[Quantitative analysis of absorption spectra and spectra of magneto-optical rotatory dispersion of hemoproteins with reference to zero-field splitting. I. Analysis of the divalentcation of deuteroporphyrin in the Q-band region].

I. Analysis of the dication of deuteroporphyrin in the Q-band region. Methods for quantitative analysis of absorption spectra and magneto-optical rotatory dispersion with regard to zero-field splitting of a nearly degenerated term for the latter are described. The methods are based on adaptation of band-form functions to the spectrum using the principle of least squares. Calculation of the zero-field splitting utilizes the formalism evolved by Stephens for strictly degenerated terms (A-terms in the magneto-optical spectrum) which has been further developed to a band-form function depending on zero-field splitting. The curve-form function of the modified A-term contains 4 parameters (zero-field splitting, rotational strength, band width, and the maximum of the band) which have been determined by a computer program. The oscillator and the dipole strength of absorption bands to be calculated simultaneously with the program allows the determination of the magnetic orbital moments of the terms. Exemplified by the dication of deuteroporphyrindimethylester, the significance of zero-field splitting for the recognition of the exact molecule symmetry is demonstrated, and a model of the molecular structure is proposed.


Seasonal reproductive periodicity and thyroid fluctuations in female Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti.

Seasonal reproductive rhythmicity and concomitant thyroid fluctuations have been studied in the female Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti. The majority of the squirrels enter estrus during March and April when ovarian follicles attain maximum diameter. Ovulation starts in April and continues till June. A large number of degenerating follicles, indicating decline in ovarian functions, is a characteristic feature of the ovary in August. Minimum percent thyroid 131I uptake is recorded during May and June, i.e. at the onset of mating season. In July, which also marked the gestation period in the majority of the squirrels dissected, thyroid activity significantly increases. Gonadal regression begins in August and this is accompanied by corresponding fall in the thyroid 131I uptake. Alterations in thyroid cytoarchitecture during different months of the year are in accordance with the results obtained from radioiodine uptake studies. Fluctuations in thyroid functions during gonadal regression, recrudescence and peak gonadal activity are discussed in the present communication.


Folding crystallization of DNA. Circular dichroism studies.

CD spectra of DNA monocrystals are extremely different from spectra of psi-DNA or DNA-histone H1 or DNA-polylysine complexes. They are discussed to be dependent on the supramolecular organization of DNA in the condensed form, and they are not in contradiction to the previously proposed seven folding model of DNA in chromatin. Conclusions are drawn with regard to the interpretation of chromatin CD spectra.


[Action of several respiration inhibitors on the tetramethyl-p-phenyldiamine short-circuit pathway in nonphosphorylating electron transport particles in the bovine heart].

Non-phosphorylating electron transfer particles from beef heart according to CRANE et al. possess the ability to oxidize succinate via the artificial TMPD bypass of the respiratory chain. The respiratory inhibitors TTFA, carboxin, tridemorph and the inhibitory protein RF from rabbit reticulocytes act both on the normal succinate oxidase and on the bypass. The presence of antimycin A diminishes the inhibition of carboxin on the bypass, likely by way of the increase of the degree of reduction in the iron-sulphur proteins. The inhibition by an isatin-beta-isothiosemicarbazone acting on the complex III of the succinate oxidase system is relieved by TMPD analogous to antimycin A.


[Chronic atrophying polychondritis].

A case of chronic atrophic polychondritis in a 75 year old female patient is reported. The disease started with an asymptomatic lesion of the nasal septum. It was diagnosed after involvement of the auricular cartilages, which was followed by an ocular and then by a tracheal symptomatology. A histological study by means of optical microscopy and of electronic microscopy is presented. The general characteristics of chronic atrophic polychondritis are given. It is a systemic, inflammatory disease, and progresses by successive outbreaks. Its gravity lies in the frequency of laryngeal and tracheo-bronchial lesions. Its pathogeny is unknown. Two hypotheses are considered: the first, that it is due to a disturbance in the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides ; the second is based on an immunological mechanism.


[Schirmer's test in the intratemporal surgery of the facial nerve].

The Schirmer test enables us to localise a lesion of the facial nerve as situated proximally or distally to the geniculate ganglion. Three cases of traumatic facial paralysis were surgically treated. One by transmastoidal decompression, two others by subtemporal suture or nerve graft. Partial to subtotal reinnervation took place in all three cases. The correct choice of transmastoidal or subtemporal approach was made according to the results of the Schirmer test, in the absence of X ray information.


[Passage into normal salivary, lacrimal and nasal secretions of ampicillin and erythromycin administered intramuscularly].

The authors have measured, with the agar diffusion technique, the antibiotic concentrations in the serum as well as in the normal nasal, lachrymal and salivary secretions, after an intramuscular injection of 500 mg of ampicillin and of 200 mg of erythromycin. Bacillus subtilis is used as test germ for dosage of ampicillin and Sarcina lutea for the dosage of erythromycin. An important quantity of ampicillin (0.5 to 2.5 microgram/ml) passes into the nasal secretion. Its passage into the saliva is very irregular and is usually very slight. Bacillus subtilis is not suitable for systematically studying the ampicillin concentration in the lachrymal secretion, which displays a strong, inherent inhibitory effect on this micro-organism. Important concentrations of erythromycin are found in the three secretions: 0.5 to 3.25 microgram/ml in the nasal mucus and in the lachrymal secretion, 0.3 to 4.5 microgram/ml in saliva.


Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in the orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus).

A 19-years-old male Orang-Utan had a brief illness of two weeks with marked dyspnoea. Necropsy revealed diffuse bilateral pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. This is the first account of this pathoanatomical entity in lower primates.


A review of the diets of captive gorillas (Gorilla gorilla).

It is clear that most zoos feed their gorillas a principally frugivorous diet, while the diets of wild gorilla populations are undoubtedly basically herbivorous. The primary food plant of western and eastern lowland gorillas is Aframomum, and Blancou (1955) even maintains that these plants possess active parasiticidal qualities, but this subscription is not borne out by recent research. However, it is possible that another plant food, combretum, could have some propensities as a deparasitant. Many captive gorillas accept cooked or raw meat in their diets and there is some evidence that feral gorillas may also occasionally consume matter of animal origin.


[Validity of nutrition survey methods].

The aim of all dietary surveys is to discover what the persons under investigations are in habit of eating. They could be used to collect data on a single individual and on several hundred of individuals. There are two types of methods used: --evaluation of global consumption, --precise dietary studies. Additional studies research conscious and unconscious factors of dietary consumption. Whatever the aim, dietary patterns are used to trace trends both retrospectively and prospectively. But the nutritionist must be aware of limitations of the methods and be constantly improving them. It is imperative, therefore, that critical evolution be made at every stage of the procedure. The interest of those studies is to identify the current nutrient intake of a group or an individual likewise during a longer period, so that we can define the evoluation and perhaps the reason behind them. In epidemiological work, they are a part of the whole given data. They could permit the evaluation of correlation with clinical or biological parameters or with a particular disease.


[Development of human consumption of proteins in France during the past ten years (1965-1974)].

A rapid development in the alimentary comportment has been primarily due to socioeconomic and physico-sensorial factors. Protein consumption by the French population has modified over the past years. Even though the average ration is high and stable, approximatly 100 grams per day, protein malnutrition still exists. Actually, 16 p. 100 of the aged population, with moderate revenue, consume less than 45 grams of protein per day. Vegetal protein consumption over the last ten years has dropped by 14 p. 100 from 41,7 grams to 35,8 grams of 36 p. 100 of the total. A decline in the consumption of tender wheat down 20 p. 100 in ten years, is responsible for this reduction. Animal proteins represent 64 p. 100 of the ration protein which is a 10 p. 100 increase. However, the milk ration has dropped radically by less than 50 p. 100 during this same ten year period. This is compensated by an increase in cheese consumption, up 25 p. 100 and meat being more often purchased also up 15 p. 100. In the French population the protein ration is high and contains an overabundance of animal proteins associated with a high degree of saturated animal fats. Further studies must be made to permit a more precise evaluation of these consequences on public health and related industries in the alimentary field.


[Dietary behavior of the French child].

For 0 to 1 year old children, breast feeding represents a perfect reference. From the composition of maternal milk and the amount taken by a well developing child, some precise data can be drawn. These data were, in fact, utilized for preparing the maternized milks which must be, to-day the only substitute for human milk when, for any real reason, a mother is not able to feed her own baby. For older children and for adolescents, the data are incredibly rare. The few inquiries now available show some concordance on calories, glucides and lipides, but diverge strongly on proteins and calcium requirement. This lack of information does not seem to embarrass much physicians and dieticians in prescribing some measured diets to their patients; but, from a scientific point of view, this absence of data prevents strongly from understanding the studies made, for instance, on spontaneous diet in diabetic or obese children. A coordinated study, using revised nutritional tables, should be undertaken.


[A non-receptive hunger].

The Psychopathology of Anorexia mentalis offers the main and singular interest to understand how hunger is a need and no aliementar response can suffice. The recent contributions of psycho-analysis give central significations of the food relation between mother and baby. The symbolic importance of this relation is determinant in the normal behaviour.


[Dietary behavior and constraint by cost].

After the Second World War, it had become clear that consumers often use the price of a products as an indication to its quality, and the classical economy Homo Economicus'rationalism was often questioned, for that and other reasons, within the context of the Affluent Society. Today, we may be witnessing a return to rationalism. But it may still be more of a lip service rationalism than a behavioural one. Two studies are presented where housewives responded much more negatively "in words" (in their intended purchases, as stated in a survey) that "in fact" (in actual purchasing), when faced with a price increase of food commodities. The actual purchases were assessed by a controlled experiment using 15 supermarkets. The experiment, designed into a latin square, lasted three months. Four price levels were tested: normal, +20%, -10% and -20%. The intentions-to-buy were assessed by interviewing (at home) customers of the same supermarkets, during the experiment, and asking them whether they would buy the product at each of the four price levels, under experimentation.


