[The indications for laparoscopy in malignant tumours of the ovary (author's transl)]. The diagnosis of a malignant ovarian tumour can be made laparoscopically. It is particularly indicated in cases of ascites occurring by itself due to a neoplasm or of undiagnosed origin, and in cases of infiltration of the pelvic nodes or when a small abdominal mass, whether it is isolated or associated with ascites, is found. This particularly of value when a cytological examination of the ascitic fluid does not indicate the diagnosis. Laparoscopy is a means by which the degree of spread of abdomino-pelvic lesions can be discerned in cases where the malignant nature of the ovary is known, but where the prognoses for its removal, either immediately or after several cures with chemotherapy, are doubtful and where the degree of spread has not been correctly and precisely determined at the first surgical intervention. Therefore laparoscopy can complete the information obtained from pelvic examinations and avoid the need for carrying out an exploratory laparotomy, but is gives less information than this latter does about the degree of spread in the pelvis and in the abdomen. So, laparoscopy is a means by which repeated control of the results of therapy which is more thorough than clinical examination can be assured, particularly because it acts as a check on peritoneal cytology. Although its interpretation can be very difficult and its reliability is a relative one, the latter is a good criterion of follow-up.


[Prevention of recurring adhesions after tuboplasty. II. Importance of grafts with free pezitoneum (author's transl)]. We have greatly improved in prevention of adhesions after tuboplasty, using peritoneal grafts on crude surfaces (28 cases off 92 tuboplasties). First results seem to confirm the interest of this method.


A review of work on artificial tendons.

A review of work on artificial tendons. Work done to date on artificial tendons by many authors is described in chronological order. A brief description of the techniques and materials is given in each case, with a summary of the results. The overall implications of the work are discussed in terms of prosthesis durability, the attachment to bone and tendon, mechanical properties and the volume of scar tissue generated. It is concluded that construction of a permanent artificial tendon is a realistic and worthwhile aim; further experimental work ought to include long term in vivo testing with means provided for monitoring any drift of the attachment points.


A comparison of palantype and stenograph for use in a speech transcription aid for the deaf. In spite of considerable reasearch over many years in the field of automatic speech recognition (Underwood, 1977), practical devices capable of recognising unrestricted speech remain as science fiction rather than fact. Simultaneous display of speech as an aid for the deaf has however, been accomplished using manual data input devices (Newell and King, 1977; Newell, 1978; Downton and Newell; Fox et al, 1975; Hayward, 1978). In this application shorthand typing machines have been used, because only they can keep pace with speech (Seibel, 1964). Two possible machines are currently available for English Transcriptions; the Palantype (a British device) and the Stenograph (an American device). They are both based on the same fundamental principles, but differ mechanically and in the typing conventions they use. These differences suggest that one machine may be superior to the other as an input device for an aid for the deaf. This paper compares the two shorthand systems with a view to their potential use in a system providing a simultaneous transcript of speech for the deaf.


A high-affinity ATP-binding site on 30S dynein. The enhancing effect of low concentrations (eg, 8 microM) of bis(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)sulfone (FNS) on 30S dynein ATPase activity is increased when 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) is present. The effect of FNS + DTT is optimal at pH 7.5. Activation of the latent ATPase activity of 30S dynein by FNS + DTT is partially prevented by 1--3 microM ATP. Adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) is less effective than ATP, while beta, gamma-methylene-adenosine triphosphase (AMP-PCP), though a much stronger inhibitor of ATPase activity than AMP-PNP, does not protect against enhancement. These results demonstrate the presence of high-affinity ATP-binding site on 30S dynein.


[2 cases of substitution of the portal vein with a dacron prosthesis during pancreatectomy for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas]. The Authors report their experience concerning two cases of pancreatic carcinoma in which growth involvement of retropancreatic venous peduncle required the removal of a tract 6 and 8 cm long of the mesenteric-portal axis and its replacement with knitted dacron graft. The first patient died 8 months later due to massive pulmonar and hepatic metastases. The second patient died in the early post-operative course due to septic shock and dacron graft did not show any evidence of lumen obstruction at post-mortem examination. In spite of the lack of controlled clinical trials which provide a well defined method of staging for carcinoma of the pancreas, the authors' experience shows the possibility of extending radical resections also to cases which usually are considered unresectable and in absence of politetrafluoroethylene graft also with the use of interposed knitted dacron graft good results can be achieved.


