[Healing of suppurative wounds after heteroperitoneal, gauze and resin-rinse methods of drainage].

It is shown that preserved parietal peritoneum of the cattle shows necrolytic and dehydrating properties, contributes to prompt wound clearance from fibrinopurulent exudate, thus shortening the time of the phase of hydration, and as a week stimulator it stimulates regenerative processes, contributing to accelerated dehydration phase and healing of the wound with formation of a tender scar without any signs of inflammation, the regeneration of the activated epidermis being more perfect. Moreover, the metabolic processes in the wound are actiyated, that is manifested by a more intensive. Feulgen reaction for DNA, rapid accumulation of RNA in cells and glycoproteids and glycogen--in intercellular substance. Gauze and rubber drainages fail to possess such properties.


[Thermography in differential diagnosis of lymphostasis in the lower limbs].

The authors report the data concerning the use of lymphography and thermography with the purpose of establishing the differential diagnosis in 42 patients with edema of the lower limbs of a different origin. A comparative estimation of different methods of the differential diagnosis indicated the advantages of infra-red thermography.


[Effect of mechanized work on the indicators of traumatism among lumberjacks].

The author has considered trauma from the point of view of three main indices: frequency, gravity and average duration of incapacity of each patient in days. An important conclusion is made that further progressive replacement of manual labour by mechanized one will influence positively the basic indices of traumatism in timber industry.


[Evaluation of the effectiveness of orthopedic manipulation of inveterate traumatic hip dislocation].

The authors present an analysis of the results of operative treatment for inveterate femoral dislocations in 13 patients, in 6 of them open reduction of the dislocation was performed, in 6--arthrodesis of the coxa, in 1--subtrochanteric osteotomy. The late results within the terms from 3 to 15 years were followed up in 9 operated patients, 5 of them were previously subjected to operative reduction of the dislocation and 4--to arthrodesis. It is the authors' opinion that, taking into account the late results following operative reduction of inveterate femoral dislocation, the operation of arthrodesis of the coxa is felt to be more rational in such cases.


[Operative and postoperative neurological complications in heart surgery].

Intraoperative and postoperative neurologic complications in cardiosurgical patients refer to grave cerebral affections which aggravate markedly the operative issue and prognosis for patients' life. In 525 operations on the heart and major vessels neurologic complications were noted in 47 patients. In 21 of them death was directly caused by these complications. The character of cerebral lesions (brain hypoxia, acute disorders in the cerebral circulation) and their frequency were conditioned by the kind of operative interventions and characteristic features of the cardiovascular pathology. Routine prophylactic measures and their results are described.


[Surgical treatment of trochanteric fractures of the femur].

Till 1971 in the clinic the treatment of trochanteric fractures was mostly conservative. Application of this method resulted in numerous complications and high mortality rate (33%). Among 363 patients admitted to the clinic during this period surgical therapy was employed only in 13 patients (3.5%). Within the recent 3 years indications to surgical therapy were considerably extended: of 111 admitted patients 41 were treated surgically (37%). The greatest number of operations was made in patients aged 71-90 years old. For osteosynthesis pin-screw with diaphyseal pad was employed. The results obtained are described.


[Electric stimulation as a method of acceleration of healing of crural bone fractures].

Having used the method of electrostimulation of the fracture site with direct current of 10--50 mA in patients with crural fractures, the authors noted a more rapid callus formation. The latter is supported by clinical data and roentgenograms. The method results in shortening of the terms of recovery in patients treated conservatively and surgically. It is believed that this method may be recommended for a wider clinical use in crural fractures.


[Compression-distraction osteosynthesis of pseudarthroses and ununited fractures of the long tubular bones].

The authors presents an analysis of clinical observations over 72 patients with pseudarthrosis and nonunited fractures of long tubular bones, in whom 73 operations of compression-distraction osteosynthesis were performed. All these patients are engaged in coal industry. For treatment the Ilizarov compression-distraction apparatus was employed in 62 patients, the Gudushauri apparatus--in 5, the apparatus of personal author's design--in 6. the results of treatment are described.


[Counter-lateral compression in oblique pseudarthroses of diaphyses of the tubular bones of the lower limbs].

The author reports the results of treatment in 58 patients with oblique aplastic pseudarthrosis of tubular bones diaphyses of the lower limbs. For treatment extrafocal with counter-lateral compression by means of pins with bearing surfaces. By the present time nearly in all patients (52 of 58) with the mentioned complications such kind of treatment resulted in rehabilitation of the main motion-bearing function of the extremity.


[Gas exchange in burns].

Under study was the function of ventilation, gas metabolism, acid-base balance, ECG in 140 patients with burns associated with or without clinical manifestations of shock reaction. It is found that shock is not characterized by any specific changes in the cardiopulmonary system. The disturbances observed in patients with manifest burn shock and in those without shock reaction differ only in the degree of pronouncement and consist in dyspnea with a hypoventilation regimen, high level of basic metabolism, decreased reserve potentialities of the body, metabolic acidosis, diffuse changes in the myocardium. Some proper recommendations are given.


[Changes of peripheral blood flow in patients with cancer of the lungs, esophagus and cardia under the effect of anesthesia and surgery].

The authors report the data on changes in peripheral circulation, depending on the kind of anesthesia, the amount of operative blood loss, alterations in circulating blood volume and localization of tumor in patients with cancer of the lung, esophagus and cardia. Totally, 35 patients (15--lung cancer, 10--esophageal cancer, 10--cancer of the cardia) were explored. In 25 cases fluothane was used as the main anesthetic, in 10--neuroleptanalgesia. The state of peripheral circulation was estimated by the period semielimination of radioactive xenon-133 from the muscle depot. It was found that alterations in peripheral circulation were not dependent on tumor localization, the use of fluothane and neuroleptanalgesia is associated with similar changes in peripheral blood flow and, finely, an increased loss of blood results in more pronounced alterations in peripheral circulation.


[Respiratory function during peridural analgesia].

By means of spirography the ventilatory function was studied under conditions of peridural analgesia in 73 patients with suppurative and neoplastic diseases of the lung pre- and postoperatively, as well as in closed chest injuries. In 6 patients being in asthmatic state the effect of peridural analgesia is estimated clinically.


[Use of heterogenic peritoneum in surgical treatment of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint].

Thirty patients were operated upon after the authors' technic. In 23 patients the mandibular branch was made thinner after the method described, and caps from the heterogenous tissue were employed. The mandibular motion was found to be quite adequate, terms of the follow-up from 2 to 18 years. In 7 patients oblique osteotomy of the mandibular branch was performed with interposition of the fissure with a heterogenous peritoneum leaf. The mandibular motion was satisfactory.


Visceral lesions in racoons naturally infected with Heterobilharzia americana.

Three free-ranging raccoons caught in southeastern Florida were found to be infected by Heterobilharzia americana. The livers were firm with rough surfaces and stellate patterns of periportal fibrosis. The portal tracts had excessive mature fibrous connective tissue and occasional ovum and necrotic fluke granulomas. There were also ovum granulomas with concomitant lesions in small and large intestine, pancreas, and lung. Numerous other parasites were seen.


Hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system. A spontaneous disease of fetal hamsters.

During studies of transplacental virus infections in random bred hamsters purchased with timed pregnancies from three commercial dealers, spontaneous hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system was seen in fetuses harvested near term. Ninety-seven pregnant hamsters from three colonies were examined during a 6-month period; this condition was seen in 25 of 41, 19 of 36, and five of 20 litters. Hamsters from another commercial colony were received, housed, and fed under the same conditions, but remained free of the disease. The pathological process was characterized by multiple spreading zones of edema, malacia, and hemorrhage. Lesions were restricted to neural tissues, including the retina and internal ear. Neuroepithelial proliferation with rosette formation, accompanying the destructive process, constituted a striking reparative response. No inflammatory reaction or cytopathic effects suggestive of virus-induced disease were seen. Studies on the cause of this condition were negative at the time when the disease disappeared spontaneously.


Renal carcinoma in the dog.

Thirty-three cases of canine renal carcinoma reported between 1907 and 1972 are reviewed, and clinical and pathological features of nine other cases seen in Bristol between 1966 and 1975 are described. Clinical features frequently include nonspecific signs of anorexia and weight loss. The age range of affected dogs varies from 3 to 15 years, with a mean of 7.1 years. Male dogs appear to be affected more frequently than females, but there is no breed predilection. The clinical behaviour of canine renal carcinoma is variable, with 4 years the longest survival time after nephrectomy. The primary tumours characteristically are large and unilateral and occupy most of one pole of a kidney. Metastatic spread can involve a wide range of organs, the commonest being lymph nodes and lung. Solid, tubular and papillary patterns are common. Clear cell carcinoma is uncommon.


[Epidermoid bronchial carcinoma in dogs and cats].

In seven cats and four dogs of different ages, an epidermoid pulmonary carcinoma has been described. This tumour originates from the orifices or the proximal sections of the ducts of the bronchial glands. The carcinoma, which usually shows no keratinization, penetrates the bronchial mucosa, submucosa and the peribronchial tissue. There is no mucus. Occasionally in the peribronchial neoplastic areas there are adenoid formations, comparable to the combined carcinoma of the WHO classification of lung tumours. Metastases have been restricted to the bronchial lymph nodes.


Histology of air sac lesions induced in chickens by contact exposure to Mycoplasma synoviae.

Chickens were housed when 1 day old with chickens experimentally infected with Mycoplasma synoviae. Air sacs from 16 of the 2-week-old and eight of the 3-week-old contact-exposed chickens were given gross lesion scores and embedded in glycol methacrylate for slide preparation. Histologic lesions in air sacs with gross scores of 0-2 were mild edema resulting in a two to eightfold increase in air sac thickness, capillary proliferation, and exudate consisting largely of heterophils and necrotic debris. Histologic lesions in air sacs with gross scores of 3 and 4 were marked hyperplasia of epithelial cells and diffuse infiltration of the air sac connective tissue by mononuclear cells. Nine of 10 air sacs with gross scores of 0 had no histologic evidence of inflammation. The most severe histologic lesions were in those air sacs with gross scores of 4. The glycol methacrylate procedure resulted in 2-mum sections with excellent cellular detail.