[Production of anti-Aeromonas salmonicida agglutinins by the rainbow trout. Influence of temperature, an adjuvant and an immunosuppressive agent].

Adult rainbow trout were immunized intraperitoneally with a chloroform killed Aeromonas salmonicida suspension. Agglutinating antibodies were titrated using a microtiter system. Antibody activity was associated with IgM fraction obtained from Sepharose 4 B gel filtration. The kinetics of antibody formation were established at three temperatures. At 50C detectable antibodies were found at day 50 post immunization. At 10degrees C and 16 degrees C the agglutinin titer rose before day 20. The antibody titer was significantly raised by Freund's complete adjuvant, but cyclophosphamide at a total dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight administered in 10 injections before and after immunization had no effect.


Swine fever: influence of passive immunity on pig immune response following vaccination with a live virus vaccine (Thiverval strain).

The influence of passive immunity on the immune response to swine fever virus (S.F.V.) was investigated in pigs injected with variable amounts of S.F.V. antibodies instead of piglets from immune sows. The passive immunity suppresses the primary serum antibody response normally observed after vaccination with the Thiverval strain of S.F.V. This inhibition is either partial or complete depending on the amount of injected antibodies. Whatsoever the passive immunity intensity, a priming occurred (even in absence of any detectable primary response). This priming was evidenced by the clinical signs and the type of immune response following a virulent challenge. Two vaccination routes were tested: intramuscular and intranasal: 48 pigs were checked and no significant differences established, concerning protective efficiency. Intranasal vaccination induced local antibody production in pharyngeal secretions. Even in the absence of any detectable immunoglobulin transudation from serum to these secretions, local antibody synthesis was completely inhibited in passively immunized animals.


[In vitro culture of a rotavirus associated with neonatal calf diarrhea].

About fifty diarrheic fecal samples in which the calf rotavirus was present in variable quantities were passed in tissue cultures and the ability of the virus to replicate was analysed under different experimental conditions by means of an indirect immunoflourescent test. Several cell species were shown to be susceptible to the virus but the best results were obtained in primary or secondary cultures of embryonic calf kidney cells in presence of maintainance medium containing 2 to 4 p. 100 foetal calf serum or chick serum. The specific infectivity of this type of virus is low in tissue culture. Under the best experimental conditions about 70 p. 100 of the samples that were positive for the virus by electron microscopy, induced the appearance of specifically fluorescent cells. Cytopathic effects due to infection are extremely discreet and most often there is no evidence of transfer of infection from cell to cell. Different attempts to adapt the infective agent to grow in tissue culture finally succeeded in the selection of a virus that was able to induce fluorescnet plaques at the fifth pass.


[Demonstration of a protocol for obtaining germ-free chickens].

A simple and reliable technique for obtaining germ-free chickens was investigated. Various disinfection tests of the material and the eggs have been performed with chemical agents. The weak frequency of internal contamination of the eggs (0.4 p. 100), if collected in good hygienic conditions and dipped the same day in a I per 100 solution of mercuric chloride, allows sterile hatchings in 100 fertilized eggs batches to be obtained. The sterilization of the isolator-hatching box was performed by pulverization of a I per 100 solution of quaternary ammonium, followed by a formaldehyde fumigation. The material passed through an antiseptic bath (liquid-lock) of I per 100 quaternary ammonium in water. This technique yielded 250 chickens, in 12 successive lots, that were bred until 15 days to 6 weeks, without bacteriological contamination.


[Epidemiology of rubella during 1971-1975. Comparison with abortus cases and malformed newborn in Lombardia (Italy) (author's transl)].

Details regarding claims of rubella occurred in Lombardia (Italy) have been collected by the AA., in force at the Regional Health Services. The results have been also compared with the claimed cases of abortus and of malformed newborn. The first results of voluntary vaccination, promoted by the Regional Services, both on children of the 5th Classes of Primary School and on women more exposed to risks provoked by rubella infections are also reported.


[Determination of the cercarial lipids and relations with superficial human cutaneous lipids (author's transl)].

The lipid class composition of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and skin surface has been examined by thin lager chromatography. Free sterols, sterol esters, triglycerides, phospholipids were major components of cercarial lipids, triglycerides, wax esters, free fatty acids, squalen were major components of skin surface lipids. An examination of fatty acids of total cercarial and skin surface lipids revealed that C16, C18, C18=, C16=, C18= were major components.


[Statistical and epidemiological on the incidence of salmonellosis in Valdinievole's district (author's transl)].

The Author, on the basis of the data of his Laboratory in Pescia's Hospital, put in evidence the diffusion of the endemic state due to Salmonella in his district and calls competent authority's attention for a greater conscience of this problem, so as to embank a situation that, controlled efficaciously, could cause epidemical episodes like those happened in other zones of our Country.


[Blocking antibodies after specific hyposensitization therapy in asthmatic children (author's transl)].

The Maunsell-test for the evaluation in vivo of a rise in blocking antibodies after specific hyposensitization therapy was perfomed in 27 children with asthma and/or graminaceous rhinitis. The Authors have found a good correlation between blocking antibodies level and clinical improvement.


Teletransmission of physiological data.

The routine procedure of EEG recording is recalled to show the advantages of telemetric assessment of this parameter. The procedure for EEG telemetry is shown under different circumstances, e.g., by transmission with the aid of the 'Community Antenna System' of a hospital. Finally, a 16-channel telemetry system, using pulse width modulation is described.


A 4-channel telemetry system for hospital patient monitoring.

A 4-channel radio telemetry system has been designed and implemented for use in the operating room on patients undergoing surgery. 30 such systems are in daily use throughout the Duke University Medical Cener. Relative simplicity, long battery life and a DC-response capability are the important features of these systems. The four physiological channels used are; electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, peripheral pulse, and arterial blood pressure.


[Cytogenetic study of a recent case of trisomy 12p].

A case of trisomy for the short arm and a part of the long arm of chromosome 12 is reported. Before the pregnancy sterility was noted during several years. Birth weight was normal; the newborn with multiple congenital defects died before the 4th day. Her mother, grandmother, and two brothers of the latter showed a balanced translocation t (5 ; 12) (p15 ; q132). The affected child inherited the derived 12 as a 47th chromosome.


[Cuticular collagen in Lumbricus sp. Ultrastructure of native fibrils and of precipitates obtained from acetic solutions].

The paper describes the techniques used to isolate the cuticular collagen fibrils of Lumbricus sp. As revealed by electron microscope examination the isolated fibrils, positively and negatively stained, are aperiodic and appear made up of bundles of filaments (30 A) with an helicoidal arrangement. A filamentous network has been precipitated from the acetic solutions of cuticular collagen. The network exhibits an electrondense cross-striation every 3 000 A.


[States of fragility of chromosome 7 in man].

The examination of the chromosomes of a seven year old child with severe mental retardation, allowed us to bring to light, beside a majority of cells with a normal karyotype, a population of about 10% of cells in which chromosome 7 showed a gap in the juxtacentromeric area of its short arm. The degree of this alteration varied from the simple angulation to the complete break with short arm's loss. The functional and structural signification of this abnormality is discussed and this case is compared with previous observations concerning the abnormalities of this area of chromosome 7 (specially the causal aberrations occuring in cell cultures).


[Study of the arterial vascularisation of the esophagus of micro-angiography].

Study of the intrinsic vascularization of the oesophagus in eleven organs. A technic of microangiography was used. The thoracic portion of the oesophagus was carefully studied. The way of penetration of the nutrient arteries and the intraparietal vascular pattern were precised. The vascularization is rather poor, especially 4-5 cms above the oesophagal hiatus.


[Histoenzymologic study of the adrenal gland of the dormouse during the annual cycle].

The histoenzymologic study of the adrenals in Glis glis was realized for 4 enzymatic activities (acid phosphatase, glucose 1 phosphate dehydrogenase, delta5 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and cholinesterase) completed by the simultaneous dosage of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The histophotometric measures made it possible to differentiate the enzymatic activities of the different zones of the adrenal cortex and to show the persistance of an important activity of the zona fasciculata and sometimes of the zona reticulata during hibernation, independantly of the zona glomerulosa. This study confirms the activation of the adrenal cortex during hibernation with a brutal depletion at awakening and reduced activity during estivation.


[Ultrastructural study of the follicular cells of the adenohypophysis of the chicken].

As in other species, a network of follicular cells linked together by functional complexes can be observed by electron microscopy in the adenohypophysis of the chick. No secretory granules are seen in the follicular cells. They are connected with each other by thin and long processes inserted between the glandular cells and the perivascular spaces. They limit, by their follicular pole, submicroscopic cavities of irregular size and shape. They are empty or occupied by a material of variable density. These cells exist very precociously in the embryo but their characteristic organisation to form a network is observed only on the 16th day of incubation. Our experimental study made it possible to evoke, as a number of other authors, that they play a role in the functions of support, exchange, transport of secretory material or phagocytosis.


[Vascularization of the anal canal].

The arterial blood supply of the anal canal derives from the superior, middle and inferior rectal arteries, whose branches reach the anal submucosa. Three main arterial trunks in the right anterior, right posterior and left lateral positions can be isolated below the pectinate line. They come, for the most important part, from the superior rectal artery. On the course of the anal submucosal venous plexus are fusiform, saccular or serpiginous dilatations confined to the lower half of the anal canal. This plexus is mainly tributary of the superior rectal vein to the portal system and secondly, of the middle and inferior rectal veins and the lateral sacral veins to the inferior vena cava. Arterio-venous direct communications have been demonstrated by serial section and by radiography of cadaveric specimens and by selective inferior mesenteric arteriography in patients. The erectile property of the anal submucosa as suggested by large vascular spaces, arterio-venous shunts and glomic systems may function in the erectile mechanism.


[Changes in the adrenocortical cells of the chick embryo after treatment with corticosterone or graft of a functional adrenal].

The ultrastructural changes of adrenocortical cells of the chick embryo, caused by administration of corticosterone or after grafting of an additional adrenal gland to the host chorio-allantoic membrane, were studied. The main cytoplasmic change is an increased amount of dense bodies and complex bodies. Arylsulphatase activity is detected in these bodies which should be included in the lysosome series. It is possible that a lysosomal mechanism may be active in the adrenocortical cells.


