The case history of a happy child.

The authors describe the emotional development of a girl whose behavior was assessed on the Brazelton Scale at various neonatal stages eight times over the 1st month of her life, examined by a psychologist at the age of 12 months, and seen in a family interview at 22 months. The child's Brazelton Scale scores are compared with mean scores obtained in a previous study of 44 subjects. A profile of the girl's inborn characteristics emerges, including average motor ability, high responsiveness to social (human) stimuli and body contact, and high ability to reduce tension caused by unpleasant stimuli. This inborn profile is reflected in the follow-up at the age of 12 and 22 months: the child is average in motor development, but well above average in social skills, including ability to initiate interaction and evoke physical closeness. The parents are seen as tolerant and warm, but undemonstrative, and the parent-child interaction demonstrates how the girl's inborn characteristics play a role in molding the parents' attitudes in a direction more responsive to the child's emotional needs and thus achieving a successful "biological fit." The authors point out that a dynamic diagnostic formulation needs to include the innate characteristics of the subject and that one should recognize the role of the innate characteristics in the transference.


The sociability of two-year-olds with their mothers and fathers.

Twenty-one two-year-olds were observed interacting with their parents in a laboratory playroom. Previously reported analyses had found that  they displayes no preferencd for interaction with either parent. The present analysis found that there was a high degree of correlation between the sociability of the cild with his mother and his sociability with his father. Possible implications of this finding are discussed.


A mother-instruction program: Documenting change in mother-child interactions.

Measures of mother-child interaction change are reported in a series of 30 mothers and their children, aged 2 to 10. Videotaped play sessions were analyzed in detail to provide baseline measures from which individualized modification guidelines were derived. Mothers were instructed in eight weekly sessions via bug-in-the-ear. Postinstruction observations provided quantification of observed changes following instruction. The target of change was mother-child behavior contingency patterns, effected by intervening into the mother component on those patterns. Measured changes in mother and child behaviors, mother-child contingency patterns, and mother's preceptions of child behaviors are compared.


Interpersonal discrimination as a function of age and psychopathology.

Self-distinctiveness scores from the Interpersonal Discrimination Task were obtained on 87 normal and 92 psychiatric patients ranging in age from 16 to 44. As predicted, self-distinctiveness in normals increased from the 2nd to 3rd decade, then declined progressively thereafter. By contrast, patients' self-distinctiveness scores were significantly lower than normals' during the 3rd decade and higher than normals' thereafter. The results were interpreted in terms of patients' tendencies to view themselves as discrepant with age-specific societal expectancies.


Early child development in the context of mothering experiences.

This paper describes certain critical periods early in human development in the context of the child's coping responses to the environment, and in regard to the nature of the nurturing experience. The term critical period refers to the optimal time the young child is ready to learn or achieve a developmental task. But it does not imply an irreversible process, since the child usually has the capacity to compensate to some extent for mastery of a task occurring during a given critical period, even after that period has passed. Various areas of development are included to present a broad array of infantile capabilities: neuromuscular, perceptual, cognitive, and psychosocial.


The molding of personality: a newborn's innate characteristics in interaction with parents' personalities.

This report describes a girl who was studied by means of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale from her 1st until her 28th day of life, observed at the age of 1 year, and, at the age of 1 1/2 years, was seen in a psychiatric family interview. The examinational data and history (obtained from the parents) present a picture of deviant development with exceptionally low orientation responsiveness and high excitability from the first hours of life. Carmel showed little ability to quiet herself and little response to soothing attempts. Motor development was normal throughout, physical health and growth were satisfactory, and intellectual development (assessed on the Vineland scale) was average. Carmel's continuous, inconsolable crying and lack of responsiveness led to a family adjustment with the passive, somewhat disorganized mother moving into the background and the anxious father taking over. He developed a way of keeping activity. This physical stimulation, coupled with overprotection (the father's tendency to interpose himself between the girl and other people) as well as controlling all frustration, resulted in a precarious balance at the price of Carmel's reduced autonomy, delay in adaptive ego functions, and severe stranger anxiety. The case illustrates the interaction between innate characteristics and parental attitudes, and the need for preventive counseling based on understanding a child's idiosyncratic behavior patterns.


Humanistic behaviorism: a model for rapprochement in residential treatment milieus.

In the operational policies and treatment methodologies employed by most residential treatment milieus, contrasting theoretical and methodological approaches enjoy an uneasy coexistence. The medical model with its emphasis on treatment planning growing naturally from categorical diagnostic thinking is contrasted with the applied behavior analysis model with its proliferation of token economies, point systems, and behavior contracting. Judgmental errors flow naturally from the exclusive reliance on either model. Humanistic behaviorism provides a theoretical rapprochement by proposing that approaches growing from each model can be complementary.


Residential care of the child-mother and her infant: an extended family concept.

A residential programs for single, young mothers and their infants uses the concept of a new extended family to achieve several purposes: training the mothers in parenting skill, giving them a chance of complete educations or vocational preparation, and providing care and developmental opportunity for the infants.


Helping the inexperienced worker in the public child welfare agency: a case study.

Through provision of supervisory and consultative service, a caseworker, even if inexperienced, can function effectively in a treatment role dealing with a child's adjustment to separation.


Client and worker opinions about fee-charging in a child welfare agency.

A survey of the reactions of clients and social workers to a proposal to charge a fee for counseling service indicates a willingness of most clients to pay, and some staff concern about complex aspects affecting service.


Some observations on weekend foster home visitation as a step out of the institution.

A program under which boys in a residential treatment home paid weekend visits to foster homes proved a successful method of testing the boys' readiness to leave the institution and return to the community.


Measuring adequacy of child caring: further developments.

New testing of the Childhood Level of Living Scale offers evidence of its reliability in defining factors in child neglect.


Homology of Balbiani ring DNA in two closely related Chironomus species.

Cytogenetic analysis indicates that Balbiani Ring 2 (BR 2) in the two sibling species Chironomus tentans and Chironomus pallidivittatus arises from identifically banded segments in the salivary gland polytene chromosomes, although chromosomal rearrangements have occurred. In situ hybridization of BR 2 RNA to the polytene chromosomes of each individual species, as well as their F1 hybrids, reveals that the repetitious BR 2 DNA in the two species has, within the limits of the technique, retained identity of nucleotide sequences and degree of repetition. The DNA of the naturally expressed BR 1 and BR 3 in both species and that ot the galactose induced BR 6 in C. pallidivittatus did not hybridize with BR 2 RNA, indicating that these BR's are different from BR 2 with regard to sequence content.


Localization of 5 S RNA genes in Chirnomus tentans.

The genes for 5 S RNA in Chironomus tentans have been located to region 2A of chromosome II by cytological hybridization. RNA from individual chromosomes, nuclear sap and nucleoli of salivary gland cells hybridized with the identified 5 S RNA genes in region 2A of chromosome II. The results suggest a common origin of 5 S RNA in these different nuclear compartments.


An XY sex chromosome mechanism in a mantid with achiasmatic meiosis.

An Australian mantid, Ima fusca, with 2n male equals 34, shows achiasmatic meiosis in the male, as in other Australian members of the subfamily Iridopteryginae. It is, however, unique among approximately 104 mantid species that have been studied cytologically, in having an XY sex chromosome mechanism. The X and Y chromosomes are not associated as a bivalent in first metaphase, but arrange themselves opposite one another on the spindle and regularly pass to different poles at first anaphase.


Achiasmate meiosis and centromere shift in Eusimulium aureum (Diptera-Simuliidae).

Light and electronmicroscope studies indicate that Eusimulium aureum (n equals 2 metacentrics) is male-achiasmate. Supporting evidence for achiasmate meiosis includes lack of recombination between, I) widely separated differential segments of X and Y chromosomes and 2) linked autosomal inversions. In sibling C, chromosome II exists in an alternate "neoacrocentric" form interpreted as originating through the three-break shift of a small segment including centromere and nucleolar organizer. Male-achiasmate meiosis appears to be a prerequisite for the establishment of rearrangements that include large displacements of the centromere. This suggestion is supported by a correlation between achiasmate male meiosis and the fixation of gross pericentric changes in a number of other black fly species.


Male meiosis in camel-flies (Raphidioptera; Neuropteroidea).

Male meiosis in 3 species of the raphidioptera genus Agulla-- A. bicolor Banks, A. astuta (Banks), and A. bractea Carpenter-- closely parallels that of Neuroptera. The diploid complement in each comprises 12 pairs of autosomes plus X and Y; all are mediokinetic. One male of A. bicolor carried an extra pair of autosomes indistinguishable from the shortest member of the usual set: these formed a normal bivalent and segregated synchronously with the other autosomes. The spindle is formed by the collocation of individual units which envelope each chromosomal mass. The sex chromsomes are spatially separate on emergence from the joint vesicle of early prophase; oriented toward opposite poles they move into this interpolar axis and a central spindle unit forms about them. This unit elongates disproportionately in early premetaphase, and its subsequent contraction is not synchronous with that of the other units. Distance segregation of X and Y is completed in early premetaphase. Autosomal bivalents are chiasmate; their congressional maneuvers involve, in addition to the usual interpolar oscillations, a lateral movement to the periphery of the spindle to form a variably complete ring at the equator. Autosomal univalents occurs with a frequency of 13% in A. bicolor, 2% in A. astuta, and 1% in A. bractea; they undergo distance segregation with the sex chromosomes in the central spindle unit. The phylogenetic significance of the data is considered.


Rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering and diverticulosis.

The association of diverticulosis with a thickened muscle wall in the pelvic colon is well known. There appeared to be a possibility that this muscular thickening might give rise to the rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering often seen through a sigmoidoscope. In 278 colonic motility studies, mucosal puckering was correlated with patient age, diverticulosis, and the symptomatology of the irritable colon syndrome. The prevalence of mucosal puckering increased with age at the same rate as that of diverticulosis, but the different percentage levels were reached some 25 years earlier in life. Mucosal puckering, which persisted in all subsequent examinations, showed no correlation with the clinical characteristics of irritable colon syndrome. Resistance of the bowel wall to distention was significantly greater in association with puckered rectosigmoidal mucosa than when the mucosa appeared smooth. It is concluded that rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering is probably caused by thickening of the underlying muscle; it is a precursor of diverticulois, and patients who have it should be kept on a high-residue diet.


