The purification of human enterokinase by affinity chromatography and immunoadsorption. Some observations on its molecular characteristics and comparisons with the pig enzyme.

A method is described for the purification of human enterokinase from accumulated duodenal fluid by affinity chromatography using p-aminobenzamidine as the ligand. Resolution was greatest when glycylglycine was substituted as the spacer arm. Purification was not a one-step procedure, and some contamination, principally by the alpha-glucosidases, remained. Their removal was completed by immunoadsorption using antisera raised to enterokinase-free material containing these enzymes, prepared as a by-product of the purification procedure. The final preparation had an activity of 4260 nmol of trypsin/min per mg and was free of other enzymic activity tested. Amino acid and sugar analyses of the highly purified enzyme indicated an acidic glycoprotein containing 57% sugar (neutral sugars 47%, amino sugars 10%). The apparent mol.wts. and Stokes radii of human and pig enterokinase were 296 000 and 316 000, and 5.65 and 5.78 nm respectively. Two isoenzymes were identified for human enterokinase and three for the pig enzyme. Human enterokinase demonstrated a resistance to reduction of disulphide linkages and to sodium dodecyl sulphate binding, which may be related to the need for it to retain its integrity in the digestive environment of the upper small intestine. Antisera to highly purified pig and human enterokinases specifically inhibited enterokinase activity. Immuno-inhibition of intestinal aminopeptidase, maltase and glucoamylase by homologous antisera was not observed.


A nuclear magnetic resonance study of the heme environment in beef liver catalase.

The effect of high-spin heme iron in beef liver catalase on the longitudinal and transverse proton relaxation rates of the solvent has been used to probe the environment of the paramagnetic center. The longitudinal proton relaxation rates were measured as a function of temperature (5-31 degrees C), frequency (5-100 MHz), and pH. T1p was found to be pH independent in the range 6-11, indicating that no significant difference occurs in the heme surrounding within this pH range. The ligands formate and acetate, which preserve the spin state of the heme iron upon ligation, displace a water molecule from the sixth coordination position. This reaction is pH independent, while the binding measured by optical spectroscopy is pH dependent. The electron methanol and ethanol essentially do not change the proton relaxation rates. The temperature and frequency dependencies indicate that the relaxation times are governed by the electronic relaxation time of the high-spin ferric iron tau s. Tau s, which was found to be frequency independent, could not be determined from the T1p/T2p ratio, but only from the frequency dependence of the longitudinal relaxation rate at low frequencies. The results of the least-squares fit of the data to the theory indicate that there is one iron-bound rapidly exchanging water molecule. For the Fe3+ ion it was determined that tau s = 7 x 10(-11) s.


Stereospecificity of lipases. Enzymatic hydrolysis of enantiomeric alkyldiacyl- and dialkylacylglycerols by lipoprotein lipase.

Lipoprotein lipase from dialyzed and lyophilized bovine skim milk hydrolyses specifically the ester in position 1 of triacylglycerols and of enantiomeric alkyldiacylglycerols. No such specificity could be observed when enantiomeric dialkylacylglycerols were used as substrates since hydrolysis in positions 1 and 3 occurred at the same rate. Dialkylacylglycerols are, therefore, unsuitable as model substrates for the assay of the stereospecificity of lipases.


Physical properties and chemical compositions of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from Physarum polycephalum.

The malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from Physarum polycephalum have been purified to homogeneity as confirmed by gel filtration chromatography, polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation. Certain physical and chemical parameters of the malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes reported here include sedimentation, molecular weight and subunit molecular weight. Most unique of the differences between the isoenzymes were the widely separate isoelectric points of 9.83 for mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and 6.14 for the supernatant malate dehydrogenase. The amino acid analyses of each form were done revealing the isoenzymes were unquestionably unique proteins differing in the content of ten amino acids.


Purification of lectins by biospecific affinity chromatography.

Biospecific adsorbents which can be used for the purification of lectins are easily prepared by a one-step reaction between Epoxy-activated Sepharose 6 B and lectin-specific sugars. This paper reports the immobilization of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and the use of the resulting Sepharose derivatives for the purification of soybean lectin and wheat germ lectin, respectively. The former adsorbent had a maximal capacity of 15 mg of lectin/ml sedimented gel and the yield corresponded to 145 mg of lectin/100 g of soybeans. Similarly, yields of wheat germ lectin corresponding to 65 mg/100 g of wheat germ were obtained on an adsorbent which bound 10 mg of lectin/ml. The purified lectins were homogeneous as judged by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels at pH 4.5.


Tryptic hydrolysis at asparagine residues in globin chains.

Commercially available Tos-PheCH2Cl-treated or untreated bovine trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) is shown to catalyse minor tryptic hydrolysis at the carboxyl side of asparagine residues in globin chains. This activity is not removed by the purification of enzyme, using CM-cellulose chromatography and subsequent affinity chromatography on trypsin inhibitor columns, neither is it inhibited by Tos-PheCH2Cl treatment of the CM-cellulose purified enzyme. It is suggested that the ability to hydrolyse globin chains at asparagine residues may represent an inherent feature of the trypsin molecule.


Laser Raman spectra of oxidized hydroperoxidases.

Resonance Raman spectra of oxidized hydroperoxidases are examined for shifts in the structure-sensitive, anomalously polarized bands; these are found, respectively, at 1576, 1567 and 1570 cm-1 in the high-spin resting enzymes: horse radish peroxidase, horse blood catalase, and cytochrome c peroxidase. In compound II of horse radish peroxidase and horse blood catalase, and in the enzyme-substrate complex of cytochrome c peroxidase, this band appears at 1587-1590 cm-1 and indicates the iron atom is now in-plane with the porphyrin ring. Weak Raman scattering found with horse radish peroxidase I is consistant with a porphyrin eta-cation radical formulation.


Partial purification and some properties of human liver alkaline phosphatase.

1. Alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) from human liver was solubilized from the homogenate using 0.2% Triton X-100 containing 0.2 M lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate, and the pellet obtained was resolubilized with 20% n-butanol. The procedure resulting in 3842-fold purification included acetone fractionation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, hydroxyapatite gel chromatography and further concanavalin A/Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. 2. The highly purified enzyme showed one major protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.6, and exhibited one-seventh of the alkaline p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in the hepatic enzyme preparation contains of the alkaline pyrophosphatase activity. 3. The highly purified enzyme was a sialic-acid containing glycoprotein. 4. Sialidase-treated hepatic enzyme clearly presented the phenomenon of delayed mobility, and the delayed enzyme fraction stained more strongly than that of non-treated hepatic alkaline phosphatase. 5. In order to investigate the role of the carbohydrate region(s) of the hepatic alkaline phosphatase molecule on substrate binding, the effect of sialidase treatment on the rate of substrate inhibition of alkaline phosphatase was studied. In the case of hepatic enzyme without sialidase, substrate inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity was clearly shown, while in the case of the hepatic enzyme with sialidase, there was hardly any substrate inhibition in the range of 1-8 mM p-nitrophenylphosphate.


Cytosol 5'-nucleotidase from chicken liver. Purification and some properties.

1. 5'-Nucleotidase (5'-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.5) from the cytosol of chicken liver has been purified 1860-fold with an overall yield of 20% by a combination of precipitation at pH 5.3, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, calcium phosphate gel adsorption, phosphocellulose chromatography and gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. The enzyme has been shown to be highly purified, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This is the first time it has been possible to obtain a purified 5'-nucleotidase from the cytosol of animal tissue. 2. An S20, W of 9.7 S for 5'-nucleotidase was obtained by the use of sucrose density gradient centrifugation and a Stokes radius of 5.1 nm was estimated by gel filtration techniques. From these values and the assumed partial specific volume of 0.725 cm3/g, the molecular weight of the enzyme was calculated to be 205 000. One major band, corresponding to a molecular weight of 51 000, was detected after sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicating that the native enzyme was composed of four identical subunits. 3. Some properties of the purified enzyme, including pH optimum Mg2+ dependency and substrate specificity, resembled closely those of the partially purified enzyme from chicken liver acetone powder as reported by Itoh, R., Mitsui, A. and Tsushima, K. (1967) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 146, 151-159.


Solid phase bovine thrombin. Preparation and properties.

A new solid-phase thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5) was prepared through conjugation of the enzyme under mild conditions to a glass support bearing an active ester of N-hydroxysuccinimide. The immobilized enzyme retained 50 +/- 10% of the specific esterase activity of the parent soluble enzyme. The Km (apparent) for the esterase activity of the immobilized enzyme has a value of 5 mM, identical of the Km value of the parent-soluble enzyme. Only 6 +/- 1% of the specific proteolytic activity was retained and a higher Km (apparent) value of 67 muM was obtained for the insoluble enzyme compared to Km value of 12.5 muM for the parent soluble thrombin. Solid-phase thrombin prepared by the diazocoupling technique was previously reported to retain only 3% of the specific proteolytic activity. The observed loss of specific proteolytic activity can be attributed to steric interference, a change in charge characteristics, or both. Nevertheless, the present method of preparation has the advantages of rapidity and simplicity. It can readily be adapted to use for studying the fate of various complexes of fibrinogen, fibrin and their degradation products. It should also be useful for preparing radiolabeled autologous soluble fibrin for thrombus detection in patients undergoing active thrombosis.


Blood pressure survey in a population of newborn infants.

Systolic blood pressure in the arm was measured in infants at the ages of 4 to 6 days and 5 to 7 weeks by the Doppler ultrasound technique. At the age of 4 to 6 days the mean blood pressure (+/- SE of mean) in 469 sleeping infants was 70-7 +/- 0-3 mm Hg, rising at 5 to 7 weeks to 89-7 +/- 0-9 mm Hg (in 144 infants). In 252 infants awake at 5 to 7 weeks blood pressure was 96-8 +/- 0-6 mm Hg. In 391 infants in whom measurements were made on both occasions blood pressure at 4 to 6 days was significantly related to blood pressure at 5 to 7 weeks. Thus those infants with relatively high blood pressures at 4 to 6 days showed a weak tendency to have relatively high blood pressures at 5 to 7 weeks. In this trend continues with age it would suggest that the tendency to develop hypertension may already be demonstrable at the age of 4 to 6 days.


