal lesions was found at autopsy in foals dying perinatally. Such lesions are considered an index of injury to the fetal central nervous system, from trauma and/or hypoxia during birth. Their incidence in the sample examined (26 foals) is similar to that observed in the perinatal mortality of lambs and calves.


Fluprostenol in mares: clinical trials for the treatment of infertility.

Fluprostenol (ICI 81,008) is a 16-aryloxyprostaglandin, structurally related to PGF2alpha. It is a highly potent luteolytic agent, being effective in thoroughbred mares at a single intramuscular dose of 250 mug and having a wide margin of safety in this species. A total of 941 mares have been treated with fluprostenol in an international trial, for various forms of infertility associated with abnormal persistence of luteal function. These mares were selected for treatment on the basis of clinical examination and 760 (approximately 80 per cent) responded fluprostenol by showing oestrus within seven days of the injection. The fertility of the oestrus following prostaglandin-induced luteal regression has been consistently shown to be normal. A number of causes have been identified for the lack of response in the remaining 20 per cent of animals.


Comparisons of cell-free and cell-associated Marek's disease vaccines in maternally immune chicks.

Cell-free and cell-associated Marek's disease vaccines prepared from the TK/A isolate of the herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) were compared to evaluate their relative effectiveness in protecting chicks with homologous maternal antibody. The influence of early challenge on protection was also investigated. Although the higher susceptibility of cell-free HVT to neutralising antibody could be demonstrated in vitro, no significant difference between the two types of vaccine could be established in vivo using chicks with maternal antibody. Chicks exposed to challenge immediately or only a few hours after vaccination were not adequately protected. A higher level of protection was observed when challenge was separated from vaccination by an interval of several days. The importance of proper vaccination procedure, vaccine virus titre and adequate management of vaccinated stock, with particular reference to the risks of early challenge are discussed.


[Changes in some blood biochemical indices in chickens poisoned with Thimet and Letaycide].

Experiments were carried out with a total of 25 chickens of the Leghorn breed divided into two test groups and one control group. The test chickens were given daily the phosphorus organic pesticides timet and lebaized at rates of 0.05 mg anen mg per kg. The treated birds were kept under observation in the course of 72 days recording their cholinesterase activity (ChEA), serumglutamatoxal-acetate transaminase (SGOT), serumglutamatpyruvate transaminase (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (APh), and blood sugar level. It was found that as early as the third day from the beginning of the experiment ChEA dropped abruptly--by 62.72 per cent following treatment with timet, and by 29.26 per cent when treatment was carried out with lebaizid. SGOT and SGPT rose up to the 36th day by 78.74 and 59.42 per cent as against the controls. The blood sugar level increased by 20.44 per cent following the administration of timet, and by 6.95 per cent following that of lebaizid. APh on the 12th day was by 60.84 per cent higher as compared to the initial level in the case of timet, and by 39.15 per cent in the case of lebaizid. Results showed that the continuous giving of phosphorus organic insecticides (timet and lebaized) at low rates to chickens leads to the drop of ChA and the rise of SGOT, GPT, APh, and blood sugar, these changes being more clearly manifested in chickens that have been offered timet.


[Effect of high temperatures in the housing on some indices of carbohydrate metabolism in layers].

Experiments were carried out with a total of 60 layers of the White Plymouth Rock breed at the age of one year, acclimiatized to a temperature of 15 degrees C and relative humidity of 60 per cent. The following temperature and moisture regimes were tested: I--20 degrees C and 70 per cent; II--24 degrees C and 70 per cent; III--28 degrees C and 50 per cent; and IV--33 degrees C and 50 per cent. The birds of the control group were raised at 15 degrees C and relative moisture capacity of the air of 60-70 per cent. At the 24th hour and by the end of the seventh 24-hour period temperature vales of more than 28 degrees C led to dependable activization of the glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme in the liver and lower concentration of blood glucose and liver glycogen.


[Changes in the tryptophan content in the body of layers under the effect of an environmental temperature-humidity regimen].

Experiments were carried out with a total  of 60 layers of the White Plymouth Rock breed acclimatized to a temperature regime of 15 degrees C and a relative air humidity of 60 per cent and raised under zoohygiene conditions that met the requirements of the industrial technology for the production of eggs. The following temperature and moisture regimes of the air were tested in the course of seven days in a climatic chamber of the Zootron type: I--20 degrees C and 70 per cent; II--24 degrees C and 70 per cent; III--28 degrees C and 50 per cent; and IV--33 degrees C and 50 per cent. The birds of the control group were kept at 15 degrees C and 60-70 per cent relative air humidity. At the end of the first 24-hour period and the end of the seventh 24-hour period the birds were killed after a 12-hour starvation regime in order to determine the tryptophane content in the liver, blood serum, and heart muscle. It was found that under the Ist and IInd regime the amount of tryptophane in the organs studied was higher. The third and fourth regimes led to a dependable decrease in the content of tryptophane in these organs.


[Effect of different amounts of carbamide on the state of health of broilers. I].

Three experiments were carried out with a total of 100 broilers each, divided into five groups of 20 birds. The effect was tested of urea on their health status, it being added to a ration that was balanced in terms of protein in progressively rising amounts of 0.3 to 6.0 per cent within the period of from the 20th to the 60th day. It was found that in amounts of 0.3 to 3.0 per cent urea does not lead to any clinical and morphological changes in the organism of the treated birds. At rates of 4.5 and 6.0 per cent, however, there appear disturbances in the alimentary tract, lack of appetite, thirst, diuresis, hyperemia and hypertrophy of the kidneys. The addition of urea in such amounts to the ration raises the content of urea in the organism from 2 to 5 times, and the amount of retained nitrogen (NPN)--as much as twice in the blood.


[Effect of stimulating doses of ionizing radiation on the stability of the liver mitochondria of chick embryos and chicks].

Treatments at the rate of 3 rad of chick embryos and young birds have led to the stabilizing of the mitochondrial structures and to lowering the access of enzymes to their substrates. The free activity of malate dehydrogenase drops. Electron microscopic studies reveal that the number of mitochondria rises following irradiation with stimulating doses (3 rad). Mitochondrial cristae remain intact and the matrix presents higher electronic density.


[Dynamics of some serum enzymes in the postnatal development of calves].

The activity of the following enzymes in clinically normal newborn calves was investigated: glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (APh), creatine phosphokinase (CPhK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leucine-aminopeptidase (LAP), aldolase (A), and cholinesterase (ChE). The studies were carried out at the first hour prior to offering colostrum as well as at the 6th, 12th, 24th hr and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th, 15th, and 20th day following it first intake. Regularly rising values of the enzyme activity up to the 24th hour were observed with APh, GOT, GPT, CPhK, and LAP. The aldolase enzyme (after colostrum had been given for the first time) in all animals showed a statistically significant drop of activity at the 6th hour. The activity of LDH displayed a consistently rising trend up to the end of the experimental period. The cholinesterase activity showed high values immediately following birth, reaching those found in the dams by the end of the observation period.


[Production and testing of a live lyophilized bivalent vaccine against Aujeszky's disease and erysipelas in swine].

A live freeze-dried bivaccine against swine erysipelas and Aujeszky's disease in pigs was produced, its antigen titers reaching 10(8) and 10(4.67) for the two components, respectively. The immunity conferred to the vaccinated pigs (so far as Aujeszky's disease is concerned) had an antibody titer of 1:4, and in sheep the titer was up to 1:16, these animals showing resistance at a control infection with 5000 LD50 per head. The vaccinated pigs likewise withstood a control infection with a mixed 24-48-hour broth culture of virulent strains causing swine erysipelas.


