Effects of droperidol on cardiovascular adrenoceptors.

The influence of droperidol on the pressor effect of noradrenaline was investigated in pithed rats injected with propranolol. Droperidol induced a dose-dependent shift of the noradrenaline dose-response curve to the right, but proved to be 20 times less potent than phentolamine. Droperidol produced a considerably more pronounced inhibition of the effect of tyramine than of that of noradrenaline.--The influence of droperidol on the increase in tension induced by noradrenaline was determined in isolated aortic strips of rats. The drug caused a marked parallel shift of the noradrenaline concentration-response curve to the right (pA2:7.99). In this preparation droperidol and phentolamine were equieffective.--Droperidol did not produce a significant shift of the noradrenaline concentration-response curves obtained for the positive chronotropic and inotropic effects in spontaneously beating right guinea-pig atria and in electrically driven left atria, respectively.--It is concluded that droperidol is a competitive inhibitor of the vascular alpha-adrenoceptors, leaving the beta-adrenoceptors of the heart unaffected, and that it inhibits the neuronal uptake mechanism of noradrenaline.


Differential species sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of cardiac glycosides on 3H-1-noradrenaline accumulation by tissue slices.

Effects of three cardiac glycosides on the accumulation of 3H-1-noradrenaline (3H-1-NA) by slices of heart and spleen were studied. Ouabain, digitoxin and digoxin, all produced a concentration dependent inhibition of 3H-1-NA uptake in both types of tissue slices. The maximum amount of 3H-1-NA accumulated as well as the rate of uptake was decreased. Digitoxin and ouabain were equipotent; however, digoxin was significantly less potent. Tissues from different mamalian specis did not exhibit the same degree of sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of cardiac glycosides on 3H-1-NA accumulation. Dogs were most sensitive and guinea-pigs an order of magnitude less sensitive. Rats were least sensitive by roughly two orders of magnitude when compared with guinea-pigs. The relationship of the effect of digitalis on 3H-1-NA accumulation to digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmias is discussed. Finally, the pattern of species sensitivity found here is compared with that observed in relation to inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase by cardiac glycosides.


Ouabain cardiotoxicity, a reassessment of methodology.

The capacity of ouabain (1 mug/kg/min and 2 mug/kg/min) to induce cardiotoxicity was explored in control cats and cats after spinal cord transection. In cats receiving 1 mug/kg/min, a higher dose of ouabain was needed to produce lethal arrhythmias in spinal cats compared to intact cats. However, in cats receiving 2 mug/kg/min, there was no difference in dose to death between intact and spinal cats. At death, the serum level and ventricular contents of ouabain was higher in animals with spinal cord transection regardless of the rate of ouabain infusion. Thus it appears that determination of the myocardial tissue digitalis concentration more accurately reflects the state of digitalis sensitivity than the administered dose. Additionally, seemingly paradoxical findings with regard to dose are explicable when serum and tissue concentration are simultaneously evaluated.


Haemodynamic effects of prazosin.

Parzosin, 0.001 to 10 mg/kg, was administered intravenously to anesthetized normal rats. In the dose range 0.001 to 0.01 mg/kg, the drug induced highly significant, dose-related falls in blood pressure, pulse pressure and heart rate. With doses above 0.01 mg/kg, there was a plateau in hypotensive efficacy and a diminution in negative chronotropic activity. Both actions of prazosin (0.01 mg/kg) were unaffected by vagal blockade with atropine, while hypotensive potency was unimpaired after beta-adrenoreceptor blockade. The vasodilator, diazoxide, lowered blood pressure, widened pulse pressure and caused tachycardia in rats pre-treated with pentolinium. In contrast, all effects of prazosin were abolished by ganglion blockade. These findings, together with the absence of compensatory tachycardia or gross renin hypersecretion during prazosin-induced hypotension, are compatible with an antisympathotonic mode of action for the drug. However, consistent with its effects on cyclic nucleotide distribution, prazosin appears to enhance isoprenaline-induced beta-receptor stimulation.


Effects of scopolamine and methscopolamine on acquisition and retention of rat one-way shuttle box behavior and total brain acetylcholine.

The effects of scopolamine HBr (0.032 to 10.0 mg/kg), methscopolamine Br (1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) and 0.36 mg/kg NaBr on acquisition and retention of one-way avoidance behavior and total brain acetylcholine (ACh) were studied in male albino rats. Compared to equimolar NaBr, scopolamine caused a dose-related impairment in acquisition of avoidance responding while methscopolamine did not. Retention of avoidance behavior in trained rats was also disrupted, but the detrimental effect was smaller and occurred only following large doses of scopolamine. The per cent escape behavior was not decreased by any of the treatments. It increased as avoidance was decreased. Scopolamine caused a dose-related increase in latency and avoidance and escape responding compared to equimolar NaBr. However, scopolamine increased the latency of avoidance at lower doses and to a greater degree than it increased the latency of escape. Escape latencies were significantly increased only at the largest dose (10 mg/kg). These dose-related effects of scopolamine were greater during acquisition than during retention. Small doses (0.032 mg/kg) shortened latency of avoidance during retention. Methscopolamine increased avoidance and escape latencies only at the largest dose (10 mg/kg). Scopolamine produced a dose-related decrease in brain ACh which correlated well with the per cent avoidance in acquisition (r = 0.95) and retention (r = 0.88) trials. It is concluded that a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist with central actions like scopolamine affects selective aspects of avoidance behavior in low doses, and that these changes are highly correlated with brain ACh levels.


The effect of apomorphine and haloperidol on the RNA content of brain structures of the rat.

At a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, apomorphine caused an increase of the RNA content of the septal nucleus of rats (n. medialis + n. lateralis + n. accumbens); after 2.5 mg/kg this effect became more marked and, in addition, there was an increase of RNA in the caudate nucleus. All effects were antagonized by 0.5 mg/kg of haloperidol. These data suggest that apomorphine acts, at different dose levels, on different sites of the brain. This might be related to the also different behavioral effects of apomorphine at those two dose levels. Haloperidol on its own caused a fall of RNA in the amygdaloid nucleus which was not counteracted by any of the two doses of apomorphine. Neither drug had any influence on hypothalamic RNA concentration.


The local anesthetic activity of saxitoxin alone and with vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic agents.

STX (saxitoxin), alone and with various vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic agents, was evaluated for its ability to produce topical anesthesia on the rabbit cornea, peripheral nerve block in the rat, and epidural anesthesia in the dog. High frequency and long duration of block can be attained if sufficiently high concentrations of STX are used, although latency is long and the doses used may produce systemic toxicity. Frequency of satisfactory blocks and mean duration of block can be increased and systemic toxicity reduced if STX is administered with a vasoconstrictor agent. Conventional local anesthetic agents also enhance the nerve blocking activity of STX. When appropriate concentrations of STX, vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic agents are used, systemic toxic effects are not manifested and the blocks produced exhibit the rapid onset and high frequency of block characteristic of the local anesthetic agent and the remarkably long duration of STX.


On the mechanism of action of bombesin on gastric and pancreatic secretion of the chicken.

The present experiments have been carried out in order to establish whether the stimulatory effect of bombesin on the chicken gastric acid secretion is a direct effect or is mediated by the release of hormones, such as the Avian Pancreatic Petide and/or Gastrin. removal of the pancreas, which is known to be the site of starage of the Avian Pancreatic Polypeptide, does not produce any decrease of the stimulant effect of bombesin on gastric secretion. Removal of the zone between the gizzard and duodenum, which shows histological features similar to those of the mammalian antrum and in which gastrin cells have been described, sharply decreases the basal values of gastric secretion as well as the stimulant effect of bombesin, while the effectiveness of caerulein, a gastrin-like peptide directly acting on oxintopeptic cells, is maintained. In chickens deprived of the duodenum-gizzard zone, bombesin shows a stimulant effect on pancreatic secretion indistinguishable from that observed in intact animals. It is concluded that the gastric but not pancreatic, action of bomtesin is mediated through the release of a factor(gastrin) from the gizzard-duodenum junction. Release of Avian Pancreatic Polypeptide from the pancreas is not involved in the mechanism of the action of bombesin on gastric secretion of the chicken.


Anti-ulcer activity of colloidal bismuth subcitrate in Shay-rats.

The anti-ulcer action of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) was tested in rats with a ligated pylorus (the Shay preparation). The liquid form used in the clinic displayed a dose-related inhibition of gastric ulceration. the recently developed solid form appeared to be just as effective. On the other hand, non-processed, non-colloidal bismuth salts and the CBS vehicle blank were completely inactive. The anti-ulcer activity of CBS was found to be unrelated to its buffering capacity.


Effect of furosemide on renal hilar lymph flow.

Furosemide is known to increase total renal blood flow. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between this hemodynamic change and renal hilar lymph flow. Renal blood flow was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter placed on the left renal artery of anesthetized dogs. Lymph was collected from a cannulated hilar vessel. Urine volume loss was not replaced. In the first 10 min after furosemide (1 mg/kg i.v.), lymph flow was significantly increased and then declined toward control within 30 to 40 min. The decline in lymph flow lagged behind the decline in blood flow by about 10 min. In 11 experiments in which there was a significant increase in renal blood flow, renal hilar lymph flow also increased. In 5 experiments in which renal blood flow did not increase after furosemide, lymph flow also did not increase. In both groups, urine volume was significantly increased but the diuresis was less in the group in which renal blood flow and lymph did not increase. When hydrochlorothiazide (5 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered, neither renal blood flow nor hilar lymph flow was altered. The effect of equi-diuretic doses of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide on renal tissue water content were compared. The amount of water present after furosemide was significantly greater than the amount present after hydrochlorothiazide. These data support the concept that changes in renal hilar lymph flow are more a consequence of changes in renal blood flow than in urine volume.


[Comparative study, in the anesthetized dog, of the dromotropic effects of N-propyl ajmaline bitartrate, ajmaline hydrochloride and ajmaline monochloroacetate, by recording of His electrogram].