Homogeneous joint transplantation in sheep.

An experimental study on the homogeneous transplantation of the major part of the lateral and medial femoral trochleae and trochlear groove with articular cartilage was carried out in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Pahlavi University, Shiraz. The results of postoperative clinical examinations and regular radiographical observations are described. Finally, the pathological findings and surgico-pathological observations are noted. The advantages of using the technique described and its possible clinical applications are discussed.


Comparison of pregnancy rate in heifers and suckler cows after progesterone or prostaglandin treatments.

The pregnancy rate in 321 Friesian dairy replacement heifers was not different following two inseminations on a fixed time basis when oestrus was synchronised with either a 12-day progesterone treatment using silastic coils or a double injection regimen of a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin f2alpha (chloprostenol). There was a significantly higher (P less than 0-01) pregnancy rate following insemination when 143 Hereford-cross beef suckler cows were treated with the 12-day progesterone treatment (55 per cent pregnant) in comparison to the pregnancy rate following insemination of 131 cows receiving the double injection of cloprostenol 12 days apart (32 per cent pregnant). The ovarian activity at the start of treatment affected pregnancy rate following the cloprostenol regimen but not following the progesterone regimen. In suckler cows in these trials where ovarian activity was classified at the start of treatment, 30 per cent had inactive ovaries, indicating the magnitude of the problems of synchronising oestrus in beef suckler cows.


The effect of orally administered histamine on the weight gain and development of gizzard lesions in chicks.

The results of a large scale trial confirmed preliminary findings that the feeding to chicks of a diet containing 4 mg/g of histamine can result in the production of localised lesions in the gizzard and depressed growth rate. This finding supports an earlier suggestion that when dietary fish meal is associated with gizzard erosion the condition is mediated, in part, by the histamine produced by certain types of bacterial spoilage of fish protein.


Reproduction of the ewe and female goat in the province of Fars, Iran.

Over a period of 12 months, 1006 ovine and 1129 caprine genitalia were collected from an abattoir. 57-5 per cent of the sheep and 89 per cent of the goat specimens were gravid of which 26-9 per cent and 30-2 per cent, respectively, of the total were estimated to be over two months of gestational age. Transuterine migration of the early embryo was a feature in both species although it was more frequent in the goat. Signs of fertilisation failure or embryonic death was most frequently observed if associated with multiple ovulations. Three ovine and two caprine fetuses had severe developmental abnormalities, and a total of 30 specimens had either congenital or acquired abnormalities of the ovaries and uterus.


The relationship between changes in bodyweight plasma glucose and fertility in beef cows.

Long term experiments were carried out to determine the influence of varying energy intakes on the levels of blood components in lactating beef cows. Lowering the dietary energy intake to 0-95x maintenance produced a fall in bodyweight which continued throughout a 10 week feeding period. There was an initial fall in the plasma glucose level. After four weeks the plasma glucose level began to rise, and at the end of the 10 week period it had almost reached its original level. When bodyweight and plasma glucose were falling cows were infertile, when bodyweight was falling and plasma glucose was rising cows were fertile.


Neck lesions in the teeth of cats.

Teeth and whole jaws of cats suffering from painful cavitation of the necks of postcanine teeth were investigated histologically. It was found that the lesions were not caries but a type of progressive subgingival osteoclastic resorption.


Experimental and field studies with thiophanate in pigs.

Thiophanate, administered at a dosage of 50 mg per kg to artifically infected pigs, removed 96 to 99 per cent of adult Oesophagostomum spp, Hyostrongylus rubidus and Trichuris suis. Activity was also high against larval stages of these nematodes, except for 26-day-old T suis. Thiophanate also showed ovicidal and larvicidal activity against H rubidus and Oesophagostomum spp. At 50 mg per kg thiophanate administered alone was inactive against Ascaris suum and Metastrongylus apri, the former species also being refractory at 200 mg per kg. Field trials confirmed these efficacy results in naturally infected animals. Pellet formulations providing mean dosages of 63 mg thiophanate per kg for adult pigs and 75 mg thiophanate per kg with 83 mg piperazine base per kg for growing pigs were highly effective in reducing the faecal output of Oesophagostomum spp, H rubidus and T suis eggs. In growing pigs, A suum was controlled by the thiophanate/piperazine product. No palatability or tolerance problems were observed when thiophanate or thiophanate/piperazine mixtures were administered at recommended dosage or multiples thereof in experimental or field studies.


Mycoplasmas and ovine keratoconjunctivitis.

The clinical course of an outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis in housed lambs and their dams was followed. Signs were transient generally and became severe in only a small proportion of lambs. The outbreak became most obvious when the lambs were 46 to 55 days old, when 46.9 per cent were affected. Mycoplasma conjunctivae isolations, confirmed by comparison with the type strain by biochemical and serological reactions, increased to 62.1 per cent of all eyes swabbed, but no correlation could be demonstrated between presence of the organism and clinical status. The reasons for this are discussed. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was also recovered from the eyes of a small number of lambs. Instillation of a broth culture of M conjunctivae into the conjunctival sacs of four hoggs produced a transient keratoconjunctivitis similar to that observed in the field, but no effect was observed in animals inoculated intravenously. M conjunctivae may therefore be the aetiological agent of non-follicular infectious ovine keratoconjunctivitis, although further work in gnotobiotic or specific pathogen free lambs is required to establish the fact beyond doubt.


Type II ostertagiasis in adult cattle.

During the spring of 1975 outbreaks of ostertagiasis affecting adult cattle were recorded from several beef herds. Two of these outbreaks, one involving an autumn calving herd and the other spring calving, were investigated in detail. The clinical, biochemical, haematological, parasitological and pathological findings are described and were similar to those characteristic of type II ostertagiasis in immature cattle.


[Late results of gamma-teletherapy for lung cancer].

As a result of distance gamma-therapy on Rocus-123 machine in patients with pulmonary cancer in stage II-IV, the survival for a year period and longer was noted in 57.5 +/- 4.5%, over 3 years--in 19.5 +/- 3.6%; over 5 years--in 7.2+/- 2.4%. An average life survival was 21.6 +/- 1.8%.


[Lung cancer in chronic inflammatory processes of the bronchi and pulmonary tissue].

An attempt was made to determine the frequency of lung cancer occurrence in different inflammatory processes in the bronchi and pulmonary tissue. 100 cases of lung cancer were studied according to case reports and autopsy finding, the main tumor node and metastases were explored histologically. The data obtained indicated that in 2.2% of cases the development of cancer was preceded by influenza with residual phenomenon such as purulent bronchitis or pneumonia, in 2.3% of cases cancer occurrence was found to be dependent on chronic pneumonia. In 12.1% of cases cancer has arisen in fibrous-focal or cirrhotic tuberculosis with the presence of old caverns; in 14.7% of cases its development was related with pneumosclerosis and bronchiectases, and in 17.8% of cases it developed against the background of purulent bronchitis.


[Use of olivomycin in the treatment of cancer of the uterine cervix].

Olivomycin was used locally as 0.2% ointment (20-40 tampons) in 39 cervical cancer cases (I stage--27 patients, II--8, III--1 and IV--2 patients) and in 2 vaginal cancer cases (II stage). There was noted a visual disappearance of the neoplasm in 24 cases, the decrease up to 1/3 of initial tumor dimensions in 11 cases, up to 1/2-2/3--in 5 cases. There was no effect in one case of cervix adenocarcinoma. An extended extirpation of the uterus with its adnexa was carried out after the treatment in 36 cases, in 13 of which no histological signs of tumor were found. Two patients are being under observation, because they refused the operation in view of the complete disappearance of the tumor.


[Antitumor activity of the lymphocytes of BALB/c and C57BL mice during methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis].

By means of the elaborated by the authors method of inhibition by lymphocytes of spheroids production by tumor cells a quantitative estimation of their antitumor activity is given in mice BALB/c and C57BL in methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis, Lymphoid cells in mice BALB/c proved to be more active functionally than lymphocytes in mice C57BL. Antitumor action of the lymphocytes is high enough at early stages of blastoma development, lymphocytes from remote lymph nodes being mostly active. At terminal stage the effector action of lymphocytes is diminished.


[Morphologic changes in the urinary bladder of mice induced by metabolites of tryptophan and tyrosine].

45-day-old 229 mice of lines C57Bl and CC57Br were injected subcutaneously water solutions of tryptophan and thyrosine metabolites 2.5 mg twice a week, the total dosage being 45-50 mg per mouse. For the control mice of the same line were taken. Within the period from 3.5 to 19 months following injection of the metabolites in the urinary bladder of animals, there were observed focal proliferates of the epithelium not infrequently with its atypism, and also lymphoid infiltration of submucous and muscle layers, reticulosarcomas, papillomas, precancerous conditions and cancer. The question of the importance of endogenous blastomogenic substances in the development of "spontaneous" tumors of the urinary bladder in man is discussed.


[Influence of phenobarbital on the immunodepressive action of antitumor substances].

In the experiments on mice, immunized by mutton erythrocytes, the authors have studied the effect of phenobarbital, in the doses activating drug-metabolizing hepatic systems, on immunodepressive action of imurane, 6-mercaptopurine and cyclophosphane. It has been found that phenobarbital eliminates the immunodepression and reduces considerably the toxicity of the mentioned cytostatics. Under these conditions imurane and 6-mercaptopurine in certain doses render an immunostimulative instead of immunodepressive effect.


[Venous blood leukoconcentrate of oncologic patients following radiation therapy].

Venous blood leucoconcentrate was studied in 48 patients with malignant neoplasms of the genitalia before and after radiotherapy. The decrease in total number of leucocytes on account of the decreased lymphocytes number and young undifferentiated formed elements of blood was observed; a relative neutrophylosis, monocytosis, eosinophilia as well as lymphopenia developed. The study of venous blood leucoconcentrate in oncological patients characterizes more precisely the state of peripheral blood than the routine method of investigation.


[Late results of lung cancer therapy (according to material from the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology)].