L-aspartic acid and urea supplementation of low-protein layer diets.

1. Urea supplementation of low-protein (125 g/kg) conventional-type diets for layers, whether containing fish meal or not, did not appear advantageous. 2. Supplementation of the low-protein diet with aspartic acid did not affect egg production rate of efficiency. 3. Soyabean meal supplementation of the low-protein diet increased egg weight significantly whereas aspartic acid did not.


Urea and aspartic acid supplementation of low-protein broiler diets.

1. L-Aspartic acid does not seem useful as a protein surrogate in conventionally formulated low-protein diets for broiler chicks. 2. Urea as a protein substitute does not enhance the value of conventional broiler diets. 3. Urea does not improve broiler diets that have been supplemented with fish meal or crystalline amino acids to satisfy requirements for all indispensable amino acids. 4. Urea is absorbed into the bloodstream, but is not assimilated into body proteins.


Differential egg cannibalism among larvae of Tribolium castaneum as influenced by the antennapedia mutation.

Egg cannibalism by antennapedia and wide-type larvae of Tribolium castaneum was analyzed for two age groups (14 and 15 days old) with egg densities of 100 and 400. The effects of larval density and egg genotype (+ or ap) were also analyzed. The + larva consumed more eggs than ap larvae at both ages for the egg densities tested. Both strains were more cannibalistic at 14 days, consumed a higher percentage of eggs when egg density was increased among 14-day larvae, and tended to consume slightly more eggs of the opposite genotype when they were provided independently. However, neither strain discriminated between eggs of differing genotype when both were provided simultaneously. Egg cannibalism of the + strain increased when both genotypes of eggs were available. Reciprocal F1 hybrid larvae were similar in cannibalistic ability to the strain which served as a male parent. Larvae from "F2 recovered" ap beetles cannibalized fewer eggs than either original strain or the heterozygotes, further implicating the possible pleiotropic effect of the ap mutation on egg cannibalism.


Extinction of the estrogen-induced daily signal for LH release in the rat: a role for the proestrous surge of progesterone.

The heightened secretion of estrogen on diestrus-2 is required for the release of an ovulatory amount of LH on the following day, proestrus. Though these surges occur once every 4-5 days in cycling rats, the treatment of ovariectomized rats with a single injection of estrogen results in daily proestrus-like surges of LH. The present study was designed to test the possibility that progesterone, secreted on proestrus, prevents the daily expression of LH surges in cycling animals. The administration of estradiol benzoate (EB, 50 mug) to ovariectomized rats resulted in daily surges of LH secretion for 3 consecutive days. These surges were similar in the timing of onset and duration to the preovulatory surge of LH on proestrus. Serum LH concentrations were not increased on either the second or the third day when 5 mg of progesterone was given at 1600 h on the day of the first surge. These data suggest that progesterone blocks the expression of daily LH surges induced by estrogen. To determine whether this relationship obtains during the estrous cycle, groups of rats were treated with sodium pentobarbital (PB) at 1345 h during proestrus. This treatment postponed the proestrous surges of LH and progesterone for 24 h. When the surge of progesterone was simulated in PB-treated rats by the administration of 5 mg of the steroid at 1400 h during proestrus, a preovulatory surge of LH was not detected during either proestrous, estrus,, or diestrus-1. These data, taken together, suggest that estrogen turns on a "memory center" for the expression of daily LH surges and that one function of the increased secretion of progesterone on proestrus is to limit the expression of the "memory center" to this day.


Temporal changes in activities of enzymes reducing ring-A of progesterone in the fetus and placenta of the rat.

The development of delta4-5alpha-reductase and 3alpha- and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in rat fetuses and placentas was detected by the production of specific metabolites during in vitro incubation with progesterone. The metabolites, 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, were identified by isolation and purification by thin-layer chromatography and reverse isotope dilution, followed by recrystallization of the free compound and a derivative. The delta4-5alpha-reductase and the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase are associated with the particulate fraction. However, 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is a soluble enzyme present in the supernatant fraction of homogenized placentas and fetuses. The activities of these enzymes were greater in the placenta than in the fetus. As pregnancy progresses, the activities increase in the fetus, but diminish in the placenta. Although the placenta secretes only marginal amounts of progesterone, it has a notable capacity to metabolize progesterone to 5alpha-reduced metabolites. The fetus has the ability to utilize progesterone as early as day 13, and its potential to convert progesterone into ring-A reduced products increases during gestation.


Concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine in discrete hypothalamic nuclei during the rat estrous cycle.

The norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) concentrations of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), arcuate nucleus (AN), ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and median eminence (ME) were measured during the estrous cycle. Nuclei were microdissected and assayed using the catechol-0-methyl transferase enzymatic method. A significant increase in NE was observed between the morning and afternoon of proestrus (P) in the SCN. In contrast, no significant changes in DA were detected in any area on P. No change in NE or DA was found between the morning and afternoon of diestrus 1 (D1). These findings are consistent with NE-containing neurons being involved in the surge of LH on the afternoon of proestrus.


Hepatic hydroxylation of 3beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one in orchiectomized or adrenalectomized rats exposed to a reversed light cycle, constant light, or constant darkness.

The oxidative metabolism of 3beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (DHA)2 by liver microsomes in vitro was studied in sham-operated, castrated, or adrenalectomized rats maintained for 21 days in a normal light cycle, a reverse light cycle, constant light, or constant darkness and killed either at 0600 or 1800 h. Statistical analysis of the data (3-way analysis of variance) indicated the following significant effects: 1) exposure to a reverse light cycle resulted in lower body weights and increased rates of formaation of 7alpha-OH-DHA and 7-oxo-DHA; 2) despite an increase in microsomal protein content, livers from rats in constant light had the lowest rates of formation of all DHA products; 3) rats kept in constant darkness exhibited the highest rates of DHA metabolism; 4) castration decreased the microsomal protein content and the rates of formation of 16alpha-OH-DHA, 7alpha-OH-DHA, and 7-oxo-DHA; 5) adrenalectomized rats exhibited high rates of 7alpha-OH-DHA formation although microsomal protein and liver and body weights decreased; and 6) the formation of 7-oxygenated products of DHA was greater in the rats killed at 1800 than at 0600 h. We conclude that the type of illumination is quantitatively more important in determining the magnitude of DHA metabolism by the adult male rat liver than either the adrenals or the testes.


A soluble mepartricin complex (SPA-S-222) of potential oral and parenteral utility in fungal and protozoal infections.

Acute toxicity and absorption data of a soluble complex of mepartricin with sodium laurylsulphate (SPA-S-222) active against C. albicans and T. vaginalis are reported. The results demonstrate an improved bioavailability with respect to the insoluble substance. Preliminary clinical trials proved the good tolerance of the substance and its effectiveness in oral treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis.


Norwegian scabies in homozygous twins.

Norwegian scabies in two female homozygous twins, 12 years of age, was observed. Both children were in good psychosomatical condition. Clinical signs of Norwegian scabies with appearance of verrucous and keratotic papules on the dorsal aspect of hands, elbows and knees appeared after a year of persisting typical scabies in their family. Serum vitamin A concentration was lowered. The pathogenesis of the disease is discussed. The long-standing typical scabies is thought to be a promoting factor for manifestation of the latent and hereditary predisposition to keratotic reaction of the skin.


A comparative study of skin tests and determination of the serum level of specific IgE immunoglobulins by means of the radioallergosorbent test in subjects with atopy.

On 73 patients suspected for atopic diseases, 258 skin tests and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) for specific IgE in serum were carried out. The results of both tests were compared in connection with the clinical picture. A good qualitative positive correlation was found, especially for grass pollen and house dust. False positive results with RAST cannot be excluded. The RAST seems to be a valuable adjunct to extensive allergologic diagnostic investigation, particularly in cases where difficulties can be expected in the performance or the interpretation of skin tests.


[Report of a case of aplasia of the cervix and discussion of the embryology and clinical significance of the condition (author's transl)].

A case of aplasia of the uterine cervix and partial atresia of the vagina in a 17 year old woman is reported. A hysterectomy was done and a new vagina created. The literature on the origin of the different parts of the female genital tract is reviewed and discussed. Interpretation of the embryologic origin of the different parts is difficult. The indication for the hysterectomy was prevention of further endometriosis by retrograde menstruation, high probability of infertility because of the lack of the cervix and high probability of ascending infection should a new vagina be connected  directly to the endometrial cavity. The case is presented to generate discussion on the management of cervical aplasia.


Hpertrophic subaortic stenosis is not rare in the eighth decade.

During a five year period, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis was diagnosed in nine patients 70 to 79 years of age and in 26 patients 20 to 66 years of age who were referred to the cardiology division of the Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center because of symptomatic heart disease. Only one of the older patients, compared with 19 of the younger ones, was referred with the correct diagnosis. Coronary artery disease with papillary muscle dysfunction was incorrectly diagnosed in four of the older patients. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis in all of the 26 younger patients and in five of the nine older ones; diagnosis was based on typical echocardiographic features in the other four patients. Symptoms, physical findings, and electrocardiographic observations were similar in both groups. Aortic valve calcification was found in one younger patient and three older ones. The ratio of women to men was higher in the older group (7:2) than in the younger group (12:14). Coronary artery disease was more frequent in the older patients (three of five, compared with six of 26). Our experience indicates that idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis is not rare during the eighth decade. The diagnosis should be considered in any patient with an unexplained appropriate heart murmur, and definitive studies, such as echocardiography, should be done. As with any condition, proper management depends on accurate diagnosis.


Automated utilization review is timely, accurate, efficient.

