An intestinal disease produced experimentally by a prostaglandin deficiency.

Several prostaglandins were found to prevent development of multiple ulcertions of the small intestine, produced in rats by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory compounds such as indomethacin. The syndrome appears to be due to a prostaglandin deficiency produced by indomethacin; treatment with a prostaglandin prevents such deficiency and thus protects the animals.


Serum lysozyme in Crohn's disease. A useful index of disease activity.

Serum lysozyme concentrations were determined in patients with clinically active and inactive Crohn's disease as well as in healthy volunteers. The mean serum lysozyme concentrations (+/- SE) for each group were as follows: controls, 8.8 +/- 0.4; active Crohn's disease, 20.8 +/- 0.8; and inactive Crohn's disease, 10.4 +/- 0.7 mug per ml. The mean lysozyme level was significantly greater in active Crohn's disease as compared to normal subjects (P less than 0.001) and patients with inactive disease (P less than 0.001). Moreover, in patients with clinically severe Crohn's disease there seems to be a trend toward greater lysozyme levels, as opposed to those with mild to moderately active disease. In patients followed serially during the course of their disease, serum lysozyme levels increased with exacerbations of the illness and decreased with clinical improvement. These findings suggest that the serum lysozyme concentrations may serve as a useful index of the activity of Crohn's disease and aid in monitoring the clinical course of such patients.


Location, healing, and recurrence of gastric ulcers in relation to fundal gastritis.

The influence of fundal gastritis on the location, healing, and recurrence of gastric ulcers was studied by the endoscopic Congo red test. Results indicated a close correlation between the location of ulcers and the extent of fundal gastritis. In general, ulcers were more proximal when fundal gastritis was more severe. Of the ulcers examined, 62.5% of those not associated with fundal gastritis failed to heal, whereas 85.7% of those associated with severe fundal gastritis healed within 3 months. The presence of severe fundal gastritis was associated with a high rate of recurrence of gastric ulcers.


Natural history and morphology of secretagogue-induced duodenal ulcers in rats.

Morphologically typical ulcers were produced in the first part of the duodenum in 300 male Wistar rats by subcutaneous infusion for 24 hr of pentagastrin (4 mug per kg-min) and carbachol (0.8 mug per kg-min). Groups of animals were killed daily for 14 days, and their stomachs and duodenums were examined. Lesions were graded on a seven-point scale: 0, normal; 1, inflammation; 2, petechiae; 3, erosions; 4, definite ulcer crater; 5, penetrating ulcer; and 6, perforated ulcer. Every animal developed one or more definite ulcers (grades 4 to 6). Within the first 48 hr 34% of the animals died with grade 6 ulcers. Ulcer healing began on the 1st postinfusion day when 3 of 46 rats had erosions (grade 3) but no definite ulcer craters. By the following day some animals were found with normal mucosa. After the 5th postinfusion day the few remaining grade 5 or 6 ulcers were those which had perforated and sealed spontaneously. These long-standing ulcers had several features similar to human chronic duodenal ulcers. By the 12th postinfusion day definite ulcers were no longer seen. In this study duodenal ulcers have not only been produced in rats by secretagogues, but have also been observed to heal. This model can be used to compare the efficacy of various antiulcer regimens on ulcer healing.


Effects of essential and nonessential amino acids on gastric emptying in the dog.

Five dogs with gastric fistulas were studied to assess the effect on gastric emptying of two potent cholecystokinin (CCK) releasers (tryptophan and phenylalanine) and six other essential amino acids; the nonessential amino acids alanine, beta-alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, citrulline, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, D-glutamine, histidine, hydroxyproline, ornithine, proline, serine, tyrosine, and D-tryptophan; four peptide and amino acid preparations; and solutions of glucose, glycine, and mannitol. Of the essential amino acids, only tryptophan significantly slowed emptying and it was above 4 mM that there was a difference between control and test meal. The delay in response to tryptophan was dose-related and approached maximum at 40 mM; D-tryptophan had no effect at these concentrations. In concentrations up to 80 mM, none of the nonessential amino acids slowed emptying significantly. The four peptide and amino acid preparations in concentrations ranging from 80 to 700 milliosmoles had dose responses identical to those of D-glucose, glycine, and mannitol at similar osmolalities. It is concluded that L-tryptophan is a uniquely potent delayer of gastric emptying in the dog which is dose-dependent and stereospecific. Phenylalanine, a potent CCK releaser, did not slow emptying, which suggests that CCK release may not be the only mechanism by which tryptophan acts. The peptide and amino acid preparations (casein hydrolysate, Bacto-peptone, Amigen, FreAmine) seem to delay emptying by stimulation of osmoreceptors which is distinct from the mechanism of action of tryptophan.


Role of antrum and duodenum in the control of postprandial gastric acid secretion and plasma gastrin concentration in dogs.

Three dogs were provided with Pavlov pouches. In two subsequent operations the antrum and the duodenal bulb were removed and the gastrointestinal continuity was restored by gastroduodenostomy. Gastric acid and gastrin secretion were stimulated by a test meal. The feeding experiments were repeated after each operation. The gastrin response to a test meal was markedly reduced but not eliminated by antral resection. Additional removal of the duodenal bulb significantly lowered the basal plasma gastrin concentration and abolished the gastrin response to feeding. The acid response to test meals was significantly increased by antrectomy. Extirpation of the duodenal bulb reduced the postprandial acid output to or below preantrectomy levels. The findings indicate that the antrobulbar region exerts a complex influence on gastric acid secretion which may result in stimulation or inhibition of the HCl glands. Removal of the pyloric antrum and the duodenal bulb does not effectively reduce postprandial acid secretion.


Neural control of gastric mucosal blood flow in the rat.

This study was designed to determine (1) whether sympathetic nerve stimulation reduces gastric mucosal blood flow through the opening of submucosal arteriovenous anastomoses ("shunts"); and (2) whether parasympathetic nerve stimulation increases gastric mucosal blood flow through a direct effect on vascular smooth muscle as well as through metabolic factors secondary to increased acid secretion. An in vivo microscopy technique for the direct visualization of the rat gastric microcirculation was employed. Stimulation of the splanchnic nerve for 3 min caused an initial constriction of submucosal arterioles followed by escape (dilation during continued splanchnic stimulation) in all rats. No arteriovenous anastomoses were seen either in the resting state or during nerve stimulation. Mucosal studies with splanchnic stimulation revealed an initial progressive slowing of flow in the capillaries, followed by escape (partial return of flow). There were no significant differences between the times to maximum initial circulatory change in the submucosa and mucosa, and between the times to maximum escape in the submucosa and mucosa. These findings indicate that, in the rat, sympathetic stimulation decreases mucosal blood flow through a constricting effect on the supplying submucosal arterioles and not through the opening of "shunts". In studies with vagal stimulation, the submucosal arterioles dilated within 10 sec of beginning stimulation in 45 of 51 observations (P less than 0.001) and decreased in diameter within 10 sec of cessation of stimulation in 45 of 51 observations (P less than 0.001). The immediate dilation with stimulation and constriction with cessation of stimulation suggests a direct vasodilator effect of vagal stimulation on the gastric submucosal arterioles.


Inhibition of macrophage migration in response to hepatitis Bs antigen.

Macrophage migration inhibition factor produced in response to purified hepatitis Bs antigen has been demonstrated in patients with and recovering from hepatitis B antigen-positive acute viral hepatitis. These results suggest that cell-mediated immunity against this antigen occurs concomitantly with the illness, and may be important in its pathogenesis. In addition, patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis, whether serologically positive or negative for hepatitis Bs antigen, were also found to have positive macrophage migration inhibition tests. This observation suggests a role for hepatitis B virus in the majority of patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis. Negative macrophage migration inhibition tests in response to the antigen were noted in acute viral hepatitis seronegative for the hepatitis B antigen, alcoholic hepatitis, normal controls, and carriers of the antigen.


Effects of chlorpromazine on bilirubin metabolism and biliary secretion in the rat.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is a long recognized cause of jaundice, but the mechanism by which this agent produces icteric liver disease is not well defined. This study examined some effects of CPZ administration on bilirubin metabolism and biliary secretion in the rat. Acute CPZ treatment (25 mg per kg intravenously) produced hemolysis and resulted in increased bilirubin output and stimulation of hepatic heme synthesis. Both unconjugated bilirubin and a gamma-azopigment found primarily in obstructed rat bile were seen. Acute infusion of hemoglobin solutions to simulate the hemolysis produced by acute CPZ treatment resulted in increased bilirubin output and increased hepatic heme synthesis, but no alterations in the normal conjugation pattern of bilirubin in bile were seen. Chronic CPZ treatment for 4 and 8 days (25 mg per kg intraperitoneally) increased bilirubin output without elevating plasma hemoglobin levels and increased the fraction of monoconjugated bilirubin in bile; the 8-day chronic treatment regimen also caused unconjugated bilirubin to appear in bile. No change in liver weight, bile salt, phospholipid, or cholesterol output was seen with chronic CPZ therapy. Changes in bilirubin production and conjugation caused by CPZ may be a contributing factor in this agent's hepatotoxicity.


Chronic hyperbilirubinemia associated with hepatic uptake and storage impairment. A new syndrome resembling that of the mutant Southdown sheep.

A 19-year-old female complained of moderate jaundice since early childhood, without any other clinical abnormality. Apart from the hyperbilirubinemia (which comprised around 50% of conjugated bilirubin), usual hepatic function tests were normal. Oral cholecystogram showed a delayed opacification of a normal gallbladder. Liver histology and hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity were normal. The plasma disappearance rates of bromosulfophthalein, dibromosulfopthalein, rose bengal, and indocyanine green were dramatically reduced. There was a marked impairment of the relative storage capacities of bromosulfophthalein and dibromosulfophthalein; this reduction was associated with, and thought to be the cause of, some decrease of the biliary transport maximum. This new form of chronic benign hyperbilirubinemia seems therefore primarily due to a defect of hepatic uptake and storage, and closely resembles the disease observed in the mutant Southdown sheep. Since it is not yet possible to quantify the Y- and Z-proteins from a needle biopsy of human liver, their role in the pathogenesis of the present disease remains speculative.


Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma: A report of two cases.