Angiocardiographic and haemodynamic studies in chronic haemodialysis patients with cardiomegaly. Twenty-one chronic haemodialysis patients with cardiomegaly and repeated episodes of heart failure were selected for left ventricular cineangiography and haemodynamic studies. Left ventricular end-diastolic (LVED) volume was augmented in eleven, LVED pressure increased in fourteen, and ejection fraction decreased in nine patients. A decrease of maximum velocity of myocardial fibre shortening was observed in fifteen, and of normalised ventricular rigidity index in eleven. Many patients had diminished cardiac performance in the absence of demonstrable coronary heart disease, hypertension, or chronic volume overload. The diagnosis of congestive cardiomyopathy of unknown aetiology, possibly related to uraemia, was reached in ten patients.


Detection of memory cells by chemical modification of the lymphocyte cell surface. Stringent alloantigen requirements, necessary for the differentiation of human memory cells into specific secondary cytolytic T cells (2 degrees CTL), can be bypassed by chemical modification of memory cells with the mitogenic oxidising agent, galactose oxidase. Treatment of memory cells generated in a long-term primary mixed lymphocyte culture with neuraminidase and galactose oxidase (NAGO) results in the differentiation of memory cells into 2 degrees CTL. In contrast, treatment of unprimed cells with NAGO does not result in CTL production despite the proliferation resulting from such treatment.


Donor specific suppressor cells in association with rejection of a renal allograft. Details are presented of three aspects of immunological monitoring in a single instance of severe irreversible rejection of a renal allograft. Rejection is associated with strong evidence of lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity (LMC). During this period reduced responsiveness of recipient cells to stimulation in vitro by donor cells is observed; this is more reduced than is responsiveness to random cells. Donor-specific suppressor cells also develop, as detected in two systems. It is postulated that the data are evidence that competition exists between different agressive and suppressive subpopulation of recipient lymphocytes.


Plasma exchange in immune complex disease. The effect of plasma exchange on CIC, anti-dsDNA and complement levels and clinical activity was studied in eight patients with SLE, one with idiopathic anaphylactoid purpura and one with mixed cryoglobulinaemia. No association existed between different tests for immune complex detection. Plasma exchange as sole therapy was effective in patients with idiopathic anaphylactoid purpura and mixed cryoglobulinaemia, but not in one SLE patient with CIC. Five SLE patients with CIC treated with corticosteroids showed improvement on plasma exchange but in two patients with and two with CIC plasma exchange was not effective.


Pathogenetic role of mesangial immune deposits. This investigation was designed to clarify the pathogenetic role of immune complexes within the mesangium. We administered a ferritin-protein antigen to rats which localised and persisted within the mesangium. Subsequently administration of anti-ferritin antibody resulted in binding of antibody to the mesangially located antigen. The effect of this immune complex formed in situ was studied in long-term experiments and no evidence of glomerular impairment was seen. These results lend support to the view that an immunological process, confined to the mesangium, may not necessarily compromise renal function.


[Pathomorphological changes in the estrogenic syndrome of swine]. Epizootic, clinical and pathomorphological investigations were carried out on spontaneously arising oestrogen syndrome in swine following feeding with fodder mixture containing 35-63% maize in which the oestrogen substance z-2 (zearalenon) was found. Clinical symptoms and pathomorphological changes observed in the course of the disease are described. Varying in extent edematous processes were present in the regions around the anus, vulva, prepucium and the mammal complex. Uteruses were twice or thrice enlarged. Varying in size (pea grain to pigeon egg) cystose formations, sclerotic and atrophic changes were found in the ovaries of swine, which had suffered from vulvo-edema and were slaughtered after three months because they could not come in heat. Degenerative changes of the parenchymal organs, blood vessel disturbances in the uterine wall and various degenerative, atrophic and cystose changes in the ovarian folicules were histologically observed.