The remote results in 295 patients subjected to radical surgical therapy are analysed, in 95 of these patients during two postoperative years 426 courses of chemotherapy were conducted. In squamous cell cancer of the lung 48 patients were administered methotrexate (90 mg per course), 18 patients with adenocarcinoma--5-fluoruracil, 29 patients with undifferentiated cancer-cyclophosphane (3 g of each substance). The comparison of 3 and 5-year results depending on the stage, extent of surgical intervention and histological form of the tumor, indicated a considerable prolongation of life terms in patients, subjected to the combined treatment, as compared with solely surgical one.


[Recognition of metastases to the liver in lung cancer patients].

The results of the complex treatment of 441 lung cancer patients are analysed, in whom scanning of the liver was performed to exclude a possible metastatic invasion. 72 patients (16.3%) died in signs of metastatic involvement of the liver: in 33 of them the diagnosis was established based on the data of scanning. 30 of them were suspected of metastases in the liver due to scanning findings, and only in 10 cases scannograms were normal. In 14 of the last 40 patients repeat scannograms revealed metastases. Of the total number of 46 patients with metastases, revealed scannographically, only 15 showed clinical and scannographic signs of tumor involvement of the liver, whereas in the remaining 31--primary clinical signs of the liver involvement were absent, and metastases were first detected by radiologic studies. It is concluded, that it is rational to include scanning of the liver in the complex of the mandatory exploration in patients with lung cancer.


[State of the exocrine function of the pancreas during human aging].

A study of the exacrinous function of the pancreas made in 205 healthy persons aged from 18 to 90 has evidenced that in ageing there takes place in the duodenal mixture of juices a statistically significant decline in the activity of trypsin and of its inhibitor, lipase, amylase, in the level of bicarbonates and in the volume of the juice along with an increase in the content of chlorides. In ageing more marked changes become apparent following application of the agents stimulating the pancreatic secretion of the secretin and pancreozymin mechanism of action, and then the greatest changes are seen to occur on the level of lipase and trypsin and the least -- on the level of the amylase activity and the bicarbonate alkalinity content. Note has also been taken of an age-specific statistically significant decline in the activity of the studied pancreatic enzymes in the blood (trypsin, its inhibitor, lipase, amylase) and in the urine (lipase, amylase).


[Nutrition and the state of health of the population of the UkrSSR].

Investigations made it possible to establish that in the period from 1925-28 to 1970-71 there took place in the Ukraine an increase in the consumption of animal products (milk, meat, fish, eggs), of sugar, vegetables, fruits and a fall in the consumption of cereals (bakery products, grits, macaroni, beans) and potato. Because of these dietary changes in the nutritional pattern of the population there were noted an elevated proportional share of proteins and fats, basically of animal origin, and a decrease in that of complex carbohydrates. A direct relation between the health status of the population and its alimentation has been ascertained; first--between the calorific value of the food products sets and their fat and carbohydrates content, on the one hand, and the body weight of the examined, on the other; and secondly--between the fluorine level in the food and the prevalence of fluorosis, caries, exostosis, aggravated by an imbalance of a number of nutritional components, on the other. Note has been taken at the same time of the fact that obese individuals suffer more often from cardio-vascular affections, gout, uro- and cholelithiasis and diabetes mellitus.


[Effect of calorie deficient nutrition on thiol group content of liver cell nuclei from white rats of different ages].

The sulfydryl and disulfide groups content in summary histones of the hepatic cell nuclei in the Wistar albino rats aged 1, 3, 12 and 24 months was studied by employing amperometric titration under normal conditions and under the action on the organism of calorifically substandard nutrition tending to significantly prolong the life-span in these animals. In intact animals the content of thiol groups in histones was found to reach the maximum on the 3d month of their life, to continue at this level during the first year and to decline in old (34 month old) animals. In the post-natal ontogenesis of the rats the ratio of sulfhydryl to disulfide groups in the histone proteins does not show any noticeable changes. With calorific deficiency this ratio increases in histones of old animals. The possible significance of the thiol groups balance in the histone proteins in regulating the genome activity during age-dependent development of the animals is discussed.


[Processes of 14C-labeled glucose and dietary fat assimilation and metabolism].

14C-labeled butter, beef and mutton fats, naturally obtained in farm animals through biosynthesis, as well as oleic acid and glucose, put out by the industry, were introduced to albino male-rats. The values of absorption coefficients for the said substances, the rates of absorption and oxidation in tissues, the proportion of compounds eliminated from the organism in 24 hours together with the air in the form of CO2 through the lungs and skin and together with excreta were determined experimentally. It is shown that the glucose metabolism proceeds much more intensively than does the fat metabolism. The rate of assimilation and elimination of different edible fats depends upon their composition (ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids).


[Nutrition and disease].

An essentially new concept of the effect of nutrition on the development and evolution of diseases has been advanced. At its root there lies the theory of metabolic current as a main path for maintaining the homeokinesis. In the aspect of this concept the pathogenesis of malnutrition diseases is considered as affections due to imbalanced alimentation at the cellular level. Changes in the biochemical status of the organism occurring under stressor effects and the part played by the nutrition factor in adaptive reactions of the organism in response to the stressor effects are analyzed. Investigations concerning the role of nutrition in the genesis of adiposity and atherosclerosis are summarized. The paper offers a summary of the material contained in numerous research works of the author and his collaborators, as well as information published in the world literature that leave no doubt as to the effectiveness of enzymological approaches and, in particular, the validity of the metabolis current concept, all this being essential for understanding the significance of alimentary factors in preventing and treatment of many diseases.


[Possible route for thiamine participation in fatty acid synthesis].

The possibility of thiamine partaking in the synthesis of fatty acids through the functions unrelated to the catalytic properties of thiamine-diphosphate was studied. Rats kept on a fat-free ration devoid of thiamine were given thiamine of thiochrome with no vitaminic properties. The total fatty acids content in different tissues and incorporation therein of tagged acetate and pyruvate was determined, while the fatty acids composition of the liver was investigated by using gas chromatography. Thiamine and thiochrome produced a similar effect on a number of the study factors, i.e. they forced down the total acids level in the spleen, intensified incorporation of tagged acetate and pyruvate in fatty acids of the heart and uniformly changed the fatty acids composition in the liver. It is suggested that the unindirectional effects of thiamine and thiochrome is due to the oxidative transformation of thiamine into thiochrome.


[Influence of the concentration and composition of dietary fats on biochemical changes in the liver and blood of rats during protracted muscular activity].

Tests made on adult albino rats kept for two weeks on isocaloric rations with an equal content of protein, but differing in that of fat and dissimilar in the fatty acids composition and the methionine level evidenced that in the event of a prolonged muscular activity the authors find rations with a not too high fat content (30 and less per cent of the aggregate caloricity), but sufficiently rich in linolic acid and methionine more adequate. Failure to comply with these conditions causes an inferior utilization of lipids during muscular activity and slowing down of the restitution processes at the time of rest. The character of the ration has no material effect on the mobilization of carbohydrates and lipids during muscular activity.


[Effect of different levels of protein and cellulose in the diet on the radiosensitivity of guinea pigs].

Investigations included 6 groups of male guinea pigs counting 50 guinea pigs in each of them. Starting from the age of 25 days the animals were kept on standard rations consisting of granulated combined fodder with diverse protein (22.8, 17.5, 13.8 per cent) and cellular tissue (11.8, 13.6, 15.7 per cent) content. The results failed to show any significant dependance of the animals' radiosensitivity on the protein and cellular tissue levels in the diet.


[Effect of diet therapy on several metabolic disorders in obese patients of different ages].

Data derived from a comparative study of some lipids and water metabolism rates in patients suffering mainly from metabolic-alimentary form of adiposity in 2 age groups (from 16 to 25 and from 35 years and upwards, respectively) are offered. In patients of both groups substantial changes in the lipid fractions of the blood were noted. The proportions of glycerides, beta-lipoproteins and free fatty acids in the blood were markedly increased. At the same time, all the patients, irrespective of their age, demonstrated a fall of the glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity of the fatty tissue along with a reduced diurnal excretion of catecholamines with DOPA. There were in evidence characteristic disorders of the water metabolism that found their expression in an increased overall amount of water and also in a higher content of extra- and intracellular fluid. A low-calories diet used in conjunction with graded therapeutic exercises helped achieve a positive dynamics in the reduction of the patients' body weight along with a tendency toward normalization of the study metabolic rates in both of these age groups.


[Diet therapy of patients with chronic diffuse glomerulonephritis].

Results of dietotherapy used in dealing with 68 patients suffering from chronic diffuse glomerulonephritis at the stage of chronic renal incompetence and with 50 others with the nephrotic syndrome are reported. The pertinent observations and investigations indicate that the most adequate ration for patients with chronic renal insufficiency is the one containing 40 g of protein. With a far advanced renal incompetence the treatment is to be started with a diet containing 20 g of protein and then, as the condition of the patients gets better, puts them on a diet with 40 g of protein. Observations have also brought out the fact that patients with nephrotic syndrome are in need of a diet containing 1.5-2 g of protein per 1 kg of an edema-free body weight of the patient.


[Effect of a diet containing protein-mineral enrichment on the course of chronic gastritis with secretory inadequacy and ulcer desease].

The effect of a rational diet and of antiulcerous diets containing a proteinic-mineral enrichment (in an amount of 20--30 g) on the clinical symptomatology, the peripheral blood picture and some biochemical blood serum characteristics in patients with atrophic gastritis and duodenal ulcer was studied. In cases of atrophic gastritis with hypoferremia the proteinic enrichment was incorporated in the diet (rational) in an amount of 80--90 g per day. Control observations were conducted over analogous groups of patients receiving the same diets, but without proteinic enrichment. These observations continued over a period of 30--40 days. Thanks to a high content of easily assimilated iron and a well-balanced amino acids composition the proteinic-mineral enrichment has been found to be a valuable food product that is capable of favourably influencing the hemopoietic function of the organism and improving the blood proteins composition. Most patients with atrophic gastritis and peptic ulcer tolerate well the products and meals carrying additions of the proteinic enrichment.


[Concentration of mercuro-organic compounds (methyl- and ethyl derivatives) in several species of fish and sea products].