Federal utilization review regulations require that hospitals establish admission and extended stay certification processes and conduct medical care evaluation studies. The computerized review system in use at Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, has satisfied these regulations with minimum expenditure of time, effort, and money while insuring maximum accuracy and timeliness and consistency of reporting.


Chromosomes in old age: a six year longitudinal study.

This first longitudinal study on aged subjects confirms previous cross-sectional observations of increasing aneuploidy with advancing age in women but not in men. In this study of 17 aged twins (mean age 89.7 years), 11 women and 6 men, spanning an interval of approximately 6 years between examinations, only women showed a significant increase in hypodiploidy (also hyperdiploidy and monosomy C). This increase in hypodiploidy was not due to a high frequency of chromosome loss in a few subjects but rather was exhibited by most of the subjects. While men showed a loss in G-group chromosomes during this 6-year interval, that loss was not statistically significant. These findings confirm for the first time by means of longitudinal follow-up that women and not men, even in the ninth decade of life, show a significant increase in hypodiploidy.


Regional mapping of human chromosome 10: assignment of the gene for cytoplasmic glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase to 10q24 leads to qter.

Segregation analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids involving fibroblasts of a 10/17 translocation carrier as human partner allowed to assign the gene for human soluble GOT to 10q24 leads to qter.


Screening and confirmatory methods for determining lincomycin residues in animal tissues.

Methods for screening and for confirming residues of lincomycin in animal tissues, both sensitive to 0.1 ppm, are described. In the screening technique, residues are extracted, cleaned up by solvent partition, and detected by microbiological plate assay. In the confirmatory technique, residues are cleaned up on an unfunctionalized macroreticular-type resin column, concentrated, chromatographed on thin layer plates, and detected by bioautography. This system was effective in identifying lincomycin in the presence of 20 other antibiotics and chemicals used in the animal health industry.


Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of alachlor (2-chloro-2', 6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide) herbicide residues in corn and soybeans.

A method has been developed for the extraction and determination of alachlor (2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N- (methoxymethyl)-acetanilide) residues in green corn and soybeans. Residues are extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up on a Florisil column. The methylene chloride extract is sufficiently clean for electron capture gas-liquid chromatographic analysis and for verification by thin layer chromatography. Average recoveries of spiked samples (0.2 ppm) were 69 and 82% for corn and soybeans, respectively. This procedure could be useful for the detection  of the parent compound in these crops soon after field application, but it does not detect metabolites.


Affinity chromatography of glycosidases. Preparation and properties of affinity column adsorbents.

A number of adsorbents useful for purifying glycosidases were synthesized and their adsorption and characteristics were examined using partially purified glycosidase mixtures from Takadiastase or soybean. These adsorbents were prepared by coupling di-epsilon-aminocaproyl-p-aminophenyl N-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucosaminide, beta-D-glucoside, beta-D-galactoside or alpha-D-mannoside with CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Many glycosidases were adsorbed on the four adsorbents at low ionic strength, and increase of the ionic strength caused the enzymes to be eluted. However, the specificity of the adsorbents, contrary to our expection, was very low. All of these adsorbents adsorbed Taka N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase [EC 3.2.1.30], Taka beta-D-glucosidase [EC 3.2.1.21], and Taka beta-D-galactosidase [EC 3.2.1.23] at low ionic strength. The order of elution of these three enzymes by a linear gradient of ionic strength was the same in the four adsorbents, the order being beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. Soybean glycosidases also showed nearly the same elution pattern, though the ionic strength of the eluate was slightly lower than with Taka glycosidases. Soybean alpha-D-mannosidase [EC 3.2.1.24] was also adsorbed on these adsorbents, and was eluted between beta-D-glucosidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. These adsorption phenomena were not specific as regards the structure of the glycoside moiety, but they were useful for purifying glycosidases, possessing good reproducibility with easy activation and mild operating conditions.


Osmotic behavior and permeability of osmotically lysed mitochondria.

Experiments were carried out with water-treated isolated rat liver mitochondria (mitochondria ghosts) previously studied by Caplan and Greenawalt (Caplan, A.I., and J.W. Greenawalt. 1966. J. Cell Biol. 31:455-472) and Vasington and Greenawalt (Vasington, F., and J. Greenawalt. 1968. J. Cell Biol. 39:661-675). The ghosts have permeability properties and osmotic behavior comparable to those of isolated mitochondria. Although they have lost most of their internal contents, they must have resealed. Four properties were found which have not been previously described in systems derived from biological membranes: (a) an osmotic behavior in the virtual absence of internal components. (b) a self-arranging property in the formation of invaginations corresponding in morphology to the cristae. The results suggest that the assembly of the molecular components of the inner membrane is sufficient to specify the morphology. Hence the surface area to volume ratio of the vesicles may specify the presence or absence of cristae-like folds. (c) an increase in the permeability of the membranes to sucrose in the presence of iso-osmotic concentrations of sucrose. (d) an independence of the light transmitted by suspensions of the vesicles from the refractive index of the external medium. This observations run counter to the general previous experience with either mitochondria or liposomes.


Effect of fibroblast growth factor on the division and fusion of bovine myoblasts.

The effect of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on the rate of proliferation and fusion of bovine myoblast has been examined. Addition to the cultures of 0.1 mug-1 mug/ml of FGF stimulates the rate of proliferation and delays the fusion of primary cultures of bovine myoblasts cultured in 10% serum. Final cell densities reached in the presence of 0.1 mug/ml of FGF were fivefold higher than in controls; with 1 mug/ml, they were 10-fold higher. Increases in cell density were paralleled by increases in acetylcholine receptor sites as measured by the binding of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin. Both fusion and the appearance of acetylcholine receptor sites were delayed in the presence of FGF. Growth hormone, insulin and testosterone, which have been reported to be mitogenic for rat and chick embryo myoblasts, did not have significant effects on DNA synthesis in bovine myoblasts when compared to the FGF. Conversely, FGF did not stimulate the proliferation of chick embryo myoblasts, indicating that it is not active in all vertebrate species.


Rings of intermediate (100 A) filament bundles in the perinuclear region of vascular endothelial cells. Their mobilization by colcemid and mitosis.

Vascular endothelial cells cultured from guinea pig aorta or portal vein contain naturally occurring bundles of 100 A (diameter) filaments that completely encircle the nucleus. These rings are phase lucent and birefringent when examined with the light microscope. Perinuclear bundles of 100 A filaments were also seen in endothelial cells in vivo, indicating that they are a normal cytoplasmic component. These filaments did not decorate with S-1, and were not disrupted by glyceination. With these cells, experiments were designed to answer the following questions: (a) does Colcemid have an effect on these naturally occuring bundles? And (b) do these filaments remain during cell division? Endothelial cells grown in the presence of Colcemid were followed over 24 h. The perinuclear ring coiled into a juxtanuclear cap that consisted of disorganized arrays of 100 A filaments. This "coiling" effect was not blocked by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. In another experiment, dividing cells were examined. During division the bundle of filaments is passively pulled in half into the daughter cells. These bundles did not disappear during the mitosis when mitotic spindle microtubules assemble. These studies suggest that Colcemid may exert a direct effect on 100 A filaments, independent of microtubules. Since these filaments do not disappear during mitosis, it is possible that in these cells the 100 A filaments and tubulin do not share a common pool of precursor proteins.


Spindle-cell tumours and hypoglycaemia.

The light microscopy and clinical features of two patients with extrapancreatic tumours and hypoglycaemic episodes are described-together with the electron microscopy findings in one patient. The primary tumour of one patient arose within the skull and later metastasized to the liver, while the other patient had a locally recurrent intrathoracic tumour. Neither the intracranial origin nor the ultrastructural features support the concept of a mesothelial origin for these tumours, and they should be referred to as spindle-cell tumours associated with hypoglycaemia. There are ultrastructural similarities between these neoplasms and those of the pancreatic beta cells.


Stimulus control of self-destructive behavior in a psychotic child.

This study attemped to isolate some of the stimulus variables that controlled the self-destructive behavior of a psychotic child. In Experiment 1, the child was exposed to several demand and nondemand situations. In Experiment 2, the situation containing demands was modified so that demands now occurred in the context of a positive, ongoing interaction between the child and the adult therapist. The rates of self-destructive behavior underwent several orderly changes: (1) Rates were high in demand situations and low in nondemand and modifieddemand situations; (2) rates decreased sharply when a stimulus correlated with the termination of demands was introduced; and (3) rates of self-destruction typically showed gradual increases within each of those sessions which contained only demands. These results were interpreted as suggesting that (1) self-destruction, under certain circumstances, may be conceptualized as an escape response which is negatively reinforced by the termination of a demand situation and (2) certain modifications of the social environment may provide discriminative stimuli for behaviors other than self-destruction, thereby decreasing this behavior.


Hormone implants for urinary disorders in postmenopausal women.

Urinary disorders associated with the menopause were studied in 300 postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 85; 210 were multiparous and 90 nulliparous. The presenting urinary symptom was dysuria in 60 patients and incontinence in 100 patients. In the latter group, 25 had urgency-incontinence, 45 stress-incontinence, and 30 a combined form. The distal part of the urethra, being of the same embryologic origin as the genital tract, is estrogen-dependent. Hormone replacement in the form of implants resulted in improvement in 70 percent of the patients and thus reduced the need for surgical intervention.


Culmination in the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum studied with a scanning electron microscope.

Myxamoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum were allowed to develop on cellulose acetate filters, and specimens taken at various stages of fruiting body formation were prepared for study by scanning electron microscopy. In the immature fruiting body where the mass of pre-spore cells has just been lifted off the substratum by the developing stalk, the pre-spore cells are irregular in shape and are similar in appearance to cells in aggregates at earlier stages of development. As the stalk lengthens, the pre-spore cells gradually separate from one another and become rounded and elongate, but mature spores are not visible until the fruiting body reaches its maximum height. It is concluded that, contrary to previous reports, spore maturation is a slow process and is not completed until the sorus becomes pigmented. The mature stalk is surrounded by a smooth cellulose sheath but this does not envelop the cells of the basal disc, which remain discrete. The fruiting body is enclosed in a slime sheath and this may be important in holding together the mass of spores.