[The determination, secretion and plasma concentration of androgens]. The present state of modern methods for the determination and some data for secretion and plasma levels of the principal circulating androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone) in men and women under normal and pathological conditions are described.


[Determination of flow capacity in valves for ventriculo-auricular drainage]. In model experiments both of the customary valves for ventriculo-auricular draining (Spitz-Holter valve and Pudenz-Heyer valve) are tried. Aperient pressures as well as flow amounts in relation to given pressure values are determined and plotted. In long-term examination for 1 year both kinds of valves exhibit irregular flow capacities, that have no significant tendency in the Spitz-Holter valve, whereas the flow through the Pudenz-Heyer valve is more and more diminished during the course of time.


Histoenzymatic changes in the dog kidney in an experimentally induced crushing injury of the thorax. The experiments were carried out on dogs. Experimental animals were subjected to the trauma of the thorax during operation. The localization and activity of succinic dehydrogenase, NADH2-tetrazole reductase, adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline and acid phosphates in the kidneys were examined. An increase of the activity of all the investigated enzymes takes place under the influence of the stress. On the basis of the investigations it can be supposed that the processes of oxygen phosphorylation and active transport are intensified. An increase of the activity of acid phosphates gives evidence of the intensity of phagocytosis and pinocytosis processes in the kidney.


[Bronchiectasis and definitive assisted ventilation (author's transl)]. A 39 year old female with severe respiratory insufficiency by bronchiectasis is treated by assisted ventilation at home. Indication is discussed.


[Late results of patients with amputation of the thigh (author's transl)]. 111 patients with amputation of the thigh of the last world war were examined. Besides the complaints in their thigh they suffered mostly from low back pain and osteoarthritis in the knee of the other leg. For a medical report it is important to decide whether the low back pain comes from lumbar disc disease or from secondary scoliosis of the lumbar spine which is caused by the amputation. Secondary changes in the spine and in the other leg can also be expected when a lower limb is heavily injured.


Effect of in vivo and in vitro application of glucagon, insulin and epinephrine on Ca++-transport properties of liver mitochondria. In vivo administration of glucagon, insulin or epinephrine, respectively, gives rise to an increase of Ca++-retention time as well as of the Ca++-uptake rate in subsequently isolated rat liver mitochondria. Whereas the changes of Ca++-transport properties after pretreatment with glucagon or epinephrine occur already 6--15 min after their administration, the effect of insulin is observed not earlier than 30 min after its application. Under diabetic and starving conditions the Ca++-retention time of isolated liver mitochondria is prolonged, whereas no alteration of the uptake rate occurs. Since alloxan as well as streptozotocin induced qualitatively similar changes, a specific action of alloxan on liver mitochondria can be ruled out. Application of insulin 60--90 min prior to decapitation normalizes the changes of mitochondrial Ca++-transport observed under chronic alloxan diabetic conditions. Cycloheximide abolishes the prolongation of Ca++-retention in mitochondria from alloxan diabetic rats, but has no influence on the changes induced by glucagon pretreatment.


Competition between extramitochondrial and intramitochondrial ATP-consuming processes. The relationship between intra- and extramitochondrial ATP utilization was investigated in liver mitochondria isolated from normally fed, starved and high-protein fed rats. ATP export was provoked by adding a hexokinase-glucose-trap and intramitochondrial ATP consumption by adding ammonia, bicarbonate and ornithine in order to stimulate citrulline synthesis. Both processes compete for ATP produced via oxidative phosphorylation; the rate of citrulline formation declines as the extramitochondrial [ATP]/[ADP] ratio decreases. It is concluded that ATP for adenine nucleotide translocation and that for carbamoyl phosphate synthesis are delivered from a common intramitochondrial pool of adenine nucleotides. In mitochondria from rats with a high-protein diet, citrulline synthesis greatly stimulates the rate of oxidative phosphorylation (about two thirds of state 3 respiration). Under these conditions the intramitochondrial [ATP]/[ADP] ratio is significantly reduced. The intramitochondrial [ATP]/[ADP] ratio is not in thermodynamic equilibrium with the extramitochondrial one.