Synchronous leiomyosarcoma and adenocarcinoma of the rectum: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case report of rectal leiomyosarcoma coexisting with an adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid is presented. We believe this to be the first reported case of this condition.


Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum: report of a case.

A case report of a leiomyosarcoma of the rectum recurrent after six years is presented. The diagnostic criteria for determining malignancy are reviewed. The diagnosis of a benign lesion must be supported by the absence of mitoses; mitotic figures are considered proof of malignancy. Abdominoperineal resection is the procedure of choice for leiomyosarcoma of the rectum.


Rectoplasty and perineoplasty for the symptomatic rectocele: a report of fifty cases.

Symptomatic rectoceles are simply and effectively treated by the transrectal repair of the lower rectovaginal fascia and perineal body defects.


Papillary adenomas of the colon and rectum: a twelve-year review.

During a 12-year period, 185 patients with papillary adenomas of the colon and rectum were treated. The average age was 63 years and there was a 10 per cent female preponderance. Seventy-one per cent of the lesions occurred in the rectum and rectosigmoid, and 40 per cent of the patients had rectal bleeding. Fifty-two per cent of the lesions were malignant: however, only 9 per cent of the patients died with metastatic carcinoma. The five-year survival rate in patients with papillary adenocarcinoma was 75 per cent. The results of this review indicate that a conservative approach to the surgical management of papillary adenoma of the colon and rectum should be encouraged, unless the tumor contains or is suspected to contain invasive carcinoma.


Depression: some proposals for future research.

The argument has been advanced that pathological states of anxiety and mania are both characterized by a failure on the part of the patient to attach appropriate levels of significance to changes occurring in the immediate environment. There is, it is suggested, a tendency for environmental features to be regarded as important even though, viewed objectively, they may have little relevance to the patient and his needs. Depression, it is further proposed, may be viewed as an extreme defense reaction to the intense anxiety which results from attaching too much significance to environmental events. In depressive state, patients are often characterised by their lowered responsiveness to stimulation and their lack of interest in, or concern about, their surroundings: it may be that, in such state, information processing has been blocked or reduced. The daytime drowsiness of the depressed patients, as well as his night-time sleep disturbance and the frequently observed recurrent or cyclic nature of certain kinds of depressed state, suggest that this blocking of sensory processing may be brought about by the involuntary intervention of mechanisms responsible, under normal circumstances, for sleep induction. This view of the nature of depression has been recast into the form of five potentially testable hypotheses. Speculation is always easy; providing convincing demonstrations that those speculations are reasonable is less easy. It is in the nature of psychological investigation that laboratory-based studies distort and may even destroy the phenomena about which information is sought, and many a perfectly reasonable theory has foundered upon the rocks of translation into experimental terms. In those areas of psychology which have implications for psychiatry and the conceptualisation of psychopathological states, this danger is particularly evident: psychiatric syndromes are complex, variable, and have social referrents, but laboratory experiments are limited in their capacity to reflect all these attributes, and consequently they may never provide really adequate tests of a theory about a psychiatric state. We have to try to come to terms with this apparent impasse--in the first place by being circumspect in translating psychiatric concepts into experimental terms, and secondly by exercising caution in interpreting the results to which the experiments give rise. More importantly, however, we have to accept the essential inadequacy of the majority of experimental paradigms in psychiatric research and to regard theorizing--even when it is not linked to explicitly testable hypotheses--as having inherent value.


Insomnia: often a therapeutic challenge.

Insomnia, a more or less chronic sleep disturbance, is a very common symptom in psychiatric patients but also relatively freguent in the general population to a lesser degree. Two broad types of insomnia may often be distinguished: (1) difficulty falling asleep and frequent wakening, characteristic of anxiety states or obsessive worrying; and (2) early morning wakening, sometimes in a panic, suggestive of endogenous depression. The first group of patients respond well to minor tranquilizers and psychotherapy, whereas the second do well with tricyclic anti-depressants. Many studies in sleep laboratories have declineated the stages and cycles of sleep physiology and pathology, especially the importance of REM or dreaming sleep. The clinician should be cautious in the use of hypnotics like barbiturates which suppress REM sleep and produce a rebound increase on withdrawal, as well as problems of dependence of habituation. Flurazepam and chloral hydrate are considerably safer in this respect. Understanding sleep neurophysiology and biochemistry permits appropriate individual clinical management for both psychiatric patients and medical patients with conditions like peptic ulcer and nocturnal angina pectoris.


[Cytological examination of bronchial secretions in lung tumours, correlated with the tumour stage (TNM system) (author's transl)].

Brochial secretions were examined cytologically in 2114 patients (2322 secretion samples).  Among the 1006 patients with confirmed malignant lung tumour bronchial secretions were positive in 56%.  The result depended on the size, type, and site of the tumour and its stage according to the TNM system.


[Bilateral measurement of peripheral venous pressure: an additional test in the diagnosis of postthrombotic syndrome].

1123 measurements of peripheral venous pressure were performed on 587 patients with a tendency towards swelling in the legs. In 93 the measurements raised suspicion of obstruction to deepvein flow, confirmed by phlebography in 91, i.e. correct positive diagnosis by venous pressure measurements in 97.8%. In 57 patients with normal venous pressure measurements but clinical suspicion of deep-venous thrombosis, phlebography always confirmed the venous-pressure measurements, which are thus superior to routine clinical examinations.


[Marrow wiring in lower-arm fractures of children (author's transl)].

Wiring of the radius marrow in 96 children with fractures of the lower arm or radius always gave adequate stability compared with purely conservative treatment (54 children).  Any danger of delayed discovery of secondary dislocation with all its risks can thus be definitely excluded.  The method is safe and relatively quick, done in conjunction with any necessary repositioning.  Hospitalisation is reduced to a few days,until soft-tissue swelling has gone.  Open alignment is indicated only very rarely, in otherwise unresponsive fractures.  The small scar at the wrist is acceptable even for girls.


[Unusual rupture of the flexor tendon of the long fingers (author's transl)].

Rupture of the flexor tendon of the fingers occurred in three persons; one of the profundus tendon with pieces of bone, one the partial tear of the superficial tendon, and in the third rupture of both flexor tendons in finger canal due to degenerative changes. It would seem that flexor tendon rupture is more common than is generally supposed.


[Complications in pacemaker treatment caused by electrodes (author's transl)].

A total of 531 transvenous and 240 thoraco-abdominal electrodes were implanted into 624 patients, the latter as part of a thoracotomy. The complication rate was 35% for transvenous and 33% for epicardial implantations. The most common complication with transvenous electrodes was dislocation (17%), followed by myocardial (5%) and skin perforation (2%). With epicardial electrodes the  complications were exit blocks (9%), disconnections (5.5%) and wire breaks (14%). These complication occurred in 1.5%, 2% and 4.5%, respectively, with transvenous electrodes. Electrode dislocations were particularly common in the  first year after implantation, while wire breaks became more common as the interval sinceimplantation increased. Overall there was, therefore, no significant difference in complication rate between the two types of electrodes. But the surgical and early mortality ratewas higher after epicardial implanation (with thoracotomy)than transvenous implantation (11% and 6%, respectively). Transvenous implantation is recommended not only for old but also foryoung  patients (with a long life expectancy), in combination with long-life pacemakers.


[Lactacidaemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with phenformin medication (author's transl)].

A patient with chronic active hepatitis developed vomiting, dyspnoea, tachycardia, diarrhoea and diffuse pains.  For several years she had been treated with azathioprine and for a few weeks before admission with phenformin for mild diabetes.  Laboratory examination revealed acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and lactacidaemia. Despite intensive treatment the patient died a few hours after admission, the post-mortem examination revealing diffuse pulmonary haemorrhages.  The present case report and those published in the literature suggest that phenformin should not be given to diabetics who also have renal or hepatic disease.  In any case, if phenformin is given, it should be stopped if hepatic, renal, infectious or thrombotic complications occur.  In these cases and those of sudden unexplained deterioration in diabetics, hospitalisation is essential and lactic acid levels should be determined and coagulation tests performed.


[Risk factors in postoperative myocardial infarction].

Myocardial infarction after major surgery occurred 25 times in 214 patients who had previously sustained infarcts. Analysis of data obtained before, during and after 335 operations in these patients revealed the following pathogenetic factors in the infarction: (1) The patient with the highest coronary risk had arterial hypertension of at least 160/95 mmHg and advanced arteriosclerosis combined with coronary arterial, peripheral arterial, cerebrovascular, and renovascular disease. (2) Myocardial necrosis occurred when oxygen supply was reduced, as evidenced from a fall in systolic blood pressure to 70 mmHg or less during operation or anaemia (RBC smaller than or equal to 3,5 times 10-6/mul) early after operation. (3) Risk of infarction was highest during the early postoperative stress period with elevated plasma catecholamine levels and thus an increased myocardial oxygen demand.


[Vesico-intestinal fistulae].

Vesico-intestinal fistulae were observed in 14 patients within a period of 10 years (vesico-colonic: ten; vesico-rectal: two; vesico-ileal and vesico-rectal-ileal: one each). The causes were diverticulitis in five, carcinoma of the sigmoid in two, radiation damage after prostatic or cervical carcinoma in two, and Crohn's disease, abscess of Douglas's pouch after perforated appendicitis, ileal carcinoma, sarcoma of the pelvis, and ovarian carcinoma, one each. Pneumaturia, faecaluria and dysuria were the most frequent symptoms, treatment-resistant cystitis was present in three. Cystoscopy, intravenous pyelogram, retrograde cystogram, barium meal, barium swallow with follow-through, and rectosigmoidoscopy proved to be the best methods of diagnosis. Four patients had multiple operations, three one operation, with a cure in all. In the neoplastic fistulae the underlying carcinoma could not be radically operated on: colostomy or colostomy with palliative resection was performed. In four of these the fistulae then closed, once it remained open. One woman with a vesicorectal fistula due to ovarian carcinoma died of tumor cachexia 16 days after a colostomy had been made.


[Paradoxical embolism with preferential localisation to the cerebral vessels].