A-V and intraventricular conduction disturbances induced by 3 different salts of ajmaline: N-propyl ajmaline bitartrate (NPAB), hydrochloride (CHA) and mono chloro-acetate (MCAA), were studied by recording endocavitary His bundle activity in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. Cumulative dose-response curves were obtained with 3 doses of each compound. The results demonstrate that: a) NPAB exerts a significant depressor effect (9 to 10 times more potent than CHA) on the following three conduction times: auriculo-Hisian, His-Pinkinje and Purkinje-ventricular; b) on His-Purkinje and intra ventricular conduction, MCAA exerts a weaker depressor effect than that of Nab. The lack of parallelism of dose-response curves prevents further  comparative quantification; c) on atrio-hisian conduction, MCAA presents a delayed dose-related depressor effect suggesting the presence of an active metabolite. It is concluded that among ajmaline derivatives studied, Nab appears to be the most depressor on A-V and intraventricular conduction in the pentobarbital anesthetized dog.


[Seroepidemiologic study of human cysticerosis in the predominantly indigenous rural Indian population of the State of Chiapas].

The overall proportion of sera with antibodies against cyticercus antigens in 3226 serum samples collected among the Indian rural population in the proximity of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México is 0.49. The proportion of positive sera varied from 0.4 to 7.6% inversely with the number of inhabitants in the community. The global proportion of positive sera in Chiapas being considerably lower than that expected from the autopsy frequency of brain cysticercosis in México City (1.4-3.6%), it is perhaps indicative of different epidemiologic dynamics in rural and urban areas.


[Determination of delta aminolevulinic acid in urine in a population exposed to lead].

Uninary levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were determined in 93 workers exposed to lead. Control groups were made up of 32 employees of the same factories of test group and of 24 patients with no history of lead exposure. In the first group, urinary concentration of ALA was 28.55 mg/1; it was 3.36 mg/1 in the second group and 2.98 mg/1 in the other control group. Differences between workers and controls were statistically significant.


[Experimental study of post-labyrinthectomy compensation by means of the torsion pendulum].

Recovery patterns after unilateral labyrinthectomy were studied using a torsion pendulum to produce angular accelerations in unanaesthetized, immovilized cats. The oculomotor activity before and during angular accelerations was recorded and cuantified in 10 post-labyrinthectomized cats during 26 days of recovery both with and without environmental fixation (eyes open or covered). The integrated nistagmus obtained with rotation in each direction was used as a measure of oculomotor activity, as well as an indicator of directional preponderance. It was found this indicator to be far more sensitive than the raw electronystagmic tracings to detect asymmetries in the oculomotor response. The integrated movement of the eyes without ambiental fixation (eyes covered) was consistently 40% of the pendulum's displacement; while having both eyes open, the ocular displacement was equal (100%) to that of the environment. These relations changed in a predictable and characteristic way after labyrinthectomy. Approximately between 5 and 12 days post-labyrinthectomy, the responses to stimulus in both directions become of very small magnitude, indicating a depression of the reflexes originating in the remaining normal labyrinth.


Olfactory nerve reconstitution in the homing pigeon after resection: ultrastructural and electrophysiological data.

Homing pigeons were subjected to uni- or bilateral resection of the olfactory nerves. A control of the operated region carried out five months later, showed that the olfactory nerves were continuous from the olfactory mucosa to the bulb. Cross sections of the regenerated nerve, observed under the electron microscope, showed morphological alterations with respect to the normal. Total measurement of the cross surface of both olfactory nerves showed that the regenerated nerve is always smaller than the intact nerve; this is also apparent in the total number of the fibres counted. Electrophysiological tests, performed on the regenerated nerve showed that the conduction along the resected nerve is restored.


Temporal distribution of rapid eye movements and related monophasic potentials in the brain stem following injection of an anticholinesterase.

The temporal distribution of the horizontal rapid eye movements and the related monophasic potentials recorded from the ascending MLF following intravenous injection of o.i mg/kg of anticholinesterase has been investigated in precollicular decerebrate animals. In particular the intervals between individual MLF potentials occurring during successive REM episodes have been evaluated over a total period of 2000 sec on each experiment. 2. There was a bimodal distribution of intervals due to the fact that all the rapid eye movements and the related MLF potentials were grouped in bursts which occurred at quite regular intervals. 3. During the cholinergically induced episodes of REM, there were usually bursts of REM in one direction followed by bursts of REM in the opposite direction. The mean number of individual eye movements within each burst was 4.67 +/- 0.84, S.D., while the average interval between the individual eye movements corresponded to 167 +/- 36 msec, S.D. 4. There was a great regularity in the periodic occurrence of the bursts of REM. In particular the mean interval between the beginning of a burst of REM in one direction (i.e., towards the left side) and that of the next train oriented in the opposite direction (i.e., towards the right side) was 1.97 +/- 0.47 sec, S.D., while the mean interval between the beginning of this last train and that of the successive train oriented in the former direction corresponded to 2.97 +/- 0.48 sec, S.D. Moreover, the duration of the whole period corresponding to the interval between two successive bursts of REM oriented in the same direction (i.e., towards left or towards right) corresponded on average to 4.94 +/- 0.55 sec S.D. and 4.99 +/- 0.52 sec, S.D. respectively. 5. In addition to these "simple bursts" of rapid eye movements oriented in one direction, there were "complex bursts" in which an alternation of the individual eye movements within each burst was observed. In these instances the mean number of spikes was greater (5.35 +/- 1.20, S.D.) and the mean interval shorter 119 +/- 44 msec, S.D.) than those observed in the "simple bursts", About 10-15% of the bursts occurring during the cholinergically induced REM episodes were of the complex type. 6. These findings obtained from an individual experiment were confirmed in all the decerebrate animals treated with the same dose of anticholinesterase; only slight quantitative differences were detected from case to case. 7. Since the bursts of REM induced by the anticholinesterase depend upon the activity of the vestibular nuclei, it is postulated that cholinergic reticular neurons activate structures which show waxing and waning in their activity before acting on the vestibulo-oculomotor system. This system probably contains the inhibitory interneurons which transform the regularly modulated input into  a rhythmic vestibular output...


Study of genetic relationships among marine species of the genera Beneckea and Photobacterium by means of in vitro DNA/DNA hybridization.

Strains representative of species of the marine genera Beneckea and Photobacterium were used as reference standards in in vitro DNA/DNA competition experiments. Within a given species, strains were found to be related by over 80% competition. (Competition was defined as the amount of radioactive DNA displaced by heterologous DNA relative to the amount displaced by homologous DNA.) On the basis of interspecies competition values (expressed as averages), the following groupings could be made: 1. "Photobacterium" fischeri was related to strain ATCC 15382 by a competition of 38% and was distinct from all the other strains tested (competition less than or equal to 11%). 2. The genus Photobacterium consisted of 3 species, P.phosphoreum, P.leiognathi, and a newly designated species, P.angustum (composed of non-luminous strains). The latter species was found to be related to P.leiognathi and P.phosphoreum by 56 and 28% competition, respectively, while P.phosphoreum was related to P.leiognathi by 29%. 3. In the genus Beneckea, 65% competition was detected between B.harveyi and B.campbellii as well as between B.parahaemolytica and B.alginolytica. These pairs of species were related to each other by 51-58% and to B.natriegens by 34-56% competition. A newly designated pathogenic species, B.vulnifica, appeared to have a low but significant relationship to all the above mentioned species of Beneckea. 4. Two biotypes, related by 68% competition, were recognized in the species B.splendida. Similarly, B.pelagia was found to consist of 2 biotypes related by a competition of 67%. The competition values between these species were 38-40%. 5. B.nereida, B.nigrapulchrituda, and "Vibrio" anguillarum had competition values less than or equal to 30% to each other as well as to other species of Beneckea. 6. With Vibrio cholerae as the reference standard, V.albensis was found to be related by a competition of 82%, while V.proteus and V.metschnikovii had competition values of 22 and 12%, respectively. These results suggested that V.albensis should be synonymized with V.cholerae, while the latter two organisms should remain distinct from this species. V.cholerae as well as the other terrestrial organisms tested did not appear to be significantly related to any of the marine strains (competition values less than or equal to 27%). The speciation derived from the results of the DNA/DNA competition experiments was compared to previous speciation based on phenotypic similarities.


Chemotaxis in Actinoplanes.

The chemotactic properties of spores of Actinoplanes brasiliensis were examined. The spores are attracted to chloride and bromide solutions but not to a number of organic compounds that are capable of supporting growth in chemically defined media. Chloride attraction has been tested in several other species of the genus and in a number of Actinoplanes strains isolated from soils. Some are attracted to chloride, but most strains are indifferent to the halide. In dense suspensions, the spores of A. brasiliensis show an apparent microaerophilic behavior. The ecolotical implications of the chemotactic properties of the A. brasiliensis spores are discussed.


The effect of a non-metabolizable analog on mandelate catabolism in Pseudomonas putida.

DL-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoromandelic acid (PFM) specifically inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 12633) on medium containing mandelate as sole carbon and energy source by competitive inhibition of mandelate dehydrogenase. PFM is not metabolized and is neither an inducer of the mandelate catabolic enzymes nor an antagonist of induction. Mutants resistant to the inhibitory effects of PFM (PFMr) were isolated; most prove to be superinducible, i.e. synthesize corrdinately the mandelate-specific catabolic enzymes at elevated levels following induction. In at least one case the PFMr mutation maps very near the structural genes that encode the enzymes functional in the first two steps of mandelate catabolism. It is reasoned that the PFMr mutation is of the promotor type. Resistance to substrate analogs such as PFM offers a general method for isolation of regulatory mutants in catabolic metabolism.


Desulfuromonas acetoxidans gen. nov. and sp. nov., a new anaerobic, sulfur-reducing, acetate-oxidizing bacterium.