Muscle spindles in the human anterior digastric muscle. The occurrence of muscle spindles in the anterior digastric muscle in man was investigated and the fibre calibre spectrum of the corresponding nerve was determined. After removal at autopsy from five individuals of both sexes (aged 23--73), the muscles were stained with Weigert's iron hematoxylin-van Gieson stain and the nerves according to the Alzheimer - Mann - Häggqvist method. Altogether 12 spindles were found in five out of ten muscles. Only muscles from one individual were devoid of spindles. This sparsity or absence was supported by analyses of fibre calibre spectra. The small number of spindles and the fact that they do not occur in all muscles or in all individuals, suggest that they are not an essential source of sensory information.


[The influence of climatic treatment on the levels of complement and some lysosomal enzymes in serum of patients with asthma bronchiale (author's transl)]. It was found that the levels of CH50, C3, complement component. lysozyme, beta-D-glucuronidase, and acid phosphatase were increased in blood serum of patients with asthma bronchiale during a climatic treatment in the highmountain condition of Strbské Pleso (altitude 1,350 m). The increase of CH50 was monophasic, while the changes of other factors were biphasic--increasing at the beginning and falling down to the starting values at the end of the treatment. The changes observed are a part of the adaptation of organism to the high-mountain condition.


[Cross reaction of specific IgE antibodies directed against cow's milk and bovine hair (author's transl)]. Sera of 25 children living in town were examined by means of RAST on the presence of IgE antibody against milk and cow's hair antigens. 18 cases had IgE antibodies reacting with milk and 9 with cow's hair. There was correlation between the levels of these antibodies with the exception of two cases. The results give evidence that half of the asthmatic children allergic to milk will react with bronchospasm in the cases if they ar exposed to inhalation of cow's hair.


[E-rosette formation after liver transplantation (author's transl)]. In 1 patient with orthotopic liver transplantation E-rosette formation was investigated during a period of 16 months. The patient showed an average rate of rosette formation comparable to this of controls. Increased or decreased rates were connected to crises--cholangitis and rejection--in clinical currency.


[Examination of lymphokines in patients with hemodialysis (author's transl)]. The activity of LIF after Con A stimulation was examined in patients with hemodialysis and chronic uremia. It was found that LIF activity is reduced in uremia compared with healthy controls. The absolute number of T lymphocytes was reduced as well as the number of active E rosettes. An inhibitory effect was found in vitro by isolated middle molecules from uremic serum and ultrafiltrate. The LIF production of normal lymphocytes and the number of active rosettes are significantly reduced by substances isolated from serum and ultrafiltrate with molecular weight of 1 000 to 1 500 Dalton. The authors think that these uremic middle molecules are responsible for the already known reducing of immune response by uremia. The uremic substances are dialysable.


[Evaluation of lymphocyte transformation test: relationship between nucleus and cell sizes of PHA-stimulated lymphocyes (author's transl)]. A methodological comparision of evaluation of lymphocyte transformation test is described. Three experts examined smear-slides of cells from five lymphocyte cultures and the corresponding controls in a blind study. In the morphological differentiation of 100 cells per slide in comparison to 1 000 cells per slide it was found a good intraindividually but a unsatisfactory interindividually correlation. 1 000 cells from stimulated and non-stimulated cultures shows the greatest difference for the parameter "total cell size" and the lowest difference for the "nucleus plasma relation" by the planimetrically imeasurement.


ATP-ase activity and lipid content of erythrocytes in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. In erythrocytes of children with the acute lymphoblastic leukemia the rise in total phospholipid content, confined predominantly to lecithin, the decrease of cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and the increase of the Mg++-activated ATP-ase activity was found prior to treatment. The abnormalities of the lipid composition were in general persistent also in remission. The activity of erythrocytes ATP-ase decreased to normal values after achievement of the reversion of clinical and hematological symptoms of the disease. The increase of the enzyme activity may be induced by the in vitro incubation of normal erythrocyte with the blood plasma of patients in the acute stage of lymphoblastic leukemia but not in remission.