[The anastomotic system of sub-hepatic veins in man].

The purpose of this study was to analyze the possibilities of collateral venous circulation in the liver of man. 100 specimens taken from autopsy, were injected with vinyl-polychloride and corroded. In spite of opinion of some investigators, it has been found that the hepatic veins often (possibly always) anastomose between each other. The largest are the anastomoses between the right and middle hepatic veins. It is evident that there exist good conditions for the venous collateral circulation between all the hepatic veins in the human liver.


[Abortive spermatogenesis in the hybrid duck (cross of male Anas platyrhynchos and female Cairina moschata). Ultrastructural study].

The ultrastructural study of the abortive spermatogenesis of the hybrid drake (cross: male Anas platyrhynchos L. X female Cairina moschata L.) shows the following characteristics: 1) deep anomalies during the pachytene stage (meiotic prophase) where the chromosomes form more or less irregular packs close to the nuclear enveloppe; 2) the total lack of 2nd spermatocytes and in their place were found: --either some cells with lobed or fragmented nuclei in a cytoplasm filled with numerous annulate lamella, lipid droplets and centrioles, --or necrosing cells, with vacuolised chromatin close to the inner side of the nucleus and with abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles and dark mitochondria; 3) numerous Sertoli cells overloaded with lysosomes. The mitochondria of the spermatogonia, the basal membrane of seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cells have the same structure that exists in the fertile Barbary drake testis.


[Development of atrio-ventricular conduction pathways].

In the embryonic heart of man and mouse, four rings of specialized myocardium are present at the transitions between the different components of the heart tube. Further development produces an adult conducting system which is only composed of certain parts of these rings. The four ring concept not only explains the normal conducting system, but in addition its variations in the hearts of certain animals and in malformed human hearts are easily understood.


An introduction to the biomechanics and biomaterials of bone, joints, and implants.

Biomechanics and biomaterials of bone, joints, and implants has been presented in an overview manner with the use of selected examples. The musculoskeletal system is a living, dynamic entity that is constructed so that changes in mechanics, if the body does not have time to compensate, can lead to major problems over a period of time. The mechanics of the tissues ensure a smoothly operating system.


Differential bone scanning.

This is a preliminary report of eleven patients with painful total joint arthroplasties. In their evaluation the difficulty in the differential diagnosis between the loose and the infected total joint becomes apparent. We have found the use of differential bone scans an accurate method to identify the infected total joint. Further study along these lines is indicated with a larger series and generalization to other types of implants.


Giant aneurysms of the posterior fossa presenting as space occupying lesions.

In relation to the case history of a patient, who was observed at the Ursula Clinic, Wassenaar, Holland, a survey from the literature is given of 47 cases of giant aneurysms of the posterior fossa, which primarily presented as space occupying lesions.


Carotid ligation for carotid aneurysms.

Thirty patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to rupture of a carotid aneurysm were treated by ligation of the common carotid artery. Two patients died as a result of the procedure, two patients developed persisting hemisphere deficit. Eight of the ten patients who developed cerebral ischemia after the operation were operated within ten days after the bleeding. At present out aim is to guide the patient safely through the first ten days after his haemorrhage and perform ligation at the end of the second week. After a follow up period of 1-8 years recurrent haemorrhage did not occur. Common carotid ligation, preferably with control of carotid artery end pressure, cerebral blood-flow and EEG is considered to be a valuable method to treat ruptured intracranial carotid aneurysm.


Complications of the chronic subdural hematoma.

Eighty three chronic subdural hematomas, obtained by surgery or by necropsy, were examinated. The patient age distribution curve of the non-complicated operative cases showed the highest incidence in the first year of life and also a moderate increase in the elderly group. Recurrent hemorrhage in the walls and in the cavity, was observed in twenty of the seventy three non-complicated cases of chronic subdural hematoma. In five cases the membranes and the subdural sac were invaded by leucemic cells and in the five remaining ones the hematoma was transformed in a subdural empyema. All these complicated subdural hematomas showed evidence of recurrent bleeding, suggesting that the leucemic cells or the infectious agent had spread to the subdural space by this way.


Bilateral acute spontaneous subdural hematoma. A case report.

A patient is described, with a history of sudden headache and vomiting, without major neurological deficit. There was no history of trauma. The cause turned out to be an acute spontaneous bilateral subdural hematoma. Comparable cases in literature and the etiological possibilities are discussed.


Cerebral bacterial aneurysms in subacute bacterial endocarditis.

Bacterial aneurysms are aneurysms which develop on a vascular wall weakened as a result of a bacterial infection. They can develop anywhere. This paper describes a female patient with subacute bacterial endocarditis and multiple cerebral aneurysms. Conservative treatment followed.


Intracranial tuberculomas.

In this paper the clinical findings, operation results and histological diagnosis of eight patients with intracranial tuberculomas are described, which were admitted to the Neurosurgical Clinic of Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, during the years 1967-1975, among the 1,015 histologically verified intracranial tumours. Our impression by reviewing previous papers on this matter is, that although tuberculomas are not so frequently seen as before, they still count as a certain percentage in Turkey.


Isofiltration capillary pressure and compartmental vascular resistances following elevation of venous pressure in subcutaneous tissue.

Isofiltration technique was used to measure the functional capillary pressure in 10 canine hindpaw (mainly subcutaneous tissue) preparations. With simultaneous determinations of arterial pressure, blood flow and venous pressure, the changes in total, precapillary and postcapillary resistances were assessed at different levels of venous pressure. When the tibial arterial pressure was 100 mm Hg. at an initial venous pressure of 5 mm Hg, the isofiltration capillary pressure averaged 12.8 mm Hg, the ratio of pre-to post-capillary resistance 9.9. The precapillary resistance accounted for 90.8% of the total vascular resistance. The isofiltration capillary pressures were 24.9 and 38.0 mm Hg, respectively when venous pressure was elevated to 20 and 35 mm Hg. Capillary pressure (Pc) was approximately related to venous pressure (Pv) by: Pc=0.82Pvm8. Upon elevation of venous pressure, the total and precapillary resistances were not significantly altered. The paw resistance vessels possess neither myogenic nor metabolic autoregulation. With increasing venous pressure, presumably due to passive distension of venules, the postcapillary resistance fell and the ratio of pre-to post-capillary resistance increased.


A scintiphotographic study of pulmonary edema and hemorrhage induced by cerebral compression and norepinephrine.

Pulmonary edema and hemorrhage (PEH) was induced in rats by cerebral compression and intraveneous norepinephrine. We used scintiphotographic method to demonstrate the blood volume change in the lung subsequent to the hemodynamic events that cause PEH. A specific isotope, Indium-113m, was chosen for this purpose. The isotope forms large molecular, complex with plasma transferrin (molecular weight of roughly 90,000). It is evenly distributed inside the intravascular space. Normally, the lung showed little radioactivity. After cerebral compression or intravenous norepinephrine, a marked increase in radioactivity of the lung was evident. This indicates an accumulation of blood volume in that area. All the animals developed severe PEH which was proved postmortemly. Findings of the present as well as the previous studies agree with each other and indicate that either cerebral compression or norephinephrine elicits generalized systemic vasoconstriction, causing a shift of large amount of blood into the lung. The hemodynamic changes finally result in pulmonary hypertension and subsequent PEH. The scintiphostographic method may be employed as diagnostic tool when a hypervolemic lung change is suspected. Further quantitative analysis is to be accomplished for a prospective clinical application.


[Characteristics of the development of tolerance to nitrazepam and phenobarbital under experimental conditions].

Despite the similarity of the nitrazepam and phenobarbital spectra it was found that with their single usage the nature of tolerance for these substances differs quite substantially. With long-term introduction of nitrazepam to mice and rats in invariable and increasing doses there is seen a development of tolerance in the sense of the muscle relaxant and anticonvulsive action and in lethality without any marked attenuation of the tranquillizing effect. In contradistinction to this a long-term administration of phenobarbital is followed by a diminution of its tranquillizing action and by a slowly proceeding reduction of muscle relaxing manifestations. Crosswise tolerance among nitrazepam, diazepam and phenobarbital is marked but feebly. It is presumed that one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the nitrazepam tolerance in mice and rats may be a change in metabolic transformations and redistribution of metabolites.


[Liberation of H3-GABA from isolated nerve endings of the cerebral cortex of rats under the effect of psychotropic drugs].

The influence of a number of neuroleptics and antidepressants on the release of 3H-GABA from the synaptosomas of the cerebral cortex in rats was studied. Chlorpromazine, phthorphenazine, trifluperidol, imipramine, phthoracizine caused an intensified liberation of 3H-GABA from the synaptosomas. In this phenothiazine neuroleptics proved more active than did trifluperidol and antidepressants. New neuroleptics--azabuperon and carbidine and also diphenylhydantoin tended to restrict the liberation of the mediator from synaptosomas. The tranquilizer diazepam, gamma-oxybutyric acid and carbamazepine failed to have any significnat effect on this process. The described effects of thepsychotropic substances are due, apparently, to their direct influence on the synaptomal membrane.


[Effects of catecholaminergic substances on the circular reaction caused by stimulation of the caudate nucleus].

The influence of stimulators (L-DOPA and apomorphine) and of inhibitors (chlorpromazine and haloperidol) of the dopaminergic systems on the circular reaction arising during high-frequency (30 puls/sec) stimulation of the caudate nucleus was studied in chronic experiments with freely moving cats carrying  preliminarily implanted electrodes. L-DOPA and apomorphine inhibited, while chlorpromazine, on the contrary, facilitated the development of a contralateral circular reaction. L-DOPA and chlorpromazine modified in a more pronounced fashion the circular reaction than did apomorphine and haloperidol. In the mechanisms of the circular reaction, apart from the dopaminergic component, the participation of noradrenergic systems is suggested.