Anaerobic sea or fresh water media with acetate and elemental sulfur yielded enrichments of a new type of strictly anaerobic, rod-shaped, laterally flagellated, Gram-negative bacterium. Three pure culture-strains from different sulfide-containing sea water sources were characterized in detail and are described as a new genus and species Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. The new bacterium is unable to ferment organic substances; it obtains energy for growth by anaerobic sulfur respiration. Acetate, ethanol or propanol can serve as carbon and energy source for growth; their oxidation to CO2 is stoichiometrically linked to the reduction of elemental sulfur to sulfide. Organic disulfide compounds, malate or fumarate are the only other electron acceptors used. Butanol and pyruvate are used in the presence of malate only; no other organic compounds are utilized. Biotin is required as a growth factor. The following dry weight yields per mole of substrate are obtained: in the presence of sulfur: 4.21 g on acetate, 9.77 g on ethanol; in the presence of malate: 16.5 g on acetate, 34.2 g on ethanol and 46.2 g on pyruvate. Accumulations of cells are pink; cell suspensions exhibit absorption spectra resembling those of c-type cytochromes (abs. max. at 419, 523 and 553 nm). Malate-ethanol grown cells contain a b-type cytochrome in addition. In the presence of acetate, ethanol or propanol, Desulfuromonas strains form robust growing syntrophic mixed cultures with phototrophic green sulfur bacteria.


Characterization of a benzoate permease mutant of Pseudomonas putida.

A spontaneous mutant of Pseudomonas putida (PRS 2017) has been isolated which is incapable of growth on benzoate, does not induce the enzymes of the catechol branch of the beta-ketoadipate pathway when grown in the presence of benzoate, cannot accumulate radioactively labeled benzoate, yet grows well with mandelate as sole source of carbon and energy. This strain apparently lacks a benzoate permease, which in the wild type shows a Km of about 0.1 mM for benzoate, is inducible, and is not under the control of the regulatory system which governs the induction of the enzymes of the catechol branch of the beta-ketoadapate pathway. The lesion in PRS2017 is apparently single site and maps near other genes governing benzoate dissimilation.


The uptake of 2-ketogluconate by Pseudomonas putida.

The uptake of 2-ketogluconate is inducible in Pseudomonas putida: 2-ketogluconate, glucose, gluconate, glycerol and glycerate were each good nutritional inducers of this ability. 2-Ketogluconate uptake obeyed saturation kinetics (apparent Km in 2-ketogluconate-grown cells was 0.4 mM). 2-Ketogluconate was transported against a concentration gradient, apparently in an unchanged state, and the process required metabolic energy, all of which indicate an active transport system. A number of independently isolated mutants with deranged activity of a common glucose-gluconate uptake system were found to be also defective in 2-ketogluconate transport. Strains unable to transport 2-ketogluconate which grew readily on glucose and gluconate were also isolated. These results suggest that 2-ketogluconate transport is governed by at least two genetic elements: one which is also required to take up glucose and gluconate and another which appears to be specific for 2-ketogluconate transport. Similarly, glucose and gluconate transport appears to require at least one factor which is not necessary for 2-ketogluconate transport, as suggested by the lack of induction of the common glucose-gluconate uptake system by glycerol and glycerate, substrates which are good inducers of 2-ketogluconate uptake.


The bacterial oxidation of nicotinic acid. N-formylmaleamic and N-formylfumaramic acids.

N-Formylmaleamic acid, a probable intermediate in the bacterial metabolism of nicotinic acid, has been synthesized by photoisomerization of its trans isomer, N-formylfumaramic acid. The compound previously reported to be N-formylmaleamic acid has been shown to be N-formylfumaramic acid.


Fatty acid composition of selected prosthecate bacteria.

The cellular fatty acid composition of 14 strains of Caulobacter speices and types, two species of Prosthecomicrobium, and two species of Asticcacaulis was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. In most of these bacteria, the major fatty acids were octadecenoic acid (C18:1), hexadecenoic acid (C16:1) and hexadecanoic acid (C16:0). Some cyclopropane and branched chain fatty acids were detected in addition to the straight chained acids. Hydroxytetradecanoic acid was an important component of P.enhydrum but significant amounts of hydroxy acids were not detected in other prosthecate bacteria examined.


Bacterial carotenoids. L. Absolute configuration of zeaxanthin dirhamnoside.

Zeaxanthin dirhamnoside is the major carotenoid of Corynebacterium autotrophicum. The absolute configuration 3R,3'R followed from CD-properties of its hexaacetate, alpha-L-assignment and 1C4 conformation were concluded from 1H NMR data by comparison with model compounds.


Enzymatic synthesis of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in Zoogloea ramigera.

The enzyme activity synthesizing poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was mainly localized in the PHB-containing particulate fraction of Zoogloea ramigera I-16-M, when it grew flocculatedly in a medium supplemented with glucose. On the other hand, the enzyme activity remained in the soluble fraction when the bacterium grew dispersedly in a glucose-starved medium. The soluble PHB synthase activity became associated with the particulate fraction as PHB synthesis was initiated on the addition of glucose to the dispersed culture. Conversely, the enzyme activity was released from the PHB-containing granules to the soluble fraction when the flocculated culture was kept incubated without supplementing the medium with glucose. PHB synthase was also incorporated into the newly formed PHB fraction when partially purified soluble PHB synthase was incubated with D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyryl CoA in vitro. Although attempts to solubilize the particulate enzyme were unsuccessful, and the soluble enzyme became extremely unstable in advanced stages of purification, both PHB synthases had the same strict substrate specificity for D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyryl CoA, and showed the same pH optimum at 7.0.


Purification, some properties and quaternary structure of the D-ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase of Alcaligenes eutrophus.

D-Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase has been purified from autotrophically grown cells of the facultative chemolithotrophic hydrogen bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus. The enzyme was homogeneous by the criteria of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 505000 determined by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and a sedimentation coefficient of 18.2 S was obtained. It was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that the enzyme consists of two types of subunits of molecular weight 52000 and 13000. Electron microscopy on the intact and the partially dissociated enzyme lead to the construction of a model for the quaternary structure of the enzyme which is composed of 8 large and 8 small subunits. The most probable symmetry of the enzyme molecule is 4:2:2. Michaelis constant (Km) values for ribulose 1,5-diphosphate, Mg2+, and CO2 were 0.59 mM, 0.33 mM, and 0.066 mM measured under air. Oxygen was a competitive inhibitor with respect to CO2 suggesting that the enzyme also exhibits an oxygenase activity. The oxygenolytic cleavage of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate was shown and a 1:1 stoichiometry between oxygen consumption and 3-phosphoglycerate formation observed.


On the mechanism of salt tolerance. Production of glycerol and heat during growth of Debaryomyces hansenii.

As glycerol was suggested as an osmotic agent in the salt tolerant Debaryomyces hansenii the concentrations of total, intracellular, and extracellular glycerol produced by this yeast was followed during growth in 4 mM, 0.68 M, and 2.7 M NaCl media. The total amount of glycerol was not directly proportional to biomass production but to the cultural salinity with maximum concentrations just prior to or at the beginning of the stationary phase. In all cultures the cells lost some glycerol to the media, at 2.7 M NaCl the extracellular glycerol even amounted maximally to 80% of the total. A distinct maximum of intracellular glycerol, related to dry weight or cell number, appeared during the log phase at all NaCl concentrations. As the intracellular calculated glycerol concentrations amounted to 0.2 M, 0.8 M, and 2.6 M in late log phase cells at 4mM, 0.68 M, and 2.7 M NaCl, respectively, whereas the corresponding analysed values for the glycerol concentrations of the media were 0.7 mM, 2.5 mM, and 3.0 mM, glycerol contributes to the osmotic balance of the cells. During the course of growth all cultures showed a decreasing heat production related to cell substance produced, most pronounced at 2.7 M NaCl. At 2.7 M NaCl the total heat production amounted to--1690 kJ per mole glucose consumed in contrast to--1200 and--1130 kJ at 4 mM and 0.68 M NaCl, respectively. The Ym-values were of an inverse order, being 129, 120, and 93 at 4 mM, 0.68 M, and 2.7 M NaCl respectively.


Spirochaeta halophila sp. n., a facultative anaerobe from a high-salinity pond.

A facultatively anaerobic spirochete isolated from a high-salinity pond grew optimally when 0.75 M NaCl, 0.2 M MgSO4, and 0.01 M CaCl2 were present in media containing yeast extract, peptone, and a carbohydrate. The organism failed to grow when any one of these three salts was omitted from the medium. Aerobically-grown colonies of the spirochete were red, whereas anaerobically-grown colonies showed no pigmentation. Non-pigmented mutants of the spirochete were isolated. The spirochete used carbohydrates, but not amino acids, as energy sources. Glucose was fermented to CO2, H2, ethanol, acetate, and a small amount of lactate. Determinations of radioactivity in products formed from glucose-1-14C and enzymatic assays indicated that glucose was dissimilated to pyruvate mainly via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway. Pyruvate was metabolized through a clostridial-type clastic reaction. Cells growing aerobically performed an incomplete oxidation of glucose mainly to CO2 and acetate. Comparison of aerobic and anaerobic growth yields indicated that oxidative phosphorylation occurred in cells growing aerobically. The guanine + cytosine content of the DNA of the spirochete was 62 moles %. It is proposed that the spirochete described herein be considered a new species and that it be named Spirochaeta halophila.


Hyphal tip growth in Phytophthora. Gradient distribution and ultrahistochemistry of enzymes.

Germinating cysts and isolated walls from germinating cysts incorporated 14C-UDPG into wall material of which 22.5 and 15% respectively were insoluble in boiling 1 N HCl, indicating that part of the synthetase activity is located in the wall itself. A combination of Urografin and Ficoll density gradients was used to separate various intracellular fractions. A consistent separation of beta-glucanase and UDPG-transferase enriched fractions was achieved. The beta-glucanase fraction contained dictyosome vesicles and fragments along with some plasma membranes. The UDPG-transferase fraction was relatively rich in membranes resembling rough and smooth ER. The results suggest the two enzymes are transported to the wall by different intracellular routes, and two types of vesicle may be involved. Alkaline phosphatase, beta-glucosidase and acid phosphatase were found extracellularly and their distribution in density gradients determined. The results of histochemical staining for acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and polysaccharide are described and compared with the biochemical data. beta-1,3-glucanase, found intra- and extracellularly, induced distorted growth of germ tubes and also removed most of the apical wall when added to the incubation medium. None of these responses were observed with cellulase. Determinations of the osmotic pressure of germinating cysts and incubation medium revealed that the turgor of germinating cysts amounts to about 1.8 at under the conditions used.


Growth and pigment production by Arthrobacter pyridinolis n. sp.