Two cases of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma are reported. Review of the literature reveals only seven previous reports. Cases presented predominantly with either hepatomegaly or ascites. Neither history nor physical and laboratory examination distinguished these patients with primary leiomyosarcomas from those with other hepatic tumors. Analysis of the cases reviewed suggests that aggressive hepatic surgery may improve prognosis.


Effects of clofibrate in primary biliary cirrhosis hypercholesterolemia and gallstones.

A patient with primary biliary cirrhosis is reported in whom the administration of clofibrate in a dose of 1 g per day for 2 months resulted in a marked increase in hypercholesterolemia, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed multiple intrahepatic gallstones. The stones disappeared 3 months after stopping clofibrate and starting chenodeoxycholic acid in a dose of 125 mg daily. These observations are discussed in relation to the known effects of clofibrate on bile composition.


[Surgical treatment of breast cancer (author's transl)].

We compared the healing rates of 387 patients with breast cancer, 203 of them had been treated with the extensive operation technique of Halsted, 184 with a simple mastectomy. Both groups had a x-ray treatment after the operation. Our controls 3, 5 and 10 years after the operation showed, that the healing results of the radically operated patients were better. The complication-rate of the radical operations was not more elevated compared with the conservative more ones.


[A comment about premature births (author's transl)].

Prenatal case histories and labours of 908 mothers who delivered prematurely at the University of Heidelberg, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Mannheim, between the years 1966-1971 were compared with a freely selected group of 782 mothers who delivered healthy mature infants with birth weights over 2500 g. (Premature infants -- under 2501 g; Stillborn infants -- under 2501 g and a minimum 35 cm crown-heel length). A tendency to premature delivery was observed in primipara, multipara with at least 4 previous deliveries, unmarried mothers, and in women with a preceding miscarriage or with closely spaced pregnancies less than 24 months apart. Bleeding during pregnancy, EPH-Syndrome, inadequate prenatal care, premature amnion rupture, abruptio placentae, pathological presentation and complications during labour were more frequently observed in mothers who delivered prematurely than those at full term. Histo-pathological changes of the placentas were found in 11,2% in cases of premature births as opposed to 3,6% in full term cases.


[The comparative value of ultrasound examinations and quantitative determinations of chorionic gonadotropin in the differential diagnosis of the disturbed early pregnancy (author's transl)].

The diagnostic value of ultrasound examinations is compared to the diagnostic value of determinations of the chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) excretion in normal and abnormal early pregnancy. 330 pregnancies between 5 and 16 weeks gestation were examined. there were 78 cases of normal early pregnancy, 131 cases of threatened abortion, 29 cases of missed abortion and 92 cases of incomplete abortion. the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound examination was 95,5% in 582 determinations, the HCG excretions showed a diagnostic accuracy of 87,1%. The combined accuracy of both methods reduced the diagnostic error to 0,58%. The results in the different groups of patients were compared. Errors in ultrasound diagnosis decrease with increasing gestational age. Diagnostic errors were especially observed in cases of uterine retroversion, obesity or unknown menstrual history. The diagnostic accuracy of the HCG excretion is improved by serial determinations.


[The rapid determination of urinary estriol in pregnancy by thin layer chromatography (author's transl)].

A simplified method for the determination of urinary estriol in pregnancy by thin layer chromatography is described. After precipitation of the conjugated substances with ammonium sulfate a short hydrolysis is carried out. Estriol is extracted with diethylether and coupled with dark blue R salt to an azo-dye. After thin layer chromatographic isolation, a spectrophotometric determination from the chromatogram is done. The recovery rate is 94%. The mean error in serial determination is +/- 5,4%. 1 nanogram (10(-9) g) of estriol can be determined from the thin layer chromatogram. The time required to obtain a result is just over 1 hour.


[Polymorphonuclear infiltration of the placenta in cases with internal fetal monitoring (author's transl)].

The infectious morbidity due to intra-amniotic fetal monitoring was studied morphologically in 100 spontaneous deliveries with intra-amniotic fetal monitoring. The control group consisted of 100 spontaneous deliveries with external fetal monitoring. It was shown that internal fetal monitoring does not increase the infectious morbidity with total labours of up to 12 hours. The occurrence of inflammatory cell infiltrates in the placenta, the membranes and the umbilical cord is not in each case due to a bacterial intra-uterine infection. The pathogenesis of these infiltrates is discussed comparing the results of the literature and this study.


[Adenoid squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (author's transl)].

A case of adenoid (acantholytic) squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in an 82 year old patient is reported which was treated by simple vulvectomy. This tumor is very rare in the vulva.


[The effect of radiotherapy on blood clotting and thrombocyteaggregation in patients with gynecological carcinomas (author's tranls)].

This is a study about changes in blood clotting and thrombocyteaggregation in 55 patients with gynecological carcinomas undergoing radiotherapy. The usual thromboembolism prophylaxis were supplemented by 10000 USP-U Heparine administered subcutaneously in 12-hour-intervals. After radiotherapy there was no change in blood clotting values, gross-thrombocyte count or in percentage of thrombocytes involved in aggregation. Aggregation velocity was significantly higher directly after radiotherapy compared to before, it reached normal values after 4 days. The increase was virtually independent of age, body weight or radio therapy dosage. The strangest increase with doubling of normal aggregation speed was found in primary insertions. Second- and third-time insertion showed only smaller increases. Subcutaneous application of Calciparin was simple and painless, in one case the medication had to be discontinued because of a bleeding in the pectoralis area. An increased bleeding tendency was not observed. Thromboembolic complications did not occur.


[Is a vaginal breech delivery still justified? (author's transl)].

In our series of vaginal breech deliveries the morbidity from hypoxia and acidosis showed no difference to the same type of morbidity in our series of breech deliveries by Caesarean section. The correct selection of cases, intensive monitoring during labour and the management of the second stage of labour as outlined in our paper are the most important perequisites which permit to plan and justify a vaginal breech delivery in present obstetric practice.


[The clininal management of breech presentation].

During the period 1969--1973, a total of 7933 deliveries was carried out at the First University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Vienna. Of these, 328 deliveries were breech presentations and 260 were single-born. The frequency of Caesarean sections in the case of breech presentations was 16,6%, i.e. about four times higher than the average frequency of Caesarean sections in relation to the overall number of obstetric patients of our clinic. The high frequency of premature deliveries in breech presentation (18,46%) is reflected in the perinatal mortality rate; 5,67% of all children born in breech position died sub or post partum. The net perinatal mortality rate was 1,15%.


[The costs of cancer screening (author's transl)].

By the cancer screening programme of the German legal health insurance 4,830,717 females were examined in 1973. The yield of cytologic "positive" cases has been 0.23 percent. The sum for finding one of these cases has been in the range from 14,388.-- DM to 16,132.--DM. As can be calculated by the available data on the incidence of cancer of the cervix uteri only about one third of these cases with "positive" findings can be a proven case of cancer (carcinoma in situ included). Thus one proven carcinoma of this site can be detected by the costs of 40,656.--DM to 80,586.--DM and this sum shows an increasing tendency. In spite of these high costs for the cancer detection programme the total expenses for early detection measures amounted only to 0.6 percent of the total expenditues of the legal health insurance in the first half-year 1974. The problem of a high rate of false-positive smears is discussed.


[The serum copper/serum iron ratio in malignant tumors of the female genitalia].

Copper and iron in blood of 83 women with maligne tumors of the genitalia were regulary controled before, during and till 69 weeks after therapy. The relation between the copper/iron-ratio and the expansion and histology of the tumors, the success of the therapy and the incidence of a recurrence was checked for any significancy. Our results show the improtance of the ratio in the diagnosis and differentialdiagnosis of the ovarian-cancer and the corpus-uteri-cancer, and in the success-controll during tumor-therapy. In the group of the patients with collum-uteri-cancer we found a significant difference in the copper/iron-ratio of the patients with and without a recurrence during the controllperiod after therapy, which emphasizes the importance of this copper/iron-ratio.


[The needle biopsy in suspected pelvic recurrence].

The Silverman needle biopsy for the diagnosis of suspicious palpatory findings in the pelvis in cancer patients is recommended. Occasional trauma cannot be avoided but is of secondary importance in the light of the diagnostic value of the procedure. The risk of treatment of a recurrence is much higher. Only 1 trauma necessitated long term antibiotic treatment because of a parametritis. Perforation or biopsy of the bladder or the rectum usually remained asymptomatic. The needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of recurrent tumor in 47 out of 74 patients with the first try. In 6 out of 10 patients the tumor diagnosis was confirmed by a second needle biopsy 2 to 3 months later. Two patients had a third negative biopsy. A total of 11 patients were saved from the fate of treatment of a clinically suspected cancer recurrence as confirmed by the subsequent clinical course over the next 1 to 6 years.


[The filtration capacity of the cervix uteri (in-vitro studies) (author's transl)].

In-vitro experiments had been undertaken in order to clarify sperm selection by cervical mucus. Sperm samples, preferably with a high rate of abnormal cells, were obtained from fertile and infertile men for 35 penetration tests. Cervical mucus was collected from fertile women during praeovulatory phase. The penetration tests resulted in a statistically high amount of normal sperm cells which had migrated through cervical mucus as compared to abnormal cells. The  significance of this filtration capacity of the cervical mucus will be discussed.


[Pregnancies with intra-uterine devices in-situ (author's transl)].

Pregnancies occurring with an intra-uterine device in situ were reviewed. Of 438 insertions since 1966, 31 patients became pregnant. 25 pregancies occurred with a Lippes Loop C or D of 277 insertions. Six pregnancies occurred with the Dalkon Shield among 161 patients. About 50% of the pregnancies occurred in the age group from 26 to 29 years and only 13% in the age group 20 to 25 years. Pregnancy did not occur in the age group below 20 years and in the age group above 40 years. The highest number of pregnancies occurred in Para 2's and Para 3's. 84% of all pregnancies occurred within the first 18 months after the insertion of the I.U.C.D. 13 of the pregnancies ended in therapeutic abortion and nine of these were combined with sterilization. Five pregnancies (about 20%) ended in a spontaneous abortion and one pregnancy ended in a premature delivery at 22 weeks. Five pregnancies went to term and three of these patients had tubal ligations post-partum. -- The three ectopic pregnancies are described in detail. There was one ovarian pregnancy, one tubal pregnancy and one pregnancy in the uterosacral ligament. -- The intra-uterine device is considered to be an acceptable method of contraception. The incidence of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy with an intra-uterine device in situ is increased. Because of the increased incidence of infertility following an ectopic pregnancy, the intra-uterine contraceptive device is only recommended with great reservation as a contraceptive method for nulligravidas.