[Study of the nature of interactions between narcotic analgesics and barbiturates and biological membranes by the method of fluorescent probes].

By employing the method of fluorescent probes the  interaction of the barbituric acid derivatives and phenanthrene with biological membranes was analyzed. An association of phenanthrene derivatives with the probe molecules was uncovered. As a result of hydrophobic interaction the barbituric acid derivatives dislodge the probes from the sites of their bonding with biological membranes. This effect correlates with the distribution coefficient of narcotics in the octanol-water system.


[Study of the effect of narcotic analgesics (phenanthrene derivatives)on the physico-chemical properties of nucleic acids].

The effect of narcotic analgetics (phenanthrene derivatives) on the physico-chemical properties of nucleic acids was studied. It is shown that morphine-like substances have no influence on the secondary and tertiary structure of native DNA molecules and modified DNA agents.


[Effect of reserpine, octadine and methyldopa on the distribution of cardiac output in hypertension].

Tests conducted on anesthetized rats with experimental renal hypertension demonstrated that octadine, reserpine and methyl-DOPA with their one-time administration produce at the onset of the maximal hypotensine effect of fall of the arterial pressure at the expense of the lowered total peripheral resistance. Most characteristic of the action exercised by these drugs is an increased fraction of the cardiac ejection going to the gestro-intestinal tract. In hypertension all the substances under study reduce the coronary and splenic fractions of the cardiac ejection. Reserpine and methyl-DOPA do not change, while octadine reduces the fraction of the cardiac ejection that goes to the kidney.


[Therapeutic-preventive effect of sodium selenite on the course of experimental myocardial infarct].

An occlusion of the left coronary artery in rats tends to signally raise the intensity of free radical oxidation of myocardial-lipids, which is revealed by the chemofluorescent method. A direct correlational link between the intensity of the lipids peroxidation and the extent of the myocardial damage was established. Subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite in a dose of 30 gamma/kg 2 hours prior to ligation and once daily for a space of 7 days produces a distincly reduced intensity of free-radical processes in the myocardium, decreases the extent of infarction and prevents the appearance of gross changes on the ECG.


[Principles of passage of aminazine through the placental barrier].

The following regularities governing the transplacental passage of chlorpromazine have been established, viz. the drug passes through the placenta only at the end of the pregnancy term; with repeated administration to mothers it accumulates in the placental and fetal tissues and is contained in the organs of the newborn and one-week old animals.


[Effect of apressine and euphylline on the bioelectric activity and electrolyte balance of the vascular wall].

In tests staged on cats the effect of apressin and euphylline on the biopotential and electrolytes metabolism was studied. Apressin was found to raise the negative electricity of the biopotential and the potassium level in the vascular tissue, an increase of the dose producing not any further reduction, but rather a higher concentration of calcium in the arterial vessels. Euphyliine causes no changes in the biopotential, but then raises the potassium content in the vascular wall. An accertion of the euphylline dose blocks the egress of calcium from the muscular tissue of the arteries. It is  suggested that the relaxing action of the introduced substances maycome about owing to stimulation of the processes infolving binding of calcium in the smooth muscle cells, while changes in the transparietal potential difference are conditioned mainly by counter-gradient transport of potassium.


[Pharmacokinetics of P32-phosphemide in the body of rats with sarcoma 45].

Pharmacokinetics of phosphamide-32P was studied in experiments on rats with sarcoma 45 and intact (tumourless) ones. Soon (15 min to 1 hour) after intraperitoneal injection of the compound the maximum amount of the isotope was definable in the liver, kidneys, spleen, suprarenals, in the tumour and the thymus. The content of the compound in the tumour ammounted to 0.2--0.4 per cent of the radioactivity introduced. Distribution of phosphemide-32P among organs and tissues of the rats with sarcoma 45 quatitatively differs from that in intact animals. During the first 24 hours 55--56 per cent of the radioactivity introduced is excreted together with urine.


[Effect of obsidan on the course of experimental myocardial infarct with arrhythmias in rabbits].

Experimental myocardial infarction (EMI) was reproduced in 35 of 40 rabbits operated upon. Ampouled obsidan was slowly introduced to 12 rabbits with EMI directly after ligation of the coronary arteries and once during each subsequent two days into the marginal otic vein. The results of the antiarrhythmic action of the drug were judged about from the data of a dynamic ECG-observation in 3 standard leads. From the information thus obtained it followed that a single administration of obsidan to rabbits in the acute period of EMI (the first 3 days of the experiment) prevented the development of complex disturbances of the rhythm and reduced the lethality rate among the animals. In repeated injections of the drug it is necessary to take account of the preceding arrhythmias. Reintroduction of obsidan to rabbits with EMI complicated by sinus bradycardia and ventricular extrasystole is prognostically dangerous (ventricular extrasystole relapses and its transformation into ventricular tachycardia is possible). At later stages of EMI these animals succumbod due to complex disturbances of the rhythm and conduction.


[Radioprotective and pharmacological properties of certain phenylethylamine derivatives].

The toxicity of radioprotective and some pharmacological properties of 33 compounds, phenylethylamine derivatives, substituted in the phenyl ring were studied. Some of these display radioprotective and curative properties and also produce anesthetizing, coronary dilating, antiarrhythmic and other effects.


[Effect of 4-amidinophenylpyruvic acid on the generalized Sanarelli-Shwartzman phenomenon].

The influence of 4-amidinophenylpyruvic acid (APPA)--a synthetic thrombin inhibitor--on the incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was tested with the aid of a model of the generalized Sanarelli-Schwarzman phenomenon. After application of APPA the thrombogenesis in different organs subsided quite significantly.


[Effect of different doses of strychnine on blood coagulation and lymph].

Tests conducted with dogs ascertained that strychnine used in a dose producing convulsions brings on an intensified coagulation of the blood and lymph along with a higher fibrinolytic activity. This reaction is largely due to the ejection of thromboplastic and fibrinolytic agents from the active muscles.


[Distribution of beryllium in the organs of rats].

Tests with albino female-rats evidenced that following intravenous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration of Be to critical organs the ones most likely to be implicated proved the liver, kidneys and the skeleton, while with intratracheal introduction it were the lungs.


[Determination of embryotoxic and teratogenic effect of a new antidepressive agent, pyrazidol].

The effect of the new original antidepressant pyrasidol on the embryogenesis of albino rats was investigated. With a single introduction of the drug with a tube into the stomach in a dose of 200 mg/kg within the first 15 days of pregnancy pyradisol was found to produce no embrytoxic and teratogenic effects. Fluorescent microscopy revealed the presence of the pyrasidol metabolites in the amniotic fluid of the test animals 2 hours after enteral administration of the drug, on the 15th and 20th days of pregnancy.


[Morphological substantiation of treatment of liver cirrhosis with retabolil].

The effect of retabolil on experimental liver cirrhosis in rats was studied. The results of the treatment point to a beneficial action of retabolil on the course of this malady, which found its expression in the prevalence regeneration manifestations over the processes of degeneration, as well as in the inhibitory effect on the development of liver cirrhosis. From morphometric investigations it follows that for retabolil the structure-target is the nucleonic system of the cells, largely of hepatocytes.


[Experimental study of the anabolic activity of 6-ketoderivatives of certain natural sapogenins].

It is shown that 6-ketoderivatives of natural sapogenins, viz. agigenin, diosgenin and alliogenin, display the anabolic activity and do not manifest any androgenic properties. The compoud IV/(25 R)-5alpha-spirostan-2alpha, 3beta, 5alpha-triol-6-OH/produces an accelerated gain of weight in rats, and also an increase in the weight of the liver, heart, kidneys, musculus tibiliasis anterior and augments the total amount of protein therein. All of the above-mentioned changes become more pronounced with the study substance introduced to young animals. Castration of sexually immature rats greatly mitigates the anabolic effect of the compound IV.


[Toxicological study of an antiviral drug, bonaphthon].

The toxicity of bonaphthon was studied on laboratory animals of different species (mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs) with its single and repeated (daily, for a space of 4 months) administration. It has been found that bonaphthon, with its single and repeated administration in doses much higher (by 16 to 32 times) than the  ones recommended for human beings, is well tolerated not only by sexually mature, but also by immature animals (rats). Bonaphthon does not affect adversely the dynamic changes in the weight of the animals, nor does it have any effect on the diuresis, functional state of the gastro-intestinal tract and the cardiac activity. On its administration in toxic doses exceeding by 60 and more timesthe ones recommened for human beings the drug provokes flabbiness, bradycardia, a fall of arterial pressure and causes changes in the activity of nonspecific enzymatic systems of the liver. Among the test animals most sensitive to bonaphthon are mice.


[Toxic effect of phosphamide after simultaneous entrance into the body through the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs].

The experiment involved an investigation into the action of O,O-dimethyl-S-(N-methyl-carbomoilmethyl)-dithiophosphate (phosphamide), used at the level of the liminal dose (4 mg/kg) and in a concentration of 1.9 mg/m3, as compared with the effect of 1/2 of the liminal dose and 1/2 of the thereshold concentration. Both were simultaneously introduced into the organism of test albino rats for a period of 4 months and their complex action showed an intensification of the toxic effect. In evidence was also a more marked anticholinesterase action, a higher level of the insecticide in biological substrates and greater changes of hematological indices.


[Comparative evaluation of the methods of determination of the orientation reaction of rats in a toxicological experiment].

A procedure for determining orientation reaction after Boissié et al (1964) was modified for albino rats. In determining the thresholds of acute action of phthalates and carboran in comparison with summation-threshold index, registration of spontaneous motor activity and orientation reaction according to the number of risings in a jar the proposed method is shown to be 5-10 times more sensitive.


Developing optimum drug regimens.

In clinical pharmacological trials the determination of the optimum regimen for a drug using the technique of response surface analysis is proposed as being more advantageous than traditional analyses of dose response relationships. Major considerations in favour of this technique are that the optimum regimem can be identified with a minimum of human experimentation, and unacceptable regimens are eliminated from the study early, at a substantial saving of time and money.