A new bacterium capable of growing on 2-hydroxypyridine as sole source of carbon and nitrogen was isolated from soil. During its growth on solid medium, approximately 50% of this substrate was converted to a brilliant blue crystalline pigment which was deposited extracellularly in the colony mass. The pigment was identical to that produced by Arthrobacter crystallopoietes during its growth on 2-hydroxypyridine. The new isolate exhibited the typical cycle of morphogenesis characteristic of the genus Arthrobacter. The organism is different from all other reported species of Arthrobacter. It is proposed that the organism be named Arthorbacter pyridinolis n. sp.


Photorespiration in diatoms. IV. Two pathways of glycolate metabolism in synchronized cultures of Cylindrotheca fusiformis.

Cylindrotheca fusiformis is shown to be able to convert glycolate to glycerate via tartronic semialdehyde as well as by the better known route involving transamination to glycine. Enzymes related to photorespiration were compared in light-dark synchronized cultures of C. fusiformis kept in continuous light in a complete synthetic seawater medium or starved for nitrogen or silicon. Glycolate oxidation remained constant throughout the cell cycle and was unaffected by starvation. Transamination of glyoxylate was stimulated by light, inhibited during nitrogen starvation, and dramatically stimulated by reintroduction of nitrate to the medium. Glyoxylate carboligase was also stimulated by light and inhibited during nitrogen-starvation but only partially recovered activity after reintroduction of nitrate.


[Degradation of 4-chlorobenzoic acid by an Arthrobacter species (author's transl)].

An Arthrobacter sp. growing on 4-Chlorobenzoic acid as its sole source of carbon excretes 4-hydroxygenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid into the culture medium. Protocatechuic acid is further attacked by "meta"-cleavage. During growth of the Arthrobacter sp. on benzoic acid cis-cis muconic acid can be isolated from the medium, suggesting the involvement of the "ortho"-cleavage pathway. The enzymes both for the "meta"- and the "ortho"-cleavage pathway are inducible.


Chemical and biochemical studies for the differentiation of coagulase-positive staphylococci.

The cell wall composition, the configuration of lactic acid produced from glucose under anaerobic conditions, the occurrence of fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) activated L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH), and the esterase pattern were determined from more than 80 strains of coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from man and animal. Strains isolated from man, swine, bovines and hares form a rather homogeneous group. They exhibit a similar cell wall composition, produce predominantly D,L-lactate and have a characteristic and simple esterase pattern. Coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from dogs, horses, minks and pigeons are quite distinct from typical Staphylococcus aureus strains. They exhibit a different cell wall composition, produce only L-lactate, possess an L-LDH which is specifically activated by FDP, and have a quite complex esterase pattern.


[Mechanism of the variation of the acetate/lactate/ratio during glucose fermentation by bifidobacteria (author's transl)].

It is demonstrated that most strains of bifidobacteria form much more acetate and less lactic acid from glucose than is to be expected according to the breakdown of glucose via the "bifidoshunt". The analysis of isotope distribution among the fermentation products of glucose labeled in different positions showed that the excess of acetate is the result of the phosphoroclastic splitting of a part of the pyruvate arising from carbons 4, 5, and 6 of glucose. In addition to acetate (carbons 5 and 6), formate is formed from carbon 4 and some acetate is reduced to ethanol. The formation of "extra" acetate occurs mainly during the log phase and is less pronounced in resting cells. The extent of the phosphoroclastic splitting of pyruvate varies considerably among different strains even among those from the same species.


The role of energy-spilling reactions in the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 in aerobic chemostat culture.

When cell-saturating amounts of glucose and phosphate were added to steady state cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes that were, respectively, glucose- and phosphate-limited, the organisms responded immediately with an increased oxygen consumption rate. This suggested that in neither case was glucose transport the rate-limiting process, and also that organisms must possess effective mechanisms for spilling the excess energy initially generated when a growth-limitation is temporarily relieved. Steady state cultures of mannitol- or glucose-limited organisms also seemingly generated energy at a greater rate than was required for cell synthesis since gluconate-limited cultures consumed oxygen at a lower rate, at each corresponding growth rate, than did mannitol- or glucose-limited cultures, and therefore expressed a higher YO value. Thus, mannitol- and glucose-limitations must be essentially carbon (and not energy) limitations. The excess energy generated by glucose metabolism is one component of "maintenance" and could be used at lower growth rates to maintain an increased solute gradient across the cell membrane, imposed by the addition of 2%, w/v, NaCl to the growth environment. The maintenance rates of oxygen consumption of K. aerogenes also could be caused to increase by adding glucose discontinuously (drop-wise) to a glucose-limited chemostat culture, or by exchanging nitrate for ammonia as the sole utilizable nitrogen source. The significance of these findings to an assessment of the physiological factors circumscribing energy-spilling reactions in aerobic cultures of K. aerogenes is discussed.


Regulation of amino acid transport in growing cells of Streptomyces hydrogenans. II. Correlation between transport capacity and growth rate in chemostat cultures.

The uptake of various amino acids into Streptomyces hydrogenans grown in chemostatically and turbidostatically controlled steady state cultures has been investigated. A close correlation between transport capacity and the growth rates of the cells was found. As shown by kinetic analysis, the increased transport is due to elevated maximum uptake rates, the apparent Michaelis constants remaining unchanged. Analysis of the unidirectional fluxes of cycloleucine revealed that not only the influx is raised as the growth rate is increased but also the efflux. Hence, the conclusion is drawn that the growth-rate dependent modulation of transport capacity is, at least, partially due to the variation of the concentration of active transport components. Since the cells were grown in the absence of external amino acids the results suggest that amino acid transport into S. hydrogenans is under control of endogenous effectors.


Induction of D-6-hydroxynicotine oxidase in resting cells of Arthrobacter oxidans.

Resting cell suspensions of Arthrobacter oxidans were shown to synthesize the inducible enantiozyme, D-6-hydroxynicotine oxidase, in the presence of D-nicotine or D-6-hydroxynicotine. The corresponding L-enantiomers, as well as gamma-methylaminopropyl-(6-OH-pyridyl-3)-ketone, which is the product of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme, were ineffective as inducers. L-6-Hydroxynicotine inhibited induction by D-nicotine and D-6-hydroxynicotine while L-nicotine inhibited induction by D-6-hydroxynicotine and had no effect on induction by D-nicotine. Enzyme induction was also found to be inhibited by glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose and by several intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. An absolute requirement for protein synthesis and for oxygen was also demonstrated to be necessary for the reactions involved in the covalent attachment of flavin adenine dinucleotide to pre-existing precursor protein to yield the catalytically active D-6-hydroxynicotine oxidase.


Growth of Hansenula polymorpha in a methanol-limited chemostat. Physiological responses due to the involvement of methanol oxidase as a key enzyme in methanol metabolism.

Hansenula polymorpha has been grown in a methanol-limited continuous culture at a variety of dilution rates. Cell suspensions of the yeast grown at a dilution rate of 0.16 h-1 showed a maximal capacity to oxidize excess methanol (QmaxO2) which was 1.6 times higher than the rate required to sustain the growth rate (QO2). When the dilution rate was decreased to 0.03 h-1, QmaxO2 of cells increased to a value of more than 20 times that of QO2. The enzymatic basis for this tremendous overcapacity for the oxidation of excess methanol at low growth rates was found to be the methanol oxidase content of the cells. The level of this enzyme increased from 7% to approximately 20% of the soluble protein when the growth rate was decreased from 0.16 to 0.03 h-1. These results were explained on the basis of the poor affinity of methanol oxidase for its substrates. Methanol oxidase purified from Hansenula polymorpha showed an apparent Km for methanol of 1.3 mM in air saturated reaction mixtures and the apparent Km of the enzyme for oxygen was 0.4 mM at a methanol concentration of 100 mM. The involvement of an oxygen dependent methanol oxidase in the dissimilation of methanol in Hansenula polymprpha was also reflected in the growth yield of the organism. The maximal yield of the yeast was found to be low (0.38 g cells/g methanol). This was not due to a very high maintenance energy requirement which was estimated to be 17 mg methanol/g cells X h.


The characterization of the rumen bacterium Eadie's oval, Magnoovum gen. nov. eadii sp. nov.

The rumen bacterium Eadie's Oval was examined by means of cell wall analysis and biochemical tests with a view to determine its taxonomic position. The purified cell walls contained components consistent with the organism being a Gram-negative bacterium, and despite its large size no abnormal cell wall constituents were found. The biochemical tests indicate that Eadie's Oval is not a member of a previously described family. The name Magnoovum gen. nov. eadii sp. nov. is proposed.


[The metabolic interactions between Paramecium bursaria Ehrbg. and Chlorella spec. in the Paramecium bursaria-symbiosis. II. Symbiosis-specific properties of the physiology and the cytology of the symbiotic unit and their regulation (author's transl)].

The endosymbiotic association of Paramecium bursaria Ehrbg. with Chlorella spec. (green Paramecium) was studied both physiologically and cytologically. Comparison of the properties of the symbiotic unit with those of the symbiotic partners which had been isolated from it revealed the following features and differences: 1. Up to 6000 lux the photosynthetic capacity of the symbiotic unit is higher than that of the isolated symbiotic algae grown independently in mass culture under defined conditions. Alga-free Paramecium bursaria (colourless Paramecium) show a very low rate of CO2-fixation. 2. The green Paramecium has a higher compensationpoint of photosynthesis (4000-5000 lux) than the isolated alga (200-400 lux). 3. Green paramecia consume less oxygen in darkness than colourless organisms but more than the isolated algae. 4. The uptake of carbohydrates from the culture medium by green parpmecia is lower than the uptake by alga-free P. bursaria but higher than the one of the isolated algae. 5. Symbiotic algae within the intact symbiotic unit show tightly packed photosynthetic membranes and an intense disposition of starch. In the presence of 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) or in darkness the arrangement of thylakoids is less compact and the deposition of starch is reduced. The growth and the number of the symbiotic algae in situ is regulated by a complex mechanism to which the intracellular level of carbohydrates belongs. The results are discussed in connection with ecological aspects of the Paramecium bursaria-endosymbiosis.


Acetate metabolism in Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa and several other Rhodospirillaceae.

When Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa was grown on acetate aerobically in the dark both enzymes of the glyoxylate bypass, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, could be detected. However, under anaerobic conditions in the light only isocitrate lyase, but not malate synthase, could be found. The reactions, which bypass the malate synthase reaction are those catalyzed by alanine glyoxylate aminotransferase and the enzymes of the serine pathway. Other Rhodospirillaceae were tested for isocitrate lyase and malate synthase activity after growth with acetate; they could be divided into three groups: 1. organisms possessing both enzymes; 2. organisms containing malate synthase only; 3. R. gelatinosa containing only isocitrate lyase when grown anaerobically in the light.


Macromolecular synthesis and cell division during morphogenesis of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes.

The sphere-rod-sphere morphology cycle of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes was accompanied by changes in the rate of growth and the rates of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. The patterns of macromolecule synthesis resembled those found in other bacteria during a step-up followed by a step-down in growth rate. During the step-up in growth spherical cells grew into rods and macromolecules were synthesized in the absence of cell division. During step-down, successive rounds of septation produced progressively smaller cells which did not separate and remained in chains. The morphology of the cells was dependent on the growth rate and could be altered by changing the dilution rate in the malate-limited chemostat. Gradual transitions in morphology and gradual increases in macromolecule content of the cells occurred as the growth rate was increased in the chemostat. Sphere to rod morphogenesis occurred when DNA synthesis was inhibited by treatment with mitomycin C or by thymine starvation. The DNA-deficient rods did not divide and eventually lysed. DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were continuously required for the reductive division of rods to spheres.


S-formylgluthathione: the substrate for formate dehydrogenase in methanol-utilizing yeasts.

Formaldehyde dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase were purified 45- and 16-fold, respectively, from Hansenula polymorpha grown on methanol. Formaldehyde dehydrogenase was strictly dependent on NAD and glutathione for activity. The Km values of the enzyme were found to be 0.18 mM for glutathione, 0.21 mM for formaldehyde and 0.15 mM for NAD. The enzyme catalyzed the glutathione-dependent oxidation of formaldehyde to S-formylglutathione. The reaction was shown to be reversible: at pH 8.0 a Km of 1 mM for S-formylglutathione was estimated for the reduction of the thiol ester with NADH. The enzyme did not catalyze the reduction of formate with NADH. The NAD-dependent formate dehydrogenase of H. polymorpha showed a low affinity for formate (Km of 40 mM) but a relatively high affinity for S-formylglutathione (Km of 1.1 mM). The Km values of formate dehydrogenase in cell-free extracts of methanol-grown Candida biodinii and Pichia pinus for S-formylglutathione were also an order of magnitude lower than those for formate. It is concluded that S-formylglutathione rather than free formate is an intermediate in the oxidation of methanol by yeasts.


Surface coat transformation and capsule formation by Leuconostoc mesenteroides NCDO 523 in the presence of sucrose.

When Leuconostoc mesenteroides NCDO 523 was grown in MRS browth, electron microscopy of cells fixed in the presence of ruthenium red showed that the cell wall was covered with a thin layer of filamentous material. When MRS-grown cells were resuspended in the same medium supplemented with 3.6% sucrose, this surface coat doubled in thickness and a number of radial thickenings appeared within it. After 3 h, the filamentous component of the surface coat had disappeared leaving only the radial projections. The progressive accumulation of polymer to produce a capsule visible by light microscopy was observed in only about 20% of the population. In this minority of cells, a dense globular dextran composed of fibrillar and particulate elements was always produced in the initial stages of synthesis. After 18 h, the dextran capsule was generally composed of an inner globular and outer fibrillar layer. It appeared that the outer layer was derived from the globular dextran of the capsule by a process of dispersion.


[LD50 values and selenium concentration in rabbit organs after parenteral administration of sodium selenite and determination of toxicity of urososelevit pro inj].

The LD50-values of sodium selenite after i/m injection to rabbits was determined by means of probit-regression straight line. Simultaneously a combination of vitamin E and sodium selenite was tested for toxicity in order to examine the effect of vitamin E on the selenium toxicity. The LD50/24h was 2.53 mg sodium selenite/kg body mass and in combination with vitamin E (30 IU vitamin E/5 mg NaSeO3) 2.73 mg/kg. Furthermore the selenium concentration was determined in blood, liver, kidney and muscles of animals which died or were killed after 24 h respectively. Not only chemical analysis but also relations of time-dose-efficiency and significantly increased LD50-values show a certain protective effect of vitamin E on selenium intoxication.


[Effect of noise on the physiological functions in fowl. 1. Effect of primary strong noise on the 11-OHKS level in broilers and leghorns].

The effects of first noises on broilers and white leghorns were tested by plasma levels on 11-hydroxycorticosteroid (11-OHKS). The noises were 100 dB, 60 to 8,00 Hz, and applied 30 minutss to one group of broilers, aged 14, 28, and 56 days, and to another group of broilers and white leghorns in adult age. The reactions were compared. Acoustic stimulation was followed by temporary activation of the hypothalamic pituitary-suprarenal system. The rise of the plasma glucocorticosteroid level in leghorns was three times as high as that in adult broilers, which was interpreted as a reflection of stronger organic stress. Reactions differed in intensity, depending on age as well. Plasma-11-OHKS levels went up by 32 per cent maximum in broilers aged 56 days or by 73 per cent in animals aged 14 days or 120 per cent in those aged 28 days. The above results seemed to support the conclusion that noises of the above quantity and quality represented stress on fowl.


[Effect of noise on the physiological functions in fowl. 2. Adaptation to noise of white leghorns and broilers].

Two experimental groups and series were compared (leghorns and broilers as well as two age groups of broilers) for their adaptive responses to repeated noise application. The noise was 100 dB and applied daily 30 minutes. The reference for comparison was the plasma-11-hydroxycorticosteroid concentration (11-OHKS). The results differed somewhat from those obtained earlier from one first short-time noise application, in that the rise in plasma glucocorticosteroid concentrations dropped from 431 to 210 per cent of the initial values in adult leghorns exposed to repeated noise stress over seven days. Adult broilers, however, did not exhibit any difference in the magnitude of rise of 11-OHKS concentrations by comparison between first and seven days of repeated stress. The initial values, however, were reached earlier by repeated noise application.


[Effect of noise on the physiological functions in fowl. 3. Effects of primary and repetitive acoustic stimulation on glucose and free-fatty-acid plasma levels in broilers of different age groups].

The effects of first and repetitive noise applications to broilers, aged 14, 28, and 56 days, were tested by the responses of the energetic substrates plasma glucose concentration and free fatty acids. The plasma concentrations of glucose and free fatty acids in broilers at slaughter age with no exposure to noise were higher than those in younger animals. Regular daily noise application of 100 dB, 60 to 8,000 Hz, for 30 minutes, which began on the first day of age, led to rises in the plasma glucose levels of animals aged 56 and 28 days even prior to renewed acoustic stimulation, which obviously was a conditioned reflex. Such rises were accompanied by decline in plasma concentrations of free fatty acids, which phenomenon was attributed to higher initial values of plasma glucose. First as well as repetitive noise application led to changes in the plasma content of energetic substrates. Both the direction and magnitude of the reaction appeared to depend on the given initial value. The plasma level responses of glucose and free fatty acids were opposite to one another in all animals, 56 days of age, which were exposed to repeated noise.


[Comparative morphological studies on the vascular systems of testes in cattle, swine, horse and dog under functional conditions].

The metacrylate and latex corrosion techniques were used to establish that the vascular system of testes is based on one coherent principle in common domestic mammals. The cone-shaped Plexus pampiniformis consists of numerous venous rami, between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm in thickness and forming a dense vascular network, which practically encase the spiral-shaped A. spermatica interna (cooling coil principle). The testicular veins and arteries in the Tunica albuginea constitute a somewhat voluminous layer of vessels for dissipation of heat, with rami branching off radially into the testicular parenchyma. Most of the artieral rami with radial penetration of the testicular parenchyma turn towards the surface in the mediastinum testis for three-shape ramification. The vascular rami are characterised by countless meanders, primarily for temperature control, pulse flattening for more regular and even blood flow, and blood reflex pumping.


[Endocrine and sperminogenic testicular function. 7. Relationship between testicular and plasma androgen concentrations in boars of different ages].

Testicular tissue and blood samples (V. spermatica interna) were taken from 32 boars during castration. The animals were of different age groups. Against this background, comparative studies were conducted into the relationships between testicular and plasma testosterone. A very close correlation was found to exist between the androgen values in testicular tissue and those in the blood plasma of V. spermatica interna (r = 0.9795), wich appeared to support the conclusion that by determination of blood plasma the androgen content in the testes can be established with high probability.


[Endocrine and sperminogenic testicular function. 8. Relationships between testicular and plasma testosterone concentrations as well as between the number of Leydig cells in testicular tissue and their cell nucleus volume in boars of different ages].

Testicular tissue and blood samples (V. spermatica interna) were taken from 32 boars during castration. The animals were different age groups. Against this background, studies were conducted into the correlations between testicular and plasma testosterone, on the one hand, and the amount of interstitial cells of Leydig in testicular tissue as well as the latters' cell nuclei volumes, on the other. The results seemed to support the conclusion that any age-dependent increase of testicular and plasma testosterone concentrations was caused unambigously by an absolute increase in volume of androgenic testicular tissue, in concomitance with testicular growth, in other words, by rise in the total number of interstitial cells of Leydig.


[Determination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in cattle and swine erythrocytes using the optical test under optimal measuring conditions].

To find out optimal measuring conditions for determination of G-6-PDH-activity in erythrocytes of cattle and pigs by means of the optical test the dependence from nature, concentration and pH of buffer surroundings as well as from concentration of substrate (G-6-P), coenzyme (NADP) and activator (Mg++) was studied. From the results obtained, best reaction conditions for determination of G-6-PDH-activity in this species exist taking the following composition of the measuring sample (final concentration): 120 mM TRIS/HCl-buffer, pH 9.0; 10 mM MgSO4; 2 mM G-6-P; 0.2 mM NADP and 0.1 ml haemolysate in 3.0 ml of the measuring volume. The influence of an optimal planning of the reaction conditions on registration of G-6-PDH-activity in erythrocytes of the farming animals is discussed.