[The influence of electric acupuncture on the closing mechanism of the female urethra in cases of stressincontinence (author's transl)].

The influence of electric acupuncture on the sphincter of the femal urethra was checked on 15 patients with stressincontinence without gross anatomic variation recognized by means of simultaneous cystourethrometry. After 30 minutes of electric stimulation through acupuncture-needles, which were placed into the skin of the lower legs and lower abdomen, a significant increase of the so-called "closing pressure" was to be found. 11 patients even showed a positive pressure. In a control collective of 15 other patients, who however did not undergo acupuncture there was only one case of slight increase of closing pressure. In addition 15 patients were given a placebo suppository, in order to eliminate as far as possible any psychical factor. In none of these cases a significant change of the closing pressure could be found. Even though the actual working manner of electric acupuncture is not understood, these experiments seem to confirm the assumption of the electric acupuncture as having a positive influence on the closing mechanism of the femal urethra.


[Paresis of the femoral nerve following vaginal hysterectomy and its medico-legal implication (author's transl)].

Following the North American example, mal-practice suits become more common in Germany. The rare complication of a paresis of the femoral nerve following vaginal hysterectomy is reported. Among 1307 vaginal hysterectomies, including 33 radical vaginal hysterectomies between 1969 and 1974, three cases occurred. In one case, the surgeon was sued but the patient lost the mal-practice suit. In another case a diminished employability was recognized later. The causes and the prevention of damage of the femoral nerve during vaginal procedures are discussed.


[Dynamic of demographic economic developments (author's transl)].

Present and predicted demographic and economic developments demonstrate a close interrelation between population and the economy. In the course of a few years the population structure of highly industrialized societies such as the German Federal Republic has changed, due to declining birth-rate, negative birth/death-rate ratio and an influx of foreign workers; many problems and contradictions result therefrom. One is bound to conclude that traditional population theories have been overtaken by practice and that only the present and the future count in promoting the evolution of society. The problem is to bring about an equilibrium between the widely varying increases in production rates in different branches of industry, population trends and the standard of living. Decreases in population and endogenous mortality are reflected in national investment policies, capital distribution within a generation and statutory provisions. Conversely, marriage, fertility and mortality exercise and influence on investment, justice and morality. It has not yet been proven whether, in view of the behavior of one generation, a chance of generation results in a new situation. Certainly, selective adaption processes are operative between population and economic trends. To cope with these processes, a maximum of motivation is essential.


[Coma diabeticum and intrauterine fetal death. Therapeutic considerations on hand of a clinical case (author's transl)].

We report about a thirty year old woman in the 34th week of pregnancy, who was hospitalized with ketoacid coma diabeticum. The intrauterine death of the fetus was diagnostisized. Neither the pathological glucose tolerance nor the metabolic disorder had been previously recognized. In the patient history though we find concrete signs of a possible pathological glucose tolerance. We describe our therapy of the coma. In the following we discuss the frequency of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in pregnant women and screening methods for diabets.


Social class and preschool language skill: IV. semantic mastery of shapes.

Sociolinguists have contended that children, and especially black children, from families of poverty commonly fail in school not because they have either a cognitive or language deficit but because they have a dialect problem. Being unfamiliar with standard English, they are forced to undertake a double task while learning to read. In order to test the validity of this contention, 54 Head Start and 33 nursery-school children of four years were examined with a test of shape identification. The children of Head Start identified six shapes perceptually by matching them about as well as did the nursery-school children. On the other hand, a much smaller percentage of Head Start than of nursery school named correctly all the shapes as they were indicated by the examiners or indicated correctly all the shapes when they were named by the examiners. Sex differences in semantic mastery of shapes are absent; and among the children of Head Start, race differences in semantic mastery of shapes are also absent. The deficit in semantic mastery for shapes is clearly evident, and demonstrating the existence of such deficits can be useful in guiding compensatory education.


Social class and preschool language skill: V. Cognitive and semantic mastery of number.

This study was done to test the validity of two hypotheses of why children, and especially black children, of families of the poverty sector commonly fail in school. Sociologists deny for them either a cognitive or a linguistic deficit, and blame their failures on having to master the unfamiliar dialect of standard English while learning to read. The authors, on the other hand, blame the failures on inadequacies of early preschool experience that result in such deficits as one in semantic mastery of various elementary abstractions. In 1970-1971, 87 four-year-old students (58 black and 29 white) of Head Start and 33 of nursery school were examined with a five part test of number identification. In 1971-1972, the study was repeated with 69 four-year-olds of Head Start and 46 of the nursery school. A much smaller percentage of Head Start than of nursery school identify the numbers of blocks from 2 through 4 by either the heard or spoken mode of number identification. For numbers 5 and 6, most children of both classes fail. The evidence for a semantic deficit for number is very strong. The evidence indicates also a deficit in the span of apprehension and suggests the existence of class differences in the power of examiner demands for heard and for spoken identification to elicit the counting strategy. Evidence of sex differences in semantic mastery of number is absent, and among Head Start children, race differences lack statistical significance. These findings are highly dissonant with the contention of the sociolinguists that no cognitive or linguistic deficits exist and uncovering them can be helpful in guiding compensatory education.


Interrelationships among children's environmental variables as related to age, sex, race, and socioeconimic status.

Information concerning their environments was obtained from 127 first and 165 fifth grade children and their patents. These data were examined interactively--to determine whether patterns of relationships among environmental components changed as a function of the general status variables of sex, age, class, and race--and factorially, to obtain groupings of components. Chi square comparison of subgroup intercorrelation matrices revealed no differences among matrices as a function of the status variables. Factor analysis revealed six common factors: Social Class, Interactive Opportunity and Experience, Maturity, Aspiration Level, Family Interaction, and Amount of Income.


Emotional impairment and achievement deficit in disadvantaged children--fact or myth?

This study examined the relationship between demographic and preschool social-emotional variables, on the one hand, and first grade social-emotional and intellectual achievement variables, on the other. Three hundred twenty-three children from New York City public day care centers were followed up 12 and 18 months later in elementary school. Emotional impairment in first grade was found to be a function of social class, race, and preschool emotional impairment. Two major dimensions of social-emotional functioning showed same-factor stability but not cross-factor correlation over time; one of the dimensions (Apathy-Withdrawal) predicted to first grade underachievement.


Portable device for vaginal thermal conductance studies.

Design and development of a portable and self-contained vaginal probe, consisting of an acetone-filled silver cylinder attached to a pressure gauge, is described. Qualitative changes in vaginal thermal conductance were inferred from rates of thermal expansion of precooled acetone measured as a pressure rise. Administration of 10 mg estradiol-17 beta i.v. to ovariectomized heifers resulted in significant increases in rate of thermal expansion.


Formation of sulphate, sulphite and S-sulphocysteine by the fungus Microsporum gypseum during growth on cystine.

The dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum was cultivated in media containing 0.5% cystine in suspension, and 0.05% peptone or 1% glucose and 0.05% peptone. During growth on cystine the excess sulphur was oxidized and excreted into the medium not only in the form of sulphate but also in the form of sulphite. Sulphite was produced especially during first phases of growth, where its quantity was higher than that of sulphate and its maximum concentration exceeded 1 mg/ml. S-sulphocysteine, detected chromatographically and determined quantitatively, originated in large quantities by the reaction of sulphite with cystine in the medium. Both sulphite and S-sulphocysteine were further oxidized to sulphate. After exhaustion of cystine 90-93% of the sulphur present was converted to sulphate in the cultivation medium.


The effect of volatile and gaseous metabolites of swelling seeds on germination of fungal spores.

Effects of volatile and gaseous metabolites of swelling seeds of pea, bean, wheat, corn cucumber, tomato, lentil, carrot, red papper and lettuce on germination of spores of five genera of fungi were found to depend rather on the fungal than on the plant genus. Germination of spores of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor racemosus and Trichoderma viride was most severely inhibited. Spores of Verticillium dahliae were less sensitive and germination of spores of Fusarium oxysporum was inhibited only in two cases. On the other hand, exudates of pea and bean stimulated germination of spores of Fusarium oxysporum. Also spores of Trichoderma viride germinated better in an atmosphere enriched with exuded metabolites of swelling lettuce seeds. When carbon dioxide produced by the swelling seeds was absorbed in potassium hydroxide, spores of Trichoderma viride and Verticillium dahliae did not germinate at all, the inhibitory effects of volatile and gaseous exudates on germination of spores of Mucor racemosus were accentuated, and also the percentage of germinated spores of Fusarium oxysporum decreased. Germination of spores of Botrytis cinerea was not influenced. Absorption of volatile and gaseous metabolites in a solution of potassium permanganate decreased in most cases their inhibitory effects, particularly in Botrytis cinerea.


Comparative studies on the role of nitrogenous compounds in the growth and perithecial development of Chaetomium aureum.

Sodium nitrate is a suitable nitrogen source supporting growth and perithecial formation in Chaetomium aureum. 31 inorganic and organic nitrogen sources at a concentration of 0.033% were used at different incubating temperatures (25, 30 and 35 degrees C). The cultures were grown in Petri dishes, culture tubes and Erlenmeyer flasks. An incubating temperature of 30 degrees C was found most suitable for perithecial formation. In general, a nitrogen source in a solid medium could induce better perithecial production than in liquid media.


Design methods for tubular fermentation systems.

Methods for the design of tubular fermentation systems are summarized. The first part, on tubular system hydrodynamics, is concerned with the design methods for gas hold-up, pressure drop, drop-size distribution and actual interfacial area, and with non-ideal flow conditions. This being a critical review, only the more important methods have been selected. More recent design methods for the prediction of oxygen transfer coefficients in fermentation systems and methods of determining of true kinetic relations are also reviewed, accounting for the inevitable non-ideality of flow. General rules for system optimization are presented.


Morphogenic effects of ramihyphin A in filamentous fungi.