Congenital toxoplasmosis in twins: a series of 14 pairs of twins: absence of infection in one twin in two pairs.

Fourteen pairs of twins with congenital toxoplasmosis were observed. In two pairs, one twin was infected and had symptoms of chorioretinitis or encephalomyelitis, while the other had a negative dye test upon repeated examination: this phenomenon has not previously been reported. In three of the other twelve pairs of twins, one of each pair died; two of them had evidence of toxoplasmosis; in the cotwin the diagnosis was based on serologic data. Clincial and biologic follow-up extended from 19 months to 8 years in five pairs. Marked discrepancies in the individual clinical patterns of the two children in each of six sets of twins were observed, with evidence of infection in one twin and subclinical infection in the other. These clinical findings correlated well with serologic data in the children in whom sufficient follow-up was permitted. The clinical pattern of congenital toxoplasmosis in twins is extremely similar in monochorial pregnancies, but discrepancies are almost the rule in bichorial pregnancies. The importance of placental lesions in determining the extent of fetal involvement is well illustrated by studies of toxoplasmosis in twins.


Jaundice in infants of Greek parentage: the unknown factor may be environmental.

Studies of infants born in Melbourne, Australia, to parents who migrated from Greece failed to demonstrate an increased incidence or severity of neonatal jaundice. No effect of birthplace of parents within Greece on serum bilirubin levels could be discerned. These findings indicate that the high frequency of severe neonatal jaundice which has been demonstrated throughout Greece, and especially in certain regions of that country, is not carried with those who immigrate. Further studies of this problem in Greece should concentrate on regional environment rather than upon genetic influences.


Maturation of the renal response to hypertonic sodium chloride loading in rats: micropuncture and clearance studies.

1. The ability of maturing rats to excrete a sodium load was studied by micropuncture and clearance procedures. 2. During control conditions, no change of glomerular filtration rate or sodium excretion was observed for the time period of the entire procedure (P greater than 0-20). During the infusion of hypertonic (4%) sodium chloride, fractional sodium excretion was 0-08 +/- 0-01 in rats 21-30 days old and 0-14 +/- 0-01 (P less than 0-01) in adults. However, the depression of proximal tubular water re-absorption was equal in both groups (P greater than 0-20). 3. Proximal glomerulotubular balance for water re-absorption was similar in all groups (P less than 0-20). Since end proximal tubular water excretion and depression of fractional water excretion were the same in all animals, differences of urinary sodium excretion during development are probably due to differences of function of segments beyond the proximal tubule during development. 4. Fractional potassium excretion was reduced in young rats (0-17 +/- 0-04) during hypertonic sodium chloride infusion, compared to adults (0-24 +/- 0-01, P less than 0-05). 5. Passage time of fast green through cortical segments in seconds is prolonged in young rats during control conditions. Similar decreases of passage time were seen in all groups during hypertonic sodium chloride infusion. No segmental differences of passage time were seen during developmental. 6. No difference in the relationship between fractional sodium and water excretion was seen during development of the renal response to hypertonic sodium chloride infusion. Thus, altered sensitivity to sodium chloride osmotic diuresis does not exist during maturation in rats.


Vinyl ethers of choline and congeners.

The vinyl ethers of choline and of its alpha- and beta-methyl homologues were prepared to determine their cholinergic effects and to determine whether a separation of the dual physiologic activity (nicotinic and muscarinic) reported for the vinyl ether of choline could be achieved by this modification. A literature method of vinyl transetherification of amino alcohols has been studied and modified. The ethyl ethers of choline and of alpha- and beta-methylcholine were prepared for comparison with the vinyl ethers. Two independent, unequivocal syntheses of the ethyl ether of beta-methylcholine have been accomplished. This study showed that the two literature methods for synthesis of this compound are equivocal, and, hence, the biological data reported for this compound in the older literature may not be valid. Certain of the ethers showed marked nicotinic or muscarinic activities.


Cytoplasmic DNA synthesis by cord blood cells of premature and full-term infants: an autoradiographic study.

Cord blood cells from 8 full-term and 12 premature infants as well as blood leukocytes from 10 adults were incubated with 3H-thymidine and were subsequently exposed to autoradiographic emulsion for prolonged periods of 45 and 90 days. Cytoplasmic label -- which were interpreted as evidence of mitochondrial DNA synthesis -- was found in 1.7 per cent of lymphoid cells from adult blood, in 2.9 per cent and 4.5 per cent of lymphoid cells from full-term and premature infants, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data shows that the number of labelled cells is significantly larger in the blood of premature infants than in adults (p less than 0.01).


The in vitro and in vivo effects of vinca alkaloids on the noradrenergic innervation of the vas deferens.

The effects of Vinca alkaloids on the vas deferens have been examined after in vitro and in vivo administration. In the organ bath, vinblastine (1 X 10-4M for 4 hr) caused an increase in sensitivity to noradrenaline and biochemical, histochemical and ulstrastructural signs of noradrenaline depletion from the nerves supplying the outer longitudinal muscle layer. After intravenous injection of Vinca alkaloids the nerve fibres seemed less affected. It is concluded that the apparent resistance to the drugs in vivo is largely due to low tissue perfusion.


Plasma free tryptophan variation during oestrous cycle of the rat.

The concentration of plasma free tryptophan was shown to undergo a regular and statistically significant fluctuation through the four phases of the oestrous cycle of the rat. The highest concentration of plasma free tryptophan was observed during oestrus. During metoestrus the concentration of plasma free tryptophan decreased by 25% to the lowest observed level; thereafter it gradually increased during dioestrus and pro-oestrus. The concentration of plasma total tryptophan was found to be unchanged during the oestrous cycle of the rat.


Cell surface mannosyl transferase activity in the liver of embryonic chick. A mannose containing glycolipid as intermediate in glycoprotein synthesis.

Trypsin dissociated intact cells of embryonic chick liver catalyze the transfer of mannose from exogenous GDP-mannose to glycoprotein in vitro. In cells of 8 day old embryos a surface bound mannosyltransferase-system forms several mannose containing isoprenoid-lipids in a primary step. One of these compounds serves as a substrate in the highly specific second step of the overall reaction, the transfer of mannose to glycoprotein. The isoprenoic intermediate has been isolated and its effectivity as substrate for the incorporation of mannose into glycoprotein has been examined.


[Psychological aspects of neonatology: on the development of prematures (author's transl)].

Reviewing the literature the topics of psychological development of prematurely born infants, psychological problems of the mother of the premature and the impact of early stimulation on prematures are discussed. Finally some theses on the integration of psychological aspects into the concepts of neonatal medicine are formulated.


The cytolytic effect of cobra cardiotoxin on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and its inhibition by Ca2+.

In the presence of cobra cardiotoxin, cellular constituents from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells leak out into the medium. The leakage is detrimental to important cell functions. The rate of cardiotoxininduced cytolysis is dose-dependent and is not affected by cell concentration. Calcium ion inhibits the cytolysis reversibly; addition of calcium ion stops the cytolytic action whereas removal of calcium ion by EDTA abolishes the the inhibitory effect. Among the alkaline earth metals studied, Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+ inhibit whereas Mg2+ potentiates the cytolysis. Progression of cytolysis requires a continuous presence of cardiotoxin; removal of cardiotoxin molecules by cardiotoxin antiserum completely abolishes the cytolytic activity. The ability of calcium ion to inhibit cardiotoxin-induced cytolysis is probably due to an interference of the binding of cardiotoxin molecules to the cell membrane.


[The chemical composition of Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans cells].

Amino acid composition of total protein, free intracellular amino acids, reducing substances, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins of the B group, and mineral composition were studied in the cells of Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans, strain 8. Protein contained all 11 essential amino acids. The content of these substances was the following: nucleic acids, 1.5%; protein, 30.83+/-0.2%; reducing substances, 35.3+/-0.1%; lipids, 14.03+/-0.36%; ash, 794+/-4 mg%. Among six studied vitamins (B1, B3, B6, PP, B7, B8), the content of inositol was highest (398.2 mcg/g), B3 was not found, and only traces of other vitamins were detected.


Autosomal dominant striatonigral degeneration. A clinical, pathologic, and biochemical study of a new genetic disorder.

An autosomal dominant striatonigral degeneration is present in a family of Portuguese ancestry numbering in excess of 329 persons in eight generations. The illness begins in the second, third, or fourth decade, and progresses for about 15 years with parkinsonian rigidity, spasticity, spastic dysarthria, and abnormalities of eye movement. Neuropathologic findings are severe neuronal loss and astrocytic gliosis in the corpus striatum and substantia nigra, with a moderate neuronal loss in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and nucleus ruber of the midbrain. This is a new genetic entity, distinct from other autosomal dominant neurologic disorders such as nigrospinodentatal degeneration, olivopontocerebellar degeneration, dystonia musculorum deformans, Machado's disease, and Huntington's disease.


Phenytoin kinetics in children.

Previous studies have shown the importance of phenytoin kinetics in the management of adult patients with seizure disorders. The long half-life in adults makes single daily dosing realistic in terms of blood levels and anticonvulsant effectiveness. This report shows a wide range in both half-lives and volumes of distribution of phenytoin in 11 children (ages 6 months to 6 years) with seizure disorders. Ten of these patients have very short phenytoin half-lives (1.2 to 6.7 hours). The data strongly suggest that current recommendations for phenytoin dosage regimens in adults cannot necessarily be used in children. Blood levels must be followed closely in this age group to determine the required dosage and dose interval.


Muscular dystrophies and motoneuron diseases. A comparative electrophysiologic study.