Effects of thymidine analogues on murine and human cells. Three mouse tumour cell lines grew continuously in 3 micro M 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR). One line (MC-2) produced a retrovirus and altered in morphology in the presence of BUdR or 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR). These effects, which could be reversed by growth in normal medium were similar to those reported for the B-16 mouse melanoma line. The B-16 line used in this study, however, as well as a variety of human cells (six melanoma lines and three fibroblast strains), were much more sensitive to BUdR, 0.03-0.1 micro M being the maximum tolerated levels for continuous growth. No virus production or changes in morphology were induced in these cells by BUdR, deoxyuridine (UdR), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) or thymidine (TdR). The results of cell labelling and growth studies showed a correlation of incorporation of BUdR into DNA with toxicity. Compared on a competitive basis with 1 micro M TdR, the order of incorporation of 1 micro M nucleosides by two human cell lines was TdR = BUdR = IUdR greater than UdR greater than FUdR. In contrast to previous reports that FUdR is incorporated into RNA but not into DNA, half of the FUdR label was found in alkalistable, DNase-sensitive material. Over 90% of the other compounds was incorporated into DNA. All of the UdR and 60% of the IUdR label was incorporated as thymidine; this conversion could be inhibited by labelling in the presence of FUdR.


Mg2+ and ATP effects on K+ activation of the Ca2+-transport ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. ATP and the divalent cations Mg2+ and Ca2+ regulated K+ stimulation of the Ca2+-transport ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Millimolar concentrations of total ATP increased the K+-stimulated ATPase activity of the Ca2+ pump by two mechanisms. First, ATP chelated free Mg2+ and, at low ionized Mg2+ concentrations, K+ was shown to be a potent activator of ATP hydrolysis. In the absence of K+ ionized Mg2+ activated the enzyme half-maximally at approximately 1 mM, whereas in the presence of K+ the concentration of ionized Mg2+ required for half-maximal activation was reduced at least 20-fold. Second MgATP apparently interacted directly with the enzyme at a low affinity nucleotide site to facilitate K+-stimulation. With a saturating concentration of ionized Mg2+, stimulation by K+ was 2-fold, but only when the MgATP concentration was greater than 2 mM. Hill plots showed that K+ increased the concentration of MgATP required for half-maximal enzymic activation approx. 3-fold. Activation of K+-stimulated ATPase activity by Ca2+ was maximal at an ionized Ca2+ concentration of approx. 1 microM. At very high concentrations of either Ca2+ or Mg2+, basal Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity persisted, but the enzymic response to K+ was completely inhibited. The results provide further evidence that the Ca2+-transport ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum has distinct sites for monovalent cations, which in turn interact allosterically with other regulatory sites on the enzyme.


[Caudography with Dimer-X in the diagnosis of lumbar and sciatic pain syndromes of orthopedic interest. Report of 100 consecutive examinations]. It was found that the employment of Dimer-X (methylglucamine jocarmate) as contrast medium greatly reduced the frequency of secondary phenomena in 100 caudographies performed in subjects with lumbar and sciatic pain syndromes of orthopaedic interest. Comparison between the clinical, caudographic and surgical findings showed how contrastography offered highly accurate information in support of the clinical diagnosis of disk compression in case of sufficiently severe lumbar and sciatic pain.


Collection of Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch emend. Bacht. from Southwest Asia studied in the neighborhood of Moscow. Wild barley Hordeum spontaneum C. emend. is of interest from several aspects (Bakhteev, 1974). It is not only a very near relative of cultivated barley H. sativum Jessen, but also a potentially very promising donor for use in hybridization. With these facts in mind and, in particular, recalling N. I. Vavilov's remarks [on the occasion of publication of R. E. Regel's article "on the origin of cultivated barleys" (1917)], appropriate investigations were started. In the present case 77 specimens of H. spontaneum, collected by S. Sakamoto (Japan) in the countries of South West Asia, were studied with reference to several morphological and biological features including winter hardiness.