[Production of a vaccine against pseudoplague in poultry using the La Sota strain].

Comparative investigations were carried out on the quality and quantity of a vaccine against Newcastle disease in birds with the La Sota strain, obtained after the routinely applied productional technology or after some of the author's modifications of the method. The addition of penicillin, kanamycin, oleandomycin or chlorocid to the virus intended for an archive showed on unfavourable effect on the development of the chick embryos used; there was no such effect on the La Sota strain multiplying in them either. The industrial production of this vaccine with the addition of the above entibiotics used either alone or in combination had favourably influenced the sterility of the virus suspension. Data showed that at to and fro moving of the embryos following infection with the virus every two hours at an angle of 150 degrees C the number of dead embryos at the 76th hour was lower. The agglutination-reaction titer was considerably higher. A proof of high immunogenicity of the vaccines obtained was also the infectious titer of the virus in 11-old chick embryos--log 10(-9), on an average. On the 11th day of incubation the embryos infected with the La Sota strain of the virus had greater amounts of alanto-amnionic fluid than those kept in the incubator and infected on the 10th day. At infecting on the 11th day of age greater amounts of virus suspension were obtained without lowering of its infectious titer; thus, its immunogenic properties remained unchanged.


Presence of specific antigen and alterations in enzyme activity in the chorio-allantoic membrane of embryonate hen eggs infected with influenza A2 or B virus.

The correlation between influenza type A2 and B antigens and the activity of lactic, malic and succinic dehydrogenases, as well as of monoamine oxidase was studied by an original technique allowing simultaneous demonstrations of enzymatic activity and viral antigen. Alterations in enzymatic activity were mainly found in the cellular areas where large amounts of influenza antigen were present.


Compound purification and comparison of adenovirus hexons.

Hexon antigens were separated from the cell-free supernatant of type 1 and type 8 adenovirus-infected cells by ammonium sulfate precipitation and purified by anion exchange chromatography, immune absorption, and exclusion chromatography. The antigens were compared with purified soluble hexons extracted from cells infected with the same adenovirus types. The procedure was found to be suitable for the preparation of pure, homogeneous type 1 hexons from the supernatant, but not for that of adenovirus type 8 hexons. Comparative studies showed no physico-chemical, immunological or electron microscopic differences between soluble hexons of extracellular and intracellular origin.


Bivalent influenza vaccination with inactivated vaccines administered by nasal or oral route.

Influenza vaccinations were performed either by administration of a bivalent A2 + B vaccine, or by successive application of monovalent B and A2 vaccines. During an influenza epidemic caused by an A2 strain, the following observations could be made: a) the best efficiency (no influenza cases) was recorded in adults and aged persons (over 65 years) irrespective of the vaccination scheme; b) in schoolchildren the best results (no influenza cases) were obtained in the lot having received monovalent A2 vaccine, and in the lot vaccinated nasally with monovalent B vaccine and 14 days later with monovalent A vaccine.


Preliminary investigations on the diagnostic value of passive hemagglutination and complement fixation tests in infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

In order to evaluate the efficiency of passive hemagglutination (PHA) and complement fixation (CF) tests for the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections, 144 serum samples--out of which 81 from patients with respiratory and cutaneous infections and 63 from subjects with other diseases (controls)--were comparatively investigated by the two methods. The PHA test made evident a positivity index of 65% in the case of mixed pneumonias, as against 17% in controls, while the results obtained by CF were almost identical in the two groups investigated. The high specificity and sensitivity of the PHA reaction recommend this method for the diagnosis of acute M. pneumoniae infections.


Enteroviral etiology of some epidemic outbreaks in a zone of Romania.

The authors describe three enterovirus epidemics: an outbreak of Coxsackie B1 epidemic myalgia, one of echovirus 4 meningitis and one of epidemic vomiting and diarrhea caused by Coxsackie A9 virus. Etiological diagnosis was established by virological and serological tests.


Some remarks on acute viral hepatitis features.

1086 patients with acute viral hepatitis (AVH) including both children and adults were followed up clinically and biologically for 1-1.6 years after onset. Length of hospitalization and time intervals until return of normal laboratory test values were correlated with the presence of HB8Ag. The evolution of HB8Ag positive AVH was found to be more severe and protracted, especially in the case of HB8Ag persistence. The data point to the fact that ambulatory medical surveyance is recommendable in AVH, necessary in AVH type B and compulsory in the case of HB8Ag persistence.


[Depoteffect of benzathine-penicillin (author's transl)].

15 test persons received an injection of 2,400,000 units of benzathine penicillin. Serum levels were subsequently assayed, as well as the excretion of the antibiotic in the urine. The samples were stored in liquid-nitrogen between collection and examination. Each of the speciemens was tested 5 to 10 times and the results were ascertained by empirical evaluation of every single analysis. This assay showed the existence of mean levels above 0.036 I.U./ml in the serum and above 19.75 I.U./ml in the urine for the duration of 26 days. The evaluation of serum levels after the administration of antibiotics is difficult due to several sources of error. Reliable results can, therefore, be obtained only by examination at special institutes which possess experienced technical personnel. The establishment of reference laboratories for this purpose is suggested. The results of the study confirm the efficacy of one-shot treatment of the syphilis by administration of 2,400,000 to units of benzathine penicillin.


[Operation on varicose, especially in the malleolar region (author's transl)].

The great number of people with varicosities and the relatively high percentage of  venous pathology among this group shows the importance of their detection and treatment. The results achieved in more than 1000 operations on varicose legs underline the great benefits arising from surgical treatment of the varicose saphenous vein. The treatment of chronic venous insufficiency in the malleolar region has been aided by the use of the Klapp tenotoma. The simple and atraumatic manipulation of this instrument enables the surgeon to overcome the most important obstacles in this region, the perforator veins (Cockett I, II), the venous leg ulcer and the corona phlebectatica paraplantaris. Conscientious postoperative supervision of the patient by the surgeon personally or by a dermatologist trained in this speciality is an essential condition for the successful operative treatment of varicose veins.


[Malabsorption and vitamin B1 deficiency in familial acrodystrophic neuropathies (author's transl)].

9 members of 4 families with familial acrodystrophic neuropathies were investigated. Lowered levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate) were found in all cases except one. In this patient, as in 10 healthy control persons, normal values were obtained. The D-xylose test, which was carried out in 4 patients from 3 families, revealed intestinal malabsorption in all cases. It is suggested that malabsorption and deficiency of vitamin B1 as demonstrated in this report play a role in the development of these familial disorders.


[The Stepanik arteriotonograph (author's transl)].

A pressure-sensitive probe, specially developed for this purpose, is built into a contact lens in such a manner that when adjusted to the patient's eye the probe registers the intraocular pressure whilst the observer compresses the eyeball and observes the arterial collapse phenomenon on the disc over the contact lens on the slit-lamp microscope. The standard deviation of a clinical measurement is 1.5 mm Hg. Derived from measurements on 65 eyes of patients without signs of vascular disorder, the correlation of the systolic and diastolic ophthalmic artery-pressure (y) to that of the ipsilateral brachial artery (x) is given by Y =0.79x-1.33 (r=0.96) and the correlation of their median pressure by Y=0.93x-17.2 (r=0.94).


A system for cost and reimbursement control in hospitals.