Ramihyphin A at subfungistatic concentrations stimulates ramification of hyphae of filamentous fungi. Stimulation of terminal ramification of hyphae that can be observed particularly in phytopathogenic fungi is most frequent. Hyphae of Microsporon canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum ramify intensively laterally. Stimulation of the lateral ramification was observed in Monilia fructigena, Penicillium marneffei and Penicillium chrysogenum. The antibiotic induces also formation of vesicular structures in phytopathogens. Due to the substantial ramification of hyphae, both terminal and lateral, the growth of colonies is interrupted. The addition of the antibiotic to a growing colony of Botrytis cinerea induces dichotomic ramification of terminal hyphae after 3 h of growth. Lateral hyphae begin to grow later and further ramify dichotomically. Dense bundles of ramified hyphae are formed after 24 h due to the unbalanced ramification and the colony no longer increases its size.


Study of a yeast mutant with modified mitochondrial translocation of adenine nucleotides. II. Synthesis of macromolecules and lipids in the op1 mutant during mutagenesis with ethidium bromide.

A yeast mutant with an impaired system of translocation of adenine nucleotides across the mitochondrial membrane, which stops dividing after superposition of the q- mutation, was investigated. The results of this work indicate that combination of the op1 mutation with the q- mutation in a single cell results in interruption of synthesis of polysaccharides and DNA leading to cessation of division of the op1q- mutant. The mechanism of this effect remains unclear.


Cyclic kinetics and mathematical expression of the primary immune response to soluble antigen. VI. The possibility of prediction of plasma cell reaction in the spleen of mice immunized with soluble antigen.

A mathematical expression of the accumulation of the plasma cells in the spleen of CBA mice immunized intraperitoneally is presented. The dependence of the plasma cell reaction in the spleen on the kinetics of antigen concentration in the blood was confirmed. For the transition from antigen to plasma cells, index A was proposed. The mean values of index A were used for comparison of the calculated and experimental values of the plasma cell reaction and the recorded differences were not great. In a similar way, index A was used for prediction of plasma cell accumulation in the spleen of animals, immunized with a mixture of two soluble antigens -- capsular antigen of Pasteurella pestis and complete antigen of Francisella tularensis. The calculated values of plasma cell reaction corresponded to experimental values.


Periodicity of recurrence of 'phasic type' of schizophrenia.

Seventy-nine "phasic type" of schizophrenics (38 males, 41 females), who in their progress of schizophrenia had a certain dilapidation of personality, were observed and treated for more than four years and were investigated as to the intervals of their recurrences. The recurrence totaled 198. It was characteristic of periodic occurences that 61.1% of them occurred within an interval of eight to eleven months (about 240-330 days) and 10.6% of them occurred within an interval of approximate multiples of eight to eleven months (as measured from the start of one recurrence period to the start of the next). The interval between recurrences was not markedly affected by seasonal changes, which raised or lowered the temperature and lengthened or shortened the day. Nor was it affected by tranquilizers, such as phenothiazine-derivatives, butyrophenone-derivatives, or by the psychogenic moment (though the picture of recurrences might be affected by all of these). The rhythm of recurrences of the "phasic type" of schizophrenia seems to be endogenous in free-running nature, as if schizophrenics live in an empty world.


Regressive childhood psychosis.

1) Forty-seven children were examined and treated because of psychotic signs during the last 13 years, 35 of them improved and the rest deteriorated. 2) Twelve deteriorated children had four similar symptoms in spite of different age of onset. These are fluid regressive motor play, compulsive tendency for the maintenance of sameness, autistic language disorder and body image disorder. 3) The author calls this illness regressive childhood psychosis, and it can occur between six and 10 years of age.


[A case of "membranous lipodystrophy (Nasu)" with emphasis on psychiatric and neuropathologic aspects (author's transl)].

A housewife, 42 years old, died from a chronic progressive neuro-psychiatric illness of 15 years duration characterized by memory disturbance, moria-syndrome, euphoria, social disorder and extrapyramidal symptoms combined with a severe bone disease. Pathologically, the adipose tissue in bone marrow, and also in other body areas such as the periadrenal region and renal pelvis showed a characteristic degeneration with "membranous cycle" structures. Neuropathological examination showed an extensive atrophy of cerebral white matter, especially in the frontal and temporal lobes, with a marked fibrillary gliosis, a moderate destruction of myelin sheath without grossly visible distinct demyelination and with a relatively normal cerebral cortex: a picture resembling sclerosing leukoencephalopathy. From these findings the case was identified as "membranous lipodystrophy--Nasu." Moreover, the case may be related to the "lipomembranous polycystic osteodysplasia with progressive dementia" of Järvi, Hakola et. al. In cases with an unknown atrophic illness of cerebral white matter there should be carried out a pathological examination of adipose tissue, especially of the bone marrow.


Distribution of Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles in the basal ganglia and brain stem of progressive supranuclear palsy and Alzheimer's disease.

The authors studied the distribution of neurofibrillary tangles in the basal ganglia and brain stem of progressive supranuclear palsy and Alzheimer's disease, with the result that almost no similarity in the distribution and frequency of neurofibrillary tangles exists between both diseases. In two cases with progressive supranuclear palsy, neurofibrillary tangles were found most numerously in the subthalamic nucleus. Next in order came the globus pallidus, reticular formation of midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata, pontine nuclei, locus coeruleus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, periaqueductal grey matter and olivary nuclei. Neurofibrillary tangles were rare in the thalamus. In two cases with Alzheimer's disease, neurofibrillary tangles were found most numerously in the nucleus mamilloinfundibularis, nucleus basilaris, nucleus dorsalis raphe, nucleus centralis superior, and next in order came the thalamus. They were found scarcely in the lenticular nuclei and reticular formation of the pons. In both diseases, almost no neurofibrillary tangles were found in the nucleus supraopticus, nucleus paraventricularis, nuclei tuberales and nuclei corporis mamillare.


[Disease course and outcome in hospitalized patients over 60-years old].

The authors have examined all of the hospitalized patients who were over sixty years old in all psychiatric clinics in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, on December 31, 1968, and many of them were reexamined on June 30, 1973. Through these both serial examinations, the following results are obtained: 1) Of the total 187 patients who underwent the first examination, 62 patients were still hospitalized and subjected to the second examination. 2) Twenty nine of the 62 patients were schizophrenics.  One fourth of them were in remission, the rest being in a desolate or paraphrenic condition. Thirty six schizophrenics have discharged hospitals: 12 patients have left off hospitals getting a considerable improvement and  15 patients were dead. 3) Of the thirteen manic-depressives, only three were still hospitalized, and two of them were in remission. There were 10 discharged cases: three cases dead and six cases improved. 4) Six of the 24 patients diagnosed as senile dementia were still hospitalized. The diagnosis of two cases has been changed into paranoid reaction and depression respectively. Of 18 discharged patients, 14 cases were dead and the remaining four were improved. 5) Of the 22 patients diagnosed as senile psychosis, only two patients were still hospitalized, and the diagnosis has been changed into schizophrenia and epilepsy respectively. The 20 patients have left hospitals: nine cases dead and another nine improved. As the beginning symptoms, these patients showed paranoid-hallucinatic aspects which were similar to those of schizophrenia. In some cases, certain incidents that had preceded onset of the illness were found. 6) Most of the aged patients with the diagnoses associated with the physical conditions due to aging were dead.


Studies on the binding of N-bromoacetylpuromycin and N-bromoacetylaminonucleoside to rat liver ribosomes.

[3H]N-Bromoacetylaminonucleoside and [3H]N-bromoacetylpuromycin have been synthesised as possible alkylating agents in order to study their interactions with rat liver ribosomes. Both compounds bind covalently to ribosomes to a considerable extent. The puromycin derivative binds to the extent of approximately 8 mol per ribosome, while the aminonucleoside derivative binds to the extent of approximately 13 mol per ribosome. Ammonium sulphate precipitation of ribosomes or treatment with puromycin, followed by washing of the ribosomes through NH4Cl-containing sucrose density gradients decreases the binding of both derivatives. Partial unfolding or denaturation of ribosomes by heating at 65 degrees C or through the action of various chemical reagents appears to expose more sites for binding. However, at 15 min of heating the binding of the puromycin derivative decreased by approximately 50% while the binding of the aminonucleoside derivative was almost zero. Binding of both labelled derivatives occurred only with the 50S ribosomal subunit. The extent of binding to the smaller 30S subunit was approximately 4% of that of the 50S subunit. Various other experiments are also described dealing with the binding of [3H]N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA to the A site of ribosomes following treatment with the N-bromoacetyl derivatives.


Immunological relatedness of human and porcine growth hormones.

The immunological relatedness of human and porcine growth hormones is examined by means of labelled human growth hormone and guinea pig antiserum. 1) Labelled human growth hormone is found in the precipitate after reaction with antiserum against porcine growth hormone. Parallel dilution curves are obtained with antisera against human and porcine growth hormones. 2) After addition of antiserum against porcine growth hormone, all the radioactivity is eluted from Sephadex G-100 with the void volume. 3) The addition of an excess of porcine hormone displaces labelled human growth hormone from antibodies against human growth hormone to the same extent as an excess of non-labelled human growth hormone does. 4) The standard radioimmunoprecipitation curves for porcine and human growth hormones obtained in the assay system for the human hormone are parallel in slope, provided that the human hormone and our preparation of the porcine hormone are introduced at a proportion of 1 to 560. 5) In a double diffusion test in agarose gel layers, with human and porcine growth hormones diffusing against guinea pig anti-porcine serum, cross reaction is observed. The conclusion is drawn that with guinea pig antisera, human and porcine growth hormones behave immunologically in a similar fashion. Labelled human growth hormone seems to have only such immunodeterminants as are also found in porcine growth hormone.


The hypophysis in the regulation of androgen and oestrogen dependent enzyme activities of steroid hormone metabolism in rat liver cytosol.