The effects of methylnitrosourea on the immune system and hematopoietic system of adult specific pathogen free cats. The effects of a single non-carcinogenic dose of 15 mg/kg methylnitrosourea (MNU) on the immune and hematopoietic systems of adult specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cats were determined. The cell-mediated-immune (CMI) system was markedly suppressed, as evidenced by: (i) Prolonged cutaneous allograft retention time (41-84 days); (ii) Decreased lymphocyte blast transformation response to mitogens (2% of pretreatment response to pokeweed mitogen or concanavalin A) and antigen (12% of untreated control cat response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin); (iii) Reduced number of absolute erythrocyte-rosetting T-cells in the peripheral blood. This immunosuppression lasted at least 3 months, the duration of the experiment. Suppression of the hematopoietic system was also noted as evidenced by: (i) Peripheral lymphopenia lasting 3 months and neutropenia lasting 3 weeks; (ii) Bone marrow hypocellularity lasting 3 weeks; (iii) Hypoplasia of neutrophilic precursors lasting 3 weeks and erythroid precursors lasting 4 days. It was concluded that a single non-carcinogenic dose of MNU induces a prolonged suppression of the CMI system and a brief suppression of hematopoiesis in adult SPF cats. The immunosuppression may in part be responsible for the previously observed increased susceptibility to feline leukemia virus infection and disease of adult SPF cats treated with MNU.


Metallothionein: an exceptional metal thiolate protein. Metallothioneins are unusual, low molecular weight proteins of extremely high sulphur and metabl content. They occur in substantial quantity and in multiple variant forms in parenchymatous tissues (liver, kidney, intestines) of vertebrates and certain microorganisms (Neurospora crassa, yeast). They are though to play a central role in the cellular metabolism of metals such as zinc, copper and cadmium. All mammalian forms studied are single chains with 20 cysteinyl residues among a total of 61 amino acid residues and highly characteristic amino acid sequences. Their most conspicuous common features are seven -Cys-X-Cys- sequences where X stands for an alphatic residue other than Cys. Together with additional cysteinyl residues located elsewhere in the chain and brought into juxtaposition by appropriate chain folding, these dithiol sequences are believed to form the basis of the trithiolate chelating structures typical of most of the six or seven metal-binding sites of the mammalian cadium- and/or zinc-containing metallothioneins. The positions of the cysteinyl residues are preserved in evolution: the copper-containing metallothionein from Neurospora crassa, containing only 25 amino acid residues, has a distribution of metal-binding cysteinyl residues identical to that of the N-terminal portion of the mammalian chains. The detailed physiological role of metallothionein remains to be clarified but its biosynthesis is known to be modulated by nutritional and endocrine factors. Recent evidence suggests that metallothionein is a critical determinant in the homeostasis of zinc.


Studies directed toward the total synthesis of antibiotics: (+)-spectinomycin. The presence of a dioxaspiro or a fused bicyclic ring system resulting from a diastereoselective intramolecular acetalization of keto diol or keto alcohol units respectively, is a unique structural feature among a number of biologically important natural products. The particular bond arrangement around the ketal carbon atom is, in part, a reflection of the preference for anomeric stereoselection in nature, either at the site of acetalization or in its vicinity. This phenomenon manifests itself in the constitutional structures of several ionophores (polyether type), in the antibiotic spectinomycin as well as other natural products. Synthetic efforts in this area will be discussed, with particular emphasis on spectinomycin as a challenging target.


[Ulcerative contact dermitis caused by premixed concrete (cement burns)]. Cement dermatitis manifests clinically as a chronic dermatitis of irritative character, due to its alkaline nature and as allergic contact dermatitis produced by sensitization to chromium and cobalt occurring as trace elements. the present report deals with a mason without previous dermatitis, presenting bullae, ulcers and necrosis in lower limbs, short time after incidental contact at work, with premixed concrete. The clinical manifestations, such as short evolution, clear limitation to sites in close contact with concrete, negativity to standard patch testing and good prognosis with early treatment, are mentioned. The acute irritant nature of the disease is clear, in opposition to the classical manifestations of cement dermatitis. The need of studies of the chemical properties of this material including pH, alkalinity and the possible roll of additives employed, is part of the strategy for prevention of occupational dermatitis in the building trade, which should include also, information of hazards and proper training in their trade.