This paper approaches the design of a regional or statewide hospital rate-setting system as the underpinning of a larger system which permits a regulatory agency to satisfy the requirements of various public laws now on the books or in process. It aims to generate valid interinstitutional monitoring on the three parameters of cost, utilization, and quality review. Such an approach requires the extension of the usual departmental cost and budgeting system to include consideration of the mix of patients treated and the utilization of various resources, including patient days, in the treatment of these patients. A sampling framework for the application of process-based quality studies and the generation of selected performance measurements is also included.


[Clinical and ergometric studies on the effectiveness of lidoflazine in the treatment of chronic ischemic heart disease].

During 6 months lidoflazine was applied ambulatorily in a dosage of 240 mg/a day orally in 21 patients after finished infarction. After 2 to 3 weeks one patient each was excluded due to incompatibility or reinfarction, respectively. In the remaining 19 patients consumption of nitrangin, mechanocardiogram, ECG and blood pressure were controlled in regular intervals during and after ergometric load as well as clinico-chemical examinations performed. The consumption of nitrangin clearly decreased in the course of the time of observation. The tolerance ofthe medicament was good. At the end of the treatment the unchanging load was tolerated with lower pulse rate, slightly decreased blood pressure and shortened period of isometric contraciton and period of the increase of blood pressure. The present results were discussed compared with literature.


[Electronic processing of intravascular by measured blood pressure].

With the help of electronic processing of measurement values the possible information content of the dynamic blood pressure measured by means of the electromanometer is explained. Commericial writing systems and pressure changers are supplemented by self-constructed and especially dimensioned additional devices. Partly in connection with flow sizes by multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, differentiation and integration from pressure values special references to the behaviour of the haemodynamics of certain parts of the circulation are to be obtained. This is explained by examples. In addition to this the authors deal with the systolic and diastolic indication of blood pressure important for haemodynamic measuring programs, with the electronic mean value formation, with the limitaor connection for the indication of the enddiastolic ventricular pressure as well with the short-term accumulation. The electronic processing of the intravasally measured blood pressure as well as of flow values is necessary for analyses of the circulation.


[Permeability-increasing effect of punctates. 3. Inhibition of the permeability-increasing activity by contrykal].

The punctate of the pleural cavity of a patient was examined which very much increased the permeability of the membrane in the animal experiment. Proteases is ascribed the effect increasing permeability, which are adsorbed to macromolecules. The increase of permeability could be inhibited by contrycal. An increase of permeability by proteolytic enzymes is discussed as one of the possible pathomechanisms for the development of exudations.


[Clinical symptoms and differential diagnosis of acute arterial vascular occlusion in the limbs].

The acute arterial vascular occlusion is relatively rare, but without any exception it belongs to the medical emergency situations. The early diagnosing is decisive, since embolectomy is to be regarded as method of choice during the first 10 hours. After demonstration of the most frequent sources of embolism and their clinical manifestation symptomatology and most essential differential diagnoses of the acute arterial vascular occlusion are discussed. As  consequence for practice must be demanded that at the least supposition on the presence of an acute arterial vascular occlusion the immediate hospitalisation is necessary.


[Over-additive increase of the toxicity of lidocaine by pethidine].

The influence of LD50 of lidocain by preliminary treatment with pethidin, aminophenazone or diazepam, respectively, is examined at the mouse. When pethidine is given within 1/100 to 1/10 of its LD50 develops a dose-dependent increase of toxicity for lidocaine. In 10 mg pethidin/kg the LD50 for lidocain decreases about the half. Under the conditions chosen amino phenazone and diazepam had no influence on the toxicity of lidocaine. It is referred to clinical aspects when pethidine and lidocain are simultaneously applied.


[Leiomyo-fibro-angiomatous hamartoma of the myocardium].

Casuistic report on an intramural hamartoma of the size of a walnut in the left  ventricle consisting of fibrous connective tissue, vessels and smooth musculature which was found as secondary findings in the autopsy of a 76-year-old man. With the help of statistic material from literature is referred to the rarity of primary cardiac tumours. On the basis of other casuistic contributions of newer literature is referred to the clinical significance which cardiac tumors may have in adequate localisation as well as sufficient size.


[Ruptures in the rotator aponeurosis (author's transl)].

Ruptures in the rotator aponeurosis occur frequently. Minor defects are usually not discovered and are classified in the "painful shoulder" syndrome. Depending on the localization and extent, extensive destruction, which occurs suddenly under particular circumstances, leads to various functional disturbances including the so-called pseudoparalysis of the arm. Smaller ruptures generally respond to the usual conservative measures used for the supraspinous syndrome. Surgical treatment of larger ruptures is promising and good results can be achieved with the appropriate technique and adequate follow-up treatment. In the case of extensive defects, they represent the only chance for restoring satisfactory function. Even with long standing, unsuccessful treatment for "periarthritis humeroscapularis", the necessary diagnostic and/or surgical consequences, should be carried out.


[Dynamic halo-gravity traction in scoliosis (author's transl)].

First results obtained in halo-gravity traction employing a new developed traction assembly are reported.


[The study reports on a case of habitual dislocation of the hip-joint in a 6-year-old girl (author's transl)].

During the operative reposition the capsule was found extremely wide, and extended capsular fibrosis was exhibited. Resection of an ovoid capsular segment and a double capsular suture, secured by superfixation of the m. rectus tendon, resulted in a stabile hip-joint position.


[Asymmetric posture of the hip-joints in cerebral palsy (author's transl)].

Asymmetric posture of hip-joints is a common disorder in children with cerebral palsy. One hip is found in abduction-outward rotation, the other in adduction-inward rotation. Most of these patients are severely handicapped, with little voluntary control of muscular activity. Possible causes of the disorder are discussed. In treatment long leg plaster casts with diagonal traction are recommended, in milder cases a corrective plaster mould against malrotation can be applied. The technics of both are described.


[Secondary injury to the spine due to static insufficiency in thigh amputees (author's transl)].

On the basis of a study of the literature, our own investigation as well as clarification of the mobility of the pelvis and spine in thigh amputees, it was established that secondary alterations occur in the spine which represent a degeneration in terms of vocational fittness. In spite of numerous publication by various researchers, this recognition has not yet been widely accepted. Reference is made to the significance of the small vertebral joint mechanism. Additional basic research is required here.


[Results of the Bankart-Müller operation for habitual luxation of the shoulder (author's transl)].

After presenting the topographical and pathological basis for the habitual luxation of the shoulder joint, our experience with the Bankart-Müller operation on 38 of our own patients was described. The results are characterized as very good, particularly two years and longer after the operation.


[The McBride operation of hallux valgus in adolescents (author's transl)].

Severe Hallux valgus deformity in adolescents and young adults has been treated by the McBride operation in  53 cases during the period from 1965 to 1974. With 85% good results in our material this type of operation is very satisfactory. Other authors have made the same experience. The principles and technique of this soft tissue correction are described and the results of reexamination presented.


[Conditioned slow negative potential during learning motor habits of different complexity].

CSNP dynamics was studied on 13 subjects in three experimental situations: 1) In combinations of acoustic and photic stimuli without performance of movements; 2) During the pressing of the palm at the moment of the anticipated photic stimulus; 3) After preliminary switching off of the photic stimulus. In the first situation CSNP does not appear; in the second, it has a maximum amplitude at the unitial stages of movement elaboration at a definite time interval, and in the third, CSNP amplitude does not decrease during 300 stimuli combinations. The CSNP amplitude, configuration and stability depend on the degree of complexity of the motor task. It has been assumed that CSNP reflects a non-specific activation of frontal and central parts of the human brain, against the background of which integration of sensory information takes place as well as the formation of a temporal program of the subsequent motor act.