Electrophysiologic investigations were carried out in 15 patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, two patients with Becker's muscular dystrophy, and 22 patients with dystrophia myotonica. The results were compared with those obtained in 18 patients who had chronic progressive motoneuron disease and in 39 control subjects. These results were within normal limits in muscular dystrophies, with the exception of dystrophia myotonica, in which a neural disturbance is evident in the majority of patients. The results in motoneuron diseases were as expected for neurogenic disorders, loss of motor axons and compensatory increase of the amplitude of muscle potentials. There is no evidence of motoneuron dysfunction in muscular dystrophies, but in dystrophia myotonica, the muscles and nerves are affected independently by the pleiotropic gene of the disease.


Familial progressive bulbar and spinal muscular atrophy. Juvenile onset and late morbidity with ragged-red fibers.

Six members of a family had a neurologic disease with autosomal dominant transmission and adolescent onset of progressive wasting of predominantly distal axial muscles and muscles innervated by cranial nerves V, VII, X, and XII, leading to severe morbidity in adulthood. Muscle biopsy of the propositus revealed "ragged-red" fibers, while electromyography and autopsy material were consisted with a neurogenic disease. The case seemed unique to any clinicogenetic nosology, because it was associated with a cardiac conduction defect, a mitochondrial abnormality in skeletal muscle, and a course, distribution, and degree of weakness that included features of both chronic spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia in olivopontocerebellar degeneration.

Autosomal dominant olivopontocerebellar degeneration was diagnosed in a family of Scottish ancestry by clinical examination and autopsy. In addition to having progressive cerebellar ataxia, head titubation, and severe dysarthria, the patients are unable to initiate saccadic eye movements. Slow pursuit movements are normal. Reflex movements of the eyes caused by passive rotation or caloric labyrinthine stimulation are not impaired but are not associated with nystagmus. The phenomenon can be classified as supranuclear pseudo-ophthalmoplegia. It differs from congenital ocular motor apraxia in age at onset and the absence of random eye movements. The anatomic lesion responsible for the defect of saccadic eye movements remains to be established.


[The effect of carbon dioxide gas on the growth of Candida utilis yeasts during continuous cultivation in a chemostat].

The cells of Candida utilis were cultivated in the conditions of chemostat, and the growth was limited by a nitrogen source. Accumulation in the medium of carbon dioxide inhibited the growth of the microbial population. The growth was now limited not by a source of nitrogen but by an excess of one of the forms of carbon dioxide--hydrocarbonate. This inhibition was reversible and could be eliminated either by intensifying ventilation of the apparatus or by varying pH of the medium within the range optimal for the growth, which changed the ratio between free and hydrocarbonate forms of carbon dioxide in the growth medium.


Sleep abnormalities in patients with brain stem lesions.

Seven patients with "locked-in" syndrome were studied by prolonged polygraphic recordings. Severe alterations in the sleep pattern were observed in five patients who had bilateral extensive pontine lesions resulting in tetraplegia, facial and pseudobulbar paralysis, and absence of conjugate horizontal gaze. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was entirely absent while non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep was absent, reduced, or altered. The remaining two patients, both of whom had relative sparing of horizontal gaze and apparently either no or minimal pontine tegmental involvement, showed both REM and NREM sleep with only a minimal alteration in the sleep pattern. The study suggests that, in human beings as in animals, pontine structures near the midline are essential for control of sleep states.


Clearance of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol from the cerebrospinal fluid.

The clearance of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) from the cerebrospinal fluid of cats was studied. Both ventriculocisternal and cerebral subarachnoid perfusions demonstrated relatively high clearances that could not be blocked by probenecid. MHPG removal increased proportionally at all concentrations studied, suggesting diffusional clearance from cerebrospinal fluid. Bulk clearance accounted for only one-third of MHPG clearance from brain, and the likely mechanism of MHPG removal from the central nervous system is by diffusion to capillary blood. Differences between amine metabolites removed by mediated transport and diffusion are summarized, and it is suggested that a rapid unblockable diffusional clearance mechanism tends to make lumbar levels of MHPG a poor index of brain norepinephrine metabolism.


[An analysis of local similarities in the primary structures of protein hormones].

An analysis of primary structures for local similarities has been performed for a number of protein hormones. The statistical MacLachlan's technique and three matrices of amino acids similarities: in respect to the genetic code (M1), physico-chemical properties (M2), interchangeability of amino acids in homologous proteins (M3) have been used. When comparing prolactin and growth hormones, four zones of high structural similarity have been found. Comparison of beta-subunits of interstitial-cell and thyroid-stimulating hormones has shown two zones of high similarity. Using M3 matrice, non-homogeneity of the self local similarity of structure has been shown for prolactin, growth hormone, beta-lipotropin, proinsulin and parathormone. For the latter three hormones, the high evolutionary conservative regions coincide with the active sites of structure. It is suggested that such regions in the structures of prolactin and growth hormone also provide the active function.


Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva.

An example of epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva in a 31-year-old female is reported. Treatment consisted of a radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. Bilateral inguinal lymph node metastases were present. Criteria for the diagnosis of this unusual neoplasm are considered, and guidelines are suggested for its treatment.


Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy.

A pregnancy complicated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is described. Treatment consisted of primary ceasarean section, tubal ligation, and splenectomy with good results for mother and infant. Subsequent successful pregnancies may be anticipated if the thrombocytopenia-complicated pregnancy is managed as described.


The prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation in one fetus of a twin gestation.

The prenatal care of twin gestations is primarily concerned with attempts at preventing premature labor and the management of obstetric difficulties. Little data are available prior to delivery, apart from Rh-isoimmunized twin gestations, concerning an individual fetus' well-being in a twin gestation. Ultrasonography has been concerned with the single gestation, and has not been used extensively in the care and evaluation of twin gestations, apart from early diagnosis of the condition. This report involves a twin gestation in which a significant repeated difference in the ultrasonographic fetal biparietal diameter measurements clearly identifies a normal fetus and a fetus with intrauterine growth retardation. The management of this patient could have been more aggressive with the present knowledge available and so resulted in better perinatal outcome.


Primary ovarian pregnancy and the intrauterine contraceptive device.

A case is reported of primary ovarian pregnancy in a patient with an intrauterine device (IUD) in place. The diagnostic criteria from history, signs, and symptoms, and the management of this case and 9 other cases reported in the literature are discussed.


Bowel perforation with suprapubic cystostomy Report of two cases.

Two patients with small bowel perforation that occurred during suprapubic catheter insertion are described. Insertion of the catheter with a trocar and with transurethral sound, respectively, was responsible for the perforation. These perforations occurred despite preliminary bladder distention. Small bowel injury was slight in both patients, and neither patient required resection. In 1 patient, the ileocutaneous fistula closed spontaneously, and in the other, oversewing the perforation only was necessary; neither patient has known residual complications.


Ectopic pancreas in the fallopian tube. Report of a first case.

A case of ectopic pancreas in the fallopian tube is reported. This small, polypoid, benign tumor was in a fallopian tube contralateral to a ruptured tubal pregnancy. The patient had a tubal ligation performed six years previously. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of isolated ectopic pancreas in a fallopian tube. No explanation is offered for the pathogenesis of this lesion.


Untoward neonatal effect of intraamniotic administration of methylene blue.

A case is presented in which significant neonatal morbidity occurred when intraamniotic injection of methylene blue was utilized to diagnose premature rupture of the membranes. Hyperbilirubinemia secondary to hemolysis occurred in the newborn.


Term pregnancy in an unattached rudimentary uterine horn.

A case of pregnancy in an unattached rudimentary uterine horn is presented. The pregnancy carried to term, ruptured without causing shock, resulted in fetal demise, and was discovered 6 weeks later at laparotomy. Some of the factors associated with rudimentary uterine horns are discussed.


Conservative surgical management of tubal pregnancy.

In an attempt to maintain optimal fertility in the patient treated for midtubal pregnancy, an investigation of conservative surgical procedure was made. The technic developed utilizes tubal excision, reanastomosis, and a single hydrotubation with Dextran. Tubal patency was maintained without the use of stents that may damage the fimbria. The procedure is compared to other conservative technics and its advantages discused. Thus far 2 patients have undergone this excision and reanastomosis, and both patients successfully established intrauterine gestations within 2 months of returning to normal active coital frequency. Both were in the midtrimester of pregnancy at the time of this report.


A simplified surgical approach to the incomplete form of testicular feminization.

A simplified surgical approach to the intersex child with the incomplete form of testicular feminization is presented. The procedure is particularly useful in patients where the gonadal tissue is located in the scrotolabial folds and eliminates the necessity for exploratory laparotomy. Representative drawings of the procedure are shown.


Vaginal embryogenesis, estrogens, and adenosis.

The recent outbreak of vaginal adenocarcinoma and the associated genital tract anomalies in women with histories of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) has generated interest in vaginal embryogenesis and the influence of hormones on the developing genital tract. In this report the embryology of the vagina and the role of sex hormones in normal and abnormal sex duct development are presented and discussed in relation to the DES-induced anomalies. Although the teratogenic activity of DES in humans has been confirmed, the available evidence suggests that the clear cell carcinomas are initiated by endogenous estrogens and not the prenatally administered DES.


Effects of hemodialysis on hearing threshold.

71 chronic renal failure patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis were evaluated for the effects of a dialysis event on hearing function. Osmotically active serum constituents were examined for relationship to fluctuating hearing threshold levels. Reliabiliity of hearing levels was found to be better in those patients tested without an intervening dialysis event. Those patients tested before and after hemodialysis demonstrated greater hearing fluctuation than those patients evaluated between dialysis events. This threshold fluctuation was unrelated to serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, K+, Na+, Ca++, or glucose. It was concluded that hearing test reliability in dialyzing renal patients is resonably good, but test results are likely to be more consistent if testing is accomplished a number of hour after a given dialysis event. Contrary to a number of reports in the recent literature, no direct relationship between hearing level fluctuation and fluctuation in individual osmotically active serum constituents appeared to be present.