By using gas-liquid chromatography the content of organic mercury compounds (methyl- and ethyl derivatives) in some widely consumed in alimentation fish species and marine products was determined. Methyl mercury was found in 96.2 per cent of a total of 104 samples. The average level of its content in the fish species under study was dissimilar, viz. in cod fish--0.045 + .0053 mg/kg. in sea perch--0.021 +/- 0.0029 mg/kg; in sprat--0.0050 +/- 0.0013 mg/kg. In marine products (crustacea, sea crayfish, shrimps) the percentage of the methyl mercury detection comprised 100, 60 and 85, respectively and the contamination level did not exceed 0.0520 mg/kg. Ethyl mercury was found in 33--35 per cent of 40 samples of shrimps and crustacea and in 13.6 per cent of fish subjected to analysis. From the above data the amount of methyl mercury introduced with a diurnal portion of fish was estamated at 0.9--5.0 psi per man-day.


[Amino acid composition and biologic value of the proteins of several sorts of buckwheat].

The amino acids composition of summary proteins in unground buckwheat of four common and promising varieties grown in the Ukraine was investigated by using ion-exchange chromatography with an automatic analyzor Hd-1200 E. Between individual varieties of buckweheat no essential differences in the amino acids content were in evidence. The total proteins of the buckwheat grit contain high quantities of lysine, treonine, leucine, glutamic acid and arginine. The amino acids score was instrumental in determining the biological value and in eliciting amino acids limiting this value in different grits. These data may be made use of in the practice of public catering for estimating formulae of meals prepared with grits differently combined with other products securing an improved amino acids composition of ready-to-eat meals.


[Changes in the lipid component of the muscle tissue of several species of fish during refrigeration and heat treatment].

By using univariate thin-layer chromatography on silicagel IC254 of the company "Chamapod Széchoslovakia" the qualitative and quantitative composition of the muscular tissue lipids in new oceanic fish--seriolella and epigonus was determined. It was ascertained that the qualitative composition of lipids changed during cold storage but insignificantly, due to hydrolysis of triglycerides and oxidation of phospholipids. In the course of heat treatment there occurs disintegration of the lipid-proteinic complexes attended by an accretion of phospholipids. An increment of free fatty acids is caused by the hydrolytic decomposition of triglycerides.


[Effect of qualitatively different proteins in the diet of patients with alimentary obesity on the course of the disease].

Among the population of the Ukrainian SSR 22 per cent of persons suffering from adiposity were revealed. Their nutritional pattern is characterized by an elevated caloritic value, a higher consumption of sugar, animal fats, as well as non-optimal structure of proteinic products. Of interest was elaboration and scientific substantiation of a dietetic nutrition in alimenary adiposity with due regard for the particularities specific for the alimentary pattern prevalent among the residents of the Ukrainian SSR. Under observation were kept 150 patients with alimentary obesity. The patients were kept on a low-calories diet (1450-1600 kcal) with restricted ingestion of carbohydrates (80--120 g), with physiological content of fat and protein. The 1st group of patients received meat and fish as a source of protein, the patients of the 2nd group were given a diet enriched with 100 g of the "Ocean" paste and those of the 3d group received a diet enriched with 150 g of egg whites. The greatest weight reduction was recorded in patients of the 3d group (10.96 +/- 0.48 kg), while in patients of the second (9.4 +/- 0.17 kg) and the first (8.5 +/- 0.34 kg) the reduction proved less marked. A diet enriched with egg white produced most beneficial effect also on the hormonal-metabolic disorders, viz. it helped to more significantly improve the adrenal function, that of the insular system, the blood serum protein metabolism rates, as well as those of the blood serum fat metabolism. The above investigations justify enrichment of the reducing diet with egg white and with the "Okean" paste.


[Determination of residual amounts of antibiotics of the tetracycline series in meat products].

An analysis of literature sources and the authors' own experimental investigations served as a basis for the proposed method of determining residual amounts of the tetracycline series antibiotics in meat products. The method provides for the use of the test-culture Bac. cereus ATCC 11778, nutrient medium on the basis of Hottinger's hydrolysate and of a citrate-hydrochloride extracting mixture.


[Effect of long-term vitamin A administration on the acid fastness and biochemical properties of erythrocytes].

A long-term administration of retinol in a dose exceeding 15-fold the diurnal requirement to rats weighing 170-200 g provoked a diminution of the erythrocytes resistance to an acid hemolytic, an intensified uptake of glucose, and increased activity of glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, aldolase, phosphohexoisomerase), accumulation of lactate, along with changes in the redox enzymes activity, suppression of the catalase and intensification of peroxidase activity. The content of microergic nucleotides and electrolites (Na+ and K+) remained unchanged.


[Effect of the rate of heating ground meat products with ultra-high frequency energy on completing their preparation].

The influence of the heating rate on the readiness of forced meat products determined from inactivation of the acid phosphatase and the temperature of the product, was studied. Changes in the enzyme activity and in organoleptic characteristics were studied by using forced meat prepared from high-quality beef (2 per cent of kitchen salt, curing in a salt solution for 24 hours at 4 degrees with addition of 25 per cent of water to the raw meat during cutting). The analyses were made when the temperature of the forced meat reached 68-80 degrees (with an interval of 1 degree) the rates of heating being as follows: 0, 1, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 degrees with the field tension ranging from 2000 up to 16000 V/m. The power applied amounted to 40-2000 W. The readiness of a product undergoing the UHF-treatment with different heating rates was found to be achieved at temperatures ranging from 72.0 to 75.2 degrees and it may be assessed objectively from inactivation of the acid phosphatase and with reference to the temperature of the product matching each heating rate individually. An equation from which the temperature of the forced meat products readiness may be determined is given.


[Role of incomplete dietary protein in experimental formation of gallstones].

The influence exerted by the quality of alimentary protein on the composition of the secreted bile, morphology of the liver and gallbladder, as well as on the formation of gallstones was studied in experiments with rats and hamsters. It is shown that with inclusion in an experimental fat-free ration of qualitatively incomplete protein gelatin (instead of caseine) the frequency of the gallstones formation increases by almost 6 times. In animals this is attended by a reduced concentration of a number of major bile components. Upon feeding for 2 weeks on lithogenic ration with gelatin morphological investigations disclose inflammatory changes in the gallbladder wall, and after a lapse of 3 weeks--multiple exulcerations in the mucosa and a dense gross sediment in the gallbladder lumen.


[Extractability of lipids from fish and fish products].

The completness of the lipids removal from the fish muscles and fish products was investigated by making extraction in a filtering separating funnel (FSF) formerly proposed for determining lipids in oil-bearing seeds and cereals. The new modified procedure was contrasted against the standard one (accepted by the State Standards) used in separating and quantitative determination of the lipids content in fish by using the Socklet apparatus for extraction. The proposed variant of extraction was found to secure a higher yield of the lipids. The pattern of analysis used in determining the lipids content in vegetable products may well be used also in investigating animal products, such as, fish and fish products.


Expression of genetic markers of erythrocyte immunoglobulin G autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

The Gm allotype constitution of the autoantibody molecules and the serum Gm phenotypes were determined in 19 patients with autiommune hemolytic anemia of IgG type. The results showed that the known heterogeneity of the antierythrocyte autoantibodies in this disease concerns not only the immunoglobulin class and the isotypic subclass, but also the genetic markers of these molecules. Evidence was obtained that the anomalous production of antierythrocyte autoantibodies is polyclonal, that thse autoantibodies belong mainly to the IgG1 isotypic subclass, and that they have a preference for the Gm(1) allotype. In addition, certain of the findings point to a preferential expression of the Gm(1,21) haplotype.


The HLA polymorphism and susceptibility to disease.

Remarkable differences were observed when 1,465 healthy Caucasian individuals and 128 healthy Negro individuals were compared for the genetic distribution of 25 different HLA antigens. Caucasians had a significantly higher frequency of A1, A3, B8, and Bw16, and Negroes of A28 and Aw30. The haplotype which had the highest incidence as well as the greatest positive linkage disequilibrium was A1-B8 among Caucasians and A2-B12 among Negroes. Genetic distance between the two races was 0.0592. The 89 Caucasian patients with renal failure did not demonstrate any significant deviations in phenotype frequencies (PF) of various antigens, when compared with healthy Caucasians; however, 48 similar Negro patients had twice as high an incidence of Bw17 as the healthy Negroes. No significant deviation in PF was observed in 77 Caucasian patients who had leukemia; however, 32 Caucasian patients who had back pain (24 also had back stiffness) due to spondylitic, arthritic or disc syndrome, had a significant increase of Bw16 and of B27, and a decrease of B12, when compared to Caucasian controls.


Gas chromatographic trace analysis of beta-propiolactone in sterilized serum proteins.

A method for detecting traces of beta-propiolactone, which was previously described by Schmitz-Masse, has been modified and adapted to the analysis of protein solutions. Using this method, the rate of hydrolysis of beta-propiolactone (beta-P1) was examined and beta-P1 sterilized commercial products were analyzed for possible residual nonhydrolyzed beta-P1.


Variations of H, A and B antigen strengths among Melanesians.

Melanesians of groups O, A1 and B all show greater variation of H antigen strength than do Caucasians. This is least marked in O bloods. Although the average H content of Melanesian and Caucasian samples did not differ significantly, 10% of O and over 20% of A1 and B bloods from coastal Austronesian speakers had higher H than was found among Caucasians, There is evidence that some non-Austronesian populations in New Guinea have twice this incidence of A1 high H. Melanesian and Bantu H, A1 and B genes appear to function similarly, in that their B genes act more effectively than Caucasian, their A1 genes less so, while H produces greater variation. It is suggested that this gene interaction, rather than the significantly greater availability of H or substrate in the Bantu, causes the observed variations from the Caucasian pattern found in the other races. Subjects with selective antigenic depression were excluded from the comparative studies, but the relevance of this phenomenon to apparent H content in Melanesians is discussed.


Hepatitis B antibody detection in solid-phase radioimmunoassay.