[Differences in the physiologic characteristics of systems of conditioned connections when elaborated gradually and suddenly].

Observations and experimental results have revealed two types of system formation, with gradual and instantaneous conditioning. The first type is characterized by inertia, which is linked with high intensity of the developing conditioned tonic excitation. In the case of the other type, the system is labile and the conitioned tonic excitation is of optimal strength. The first type originates in all age groups and underlies more elementary reactions. The other type is formed only in children older than five years and is a basis for more complex behavioral reactions.


[EEG of 6-7-year-old children during formation of a complex motor-visual habit].

Correlations between cortical biopotentials were determined in six- to seven-year old children during the formation of a complex motor-visual habit, namely the assembly of a dismountable toy. Assembling activity intensifies the spatial synchronization of biopotentials. Localization of the site of greatest activity is connected with the techniques of assembling the toy: in stereotype activity the site is localized in the inferior parietal areas, and in the case of variable activity, in the anterior parts of the cortex. As the habit is stabilized, the number of interhemispheric correlations increases, which testifies to the enhancement of the paired function of the cerebral hemispheres. The topography of these correlations differs. When the task is fulfilled in a stereotype way, the left motor and the right inferior parietal areas are most closely interrelated; in the case of a variable fulfilment the closest interconnection takes place between the left motor and right frontal areas.


[Responses of the auditory region of the dog cortex to paired clicks repeatedly presented in a standard series].

A study was made of evoked potentials (EP) in the dog auditory cortex to systematically presented series of acoustic stimuli consisting of five pairs of clicks with a 150 to 300 msec interstimuli interval within the pair, for different dogs. As such series were presented, a dependence developed of amplitude characteristics of averaged EPs on the place of paired stimulation in the five-term series. The correlation of amplitudes inside each pair was likewise determined by the place of the pair in the series. The index of the EP amplitude recovery was smaller in the case of the first and fifth places of the pair in the series and greater in the middle places of the series. Reinforcement of the five-term series of paired clicks with electro-cutaneous stimulation of the paw and elaboration of a conditioned defensive reflex changed the established correlation of EP amplitudes. In the experiment the index of EP amplitude recovery depended on the signal significance of the presented click series.


[An analysis of changes in the background electrical activity of the dog neocortex during elaboration of food-getting conditioned reflexes].

Background electrical activity of different areas of the neocortex was studied at interstimuli periods during elaboration of food-procuring (instrumental) conditioned reflexes in dogs. By using the complex of EEG parameters obtained after a correlation-spectral analysis, it was possible to provide differentiated EEG characteristics of such externally similar conditions as rest in a situation of food-procuring and in an indifferent situation. Further, it has been found that the background activity parameters significantly differ in one and the same situation of food-procuring, depending on the functional state (passive rest and activation of attention). The data obtained point to the informative nature of background electrical activity of the neocortex, whose parameters reflect the peculiarities of specific functional conditions.


[Formation of systems of unilateral conditioned reflexes following section of the rostral portion of the corpus callosum].

Unilateral conditioned reflexes and two-link reflex systems with regular rhythmic alternation of positive and inhibitory reflexes were elaborated by Abuladze method in four dogs with a preliminarily dissected rostral part of the callosal body. Whereas the rate of formation of simple unilateral positive reflexes did not differ from that of reflex formation in intact animals, the formation of two-link unilateral systems proved to be disturbed. In spite of considerable stabilization of positive and inhibitory reflexes, ultraparadoxical relations were revealed when the same stimuli were applied in the system which testified to the disturbance of the after-effect dynamics. It has been assumed that rostral parts of the callosal body take part in the fixation of traces as the first component of the memory mechanism.


[Formation of two systems of conditioned reflexes with random alteration of stimuli].

Two heteromodal systems of secretory positive and inhibitory reflexes were elaborated in non-learned dogs to conditioned stimuli presented according to a four-digit table of random figures; then a third system was elaborated. All the systems were presented with one-day intervals in strict alteration (in a stereotype). It has been shown that the formation of a stereotype out of systems of secretory conditioned reflexes, organized at random, is characterized by an enhanced general functional state (tone) of the brain. A comparison of the results of the present work with previous investigations of simultaneous formation of two heteromodal rhythmical stereotypes leads to the conclusion that the structure of the systems in which the conditioned reflexes are formed is the major factor, not the structure of the reflexes.


[Reverse temporary connections upon stimulation of symmetrical portions of the tongue].

Unilateral conditioned and indifferent acoustic stimuli were presented to dogs during the achievement of the unconditioned reflex to the stimulation of the contralateral side of the tongue. Formation of a backward temporary connection was observed with its typical features of a short manifestation of the effector reaction and of its rapid disappearance. A more stable backward connection was formed to previous positive conditioned stimuli, and a less stable one, to previously indifferent ones. It has been found that the elaboration of the backward connection as of a direct one, is attended with the formation of an excitation focus which contributes to a protracted manifestation of backward connections against the background of a contralateral excitation focus. The backward temporary connection, unlike the direct one, rapidly passes into a latent state in which it persists for a long time.


[The effect of hippocampectomy on formation of delayed reactions during ontogenesis].

Formation of trace processes was studied by means of delayed reactions with a choice, in intact animals and in animals with an ablated dorsal part of the hippocampus, aged six weeks, three and twelve months. It has been found that with age the percentage of correct solutions increases in intact animals, as well as the duration of permissible maximal delay. Lesion of the dorsal part of the hippocampus in six-week and three-month old puppies leads to a complete disturbance of the capacity to retain short traces. In one-year old puppies the operation results in a considerable drop in the level of correct solutions with short delays (5 to 20 sec). The longer the delay, the fewer the number of adequate solutions. With long delays the number of adequate responses is at the level of random choice.


[Comparative assessment of the role of the primary and secondary somatosensory regions of the cerebral cortex during conditioned reflex behavior in animals].

The first (SI) and second (SII) somatosensory cortical areas were ablated in one group of cats after preliminary learning of tactile differentiation of rough and smooth surfaces of the floor coating in a special chamber. Somatosensory areas were ablated in another group after learning an adequate choice of the reinforcement side in response to a bell and a metronome. Unilateral and bilateral ablation of SI affected but little the elaboration and achievement of the above acts. Unilateral and bilateral ablation of area SII resulted in a sharp impairment of the tactile differentiation of the surfaces (35% correct responses after unilateral and 26% after bilateral ablation) and a less pronounced disturbances in the choice of the side of reinforcement in response to the bell and the metronome (80% of correct choice after unilateral and 72% after a bilateral ablation.


[Conditioned reactions of the neurons of the dorsal region of the hippocampus to a combination of sound and extracellular polarization].

Neuronal responses were recorded in the dorsal part of the rabbit hippocampus to a, aperiodical (45 units) and b, periodical (25 units) presentations of combinations of a sound and a DC pulse (anode, 0,1-2,0 na) acting through the recording microelectrode. In the group (a) identified conditioned responses to a former indifferent acoustic stimulus were elaborated in 22% of the neurones. More than a half of them produced differentiation and extinction. Differences were revealed between conditioned reactions and responses in pseudoconditioning tests. In the group (b) 30% of units elaborated a conditioned reaction to time. Activation type reactions were predominant. They appeared when the stimuli were omitted, and sometimes they emerged in 12 or more successive omissions.


[Effect of destruction of individual nuclei of the amygdaloid complex on elaboration of avoidance reaction in rats].