The effect of galvanic stimulation on spontaneous nystagmus.

The question of the point of impact of the electric current in the galvanic vestibular test is not solved. An important feature is that, after destruction of both the vestibular end organs, a galvanic nystagmus can still be provoked. The effect of a direct current on the spontaneous nystagmus following partial or total destruction of the vestibular end organs was investigated. The frequency of the spontaneous nystagmus diminishes when the electric stimulus causes an eye movement in the same direction as the fast phase of the nystagmus, the frequency increases when the polarity of the electric stimulation is reversed. Simultaneous application of torsion-swing and electric stimulation causes a summation of the separate effects. Our findings confirm the conculsions drawn by Ledoux (4, 5) from his findings in frogs.


The importance of the point of fixation in optokinetic nystagmus.

The relationship between visual line and target in optokinetic nystagmus was studied by means of the eye-mark camera and film-motion analyser. The eye-mark carmera provides a series of pictures in which the visual field and fixation point of the subject overlap. The visual line is observed as a spot of light on the film. Accurate analysis of films with the analyser produces detailed information on the calibration and movement of the target and visual line. Comparison with the ENG, taken simultaneously, indicates the adequate sensitivity and accuracy of this method. There are five types of relationship between visual line and target in optokinetic nystagmus. In type I, the visual line coincides with the target in the slow component of nystagmus. This type agrees with the conventional considerationation of the slow component of nstagmus. Type II indicates the existence of some servo-mechanism in the target catching action of the eye. In type III, there are three kinds of slow components, one chincides with one edge of the target, one with the other edge and another fixes on some point between the two and follows it. The velocities of these three are equal to that of the target. In type IV the visual line gradually lags behind the target, but the rhythm of the nystagmus coincides with that of the stimulation. In type V, dysrhythmic nystagmus develops and the visual line often jumps over several targets without fixation.


Cryosurgery in vasomotor rhinopathy: experimental histopathology.

Experimental cryosurgery of the nasal mucosa in normal guinea pigss and in animals with drug-induced vasomotor rhinopathy showed complete closure of the initial ulceration by a temporary atypical epithelium within 2 week. 3-4 weeks after cryotreatment, normal ciliated epithelium covered the whole area. Within 4-5 weeks, the last signs of inflammatory reaction dinappeared. The treatment resulted in a definitive reduction of mucosal thickness, and in a numerically significant loss of vessels and glandular acini. The hintopathological results thus agreed with the clinical objective of the treatment in vasomotor rhinopathy (reduction of the nasal resistance and diminution of rhinorrhea).


The allergic nasal mucosa following vidian neurectomy. Electron microsopic study.

The fine structure of the allergic nasal mucosufollowing vidian neurectomy was studied in 15 patients. The structure of the mucous glands, venules, arterioles and tunical cellular elements returned to normal 1 month after the operation, while that of the epithelium and of the capillaries only 3 months post-operatively. The effect of interrupting the hyperactive cholinergic nerve impulses on the various constituents of the nasal mucosa is described.


Chronic bronchitis. A bronchologic evaluation.

214 patients with chronic bronchitis were subjected to bronchial studied at Päivärinne Chest Hospital during the period 1967-1973. Bronchoscopy alone gave a frequency of 30% for bronchiectases while the information from bronchography increased this figure to 44%. In addition, 24% of the patients showed bronchographic changes in the form of naked filling or mucus obstrcution. Sputum specimens were less reliable indicators of infection than bronichial aspirates in patients with chronic bronchitis. Tracheobroncho-malacia was found in 50 patients and greatly increased the gravity of the disease.


Calcium metabolism in newborn animals: the interrelationship of calcium, magnesium, and inorganic phosphorus in newborn rats, foals, lambs, and calves.

The plasma concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium were studied during the early postnatal period in a rodent (rats), in ruminants (lambs and calves), and in foals. Decreases in plasma calcium after birth were observed only in newborn rats and foals. In rats the postnatal fall in plasma calcium level was already evident 1 hr after cesarean section (9.20 mg/100 ml) as opposed to 11.90 mg/100 ml in utero) and reached a nadir within 6 hr (-4.05 mg/100 ml). Newborn foals showed a small decrease in plasma calcium (-0.73/100 ml) 48 hr after birth. In the four species plasma inorganic phosphorus increased in the days after birth; plasma magnesium levels were only slightly affected over the first week of life. In ruminants and in foals, the high plasma calcitonin levels were not always related to plasma calcium, nor with plasma inorganic phosphorus over the first week of life. Newborn calves showed at birth detectable levels of plasma parathyroid hormone, similar to those found in their mothers, with individual values ranging from 0.80-3.50 ng/ml. These results are discussed in light of the well known early neonatal nypocalcemia occurring in normal human newborns.


The mandate project: institutionalizing a system of patient care quality assurance.

In 1970, prior to present-day requirements for quality assurance programs, a project was undertaken to institute such a program voluntarily in ten hospitals. Five hospitals succeeded in fully implementing the program which was based on the "Bi-Cycle Process" and each documented improvements in desired patient care behaviors. Two hospitals partially implemented the process and demonstrated no significant changes in desired patient care behaviors. Two hospitals failed to provide the data upon which assessments could be made and one hospital never got beyond preliminary efforts at instituting the process. The project demonstrates that a voluntary quality assurance program is feasible and has important implications for PSROs and continuing medical education. It also provides evidence that attention to psychosocial factors is essential in the institutionalization of programs designed to produce desired changes in patient care behaviors.


[Twin studies with a differentiated diagnosis of endogenic psychoses - psychosocial influences in certain forms of schizophrenia].

The examination started from the premise that "systematic schizophrenias", which constitute the majority of chronic schizophrenias in "differentiated diagnostics", only very rarely have a family history of psychosis. We set out to obtain an explanation of this observation by means of investigation in twins. Surprisingly, these types were not present in identical twins. It seems, therefore, that the severe schizophrenias, which we consider to be similar in character to systemic diseases, are prevented by the influence of an identical twin partner. As, however, the illness did occur in two-egg twins, the favourable influence must be effective during a period of life, when mutual understanding between the twins is already decisive, i.e. during later childhood, probably during puberty. An interaction between individual and environment is probably necessary for normal mental development and also for the maturing of brain systems essential in the adult psyche. In autistic patients there is no interaction, thus schizophrenia may develop. With an identical twin, however, contact is always present: because of similarity in character it is impossible that the partners minds are not mutually accessible. Thus, a satisfactory mental interrelationship is maintained, by which systematic schizophrenia is prevented. For refernces see the end of the following communication.


[Significance of twin birth for the appearance of cyclic psychoses].

The motility psychosis, one of the cycloid psychoses, is frequently encountered in twins. As this is also true of two-egg twins, similarity of character does not seem to be essential. Therefore the influence must probably become active during early childhood, perhaps even the first year of life. Somatic lesions before and after birth must be taken into consideration, as the weaker twin is at higher risk. On the other hand, a mutual influence between the twins has been suggested by the observation that confusion psychoses, which are closely related to motility psychoses, hardly occurred in twins. Investigations in siblings with motility psychosis and confusion psychosis confirmed the mutual interrelationship. Concerning the former, considerably more siblings were found. Many siblings, as well as twins, seem susceptible to the development of a motility psychosis, however they seem less susceptible to the development of a confusion psychosis. The investigation of siblings could lead to verification of early infancy as a period of influence.


[Unusual aspects in the creative pictures of a retarded, ineducable boy].

Drawings and sculptures of an 11-year-old retarded boy are presented, who was not capable of school education. His low-level of lingual-logic thinking contrasts with his almost age-corresponding capability of optic differentiation. His pictorial creations are impressive in their accurate presentation of animals, which are reminiscent of the artistic figures of paleolithic big game hunters. Parallels with the paleolithic hunting magics as characterized by Mirimanow are obvious. The presentation of men in the form of acting head-feeters might be based on an undifferentiated idea of their own body, of partially disabled children with impaired sensorial recognition.


Effect of antihypertensive treatment on urinary albumin excretion, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow in patients with essential hypertension.

In 20 patients with essential hypertension the urinary albumin execretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR),and renal plasma flow (RPF) were examined before and after antihypertensive treatment. Albumin excretion measured by radioimmunoassay was increased before treatment, and there was a significant fall during treatment. In patients responding well to therapy (diastolic pressure below 100 mm Hg), albumin excretion was significantly lower than in patients responding poorly to therapy. There was a positive correlation between albumin excretion before treatment and diastolic pressure during treatment, indicating that the albumin excretion rate may be used to predict the result of antihypertensive treatment. Patients with excretion rates below 25 mug/min generally respond well to the treatment used. No definite changes in GFR and RPF were found during treatment, and there was no correlation between albumin excretion and GFR and RPF. It is suggested that the increased albumin excretion in essential hypertension is due both to functional and morphological alterations in the glomerulus, namely increased glomerular filtration pressure and vascular damage.


Diuranal rhythms in 2- and 8-week-old infants: sleep-waking state organization as a function of age and stress.

Time of day differences in sleep-waking state organization were studied in 2- and 8-week-old infants by means of videotape recordings. Observations were made prior to and following adaptation to standard laboratory conditions previously found to be stressful. Diurnal rhythms occurred for a number of component sleep-waking states under the nonstressful conditions only, and increased with age.


The functional role of intravascular coagulation renal disease.

There is evidence of intravascular coagulation in accelerated hypertension and pre-eclamptic toxaemia, in all types of nephritis and in the haemolyticuraemia syndrome. The kidneys have a two-fold defence mechanism, namely mesangial cell phagocytosis and endothelial cell fibrinolytic activity. Intravascular coagulation occurs in all those types of shock that result in acute renal failure: more often than not the primary cause is endotoxinaemia.


Gastrointestinal phenomena in childhood typhoid fever.