[Scleroatrophying and degenerative keratodermic genodermatosis of the extremities]. A case of a picture described by Huriez et al. under the title of scleatrophying and keratodermic genodermatosis of the limbs usually degenerative is presented. In the genealogic study it was observed that seven out of the sixteen members that belonged to this primary family group were affected or probably affected and it is stressed that one of them died from metastasis of spinocellular epithelioma.


Physiotherapy in certain aspects of psychosomatic medicine. The author describes a combined approach, called psychomotoric treatment, for patients with emotionally conditioned, somatic symptoms, such as headache, backache, neck-shoulder-arm pains, postural disorders and inhibited respiration. Many of these patients have previously been treated in vain with tranquilizers and ordinary physiotherapy. The physiotherapeutic part of the treatment (psychomotoric physiotherapy) is based on a comprehensive view of the muscular apparatus and functioning as a whole with emphasis on correction of postural disorders and liberation of respiration. It should also include close cooperation with the doctor, who may be called upon when emotional inhibition impedes further progress of the physiotherapy. The main indication area for this treatment is the clientele of the general practitioner. Patients with clear psychiatric symptoms should be treated only if anchored in a secure psychotherapeutic situation.


Myocardial contractility: non-invasive assessment after cardiac surgery. The shape of the carotid blood-flow signal in the assessment of myocardial contractility is important. The non-invasive electromagnetic method permits the measurement of the pulsatile carotid flow rate and thus to estimate the maximum blood flow acceleration (max. dF/dt), which is directly related to myocardial contractility. The electromagnetic flowmeter method, routinely used in the superficial arteries of arteriosclerotic patients, has been modified to record the blood flow rate in the carotid artery. Two ECG electrodes on both sides of the common carotid artery record the signal given by a small magnet located above the electrodes. Using this method, we have studied the effects of isoprenaline infusion in a normal subject. In patients after cardiac surgery we measured max. dF/dt in the region of the carotid artery and compared changes in it with parameters obtained by invasive methods such as the cardiac index, and the pulmonary and systemic pressures. The first results of blood flow recordings in the ascending aorta are presented here.


Genetic markers and leprosy in South African negroes: Part II. Erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms. The phenotype frequencies of the erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms acid phosphatase (aP), phosphoglucomutase loci 1 and 2 (PGM1 and PGM2), adenylate kinase (AK), adenosine desaminase (ADA), esterase D (EsD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) were determined on a sample of 234-248 South African Negroes with leprosy. These results were compared with data of 841--997 healthy Negro controls of similar geographical and ethnic origin, in order to determine whether or not any association exists between specific phenotypes and the manifestation of leprosy. A part of the data included in the present study were compared with the data of a similar comparative analysis on Mozambican Negroes. With regard to the polymorphisms aP, PGM1 and PGM2, the results derived from South Africa and Mozambique exhibit reverse patterns of deviations from the null hypothesis. From this it does not appear justified to postulate an association between these genetic markers and the occurrence of leprosy. For the enzyme polymorphisms ADA, AK and EsD (data are confined to South African Negroes only) the distribution of phenotypes between patients and controls was very similar. The differences were not statistically significant. However, observations on the 6-PGD polymorphism (data are confined to South African Negroes only) showed an excess of phenotype PGD A among leprosy patients as compared with controls. The difference was statistically highly significant. Further studies based on additional samples are required to substantiate whether or not the statistical outcome reflects a true association between this phenotype and leprosy.


[Electromyographic study of sciatica caused by lumbosacral disk hernia. Apropos of 40 cases with operative findings]. The Authors present the electromyographic study of 40 cases of low-back and sciatic pain due to lumbar herniation of the intervertebral disk after surgical checking. The E.M.G. parameters, which are thought to be more valid in order to make a diagnosis of the motor nerve-root  pain and choose the test muscles to be examined, are shown here. Following the data of scientific publications, a special emphasis is put on the usefulness of the this check-up in order to supply important elements for the evaluation of the degree and position of the nerve-root damage.