A simple radioimmunologic procedure for the detection of anti-hepatitis B antibody using the 125I Ausria kit (Abbott) is described. The rapidity, sensitivity and high specificity of this method are underlined.


[Modeling calculations of pesticide contamination of horticultural products].

The growth of the pesticies production and of the scope of their use can produce in man and in his environment some adverse consequences, the elimination of which is possibly by their proper and safe management. In order to solve this problem it is necessary to elicit basic factors determining this process and also to foresee the outcome of it under changing conditions, i.e. three successive stages are involved, viz. modelling-forecasting-management. In the event of complex multiparametric natural phenomena, among which stands also the process of interaction between pesticides and various environmental objects, the realization of the said stages invariably presupposes the use of mathematical approaches, and one of these is considered in the present work.


[Radioisotopic studies in cancer of the thyroid gland].

The authors analyze the results from the carried out radioisotope investigations in preoperation and postoperation period of 42 patients with thyroid gland cancer. The test for 131J cumulation and thyreoscintigraphy were performed prior to operation. A part of the patients was stressed to reveal hyperthyroid function of the thyroid gland. The cases of cold nodules of the thyroid gland prevail on the scintigraphy. The test for 131J cumulation, thyreoscintigraphy, determination of the level of the proteinbound radioiodine in serum and Hamolski test were carried out as control investigations after the operation prior to percutaneous radiation and radioiodine therapy. Patients with hypothyroidism predominate in the first investigation. The cases with partial resection of thyroid gland prevail in scintigraphy, with cases of "white" scintigraphy and cases with normal scintigraphyic image of the gland. The proteinbound radioiodine in serum, besides the majority of the cases with normal values, in a part of the examined-shows etevated values. Homolski test in the majority of the patients is within the normal limits and the cases with elevated vales might be due to the specific changes in the capapcity-binding ability of thyroxinbinding glubin, but are always suspicious for metastases in function. The complex radioisotope investigation of the thyroid gland are basic methods for the early thyroid cancer diagnosis, for the determination of the therapeutic trends and prognosis of the patient and for the follow-up in dynamics the progress of the disease and the effect of the carried out treatment.


[Character of the rheumatic heart lesions in the current treatment and prevention of rheumatism].

An analysis and assessment of the character of heart lesions, their severity, development and influence by the contemporary complex antirheumatic treatment is performed on 1147 rheumatic patients. It was concluded that due to the organized struggle and prophylaxis of rheumatism as well as the timely diagnosis and early and complex antirheumatic treatment with the inclusion of relatively high doses of corticohormones, the rheumatic attacks develop lightly with a predominant affect of myocardium but to a light degree.


[Unilateral bronchography at a young age and ventilatory function].

In 21 males, aged about 20, 18 out of them with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases (bronchiectases, focal fibrosis, deforming bronchitis) and three healthy--VC, FEFR1, FVC, MMV50, MEFR200-1200, MAEFR, MAEFR25-75 and MEFR50 and MEFR90 were spirographically investigated prior to, two hours afert and 24 hours after unilateral bronchography; the three of the investigations were combined with a subsequent inhalation bronchodilatation test with orziprenalin--aersol (alupent). A mixed (restrictive-obstructive) ventilation syndrome with bronchospasm was established to develop after the bronchography. The restrictive syndrome is prevailing and that is conditioned by the absence of a definite manifestation of the obstruction at the level of the flow rates with small pulmonary volmes. The restrictive syndrome is admitted to be conditioned by "fear of coughing and the obstructuve-by the opaque medium and bronchospasm after the injection of the  opaque substance.


[Obstructive changes in the lung of young smokers].

The results from the spirometric investigations of pulmonary function in comparable  grpis pf 28 smokers and 37 non-smokers at the age of 20 are presented. Positive obstructive changes were established to be present in the lungs of the smokers (smoked about 20 cigarettes daily in the course of four years and more); they were varified by the essential decrease of FEO1, MRFR200-1200, MAEFR25-75, EFR25 and EFR10. MMV50 is decreased with a critical statistical significance.


[Urine specific gravity and osmolarity in hypertension patients with dehydration].

Results are reported from the comparative investigations of kidney concentration function by urine specific gravity and its osmolatity of 58 patients with arterial hypertension. Significant differences were found in more of the half of the patients. On the base of certain theoretical prerequisites and possibilities of technical errors was concluded that the determination of the maximal urine osmolality is a more reliable and more accurate index for the actual renal concentration ability. Urine specific gravity can be used in the everyday clinical practice due to the more convenient and easier determination. Urine osmolality must be used predominantly in scientific-clinical studies.


[Cortisol secretion rate (CSR) in hypertension and endocrine patients].

With the method of isotope dilution the circadian cortisol secretion was determined in 22 patients with hypertonic disease--28.35 mg/24 h, elevated versus CSR in healthy subjects-16.63 mg/24 h. CSR is elevated also in 5 patients with bilateral adenocortical hyperplasia and with suprarenal cancer. The patients with diencephalic syndrome, progressing according to the type of Cushing disease have elevated absolute values of CSR, but recalculated per square meter of body surface and per gram creatineine excreted in 24 h-CSR proved to be normal-about 12 mg/24 h.


[Morphological changes in the gastric and duodenal mucosa in duodenal ulcer in young persons].

Histological investigations were carried out upon the state of the gastric and duodena mucosa in 27 young patients with duodenal ulcer, seven out of them being in the state of exaverbation of the ulcer and 20-in remission. While the duodenal mucosa in the majority of the cases (88.9%) was established to be affected, in 85.2 percent of the patients the gastric mucosa remained intact. The chronic duodenitis observe n 24 of the cases have no atrophic character. The changes in the mucous secretion of duodenal mucosa are in direct correlation with the state of exacerbation or remission of the ulcer process. Similar correlation was not established in gastric mucosa.


[Serum haptoglobin and sialic acid content and the spontaneous rosette test values as indices of the activity of the disease process in chronic glomerulonephritis].

The diagnostic significance of haptoglobin is studied as well as of sialic acid and spontaneous rosette test (SRT) and ESR as indices of the morbid process activity in 74 patients with chronic hephritis with manifested and oligospymptomatic course and in a stage of therapeutic remission and in 14 patients with acute protracted nephritis. The parallelism of the changes in all parameters studied is proved in acute protracted nephritis and in chronic nephritis with manifested course. In patients with oligosymtomatically advancing chronic nephritis, in spite of the normal values of ESR and the rest of the routine indices for determination of the morbid process activity, haptoglobin, sialic acid and SRT were established to be increased. They were hardly normalized after the advancement of a lasting therpeutic remission. That all gives grounds to the authors to think, that the significance of the studied indices for the assessment of the morbid process activity in oligosymptomatically advancing chronic glomerulonephritis, is superior, to a certain extent, to the diagnostic signficance of ESR. Their follow up in dynamics permits their application in the determination of the immunosuppressive treatment efficiency.


[Determination of the tonus of the rectosigmoid flexure with a new design of rectosigmoid tonometer].

An apparatus is constructed for the determination of the rectosigmoid transition tonus-rectosigmoid tonometer. There pressure will be read in Torr. The investigation of the rectosigmoid tonus of 75 healthy subjects established that it ranges between 15-30 Torr. Pathologically changed RST was established in 37-elevated in 12 patients and reduced in 21 and zero in 4-during the tonus determination of 100 patients with different forms of chronic colitis. The results from the rectosigmoid tonometry must be interpreted together with the rest of the indices (AT, size of rectal folds, etc).


Spirometry in the evaluation of pulmonary function.

Spirometry should be more widely used in routine examinations. Equipment should meet the individual physician's or hospital's needs and include either a dependable water-sealed spirometer or an easily calibrated and accurate electronic spirometer. Justifiable concern over the reliability of electronic spirometers has resulted in requests to determine performance standards for these medical devices. Predicted normal standards must apply to the particular spirometer. Recommended tests are those of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)), the ratio of one-second forced expiratory flow (FEF200-1200) and forced midexpiratory flow (FEF25-75 percent). The maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) test may be useful for evaluation of work disability and detection of extrathoracic obstruction. Additional consideration may be given to measurements of total lung capacity (TLC) to discriminate between restrictive and obstructive impairment and the forced end-expiratory flow (FEF75-85 percent) to detect mild small airway obstruction. At this time, flow-volume curves measurement cannot be justified for routine clinical use.


Role of platelets in hemostasis and thrombosis.

Platelets interact with the coagulation factors in a complex way to arrest bleeding or generate thrombi. Recently, the platelet's relationship to endothelial alteration and atheroma production has received renewed attention. At present, tests of platelet function better define "hypocoagulable" rather than "hypercoagulable" states.


Heparin prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Thromboembolic prophylaxis remains a significant problem and is obviously incompletely understood. It would appear, however, that at present the information available implies several points. First, administration of low-dose heparin is efficacious in preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli in most general surgical patients who are at risk for thromboembolic complications. Second, low-dose heparin probably works by augmenting the effect of the naturally occurring inhibitor to Factor Xa. Third, patients in whom surgical operations are done and extensive tissue dissection or postoperative immobilization (such as hip arthroplasties) is required are probably not protected by low-dose heparin administration; full anticoagulation with warfarin or treatment with one of the platelet antiaggregating agents should be carried out. Fourth, any form of anticoagulation carries some risk of bleeding complications, but it appears that the incidence of major bleeding complications is not significantly greater in the treatment groups.


Detection and management of deep vein thrombosis.

The accuracy of diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis is significantly improved by combining clinical evaluation with other adjunctive methods, especially fibrinogen uptake tests, technetium scans, Doppler techniques and phlebography. Using these studies, early treatment with intravenous administration of heparin can be begun and in selected cases with long-term risks, warfarin is often useful. These same drugs, in different dosage schedules, may also be helpful as prophylaxis. With these methods of treatment, thrombectomy and caval interruption are required less often. If interruption of inferior vena cava flow becomes necessary, several new methods utilizing intracaval filters are proving to be very useful.


Arbitration agreements and your malpractice coverage.