Three years of bacteriological monitoring in the Department of Paediatric Surgery.

The results of three years of bacteriological monitoring in the Department of Paediatric Surgery at the Ospedale Maggiore Ca'Granda in Milan are reported. The tests carried out involved the patients (faeces, urine, and pus cultures), the environment (operating theatre, incubators), and healthy carriers (upper respiratory tract of nursing and paramedical staff). The aetiopathogenesis of the post-operative infectious complications that occurred in 1974-1975 was investigated with the aid of surveys of the causative pathogens, the type of the surgical interventions, the atmospheric pollution in the operating theatre (mean indicative values), the number of operations per month, and the frequency of positive findings among the carriers. As a parallel investigation, between 1971 and the time of writing of this report the authors monitored the resistance to gentamicin of bacteria belonging to the family Pseudomonadaceae isolated from patients, in view of the constant threat posed by the vicinity of the burns department.


Polyacrylic bone cement containing erythromycin and colistin. I. In vitro bacteriological activity and diffusion properties of erythromycin, colistin and erythromycin/colistin comibination.

Erythromycin and colistin demonstrate a non-antagonistic ability to inhibit the growth of a wide variety of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolates. When incorporated in Surgical Simplex P Radiopaque Bone Cement, fabricated cement pellets were effective in inhibiting 98% of all anaerobic and aerobic test isolates. Separate experiments indicate that each antibiotic can diffuse from polymerized cement, and that the concentration of each antibiotic is consistently above the minimum inhibitory concentration of 96% of the isolates. We conclude that erythromycin/colistin Surgical Simplex P radiopaque Bone Cement is a worthy candidate for clinical investigation.


Short-term and long-term clinical evaluation of a non-amphetaminic anorexiant (mazindol) in the treatment of obesity.

The effectiveness and tolerance of a non-amphetaminic anorexiant drug has been evaluated in a short-term and in a long-term clinical trial in simple obesity and in refractory obesity. In the short-term 'crossover' trial, a more evident effectiveness and tolerance result when the anorexiant is given in a late phase of treatment. The association of an anorexiant drug with the hypocaloric diet was seen to be effective in the treatment of so-called refractory obesity. In the evaluation of the long-term treatment it is seen that weight loss is greater and remains so farr longer periods in patients receiving anorexiant, as compared to controls. This is related to a better maintenance of a restricted calorie regimen. Mazindol did not affect the improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin secretion which follows the weight reduction.


An evaluation of a once daily dosage régime of dothiepin hydrochloride (prothiaden).

This paper reports on the use of a single daily dose of dothiepin hydrochloride (Prothiaden). The results from a metabolism study using [14C] dothiepin were used to calculate the daily variations in blood levels after once daily and thrice daily dose regimes. A clinical study on the use of a single daily dose of 75 mg of dothiepin showed this type of regime to be well tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of 105 depressed patients in general practice. Compared to a thrice daily regime the once daily dose appeared to be more beneficial on symptomatic insomnia during the early treatment period.


Effects of cloprednol and other corticosteroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function.

The effects of cloprednol and other corticosteroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied in healthy subjects after administration of a single oral dose of corticosteroid at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., and after daily 6 a.m. administration of corticosteroids at various doses for seven days. The degree of HPA suppression was assessed by metyrapone tests (METP), insulin hypoglycaemia tests (IHT) and 6 a.m. fasting plasma cortisol concentrations. Regardless of the corticosteroid tested, 6 p.m. dosing was at least four-fold more suppressive of METP response than 6 a.m. administration. At therapeutically equivalent doses, single doses of triamcinolone and dexamethasone were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than cloprednol, hydrocortisone or prednisolone, After 6 a.m. administration for seven days, 12-5 mg of cloprednol did not impair the cortisol response to IHT or interfere with the METP response. The clinically equivalent dose of prednisolone (25 mg) resulted in slightly greater HPA-axis suppression. All doses of dexamethasone (0-5, 3-75 and 6-0 mg) and of betamethasome (2-0, 4-0 and 6-5 mg) were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than either cloprednol or prednisolone. These results suggest that at equipotent anti-inflammatory doses, cloprednol is slightly less suppressive of HPA-axis function than prednisolone, and both cloprednol and prednisolone are much less suppressive than dexamethasone or betamethasone.


A study of once daily tenormin (atenolol) in hypertension: some implications in patient compliance.

A clinical study is described in which hypertensive patients on no drug therapy were given atenolol in increasing doses from 50 mg twice daily to 200 mg twice daily until the diastolic blood pressure was 90 mm Hg or below. At this stage the drug was withdrawn until blood pressure readings had risen to pre-treatment levels. The same dose of atenolol was then re-introduced but now given once-a-day (in the morning) and was continued for four weeks. Of the elevel patients entering the study, one withdrew as his blood pressure was not controlled on a dose of 200 mg of atenolol twice daily, and another because on withdrawal of atenolol his blood pressure did not rise to pre-treatment levels. The remaining nine patients completed the study. There was a statistically significant fall in blood pressure on both atenolol regimes and there was no significant difference between the blood pressure control achieved on twice-a-day and once-a-day administration. Only one patient developed side-effects; this being an asthmatic who developed mild dyspnoea on atenolol which did not necessitate withdrawal of the drug. It is concluded that once-a-day administration of a given dose of atenolol is therapeutically equivalent to twice-a-day administration. The implications of this in terms of better patient compliance, and thus better prognosis, are discussed.


Bioavailability of digoxin and beta-methyl-digoxin.

In a randomized crossover study the bioavailability of a single dose of digoxin and of beta-methyl-digoxin tablets was tested in four normal volunteers. No difference was found between the two products in the rate and extent of drug absorption using 6 day cumulative urinary excretion and serial serum concentration measurements.


Sulphonylurea and hypothyroidism in Nigerian diabetic subjects.

Thyroid function has been assessed using the T3-Uptake test in 98 nigerian diabetic and 50 non-diabetic control subjects. Whilst abnormal tests suggestive of thyroidal hypofunctional state were commoner in the group on chlorpropamide alone, and in combination with metformin, these were unrelated to the duration of treatment. In addition, none had clinical hypothyroidism.


Prostaglandins as modulators of the inflammatory response in the rat.

E-type PGs, injected in rat skin at a low dose concentration (1-5 ng ml-) proved not to release vasoactive amines from local mast cell, enhance increase in vascular permeability evoked by hypersensitivity endogenous inflammatory reactions (passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and reversed passive Arthus) or by intradermal injection of histamine and bradykinin. The possible role of PGE1 and PGE2 as modulators of the inflammatory response is discussed.


The effect of pre-treatment of syngeneic mice with tumour cells cultured in vitro on the induction of a transplantable tumour.

The pre-treatment with in vitro cultured mammary adenocarcinoma (ADK-1t) cells strongly protects syngeneic Balb/c mice against the challenge with the same non-cultured tumour cells. If the cultured cells were detached with sodium versenate, 50-60% protection was given, whereas if trypsin was used only 20-30% protection was achieved. That in vitro culture considerably reduces the oncogenic potential of ADK-1t cells was shown by the fact that very many more cultured than non-cultured cells were required to induce tumours.


[Possible contamination of preparation of transfer factor with bacterial endotoxins].

In order to detect the possible contamination with bacterial endotoxins of some preparations of Transfer Factor, Limulus amebocyte lysate test was performed. The results obtained (TF preparations positive with L.T. for endotoxin assay) call sur detection to evaluate very carefully the immunologic responses in vitro ad in vivo, with these biological products contaminate can induce. In fact, bacterial endotoxins with their multiple potent effect on biologic system, represent a contant possible surce of variability in experimental biology and pathology.


[Absorption of radiocobalt in Chlorella vulgaris]?1Assorbimento di radiocobalto in "Chlorella vulgaris".

The uptake, accumulation and loss of traces of radiocobalt present in the culture medium by a green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, were studied. The trace quantities of the radionuclide employed had no effect on the growth of the algal population. The uptake is related to the number of cells present and to the temperature of the culture medium; it is not affected by mitotic activity. The rate of the 60Co, uptake during algal growth is compared to the rate of uptake of other radioisotopes; 90Sr and, to some extent, 137Cs have the same rate of uptake as 60Co, whereas 90Y and 144Ce differ. Perhaps the radiocobalt in the cells undergoes a chelating process and consequently its loss to the outer environment is very slow. The involvement of a biological process, in addition to a physical one, is claimed in order to explain the possibility of an active concentration of the radioisotope (C.F.=170). Emphasis is laid on the possible danger of this concentration when a disposal system by dilution of industrial or nuclear waste is employed.


[Behavior of natural immunity factors in systemic mycoses. I. Determination of lysozyme by means of a new technic].

Serum lysozyme of 138 patients with various systemic mycosis was determine by means of a new technique. It is reported that the levels of the enzyme are very low, particularly in the most serious diseases. The significance of this finding is discussed.


Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation as a possible test for evaluation of the enterotoxigenicity of some enterobacteria. Preliminary study.

Some culture filtrates or enterotoxin preparations from enterobacteria that activate the adenylate cyclase system (vibrio cholerae, LT fraction from escherichia coli and klebsiella pneumoniae, shigella dysenteriae type 1) exibit an inhibiting effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation, while other enterotoxin preparations not effective on adenylate cyclase system, don't interfere with this model. The A. propose the platelet aggregation as cellular assay to detect enterotoxin fractions effective upon adenylate cyclase system.


[Serotyping of Salmonella isolated in the Piedmont region in the years 1975-1976].

Ninehundredtwentysix bacteria of genus Salmonella, collected from hospitals, provincial laboratories and university centers of Piedmont (Italy) have been serologically tested. The serotypical frequencies were compared with those reported in literature. Our findings shown that the appearance of new and unusual serotypes is dominant in comparison to traditional ones.


[Presence of Salmonella Wien in Gela in 1976].

The spreading of Salmonella Wien at Gela is proved by its isolation from the faeces of twelve patients hospitalized in the isolation department of Vittorio Emanuele II Hospital at Gela (Italy) from May to October in 1976. The isolated Salmonella shows the same serological characteristics and the same features of resistance to the antibiotics of the stocks responsable for the epidemics in Algeria and in France.