Massive paradoxical embolism with cerebral symptoms developed at 30 hours after abdominal hysterectomy in a 53-year-old woman. An essential condition for the occurrence of paradoxical embolism is an increased pressure in the lesser circulation; the most frequent cause is massive pulmonary embolism which, however, may take a relatively mild course if there is adequate right to left shunting. The absence of clinical signs of pulmonary embolism does not exclude systemic venous thrombosis as the site or origin of peripheral arterial emboli.


[Urogenital myiasis with Fannia scalaris].

A 15-year-old boy excreted a fly larva in his urine. It constituted the third larval state of the fly Fannia scalaris. Microhaematuria, mild albuminuria and leucocyturia ceased after the parasite had been passed.


[The role of bile in the development of stress ulcers in the rat].

Choledocho-gastrostomy or bile duct ligation was performed in rats. There were as many stress ulcers after the former as in a control group. But after bile duct ligation the incidence of ulcers fell by half. it is concluded that under stress there isa billiary reflux which is ulcergenic.


Stimulation of bone resorption in organ culture by salt-free extracts of Solanum glaucophyllum.

Addition of a desalted aqueous extract made from dried leaves of Solanum glaucophyllum produced a marked stimulation of bone resorption in a culture system in vitro. This result indicates that, like the biologically active forms of vitamin D, the active material in the plant not only stimulates intestinal calcium absorption but increases bone mobilization as well.


Norepinephrine stimulation of lymphocyte ATPase by an alpha adrenergic receptor mechanism.

The effects of norepinephrine in interaction with adrenergic blocking compounds were studied on membrane adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities of human lymphocytes and lymphoblasts. Sodium-potassium ion exchange pump activity was assayed by 86-Rb uptake and ATPase activity of membrane fractions was assayed by ADP and inorganic phosphate generation. The results of these studies indicate that norepinephrine acts by an alpha adrenergic mechanism to enhance membrane sodium-potassium ion exchange pump activity and ATPase activity. The pharmacologic and ionic dissection of the adrenergic sensitivity of ATPase activity indicates that this alpha adrenergic mechanism is related to membrane ATPase activities in addition to that associated with the ion exchange pump. Analysis of fractions obtained by sucrose gradients indicates that the action of norepinephrine is localized in the plasma membrane. Beta adrenergic stimulation was observed to inhibit ATPase activity. The complexity of adrenergic effects on membrane ATPase suggests interactions of hormone modulation of membrane nucleotide cyclases and transport-related ATPase enzymes.


Differences among rat sex accessory glands in their neonatal androgen dependency.

The responsiveness of seminal vesicles and coagulating gland to androgen-induced growth at adulthood is enhanced in male rats that had been "primed" with androgen (either endogenous or exogenous) during the neonatal period. The neonatal "priming," however, did not significantly affect the basal (unstimulated) wet weights or DNA contents of the sex accessory glands when assessed at adulthood. In contrast to seminal vesicles and coagulating gland, the responsiveness of ventral prostate to the adult androgen-induced growth is independent of neonatal exposure to either endogenous or exogenous androgen. Our studies indicate that the neonatal androgen-induced "priming" or "programming" for androgen sensitivity of sex accessory glands at adulthood may not be associated with DNA synthesis as elicited by androgen during the neonatal period. For example, xyproterone acetate, an antiandrogen, effectively blocked the DNA synthesis in the seminal vesicles and coagulating gland of the neonatal rats without affecting the neonatal "priming" of the responsiveness of these glands at adulthood. Although only seminal vesicles and coagulating gland but not ventral prostate are "programmed" by neonatal exposure to androgen, this androgen-induced enhancement of [3-H]thymidine incorporation in to the DNA of the former was to the same degree as the latter. Furthermore, pulse-labeled cells in all of these glands studied persisted to adulthood to the same extent.


Dynamics of venous-arterial testosterone transfer in the pampiniform plexus of the rat.

The dynamics of venous-arterial testosterone transfer in the pampiniform plexus of the rat have been studied using [3-H] testosterone in controlled perfusion in the pampiniform plexus isolated from its testicle in vivo. The rate of transfer of testosterone increased in direct proportion to the testosterone concentration in spermatic vein blood over the range 0-100 ng/ml. When the venous-arterial concentration gradient was reversed by infusing [14-C] testosterone into the spermatic artery proximal to the pampiniform plexus, the label was transferred from the artery to the adjacent spermatic vein. Transfer of [3-H] methoxy-inulin infused concomitantly with the [14-C] testosterone was relatively insignificant in either direction. The testosterone transfer rate generally increased with increasing blood flow over the range 0.01-0.36 ml/min. However, transfer rate became less dependent on blood flow at the high end of the range. A comparison of transfer rates from whole blood and dextran (6% in saline) each containing 24-27 ng [1,2-3-H] testosterone/ml and flowing at 0.36 ml/min for one hour resulted in a maximum of 6.1% transfer from blood and 46% transfer from dextran. Transfer from blood reached plateau levels in less than 10 min, whereas transfers from dextran peaked between 30 and 40 min. At lower rates testosterone transfer from dextran reached equilibration levels, whereas transfer from blood rarely exceeded 5% of spermatic venous levels. We concluded that venous-arterial steroid transfer in the pampiniform plexus behaves like a passive countercurrent diffusion system that is concentration limited, depending principally on the concentration gradient of diffusible steroid between the closely juxtaposed spermatic vein and artery.


The by-pass of tissue hormone stores during the secretion of newly synthesized parathyroid hormone.

Bovine parathyroid gland slices were incubated in Krebs' buffer with [3-H] leucine in order to assess the biosynthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). After incubation the particulate structures of the tissue were extracted with sodium deoxycholate to yield primarily newly synthesized (radioactive) PTH in the extract and preexisting granule PTH in the residue. In pulse-chase experiments radioactive PTH entered the granule fraction at a time when total tissue radioactive hormone was declining, which indicates that some newly-synthesized PTH was packaged into these granules. The specific radioactivity of the PTH in the incubation medium was from 20-fold to more than 80-fold greater than that of the granule PTH of the tissue, but was similar in magnitude to that of the tissue's newly synthesized hormone. Secretion of newly synthesized PTH was greater during incubation in buffer with 1.25 mM Ca than it was at 2.5 mM Ca which indicated that the hormone release was subject to physiological control. The PTH content of the tissue granule fraction was lower following incubation at 1.25 mM Ca than at 2.5 mM Ca. The possibility was excluded that the higher specific radioactivity of PT1 of incubation medium compared to that of the secretory granule fraction resulted from a diffusion gradient of [3-H] leucine into the tissue slices. These data indicate that a major portion of the newly synthesized PTH was secreted without prior equilibration with the hormone in the pool of secretory granules.


The effect of progestins on submaxillary gland epidermal growth factor: demonstration of androgenic, synandrogenic and antiandrogenic actions.

The effects of progestins (0.1, 1.0, 6-10 mg/day) alone and in combination with testosterone (0.1 mg/day) on immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in submaxillary glands from normal and androgen-insensitive (tfm/y) mice were studied. Since androgens are known to stimulate increased EGF levels, the responses to progestins were interpreted as androgenic, synandrogenic or antiandrogenic if they simulated, potentiated or inhibited androgen response, respectively. Of the progestins studied, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) caused the greatest androgenic response when given alone; 10 mg produced a greater than 40-fold increase of EGF over control values. Lesser responses were achieved when progesterone or megestrol acetate (Meg Ac) were given alone. Cyproterone acetate (Cyp Ac) had no androgenic activity when administered alone and acted as a potent antiandrogen at all doses used. Progesterone and Meg Ac had weak antiandrogenic activity. The only synandrogenic response elicited was with a high dose (10 mg) of progesterone caproate. Neither MPA nor progesterone alone had any effect on EGF levels in tfm/y mice. These patterns of response differ from those seen in mouse kidney. The data indicate that progestins as a class are capable of androgenic, synandrogenic and antiandrogenic action in the mouse submaxillary gland, but that no single progestin is capable of all three actions. Since tfm/y mice lack a functional androgen receptor, the absence of EGF response in these mice to progestins as well as androgens suggest that the action of progestins may be mediated by the androgen receptor in the submaxillary gland.


In vivo effects of steroid hormones on the testosterone 5alpha-reductase in skin.

We have studied the hormonal regulation of the levels of testosterone 5alpha-reductase in rat skin by performing surgical manipulations (gonadectomy and/or adrenalectomy) of the rats and by steroid administration to ovariectomized- adrenalectomized rats. Castration significantly increases (P smaller than 0.01) the enzyme activity in the sole of the foot but not in the thoracic skin of male rats. In female rats, significant elevations of the enzyme activity are observed in the thoracic skin (P smaller than 0.01) and in the sole of the foot (P smaller than 0.05) after ovariectomy. Estrogen administration decreases the enzyme activity in thoracic skin, tail skin and vulvar skin of ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone decrease the activity in the sole of the foot and increase the activity in vulvar skin. Progesterone and corticosterone administration produce no significant effects in the four skin types studied.


Developmental and patterns of pituitary and plasma TSH in the normal and hypothyroid female rat.

The developmental patterns of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was examined in female Long-Evans rats by radioimmunoassay of pituitary and plasma from 5 through 80 days of age. The effects of hypothyroidism on normal TSH levels were examined in animals radiothyroidectomized at birth. Control animals showed a peak in circulating TSH levels at day 12 followed by lower levels through day 30, and even lower levels at day 80 when values were those of adult animals. Hypothyroid females had higher plasma TSH levels than controls from days 10 through 30 with no distinct peak at day 12. Pituitary content reached a peak at day 18 and was always higher in control than hypothyroid animals.


Intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E2 raises plasma calcium concentration in the rat.

Constant intravenous infusion (65 to 260 ng/min) of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced an elevation of the plasma calcium concentration in unanesthetized rats in a period of 4 h. The increase in plasma calcium was related to the amount of PGE2 infused, and the hypercalcemia persisted for at least 10 h during continuous infusion. There was also a small increase in plasma inorganic phosphorus concentration. The increase in plasma calcium was not due to hemoconcentration; in fact, there was a small decrease in hematocrit during infusion of PGE2, and no change in total plasma protein concentration was detected. Infusion of PGF2, did not raise plasma calcium concentration. We conclude that under appropriate conditions, the exogenous administration of PGE2 can cause an elevation of plasma calcium in the intact rat.