[Hereditary fructose intolerance with early onset].

Four cases of hereditary fructose intolerance with an early onset are reported. The features of acute liver failure in the neonatal period include a haemorrhagic syndrome, collapse, neurological features, hypoglycaemia, disturbed bleeding and clotting studies and abnormal liver function tests. Investigations into the aetiology include a search for bacterial or viral infection but particularly for a metabolic cause: especially for hereditary fructose intolerance which may be difficult to distinguish from tyrosinosis. Finally, methods of treatment are discussed: continuous glucose infusion, exchange transfusion, assisted ventilation, and dietary measures beginning with protein exclusion. The importance of careful observation is stressed (particularly sequential studies of bloodclotting factors).


[HL-A antigens in dust allergy in children].

The distribution of 29 HLA antigens has been compared in 60 unrelated children presenting a dust allergy and in 300 healthy controls. We observed an increased frequency for HLA-Aw19 and HLA-B5 in patients. Yet, the differences are not very significant and there is probably no association between one HLA gene and the dust allergy.


[Study of orosomucoid in the newborn. Value in the diagnosis of bacterial infections].

The seromucoid concentration was estimated in 131 newborn infants who were divided into four groups (controls, dysmature-postmature, infected, miscellaneous). Elevation of seromucoids suggested neonatal bacterial infection. The non-specific nature of the elevation is compensated for by the ease and the speed of obtaining a result.


[Acute intermittent porphyria at 4 months of age].

Acute intermittent porphyria was diagnosed in a child who presented with an acute abdomen and neurological signs of the age of four months. The diagnosis was confirmed by the absence of uroporphyrinogen synthetase in the erythrocytes. The rarity of the disorder at this age is emphasised.


Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of the human ceruminous apocrine gland. I. Secretory glandular cells.

The secretory portion of the apocrine sweat gland of the human external auditory meatus which is also called the ceruminous gland was observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The secretory glandular cells contain a well developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum are often closely applied to large round mitochondria. These large mitochondria have no relationship to the secretory granules. Near the concave surface of the Golgi lamellae several tubules can be found. In these golgi-associated tubules a dark substance may accumulate to form specific large dense granules. Many less dense droplets or vacuoles may appear in these dark prosecretory granules and become liberated from their surface. Vacuoles formed in this manner then migrate to the apical cell surface and often discharge their contents into the gland lumen by the mechanism of exocytosis. Also, some of these vacuoles may be released into the lumen by the pinching off of small protrusions of cytoplasm, that is, they are released by the so-called apocrine secretory mechanism. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated not only in the dark prosecretory granules but also in clear vacuoles situated at the apical end of the cell and in the gland lumen. Such a histochemical finding may indicate that the secretory substance of the apocrine sweat gland may contain hydrolytic enzymes derived from lysosomes, which are the prosecretory granules of this gland, and these enzymes may play a role in dissolution and break down of the material extruded into the lumen by apocrine secretion. Apocrine secretory process of various sizes were observed on the luminal surface with the scanning electron microscope.


Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of the human ceruminous apocrine gland. II. Myoepithelial cells.

The myoepithelial cells of the human ceruminous apocrine gland were observed with transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The myoepithelial cells are long fibrous cells about 100-150 mum in length and 3-5 mum in width. They are arranged in parallel with each other, and their long axes are parallel to that of the secretory tubule itself. The tips of cells are often sharply pointed and their lateral tapering surface may be contiguous with adjacent cells forming a side-by-side contact, while other cells may have a blunt tip which is conjuncted with a similar tip of the next cell forming an end-to-end junction. The myoepithelial cells are joined to each other by desmosomes and there are also desmosomes at their junction with secretory cells. The outer surface of the cell abutting on the basal lamina has some exaggerated densities which are undoubtedly identical to the hemidesmosomes of epidermal cells. There are well developed foldings in the plasma membrane of the secretory cells, but the surface of the myoepithelial cells has very few foldings and projections. The relative shortage of intercellular attachment devices between the secretory and myeopithelial cells makes it easy to peel off the secretory cells to disclose the myoepithelium, a useful feature of scanning electron microscopy. The nucleus-containing part of the cell protrudes slightly upward and invades the secretory epithelium. The cytoplasmic rim surrounding the nucleus contains a small Golgi apparatus and some other organelles. The cytoplasm of the basal half of the cell contains closely packed myofilaments running parallel to the long axis of the cell. There is no definite arrangement of thin and thick myofilaments. Microtubules which often occur in pairs are arranged parallel to the myofilaments.


An electron microscopic study on the innervation in the taste buds of the mouse circumvallate papillae.

Taste buds of the mouse circumvallate papillae were studied by electron microscopy to elucidate the innervation involving the adrenergic nerve supply. Typical afferent synaptic contacts, with increased density of the membranes and aggregations of synaptic vesicles in the cytoplasm adjacent to the nerve endings, were demonstrated between the type III cells and the nerve endings. Along the regions of contact between the type II cells and the nerve endings, cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum were often seen beneath the cell membrane, and the nerve endings contained relatively many synaptic-sized vesicles. Such an innervation seems to be efferent in nature. For the detection of the adrenergic nerve supply, 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OH-DA) was injected after pretreatment with L-DOPA and nialamide. The mice showed numerous adrenergic nerve fibers in the connective tissue underlying the taste buds. On very few occasions, the adrenergic nerves penetrated the basal lamina of the taste buds and came into contact with the bud cells. Some adrenergic nerves were distributed among the epithelial cells around the taste buds. The reaction product from acetylcholine esterase activity was found around the adrenergic nerve fibers labeled with 5-OH-DA.


Microcirculation of the rat small intestine as studied by the injection replica scanning electron microscope method.

Mucosal blood supply in the rat small intestine was studied by the injection replica scanning electron microscope method. The blood vascular plexus in the villus is originated at the tip of the villus and confluenced near the base of the villus. This supports the classical "fountain pattern" of MALL in the villous microcirculation. The capillary plexus in the crypt is derived at the base of the crypt and converged near the base of the crypt. The capillary plexuses in the villus and the crypt communicate with each other. It is considered that the basal segment of the villus, where the arterial termination is lacking, is supplied by the cryptal capillaries via this communication.


Scanning electron microscopic study on the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout.

Both free and cracked surfaces of the saccus vasculosus in adult rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The saccus vasculosus is the rich-folded epithelium composed of highly specialized coronet cells, supporting cells, and presumable liquor-contact neurons. The coronet cells are characterized by both numerous specialized cilia, so-called "globules" projecting into the saccus lumen and abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. By the appearance of these globules, coronet cells are roughly divided into two types: botryoidal coronet cells and flower-like. The former is supplied with grape-shaped globules, whose density is 60-80 pieces a cell. The latter contains club- or petal-shaped globules, which number 50-60 pieces a cell. The functional significance of these globules is additionally discussed. The free surface of the supporting cells is relatively smooth, and short microvilli lie scattered on the surface. The cells called liquor-contact neurons (the third type) possess a head-like protrusion where long solitary cilia can be recognized.


Changes in glucoamylase activity under the influence of drugs affecting the adrenergic receptors in myocardium and skeletal muscle.

The activity of neutral glucoamylase and alpha-amylase were determined in the myocardium and skeletal muscle after in vivo pharmacologic stimulation of adrenergic receptors. The activity changes of these enzymes were found to not always occur parallelly. The activity of both these enzymes is decreased under beta-agonistic influence of isoprenaline, adrenaline, as well as under the influence of acetylcholine. On the other hand, alpha-agonistic function of phenylephrine mainly results in the increase of neutral glucoamylase activity. Similar effects are obtained by suprarenal ligation. The above pharmacological effects did not appear when the said pharmacologic drugs were added to incubated muscle extracts.


Synthesis and pharmacologic properties of pyridoyl derivatives of 3-methylaminoindole 2-methyltryptamine and isotryptamine.

Six new pyridoyl derivatives of 3-methylaminoindole, 2-methyltryptamine and isotryptamine were synthesized by condensation with chlorides of nicotinic and isonicotinic acids. The central action of these compounds seems to depress the central nervous system, as they reduce spontaneous motility (I, II, IV, V, VI) and amphetamine hypermotility (II, IV, V), prolong hexobarbital sleeping time (II, IV, V, VI), display analgesic action in the "writhing test" (all compounds) and in the "hot plate test" (IV, V). The compounds do not change body temperature and display no anticonvulsant action.


Potential acetylcholinesterase reactivators: oxime and amidoxime derivatives.

Out of 12 oximes and amidoximes (3 of which were new to the literature) the following showed a distinct antilethal effect in DFP poisoning: RA14 (1-methylbenzimidazole-2-aldoxime methiodide), RA14 (pyridine-4-aldoxime dodecyl bromide), and RA24 (pyridine-2-aldoxime dodecyl bromide). These compounds also reactivated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in vitro, but had no effect on this enzyme in vivo. Moreover, addition of the dodecyl chain to pyridinealdoxtimes, or in a less degree replacement of the pyridine ring with benzimidazole in aldoximes, distinctly increased acute toxicity and lipophilicity when compared with the parent pyridine compounds, along with protective action in DFP poisoning.


Evaluation of the influence of epoxide resins and their hardeners on the female body. II. Biochemical studies.

In women employed in an industrial plant in direct contact with epoxide resins and their hardeners, the following biochemical parameters were determined in blood: total protein, seromucoid, haptoglobin, hemoglobin variants, methemoglobin, alpha1-inhibitor of trypsin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline and acid phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, leucylaminopeptidase, and alanine aminopeptidase. Depending on duration of work, Hb A2 fraction and lactate dehydrogenase increased significantly, and aspartate aminotransferase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased. In pregnant women, leucylaminopeptidase activity and isozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase were decreased.


Hydroproteolytic activity of the pancreas after single or fractionated x-ray irradiation of rats.

The enzymic activity of lipase, lysosomal markers (beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase) and cathepsin was checked in the pancreatic subcellular fraction of control and whole-body X-irradiated rats. Incubation of granules (zymogen and mitochondrial fraction) under hypoosmotic conditions resulted in greater activity of lipase and cathepsin in the irradiated than in the control group. However, formation of different pattern of enzymatic activity was found (both in the sediments and in the supernatant) in single and fractionated irradiated pancreas.