Formation of one-trial passive avoidance reactions (PAR) after bilateral symmetrical ablations of some nuclei of the amygdala complex (AC) was studied in Wistar male rats. Some nuclei belonging to the corticomedial or basolateral group of AC nuclei were subjected to electrolythical ablation. It has been found that ablations of individual AC nuclei statistically significantly prevent PAR elaboration. The data obtained are interpreted from the standpoint of disturbance of the morpho-functional organization of the AC efferent systems.


[Sensory after-discharges of the rat visual cortex during elaboration and extinction of a temporary connection].

Sensory after-discharges (SAD) in the rat's visual cortex became more intense at the background of an unconditioned drinking reaction. During the elaboration of a conditioned reflex to light (ten successive flashes of which the last five were reinforced) the SAD enhancement proceeded in two stages; the first coincided with the reinforcement, the second was developing in the phase of a stable conditioned reflex to the second or third flash of the rhythmic series. When reinforcement was omitted in a test with acute extinction. SAD was depressed, and was replaced by an increased number of after-effect waves, related to the appearance of "substituting" movements of the hygienic routine. It is assumed that the enhanced synchronized activity on the EEG at this moment plays an adaptive part, eliminating desynchronization and reducing the destructive action of the emotional stress.


[Symmetry and stability of the EEG spectra of healthy subjects].

Stability and symmetry of power spectra and the EEG coherence function have been investigated in 40 healthy subjects with different characteristics of cerebral electrical activity. It has been shown that the power spectra in all healthy subjects are characterized by a high degree of symmetry and stability. The average levels of coherence of the symmetric points of the right and left hemisphere proved to be a reliable EEG characteristics of a healthy subject. In contradistinction, the pattern of the coherence spectrum displays considerable variability and non-stability. Subjects with a desynchronized EEG differ from those with alpha-rhythm predominance by the highest coherence and similarity of the spectra along with their low stability in the anterior parts of the hemisphere which testifies to a high dynamic integration of the frontal systems.


[Effect of isolation of the mediobasal hypothalamus on the predatory aggressiveness of rats].

A study was made of the influence of isolation of the medio-basal hypothalamus area on the predatory aggression of albino male rats, which was measured by the test of mouse-killing. In three weeks after the operation the aggressiveness of rats increased eightfold. Partial isolations--anterior, long-posterior and posterior--did not change the killing aggression of the rats. Extension of dimensions of complete isolation up to the lateral hypothalamic area did not lead to the appearance of "mice killers" among the experimental rats. A conclusion has been drawn that the medio-basal hypothalamus has an inhibitory effect on the predatory aggression, which is achieved in multiple ways and is directed at the lateral hypothalamus.


[Influence of the dentate fascia on the sensory responses of neurons in hippocampal field CA3].

In experiments with unanaesthetized rabbits the influences of electric stimulation of the dentate fascia (DF) on the extracellularly recorded spontaneous and evoked activity of the CA3 neurones were investigated. Stimulation of a fixed locus in the DF during recording in the CA3 by a microelectrode, shifted along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus, supported the notion of the topical, "segmental" organization of connections between the DF and CA3. A relatively narrow "active zone" (approximately 700 nm) appeared in the CA3 during the threshold DF stimulation: it was bordered by zones with predominantly inhibitory responses to stimulation. The CA3 neurones in the "active zone" rapidly lost their reactivity to sensory stimuli. In the "inhibitory" and "zero" zones the normal level of reactivity to sensory stimuli was preserved.


[Laminar analysis of evoked potentials of the cat visual cortex during prenatal ontogenesis].

A laminar analysis of visual evoked potentials recorded from the cortical striate zone in response to stimulation of the optic nerve was made on the cats foeti in the second half of antenatal development and on kittens in the first few days of their life. In all the investigated terms of prenatal ontogenesis, two negativity foci are distinctly revealed in the specific zones of the visual cortex. The first appears with the least latency in the middle cortical layers after an afferent volley inflow to the cortex. The second, which reaches a maximum in 40 to 50 msec appears in the superficial cortical structures. Analysis of the data obtained shows that the first excitation focus is due to the summation of EPSP in the neural elements of the middle cortical layers, while the second is caused by development of depolarization in the apical dendrites of the pyramidal neurones.


[Analysis of responses to color stimulation in children with intracranial birth injury].

Premature (28) and mature (4) children who had undergone an intracranial labour trauma revealed major disturbances in the development of integrated reactions to colour stimuli and in the effect of atropine and prozerin on the pulse rate and the vegetative and EEG-components of the reactions. The extent of the disturbance and normalization of reactions, and the effect of the indicated neurotropic drugs depend on the gravity of the trauma. Maximum disturbances of the action of the drugs correspond to the period of the largest deviations from the normal in the development of integrated reactions (seven to thirteen weeks of life). The data obtained attest that the change in the development of reactions to colour stimuli in traumatized children is linked with disturbances of acetylcholin metabolism or of the cholinergic mechanisms involved in their achievement.


[Dual character of plastic changes in neurons of the dorsal hippocampus (field CA1) during extinction of the orienting response in freely moving rabbits].

The activity of 63 neurones of the dorsal hippocampus field CA1 was studied in unrestrained rabbits in different behaviour and in the course of repetitive afferent stimulation. It has been found that changes in the mean frequency of spontaneous activity of most neurones (90%) correlate with the kind of the animal's behaviour. Replacement of calm alertness by an active state is primarily attended with enhanced mean frequency of firing. Two types of response dynamics to a repetitive stimulation were revealed: 1) successive decrease of reaction and 2) gradual augmentation and subsequent drop. As stimulation went on most of the neurones revealed a change in the nature of responses: diffuse phasic and tonic reactions were replaced by structured responses of a specific type. The data obtained are regarded as proof of the hippocampus involvement in the organization of integrated orienting behaviour.


[Spectral characteristics of the bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex upon electric stimulation of subcortical structures].

A spectral-correlation analysis of electrical activity of the rabbit cerebral cortex was made with the use of Dnieper computer, after electrical stimulation (100-250 c/s) of the midbrain reticular formation, the thalamic nonspecific formations (midline nuclei) and different nuclei of the posterior part of the hypothalamic area (ventromedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei and the lateral field). The background spectrograms were characterized by a high variability; their frequencies ranged from 0,5 to 12 c/s. Under the influence of the electrical stimulation of the indicated formations, a well-pronounced, dominating peak appeared in the spectrograms of the cortical EEG, in the band from 4 to 7 c/s, and the similarity of biopotentials in this rhythm increased. The experimental data show that enhancement of spatial synchronization of the cortical biopotentials under conditions of electrical stimulation of the indicated subcortical formations is based on increased rhythmic oscillations within the theta-band and on a greater coherence in this range.


[Patterns in the restructuring of EEG frequency spectra].

A study was made of changes in the spectrum of brain electrical activity of rabbits, due to changes in the functional state of the brain, induced by means of a smooth rise in CO2 concentration in the air inhaled by the animals. Transformation of the general spectral characteristics has been revealed which consists in simultaneous re-distribution of frequency ranges and changes in the proportion of alpha-like, theta- and sigma-rhythms.


[Extrapolation reactions following destruction of the dorsal cortex of the turtle forebrain].

Turtles Emys orbicularis (14 individuals) with ablated middle-anterior parts of the forebrain dorsal cortex proved unable to solve a problem calling for extrapolating the direction of the movement of a food stimulus. Intact turtles (11 individuals) and those (six individuals) which underwent control operations (including ablation of the posterior part of the dorsal cortex) correctly solved the problem, beginning with its first presentations. A conclusion has been drawn on the significant part played by the middle-anterior parts of the forebrain dorsal cortex coinciding in turtles with the convergence zone of different afferent systems, in the integration of a complex form of behaviour linked with the pursuit of and search for a food object after its disappearance from the animal's visual field.