In order to determine whether the gonadal and hypophyseal modes of regulation recently reported for the microsomal enzymes of hepatic steroid metabolism are also valid for cytoplasmic enzymes, three enzymes whose activities exhibit sex differences (male:female activity ratio shown in brackets), 5beta-reductase(1.7:1), 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(5 : 1) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (4:1), as well as one enzyme whose activity shows no sex difference, 3beta-hydroxy-delta5-steroid dehydrogenase, were investigated after various interferences with the endocrine balance (gonadectomy, hypophysectomy, combination of both operations, administration of testosterone or oestradiol). From the results of this and a previous study the following statements can be made about the endocrine control of hepatic enzyme activities. Those enzymes whose activities show sex differences are either androgen or oestrogen dependent; the sex hormone acts in either an inductive or repressive manner. 1) Criteria for androgen dependency are the feminization of enzyme activity after testectomy or inhibition of testicular function by administration of oestradiol; masculinization of the enzyme activity after administration of testosterone to male or female castrates. Using these criteria the following enzymes investigated in this laboratory fall into this category: all microsomal enzymes which show sex differences in their activity (3alpha-, 3beta-, delta4-3beta, 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; cortisone alpha-reductase; steroid hydroxylases and 16alpha-hydroxylase) as well as the cytoplasmic 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Apart from the single exception of 20alpha-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase the presence of the hypophysis is obligatory for the androgen to be effective. The hypophysis does not only work in a permissive manner, but participates in establishing the sex specific activity levels in a manner which is antagonistic to the androgen action. 2) Criteria for oestrogen dependency are that the female animal reacts to gonadectomy, as well as to the inhibition of ovarian function after testosterone administration, by a masculinization of the enzyme activities. After administration of oestradiol, but not gonadectomy, the male animal exhibits typical female activity. Using these criteria the cytoplasmic 5beta-reductase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase are oestrogen dependent. The repressive oestrogen effect observed on 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is antagonistic to hypophyseal action, whereas in the case of 5beta-reductase it is synergistic. 3) The activities of cytoplasmic 3beta-hydroxy-delta5-steroid dehydrogenase and microsomal 7alpha-hydroxylase show no sex differences and are not influenced by any interference with the endocrine balance.


The role of the gonads and the hypophysis in the regulation of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in rat kidney.

With the exception of 3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase all the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of adult male and female rat kidney show significant sex differences in their activities. Interference with the organisms endocrine balance (gonadectomy on day 25 of life, hypophysectomy on day 50, a combination of both these operations, administration of testosterone or oestradiol) demonstrates that the sexually differentiated enzyme activities may be classified  as androgen or oestrogen dependent, the respective sex hormone acting either in an inductive or repressive manner. The criteria for androgen dependency (microsomal 3alpha- and 20beta-, cytoplasmic 17beta- and 20alpha- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) are the feminization of the enzyme activity in male animals after castration and the masculinization of the activity in male and female castrates as well as in normal female animals after administration of testosterone. This latter effect on normal females cannot be a testosterone mediated inhibition of ovarian function since ovariectomy has no effect. For 3alpha-, 20alpha-, and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase the effects of hypophysectomy parallel those of gonadectomy. However, after hypophysectomy the activity of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase falls significantly below the gonadectomized level. The androgen effect on 3alpha and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is independent of the hypophysis, whereas that of 17beta- and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is mediated by the hypophysis.


A cytoplasmic oestrogen-binding component in chicken liver.

A macromolecular component in the liver cytosol from laying hens as well as roosters, protein in nature and sedimenting at 4S, was shown to bind oestradiol. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the complex is approximately 5 X 10(-6)M. No binding component with a higher affinity for oestradiol was detectable in the cytosol. The binding is specific for the tissue and hormone, with the exception that progesterone also shows some affinity for this 4S component. The number of binding sites is about 330 pmol/mg cytosol protein. This number is not altered significantly after treatment of a rooster with oestrogen (24 h) or with cycloheximide (3 h). The cytoplasmic complex (oestradiol-4S-component) does not enhance the binding of oestradiol to the chromatin from rooster liver. The nuclear complex (oestradiol bound to the soluble nuclear receptor seems to be more effective in doing so.


[The primary structure of crotamine (author's transl)].

The primary structure of crotamine, a basic toxin isolated from the venom of the South American rattle-snake Crotalus durissus terrificus has been determined. The polypeptide chain is composed of 42 residues of amino acids. Crotamine shows a molecular weight of 4900 and contains 6 half cystine, 9 lysine, 2 arginine, 2 histidine and 2 tryptophan residues.


[On the specifity and stereospecificity of the conversion of different 2,3-unsaturated acids by Clostridium kluyveri (author's transl)].

Further 2,3-unsaturated acids are revealed which can be reduced by Clostridium kluyveri with crotonate or butyrate as hydrogen donors. Unsaturated and saturated 3-halogenated acids are transformed into the saturated halogen-free acids. The following reaction sequence is proposed: a) hydrogenation, b) elumination of HX and c) again hydrogenation. Tiglinate ((E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate) and (E)-2-methyl-2-pentenoate are stereospecifically reduced to the (S)-2-methyl substituted acids. C. kluyveri contains endogenous material; in the presence of hydrogen acceptors such as 2,3-unsaturated acids this is degraded to acetate, and the reducing equivalents liberated hydrogenate the unsaturated acid. In a transient phase the hydration products of the unsaturated acids are present in the non-activated form in appreciable amounts. Tiglinate as well as crotonate is partially converted to ethyl methyl ketone and aceton and/or propanol, respectively.


[The occurrence of a reductase of delta2-carboxylic acids in Clostridium kluyveri with a stereospecificity different from that of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (author's transl)].

A Clostridia strain (R-strain) which hydrogenates tiglinate (1b) and alpha-methylcinnamate (1c) in the presence of hydrogenase gas in 2H2O to (2R, 3S)2-methyl-[2,3-2H]butyrate (5b, H = 2H) and (alphaR, betaR)alpha-methyl[alpha,beta-2H]dihydrocinnamate (5c, H = 2H), respectively, was isolated. The configuration at C-3 was determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy in the presence of Eu(fod)3. The stereochemistry of this hydrogenation is the mirror image of that which has been determined with intact cells of another strain of Clostridium kluyveri (S-strain). In the presence of hydrogen gas, the R-strain hydrogenates crotonate in 2H2O to butyrate with the following deuterium distribution: C-2, 1.85; C-3, 1.35; and C-4, 0.63 deuterium atoms. Crotonate seems to be the substrate of two reductases with sterically different actions. Tiglinate (1b) and alpha-methylcinnamate, however, are hydrogenated only by that reductase which is different from the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase.


[Free-flow electrophoresis. I. Theoretical and experimental investigations of the influence of mechanical and electrokinetic variables on the efficiency of the method].

In the present paper, various types of band-broadening effects in free-flow electrophoresis were investigated. They resulted from the velocity profiles of the liquid curtain and electroosmosis, temperature gradient, thermal diffusion and sample inlet geometry. An analytical free-flow electrophoresis apparatus permitted easy observation of these parameters. The experiments showed that the influence of the temperature gradient was negligible, whereas the effect of the velocity profiles on band broadening was higher than theoretically expected. In preparative work this is of utmost importance, since overlap of bands is not desirable.  In this case, the zeta potential of the walls can be adjusted to that of the material to be separated, resulting in a considerable reduction of band broadening. Various approaches are indicated. Further attention was given to the influence of the relaxation effect on the separation. Conditions are shown where particles are separated either according to their surface charge density or to their size. The practical relevance of the results is discussed.


[Activity and isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase in tissues of amphibians (Xenopus laevis, Ambystoma mexicanum, Triturus alpestris and vulgaris) and the response in the fat body of Xenopus males to gonadotropin injection (author's transl)].

Lactate-dehydrogenase activity was determined by the optical test method using pyruvate as substrate and the isoenzymes were separated by vertical starch gel electrophoresis. Species-specific and organ-specific characteristics of the total activity and the isoenzyme patterns of the four amphibian species are compared with those of rat and mouse. Application of gonadotropin increases the amount of soluble protein and the lactate-dehydrogenase activity in the fat body of Xenopus and the isoenzyme pattern shows a shift of intensity towards the basic bands. Testis does not respond to this treatment.


Free-flow electrophoresis. II. Analysis of the method with respect to preparative cell separation.

Electrophoretic cell separation by means of free-flow electrophoresis in an FF5 apparatus was investigated with respect to band resolution, separation capacity, reproducibility and influence on cell viability. Very sharp bands and a large separation capacity were achieved using triethanolamine/acetate buffered glycine media as liquid curtain. Acid buffer ions such as N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) or phosphate produced broader bands. Osmotic expanders such as saccharides, though preserving cell viability excellently, decrease electrophoretic velocity and thus separation capacity. The decrease in cell viability observed in glycine media could be compensated for by addition of Ca2. Band broadening caused by methodologically specific velocity flow profiles could be reduced to a negligible level by coating the chamber walls with albumin and by appropriate adjustment of sample flow rate and liquid curtain velocity. Under the optimum conditions described, selective cell loss and artificial change in electrophoretic mobility of the cells during operation can be disregarded. The main reason for cell loss was cell aggregation at low ionic strength, which can be prevented or reversed by treatment of the cells with deoxyribonuclease.


[Microeletrophoresis in continuous polyacrylamide gel gradients. IV. The effect of reducing agents on the electrophoresis of proteins in sodium dodecylsulfate buffer systems (author's transl)].

The migration of reducing agents (e.g. 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol and thioglycolic acid) was analysed in various electrophoretic buffer systems containing sodium dodecylsulfate. It is shown that proteins loaded with dodecylsulfate and previously not reduced can be reduced during the electrophoretic separation.


Studies on polypeptides, VI. Synthesis, circular dichroism and immunological studies of tyrosyl C-peptide of human proinsulin.

The synthesis of tyrosyl human C-peptide, a sequence of 32 amino acids, by the fragment condensation of the N-terminal octapeptide and C-terminal tetracosapeptide is described. The t-butyl protecting groups were removed by trifluoroacetic acid to obtain N-benzyloxycarbonyl-tyrosyl C-peptide. The hydrogenolytic debenzyl-oxycarbonylation of this derivative proceeded to an extent of only 80-90%, and tyrosyl C-peptide was purified by preparative electrophoresis. This purified tyrosyl C-peptide led to an improved sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay. The synthetic tyrosyl C-peptide in an immunoassay using anti human b-component serum reacted slightly differently from the synthetic human C-peptide. After labelling tyrosyl C-peptide with 125I and then purifying the radioactive product, we observed that 80% of the radioactivity could be bound when reacted with an excess of the serum. The circular dichroism spectrum of tyrosyl C-peptide is very similar to that of synthetic human C-peptide. An analysis of the spectrum indicates that 3-7 amino acids are in the beta-structure and the rest in random coil conformation.