[Endotoxemia and phagocytic function in premature subjects].

The AA. have evaluated some parameters of leukocyte function (phagocytosis, killing and nitroblu tetrazolium NBT test) from premature children, comparing such activities with endotoxemia, detected by means of limulus assay. The results obtained point out that there is not relationship between impaired leukocyte functions and endotoxemia.


[Verification of contamination with bacterial endotoxins in blood derivatives used in coagulative disorders: observations with the Limulus test].

The AA. expose the results of an investigation for an in vitro endotoxin assay by Limulus lysate test in blood products employed in coagulative area. The Limulus assay has been shown to be a simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive method of detecting bacterial endotoxin or endotoxin-like material in these biological products.


[In-vitro microbiological evaluation of the action of gentamicin and sisomicin o schizomycetes of the Salmonella genus].

The in vitro activity of Gentamicin and Sisomicin towards 142 clinical isolated Salmonella strains was determined and statisically evaluated. The majority of the Salmonella strains was inhibited by concentrations of both antibiotics ranging between 0.75 mcg/ml and 0.02 mcg/ml in the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test and between 1.5 mcg/ml and 0.02 mcg/ml in the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MCB) test.


[Studies of the discus articularis ulnae by use of arthrography of the wrist joint].

Lesions of the "discus articularis ulnae" (triangular fibrocartilage) are presented. Possible differences between the left and the right hand, as well as possible age and sex-linked differences were statistically analysed. In 22 wrist the disc was removed. The anatomical and pathological findings correlated with the arthrogram in all cases. Due probably to the advanced age of our study material disc lesions were found to be more frequent than in previous studies. The lesion was less frequent in men than in women. No difference could be shown between the left and the right hand. The arthrographic variations of the joint spaces adjoining the wrist were found to be symmetrically distributed. In no case could a communication between the wrist and the distal radioulnar joint be shown.


[The in-vitro action of amoxicillin on 87 strains of Staphylococcus aureus of 1st isolation].

In vitro activity of Amoxycillin towards 87 strains of Staphilococcus aureus clinically isolated was analyzed. The 70% of the strains were very sensitive to the antibiotic action. Moreover the growth of the 50% of the strains was inhibited by Amoxycillin concentrations less than 0.20 mcg/ml.


[A new ceiling microscope suspension for plastic and reconstructive microsurgery].

Since 1969, 168 microsurgical interfascicular nerve transplantations have been performed in the Department for Hand Surgery and Plastic Surgery in the Surgical Clinic of the University of Erlangen. Since the end of 1974, the Zeiss Operation Microscope OPMI 2 has been hung from an electrohydraulic ceiling suspension and has proved invaluable. The construction and function of the apparatus is described. Such suspension of the microscope in combination with original Hanau operation lights, facilitates microsurgery in hand and plastic surgical procedure by saving space, reducing operating time and providing a better opportunity of ensuring sterility in the operating field.


[Reconstruction of thumb length by "on-top plasty"].

We report the case of a 23 year old man who suffered amputation of thumb and index finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint by an injury with electrical current. In order to elongate the first ray an on-top plasty of the second on the first metacarpal bone was performed. The second metacarpal was severed above the base and with the intact vessels and the first dorsal interosseous muscle placed on the distal end of the first metacarpal. The second dorsal interosseous muscle was severed. The first and second  metacarpal bones united with an intramedullary cortical inlay graft. Nerve and vessels as well as the skin of the back of the hand could be moved without tension. An abdominal tube was applied to the palm because of severe scarring. As a final result pinch grip between the thumb ray and the rest fingers is possible. The other fingers are freely movable.


[Injuries of the terminal phalanx and nail].

In children the treatment of pulp injuries should amed at conservation. In amputations, replantation should always be tried owing to the high possibility of success and subsequent of functional recovery. In non-specialized workers the simplest and shortest operative procedure (natural healing or skin graft) should be preferred to ensure the quickest possible return to work. In specialized manual workers such as musicians and typists, the return of the sense of touch along with a functional distal joint is essential. In these cases all necessary reconstructive procedures are indicated. In women the cosmetic appearance is most important and requires precise nail reconstruction. Special considerations apply to certain digits: 1. The thumb should be kept as long as possible, without bone sacrifice, requiring plastic procedures to ensure good skin cover. When possible these should employ local flaps which may restore sensation, especially significant on the ulnar side of the pulp. If these local flaps are not possible, sensitive flaps (KUHN/HOLEVICH type) or sensory island flaps (MOBERG, LITTLER or HILGENFELDT type) may be used. 2. In the little finger conversation is almost as important as this digit is mobile, autonomous and represents the usual contact of the ulnar side of the hand. 3. In the index finger, employed manity for fine actions, DIP mobility is important for good pick up ability. Local flaps are preferred. If impossible sensitive flaps should be used on the radical aspect of the pulp, to avoid functional substitution of the middle finger for the index.


[Effect of operations in  a bloodless field on the fine structure of the hand muscles].

For young and healthy patients undergoing reconstructive operations following tendon or nerve lesions histological examination of the intrinsic muscle was performed. The authors have not found any morphological alterations following the use of a tourniquet up to two hours even if the muscles have been damaged by the injury.


Effect of potato protease inhibitor on the clotting system and fibrinolysis in the dog.

The potato inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes was found to inhibit the plasma clotting and fibrinolytic systems in the dog. The anticoagulative action of potato inhibitor consists in a prolongation of clotting time, inhibition of thromboplastin generation, reduction of prothrombin consumption and of the retractility of the blood clot. The potato inhibitor prolongs the euglobulin fibrinolysis time and causes a rise in the plasma antiplasmin level.


Comparative studies on platelet membrane preparations.

For the isolation of platelet plasma and cytoplasmatic membranes, the following methods were applied. 1. Glycerol-osmotic lysis technique, combined with sonication. 2. Glycerol-osmotic lysis technique carried out on fresh or frozen platelets. 3. Detergent treatment followed by separation of the protein fractions insoluble at low ionic strength. The detergents used were Triton X-100, Nonidet P-40, Na-deoxycholate and digitonin. The protein fractions were compared by SDS-PAG electrophoresis.


Lanthanum Trichloride induced blood coagulation defect and liver injury.

The rare earth metals have anticoagulant and hepatotoxic effects, among others. In view of the connection between liver and blood coagulation, the character of the coagulation defect developing in rabbits treated with lanthanum trichloride (La) was studied and in connection with it, the role of the liver injury described earlier. The results showed the effect to depend primarily on the dose of the drug administered; acute and prolonged treatments produce coagulation defects different in type. The effect of a single large dose is characterized by a severe disturbance of thrombin formation: Prothrombin activity is decreased, PTT is prolonged, native blood does not coagulate but may be coagulated with thrombin, and its fibrinogen content is high. The effect cannot be regarded as a result of the liver injury. On giving La in repeated smaller doses, a disturbance of intrinsic thromboplastin (or thrombin) formation develops, as indicated by a decrease in prothrombin consumption. This might be due to an alteration of some serum factor or of the thrombocyte lipid factor (factor 3) and is probably connected with the liver injury.


The effect of colloidal gold on blood coagulation.

Coagulation tests were carried out in rabbits after the intravenous administration of 2 mg/kg colloidal gold. Among the clotting factors, platelet Factor 3 and Factor XIII were found to be inhibited by the gold preparation. Gold at 2 mg/ml concentration induced an overall antithrombotic state in spite of an increased tendency to platelet aggregation. These experiments suggest a new possibility for the inhibition of Factor XIII and platelet Factor 3.


Haptoglobin level in haemophiliacs after administration of pooled cold precipitated antihaemophilic globulin. Preliminary report.

Unlike compatible haemophiliacs, incompatible haemophiliacs developed a decrease in haptoglobin level after administration of pooled cryoprecipitate. The effect is attributed to haemolysis following intravascular agglutination and intravascular coagulation elicited by the cryoprecipitate in incompatible patients.


Polyagglutinability associated with the cad antigen.

Various anti-Cad and anti-Sda reagents were tested against a panel of Cad red cells in order to determine whether Cad and Sda antigens were identical. According to the results, although strong Sda reactivity was always found in Cad red cells, the two antigen specificities are not identical. The polyagglutinability of Cad red cells seems to be related to an anti-Cad present in all human sera but Cad, and not with anti-Sda antibody.


Jk(a-b-) phenotype in a French family. Quantitative evidence for the inheritance of a silent allele (Jk).

A Caucasian French family was investigated including two Jk(a-b-) sibs who had developed anti-JkaJkb. The parents were first cousins. Quantitative study of Kidd antigens using titration scoring and HD50 assay clearly showed the parents and a maternal aunt, phenotypically Jk(a+b-), to have a weak expression of Jka documenting thereby the transmission of the postulated silent gene Jk. Absorption, elution and coagglutination assays revealed the cross reactivity of the antibody developed by the two sibs. Leucocytes and platelets from these two individuals were not shown to absorb anti-JkaJkb.


Kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes after thymectomy.

Some kinetic parameters of mononuclear phagocytes have been studied. Wistar rats were injected with 3H-thymidine. Samples of peripheral blood and peritoneal macrophages were obtained at 12, 14, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 84 hours respectively after injection. The labelling index and the mean grain count were determined. The turnover of monocytes was slowed down in the thymectomized animals. It is assumed that thymectomy had changed some biological qualities of mononuclear phagocytes and/or the humoral relations connected with the function and the regulation of mononuclear phagocytes.


Acute effect of endogenous inhibitors and exogenous cytostatics on the ultrastructure of bone marrow cells. I. Single dose of 1,2 : 5,6-dianhydrogalactitol (DAD).