[Effect of puromycin and cycloheximide on the course of audiogenic epileptic seizures in rats].

Puromycin was injected intraventricularly and cyclohexymid subcutaneously into rats with a hereditary predisposition to audiogenic epileptiform seizures. The injections inhibited the intensity of protein synthesis in the brain by 40 to 65%. Resistance to acoustic stimuli which appeared in 24% of the experimental animals did not correlate with the degree of protein synthesis inhibition in the brain.


[Psychological findings in a group of patients with perioral dermatitis].

Female patients suffering from perioral dermatitis were given the Raven Test, two personality inventories (MMPI and FPI) and the Rorschach Test. The results of these four tests show statistically significant differences from controls, indicating emotional immaturity combined with high intelligence level, inability to achieve satisfactory interpersonal relationships contrasting with an overemphasis upon social conformity, and a tendency to 'hysteriform' reactions.


[Statistical studies and results of treatment of patients with perioral dermatitis].

279 patients suffering from perioral rosaceiform dermatitis have been treated during the past 5 years. With the exception of two men and one five-year-old girl, all patients were female adults, mostly in their thirties. Skin eruptions had been present for 1--2 years in 73% of the cases. Two third of the patients had been treated locally with corticosteroids and one tenth of this group had previously undergone systemic therapy. In 22,2% of the patients, typical signs of local corticosteroid overtreatment were seen. There was a great number of patients holding rather high-ranking jobs and showing remarkable zeal to advance either in their habitual professional field or in a new career. 90% of the perioral dermatitis patients suffered from concomitant vegetative disturbances, especially nervousness, insomnia, headaches and fatigue. In 40% of the cases, symptoms of general neurovascular lability were stated and 60% complained of digestive troubles, particularly obstipation. Out of 220 patients, 206 (=93%) supervised since the end of our treatment showed no relapse of their dermatosis. Our therapeutic program since 1970 consists of mild, corti-costeroid-free local treatment and psychotherapy (see A. Thurn). In the majority of cases, the skin lesions disappeared during the first 3 months and in 90% after 6 months. In 33 cases, under conditions of stress and conflict, one or several relapses occured before final recovery was attained. The evaluation of therapy results showed a progredient reduction of recovery time corresponding to the increasing psychoanalytical experience of our interdisciplinary team. However, in perioral dermatitis patients showing no concomitant vegetative symptoms (10%), a conspiciously longer recovery time was noted, when compared with the remainder of our cases. Patients suffering from several concomitant vegetative symptoms may possibly stop, taking out' psychic problems on their skin when partially resolved by short-term therapy, tending instead to ,somatize' their conflicts in other susceptible organs.


[Dynamic psychiatric interpretation of a disease model of trichotillomania].

Every patient's "communal existence" allows to interpret deviations of behavior such as trichotillomania as a disturbance of interaction. When the child begins to wangle out of the dual union between mother and child it needs ways to delimitate itself,  If the mother does not concede this demarcation (f. i. because she does not want to release the child from the symbiosis and therefore is "overprotecting") the child often becomes a victim of despair and, later on, of perplexity. At last it uses the own body as "Vis-a-vis". The accumulated aggressiveness is then worked off motorically by means of trichotillomania. In this way despair and perplexity in the field of interaction are passed on so to speak "atmospherically" to the mother, who in turn, having arranged treatment, transfers them on to the doctor. It is discussed how the area of irritation can be dissolved.


[Social situation of persons with dermatoses as a phenomena of interpersonal perception (author's transl)].

Discussing the medical importance of the topic, the necessity of cooperation with social-scientific disciplines is demonstrated. Reflecting some relevant psychological theories, an experimental concept for analysing the interpersonal communication with persons suffering from skin-diseases is developed. It is a purpose of this investigation, not only to get the estimations of persons with and without skin-diseases but also the opinion which the other group is supposed to have. It was assumed that the state of health in persons with dermatoses is depending on these supposed estimations by the social environment. After describing the experimental setting, the results which were received from the answers of 465 persons (mean and women with and without dermatoses) are referred. Finally the findings are discussed from different points of view (methodical, cognition-theoretical, learning-psychological, psychoanalytical and last not least medical).


[Neurodermatitis and psyche].

The clinical term "constitutional eczematoid" (synonyms: neurodermite, eczema flexuarum, atopic dermatitis e. g.) with/without bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis is presented in its multifactorial dimensions from an overlooking point of view. There are different clinical types, the neurodermite --, the prurigo, the seborrheic and the mixed type of atopic dermatitis. The psychic way of behaviour of these patients which is the neurodermite structure of personality is presented thoroughly. This way of behaviour can especially be seen in patients of neurodermite and prurigo type of atopic dermatitis. In about 10% so called extreme case can be stated presenting this abnormal psychic way of behaviour. Wether in patients with atopic dermatitis a genetic caused psycho-dermatosis has to be discussed, cannot be answered, because there is no allround valid conception of ethology and pathogenesis for this multifactorial disease.


[Psychodynamics of patient with endogenous eczema and bronchial asthma].

A casuistic of a psychoanalysis with a patient about 290 hours shows the early disturbance of the relationships of this patient. The fusion between the "bad" and the "good" aspect of the object representation "mother" has not been established. The Patient has the following unconscious conflict: he wishes to be spoiled and he fear to be fixed. He tries to resolve this conflict by flight or somatisation in form of an atopic dermatitis.


[Biographical information from patients with endogenous eczema].

Based on psychoanalytical biographies of 25 patients with atopic dermatitis, striking anamnestic facts concerning especially social contact of the patients are described and discussed.


[Behavior therapy technics in the treatment of endogenous eczema with special reference to compulsive scratching].

An exact observation and description of scratching behavior leads to a behavioral model for the obsessional scratching in patients with atopic dermatitis. The patient who cannot handle negative emotions because of a deficit in social behavior strategies suffers from diffuse tension. He can reduce the tension for the moment by scratching. Thus itching is being reinforced. The feeling of misbehavior occurs with delay and then again can serve as a stimulus for more tension.--Basing on this model behavior therapeutical techniques for breaking up this vicious circle are discussed.


[Development of the psychosomatic concept of perioral dermatitis].

In recent years, ,perioral dermatitis' though practically unknown in the past, has been observed rather frequently in female patients. It has proven remarkably refractory against external dermatotherapy, and numerous attempts to analyse the causality have failed. However, we very often noted certain characteristics of personality structure and social attitude in the patients afflicted with the disease. Both clinical findings and various signs of vegetative dystonia suggested psychoneurotic rather than purely somatic causes. We therefore set about to elucidate the psychic and other clinical symptoms of our patients in co-operation with a psychoanalyst and a clinical psychologist. Throughout a period of several years, this interdisciplinary teamwork helped us develop biographically and psychoanalytically oriented case studies in so-called Balint seminars. We thereby gained a better understanding of the psychodynamics in each of our cases, which enabled us to treat the disease successfully. We consider ,perioral dermatitis' a primarily psychosomatic disorder which, in most cases, responds well to short-term psychotherapy. Other findings reported in dermatological literature are controversial as to their causal interpretation, even when assuming an origin by infecting microbes. We regard bacterial and other findings as sequelae which may give rise to clinical exacerbation, yet not as genuine causes of the disease. Our conception is strongly supported by the success of psychotherapy, through which the symptomatic tetracyclin and/or corticosteroid treatment has been rendered superflous.