[Vergleichende Untersuchungen mit (14c)5-Aminolävulinat und (14c)Uroporphyrinogen (author's transl)].

Cell-free extracts from Clostridium tetanomorphum, a microorganism which synthesizes corrins but no heme, are capable of converting both 5-aminolevulinate and uroporphyrinogen III into cobyrinic acid. Comparative examinations with (14C)5-aminolevulinate and (14C)uroporphyrinogen yielded corresponding results. Cell-free extracts from Clostridium tetanomorphum contain uroporphyrinogen III. To obtain good radiochemical yields it is therefore necessary to use substrates of high specific radioactivity. A method for the preparation of 14C-labelled uroporphyrin I-IV with high specific radioactivity is described.


Biosynthesis of homocysteine sulfinic acid in the vitamin B6-deficient rat.

The formation of L-homocysteine sulfinic acid in the rat was examined in vivo and in vitro. This compound was rarely found, in trace amounts, in the urine and could not be detected in the tissues of various animal species studied. When L-homocysteine or methionine was given orally or intraperitoneally to rats deficient in vitamine B6, the level of homocysteine sulfinic acid in the urine increased and its synthesis could be detected in the liver.


The synthesis of mono- and bifunctional nitriles and imidoesters carrying a fluorescent group.

The synthesis of nitriles and dinitriles carrying fluorescent dansyl groups is described. From these compounds the corresponding mono- and bifunctional imidoesters were prepared. They are suitable for labelling or crosslinking, respectively, of proteins under mild conditions.


Fine detail radiography in the examination of tissue.

The technique of fine detail radiography is presented with a discussion of its value to the pathologist. The current availability of safe equipment for fine detail radiography makes this technique highly useful in the examination of calcified tissues as well as a wide variety of soft tissues.


Antenatal sex determination in blood from pregnant women.

Reported results concern Y-chromatin of lymphocytes and granulocytes in the peripheral blood of pregnant women. In  women who later delivered male children, a mean of 3.75% Y-chromatin was found in lymphocytes. Even after investigation of paternal Y-chromatin, the rate of false diagnoses (14%) in prenatal sex diagnosis could be reduced only moderately. In early pregnancy lymphoid cells with a Y-chromatin could be first traced only in the 8th week; granulocytes showing a Y-chromatin did not appear until the 9th week.


Dermatoglyphic analysis as a diagnostic tool in Wilson disease?

Dermatoglyphic analysis was performed in a family with 3 children with Wilson disease. With our findings we could not confirm the results published in two earlier papers by other authors who noted a positive relation between Wilson disease and an increased number of whorls. The practical significance of the findings is discussed.


The human leukocyte test system. V. DNA synthesis and mitoses in PHA-stimulated 3-day cultures.

In human leukocyte cultures st up with TC medium 199,DNA synthesis and mitotic indices were analysed by means of 3H-thymidine autoradiography and cell counting. DNA synthesis starts at around 28 hrs. The frequencies of labelled cells rise slowly and reach a maximum of around 24%. The first mitoses appear at around 38 hrs but up to 49 hrs only very few mitoses can be seen. After that time the mitotic indices rise and reach values of up to 11% cultivation in the presence of BudR for 72 hrs and staining with Hoechst 33258 stain revealed that first, second and third mitoses occur together in the cultures at this time. Irradiation of whole blood and cultivation for 72 hrs leads to mitoses containing dicentric and ring chromosomes with and without fragments, to interphases with micronuclei, to premature chromosome condensations (PCC) and to polyploid mitoses indicating that at this time first and further mitoses are present.


Phenylketonuria in a patient with cystinuria.

During routine screening procedures for amino-acid disorders by thin-layer chromatography, a 16-year-old boy was found to have phenylketonuria and cystinuria. A phenylalanine and a cystine loading were carried out. The patient was found to be homozygous for phenylketonuria and heterozygous for cystinuria type II. His father was heterozygous for phenylketonuria and cystinuria, while his mother proved to be heterozygous only for phenylketonuria.


Distribution of hypothenar radial arches.

A study of the frequency of the radial arch in the hypothenar area has confirmed that there are bimanual and sex differences, and has shown that racial differences in the frequency exist between Whites, Indians, Negros, and a Coloured (mixed racial origin) population. The pattern is not uncommon, and in about 25% of cases there is an associated marginal triradius.


Haemoglobin G Szuhu beta 80 asn leads to lys in an English family.

An electrophoretic variant of haemoglobin has been discovered in an English family. The amino acid substitution has been characterized as being the replacement of the asparagine residue at position 80 of the beta chain by a lysine residue. This is the same substitution as in Hb G Szuhu, first discovered in a Chinese male from Taiwan.


Short arm deletion of chromosome 12: report of two new cases.

Two boys (W.M. and C.P.) are described, in each of whom a short-arm deleted C chromosome was apparently present. The clinical findings on W.M. are stenosis of the sagittal sutura associated with atrophy of the nervus opticus and mental retardation, and on C.P. osteogenesis imperfecta. An analysis of the G- and Q-banding patterns revealed in each patient a 12p-- chromosome. The deletion involved most of band p12 as shown by length measurements on G-banded chromosomes. Both cases were compared to proven and presumed cases of 12p-- from literature, but no common clinical phenotype could be demonstrated.


[Partial trisomy 11q and familial translocation 11--22 (author's transl)].

By heat denaturation, a reciprocal translocation was found in the mother of two malformed sibs. In her 46,XX,t(11 ;22)(q23 ;q11) caryotype, the rearranged elements exhibit no change of length. The 2 sibs are trisomic for the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 11.


Recurrent abortions and paternal balanced translocation t(lq--;13q+).

A healthy husband showing balanced simple translocation (1q--;13q+) is presented. The relevance of these findings to genetic counselling prompted by recurrent abortion in his wife is discussed.


The tetraphocomelia -- cleft palate syndrome: description of a new case.

A new case of Tetraphocomelia--cleft palatee syndrome is described. The similiarity between this patient and the cases classified as Pseudothalidomide or as Robert syndrome makes a distinction between these 2 syndromes doubtful.


A male infant with monosomy 21.

A male infant with total monosomy 21 identified by Q-, G- and R-banding is described. His main symptoms are hypertonia, micrognathia, microphthalmus, imperforate anus, ambiguous external genitalia, floating and malopposed thumbs, overlying fingers, right clubfoot and growth retardation. Both parents are phenotypically as well as karotypically normal.


Histological analysis of spontaneous abortions with trisomy 2: first description of an embryo.

Three spontaneous abortions with trisomy 2 were analyzed histologically. In one of these, beside chorionic membranes and villi, yolk sac, yolk stalk, body stalk and an embryo are described. Concerning the development stage there seems to be an order; villi and body stalk (16 days), embryo (end of 3rd week to beginning of 4th week) and yolk sac with yolk stalk (2nd half of 4th week).


Morphological variability of the human chromosomes in two Indian populations - Rajputs and Punjabis.

Karotypic evaluation of 100 Rajputs and 100 Punjabis revealed different frequencies of Y chromosome polymorphism and minor chromosome variants. Long Y chromosome were observed 5% of the Rajputs and 3% of the Punjabis. The Y indices of Rajputs were consistently higher than those of Punjabis. Significant differences were noted between Rajputs and Punjabis with respect to the 5 Y indices. Significant differences were also found when those 2 populations were compared with different populations of the world. Minor chromosome variants were observed in 18% of the Rajputs and 19% of the Punjabis.


Chromosome studies in 500 induced abortions.

A survey of the chromosome constitution in 500 induced abortions (5-12 menstrual weeks) was undertaken over a period of 1 1/2 years. There were 34 cases (6.8%) of gross chromosome anomalies: 2 cases of trisomy A; 5 of trisomy C (including XXX and XXY); 1 of mosaic trisomy C; 4 of trisomy D; 2 of trisomy E; 2 of trisomy G; 1 of double trisomy E and G; 1 of XYY; 4 of monosmy C (including XO); 2 of mosaic monosomy C; 1 of mosaicism of ring D chromosome; 1 of extra small metacentric chromosome; 3 of triploidy (including triploidy with double trisomy C and G); and 5 of tetraploidy and its mosaicism. An increased risk for the occurrence of trisomic anomalies was found with advancing age of the mothers. In contrast, the production of monosomies was not age-related. Trisomies were the most common type of anomalies and were found almost at random, regardless of the characteristics of chromosomes. Neither satellited nor small chromosomes were predominantly involved in the formation of chromosome anomalies.


Haemoglobin synthesis in 28 obligatory cases for alpha-thalassemia traits.

In the Far East two types of alpha-thalassemia genes, namely alpha-thalassemia, (alpha-thal1), and alpha-thalassemia2 (alpha-thal2) exist. Definite diagnosis of the alpha-thal1 and alpha-thal2 traits is very difficult because their hematological findings are minimally abnormal or normal. This study attempts to characterize the heterozygotes by hemoglobin chain synthesis in reticulocytes from obligatory cases of the alpha-thal1 and alpha-thal2 traits. Twelve parents of babies with hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis (obligatory alpha-thal1 trait) had the mean total radioactivity alpha/beta ratio of 0.76 +/- SD 0.04, while that of 7 normal controls was 1.06 +/- SD 0.04. The alpha/beta globin chain ratios of 16 cases, who were either parents or offspring of patients with hemoglobin H disease, were found to segregate into 2 groups, i.e. 0.78 +/- SD 0.03 (10 cases) and 0.9l1 and alpha-thal2 traits respectively. The hematological data of the first group showed definite hypochromic microcytic red cells, similar to those of the parents of the hydrops. The second group had significantly higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin than the first group, compatible with alpha-thal2 trait. Our globin chain synthesis study thus appears to be capable of discriminating normal, alpha-thal1 and alpha-thal2 traits.


The human leukocyte test system. VI. The use of sister chromatid exchanges as possible indicators for mutagenic activities.

The trifunctional alkylating chemical mutagen trenimon increases the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in human leukocyte chromosomes in vitro, as revealed by a BUdR-Giemsa method. Treatment with lead acetate exhibited negative results in this respect. The use of sister chromatid exchanges as possible indicators for mutagenic activities is discussed.