The ultrastructural effects of the endogenous inhibitor, granuloid crude extract (GCE), known to control the proliferation of myeloid cells, and of the current hexitol derivative, 1,2 : 5,6-dianhydrogalactitol (DAD) were compared on the rat bone marrow. A single intraperitoneally injected LD50 dose of DAD induces the following changes in the fine structure: The mitochondria become swollen, the matrix less electron-dense, the cristae fragmentate, the ribosomes aggregate, anomalies appear in the perinuclear the cell membranes, and myelin figures and intranuclear bodies develop. Autophagy,  degeneration and the phagocytotic activity of the reticulum cells is appreciable in 4 hours after treatment and increase by the 24th hour. The toxic effect of DAD is cell aspecific but in the ultrastructure its myelotropic effect manifests earlier than in erythropoiesis. In contrast, the arrest caused by a single dose of the endogenous granuloid inhibitor [2] is cell-specific and non-toxic.


Acute effect of endogenous inhibitors and exogenous cytostatics on the ultrastructure of bone marrow cells. II. Single dose of granulocyte crude extract (GCE).

The particle-free crude extract of granulocytes (GCE) contains at least three inhibitors of proliferation (M.w. greater than or equal to 70,000, approximately 11,500 and less than or equal to 4000, [5,5]). Intraperitoneal administration of a single effective mitodepressive dose (EDM = 59.4 mg/kg b.w. protein) does not damage the majority of rat bone marrow cells. The observed slight ultrastructural alterations are as follows. The cristate pattern of the mitochondria is occasionally deficient, their matrix may contain membrane shreds or myelin figures, the package of individual granules may be injured. Cytoplasmic vacuolization, autophagy are infrequent and nuclear bleb formation occurred in a single case only. The incidence of such injuries is practically the same in untreated bone marrow cells. Although GCE effectively inhibits cell proliferation, its single dose does not induce such toxic, irreversible and degenerative ultrastructural alterations as have been observed in the same system after the administration of the cytostatic dianhydrogalactitol.


Correlation between plasma growth hormone and insulin and blood glucose concentrations in premature infants.

Plasma growth hormone, insulin and blood glucose levels were measured longitudinally during the first 60 days of life in 21 premature infants (8 males and 13 females) born between the 6th and 8th month of gestation. When these variables were related to age it was found that insulin and glucose, which are lower than in the prepubertal children and adults, rise simultaneously. Whereas growth hormone, which is higher than in older prepubertal children, decreases during the first 2 weeks of life. The decrease in growth hormone continues during the first 2 months of life, in contrast to the increases in insulin and glucose which do not persist in as long a period.


Binding of methyltrienolone to various androgen-dependent and androgen-responsive tissues in four animal species.

Comparative sucrose gradient studies of the in vitro binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and of a synthetic androgen, methyltrienolone (R 1881), have been done with the cytosols of various tissues of the rat, mouse, cock and man. With rat prostate cytosol, the amount of R 1881 and DHT binding in the 8-9S region of the gradient was found to be comparable. Specific 8-9S peaks of R 1881 were also found in rat levator ani/bulbocavernosus and skeletal muscles and in the mouse kidney. Only 4-5S peaks could be demonstrated in the cock's comb while DHT under the same conditions showed both 8-9S and 4-5S binding. Binding of R 1881 to the cytosol of the hyperplastic prostate was polydispersed, and showed evidence of the presence of aggregates. Evidence was also found that R 1881 could bind to the progesterone receptor in rat uterus. Our study supports the theory that in a given species the androgen receptors are similar if not identical in all the tissues. The synthetic androgen R 1881 appears to be a useful tool for androgen receptor studies in various animal species provided that the tissue under study contains no progesterone receptor.


The role of calcium in glucagon release. Interactions between arginine and calcium.

The interrelationship between arginine and calcium in glucagon release was studied using the in vitro perfused rat pancreas. In the presence of a normal 2 mM calcium concentration, 10 mM arginine provoked biphasic glucagon release, the amplitude of such a response being inversely related to the glucose concentration of the perfusate. At the lowest 3.3 mM glucose concentration, and after prolonged (40 min) as well as short (10 min) periods of calcium deprivation, arginine-induced glucagon release was inhibited. These results clearly indicate that calcium is necessary for either the recognition or effectiveness of arginine as a stimulus to the alpha-cell. Taking into account this, as well as other data presently available in the literature, it is suggested that calcium plays a versatile role - permissive, inhibitory and stimulatory - in glucagon secretion. The intimate mechanisms by which calcium exerts such versatile actions in the alpha-cell remain to be elucidated.


Growth hormone in blood sampled continuously during pentobarbitone-induced sleep in children.

Growth hormone has been estimated in blood sampled continuously in periods each lasting 30 min during the first 3-4 h of pentobarbitone-induced sleep in 69 children. With only two half-hour samples, almost the same information was obtained as with the estimation of growth hormone in all samples. In this way 95% of normally growing children showed growth hormone levels of 5 muU/ml of more. Children with growth retardation of unknown cause and overweight children showed on the average lower growth hormone levels, not rarely even below 5 muU/ml. Pituitary dwarfs all had maximum growth hormone levels of 3 muU/ml or less. Growth hormone levels during sleep may be normal in children who show negative results on provocation, while subnormal growth hormone levels during sleep have been encountered in some children with retarded growth who had a normal response upon provocation.


Responses of single units in the cat cochlear nucleus to sinusoidal amplitude modulation of tones and noise: linearity and relation to speech perception.

Responses to the sinusoidal modulation envelopes of amplitude-modulated tonend noise carriers were recorded from  single units in the cochlear nucleus of the cat. The unit discharges were synchronized to the peaks of the modulation envelope. Population-averaged firing rate were independent of the modulation index of the stimulus. Temporal firing patterns, as represented by the shapes and magnitudes of modulation-cycle histograms, were strongly dependent on stimulus intesity and modulation index. Nonlinear nonsinusoidal responses to sinusoidal modulation envelopes were observed, but only at high values of sound intensity. These and other results are discussed in the context of psychological studies concerning the perception of speech information.


In vitro vs in situ development of Purkinje cells.

Analysis of in vitro vs in situ development of Purkinje cells was undertaken in order to compare the transitory morphology of Purkinje cells grown in situ with their differentiation in vitro. Purkinje cells in rotary cultures developed their basic morphological pattern only when the cultures were prepared from 16-day chick embryos, indicating the existence of a critical period during their normal differentiation, which lasted approximately 24 hr between days 14 and 15 embryonic development.


Brain colchicine-binding protein (tubulin) during postnatal development in the rat.

A time-decay colchicine-binding assay was used under optimal conditions for measuring tubulin concentration in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum during postnatal development. In both brain areas soluble tubulin concentration (pmoles colchicine bound/mg tissue) declined by about 35% between 4 and 12 days of age after which the decrease was more gradual up to adulthood. Colchicine-binding protein concentration of particulate fractions, on the other hand, increased between 4 and 12 days of age followed by relatively little change. The concentration of tubulin in the soluble and particulate fractions of the cerebral cortex was 45% and 75% greater, respectively, than corresponding fractions of the cerebellum. The expression of tubulin on the basis of DNA, revealed marked regional differences which can be considered a reflection of differences in the relative extent of morphological differentiation in these areas during the postnatal period. Tubulin in both soluble and particulate fractions exhibited a marked increase in lability for colchicine binding from approximately 12 days of age. The half-life for loss of colchicine-binding activity was 2,5-fold greater in particulate compared to soluble fractions. An analysis of the characteristics of the particulate colchicine-binding reaction provides additional support for the hypothesis that it represents a functionally significant association of tubulin with the membranous components.


Failure to demonstrate alterations in gluconeogenesis in growth-retarded weanling rats with dorsomedial hypothalamic lesions.

Bilateral electrolytic lesions were placed in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei (DMN) of weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats. Sham-operated rats served as controls. After 22 days on lab chow and tap water ad libitum, the animals were injected with U-14 C-alanine 0.167 muC/mu moles intraperitoneally (5 muC and 30 mu moles/100 gm body weight) and sacrificed 2 hr later. There was no significant difference, in the incorporation of the label into total lipid, free fatty acids, glycogen, or tissue protein of both liver and diaphragm, between the DMN-lesioned and the sham-operated rats. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the incorporation into plasma glucose or protein. It is concluded that in spite of profound alterations in both ponderal and linear growth and food intake, there is no disruption of normal gluconeogenesis in the weanling rat with DMN lesions.


Changes of CTP synthetase activity during postnatal rat brain development.

The activity of CTP synthetase (UTP: ammonia ligase (ADP, EC. 6.3.4.2.) was determined in rat cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum during postnatal development. It was found that enzyme activity, when expressed per unit of protein or wet tissue weight, in both parts of the brain decreased with age, the diminution proceeding more rapidly in the cerebellum than in the hemispheres. When CTP synthetase was expressed on the basis of DNA an activity peak in the hemispheres with a maximum on the 5th day after birth was observed. The enzyme content per cell was several times lower in the cerebellum than in the hemispheres at each age studied, with the exception of 1-day-old animals, in which both tissues displayed similar activity. The results obtained were compared with literature data for the intensity of RNA synthesis in the developing brain. The conclusion was reached that the changes of CTP synthetase activity were closely related to the RNA metabolism. Therefore the enzyme under study may be one of the factors involved in cell control of RNA synthesis.


Structure of neuronal assemblies in cerebral cortex.

Interrelations in the apical dendrite bundles of a single neuronal column were revealed by means of light and electron microscopy in the cat motor cortex. Such column presents an integrated structural module. There were also found wider joinings of several columns, among which complex coordination may exist.


The relationship of afterhyperpolarizations of extraocular motoneurons to membrane potential.

The effect of membrane potential displacements caused by external current injection on the amplitudes of two antidromically evoked afterhyperpolarizations (AHP1 and AHP2) was measured in extraocular motoneurons. AHP1 had a reversal potential of-70mV and an average compensation for displacements from the reversal potential ("compensation gain") of -0.36. AHP2 had a reversal potential of-80mV and a compensation gain of -0.08. Measurements of input resistance of these motoneurons demonstrate a 30-50% decrease at depolarized membrane potentials. This rectification could account for the apparent lack of summation of AHP2. The functional role of AHP1 and AHP2 in the regulation of discharge frequencies of extraocular motoneurons during nromal eye movements is discussed.