[Psychogenic aspects of perioral dermatitis].

A report has been given how patterns of diagnostic contributed by a Balint group led to a better understanding of patients afflicted with perioral dermatitis. The interaction between internalized and unconscious conflicts and specific, actual conflict situations has been elucidated. Various factors of individual biography and contemporary history were seen to play concurrent roles. In agreement with the results of psychological testing, certain personality attributes were observed, which manifested themselves in two types, i.e. a rather passive and a more active one. This is important for the prognosis, because of the correlations existing between personality attributes, the gravity of the disease and succes in therapy.


[Difficulties of describing human relationships with the help of psychoanalytic descriptive models: a critique of ego-psychology].

Progress of psychotherapy and of related behaviour sciences makes evident the importance of a better understanding of human relations. But psychoanalysis finds it hard to describe interpersonal processes without transference. In order to remain within the conceptional frame of metapsychology it has to see interaction between individuals as the oral, aggressive or sexual cathexis of an object or as satisfaction or denial of the subject by the object. The structure of the "ego", which--in analogy to medical thinking--is conceived as an organ with its functions, is considered to have no interpersonal activities. The "ego" of the classic psychoanalytic theory is chiefly occupied with itself. It has to care for its egoistical interests and to guarantee its self-preservation. As an auxiliary and meanwhile popular concept the "self" has been introduced to describe object-relations. This concept is not sharply defined. Due to its metapsychological implications it produces additional theoretical difficulties. Linguistic studies show that every inventory of words implies a certain insight into reality. For this reason the metapsychological machine-like concept of psychic structures does not permit new ideas about interpersonal relations. If we leave metapsychology and base on colloquial speech we see that the experience of "I" is much more related to persons than the rather autistic concept of the "ego" shows. Further we learn that self-preservation cannot be an egoistical interest; it depends on the attachment to others. All feelings of self-esteem depend much more on interpersonal relations than on "narcissistic regulations". From these experiences three conclusions are derived: a) One of the main qualities of the ego is the relatedness to persons. b) The concept of narcissistic regulation as a successor of primary narcissism is no longer useful. Narcissistic traits develop as the secundary compensations if the individual failed to build up satisfactory interpersonal relations. c) The revision of (a) ego-psychology and (b) theory of narcissism asks for modifications of the therapeutic technique, where now the interest is especially concentrated on interpersonal problems instead on the pathology of the ego.


[Problem of specific syndrome formation in psychosomatic disease situations. (Psychodynamics of rheumatic diseases)].

Three features of psychosomatic diseases with negative rheumafactor were psychoanalytically investigated (35 patients). Each of these diseases (the Palindromic Rheumatism, the Reiters Disease and the Psoriatic Arthritis), showed a characteristic syndrome. Corresponding with the patients with rheumafactor-positive Rheumatoid Arthritis was only the fact of inhibited aggressive impulses in the somatic field by the blockade of the muscle system. We believe that this study proves our earlier found thesis, that in psychosomatic diseases we have to work out the specific conflict, the specific psychodynamic ambivalence.


[Ergotamine abuse and retroperitoneal fibrosis (author's transl)].

A case of Ergotamine abuse causing considerable fibrotic changes of the abdominal aorta and iliac vessels and of the retroperitoneal space is reported. Histological and pathogenetic aspects of the arterial changes and the retroperitoneal fibrosis are discussed. They are referred to the permanent constriction of the Vasa vasorum by Ergotamine.


[Psychodynamics of psychogenic fever].

In this study we aimed to formulate a psychological framework on the origins of vegetative fever. Our sample comprised 13 patients. Concerning the structure of personality we found, that all the patients came from broken homes, that they showed pronounced disturbances in their inter-personal relationships, that they had developed an extremely exigeant ideal ego and that they strongly suppressed their aggressiveness. We were able to define two characteristic situations which can trigger vegetative fever; the break-down of the ideal ego due to external traumatic circumstances and the threat of the disolution of a symbiotic relationship. Beside the vegetative fever all our patients showed a great number of other psychological or functional disturbances. Only a few of the psychologically severely affected patients could be treated with psychotherapy. The pronounced tendency to somatize with a strong libidinal cathexis of the whole organism can be interpreted as an attempt to restore the feeling of coherence of the ego in order to avoid it's psychotic break-down (Meng).


[Dupuytren's palmar fibromatosis--a result of vascular hyperproliferation? Ultrastructural studies (author's transl)].

Dupuytren's contracture is represented by a proliferation of fibroblasts. In the study presented here 5 cases of Dupuytren's contracture were examined with the aim to conclude from cytological details of the cells to the possibilities of morphogenesis. The cytological pictures varied relative to the organelle composition. Three types of fibroblasts could be found constituting the great majority of cells in Dupuytren's disease: 1. classical fibroblasts, 2. fibroblasts with myoide differentiations and 3. fibroblasts with histiocyte-like features. The second principal finding were the capillaries with increased amount of pericytes and pericyte-like cells somewhat distant from the vessels. The latter observation led to the assumption that pericytes in this lesion are able to migrate from the vascular wall into the surrounding tissue.


[Psychosomatic aspects of psoriasis].

Clinical, pathophysiological and etiopathogenetic aspects of the psoriasis vulgaris are reported. The role of the skin as a sensoric organ and its psychosomatic condition and significance in the sensoric (intentional) phase are described. Also it is discussed the proable role of the blood-vessels in initial psoriasic lesions. We tried to develop a psychodynamic model for Psoriasis vulgaris following a case-report of a psychoanalytic treatment of a patient with a first manifestation of Psoriasis Vulgaris. So the symptom is manifested in the main sensoric organ. In this process the probable significance of schizoid aggressive impulses is discussed.


[Psychodynamics of psoriasis vulgaris in the Rorschach test].

The intention of this report has been to proof the pattern of psychosomatic aspects in Psoriasis vulgaris, as it was developed by Vogel. The method used was the psychoanalytic interpretation of the Rorschach-Test. First this method is described. Important test-results are reported and discussed in comparison with the psychosomatic aspects found by Vogel. There is some coincidence, particularly in sexualisation of intentional and oral desires, and also in the somatisation of the conflict between libidinous and aggressive impulses. Finally an example of test-setting is reported to demonstrate the method of  interpretating.


[Integrationism versus nonconformism. Two slogans and two programs].

The problem concerning the alternative between integration and segregation can be understood in a more adequate manner as the alternative between integrationism and nonconformism. Deafness serves as a paradigmatic model which helps to understand that, in order to warrant a healthy emotional development, the child and adolescent need to enjoy from both opportunities: raising of specially characteristic features as well as promoting common social patterns. --Fully integrated education is therefore as insufficient as is a just segregated one.


[Composition of the carbohydrate component and fatty acids of the chief gangliosides of the brains of cartilaginous fish].

Ganglioside composition has been studied in the brain of 5 Elasmobranch fishes (3 sharks: Carcharhinus longimanus, Carcharhinus sp., Squalus acanthias and 2 rays: Dasyatis pastinaca, Raja clavata). For the identification of ganglioside fractions, molar ratio of glucose, galactose, NANA and sphingosine as well as the presence of hexosamine were determined in the main gangliosides from the brain of the shark C. longimanus. The data obtained indicate that the majority of brain gangliosides in Elasmobranchs contain a reduced carbohydrate chain as compared to the main gangliosides from mammalian brain. Thus in C. longimanus and Carcharhinus sp. GD3, disialoganglioside containing only two hexose residues in its molecule, constitutes approximately 30 per cent of ganglioside sialic acid. Considerable amounts of GD2, GM3 and GM2 were found in Elasmobranch brain as well. Investigation of fatty acid composition of gangliosides from the brain of C. longimanus revealed the predominance of stearic acid (C18:0) in all the fractions studied.