Cytogenetic effects of cyclophosphamide on mouse spermatogonia.

NMRI mice were treated with single doses of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and spermatogonia were analysed for chromosome aberrations at various time intervals after treatment. The maxima of aberrations were found 24 hrs p.i. Chromatid type aberrations were observed exclusively. About half of the aberrations consisted of chromatid interchanges, 92% of which exchanging short arm fragments close to the centromeric region. The lack of meiotic multivalents in diakinesis-metaphase I after treatment of spermatogonia stem cells with cyclophosphamide in the study of Leonard and Linden (1972) is discussed.


Partial trisomy 10p.

It is reported on a boy of 4 years 9 months with trisomy of the distal part of the short arm of a chromosome 10, due to a balanced 7/10 translocation in the father. Besides multiple minor dysmorphias the patient showed severe mental retardation, small stature, hypotonia, retarded bone age. The high and bulky forehead was especially remarkable, because this sign has also been noted in formerly reported cases with trisomy 10p.


Cystinuric heterozygotes and cystine-loading.

During routine screening procedures for amino acid disorders by thin layer chromatography, performed in a children's psychiatric hospital, we detected 6 children who excreted excessive amounts of dibasic amino acids. The probands, their siblings and parents and 11 controls (29 subjects in all) were loaded with cystine. On the basis of the urinary excretion after the loading we distinguished normal subjects from cystinuric heterozygotes, which we further subdivided in heterozygotes type II and III by the corresponding serum response.


Chromosome mosaicism in a population sample.

An analysis has been made of mosaicism found in the different types of chromosome abnormalities among the 19000 persons examined at the Cytogenetic Laboratory, Risskov. The percentage with mosaicism was 36 in both triple-X and Turner's syndrome, it was 7 and 11% in XYY and Klinefelter's syndrome, respectively, and 2 in autosomal abnormalities. We found a mosaicism frequency of 11% in population studies with 5 cells analyzed primarily compared with 7% in other studies, in which 10-50 cells were analyzed primarily. (The difference is not significant.) The total frequency of mosaicism was 8%. The first cell with the chromosome aberration establishing the mosaicism was found among the first 5 cells in 40 of the 44 cases with mosaicism, and all but one of the 44 cases would have been established as mosaics, if the guidlines indicated by Bochkov et al. (1974) had been followed; that is 11 cells analyzed primarily, and if one of these cells has a chromosome aberration, the number of cells analyzed is increased to 17; if 2 cells have the same chromosome aberration, the number of cells analyzed is extended to 23, and if 3 cells with the same chromosome aberration is found among these 23 cells, the mosaicism is established. Aneuploid or structural chromosome abnormalities present in all cells may be detected by analysis of 2-3 cells of good quality. Mosaicism with 2 or more cell clones with different chromosome patterns are extremely difficult to detect, if the percentage of cell clones with chromosome aberration is low. The incidence of chromosome abnormalities found in all cells in newborn children in the different studies is very similar as shown in a recent survey of 6 different studies by Jacobs et al. (1974). The incidence of mosaicism varies according to the frequency of artefactual aneuploidy, the variety of tissue studied, number of cells analyzed from each tissue as well as the acuity of the observer and the checking procedures.


Familial correlations in the judgment of numerousness.

Results from analyses of 100 families' judgments of 5 to 90 dots suggest that the absolute error in "subtizing" (up to 8 objects) may have a genetic component. "Estimating" larger numbers of items is more complex and, in this study, does not seem to be under genotypic control.


Extra-hepatic storage of copper: a male foetus suspected of Menkes' disease.

The distribution of copper among the organs of an aborted, male foetus, expected to develop Menkes' syndrome, was entirely different from the distribution in 4 normal foetuses. Copper concentrations determined by neutron activation analysis showed a considerably reduced content in the liver, but increased concentrations in the other organs analysed; total foetal copper was normal.


Trisomy 9q-. a variant of the 9p trisomy syndrome.

A low-birth-weight near-term male infant was found to have a non-familial 47,XY chromosome complement with an extra medium-sized metacentric chromosome slightly larger than a number 16. By Giemsa-trypsin (G-banding) this extra chromosome was determined to be a number 9 with deletion of approximately half of the long arm at region q 22. Chromosome studies on the clinically normal 38-year-old mother showed a balanced translocation with the deleted portion attached onto the distal end of a number 8 short arm, i.e. 46,XX,t(8;9)(p23;q22). Nondisjunction during meiosis of this woman's normal and deleted number 9 chromosomes is the basis of the child's abnormalities. One half-sibling of the child has a balanced translocation similar to that in the mother. Chromosome analyses on 4 others of the child's maternal half-siblings and on the maternal grandmother all showed normal patterns.


Effect of sex, age and cultivation time on number of satellites and acrocentric associations in man.

Lymphocyte cultures of 120 normal persons evenly distributed in relation to sex and age groups were studied. A total of 3900 cells were examined, 3600 in 3-day cultures and 300 in cultivations maintained for 2 days. In both age groups (10--13; 62--96 years) men showed higher numbers of satellites per cell but less cells with D/G associations. Older subjects presented a lower number of cells with D satellites and acrocentric associations; the pattern of these associations, however, did not seem to vary with age. The mean number of associations per cell decreased significantly in 3-day as opposed to 2-day cultures.


Haptoglobin, transferrin and serum albumin variants in the Dayaks of Sarawak.

The Land Dayaks and the Sea Kayaks of Sarawak were surveyed for haptoglobin, transferrin and serum albumin variants. The Hp1 gene frequency was 0.385 in 283 Land Dayaks as well as in 205 Sea Kayaks. The TfDChi gene frequency in 283 Land Dayaks was 0.030 and in 188 Sea Kayaks it was 0.040. Serum albumin Medan was found in one of the 188 Sea Kayaks.


Cultivated cells from diagnostic amniocentesis in second trimester pregnancies. III. The fetal urine as a potential source of clonable cells.

Four independent fetal urine specimens yielded clonal growth. The mature colonies were similar to certain classes of amniotic fluid cell clones, and to those obtained from fetal kidney. Kidney specific LDH isozyme patterns, however, were not observed in any of these primary clones.


Sulfatide excreting heterozygous carrier of juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy or asymptomatic patient of adult metachromatic leukodystrophy.

In a family with juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy (sulfatide lipidosis) 2 patients showed residual arysulfatase A activities of 5--6%. The patients' healthy father was characterized biochemically by a 39% normal activity of leukocyte plus plasma arylsulfatase A. The father was further characterized by a high sulfatide excretion (0.2--0.5 mg/I urine) and, paradoxically, by a normal sulfatide degrading enzyme activity in vitro. This special carrier is suspected to be heterozygous for a) arylsulfatase A deficiency and b) arylsulfatase A (sulfatidase) lability. This presumed additional genetic defect could be the cause of the sulfatide excretion which, in turn, would be a sign of the preclinical stage of an exceptional form of adult metachromatic leukodystrophy. The normal sulfatidase activity seems to be due to an in vitro effect.


Inheritance of acrocentric association patterns.

The individual association frequencies of acrocentric chromosomes identified by fluorescent markers were analyzed in 17 individuals from 3 families. The frequency of association appears to be a characteristic property of an individual chromosome, since certain marker chromosomes showed an increase in frequency of association in each family member in which they appeared. Most of the marker chromosomes with increased frequency of association had a longer nucleolar constriction than their homologs.


The effect of ethylnitrosourea on chromosome aberrations in vitro and in vivo.

The effect of ENU on (A) human chromosomes from blood lymphocyte cultures in vitro, and on (B) rat and mouse bone marrow chromosomes in vivo, was investigated. Doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mug/ml were tested in vitro and cells with chromosome breakage were found to be dose dependent. Chromosome damage was also dependent on time; maximum damage was seen when cells were treated 2--6 hrs before harvest. Two doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were studied in rat and mouse in vivo and a dose effect could be shown in both species. The highest number of abnormal cells was found 6 hrs after treatment; there was a sharp decrease at 18 hrs and thereafer. Types of aberrations were also analyzed, in both in vitro and in vivo studies.


Trisomy 4p14 leads to 4pter with translocation t(4;15)(p14;p12) in the father.

A trisomy 4p14 leads to 4pter in a 15-year-old girl is reported. The main features are physical and mental retardation and the absence of gross malformations. The relevance of other symptoms found in the patient is discussed.


Further data on the incidence and segregation of genetically determined electrophoretic variants of human red cell NADH diaphorase.

Human red cell NADH diaphorase isozyme patterns have been examined in 3,060 unrelated Australians of European origin, by starch gel electrophoresis. 26 people with variant isozyme patterns were encountered: 12 were phenotype Dia 2-1 and 13 were Dia 4-1. A new variant isozyme pattern (Dia 7-1) was identified. No variants were identified in 100 Melanesians and 70 Australian Aborigines.


Phosphoglucomutase phenotypes and prenatal selection. Studies of spontaneous and induced abortions.

The PGM1 and PGM3 phenotypes were examined in extracts of chorionic tissue from 97 spontaneous and 266 induced abortions. Contamination by maternal tissue or blood cells was shown to be insignificant. A positive association was found between the PGM11 and PGM13 genes. No significant differences in phenotype distributions were found between the population of spontaneously aborted fetuses and the normal fetal or adult populations. Hence it was concluded that there is no evidence so far for prenatal selection operating in the PGM1 and PGM3 polymorphisms.


Genetic distance analysis of twenty-two South American Indian populations.

Extent of genic variability among 22 tribal groups of South American Indians in terms of net codon differences per locus has been studied on the basis of determinations on ten genetic systems. The possibility of more than one (other than the north-south route, considered by others) migrational pattern is discussed in the light of the existing genetic variability among the Andean highland and the jungle populations. Genic similarities (as measured by gene identity) are related with geographic proximities which reflect the importance of random genetic drift in creating the present genic divergence among these population groups. Although the materials used in this paper form probably only a non-random sample of structural genome, intralocus variance (sampling) is found to contribute only a little in the variabilities of heterozygosity or genetic distance.


Testing the Mendelian segregation ratio under incomplete ascertainment.