Stimulatory action of follice-stimulating hormone on estradiol-17 beta secretion by hypophysectomized rat ovaries in organ culture.

Ovaries of rats explanted in organ culture 2-3 days after hypophysectomy at 26 days of age synthesize ans secrete estradiol-17beta into the culture medium at approximately linear rates for 48 h. Addition of testosterone (5 times 10- minus 7M) to the culture medium occasionally caused small increases of up to 50 percent in rate of estradiol production. Significant increases (60-200 percent) in estradiol secretion resulted from addition of two different FSH preparations, in concentrations as low as 0.25 mug/ml in the absence of testosterone. In the presence of testosterone, the same FSH preparation caused much more marked increases in estradiol secretion of up to 900 percent. In the absence of testosterone, two different luteinizing hormone preparations failed to increase estradiol secretion significantly, although in the presence of testosterone, small increases were sometimes observed. It is concluded that FSH regulates estradiol biosynthesis in the hypophysectomized rat ovary by a specific stimulatory action on the aromatizing enzyme system.


Calcitonin secretion by monolayer cultures of human C-cells derived from medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Monolayer cultures of human calcitonin-secreting cells (C-cells) have been derived from medullary thyroid carcinomas. The cultures were prepared from cell suspensions obtained by enzymatic digestion of surgical specimens of the tumor. Human calcitonin (hCT) secretion by these cells was studied using a specific radioimmunoassay for the hormone. The cultures could be used for reproducible secretion studies up to 40 days after their initiation; they demonstrated a linear rate of hormone secretion in the basal state for at least 4 h. Calcium, pentagastrin, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) each produced a marked increase (up to 7-fold) in hormone secretion. Magnesium had no apparent secretory effect; and compared to PGE2, PGF2alpha had only a small secretory effect. In addition to responding to specific secretagogues shown to regulate calcitonin secretion in vivo, the secretory effects of each of the secretagogues could be raipdly reversed. Therefore, these cultures of human C-cells exhibit secretory responses which are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to C-cells in vivo. Accordingly, such cultures provide a useful model to study the regulation of calcitonin secretion in human C-cells.


Progesterone synthesis in developing rabbit corpora lutea in the absence of follicular estrogens.

We have investigated the role of 17beta-estradiol in the early development of the rabbit corpus luteum. Ectopic corpora lutea were established in all animals by autotransplanting preovulatory follicles beneath the kidney capsule 6.5 to 8 h after mating (day 0). At this time, the rabbits were bilaterally ovariectomized and in some of these rabbits a Silastic capsule containing crystalline 17beta-estradiol was implanted SC. Mean serum concentration of estradiol in rabbits with an estradiol impant was 16.4 pg/ml. In rabbits without an estradiol implant, the estradiol concentration  averaged 1 pg/ml despite the presence of transplanted luteinized follicles. Daily blood samples were analyzed for progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Ectopic corpora lutea developed in rabbits with or without estradiol treatment. Serum progesterone concentrations in the two groups increased above castrate values and were not significantly different from one another through day 5. After day 5, progesterone concentrations steadily increased in rabbits treated with estradiol and reached a value of 4.8 ng/ml by day 10. In contrast serum progesterone steadily decreased after day 5 in rabbits without estradiol treatment to a level of 450 pg/ml by day 10. Hysterectomy on day 0 did not prevent this decline in progesterone, indicating that a uterine luteolytic agent was not involved. Total luteal weight on day 10 was positively correlated with serum progesterone concentration (r equals .92; P greater than 0.01). These results indicate that for a period of approximately 5 days afte r ovulation, the development of the rabbit ectopic corpus luteum and the secretion of progesterone are autonomous from estradiol secreted by ovarian follicles. After this time, there is an absolute requirement for estrogen which permits further development of the corpus luteum and the continuation of progesterone synthesis.


A study on tracheobronchial deposition and 2-hour retention in rabbits.

Deposition of well-defined test aerosols of polystyrene particles was studied in rabbits. The deposition was estimated in a standardized part of the tracheobronchial tree following free dissection of the bronchial parts. Ten rabbits were exposed to a mixture of two test aerosols of about the same size(6-7 mum) tagged with 51-Cr and 46-Sc, respectively. There were interindividual differences in tracheobronchial deposition but a correlation (r equals 0.98) between 51-Cr and 46-Sc tagged particles. Eleven rabbits were first exposed to the 46-Sc tagged aerosol and 2 hours later to the 51-Cr tagged aerosol. In this experiment there was also a correlation (r equals 0.74) between the tracheobronchial deposition of 51-Cr tagged particles and the 2-hour retention of 46-Sc tagged particles. This result together with results from an earlier study indicate that the large interindividual differences in deposition are real and are not caused by differences in exposure technique, or in the aerosols.


Effect of malathion and radiation separately and jointly upon rat enzymes in vivo.

The effect of malathion (50 mg/kg) and radiation (900R) separately and jointly upon phosphatases and succinic dehydrogenase has been studied in female albino rats. Malathion and radiation when given separately, at the dose levels used in this study, appear to have no effect on acid and alkaline phosphatase of kidney, heart and brain. In preirradiated rats given malathion a significant decrease in phosphatases was observed in kidney and brain tissue after as little as 2 h and the values persisted for up to 24 h. No significant change was observed in heart tissue. At the dose level of 50 mg/kg of malathion, no significant change in succinic dehydrogenase was observed; however, radiation caused a significant increase in succinic dehydrogenase of brain and kidney tissue. In preirradiated rats given malathion the effect appeared to be enhanced in time to a certain degree. One could therefore speculate that simple non-specific stress caused by malathion adds to a similar effort of radiation by reducing phosphatases and enhancing the succinic dehydrogenase enzyme.


The metabolism of organochlorine compound by microsomal enzymes of the shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

1. The activities of microsomal enzymes of adult male shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) towards the organochlorine substrates HHDN, HCE and Heom were compred with those of microsomal enzymes of the adult male Wistar rat. 2. Liver homogenates showed similar epoxide hydrase activity to kidney homogenates in the shag, but in the rat liver preparations was much more active than the kidney preparation. 3. Liver microsomes of the shag showed smaller than 8% of the epoxide hydrase activity and smaller than 14% of the hydroxylating capacity of liver microsomes from the rat. 4. The relatively low activity of these enzymes is probably the main reason why the shag has been found to contain relatively high levels of dieldrin in ecological studies.


Effect of treatment with alpha-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate and of cold exposure on the distribution of lipids in hepatic mitochondria.

Administration of alpha-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (0.25% in the diet) to rats increased the liver weight, hepatic contents of ubiquinone and mitochondrial protein with no effect on the sterols. The increase was progressive with the period of drug treatment and was potentiated by simultaneous cold exposure. Withdrawal of the drug treatment as well as the cold stress resulted in a return of the liver weight and mitochondrial content to normal levels but this was not so for the ubiquinone content. Treatment with alpha-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate with or without cold exposure also resulted in a small but significant increase in the mitochondrial lipids which could be accounted for completely by an increase in the phospholipids with no change in the neutral lipid content. Analysis of the individual phospholipids showed that the drug treatment per se resulted in a specific increase in phosphatidylethanolamine content whereas simultaneous cold exposure or cold per se showed an increase in phosphatidylcholine. Cardiolipin content was unaffected. Mitochondria isolated from drug-treated animals maintained at an ambient or low environmental temperature showed a small but significant decrease in the respiratory control index for the oxidation of glutamate and malate whereas the coupled oxidation rates and ADP/O ratios were normal. Such a feature was also observed in the animals exposed to short periods of cold stress without the drug treatment. In all the cases the oxidation of succinate was unaffected. The role of accumulated phospholipids in the mitochondrial membranes in drug treatment and cold exposure is discussed in relation to the possible involvement in increased thermogenesis.


Studies on the latency of rat liver fumarate hydratase.

A hypotonic medium and nonionic detergents Triton X-100 and digitonin have no influence on the activity of fumarase in the homogenate or in the mitochondrial fraction either. Ionic detergents of deoxycholate, cholate and sodium dodecyl sulphate exert an inhibiting influence. The activity of enzyme was determined in an L-malate-fumarate system. 1 h of incubation and the original Racker's method gave similar results. The lack of 'latency', found for the mitochondrial fumarase, was discussed basing on the data concerned with the penetration of metabolites through the inner mitochondrial membrane.


The technique and clinical appication  of endometrial biopsy in the mare.

The author describes a technique for obtaining endometrail biopsy specimens from mares. the noraml cyclincal histology of the  endometrium and anarbitarry classification histology of the endometrium and an arbitarary classification of the histopathology seen in  endometrial biopsy speciemens. Previous literature on the subject is cited. Results of endometrial biopsies taken by the author from 134 barren mares, with histories of subfertility are descirbed and classified.  The use of the technique and the interpretationof its find ings in relation to reproductive performance is discussed.


XO-gonadal dysgenesis in the mare (report of two cases).

TWo cases of XO-gonadal dysgenesis in the mare are presented. Case No 1 was a pure 63, XO, while Case No 2 was a mosaic with a preponderance of XX cells. The clinical picture was one of phenotypically normal female mares with small uteri and infantile ovaries. The ovaries lacked germ cells, and consisted of stroma only. This study emphasizes the importance of chromosome analysis in providing information concerning the mechanisms involved is some cases of equine infertility.


Symposium on back problems in the horse. Backs-clinical signs.

Diseases of the back of horse and man are not comparable owing to the great difference in anatomy and posture. Veterinary surgeons, particularly in the United Kingdom, are often requested to account for a poor performance due to suspected "back trouble" but a complete examination of the horse's back is most difficult and care must be taken first to exclude any limb or foot lesions. Diseases of the bones, nerves and muscles are briefly discussed. Diagnosis must be improved by new radiographic and biochemical tests before the significance of back lesions can be assessed or even treated.


Symposium on back problems in the horse. (3) Diseases of the horse's spine-"comparative aspects".