Flashbacks: a personal follow-up.

During the period 1971-1973, it was found that 53 out of 91 young drug abusers in a psychiatric hospital had experienced flashbacks. This applied to as many as 50 out of the 65 patients who had used LSD, but also to abusers of organic solvents and cannabis. As many as 38% of the patients were found to be severely incapacitated by their flashbacks. On a personal follow-up 1 1/2-4 years after the first therapeutic contact, 35 patients were still troubled by flashbacks. On the whole reactions were less intense than at the time of the first contact. No relation between the flashbacks and protracted psychotic development could be established. The overall clinical and social course was worse for patients with flashbacks than for the rest of the population. Patients still bothered by flashbacks used drugs and alcohol as sedatives to a greater extent than the rest.


Restricted associations of aphasics and schizophrenics.

Matched groups (N = 25) of fluent and nonfluent aphasics, brain-damaged and normal controls as well as schizophrenics were requested to name (1) as many animals and (2) as many things that are typically yellow as possible within 5 min. The main results of Gloning & Müller (1972) as to smaller numbers of correct responses, higher percentages of repetitions, shorter association clusters, and higher popularity in aphasics could be replicated for animal task. Comparing the data from both tasks for fluent and nonfluent aphasics with the various control groups led to considerable doubts as to what extent these results follow directly from quantitative differences in verbal output or have to be interpreted as qualitative differences in memory storage, retrieval, and self-editing processes.


[Dysfunctions of space perception and spatial ability in schizophrenia (author's transl)].

Thirty-seven acute schizophrenics and 25 normal subjects were investigated with regard to their spatial perception, representation, and their spatial ability, Schizophrenics showed significantly poorer performances (in terms of quantity) in those variables, which characterized the ocular apprehension of structures and wholes, the relation of parts to a whole, or the analysis of a whole in its various components as well as the availability of visual engrams, partly in the sense of spatial representation, and the practical realization of imagined spatial configurations. On the other hand, in ocular apprehension, interpretation, and when necessary the practical realization of two-dimensional represented spatial symbols and configurations and perspective abilities there was only statistical trend for quantitatively poorer performances in schizophrenics compared with healthy persons. Factor analysis of the intercorrelation matrices for 14 variables separated out the same 4 factors in each group for space perception and spatial ability. In spite of the demonstrated "quantitative" differences for the single variables between the two groups a marked similarity in a "qualitative" sense was found, when the two-factor structures were compared mathematically (similarity coefficient: 0.664). In order to specify these differences, 56 schizophrenics were classified as paranoid or nonparanoid and investigated in the above-mentioned manner. While these groups did not show any significant quantitative difference concerning their performances at variable level, they showed entirely different structures using factor analysis. Spatial perception of the paranoid schizophrenics seemed less structured and their perceptual conception less systematical. On the other hand, when factor structures from nonparanoids and healthy controls were compared mathematically, both groups showed a marked similarity (0.783). An attempt was made to relate these results to other findings of literature and to theories of cognitive and perceptual dysfunctions of schizophrenics.


[Methodologic studies of the Hamilton rating scale for depression (author's transl)].

Within the scope of psychopharmacologic therapies, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was applied 3 times on each of 197 psychiatric patients. An extended version (24 symptoms) of the Hamilton Scale was employed, which included the original symptoms. Various formal analyses (frequency of symptoms, influence of sex, item analyses, estimation of reliability, factor analysis) allow the following conclusions: With the original version, the single factor solution is the most consistent; several factors are not acceptable. With the extended version (used in the U.S.A.) the single factor solution can be equally recommended, but the two factor solution could also be taken into consideration, whereby a distinction is made between retarded depression and somatic depression aspects. The total score of the Hamilton Scale is satisfactorily consistent and hardly dependent on sex.


[Comparative investigations of psychoses in parents, children and siblings (author's transl)].

Psychoses in 441 hospital patients from 210 families have been investigated comparatively. In 106 families 109 parents and 117 children suffer as do 215 siblings in 104 families. It has been established that the sexual appurtenance does not have a decisive importance in the genetic transmission of the psychoses, while comparing the diagnoses, a high percentage (84.5%) of coincidence is founded. Similarities appear in the clinical features, in their course, and the therapeutical effect. The psychoses begin at an earlier age and are taking a heavier course in children, when compared to parents and in the younger brothers and sisters when compared to the elder. In couples with different diagnoses, a similarity is determined as far as the investigated indices are concerned. The clinical features are atypical and symptoms and syndromes, characteristic for the different families, are manifested.


[Visual stabilization of free stance in infants: a sign of maturity (author's transl)].

The development of the visual contribution to postural stabilization has been tested using a large visual display rotating around the stationary subject's line of sight. This, in the adult, causes a marked optokinetic postural reaction with a shift of the body center of gravity toward the direction of pattern motion. Scalings of the reactions in children between 6 months and 16 years revealed three phases of development: (1) 6--12-month-old-babies show none or very little optokinetic disturbance of their newly acquired ability to sit. With the development of upright stance and gait, optokinetic influences become increasingly important. (2) Children between the age of 2--5 show a marked dependence of postural stability on vision. In them, the disturbing optokinetic stimulus leads to a marked ipsilateral postural deviation or irresistible fall. (3) From 5 to 15 years of age, visual effects on postural balance slowly decrease to their final strength in adulthood--moderate head and body tilt--in response to the rotating stimulus. It is concluded that the optokinetic loop participates rather late in the multisensory process of postural stabilization. The calibration of the three main loops, visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive, seems to be sequential and mutually interactive. Optimal functioning requires the continuous evaluation of the reafferent sensory consequences of self-generated body movements. Optokinetic destabilization of stance requires the maturity of opto-vestibulo-spinal pathways. Its clinical applicability as a maturity test, however, sofar seems limited.


Effects of selective sleep deprivation on sleep-linked prolactin and growth hormone secretion.

1. The secretion of prolactin and growth-hormone (hGH) was investigated during sleep in 10 healthy volunteers (8 males and 2 females): The comparison of one baseline night, one night after daytime physical exercise, and one night with selective deprivation of sleep stages 3 and 4 and paradoxical sleep showed clear differences of prolactin and hGH secretion during sleep. 2. Prolactin secretion is entrained into the sleep cycle of Non-REM and REM periods. A maximum of plasma hormone elevations occurs during the first quarter of sleep cycles, i.e., during Non-REM periods and less frequent rises at the end of the cycles, mainly during REM periods. 3. In contrast to growth hormone, concentrations of prolactin remain high also during later cycles occurring toward morning. This shows that high prolactin, but not high concentrations of hGH, regularly occur during sleep cycles with small amounts of slow-wave sleep. 4. Maximal prolactin concentrations during sleep are affected neither by preceding daytime physical exercise nor by selective deprivation of slow sleep stages 3 and 4. This is further evidence that slow-wave sleep stages are not necessary for the development of high plasma prolactin concentrations. However, peak values of growth hormone in the first and second cycle are significantly diminished after selective deprivation of sleep stages 3 and 4. 5. In abnormally long sleep cycles with artificial delay of the first REM period, the cyclical rhythmicity of prolactin release seems disturbed. This is further evidence for the sleep-dependent rhythmicity in the secretion of this hormone.


[Concepts of psychiatric diagnoses: a further investigation of the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses (author's transl)].

A total of 128 physicians and psychologists, working in six psychiatric hospitals, were asked to allocate 10 psychiatric diagnoses on the basis of typical clinical criteria (symptoms, course of illness, etiological and anamnestic data), with which they were supplied. The correct diagnosis was made in 45.3%, while in 82% the broad diagnostic group was correctly ascribed. The respondents were divided into two groups, according to the amount of diagnostic data they had been given (though in fact the information necessary for differential diagnosis was given equally to both groups). The group which made diagnosis on the grounds of more comprehensive data (ten characteristic diagnostic items) did significantly worse them the group which had few data (six characteristic items). The stereotypes for mania, endogenous depression, obsessional-compulsive neurosis, and antisocial personality disorder were correctly defined by 75% of more of the respondents. The profiles of the remaining six diagnostic groups were associated with the corresponding diagnoses by 50% or fewer of the respondents.


[Autoradiographic investigations in repeated experimental brain concussion (author's transl)].

Single brain concussion in rabbits causes an increased proliferation of glial and mesenchymal cells. Repeated experimental concussions in rabbits (3 times at intervals of 24 h) led to an increased incorporation of H3-thymidine in glial and mesenchymal cells with a maximum at 48 h after the third concussion. This is interpreted as an indication of increased cell proliferation. The first and the second concussion did not cause a comparable reaction, thus suggesting that concussions may inhibit DNA synthesis under the conditions of our experimental setup. When the concussions were induced at an interval of 48 h the result was different: 48 h after each concussion we found an increase of labeled cells compared with the controls. After the second concussion the reaction was still more enhanced compared with the reaction following the first concussion. In contrast to this the number of labeled cells after the third concussion was significantly decreased compared with those after the second one. Parallels with pugilistic encephalopathy are discussed.


Season of birth and Schneider-oriented diagnosis of schizophrenia, "neurosis" and psychopathy.

Most earlier studies and all studies on national samples in Scandinavia and in England and Wales have shown that schizophrenics have a significant excess of births in the early months of the year when compared with the expected distribution of the normal population. The present German study, carried out on schizophrenic patients diagnosed in a strongly Kurt Schneider--oriented clinic, in contrast to almost all other authors, demonstrated no such significant overrepresentation of births in the winter months. Thus, the findings of Danneel's (1973) German report, also utilizing Schneider-diagnosed schizophrenics, seem, at least for the present, to be confirmed.


[Clinical observations on the psychopathology of amnesic episodes (transient global amnesia) (author's transl)].