With new legislation and favorable case law developments, many providers of health care services are turning to binding arbitration agreements as a partial solution to the medical malpractice crisis. Existing data indicate tremendous advantages can be gained from the use of such agreements, if they are carefully drawn to comply with new law, tailored to the particular situation in which they will be used and coupled with appropriate procedures to secure the intended benefits. Arbitration is not a substitute for insurance, but if a provider has taken the calculated risk of forgoing insurance he should not be without a carefully drawn binding arbitration agreement.


[Acute coronary surgery].

While the indications for surgical treatment of chronic angina pectoris are exactly defined, the delineation between conservative and surgical therapy of acute complications of coronary diseases is not standardized. The application of possible surgical procedures to acute coronary surgery (aorto-coronary bypass, infarctectomy, correction of post-infarction ventricular septal defects and mitral insufficiency) are discussed in relation to the following clinical pictures: 1. Unstable angina 2. Surgery after myocardial infarction a) recent infarction b) cardiogenic shock after infarction c) impending reinfarction d) post-infarction tachyarrhythmia unresponsive to conservative and electrical therapy e) acute heart failure caused by post-infarction defect of the ventricular septum or by mitral insufficiency. The following therapeutic guide-lines can be laid down on the basis of an analysis of experience gained in this field by other workers and ourselves: surgical therapy is indicated in the cases of unstable angina, impending reinfarction, or acute heart failure caused by a post-infarction ventricular septal defect or by mitral insufficiency which do not respond rapidly to conservatives measures. By contrast, the superiority of surgical intervention, even with the assistance of intraaortic balloon pumping, has not yet been established for the treatment of the remainder of the above-mentioned clinical pictures and requires evaluation by further investigations.


[Surgical complications in pacemaker operations and their management].

A review is presented of the range of surgical complications encountered in 120 out of 749 patients (16%) receiving a pacemaker implantation over the period October 1974 to September 1975. These complications can be subdivided into those involving interruption or disturbance of the conduction of the pacemaker impulse and those associated with impaired wound-healing. The aetiology, the diagnosis and the surgical management are discussed.


[Early operation in toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis].

A case report of toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis serves as basis for a discussion of the diagnosis, therapeutic management and assessment of the indications for surgical interference in this condition. In this particular case, colectomy with retention of the rectal stump proved a life-saving measure. The rectal stump had to be removed three months subsequently in view of the persistence of the mucosal pathology.


[Continuous telemetric recording of intracranial pressure].

A report is given on the development of a telemetric system for continuous recording of intracranial pressure, using an external energy source. The pressure transducer, called Teleceptor, is placed in the subdural space through a burr hole. The resonance frequencies of the transmitter and receiver circuits in the implanted transducer are influenced by a pressure-sensitive membrane in such a way that pressure variations result in resonance point displacement and energy transfer reduction. The necessary tuning of the transmitter frequency to maximum energy transfer is in direct proportion to the magnitude of pressure modification.


[Radiological assessment of diaphragmatic function in operated cases of congenital defects of the diaphragm].

An investigation was undertaken in a series of 10 children operated upon for congenital diaphragmatic defects in regard to the value of simple thoracic X-ray pictures for functional assessment of the repaired diaphragm. The radiographs were taken in forced inspiration as well as in forced expiration and indices were calculated for the mobility of the diaphragm and the costophrenic angle. Moreover, an attempt was made to estimate diaphragmatic contraction by comparing the length of the hemidiaphragm during inspiration and during expiration. The obtained results gave sufficient information for routine investigations of diaphragmatic function and compared well with those of radiocinescopy. An impairment of the mobility of the diaphragm and the costophrenic angle was statistically demonstrated in our follow-up series as compared with a control group of healthy children.


[Neurological urology -- a new specialty].

Neuro-urological methods for investigating neurogenic bladder dysfunctions are discussed. A knowledge of central and autonomous pathways of bladder innervation is the basis for an understanding of the pharmacodynamics of the bladder. Successful treatment of neurogenic bladder dysfunction is impossible without urodynamic assessment. Conservative, as well as operative measures of therapy are mentioned. Urinary diversion (ileal conduit) is nowadays no longer undertaken merely as a last resort to prevent chronic upper urinary tract infection, stone formation, contracted kidney and uremia, but is a positive, practicable alternative for the disabled patient. Especially for the younger patient, in whom the social aspects of this situation are of great importance, ileal conduit provides the possibility of a socially-adjusted existence.


Metabolism of linoleamides. I. Absorption, excretion and metabolism of N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)linoleamide in rat and man.

1. In urine of rats dosed with N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)linoleamide (MBLA), three dicarboxylic acid monoamides, N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)succinic acid monoamide, N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)glutaric acid monoamide and N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)adipic acid monoamide, were identified. Conjugated alpha-methylbenzylamine, hippuric acid and conjugates of the dicarboxylic acid monoamides were also found in the urine. N-(alpha-Methylbenzyl)succinic acid monoamide was the main metabolite in rats. 2. Biliary excretion of radioactivity was studied in rats, cannulated for collection of bile and duodenal infusion, after oral administration of N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)[1-14C]linoleamide. With constant duodenal infusion of bile, about 7% of the dose was excreted in the bile, while excretion of radioactivity was negligible without bile infusion. 3. The g.l.c. analysis of human urine after oral administration of MBLA revealed that two dicarboxylic acid monoamides were present and N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)succinic acid monoamide was the main metabolite. 4. MBLA was excreted unchanged in the faeces of men who received MBLA to the extent of about 53% dose in 3 days. 5. MBLA was not detected (less than 1 mug/ml) in the serum of a volunteer who had been taking an oral daily dose of 1500 mg of MBLA for 3 months.


Metabolism of linoleamides. II. Absorption, distribution, excretion and metabolism of N-[alpha-phenyl-beta-(p-tolyl)ethyl]linoleamide.

1. Absorption, distribution, excretion and metabolism of (-)N-[alpha-phenyl-beta-(p-tolyl)ethyl][14C]linoleamide (14C-PTLA) were studied in rats and dogs. Faecal excretion of PTLA was studied in dogs and men by g.l.c. 2. 14C-PTLA (10 mg/kg) given orally to rats resulted in urinary and faecal excretion of radioactivity of 2 and 93%, respectively, by male rats and 8 and 87% by female rats in 48 h. Faecal excretion of PTLA in men was similar to that in rats. 3. Distribution of radioactivity in rats and dogs after oral administration of 14C-PTLA showed that a major part of the dose was not absorbed. 4. N-[alpha-phenyl-beta-(p-tolyl)ethyl]glutaric acid monoamide were detected in the urine of rats dosed orally with 14C-PTLA.


Urinary metabolites of p-hydroxyamphetamine in man, rat and guinea-pig.

1. The metabolism of (+/-)-p-hydroxy[14C]amphetamine has been studied in the rat, guinea-pig and man. 2. Most of the administered 14C was excreted in the urine within the first 24 h (64-92%), and was present mainly as free and conjugated p-hydroxy[14C]-amphetamine. In the female rat and female guinea-pig the conjugate was a glucuronide, but in man, who received a much smaller dose, the conjugate was a sulphate ester. A sex difference in conjugation was found in the rat, the female partly conjugating the drug but not the male. 3. Small quantities (1-6% of dose) of p-hydroxynorephedrine, a putative false neurotransmitter, were found in the urine of the three species. 4. Some oxidative degradation of the side chain of p-hydroxyamphetamine occurred in rat and guinea-pig since small amounts of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1-3%) were detected in the urine.


Peculiar pharmacokinetics of brallobarbital as a source of complications in Vesparax intoxication.

1. The rate of elimination of brallobarbital, a component of Vesparax depends on the route of administration. The half-life following oral administration is considerably longer than after intravenous injection. This corresponds with longer sleeping times. 2. The half-life of brallobarbital administered intravenously could be increased by administration of its metabolites. This suggests that a metabolite, formed especially after oral administration, is responsible for the retarded elimination of brallobarbital. 3. The presence of the other components of Vesparax, namely secobarbital and hydroxyzine also increases the half-life of brallobarbital. 4. Brallobarbital, rather than the other components of Vesparax is primarily responsible for the problems in Vesparax intoxication.


The binding of trichlorofluoromethane and other haloalkanes to cytochrome P-450 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

1. Trichlorofluoromethane and other haloalkanes interact with hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 to give type I spectra under aerobic conditions. 2. Anaerobically, CCl3F, CCl2F. CClF2 and CCl4 interact to give peaks at approx. 420 nm and 455 nm; the other haloalkanes gave peaks at approx. 420 nm only. The formation of the 452 nm peak for CCl3F was time-dependent, and dependent on substrate concentration. 3. Iso-octane extraction of the microsomal preparation increased the magnitude of spectral interaction under reducing conditions but not its rate of formation. Phenobarbitone pretreatment increased the magnitude of the spectral interaction; 3-methylcholanthrene pre-treatment had no effect on the magnitude of the 452 nm peak but decreased its rate of formation. 4. It is suggested that the 452 nm peak represents the interaction of a reactive species formed from CCl3F with the Fe2+ of the haem of reduced cytochrome P-450.


Studies on the metabolism of d-limonene (p-mentha-1,8-diene). IV. Isolation and characterization of new metabolites and species differences in metabolism.

1. The main route of elimination of d-limonene administered orally was via the urine in animals and man, 75-95% of the administered radioactivity being excreted in the urine during 2-3 days. Faecal excretion accounted for less than 10% of the dose in animals during 2-3 days. 2. In addition to six metabolites, namely p-mentha-1,8-dien-10-ol (M-I), p-menth-1-ene-8,9-diol (M-II), perillic acid (M-III), perillic acid-8,9-diol (M-IV), p-mentha-1,8-dien-10-yl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (M-V) and 8-hydroxy-p-meth-1-en-9-yl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (M-VI) isolated from rabbit urine previously (Kodama et al., 1974), five new metabolites have been isolated from dog and rat urine, and which were characterized as 2-hydroxy-p-menth-8-en-7-oic acid (M-VII), perillylglycine (M-VIII), perillyl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (M-IX), p-mentha-1,8-dien-6-ol (M-X) and probably p-menth-1-ene-6,8,9-triol (M-XI). 3. The major metabolite of d-limonene in the urine was M-IV in rat and rabbit, M-IX in hamster, M-II in dog and M-VI in guinea pig and man.