Response of a brain protein fraction 24 hours after training in rats.

The aim of the study was to follow the amount and incorporation of 14C-valine into separate, soluble protein fractions of the hippocampus, thalamus, and visual cortex of rats from 0 to 72 hr after training. The behavioral test consisted of reversal of handedness with training twice daily for 25 min for 2 days, followed by a 5-day intermission without training, and a final session of 24 min. The animals were injected intraperitoneally with 14C-valine 30 min before sacrifice and taken 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr after last training. After 24 hr, and only at that time, double incorporation values and increased amounts were observed in a protein fraction, No. 6 from the front, in all three brain areas of the trained rats compared to active controls. At 48 hr this protein fraction was at control level.


Effects of local illumination of the hypothalamus on spontaneous and flash-induced multiunit activity recorded from the gonadotropic hypothalamic areas in quail.

Multiple unit activity (MUA) was obtained from gonadotropic areas of the hypothalamus in quail. Pellets of radioluminous paint (RLP) were implanted unilaterally either in the nucleus tuberis or in the n. posterior medialis hypothalami. Control data were obtained from birds receiving nonluminous material (RP). Spontaneous MUA was decreased by 25% in gonadotropic arease in RLP-treated quail. Direct permanent photostimulation of hypothalamic neuronal population was not as effective in decreasing MUA as environmental photostimulation (50%). Activation in firing rates, which was constant in nonphotostimulated intact birds in response to repetitive flash-light stimulations, was completely suppressed after implantation of RLP.


[Pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (author's transl)].

The earliest change during chronic pancreatitis seems to be precipitation of proteic material consisting apparently of the normal components of pancreatic juice, as demonstrated by pathology studies. Similar changes could be induced in animal experiments. There seems to be a causal relationship between increased protein concentration in pancreatic juice and protein precipitation. The cause of the disease in most cases is alcoholism combined with a diet rich in fat and proteins, or malnutrition in infants. The mechanism of action was clarified in dogs and rats: An increase of cholinergic stimulation influencing pancreatic secretion directly seems to be involved as well as an indirect stimulation of pancreatic secretion by gastroduodenal hormones.


[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatitis--diagnostic relevance of clinical and biochemical changes during the course of the disease and of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (author's transl)].

In order to classify a patient with pancreatitis according to the Marseille clasiffication the following criteria must be fulfilled: (a) an acute attach of pancreatitis must be observed, (b) the cause of pancreatitis has to be established, (c) the patient has to be followed over longer periods of time in order to find out, whether the process becomes chronic (involving progredient endocrine and exocrine insufficiency). Diagnostic problems of acute pancreatitis, relapsing pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis are discussed taking into account the author's own results. It is concluded, that repeated tests of pancreatitis function and demonstration of pancreatic calcification are more important for establishing the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis than studies of pancreatic morphology including endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). ERP may help to find the cause of relapsing pancreatitis of unknown origine; it may help as well preoperatively to diagnose local changes of the pancreatic duct system in chronic pancreatitis.


[Diagnostic relevance of provocative (evocative) blood enzyme tests in pancreatic disease (author's transl)].

After a review of the literature the author's results of testing pancreatic function in 445 patients with different diseases are reported. The activities of serum amylase and lipase were estimated before and after stimulation with secretin and pancreozymin; at the same time exocrine secretions of the pancreas were collected in the duodenum and analyzed. Serum enzyme activity did not change markedly after stimulation in pronounced pancreatic insufficiency. Measuring the enzyme activity thus helped to make the diagnosis only in a few cases with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. In all other patients there was no correlation between changes of serum enzyme activities and changes of exocrine pancreatic function. Pathological test results, that means an increase in enzyme activity after stimulation, were found not only in patients with established or suspected pancreatic diseases, but also in many other subjects. Thus the diagnostic relevance of these tests seems to be rather limited, since it does not prove or exclude with sufficient specificity or adequate probability the presence of pancreatic diseases; it therefore cannot be recommended for screening purposes.


[Pancreatitis and papillary stenosis: endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) vs. exocrine functional tests (author's transl)].

Functional tests and ERP were performed in patients with chronic and acute pancreatitis and papillary stenosis; both diseases differ considerably as can be shown by both, pancreatography and degree of functional impairment. The different classification types of pancreatitis are based upon the Marseille Symposium. The ERP is the only x-ray procedure which allows the diagnosis of intrapapillar pancreatic duct stenosis. The ERP significantly improves diagnosis of the early stages of papillary stenosis of the pancreas. Neither secretin-pancreozymin test nor ERP are indicated in cases of primary chronic calcifying pancreatitis; in chronic relapsing calcifying pancreatitis they should be used for preoperative diagnostic purposes.


[Hyperlipoproteinemia and pancreatitis (author's transl)].

Exocrine pancreatic function was tested in 8 patients with pancreatitis and hyperlipoproteinemia type I, IV and V. Three young patients with HLP I and V and 2 patients with alcoholic HLP type V exhibited in most cases a distinctly reduced pancreatic function (chronic relapsing pancreatitis). Three patients with primary or secondary HLP type IV and V did not present pancreatic insufficiency (acute pancreatitis, acute relapsing pancreatitis). Taking into account the literature data and our own experience it can be stated that all forms of excessive hypertriglyceridemia can give rise to acute pancreatitis. Different possible causal relationships between HLP and pancreatitis are discussed. Concomitant occurrence of HLP and pancreatitis is observed most often in alcoholics.


Ethical norms of suicide prevention and crisis intervention.

Life is not a so called highest value in itself--it is highest value as life subdued to the spirit, to the transcendence, as life 'in relation to'. Human existence is existence within history which means that it is vocational. If life is vocational it has an inborn eschatology. To commit suicide is to stop out of one's own history and eschatology, an act devoid of freedom. To help suicidals means: to give the suicidal person 'assistance to freedom', helping him to find his freedom which is also a freedom to suffer, to live, to believe, to gain confidence and to die when death overcomes us.


Self-destruction and religion.

In this paper a brief analysis of the development of the Western world after the second world war is attempted. It is stated that since the start of the sixties, anomie can be perceived in many of the components of its socio-cultural complex, especially in some major areas like the economy and religion, deeply influencing the others. To test the assumption that Durkheim's anomie theory is still valid and offers an adequate frame of reference for research of the underlying phenomena, the outcome of a research on 9.189 completed suicides in the Netherlands during the period 1961--1970 is presented, giving force to the validity and usefulness of this theory.


Present status and evaluation of suicide prevention and crisis intervention services in Europe.

The present West-European suicide prevention and crisis intervention services are reviewed in the article, which also considers suicide prevention in the light of the literature, contains some critical remarks and puts forward certain suggestions for further development of the services concerned. It is concluded in the article that the present situation is not yet satisfactory as far as suicide prevention is concerned, nor is it likely today to be satisfactory in many countries in respect of crisis intervention.


Problems associated with culture contact in the psychotherapeutic setting: disparity of expectations between the western-trained therapist and the non-western patient.

Observations made in this paper are based on work with a group of lower-class French-speaking North Africans receiving treatment at a Community Mental Health Centre in Jaffo. Experience with this group revealed a fundamental disparity between patients' and therapists' expectations from therapy. Patients generally expect tangible, quick relief and regard themselves as passive recipients of a procedure: therapists hope for some form of participation on the patients' part and view treatment as a slow process. Patients' expectations appeared to derive from basic features of their personalities. It is hypothesized that members of this group are 'psychologically undifferentiated': thus, among other things, they have poorly-developed identities, lack self-direction and stereotype themselves as subordinate beings, acted upon by authority figures. The present approach differs from the usual attitude adopted towards patients of this kind since it argues that it is possible to foster independence amongst them. It is proposed that this can be done only if the patient is regarded as an active participant in the therapeutic experience and if one uses the clinical situation as a fundamental learning experience. On a more general level, it is speculated that the observations and analysis presented here are not specific to the ethnic group dealt with, but are applicable to any disadvantaged lower-class group.


Socio-cultural modalities in population control.

Overpopulation with its identifiable and noxious results, is probably the most ominous and potentially destructive condition existing in current world society. The etiology of this problem includes the failure of mankind to develop compatible interrelationships between members of his own family, clan, society, and world population. The author predicts that all efforts to achieve world population control will be essentially ineffective unless the insights of the holistically oriented science of social psychiatry are refined into principles and rules which direct population control endeavors. This paper reviews the extent and severity of the problem and stresses the need for the operational implementation of the value systems and methodologies of social psychiatry. The author believes that effective population control is possible if the actions of world leaders are directed toward efforts to achieve satisfaction of the basic (Ur) needs of all individuals and groups for physical survival, socialization, and transcendence.


Bad tidings and the hospitalized patient.

The physician in hospital practice may be faced with a situation in which a patient under his care suffers a bereavement or some other unexpected tragedy but is unaware of the fact. Three such cases encountered in the context of our psychiatric sonsultation service are presented. Factors influencing the decision as to whether, when and how the patient should be informed are considered. The complex psychodynamic situation which arises and involves the patient, his family  and the medical staff is described. Stress is laid on the role played by archaic fears of being the bearer of evil tidings. The situation is seen as being ideally handled by the direct treating physician in conjunction with the family, the extent of psychiatric intervention being dictated by the needs of each of the parties concerned. Ideally the patient should be told as soon as his physical and mental condition are seen as conducive and preferably before he leave hospital.


Residential schools as powerful environments.

This article attempts to make a preliminary classification of some of the theoretical material published in the last two decades which led to the emergence of a new area in educational research, that of residential education. This has come in response to the increasing frequency of placement in residential settings as a means of educating adolescents.


Student theatre as a means of promoting communication, self-development and creativity.

In the process of producing plays in a student drama and theatre workshop at the Hebrew University of Jerusale, certain educational principles and techniques have been utilized. These principles appear to promote inter-group communication, as well as self-development and creativity and to provide a vital educational technique in the teaching of literature.