Ninety-four children with typhoid fever presented with the primary complaints of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Fifty-two percent had hepatomegaly and derangements of SGOT and LDH. None developed hepatic decompensation and all had rapid clinical recovery. The abnormal liver function test served no prognostic purpose.


The influence of taking uterine biopsies on the concentration of some steroids in the blood and in the uterus, on the ovarian activity, and on the sexual behaviour of the mare.

It has been shown that stimulation of the uterus of mares by the daily taking of biopsies can result in the occurrence of oestrous symptoms. This is accompanied by some follicular growth and a progesterone content in the blood often higher than 1 ng/ml. The following observations suggest that this progesterone originates in the uterus and not in the ovaries: (1) no active corpora lutea appeared to be present in the ovaries after ovariectomy, (2) ovariectomized mares showed the same oestrous symptoms in similar experiments and even mating took place, (3) in the uterine biopsies the concentration of the compound referred to as "5.4", which is assumed to be easily convertible into progesterone, had already increased considerably in the second biopsy, (4) administration of stilboestrol reduced the rise of the progesterone level in the uterine biopsies as well as in the blood. The absence of oestradiol-17 beta in the ovarian follicles and the fact that ovariectomized mares also come into heat suggest that oestrogens cannot be held responsible for the oestrous symptoms in these mares. Our experiments demonstrate that the uterus can be involved in sexual behaviour and the formation of steroids.


Ultrastructure of a colonial radiolarian collozoum inerme and a cytochemical determination of the role of its zooxanthellae.

Collozoum inerme (Müller) is a colonial Radiolarian containing numerous cells bound in a common gelatinous matrix. The cells do not posses a skeleton as observed in many unicellular Radiolaria, but the cytoplasmic organization is similar. The cells are multinucleate and a complex system of cellular processes containing mitochondria, Golgi, and numerous vacuoles radiate out from the nuclear region. The endoplasm is connected to the ectoplasm across a double membrane boundary by thin cytoplasmic strands called fusules whose structure resemble those in unicellular Radiolaria. The ectoplasm contains a lacy network of vacuoles containing an osmiophilic substance. Rhizopodia emerge from the ectoplasmic sheath. Some are thin and densely granular. Larger diameter rhizopodia, containing less dense cytoplasm, sequester the zooxanthellae which present a typical dinoflagellate fine structure. Some of the zooxanthellae are apparently cultivated since they are sometimes observed dividing and persist in large numbers when colonies are cultivated under illumination for several weeks in the laboratory. However, colonies maintained in the dark have a decline in number of zooxanthellae and light microscopic examination shows they are being drawn into the ectoplasm of the radiolarian cells. Electron microscopic examination of zooxanthellae drawn into the ectoplasm sheath indicates they are digested. C. inerme is a remarkable example of a simple cellular aggregate that has exploited its colonial habit to culture algae and use them as food thus possibly enhancing the viability of the colony.


Changes in glycerol solubility and amino acid incorporation of a protein possessing the characteristics of tubulin during first cleavage in the sea urchin embryo.

A method is described for the quantitation of the pool size of a tubulin like protein during synchronized cell division in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. The method involves the use of a thin SDS slab polyacrylamide gel system in which tubulin can be quantitated in the submicrogram range. Employing a microtubule stabilization buffer, the intact tubule fraction was removed and the soluble tubulin pool was quantitated with this gel system. Amino acid incorporation into this protein was also quantitated. The resulting specific activity values and values for the amount of tubulin-like protein present in the pool fraction suggested that the tubulin pool decreases at fertilization and then remains constant through the first cell cycle. Tubulin synthesis, however, steadily increased after fertilization and then decreased dramatically just prior to mitotic apparatus formation. No change in tubulin pool size was observed at the time of peak mitotic appartus formation. These results are discussed in terms of the regulation of microtubule function.


The molting hormones from the embryonated EGG of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (l.).

26-Hydroxyecdysone is the predominant molting hormone in 24- to 44-hour-old embryonated tobacco hornworm eggs, accounting for approximately 80% of the ecdysones present at this stage of development. This molting hormone was previously shown to be the major ecdysone present in 48- to 64-hour-old embryonated eggs of this insect. During both of these periods of embryonic development in the hornworm 20-hydroxyecdysone is a minor component, in contrast to its presence as the major ecdysone in the hornworm during certain stages of post-embryonic development.


Some aspects of immunodiagnosis in amebiasis.

Antigen from axenically and with crithidia monoxenically grown amebae are compared in complement fixation test and indirect hemagglutination test. While similar reactivity was observed in indirect hemagglutination monoxenic antigen yielded extremely higher titers in complement fixation tests. Transient latex agglutinations of severely ill malaria tropica patients proved to be spontaneous in nature. It is recommended that extra latex is added to the test kits to provide for a check of positive sera for spontaneous agglutination. Glutaraldehyde treated and sensitized sheep red cells were stored under different conditions and their reactivity assessed over various periods of time. No loss of reactivity was found to occur under either condition after the respective times of observation, the longest of which lasted 12 months.


A comparison of the acquired resistance to Dipetalonema viteae stimulated in hamsters by trickle versus tertiary infections.

Two groups of hamsters were hyperinfected with Dipetalonema viteae. Each of the 15 hamsters in the first group received a total of 900 larvae given in three equal doses on days 0, 150 and 250 from the start of the experiment (tertiary-infection group). Each of the 20 hamsters in the second group received a total of 900 larvae given in 18 equal doses (50 larvae per dose) at 14 day intervals. Thus the final dose was given on day 238 from the start of the experiment (trickle-infection group). About half of the hamsters in each group were killed 100 days after the last sensitizing infection and their adult worm burdens and subcutaneous nodules were counted. The tertiary-infection group had a higher average number of adult worms per hamster, but fewer subcutaneous nodules than the trickle infection group. However, when the number of adult worms and subcutaneous nodules were added together, the sums from both groups were similar. The remaining hamsters of the above two groups, along with a group of nine previously uninfected hamsters, were given a challenge infection of 500 larvae per animal. Necropsy data taken 70-80 days after the challenge infection indicated inhibition and/or destruction of developing larval stages in the trickle + challenge-infection group, but no such acquired resistance phenomenon in the tertiary + challenge-infection or challenge-infection groups. While the mechanism remains unknown, it is clear that prior exposure to repeated small infections over an extended period stimulated a protective response to D. viteae in hamsters. This response was not seen in animals given three large infections over a similar time period.


[Mechanisms of oxygen transport across biological membranes].

Using metallic microelectrodes, intracellular measurements were performed of changes in O2 concentration for spherical oocytes of hens by their replacement from normal (PO2=150 torr) to hyperoxic (to 600 torr) conditions, and vice versa. The curves of O2 influx and efflux were recorded in pulse regime of the working electrode polarization. The character of these curves can be expressed by the following equations: m(t)==c==e=y1t+y0 and m (t) =e-y1t+v0+c, where v1 is determined by the coefficient of cell membrane permeability for O2. Valid differences were shown between values of v1 for oxygen influx and efflux which vanish after the action of cyanides. It is suggested that O2 transport into the cell involves a base component which may be physical diffusion, and an additional component which can be depressed by cyanides.


[The ionic permeability of cytoplasmic membranes during early carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) embryogenesis].

Membrane potentials (MP) of the early embiogenesis in Cyprinus carpio L. were studied. It is determined that during cleavage of the egg cell MP increases from 8.3 +/- +/- 2.1 mV (non-cleaving fertilized egg cell) to 47.5 +/- 4.1 mV (stage of the microcellular morula). The influence of sodium ions on MP gradually decreases. On the contrary, the influence of potassium ions grown considerably. Potassium ions play the main part in formation of embrionic cells MP in the carp.


[Cytophotometric studies of DNA concentration and the interrelationship of different forms of chromatinin cells of different tissues].

Using cytophotometry, biochemistry, autoradiography and electron microscopy, the evidence was provided that in addition to a non-condensed form of chromatin the liver cell nuclei contain a condensed one which disappears from the nuclei when treated with a nuclear fraction of the liver homogenate. After degradation the DNA related to the condensed chromatin, an "unscheduled" DNA synthesis occurs. On the other hand, measurements that involve a single hydrolysis time only, were not shown to give a comprehensive picture of the DNA content or the state of chromatin. The analysis of the results obtained from hydrolysis curves suggests that in some cases the deviation from DNA constancy in the cell nuclei may be seen.


Kaposi's sarcoma of scrotum.

A rare case is presented of Kaposi's sarcoma localized to the scrotum with history, and physical and laboratory findings. Excision of the scrotum with bilateral orchiectomy was performed, with uneventful recovery. Literature is reviewed of Kaposi's sarcoma originating in the male external genitalia.


[Restoration and acceleration of the development of the capacity for antibody synthesis by the humoral factor of the thymus].

A fraction stimulating the antibody synthesis to sheep erythrocytes in administration during the neonatal period to mice and partially restoring the antibodygenesis in neonatally thymectomized rats was isolated from a calf thymus extract. Morpho-histochemical studies demonstrated a marked plasmocytic reaction in the spleen of neonatally thymectomized rats under the effect of the thymus extract fraction in response to immunization with sheep erythrocytes; however, there occurred no normalization of morphotopographic peculiarities of the splenic tissue, including the thymus-dependent regions. Administration of the extract was also not accompanied by any weight gain of the lymphoid organs, or increase in lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood and the count of splenic cells transforming into blasts under the effect of phytohemagglutinin.


[The effect of late thymectomy and thymosin on the quantity of antibody forming cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of guinea pigs].

A study was made of the effect of thymectomy carried out in guinea pigs aged 1 month on the antibody-forming cell (AFC) count (cells forming antibodies against sheep erythrocytes), and also the effect of thymosin on the AFC distribution in the spleen and the lymph nodes of thymectomized animals. It was shown that as a result of thymectomy the AFC content increased in the peripheral lymphoid organs, and, particularly, in the spleen. But under the effect of thymosin the AFC count in the spleen decreased and in the lymph nodes somewhat increased; this permitted one to suggest a normalizing influence of thymosin on the AFC count in the thymectomized animals.