The structural differences in the spine of the horse and man are compared. These, together with the different uses to which the spine is put, explain the different patterns of disease. Impingement of the spinous processes is discussed in detail including surgical treatment. Comments are also made on sacroiliac strain and manipulation of the spine.


Structure and synthesis of a lipid-containing bacteriophage. The molecular weight and other physical properties of bacterophage PM2.

Several physical and chemical parameters of bacteriophage PM2 have been measured. The sedimentation constant was determined to be s-20,w=293 S. The buoyant density in sucrose at 20 degrees C was 1.24 g cm+-3 and in CsCl at 25 degrees C was 1.29 g cm-3. The high-speed equilibrium centrifugation method of Yphantis (1964) was used to measure the molecular weight of PM2. The necessary auxiliary parameters were also determined. A value of 0.771 plus or minus 0.005 cm-3 g-1 for the apparent specific volume at constant chemical potential in 1 M sodiium chloride has been obtained by pycnometry; the viral concentration was determined using the absorption coefficient at 260 nm (4.60 plus or minus 0.10 cm-2 mg-1), which in turn was calculated from the phosphorous content of the virus (17.89 plus or minus 0.28 mu-g of P per mg dry weight dry weight of virus). The molecular weight of PM2 determined with these parameters is (44.1 plus or minus 1.2 x 10-6). From the phosphorous content of the virus, the percentage of phosphorous known to be in its DNA (Camerini-Otero and Franklin, 1972), and the molecular weight of the bacteriophage, we have calculated a molecular weight for PM2 DNA of 6.26 x 10-6, which confirms values determined using empirical relationships.


A prediction of the structure of tobacco-mosaic-virus protein.

The location of amino acid residues within the tobacco mosaic virus protein subunit is discussed. Sequence data, X-ray crystallographic measurements, and the availability of specific residues for enzymic, immunological or chemical reaction are amongst the information used to trace roughly how the tobacco mosaic virus polypeptide chain winds in and out from the virus axis. Published rules for predicting secondary structure are then applied to obtain a diagram of the course of the polypeptide chain. This map should be useful for the interpretation of X-ray diffraction data and already permits an outline of the main features of the inner third of subunit to be suggested.


Deuterium transfer from [1,1-2-H] ethanol during metabolism of bile acids and cyclohexanone in the isolated perfused rat liver.

Deuterium transfer from [1,1-2-H]ethanol (95 atoms % excess) to reducible substrates was studied in the isolated perfused rat liver. The dueterium excess in cyclohexanol formed from cyclohexanone was somewhat lower (49 atoms%) than found under conditions in vivo, and this was also true of the deuterium excess in lithocholic acid formed from 3-oxo-5beta-cholanoic acid. These results may reflect a slower rate of ethanol oxidation in the isolated organ than in vivo. Cycloserine decreased the dueterium transfer to both substrates, whereas addition of lactate and malate resulted in an increased deuterium excess in cyclohexanol and a decreased deuterium excess in lithocholic acid. Addition of heavy water to the perfusion fluid resulted in labelling at C-3 of lithocholic acid formed from 3-oxo-5beta-cholanoic acid, and at C-3, C-4 and C-5 of 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-cholanoic acid formed from 3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid. The deuterium excess of hydrogens derived from NADPH (at C-3 and C-5) was approximately the same as that of hydrogen derived directly from water (at C-4). Thus, the hydrogen of NADPH is extensively exchanged with protons of water, which explains the dilution of deuterium with protium during the transfer from [1,1-2-H]ethanol via NADPH to the bile acids. The labelling at C-5 in the reduction of the 4,5-double bond indicates that different pools of NADPH are used for reduction of this double bond and the 3-oxo group, since in a previous study it was shown that deuterium is transferred from [1,1-2-H]ethanol only in the latter reaction.


Effect of glutamate on the control of fatty-acid synthesis in white adipose tissue of the rat. Inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Glutamate (5mM) inhibited glucose conversion to fatty acids by approximately one-third in adipocytes from fed rats. This inhibition was significantly less in the pressence of pyruvate or 2-oxoglutarate. After incubation of adipose tissue from fed rats with glucose and insulin, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was 180 plus or minus 17 mU/g wet weight. Addition of glutamine to the incubation medium decreased this activity significantly (118 plus or minus 14 mU/g wet weight). This inhibition by glutamate was also diminished when 2-oxoglutarate or pyruvate were present. Glutamate added to homohentates of adipose tissue had no effect on the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by Mg-2+. However, glutamate inhibited the active form of the enzyme and enhanced the rate of inactivation of the enzyme complex by ATP and Mg-2+. Aminooxyacetate, a transaminase inhibitor, did not reverse the effects of glutamate on pyruvate dehydrogenase nor fatty acid synthesis.


Globin mRNA translation on Artemia salina ribosomes with components from Friend leukemia cells.

Globin mRNA can be translated with relatively high efficiency in a fractionated cell-free system containing ribosomes prepared from cytst of Artemia salina. These ribosomes have unusually low endogenous activity for peptide synthesis in the absence of added mRNA. The system requires components from the postribosomal supernatant and from the 0.5 M KCl ribosomal wash fraction. Both these fractions were derived from either rabbit reticulocytes or unstimulated Friend leukemia cells that produce little or no hemoglobin. The activity of mRNA and enzyme fractions from rabbit reticulocytes and Friend leukemia cells were tested in this system in vitro for their ability to direct the synthesis of the alpha and beta chains of globin. The alpha:beta chain ratio synthesized from mRNA in the rabbit reticulocyte salt wash fraction was 4:1. The corresponding value for the 9-S mRNA fraction from the salt-washed reticulocyte ribosomes was 1:4, thus these two fractions appear to provide sources enriched in either alpha or beta globin mRNA. Under all conditions tested, the ratio and amounts of peptides formed in vitro appear to reflect mRNA composition. Globin mRNA from dimethysulfoxide-stimulated Friend leukemia cells when translated in vitro produced alpha and beta chains in a ratio of 1:1. These peptides are formed in the same ratio in the intact cells.


Preparation of analogues of ATP, ADP and AMP suitable for binding to matrices and the enzymic interconversion of ATP and ADP in solid phase.

Alkylation of ATP with iodoacetic acid at pH 6.5 yielded 1-carboxymethyl-ATP which, after alkaline rearrangement, gave N-6-carboxymethyl-ATP. Condensation of this analogue with 1,6-diaminohexane in the presence of a water-soluble carbodiimide generated N-6-[(6-aminohexyl)carbamoylmethyl]-ATP in an overall yield of 40% based on the parent nucleotide ATP. The coenzymic activities of both N-6-adenine-substituted derivatives of ATP were tested with three kinases. Both derivatives showed coenzymic function against hexokinase with the "long" derivative having highest activity (95%) relative to unsubstituted ATP. Their activities towards the other two kinases tested was negligible except with the "long" analogue against glycerokinase (20%). The latter ATP analogue, when bound to Sepharose through its terminal amino group, could be dephosphorylated to the corresponding ADP analogue with soluble hexokinase yielding glucose 6-phosphate in an enzymic "solidphase" fashion. The Sepharose-bound ADP formed could subsequently be phosphorylated back to ATP using soluble acetate kinase. Sepharose-ATP preparations were also used in preliminary affinity chromatography studies using citrate synthase. Alkylation of ADP following the above procedure yielded the corresponding ADP analogue, N-6-[(6-aminohexyl)carbamoylmethyl]-ADP in an overall yield of 40%. Alkylation of AMP yielded the corresponding N-6-[(6-aminohexyl)carbamoylmethyl]-AMP in an overall yield of 45%.


Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Asymmetry of substrate binding to tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

The interaction of L-tyrosine, L-tyrosyladenylate and tRNA-Tyr with tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus was studied by equilibrium dialysis, gel filtration and fluorescence spectroscopy. The enzyme, which consists of two identical subunits (mol. wt 2 x 44000), binds only a single molecule of L-tyrosine per dimer with a K-d of 2 x 10-5 M at pH 7.8 and 23 degrees C. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase--tyrosyladenylate complex which was isolated by gel filtration also has one adenylate bound per dimeric enzyme molecule. In contrast, two tRNA-Tyr molecules bind per enzyme dimer, but the two binding sites are not equivalent having K-d values of 2 x 10-7 M and 1.3 x 10-6 M respectively at pH 6.5 and 25 degrees C. Since crystallographic analysis of the free enzyme [2] shows that the monomer is the asymmetric unit, the data indicate that substrate binding induces asymmetry in the enzyme.


Characterization of the reaction of GDP-mannose with dolichol phosphate in liver membranes.

The Mn-2+ dependent mannosyl transfer reaction between GDP-[14-C]mannose and dolichol phosphate, which is catalyzed by liver membranes, could not be followed accurately with the existing assay systems. Thus, GDP-[14-C]mannose is hydrolyzed rapidly by a pyrophosphatase present in microsomal and Golgi fractions from liver cells. The rate of the hydrolysis is rapid enough to limit the extent of incorporation of [14-c]mannose into endogenous acceptors. AMP was an effective inhibitor of the pyrophosphatase in Golgi membranes, and protected GDP-mannose from metabolism in alternative pathways. In the presence of AMP it was possible accurately to follow the time course of synthesis of dolichol phosphate [14-c]mannose over short time periods. Even though the time course of the reaction was measured over 2 s intervals, no linear portion could be detected in plots of product formed versus time. The kinetics of synthesis did, however, fit an equation for a first-order kinetic process. The basis for the first-order kinetics seems related to the very small amounts of dolichol phosphate in membranes. The values of the first-order rate constant is dependent on the concentrations of GDP-mannose and Mn-2+ added to the assays.


Determination of the activation energy for pseudorotation of the furanose ring in nucleosides by 13-C nuclear-magnetic-resonance relaxation.

The activation energies for the pseudorotation of the furanose ring in adenosine, guanosine, inosine and xanthosine dissolved in liquid deuteroammonia have been determined by analysis of the longitudinal relaxation rates of the single tertiary carbons between +40 degrees C and minus 60 degrees C. For the purine ribosides the average activation energy was found to be 4.7 plus or minus 0.5 kcal x mol-1 (20 plus or minus 2 kJ x mol-1). For the pyrimidine nucleosides cytidine and uridine the respective activation energy should be higher since it could not be determined by 13-C relaxation measurements. This result can be explained by the formation of a hydrogen bond between the 5'-hydroxymethyl group and the base. In adenosine, guanosine, inosine and xanthosine the relaxation rates of C(5') are smaller than all others thus excluding the formation of a hydrogen bond between the purine base and the 5'-hydroxymethyl group of a strength comparable to the one suggested for cytidine and uridine.