Observations obtained by psychopathologic examination and some psychologic testing of two patients in the course of amnesic episodes (transient global amnesia) are presented and discussed. In both cases the psychopathologic findings are those of a reversible isolated amnesic syndrome, characterized by diffuse retrograde amnesia and recent memory deficit, whereas immediate and remote (personal) memory are preserved. Stereotype questions, disorientation in time, and--in one case--anxious restlessness, which accompany the amnesic syndrome, are probably due to impaired memory and the patient's awareness of it. This typical syndrome allows differentiation of amnesic episodes from other types of amnesia. In the first case, which had been under clinical observation from the beginning to the end of the amnesic episode, a special evolution of the event could be ascertained. The acute amnesic episode reached its climax with a certain delay and thereafter decreased gradually. It can be presumed that--at least during the remission phase in the second case--the ability of recall is impaired rather than that of registration and retention. Other findings obtained in the second case--and compared with observations in the literature--point out that in the phase of remission the timespan of retrieval seems to become longer and, in respect to previously applied sensory modalities, improves in a different manner.


[Isobutylene diurea as a new source of NPN for ruminants. 1. Nitrogen balance and plasma amino acid composition after feeding of isobutylene diurea to sheep].

The paper first presents a survey of the existing literature where studies on the effects of isobutylidene diurea (IBDH) as NPN source for ruminants are discussed. Following this the authors discuss their own experiments on IBDH turnover. IBDH showed no toxi cation when tested in toxicity studies with rats which were carried out under standardized conditions. Within the framework of metabolism trial 4 growing male sheep (average liveweight: 30 kg) were fed a semisynthetic diet containing IBDH as sole N source. Each animal received 60 g IBDH per day. The average value for the apparent N digestibility was found to be 77.6%, the percentage for the average N ballance was 27.6%. The blood of the sheep was investigated, on a comparative basis, for the behaviour of free amino acids after the administration of an experimental semisynthetic diet containing IBDH or extracted soya bean meal as sole N source. The use of IBDH produced a higher concentration of free amino acids and a five-fold increase if urea concentrations in the blood plasma but reduced the Asp, Cys and Tyr levels when compared with the feeding of extracted soya bean meal. Similarly, IBDH supplementation increased the relative proportions of Gly, Lys, and His in blood plasma but reduced those of Asp, Val and Tyr. A positive relationship between the rate of IBDH hydrolysis and the decrease in pH was found in experiments studying the hydrolysis behaviour of IBDH at pH values from 1-7.


[Histological studies on cow intestinal mucosa and electron microscopic studies of the ruminal epithelium of cows fed a deficient diet for a prolonged time].

Histological and histochemical studies were carried out on the gastro-intestinal mucosa of three experimental cows (roughages/maize silage) and three control animals. The animals were slaughtered on termination of the long-term trial. Mucosa samples were taken, for further study, from the rumen, the duodenum, the jejunum, the large intestine and the appendix. Histochemical analysis did not reveal any essential differences in the activities of non-specific esterase, alkaline and acid phosphatase and lactic acid dehydrogenase in the mucosa of the rumen, the large and the small intestine and the appendix of both the experimental animals and the controls. The experimental animals were found to exhibit a higher rate of glutamate-dehydrogenase activity in the ruminal mucosa and in the mucosa of the large and small intestine. A higher succinate dehydrogenase activity was observed in the ruminal mucosa of the experimental animals, relative to that of the controls, while the activity in the intestinal mucosa was decreased. Only slight changes were noted in the activity of the enzymatic systems tested. Electron microscopic studies did not reveal any differences in the ultrastructure of the epithelial cells of the ruminal mucosa in both the experimental animal and the controls.


[Excessive oral administration of iron to sheep. 1. Digestibility of rations, results of fattening and carcass yields].

4 digestibility trials (4 male sheep per group) and 2 growth trials were carried out with 24 (V 1) and 32 (V 2) fattening lambs to investigate the effect of abundant oral Fe doses on the digestibility of crude nutrients in a ration of barley + dried green feed and on the results of fattening and carcass yields. Fe supplementation (less than 1400 mg per sheep/day) did not significantly change the digestibility coefficients of crude nutrients. Increasing Fe levels in the concentrates decreased the rates of liveweight increase and food consumption in both growth trials. Well-established statistical evidence was provided for the decline in absolute carcass yields resulting from the lower weight of the lambs at the end of the fattening period after Fe supplementation.


[Nickel content in the milk of lactating rats under intake of various amounts of nickel].

Model experiments were carried out with rats showing that the average Ni concentrations in the milk of the experimental animals receiving a Ni deficient diet (40 ppb of dietary Ni), relative to those of the controls (20 ppm), declined from 1088 ng/g to 726 ng/g (33%). This produced a Ni deficiency in the youngs of the rats resulting in retarded growth, reduced Fe absorption and a decline in enzymatic activity. An increase in the Ni content of the milk from both the experimental animals and the controls was observed during lactation. In the Ni deficient group this upward trend was longer noticeable from about the middle of the lactation period onwards. Animals in the Ni deficient group excreted about three times as much Ni through the milk as was ingested with the food. Because of the wide range of deviations of the Ni content in the different animals the Ni content of the milk cannot be used, under practical conditions, as an index of a state of Ni deficiency.


[The problem of the use of urea in feeding swine].

For a period of 9 days growing fattening pigs (with liveweights ranging from 40 to 50 kgs were fed a ration of autumn barley, dried skim mild and wheat gluten supplemented with 0.5% of 15N labelled urea (12.5% of the total N). The N balance and the rate of 15N protein retention as well as the rates of protein and amino acid synthesis in the different organs and tissues of the carcasses were estimated by emission spectrometry after amino acid fractionation. On an average, 19.3% of the ingested urea were retained, while only 4% N were retained in the essential amino acids found in the carcasses. This proportion will, to a large extent, result from transamination processes and, to a lesser extent, from microbia synthesis. From this it may be concluded that urea N does not induce any appreciable synthesis of amino acids in pigs so that urea cannot be regarded as a suitable substitute for protein feeds in the feeding of monogastric animals.


[The substitution of lysine supplemented high protein wheat for protein feeds during the rearing and laying periods of hens. 8. Nitrogen excretion and true amino acid digestibility as an effect of various lysine levels and successive laying periods].

Digestibility trials were performed with laying hens receiving 3 types of rations containing equal proportions of the same dietary components. The percentage of high-protein wheat in these rations was 74%. Ration I was supplemented with 0.12% lysine while 0.06% lysine was added to ration II; ration III remained unsupplemented. The crude protein content of rations 1 to 3 was 16.1%, 16.5% and 16.6%, respectively. The corresponding lysine percentages were 0.66, 0.62 and 0.56. Studies were made to investigate the influence of different lysine levels on the rate of N excretion and various amino acid data. These studies were carried out during two successive laying periods. Only random differences between the data for urinary N excretion and N balances per kg liveweight were obtained in the two laying periods and for the different lysine levels. The true lysine digestibility was significantly lower in the poor-lysine ration as compared with the ration with 0.66% lysine. Moreover, the absorptive capacity for thio-amino acids is influenced by the lysine level of the ration. The proportion of lysine contained in faecal crude protein increased with the decreasing lysine content of the ration. Similarly, the total number of amino acids present in faecal crude protein increased with the declining supply of lysine. These findings suggest that relatively more NPN compounds are excreted in the faeces if adequate amounts of amino acids are supplied rather than when one amino acid is deficient.


[The substitution of protein feed by lysine supplemented high protein wheat during the rearing and laying period in hens. 9. True amino acid digestibility of rations with varying lysine levels in hens who had a colostomy].

24 experimental birds were fed the same basal ration containing 74% high-protein wheat, 4% extracted soya bean meal, 7% extracted groundnut meal, 2% feed yeast, 1.75% dried green meal, 1.25% mixed vitamins and 10% of a mineral mixture. The birds were placed in 4 groups each comprising 6 hens. The first two groups received an optimum of lysine (0.68%) added to the ration. The rations for the two other groups contained 0.55% lysine. 6 birds of each group receiving either the lysinesupplemented or the unsupplemented rations were colostomated to investigate in which way the hydrolysed urine would affect the true amino acid digestibility. 8.3% of urinary N from the total amount of faecal N were precipitated as uranyl acetate in the faeces of hens fed the lysine-supplemented ration as compared with 7.3% urinary N in birds receiving the unsupplemented ration. The corresponding figures for non-precipitable faecal N were 8.9% and 8.2%. A comparison was made between the levels of amino acids excreted by colostomated and non-colostomated hens showing that 12.4% +/- 3% and 11.7% +/- 3% more amino acids (figures for the supplemented and unsupplemented rations) were excreted in the presence of urine. On the basis of these results the authors recommend that only colostomated hens should be used in digestibility and total metabolism trials.


[Studies on methods for the determination of amino acid requirements for metabolic balance based on the oxidation rate of 14C labeled lysine to 14CO2].

Male experimental rats (100 gm liveweight) were distributed into 10 groups of 8 animals each and received balanced diets, with the exception of lysine which was added to the diets in graded amounts in such a way that the lysine content of the diets ranged from 2.44 to 5.92 gm/16 gm N. After a feeding period of 7 days the animals received 3H- and 14C lysine injected intraperitoneally, 4 animals of each group were investigated for the total CO2 excretion and 14CO2 excretion during the first 2 hrs after the injection and for the urinary excretion of radioactivity (48 hours). The remaining animals in each group were used for determining the plasma amino acids and for establishing the specific radioactivity of free lysine in the liver and muscles after an 1-hour incorporation period. Total CO2 excretion was not found to be influenced by the lysine contents while the level of excretion of 14C activity through CO2 and that of specific 14C activity of CO2 increased with increasing lysine concentrations. This produced a broken curve pattern, showing an increased release of 14CO2 (under maintenance conditions) if the diet contained 4 gm lysine/16 gm N and more. Investigations for the specific 14C activity of free lysine in the liver, the main site of lysine oxidation, showed that the increase in 14CO2 release was due to an enhanced rate of lysine catabolism and was not brought about by changes in the pool volume or in specific radioactivity. The levels of urinary 14C excretion were not found to be related to the lysine content of the diets, whereas the curve pattern of 3H excretion observed 5 to 8 hrs after injection was similar to that of 14CO2 excretion. The lysine content of blood plasma and the content of free lysine in the liver increased continuously with increasing levels of dietary lysine. The methodological studies made in the present paper showed that in scientific research a determination of amino acid requirements on the basis of CO2 oxidation data may be a very exact and sensitive method. It will also yield values for maintenance requirements.