The properties of a test, suggested by HALDANE [1938], for a Mendelian segregation ratio of 0.25 when ascertainment is incomplete are investigated. The error rates associated with this procedure show the weakness of this specific test. An alternative test based on a chi2 statistic is illustrated with the data on human albinism originally analyzed by HALDANE [1938].


Application of the GPT system in paternity cases.

Experiments show that the GPT starch gel pattern of any given blood sample is fully reproducible, and that an individual's GPT type is constant at least after the age of 1 month. GPT isoenzyme patterns are influenced and may be changed during storage of unfrozen blood. The interval between sampling and preparation of haemolysate should therefore not exceed 4 days. In haemolysates kept at -25 degrees C the isoenzyme patterns remain unchanged for at least many months. The GPT system forms a valuable means for statistical information in paternity cases. Thus, the overall chance is 18.7% for paternity exclusion or strong evidence against paternity for a falsely alleged father. Based on a material of 1,316 paternity cases, it is concluded that the GPT system is a valuable supplement to other systems of genetic markers in cases of disputed paternity.


Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs of South African Whites.

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs in a random sample of normal Whites from Durban are described. The sample consisted of 200 males and 200 females. Features examined included frequency and distribution of finger patterns, digital and total ridge count, a-b score, and palmar topography. Data from this study are compared to similar data from South African Negroes, Indians, and Coloureds (mixed racial origin) and several outstanding racial characteristics are demonstrated in the dermatoglyphic profiles. It is suggested that the Indians' dermatoglyphic profile is dominant to those of Whites and Negroes.


Induction and maintenance of the antibody response by different forms of human serum albumin.

Various forms of human serum albumin (HSA) were compared in their ability to induce and maintain the antibody response. In an in vitro model system, antibody synthesis was induced spontaneously during the maintenance phase of the immune response--presumably by persisting antigen. When different lymph nodes (LN) of the same rabbit were primed simultaneously with different forms of HSA, the spontaneous responses obtained in cell cultures prepared from LN primed with high molecular weight forms of HSA were greater than the responses obtained in cell cultures prepared from similar LN primed with lower molecular weight forms of HSA. This difference in response was consistent regardless of the method employed in antigen preparation and persisted for many months. The in vitro results indicating that the antibody response would be maintained at a higher level in animals immunized with high molecular weight forms of antigen and that the method of preparation would not be of major significance were confirmed in vivo in a mouse system.


Establishment of a cell line (SH-4) from pleural effusion of a patient with melanoma.

A continuous tissue culture line (SH-4) derived from pleural effusion cells of a patient with metastatic melanoma is described. The cells became established after five passages lasting a period of 5 months of slow growth. Doubling time of the continuous culture was 20 hr in passage 51. The cell line is now in passage 60. The cells of all passages examined appear spindle-shaped or oligodendritic as seen by light microscopy. Pigment deposition in the cells is light and incomplete, but more marked than in cells of the original pleural effusion as shown by electron microscopy. Chromosome complement shows a single peak with a modal number of 51.


Bacteriological activity in unfiltered calf sera collected for tissue culture use.

Bacteriological tests were made on 24 lots of unfiltered calf serum collected for subsequent use as a component of tissue culture media. The examination included the isolation and identification of bacteria, assay of phages, and demonstration of endotoxin material. Only Gram-positive bacteria were isolated and 96% of the sera were contaminated with bacteria. The prevalent strains of bacteria found were Bacillus species and streptococci and 63% of the sera coagulated Limulus amebocyte lysate. More than 90% of the lots contained phages demonstrable with the C-3000 strain of Escherichia coli. Only one lot of the serum was found to be free from bacteria, phages, and endotoxin by the tests used.


Extensive chromosome aberrations caused by [3H]thymidine incorporation in a diploid monkey cell line DBS-FRhL-2.

Extensive chromosome aberrations were induced in a diploid monkey cell line designated as DBS-FRhL-2 after exposure to [3H]thymidine ([3H]Tdr) for either 30 or 60 min at a dose of 1 muCi per ml of medium. Cultures exposed to [3H]Tdr for a longer period had significantly larger numbers of aberrations than those exposed for a shorter period. The most common type of aberrations were chromatid breaks. The majority of aberrations were observed in cells which were in contact with [3H]Tdr during S phase, especially the middle S. Cells from cultures of early and late passages exposed to [3H]Tdr were affected to a similar extent when chromosomes were examined. No clear relationship between sites of breakage and intensity of labeling could be established.


Effect of cortisol on the ultrastructure of normal, leukemic, and cultured human lymphocytes.

The effect of cortisol on the ultrastructure of normal, leukemic, and cultured human lymphocytes during a 2-hr incubation was investigated. The presence of 10(-5) M cortisol in the incubation medium produced in normal lymphocytes a variety of alterations in cytoplasmic organelles. Mitochondria were most affected and showed evidence of irreversible deterioration (formation of myelin figures). Occasional cells demonstrated an overt rearrangement of their cytoplasmic membranes resulting in a bizarre array of parallel cisternae-like structures. More commonly, the usually underdeveloped Golgi of normal lymphocytes became very pronounced in structure. All of these alterations were produced within 2 hr of incubation, but only in normal human lymphocytes. Under identical conditions, no evidence of ultrastructural changes were produced by cortisol in either lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemic patients, or those from the RPMI 1788 cell line.


Further observations on the immunological induction of DNA synthesis in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Role of products of activated lymphocytes.

Subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin (OA) into mice immunized with OA in Freund's complete adjuvant was followed by an increase in the numbers of peritoneal macrophages synthesizing DNA, determined by autoradiography. The effect was immunologically specific. The increase was followed by an increase in the numbers of peritoneal macrophages; the numbers of peritoneal lymphocytes also increased. Injection of OA into immunized or normal mice was followed by a blood monocytosis. Increased DNA synthesis, determined by liquid scintillation counting, occurred in spleen or lymph node cells from immunized mice, cultured with OA. Diluted supernatants from such cultures, injected intravenously into normal mice, caused increases in the numbers of DNA-synthesizing peritoneal macrophages. Similarly, supernatants from concanavalin A stimulated spleen cells, freed of Con A, also caused an increase in DNA-synthesizing macrophages.


Mast cell and anaphylactic antibody responses in inbred rats to syngeneic fibrosarcomas.

The mast cell content of sarcomata induced chemically in inbred rats showed wide variation. After first passage into a normal syngeneic recipient, primary tumours which were heavily infiltrated showed a complete absence of mast cells. Moreover, detectable anaphylactic antibody to passaged tumours was only occasionally detected. An important immunological role for the IgE/mast cell system in host-tumour defence is not supported.


Disruption of isolated peritoneal mast cells of the rat by human serum and that by other species.

The effect of human sera on isolated peritoneal mast cells of the rat has been studied in an investigation of non-specific mast cell-disrupting factors. This action of the serum shows some correlation with its haemolytic effect but haemolysis is not increased by phospholipase A whereas the effect on mast cells is usually enhanced. Mast cell disruption produced by the sera of other species has also been studied, and it was found that some sera (e.g. that of pig) considerably reduced the mast cell disruption produced by human serum.


Selective macrophage cytotoxicity of carrageenan in vivo.

The suggestion that carrageenan suppressed the cutaneous manifestation of established delayed hypersensitivity (DH) by macrophage cytotoxicity could not be supported histopathologically. In a dose more than sufficient to suppress DH, carrageenan was undetectable by histochemical means in the macrophages of sple-n, lymph nodes, or bone marrow. It required concentrations of carrageenan threefold higher than the immunosuppressive dose to be detected in the above locations. Under no circumstances was macrophage cytotoxicity observed in these sites.


Compound action potential and single acoustic nerve fibres activity generation: an equivalent neuron approach.

The peripheral acoustic system can be easily subdivided into three distinct subsystems: a mechanical one (middle ear and basilar membrane), the set of mechanical-to-neural transducers (the inner and outer hair cells) and the neural part. The functional behaviour of the external and middle ear is well known, but the processes concerned with the transduction of mechanical motion into neural activity are still under investigation. Actually the mechanism of transmission of information concerning acoustic stimuli to the central nervous pathways is not clearly known. On the basis of physiological knowledge, a mathematical model reproducing the pattern of activity of the acoustic nerve, in response to the most typical acoustic stimuli, is proposed. This has been simulated on a digital computer.


Decision-making in clinical practice: application of predictors, indicators and indices to the medical history obtained by a self-administered questionnaire.

A theoretical description of predictors, indicators, and health indices was presented in an earlier paper (Hall and Sebag, 1974). The application of predictors, indicators and health indices--including dynamic health indices--to anamnestic data obtained by a self-administered questionnaire is presented herein. Predictors and indicators showed a varying degree of 'decision-making significance' in the 122 questions examined. The health index distinguished between diagnosed individuals and those receiving no diagnosis(es). The dynamic health index was found to reflect changes in the health status of an individual over a period of time.


Automatic measurement of random interpotenial intervals in single fibre electromyography.

The paper describes computer-aided measurement of interpotential intervals in single fibre eletromyography (SFEMG), a diagnostic and research method in clinical medicine. The method is based on analysis of consecutive intervals in pairs of single muscle fibre action potentials. The most important parameter obtained is the mean value of absolute differences of consecutive interpotential intervals, which reflects the reliability of impulse conduction along the terminal branches of motor axons and across the neuromuscular junction. The interface units, in combination with amplifers, binary counters and pulse amplitude-to-pulse width converters, allow not only direct analogue-to-digital conversion but also recognition of potentials. This enables the computer system to make decisions. The results are computed in less than 1 sec after analysis, and are immediately displayed in a graphic and alpha-numberical form on a screen at the measurement site. This provides an immediate visual feedback for the investigator thus both increasing the diagnostic efficacy and reducing the discomfort to the patient. Simultaneous printout by a teletype is used for documentation. The computer system consists of an HP 2116C computer with standard periphery and the program has been written in FORTRAN IV language with subroutines in FORTRAN IV and ASSEMBLER languages.


A computer program for analysis of dental caries data.

This paper describes the basic principles underlying the development of a computer program for the analyses of dental caries data. A data structure is described which is based on a definition of each tooth or tooth surface in the dentition, using a multi-dimensional co-ordinate system. The basic process for the computer to perform is to count the number of locations which fulfill certain predefined criteria. Programs developed according to these principles will yield exactly the output the individual user is asking for, no more and no less.