Iodoglucagon. Preparation and characterization.

Iodinated derivatives of glucagon containing an average of 1 to 5 g-atoms of 127I per mol have been prepared by reacting the hormone with increasing amounts of iodine monochloride. Their iodoamino acid composition has been determined by ion-exchange chromatography and electrophoresis, following hydrolysis by pronase. Iodination of the two tyrosyl residues occurs first and is nearly complete after addition of a 4-fold molar excess of ICl. Iodination of the single histidyl residue is a later event and does not exceed an average of one atom per residue. Hydrolysis of iodoglucagon by trypsin and subsequent separation of the iodotyrosyl peptides shows that iodine is equally distributed between tyrosyl residues 10 and 13. Crude iodoglucagon containing an average of 1 g-atom of iodine per mol has been resolved into several components of differing iodine content and iodoamino acid composition by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Monoiodoglucagon isolated by this procedure shows a single band when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Iodoglucagons containing an average of 1 to 4 g-atoms of iodine per mol are more potent than native glucagon in their ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and to bind to glucagon receptors of liver cell membranes of the rat. The maximal increase in biological potency occurring upon iodination is about 5-fold with respect to adenylate cyclase activity, and 2-fold with respect to binding to receptors; tetra and triiodinated derivatives show, respectively, the highest potency. Similar effects occur whether inactivation by liver membranes is inhibited or not, indicating an enhancement in the intrinsic affinity of iodoglucagon for the receptors. Iodination beyong 4 g-atoms per mol slightly decreases the affinity of the hormone for adenylate cyclase and for the receptors. Iodination causes a 2-20 fold decrease in the ability of liver plasma membranes and of blood plasma to inactivate glucagon in vitro; these effects correlate with the degree of iodination. With liver microsomal membranes, a decrease in glucagon inactivation occurs only at iodine contents exceeding 4 g-atoms per mol, and lower degrees of iodination result in opposite effects. Monoiodination causes a 4-6-fold increase in the plasma concentration of glucagon within the first 18 min following a single intrvenous injection of the hormone to rats. More extensive iodination results, in addition, in a marked decrease in the rate of dissappearance of glucagon from the blood. The immunological reactivity of glucagon is little affected by monoidination, but strongly depressed by higher degrees of iodination...


Two visual systems in clinical neurology: readaptive role of the primitive system in visual agnosic patients.

In six patients with visual agnosia syndromes there was a striking dissociation between a preserved possibility of recognition of letters or objects in movement versus the recognition by simple visual static presentation. After a review of the literature it is concluded that at least two visual systems may be individualized in humans, i.e. a more recent one (the geniculo-calcarine) and an older one (the tectal-pulvinar-occipito-temporal system). Both from a physiological and clinical point of view, the most primitive system has two parts, i.e. a tectal and a telencephalic part. In visual agnosia, parts of the preserved primitive system remained as single support to compensate the loss of visual recognition for static patterns. The recognition of these two systems has both a theoretical and a practical value.


Central nervous system complication in a patient with chronic gaucher's disease.

Central nervous system manifestations developed in a patient suffering from the chronic, adult form of Gaucher's disease. At autopsy, massive systemic fat embolism was found, involving mainly the brain and the lungs. As there was no evidence of bone fracture, or trauma to the adipose tissues, it is presumed that the severe skeletal involvement by the Gaucher's disease led to the development of the fat embolization.


The transient global amnesia syndrome. An analysis of 35 cases.

On basis of 35 patients who have suffered from transient global amnesia the pathophysiological mechanisms of this syndrome are discussed. Our impression is that the primary cause of this syndrome is a transient ischemia of the hippocampus, an opinion common with most earlier authors. The possibility of a unilateral hippocampal disturbance resulting in transient global amnesia is discussed. We are inclined to regard the local hippocampal ischemia as arising from insufficiency of the anterior chorioidal artery and thus as a sequel of internal carotid insufficiency, which has earlier been proved to result from various rotatory, flexion, and extension movements of the neck.


Cerebral scintigraphy in the diagnosis of meningioma.

The results of brain scanning in 64 patients with histologically proven meningiomas are presented, and the accuracy of this diagnostic method is assessed. The five false-negative scans are analysed. This virtually harmless technique frequently provides sufficient information for the diagnosis in patients in whom more traumatic investigations would otherwise have been unavoidable.


Basilar impression and the so-called 'associated anomalies'.

Analysing the casuistry of 210 patients with basilar impression, the author has enumerated the type and frequency of the associated anomalies and looked for correlations between them and the various clinical syndromes. An attempt is made to divide the anomalies into pathogenetic groups on the basis of these findings.


Haemostatic plug formation and stability in the rabbit mesentery after femoral fracture.

The effect of standardised trauma (femoral fracture) on the formation time and stability of haemostatic plugs in transected microvessels of the rabbit mesentery was studied in relation to alterations in fibrinogen concentration, platelet count, platelet adhesiveness, and haematocrit. In contrast to most other studies, platelet adhesiveness as a percentage was found to decrease post-traumatically. One week after trauma, the haemostatic plugs were maximally stable and at the same time venular haemostatic plug formation time was significantly reduced. These findings coincide with high levels of fibrinogen and increased numbers of circulating adhesive platelets.


Mucinous secretion of totally isolated porcine stomach perfused with homologous blood.

Principal glycoproteins and amino acids were determined in porcine gastric juice obtained from totally isolated stomachs perfused extracorporeally with homologous blood. Acid juices collected during prolonged stimulation of stomachs with histamine or pentagastrin, infused into gastric arteries, were used. All samples showed the presence of glactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, fucose, mannose and sulphate. Galactose and glucosamine were found in equimolar amounts and the galactose to galactosamine ratio was, in most samples, 2:1. Compared with human non-stimulated gastric juice studied by others, marked differences were found in the relationship between carbohydrate components and between amino acids. Porcine gastric juice contained much more protein than human gastric juice. Some characteristics of porcine mucinous secretion may be due to conditions of juice collection from the isolated gastric preparation.


Lyophilized veins studied by scanning electron microscopy.

Human saphenous veins were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The intention was to analyze the suitability of lyophilized homologous veins for homografting when no autologous venous material is available for replacement of obstructed arterial segments. Cross-sectioned specimens revealed the intimal layer of the venous wall to be compactly structured, while the median and external parts were found to be loosely organized and contained numerous cavities. The luminal surface coat displayed the typical aspects of an intact endothelium with occasional fine deposits of fibrin. Defects of the inner layer were only rarely observed, and are caused when the endothelium was stuck to the PVC catheter prior to lyophilization. From a morphological point of view, lyophilized veins seem to be sutiable for replacement of arterial segments. Based on our findings suggestions are made for optimal preparation of the venous material.


Metabolic studies in human skeletal muscle tissue. Evaluation of an in vitro preparation intended for clinical metabolic studies.

An in vitro preparation of human skeltal muscle tissue aimed to be a model for clinical metabolic studies was functionally and structurally characterized. Muscle fibres from biopsy specimens obtained at surgical operations were teased away and collected in incubation vessels for the following determinations: exchangeable water content, extracellular space, potassium content, incorporation rate of labeled leucine into proteins, uptake of labeled cycloleucine, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), and 3-o-methy1-glucose into the intracellular space, and the incorporation rate of glucose into various metabolites. After various times of incubation, muscle fibre samples were also taken for light and electron microscopy. During the incubation of the muscle fibres a transient intracellular oedema was demonstrated by electron microscopy and by determination of the exchangeable water content. The restitution of this oedema was associated with an increasing intracellular potassium concentration. Active transport of leucine, cycloleucine and AIB showing competitive inhibition was registered. The incorporation of labeled leucine into proteins was linear during 4 h of incubation and optimal stimulation of this incorporation was demonstrated in the presence of a complete amino acids mixture at a concentration corresponding to 10 times the normal plasma concentration in man. Insulin stimulated the incorporation rate of glucose-carbon into all metabolites and ouabain stimulated its incorporation in to glycogen. Monoidoacetate inhibited the incorporation of glucose into all metabolites.


Experimental small bowel obstruction. Ultrastructural observations on liver and adrenal cortical function.

In experimental small bowel obstruction an increased proportion of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and an increased number of lysosomes were seen in many liver cells. The occurrence of cytoplasmic vacuoles as well as the glycogen depletion were not pathognomonic and in the toxic pathogenesis the ultrastructural damage in the liver was only of a low degree and can be explained as a reactive (e.g. detoxication) phenomenon. The increase of plasma corticosterone content (stress reaction) differed only slightly from that of the controls, but a severe disturbance of fluid balance (increase of hematocrit and decrease of serum Na+ and C1-) and circulation failure were the more conspicuous findings, compared to toxic liver cell disturbance in the pathogenesis of small bowel obstruction.


Cytological and ultrastructural study of the lymphoid-like and X cell populations in mouse bone marrow during the neonatal period.

During the recovery period following a sublethal irradiation, lymphoid-like cells accumulate in the bone marrow of the mouse. Among these cells, a peculiar element called 'X cell' has been previously described. Its morphological aspects are different from the precursors of the various hemopoietic lines. The 'X cell' could be an ancestral element normally repressed in the adult marrow. The aim of the present work is to determine whether this peculiar element can be detected in the bone marrow of young mice during the first month of life. The myelograms showed that on the day of birth, the marrow was almost exclusively composed of erythrocytic cells. During the postnatal period up to day 20, there was a progressive increase of granulocytic cells. The percentage of lymphoid-like cells increased from 5 per cent at birth to 28 per cent on day 20. The absolute number of these elements, calculated from the percentages obtained on the myelograms and from the number of nucleated cells per two femurs, increased from 20,000 at birth to 7,000,000 at day 30. The ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that the lymphoid-like population was composed of small lymphocytes, lymphoblasts and X cells, the proportions of which varied in relation to the age of the animals. X cells and lymphoblasts were found to be especially numerous around the 4th or 5th day, whereas the small lymphocytes were scarce.