[Typifying foci of tick-borne encephalitis in the pre-Baikal].

The existence of tick-borne encephalitis foci of several landscape types was revealed in the Prebaikalye. Of particular interest were foci of the forest-steppe type, in which virus strains of the Western serological type circulated along with the Eastern serological type strain of the tick-borne encephalitis virus. It was shown that infection of man was possible not only by transmissive, but also by the almientary route--through cow milk.


[Bioelectrical activity of the cortex and several subcortical formations in experimental neurosis].

Experimental neurosis was achieved in fifteen rabbits (both fixed on a stand and unrestrained) by sudden, drastic enhancement of a pain electrocutaneous stimulation used as reinforcement, at the stage of a stable elaborated avoidance reflex. The experimental neurosis was characterized by a prolonged (one to two months) disturbance of conditioned activity, greater motor restlessness, predominance of the fear type reactions, the animals' reduced weight, higher pulse and respiratory rate. Dynamics of the respiratory rate and brain bioelectrical activity became chaotic. Simultaneously, bioelectrical activity revealed greater similarity of the processes in the cortex and subcortical structures at one and the same moment. Analysis of the electrogram frequency spectra of different brain formations, pointed to an enhancement in all frequency ranges (with the exception of gamma), with a clear predominance of the 6 to 10 c/s band which was most distinctly expressed in the amygdaloid structures.


Investigations into the relationship between phospholipids and brain acetylcholine.

The effect of a phospholipid mixture extracted from the bovine cerebral cortex and of pure phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) on ACh output from the cerebral cortex was investigated in rats anaesthetized with urethane. All the phospholipids were administered after sonication. ACh was determined by bioassay. The following results were obtained: after i.p. administration of 100 mg/kg of the phospholipid mixture a marked increase in ACh output I asting approximately 30 min was observed. The i.v. administration of PS caused a dose-dependent increase in ACh. At the dose of 150 mg/kg a 3-fold increase over the spontaneous ACh output was found. PE was less active than PS and PC showed no effect on ACh output. The possibility that PS and PE might increase ACh output through a mechanism facilitating Ca penetration is discussed.


Fine structure of the testis and epididymis of rats treated with cyproterone acetate.

Adult male rats were administered the antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate, for 4, 8 or 12 weeks, and the histology and fine structure of the testis and several parts of the epididymis were studied. After treatment for 8 or 12 weeks, the testes of treated animals displayed a great reduction in the abundance of late spermatids. Necrotic cells, many of which were identified as cap-phase spermatids, were present in the seminiferous epithelium. Sertoli cells contained many large lipid droplets and lysosome-like structures with a content of cellular debris, including parts of spermatids. Leydig cells of treated rats were smaller than those of control animals at all the intervals studied. Sperm were absent from the lumen of the middle segment, or caput epididymidis, of severely affected specimens. In the terminal segment, or cauda epididymidis, the microscopic appearance varied in different regions. In the proximal part of the cauda epididymidis, the lumen was usually clear of sperm. The epithelium was tall and the light cells were very large and distended with many dense bodies resembling lysosomes. In contrast, in the distal part of the cauda epididymidis, the lumen was filled with sperm and debris, which appeared to be derived from germ cells. It is suggested that the light cells of the epididymal epithelium may have a role in clearing the lumen in the proximal part of the cauda epididymidis, in which they are particularly large and numerous. The results suggest that in the presence of cyproterone acetate, germ cells develop up to a cap-phase spermatids and then begin to undergo degeneration and death. This alteration may have an important role in the antifertility effect of the drug, but changes in the epididymis may contribute also.


Observations of the microcirculatory bed in rat mesocecum using differential interference constrast microscopy in vivo and electron microscopy.

The microvascular bed of the rat mesocecum has been examined in vivo using differential interference (Nomarski) optics and subsequently by electron microscopy. The preferential channel, from terminal arteriole to collecting venule, has been examined. In the terminal arteriolar segment the endothelial layer is covered by a continuous layer of smooth muscle cells which, in turn, are surrounded by adventitia. In the metarteriolar segment the periendothelial cells still resemble smooth muscle cells but the tunica media is discontinuous. In the distal segment periendothelial cells are more scattered and have the appearance of pericytes. There appears to be a continuous transition of the periendothelial cell layer from terminal arteriole to distal segment. Nerve endings were seeen in both the terminal arteriolar and metarteriolar segments. During contraction smooth muscle cells, oriented circumferentially, shorten and thicken. Endothelial cells appear anchored by myoendothelial junctions. Endothelial cells have filaments which show increased banding during vasoconstriction, suggesting that such cells may contract. Capillary offshoots leave the preferential channel, usually at right angles. Smooth muscle cells are oriented to form a sphincter and there are many myoendothelial junctions at the branch point. Within a short distance the capillary branch loses its periendothelial coat.


Evaluation of a multitest microtechnique for yeast identification.

A new, multitest, microtechnique system, API 20C (Analytab Products Inc. Clinical Yeast System), was evaluated by comparing it to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) standard techniques for the identification of yeast. Forty-four yeast strains isolated from clinical specimens were tested by fermentation and assimilation. Six fermentation carbohydrates and ten assimilation carbohydrates were compared. API results were read after incubation of 24 and 48 hours while the standard CDC system was read after 48 hours and 14 days when needed. One hundred per cent agreement in identification was found between the two systems in the strains studied. Growth in the presence of actidione was tested by the API strip only and gave unreliable results with nine per cent of the strains tested. The API 20 Clinical Yeast System provides a reliable and rapid approach to yeast identification enabling the clinical laboratory to completely identify a yeast organism in 48 hours instead of the usual four to 14 days. A cost comparison showed the API system to be significantly more economical than the conventional method of identification.


PSRO: current status of the professional standards review organization program.

Since Public Law 92-603 was enacted in October 1972 considerable progress has been made in the establishment of Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) for the purpose of determining the necessity, appropriateness, and quality of medical care provided beneficiaries of the major programs authorized in the Social Security Act. Sixty-five conditional PSROs are implementing review in acute care hospitals in their geographic area, and 55 planning groups are developing plans to qualify for conditional PSRO designation. The PSRO hospital review system is based on three interrelated review mechanisms. These are concurrent review, which includes admission certification, and continued stay review through discharge; medical care evaluation studies; and analysis of hospital, practitioner, and patient profiles. This article describes the review system in some detail and the potential opportunities the PSRO program offers to occupational therapists.


Twins with academic learning problems: antecedent characteristics.

Developmental histories of 46 children experiencing academic difficulties, all of whom had participated since birth in a longitudinal study of twins, were compared with a matched control group of twins. Genetic influences on the liability for academic difficulties are suggested, since identical pairs were more likely than fraternal pairs to be concordant both for academic difficulties and for preschool behavioral characteristics specific to the index group.


Influence of pancuronium of potassium efflux produced by succinycholine.

Serum potassium (K+) levels were measured after thiopental, succinylcholine, pancuronium, and pretreatment with pancuronium prior to succinylcholine, in 100 patients divided into 4 groups of 25 patients each. Significant increases in serum K+ were found after succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). Administration of pancuronium in small doses (20 mug/kg) prior to succinylcholine (1 mg/kg) was effective not only in complete prevention of serum K+ elevation but also produced consistent decrease in serum K+ concentration below control values. Both thiopental and pancuronium produced moderate fall in serum K+ levels. Our observations indicate that pretreatment with pancuronium may play a beneficial role in patients at risk from succinylcholine hyperkalemia.


Respiratory distress with left aortic arch, right descending aorta, and right ligamentum arteriosum: a case report.

A 7-year-old girl manifested the rare anomaly of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) with left aortic arch, right descending aorta, and right ligamentum arteriosum. After open-heart surgery to correct the VSD, symptoms of tracheal obstruction on spontaneous breathing developed, due to tracheal compression by the right ligamentum arteriosum. The compressed segment of the trachea was found to be thin and unstable following division of the ligamentum. Positive-pressure breathing and continuous positive airway pressure breathing effectively splinted the patient's airway during the postoperative period, with recovery of the patient.


Influence of pancuronium or d-tubocurarine on circulatory responses during thiamylal-N2O-halothane anesthesia.

Circulatory responses after thiamylal (4 mg/kg) and pancuronium (0.08 mg/kg, 20 patients) or d-tubocurarine (dTc, 0.5 mg/kg, 20 patients) followed by tracheal intubation and nitrous oxide-halothane administration were measured. Three minutes after thiamylal, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac index (CI) decreased significantly only in patients receiving dTc. Heart rate (HR) was increased 12 bpm in both groups. The magnitude of reduction in MAP and CI was similar and the HR was not greatly different between groups after 5 minutes of N2O-halothane administration. MAP and CI were better maintained following thiamylal in patients receiving pancuronium as compared with dTc. However, circulatory responses during early anesthetic maintenance were not influenced by the choice of neuromuscular blocker.


Spinal anesthesia: bupivacaine versus tetracaine.

The clinical effects of equal hyperbaric doses of bupivacaine HCl and tetracaine HCl were studied and compared in 99 adult men undergoing spinal anesthesia for similar surgical procedures. The spinal anesthetic agents were used in random order in various dosages. Comparisons were made of (1) amount of anesthetic agent used, (2) elapsed time for onset of analgesia, (3) elapsed time for obtaining maximum anesthesia, (4) cephalad dermatome level of anesthesia, (5) incidence of motor blockade, and (6) duration of anesthesia. Results with the 2 drugs in equal dose, volume, and specific gravity were almost identical. However, tetracaine provided a motor block in a significantly greater number of patients than did pubivacaine (100 versus 42%, rho less than 0.001) when both drugs were used at the 9.75-mg dose level.