Characterization of a red pigment-antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. strain NRC-C7.

The streptomycete strain NRC-C 7 isolated from some Egyptian soil samples, produces a red-coloured pH indicator antibiotic active against gram positive bacteria. The producing organism belongs to the grey series of the genus Streptomyces and has grey coloured aerial mycelium with violet pigmented substrate mycelium, the violet pigment does not diffuse into the agar medium. Glucose sodium nitrate medium proved the most suitable medium for the production of this antibiotic. The pigment was extracted from the broth and purified. The solubility, Rf values, minimal inhibiting concentrations, optical rotation, UV, and IR spectra were studied. Melting point 180, elemental analysis: carbon 51.71%, hydrogen 6.25%, and oxygen 42.04%.


[Protein crystals and tubuli bundles in yeast cells. V. Enrichment of crystal and tubuli proteins during O2 limitation and anaerobiosis].

Cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis contain proteins assembling to crystals and bundles of tubules (tb) in the cyto- and karyoplasm by osmotic shock with hypertonic solutions. The cellular concentration of these proteins is regulated by oxygen pressure during growth. In cells grown at optimal aeration the protein level is low and crystals and tb cannot be induced. After a short period of O2-limitation or anerobic growth conditions the protein concentration increases and induction of crystals and tb is possible.


Effects of 3'-fluorothymidine, nalidixic acid, and mitomycin C on temperature-sensitive mutants of the DNA polymerase of phage T4.

The temperature-sensitive DNA polymerase mutator mutants A58 and  L98 are less inhibited by 3'-Fluorothymidine than the T4 wild type and the antimutator mutant CB121, in consequence of the assumed differences between the polymerase-associated exonuclease activities. This interpretation is confirmed by results with nalidixic acid and mitomycin C. The use of systems of different temperature-sensitive mutants of one or more genes is proposed for 1.) investigating the mode of action of drugs, 2.) studies on the mechanism of enzyme action and the functions affected in temperature-sensitive enzymes, and 3.) for enzyme-specific drug screening.


Inhibition of acetate and propionate formation upon aeration of resting cells of the anaerobic Propionibacterium shermanii: evidence of the Pasteur reaction.

When resting cell suspensions of the anaerobic P. shermanii were brought to an oxygen concentration of 0.64 mumoles/ml, acid formation was completely inhibited. The cells started to respire on the propionic acid previously accumulated furing anaerobiosis. Glucose consumption was concomitantly decreased to about 60 percent of the rate during anaerobiosis. As the viability of the cells was not affected by the transition to aerobic conditions, the changes observed upon aeration were ascribed to the regulatory properties of the Pasteur reaction. Damage inflicted by oxygen was encountered in the rapid inactivation of propionate respiration. This damage outlived the time of oxygenation, and was manifested during the subsequent anaerobiosis in the decreased activity to form propionate. This indicates that oxygen may inactivate one (or more) enzyme(s) involved in the metabolism of propionate. The viability of cells in buffer, and glucose-containing buffer, was found to be only insignificantly decreased by oxygen in the range from 0 to 500 mumoles of oxygen per g of wet cells.


Keratin decomposition by dermatophytes. II. Presence of s-sulfocysteine and cysteic acid in soluble decomposition products.

The dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum was grown on human hair in a mineral medium. Filtrates of cultures of various age were chromatographed on Sephadex gels and further characterized by chemical analysis and thin-layer chromatography. The products of keratin decomposition were separated into two fractions. The first fraction formed 10 to 20% of the bulk and contained proteins low in sulfur content. The second, very wide fraction contained oligopeptides and polypeptides with molecular weights from several hundreds up to approximately 13,000 with a peak at 1,000-2,000 daltons. This fraction contained a relatively high amount of cystine, S-sulfocysteine, and cysteic acid. S-sulfocysteine was present in the free state and also combined in peptides where its amount exceeded that of cystine. This supports the author's hypothesis on keratin decomposition by dermatophytes. According to this hypothesis, the fungus excretes sulfite which cleaves the disulfide bonds of keratin to cysteine and S-sulfocysteine. The substrate, denatured by sulfitolysis, is then more easily digestible by fungal proteases. Besides S-sulfocysteine, comparable amounts of cysteic acid were found in all analyses. This compound most probably originated by air oxidation of sulfur amino acids in the alkaline cultivation fluid.


[Protein crystals and tubuli bundles in yeasts cells. III. Identification of crystals as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)].

Inducibility of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) crystals in yeast cells depends on the growth phase. They accumulate during exponential growth, a process that is parallelled by accumulation of a special protein (H protein). The following pieces of evidence show that crystals, H protein, and ADH are identical: (1) The three proteins have the same amino acid composition and subunit molecular weight; (2) active H protein and ADH exhibit the same electrophoretic mobility, indicating a common molecular weight of about 158 000 D; (3) the native H protein and a crystal fraction stabilized by Zn++ and dialyzed against EDTA possess ADH activity.


[Changes in the polysaccharide biosynthesis of Candida guilliermondii induced by diphenylamine].

Diphenylamine (DPA) inhibits the formation of glucan in Candida guilliermondii while stimulating that of mannan. The total polysaccharide of cells decreases when growing in the presence of DPA. These effects are dependent on the concentration of DPA. Compared with 14 structure-like substances, DPA was found to have the strongest activity.


[Microscopic studies of Streptomyces hygroscopicus growth kinetics].

Growth kinetics, branch formation, and cytological properties of mycelial growth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus on solid media were investigated by phase-contrast microscopy using a microculture method. Measurements were made on taken photographs of the growing hyphae from the beginning of spore germination up to maximal 18 hours. The specific growth rate of the germ tube was much higher than the specific growth rate of the mycelium. The doubling time of the total length of the mycelial hyphae and the doubling time of branch formation was quite the same for the period investigated. After a short time of outgrowth each individual hypha grows at a constant rate, i.e. the length increases linearly, but the growth kinetics of the whole mycelium becomes exponentially by branching. It seems, that nucleoids only divide in that part of a hypha between the tip and the nearest branch. A cell unit (1.4-1.9 mum on different media) could be calculated by the length of a hypha and the number of nucleoids. A hypha is growing with the cell unit at the tip or with the polar cap only. No interkalary growth in length could be found. Branches were formed only up to about 100 mum from the tip on complex medium and up to about 50 mum from the tip on mineral salt medium. A simple method of mycelial growth has been developed. Some properties showing the connection between Streptomycetes and prokaryotic organisms on one hand and hyphal growing fungi on the other hand are discussed.


Cellulolytic activity of aerobic soil actinomycetes.

The cellulolytic activity of several aerobic soil actinomycetes against insoluble cellulose and soluble cellulose derivatives (CMC-carboxymethylcellulose) was studied. From the soil, 8 actinomycete strains were isolated after enrichment growth and purification on the same synthetic medium. The actinomycete strains were able to degrade insoluble cellulose, with the production of cellobiose and various oligosaccharide intermediates as degradation products, indicating the random attack of the cellulose chain. The actinomycete strains showed also a great activity against soluble cellulose (CMC). The viscosity of CMC solutions decreased rapidly and was followed by an increase in reducing compounds. The degree of substitution of CMC solutions had an effect on the degradation by the actinomycetes. The degree of polymerization did not affect the rate of hydrolysis, however.


[Mediastinoscopy--indications, efficiency, and morphologic findings in more than 2250 investigations (author's transl)].

2276 diagnostic mediastinoscopies were performed and their efficiency was analysed. Except from patients with bronchial carcinomas, in 80% of all cases pathologic findings with diagnostic significance could be found in the lymph-nodes. CARLENS mediastinoscopy proved to be less efficient in the prognostic evaluation of bronchial carcinomas. In 521 patients with bronchial carcinomas only 146 (28%) showed mediastinal lymph-node metastasis detected by mediastinoscopy. But in the remaining 375 cases the operation revealed in 51.5% the occurence of perihilar metastatic lymph-nodes. The most important morphological findings in lymph-nodes and their differentialdiagnostical problems are discussed with reference to sarcoidosis, sarcoid-like reaction, tuberculosis, and silicosis.


[The effects of preoperative treatment and physical training to operability in patients with bronchial carcinomas (author's transl)].

Training effects of preoperative treatment, especially of breathing exercises in 52 patients with bronchial carcinoma were controlled by bodyplethysmography, measurements of the thoracic and abdominal circumferences in inspiration and expiration before and after the training program. In patients with obstructive ventilation disorders the expiratory resistance came to be reduced significantly. The mobility of the thoracic wall and of diaphragm increased in all patient-groups, but not in patients with restrictive ventilation disorders. After introducing the complex program the complication rate seems to drop to half of the previous rate.


[Interrelations between otorhinolaryngologic and chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases (author's transl)].

1000 patients, suffering from chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases, were investigated for otorhinolaryngologic diseases. The frequency of pathologic findings such as nose deformities, sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, respiratory hypersensitivity and their treatment results are evaluated aiming to find out common causative factors in the pathogenesis of these upper and lower airway diseases. A careful diagnosis and subsequent treatment of otorhinolaryngologic diseases is required to improve the therapeutic results of the basic respiratory disease.


[Prognostic evaluation of the absolute lymphopenia during prednisolone therapy of chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)].

From a controlled prednisolone therapy trial 130 patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis who had already finished their drug-therapy were evaluated. The relapse rate was 28.5% within the following two years. It is obvious, that the long-time prognosis of cases with very low absolute numbers of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (1000 and less/mul) is significantly poorer than in all other cases.


[Parental influence to the smoking habits of juveniles (author's transl)].

A questionnaire was administered to 640 juveniles to get informed about their and their parents smoking behavior. 424 questionnaires could be evaluated, the results and conclusions are reported. Parental smoking habits, especially of their father's are very important influencing factors for the smoking behavior of their children. In their efforts to reduce or to stop smoling the juveniles are looking and seeking for qualified informations as well as support by friends. Physicians, parents, teachers and educators play an important role as key-persons in this respect.