Evidence against prostaglandin E having a physiological role in acetylcholine liberation from Auerbach's plexus of guinea-pig ileum.

The effect of INDO, a PGE synthesis inhibitor, on ACh output from Auerbach's plexus of guinea-pig ileum was investigated. INDO (15-45 mum/ml) failed to alter significantly either spontaneous ACh output or ACh output induced by field stimulation. It is concluded that PGE plays no physiological role in ACh liberation from this tissue.


Evidence of major role of the intestine in cholesterol synthesis in the adult male rat.

By an new in vivo method using 1-14-C-acetate, it becomes apparent that the intestine is the main organ concerned in cholesterol synthesis. The liver contributes a mere 13.5% to the total. These results challenge the traditional theory which considers the liver as responsible for producing most of cholesterol synthesized by the rat.


Effect of ethanol on toxicity and metabolism of amphetamine in the mouse.

Ethanol, 3 g/kg i.p., did not significantly alter the acute toxicity of amphetamine in the mouse. However, the urinary metabolite pattern was changed, suggesting that ethanol suppressed metabolism of the stimulant during the initial 6 h period. After 24 h, the mouse metabolized the same fraction of a given dose of amphetamine, whether it was given as amphetamine alone or amphetamine mixed with 2,3 or 4 g/kg ethanol.


Simple method for a medium-cell separation.

The present method makes possible a quick separation of cells from the medium with the aid of strips of filter paper and physiological solution. Cell suspension is put on the strip and all water soluble components are washed away by soaking in saline solution, while cells remain on the spot. The experiment on 14-C-uridine uptake proved the suitability of the method for membrane-transport studies.


The synthesis of a peptide having the structure attributed to a sound habituating material.

A peptide isolated from rats habituated to a sound stimulus has been given the structure (see article) Glu-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Ser-Lys-OH. A synthesis of this compound afforded a product that different from the natural material on the basis of chromatographic and physiological comparisons. The proposed sequence must therefore be in error.


[Antibiotically active tripeptides of the sequence L-arg-D-X-L-phe] (author's transl)].

Five tripeptides with the sequence L-Arg-D-X-L-Phe showed antibiotic activity on fungi and on some pathogenic moulds. The action of the peptides could be neutralized in the cross-strip test by the L-amino acid corresponding to the D-amino acid in the middle position.


Monoamine oxidase activity in Helix pomatia.

The distribution and characterization of MAO in various tissues of the snail were analyzed. Only low amounts of the enzyme exist in the different tissues and data suggest that there is more than one type of MAO.


[Biochemical polymorphism of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica): comparison of functionally different proteins (author's transl)].

The polymorphism observed among the enzymes involved in the respiratory metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, phosphohexoseisomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase fructose 1-6 diphosphate dehydrogenase) is less important than that of the enzymes physiologically less essential, such as the various esterases, the alkaline phosphatase, the alcohol dehydrogenase, and of the non-enzymatic proteins (ovalbumin, ovoglobulins, ovomucoid, conalbumin, transferrin, etc.).


Tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans produces ultrasound related to behavior.

The spectrum of the sounds produced by the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans extends to above 80 kHz and the energy distribution between 20 and 70 kHz is related to behavior.


Medial forebrain bundle projections to the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca.

The electrophysiological characteristics of the medical forebrain bundle (MFB) projections to the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca (nDBB) were studied in acutely prepared cats. MFB stimulation evoked field potentials which consisted of a large negative wave followed by a shallow positivity. Extracellular unitary discharges appeared out of the negativity. In addition, intracellularly recorded EPSPs showed no significant shift in the latency to onset with changes in stimulus intensity. These observations indicate that at least some of the MFB projections to the nDBB are excitatory with respect to their target cells.


Bilateral resection of superficial rat kidney cortex: effect on sodium balance.

Bilateral resection of the whole superficial kidney cortex (approximately 75% of glomeruli) was carried out in rats. These animals needed some 2 days longer to restore their sodium balance when placed from low to high sodium intake in comparison with rats subjected to other types of partial nephrectomy.


Glutamine aminotransferase and glutamine aminohydrolase ratio as a possible test for antitumour compounds.

Three known antitumour drugs have been tested for their effect on the GAT/GNase ratio of Ehrlich Ascites cells and host plasma. It was observed that all these drugs had changed the ratio of the 2 types of glutaminases from below 1.0 to the normal value of 1.0, this was accompanied with an increase in the survival time of the tumour-bearing animals. There was, however, no effect on the plasma GAT/GNase ratio of normal animals in the presence of the 3 antitumour compounds tested.


Olfaction in Artibeus jamaicensis and Myotis lucifugus in the context of vision and echolocation.

Calculated retinal and olfactory surface areas of the Mexican fruit-bat Artibeus jamaicensis and the little brown bat Myotis lucifugus, when compared with known eye sizes and echolocation capabilities, suggest that vision and olfaction both may diminish in relative importance as facility for orientation by echolocation increases.


Pre- and postnatal distribution of lipids in the liver of genetic diabetic mice.

Triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters were determined by thin layer chromatography in the fetal and neonate livers of normal (Swiss albino) and genetic diabetic (KK) mice. In general, the lipids were elevated in the fetal liver of the KK mice. Despite this elevation in liver lipids, no increase in the weight of the newborn was observed.


[Molting and vitellogenesis in Orchestia gammarella Pallas (crustacea amphipoda): study of the female-specific protein synthesis after ecdysterone administration (author's transl)].

Ecdysterone, administered to Orchestia gammarella females (200 mug/g), has no positive effect on the female-specific protein synthesis and vitellogenesis.


The effect of heat on rat pineal hydroxyindole-omichron-methyl transferase activity.

Exposure of adult male rats to continuously elevated temperature of 32-34 degrees C caused a significant decrease of HIOMT activity involved in the specific metabolic process of production of melatonin, considered an active pineal hormone. The effect was already evident after 24 h exposure and increased further during the next 48 h. The results obtained substantiate previous data that the pineal gland may be involved in the system regulating adaptation to extreme temperature changes.


[1-(2-Diethylaminoethyl)-3,4-pentamethylenepyrazole and N2-substituted bornylenepyrazoles].

An unambiguous synthesis of 1-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3,4-pentamethylenepyrazole (III) by acid cyclization of 2-(2-cycloheptanonyl)-1,3-dioxolane 2-diethylaminoethylhydrazone, and of N2-methyl and N2-(2-diethylaminoethyl)bornylenepyrazole (VIII) and (IX), by heating the hydrazones from 3-hydroxymethylene-2-bornanone and methylhydrazine or 2-diethylaminoethylhydrazine respectively, is described. (III) showed antiinflammatory activity and (VIII) an anticonvulsant action.


[Dialkylaminoalkylbenzimidazoles of pharmacological importance. IV].

In order to improve the analgesic and antiarrhythmic activities of 1-dialkylaminoalkyl-2-benzotriazolylmethylbenzimidazoles previously described, forty derivatives with a chlorine, trifluoromethyl, acetyl or nitrogroup in 5 position were prepared.


[The effect of micropolarization of the brain on experimental hyperkinesia in dogs].

In chronic experiments on dogs polarization of some cerebral structures could exert an inhibiting, stimulating, or merely a modulating effect on the initial level of involuntary motor activity by changing the trace processes underlying formation of hyperkineses. The simultaneous polarization of the caudate nucleus and motor cortex with DC of 0.5-6.0 mcA was found to reduce or even abolish the involuntary motor reactions, the degree of the effectiveness depending on the degree of their stability.


[The relationship between changes in the neuronal activity of the anterior hypothalamus and stimulation of subcutaneous vein thermoreceptors].

The unit activity of the rabbit medial preoptic area was studied during perfusion of the external pectoral vein with the Ringer-Lokk solution at different temperatures. 10 of the 34 neurons reacted increasing their firing rate at 25-34 degrees C and decreasing it at 38-42 degrees C. We think that increasing of tonic impulsation from the hypodermic veins' receptors by cooling increases the activity of single neurons of the medial preoptic area.


[Commissural and sensory evoked potentials of the hippocampus upon microiontophoresis of several substances].

The effects of sodium glutamate, GABA, atropine, and acetylcholine microiontophoresis on the focal responses evoked by the stimulation of the forepaw and the contralateral hippocampus, were studied in unanesthetized immobilized rats. No significant changes were observed in sensory potentials following the application of these drugs. The microiontophoresis of glutamate to the recording site produced changes of the commissural responses. The positive wave was markedly depresses on 200-450 microns depth. At the same time the negative wave increased gradually in amplitude. In records from the layer of the apical dendritic shafts the negative commissural response component increased following local injection of glutamate. GABA failed to evoke changes in the commissural response though prevented the effect of glutamate. The possible differences in the mechanisms of commissural and sensory evoked potentials responsible for the effects observed are discussed.


[Compensatory irradiation of excitation following partial deafferentation of the midbrain tectum of Serranus scriba].

The unit activity studies in the fish (Serranus scriba) tectum opticum showed that, after surgical isolation of a retinal segment, there was a slowing of spontaneous unit activity in the partially deafferented portion of the projection area, whereas the firing rate of responses to illumination of the remaining retina increased. Changes in information processes, latencies, and other response characteristics indicate that deafferented neurons could be activated as a result of intratectal spread of excitation.


[A study of the contractions of a model of smooth muscle in an automated analog of Wiener's medium].

The simplest structure and the main moments of smooth muscle contractile activity are presented in terms of theory of the automata and logarithmic language ALGOL-60, the separate smooth muscle cell thus corresponding to the Moor automaton, and the muscle tissue -- to the combination of automata forming the cell automatic analog of excitable Winner's medium. Functioning of the automatic smooth muscle model was studied on "Mir-2" and "M 220-M" computers. The smooth muscle cells are dissimilar by the duration of refractory period, period of stimulation, ability of spontaneous activity, or excitability. The data obtained aid to understanding of nature of myogenic automation in the smooth muscles and of spreading of excitation along the smooth muscle fibers.