[Changes in the isoenzyme spectrum of several oxyreductases during rat ontogenesis].

Studies have been made on changes in isoenzymic spectra of lactate (LDH), malate (MDH) and sorbitol (SDH) dehydrogenases from the liver and blood serum of growing rats. In the blood serum of adult animals, 5 isoenzymes of LDH, 2 isoenzymes of MDH and 2 isoenzymes of SDH were found; in liver extracts 5, 6 and 7 fractions were observed correspondingly. During the development, relative amount of H-type isoenzymes LDH increases, whereas isoenzymic spectra of MDH and SDH undergo quantitative and qualitative changes. In ontogenesis, the specific activity of all the enzymes investigated increased. The initial level of LDH in foetal liver was higher than in adult animals,  that of MDH and SDH - lower. Beginning from the 2nd week of postnatal life, the activity of LDH in the liver decreased up to the level typical of adult animals; the activity of MDH and SDH in the liver increased.


[Complex compounds with lipids in the evolution of metalloenzymes].

The change of the role of metals in the evolution of enzymes was going on from the formation by them first of labile compounds during activation by ions of various reactions to the formation of more stable complexes in active centres. During the transition from anaerobiosis to aerobiosis in oxidoreductases with the participation of metals an increase of the oxidationreduction potential values (E'O) occurred. A simultaneous accomplishment of reactions in the cells at strongly differing values of the potential became possible owing to the formation of complexes with lipids by metalloenzymes being active at high E'O. Entering the membranes of subcellular structures these metalloenzymes form complex compounds with various groups of lipids-phospholipids neutral lipids, glycolipids. These are compounds with Fe, Ti, Cu, Mn and other polyvalent metals; they regulate the transfer of electrons and its changes in the evolution of the main fermentative processes of living cells, as for example respiration and assimilation of carbon dioxide.


[Distribution of sodium and potassium in avian skeletal muscles].

Studies have been made on the peculiarities of distribution of Na+ and K+ in functionally different skeletal muscles of 6 species of birds. Comparison of tissue concentration ratio K+/Na+ as well as of distribution coefficients of these ions in tissue and the external medium revealed that selectivity of muscles to K+ and Na+ is related to functional specialization of the contractile mechanism. Dynamic contractile parameters in avian muscles were studied. It was shown that distribution coefficient of K+ and Na+ in muscles is quantitatively related to the velocity of development of isometric contraction. The described dependence between the ionic selectivity of muscle and their morpho-functional characteristics corresponds to the general pattern of this dependence established for skeletal muscles of other Vertebrates.


[Functional features of wind-sensitive receptors triggering the wing muscle neurons of the desert locust, Calliptamus barbarus].

At each side of the head of C. barbarus, 5 receptive fields were found triggering  the activity of neurons which directly control the work of wing apparatus. Total number of wind-sensitive receptors (presented by trichoid sensillae) amounts up to 200. Lateral receptive fields 1 and 5 are most developed and contain 24 +/- 5 and 23 +/- 4 sensillae respectively. In the response of a receptor to adequate stimulation, two components may be differentiated--phasic and tonic ones. The discharge frequency of the tonic component is equal to 90--100 impulses per sec. Simultaneous recording of impulse activity in axons of two receptors reveals a possibility of interaction of the receptors. In the experiments performed, this peripheral interaction was of the inhibitory nature. Functional peculiarities of the receptor investigated are discussed.


[Characteristics of the background activity of neurons of the torus, frontal and caudal regions of the chicken neostriatum].

Neurons of torus semicircularis, frontal and caudal neostriatum of hen are characterized by different mean frequencies of background activity, which comprise correspondingly 11.7, 4.7 and 2.1 impulse/sec. Statistical classification of semilogarithmic histograms of interimpulse intervals reveals 6 main types of distributions. Classes 1 and 2 are predominant ones, presenting low frequency impulsation. Among the neurons of these classes, sound-sensitive cells were found.


[Fine structure of the olfactory organ of elasmobranchs (Elasmobranchii)].

The structure of the receptor cells in the olfactory organ of the rays Raja clavata and Dasyatis pastinaca and spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias is similar to that of the olfactory cells in other Vertebrates, although their tops are invariably crowned by microvilli, not flagella. In the peripheral process of these cells of Elasmobranchs and some other vertebrates represent a special type of the olfactory receptors which originated as the result of differentiation of primary olfactory cells supplied both by flagella and by microvilli. In the olfactory epithelium of Elasmobranchs, together with the supporting cells crowned by cilia, numerous goblet cells were observed. These glands produce a mucus which protects the olfactory epithelium of Elasmobranchs from the direct contact with the sea water. Similar to that in all other vertebrates, this mucus represents an intermediate milieu for the molecules of odorous substances.


[Corticosteroid concentration in the blood of the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser güldenstädti, at different stages in its life cycle].

Corticosteroid content of the blood has been measured during upstream and downstream migrations as well as during sea period of life of the sturgeon A. galdenstädti. It was shown that during anadromous migration before spawing, the level of corticosteroids in the blood increases, the increases beginning already during the sea period. Corticosteroid content of the blood decreases after spawning. The results obtained confirm the histophysiological data.


[Aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activity in the adrenal cortex of human embryos and fetuses].

Aspartate aminotransferase was detected in the adrenals of 6-7-week human embryos, the activity being the highest at the 7-9th and 12-14th weeks. Alanine aminotransferase was found in 15-week foetuses. During all the period investigated (6-28 weeks), the activity of aspartate aminotransferase was found to be higher than that of the second enzyme. The activity of both enzymes is higher in female foetuses than in male ones. However, age changes in the activity of both enzymes in male embryos and foetuses were of the same sign as in female ones.


[Comparative angioarchitectonics of the kidneys of several rodents].

Studies have been made on kidney angioarchitectonics in 3 rodent species (allied taxonomically, but significantly different in their habitat) - the albino rat, the gerbil Meriones erythrourus and the aquatic rodent must-rat Ondatra zibetica - after the injection of the vessels with India ink and subsequent microphotometric analysis of unstained sections. The general pattern of vascular system of the kideny is similar in all the species studied. However, significant differences were found in vascularisation of the cortex and especially of the outer and inner medulla. In M. erythrourus, vascularisation of the papilla is approximately 2 1/2 times more intense than that of the cortex; large vascular bundles in the outer medulla are separated from both interbundle plexus and vascular system of the papilla; the glomeruli differ in their size; arterial sphincters are more numerous in the cortex. In O. zibetica, vascularisation of the papilla is somewhat 3 times less intense as compared to that of the cortex; medullar bundles are diffuse; the structure of the glomeruli is more uniform. With respect to its kidney angioarchitectonics, the albino rat occupies intermediate position. The observed differences are discussed in relation to ecological specialization of the species studied, indicating the important role of vascular system of the kidney in the formation of concentrating capacity of the latter.


[Dynamics of the establishment of renal glomerular filtration in dogs during the early postnatal period].

By means of inulin clearance method, studies have been made on the glomerular filtration rate in 1-35-day puppies and adult dogs. The filtration rate was calculated per body weight, body surface, wet and dry weight of the kidney, wet and dry weight of the kidney cortex. It was found that dry weight of the kidney cortex is the best basis for comparison of the glomerular filtration in growing and adult organisms, as well as for the investigation of the development of this function.