[Rehabilitation of asthmatic patients in the chest hospital (author's transl)].

Modern chest hospitals offer favourable conditions for the rehabilitation of asthmatic patients. In the Central Hospital for Heart- and Lung Diseases at Bad Berka 421 patients with asthma were rehabilitated under clinical conditions in 1972 and 1973. Their rehabilitation was based on individualized long-term plans for treatment taking in consideration environmental factors which might have triggered the attacks. We report on experiences with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the results of vocational rehabilitation. 284 patients (67.4%) could return to their work, 4.5% were disabled, 16.5% remained invalids and 11.6% were old-age pensioners or children. The results depended on age, on the type of asthma, on the severity of cardio-pulmonary impairment, on certain concomitant diseases and on the patients cooperation. Possibilities for elimination of factors starting an attack sometimes proved decisive. For the maintenance of rehabilitatory success subsequent ambulatory long-term care by a specialist is provided.


[Bronchopneumonia and weather in the territory of Leipzig (author's transl)].

621 autopsied deaths by bronchopneumonia in the territory of Leipzig, basing on emphysema of the lungs. Showed an annual course of the mortality rate due to bronchopneumonia with a clear elevation in March and distinct depressions in July, September, and October. Unambiguous relationships between weather and mortality rate in the several seasons could not be proved.


[Diagnosis of disseminated and localized lung diseases by means of transbronchial lung biopsy (author's transl)].

In 61 patients with mostly diffuse lung diseases 64 transbronchial lung biopsies have been performed by means of rigid biopsy forceps in general anesthesia. 31 of the 36 pathological bioply specimens were diagnostically helpful or represented the clinical diagnosis. Complications were moderate bleeding in three cases and pneumothorax (3 cases). One patient died after myocardial reinfarction occuring under general anesthesia. Transbronchial lung biopsy is indicated when routine methods fail to establish the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, particularly in patients having higher operative risks. More use of the transbronchial forceps biopsy is expected to improve the diagnostic yield, especially in patients with miliary pulmonary lesions.


[Hygienic problems during sputum provocation by aerosol (author's transl)].

An apparatus assembly is described providing hygienic conditions to obtain sputum after aerosol inhalation. It is composed of an ultrasonic nebulizer and a half-opened exhausting hood. The patient's head is placed under the hood which inhibits the delivery of expectorated germs into the environmental space. A continuous air flow in the direction of coughing is leading the sputum particles (droplet nuclei) towards a filter system. After decontamination the air may be let off outwards or back into the room.


[The use of inhalation tests for the diagnostick of chronic bronchitis in children (author's transl)].

In chronic non-specific lung diseases (CNSLD) an increased bronchial reaction to histamine aerosol inhalation is already well known. It was decided then to study the reactivity of bronchi to histamine inhalation in children within the epidemiological investigation on the influence of air pollution on the respiratory system of children. The aim of the study was to determine how in healthy population of children, living only in differently polluted environments, the frequency of the positive tests correlates with history of lung diseases, some pathological symptoms, level of air pollution etc. Results of the inhalation tests were also compared with other functional results of respiratory system, like: spirometrical, pneumo-tachographical, body-plethysmographical measurements, tests of mechanics of respiration, determination of lung transfer factor for CO etc. Numerous other laboratory determinations (level of alpha-antitrypsine, and x-ray examinations) were also performed and compared with the inhalation tests. In spite of expectations in the so called epidemiological "positives" as absolute lack of reaction to histamine was observed more frequently. Children with initial airways resistances were also weeker reacting to histamine provocation. Some parameters of lung function in children with hyperreactivity to histamine proved to be initially somewhat worse. The authors assume that some environmental factors may influence by occurrence the reactivity of air-ways provocation by inhalation. The need of general agreement and unification for the technique and interpretation of provocation tests was stressed out. The usefulness of the application of inhalatory tests in epidemiological studies on healthy populations needs further discussion.


[Basic-diagnostic-criterions of respiratory insufficiency--results of a community work of the working group "pathophysiology of breathing" (author's transl)].

11 laboratories of the working group "Pathophysiology of Breathing" cooperated with standardized methods to obtain generally admitted practical criterions for the definition of respiratory insufficiency. Function parameters of 2800 examined persons in different diagnostic groups were tested by manual statistical analysis and computed by data processing system. which were assessed with regard to their usefulness as criterions for respiratory insufficiency. The arterial O2-partial pressure proved to be the most crucial criterion of respiratory insufficiency permitting objective evidence of a manifest respiratory insufficiency by hypoxeamia under standard efforts with a bicycle-ergometer. The screening parameters of ventilation such as vital capacity and forced exspiratory volume are suitable as subjective rapid methods for a quantitative estimation of one type of respiratory insufficiency: the ventilation disturbance. Investigations, which were carried out with a higher apparatus expense like the estimation of residual volume, the functional residual capacity, and the arterial CO2-partial pressure permit the further differentiation of causes of the respiratory insufficiency and the separation between respiratory partial- and global insufficiency. The parameters of gas exchange: O2-consumption, respiratory quotient, and the screening parameter of cardiocirculation heart rate are not or only limited useful as criterions of respiratory insufficiency alone.


[Differentiation and identification of mycobacteria by means of thin-layer chromatography of their lipids. II. Application for the classification of slowly growing mycobacteria: M. avium and M. intracellulare (author's transl)].

Experiences with the thin-layer chromatography of mycobacterial lipids for the differentiation of the species M. avium and M. intracellulare are described. Details of the procedure used have been published in a recent paper. The 61 strains investigated belong to 16 different serotypes. Twenty of the 21 strains of M. avium present three distinct lipid patterns corresponding to the serotypes 1, 2 and 3. One strain had an aberrant lipid pattern suggesting that serotyping was at fault. The results obtained with 40 M. intracellulare strains of the serotypes III, IV, VI, VII, Davis, Watson, Howell, Chance, Boone, Yandle, Wilson, Altman and Arnold show that a differentiation by thin-layer chromatography of their lipids--using two different developing solvents--is possible. In allbut one case there was a complete correspondence between classification by lipid analysis and the results of serological typing. The distinction between M. avium and M intracellulare on the basis of species specific lipid patterns is not possible. This supports the conclusion that M. avium and M. intracellulare appear to be the same species having a number of distinctive serotypes.


[Physician's decision making in evaluation of tuberculous patients assessed by a questionnaire (author's transl)].

By a questionnaire 88 chest physicians were asked anonymously for their opinion about 15 cases of tuberculosis with various problems (choice of chemotherapeutic regimens, duration of treatment, rehabilitation and other aspects) in regard to first or repeated treatment and in chronic tuberculosis. It can be demonstrated, that in the overwhelming number the evaluation of the cases is done with safety and that the recommendations of the advisory board for chest diseases and tuberculosis are noticed.


[The influence of rifampicin on the lymphocyte stimulation (author's transl)].

In 7 PHA--and PPD stimulated lymphocyte cultures from healthy human donors the maintained immunosuppressive effect of Rifampicin was investigated. Concentrations of 5-200 mug RMP/ml culture medium were used. A significant decrease in the transformation rate was found at 20 mug/ml and higher concentrations. A vitality examination (trypan blue staining) on lymphocytes after 72 hours cultivation in a RMP-containing medium with the same concentrations showed no increase of stained cells as compared with the controls. It is suggested that the observed inhibition of lymphocyte reactivity is to be attributed to an immunosuppressive effect of RMP and not to a toxic influence.


[A contribution to the symptomatology of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (DIPF) (author's transl)].

Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was detected in 64 patients (33 males and 31 females). The diagnosis was obtained in each case from the anamnesis, the clinical findings, the chest X-ray, disturbances of the respiratory function, and from the progress of the disease. The analysis of the material produced the following parameters ranging from indicative to typical: Dry cough was reported by 70% of the patients as being trouble-some. Dyspnoea on exertion and at rest existed in 95%, and gradually increased during the progress of the disease in 76,5% of these cases. On auscultation ear-near crepitant rale was heard in 78% above the affected pulmonary parts. In 62 patients (96,5%) the radiogram showed disseminated streaky-reticular as well as finely to coarsely mottled infiltrations. In more than half of these cases (53%) an increase in severity was observed during the follow-up. A predominantly restrictive disturbance of ventilation existed in 85,5%. Exclusive restriction was found in 65,5%. Effort hypoxemia was detected in 92% of our cases which was especially impressive when the arterial oxygen pressure at rest was within the normal range. The electrocardiographic findings seemed to be less unequivocal. All in all it can be stated that in the synopsis of its manifestation DIPF can be positively identified by clinical means. This fact as well as therapeutical problems are discussed taking available publications into consideration, and respective conclusions are drawn for the clinician.


[Environmental aerosol and human health (author's transl)].

In the modern way of thinking, the influence of environmental aerosol on human health represents a partial problem of the manifold interrelations between biological, chemical, and physical environmental factors in terms of their combined and complex effect on the human organism, including the socio-economic environmental conditions. As regards the air as an environmental factor, two fundamental problems are being dealt with in some detail under this particular aspect: the relation between exposure and effect, and the conception of limiting values for the protection of human health. The traditional conception of "one cause--one effect" is inappropriate for dealing with this complex set of problems and has to be replaced by the "many causes--many effects" principle while paying heed to nonspecific as well as indirect effects on the health and well-being of man. The difficulties encountered in clarifying the relation between exposure and effect, and in assessing air pollution from the hygienic point of view are pointed out, and an outline of the present state of knowledge and of the experimental and epidemiological methods of research as applied in this field is given. In conclusion the principles for the determination of air-hygienic standards are expounded.


[The effect of caffeine on the resorption and various central effects of ethanol].

Caffeine given in a dose of 400 mg one hour before 1 g/kg ethanol did not influence the course of blood alcohol levels in male volunteers. Furthermore, caffeine did not improve psychomotoric skills impaired by ethanol. Two cups of coffee ingested 30 min. after ethanol (0.5 g/kg) caused a statistically significant increase of blood ethanol levels one hour afterwards (from 0.49 to 0.61%). This may be due to an accelerated absorption of ethanol caused by the ingestion of warm fluid.