[The "optimal rate" for the heart beat of a homeotherm].

The optimal heart-rate was studied in natural conditions of hemodynamics and on stabilizing the left ventricle load and volume with a balloon. The coronary blood-flow was traced with the aid of electromagnetic fluorometer. Post-occlusion reactive hyperemia estimated reserves of the coronary blood-flow. On stabilizing the left ventricle load and volume, its contractility was higher with faster heart-rate. With the fastest heart-rate, a considerable reserve of the coronary blood-flow was still preserved. Apparently under conditions of natural hemodynamics, the optimal heart-rate (100-180/min) and the decline of contractility with fast heart-rate are due to decrease in filling of the heart caves with the blood per 1 sistole at a constant 1 min volume of the blood-flow.


[Respiratory neurons in the medulla oblongata of rats].

electrical activity of respiratory neurons was studied in anaesthetized white rats. The medulla oblongata (Obex region) was probed with glass microelectrodes in rostro-caudal and center-outward directions. The electric activity of 130 neurons was recorded, 6 of which fired continuously increasing their firing rate either in the inspiratory or the expiratory phase. Neurons of inspiratory population were found fundamentally rostral to Obex and the expiratory caudal to it. Most of the respiratory neurons were located in the lateral third of the posterior brain-stem.


[Electrolyte excretion by the rat kidney following intravenous injection of a solution of sodium phosphate].

In rats, after administration of 0.125 ml/100 g sodium phosphate solution (pH 7.4, 0.05 M concentration), the urinary concentration of phosphate was increased just as in control experiments with administration of 0.15 M sodium chloride. The 0.25-0.75M solutions of sodium phosphate led to the maximal urinary phosphate concentration (200-250 mmol/l). Within 120-150 min of the injection the serum phosphate concentration did not differ from the control level. The renal reabsorption of phosphate was decreased in all the experiments. After administration of sodium phosphate, urinary potassium concentration was increased while that of chloride was decreased; no correlation was found between urinary concentration of these ions. The data obtained indicate presence of a specific system of phosphate transport in the cells of the rat kidney.


[The ionic composition of different zones of the rat kidney following magnesium chloride administration].

In 20 min after administration of 0.2 ml/100 g MgCl2 5% solution, Mg contents in the rat kidneys papilla increases while Na and K contents decreases. Administration of 0.2 ml/100 gNaCl 4.4% solution decreases all three ions contents because of enhanced amount of the tissue water. Increase in the Mg content in the kidney tissue is correlated with its content in the blood plasma and not correlated with the changes of its concentration in urine. Increase of the Mg intracellular concentration may be one of the reasons of its reduced reabsorbtion from the tubular fluid.


[The effect of vasopressin on the excretion of magnesium and other electrolytes].

In dogs, i.v. administration of pituitrin (0.5-0.8;5.0-8.0; 50.0-80.0 med/kg) in conditions of spontaneous and water diuresis increases the renal excretion of Mg, Ca and Na. This is due to the vasopressin fraction of pituitrin as the synthetic vasopressin exerted the same effect. An increase in Mg excretion after i.p.-administration of pituitrin (1 med/100 g) was noted in rats too. In 2 week puppies administration of 1 med pituitrin did not change the urine excretion of Mg or Ca. Vasopressin is supposed to participate in the Mg metabolism regulation.


[Effect of callosotomy on frequency characteristics of neuronal activity in the parastriate cortex].

In acute experiments on anesthetized cats, neuronal activity in the parastriate cortex was studied. Character of distribution of the firing rate mean frequency and the total energy of firing during mono- and binocular stimulation prior to (89 neurons) and after (67 neurons) callosotomy, were estimated. The spontaneous neuronal activity prior to callosotomy was found to be much higher than after it. The light stimulation in intact corpus callosum enlarged the range of frequencies of the neuronal activity. During the stimulation, activity of the majority of neurons was focused in a narrow frequency range, i.e. the synchronization occurred. The total energy of neuronal reactions in intact corpus callosum was higher than after callosotomy. The relative reactivity of the neurons was increased after callosotomy.


[Space-time parameters of the biopotentials in rabbit brain structures during natural sleep].

Different stages of natural slow-wave sleep were studied in rabbits with the aid of spectro-correlation analysis using the direct input of data to the computer. The main findings regularly observed after sleep were as follows: the decrease of synchronization between biopotentials led from different brain structures, the absence of uniform Q-band rhythms and the reduced coherence of this band, phase discrepancy between low-frequency components. Thereupon the state of inhibition is concluded to be characterized by the spatio-temporal discrepancy in the brain electric activity.


[Arousal thresholds during stimulation of brain structures in nonanesthetized cats].

In cats, there was no apparent difference between the average low thresholds for evoking EEG arousal when stimulating the mesencephalic RF, thalamic CM or some cortical structures (sensorimotor area, inferior part of auditory Ep). Most of other cortical points had much higher thresholds (g. lateralis anterior, g. suprasylvius posterior, g. ectosylvius med. and sup.). The possible role of some cortical and mesencephalic structures in the brain activating mechanisms is discussed.


[Bioelectric characteristics of A and B neurons in the mollusc Coretus corneus with different calcium and sodium contents in the medium].

Action potentials (AP) of neurons A and B could be only elicited in the presence of Na-+ ions. An increase in [Ca-++]0 led to depolarization of neurons, enhancement of their excitability, AP, overshoot, of positive afterpotential, AP duration, AP maximal rate of fall (Vf) and to decrease in AP maximal rate of rise (Vr). After addition of CaCl2 up to 50 mmoles into the Ringer solution, the membrane resistance (R) increased. If the [Na-+]0 was equimolarly diminished, R increased up to the [Ca-++]0 30 mmoles, but at greater [Ca-++]0 R fall below the initial value. The regularities were independent of the initial value of resting potential (RP). At high [Ca-++]0 Ca-++ contributed to the generation of the inward current during AP while Na-+ caused an increase in ionic (calcium) membrane permeability at rest. At high [Ca-++]0, Na-+ was also necessary for support of membrane channels which maintained the inward and outward currents during the AP.


[Economical inhibition and processes in intracellular neuron organelles].

Economical inhibition involves decrease in a spike without gross polarization of the neuron membrane. Duration of slow depolarization (the neuron own potential) reflects the depth of the economical inhibition. The amplitude of the neuron own potential exceeds the actual change of the membrane potential. The neuron own potential is generated, probably, in intracellular neuron structures (microtubules, the Golgi apparatus or the Nissl substance).


[Neurophysiological mechanism of brightness scaling].

A model of statistical decisions was used to reveal the measure of neural activity according to impulse reactions. Effectiveness of two possible measures was compared: number of spikes in groups and instantaneous frequency. The former one provides greater probability of correct estimation of brightness at a lesser error probability. Neurophysiological scales of brightness were obtained in the form of dependences of index d' on the stimulus intensity. The dependences were the power those in all cases of analysis. The exponent depends on the stimulus size and alters like the exponent of psychological scale for quantitative estimations on alteration of the stimulus space. The same dependence of subjective estimation on intensity of the light stimulut is preserved for psychophysiological scales of grouping on scaling by 5-, 10- and 20-grade scale of a single set of illuminations. This shows that the brightness neurophysiological scale formed at the first stage of perception is independent of the rules of decision making at the second stage of perception.


[Spontaneous activity of myenteric plexus neurons in the intact rabbit small intestine].

In rabbits intact myenteric plexus segments of the intestine, two types of neurons in regard to their electric discharges, were found: 1) units with single spontaneous spikes at the mean firing rate 2.3/sec and with interspike intervals from 140 to 900 msec; 2) units firing bursts of 3--12 spikes with interspike intervals of about 30 msec.


[Role of the intramural system of the cat colon in the organization of its rhythmic contractile activity].

Rhythmic contractility of the circular and longitudinal muscular layers of the cat colon in situ, after administration of blocking agents (atropin, phentolamine, and inderal), changes both in it spectral-frequency component and in the contraction strength of each layer, while the correlation between both layers contractions decreased from 69 to 28.9 percent. The colon rhythmic contractility is concluded to be a functionally organized process in conditions of intact innervation, the nervous system playing an active role in coordination of contractions of the circular and longitudinal muscular layers.


[Renal inhibitor of erythropoietin].

The soluble fraction of the rat and rabbit renal homogenate (normal, after acute blood loss or cobalt chlorate administration) contains an erythropoietin inhibitor and interferes with transformation of the renal erythropoiesis--stimulating factor into erythropoietin. After subcutaneous administration of this fraction in intact rats, an erythropoiesis inhibitor was revealed in their plasma.


[Heart energetics and adaptation of the organism to temperature].

In working isolated preparations of the rat heart, effects of prolonged adaptation of the organism to cold (1-3 degrees) or warmth (25-27 degrees) as well as 10-minus 6 M noradrenaline administration on the efficiency (E) of the heart mechanical work, were studied. In the cold adaptation E decreases, i.e. the amount of warmth released by the heart through the same amount of work, increases. In the warmth adaptation the heart E increases. The respective changes of the heart warmth production are only revealed in the working heart, as the temperature adaptation has no effect on the O2 consumption by the stopped heart. Contrary to the skeletal muscles, the heart E during the cold adaptation does not decrease under effect of noradrenaline. In the control and, particularly, during the warmth adaptation, the heart E decreases under effect of noradrenaline.


[Mechanism of development of training bradycardia].

Training bradycardia in rats and mice occurs in the result of an increase in the sensibility of the myocardium to acetylcholine, and a decrease of its sensibility to noradrenaline.


[Gastrin, cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, secretin and the interaction of the motor function of the stomach, duodenum and bile-secreting apparatus].

In chronic experiments on dogs, the motor function and electric activity of the smooth muscles of the stomach, duodenum, and gall-bladder were electrophysiologically and roentgenologically studied.


[Enzyme activity of the rat small intestine mucosa in conditions of repeated exposure to high ambient temperatures].

Acute experiments showed that daily 12-hr heating leads to different changes in fermentative activity (amylase, invertase, glycin-1-leycin-dipeptidase, monoglyceridiypase) in mucous membrane of the small intestine in white rats. These changes are due to not only the decrease of food consumption, but evidently are the result of functional changes in different organs and systems.