Xanthogranulomatous lymphadenitis.

Xanthogranulomatous lymphadenitis. A case of an unusual type of granulomatous lymphadenitis, initially suspected of being a malignant lymphoma, is reported. Histologically, this lesion shows a striking xanthomatous appearance, due to collections of foamy histiocytes interspersed with chronic inflammatory cells, and resulting in a storage-like aspect. Evidence indicates that this process merely represents the reabsorption and healing phases of an acute suppurative lymphadenitis, with histopathologic features comparable to those of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The term xanthogranulomatous lymphadenitis is suggested for this previously inadequately described lesion, and the likely non-specific degenerative character of the xanthomatous response is stressed.


Shwachman's syndrome and leukaemia.

Shwachman's syndrome and leukaemia. The clinical and morphological characteristics of Shwachman's syndrome (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancytopenia, skeletal changes) were observed in a boy who, at the age of 8 years, developed a juvenile form of chronic myeloic leukemia which did not respond to cytostatic treatment. Autopsy revealed a striking lipomatous atrophy of the pancreas, defects in the ossification zones of the bones and marked dwarfism. In addition there was leukaemic infiltration of the pancreas, the spleen, the liver and the lymph nodes. The association of Shwachman's syndrome with leukaemia is a rare, but remarkable complication of this entity because of its relationship to the preceeding pancytopenia. Thorough follow-up of the haematological status of patients with Shwachman's syndrome is recommended.


Liposarcoma of the breast. Case report and review of the literature. A case of primary liposarcoma of the breast in a 65-years-old woman is described by light- and electron microscopy. The patient had previously had a cystosarcoma phyllodes removed from the same area. A review of the literature showed 34 previously published cases of liposarcoma of the breast, which regarding age distribution, histological type and pattern of metastasis corresponded to liposarcomas of the lower limbs.


Light and electron microscopic studies on rat arterial lesions induced by experimental arterial contraction. Experimental contraction was produced in the rat mesenteric arteries and the arterial segments were studied morphologically. When the rat mesenteric artery was exposed in physiological saline solution at 37 degrees C and 2-3 mg of methoxamine hydrochloride (10 mg/ml) was dripped onto it, intense contraction was observed for about 30 min but elevation in blood pressure was slight. During the contraction, numerous vacuoles were seen in the medial smooth muscle cells of the arterial segments, and these vacuoles were shown electron microscopically to have double unit membranes, indicating that they were formed by herniation of a part of the adjacent smooth muscle cell body. In the arteries 1-6 h after the end of the contraction, cellular, nuclear and vacuolar membranes and myofilaments of the medial muscle cells were partially lost. 12-24 h after the contraction the arteries exhibited necrosis and desquamation of endothelial cells and platelet adhesion. In the media, smooth muscle cells were completely deprived of cell membranes, myofilaments, nuclei, intracytoplasmic organelles other than mitochondria, and vacuolar membranes. The cytoplasm was filled with fine granular and granulo-vesicular material, and fibrin insudation was observed in these severely damaged cells. Arterial contraction may be an important factor in the induction of arterial lesions.


The role of myoepithelial cells in the morphogenesis of induced mammary tumours. The localization and cytomorphology of myoepithelial (ME) cells and their role in the morphogenesis of the mammary gland tumours of Wistar rats induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz-a-anthracene-DMBA- were studied. Cells which do not participate in secretion and contain cytoplasmic myofibrillar bundles in a typical arrangement are considered to be of ME origin. In the histogenesis of induced mammary gland tumours no difinite role can be attributed to mature ME cells or their precursors. Decreased differentiation is associated with reduced numbers of ME cells. No ME cells can be detected in the anaplastic, stromafree portions of the solid tumour. The sarcomatous component of the induced carcinosarcomas originates from connective tissue. ME cells may give rise to leiomyoma-like tumours comparable with the human benign mammary myoepithelioma. The atrophic areas of mammary gland tumours consisted mostly of preserved ME cells. The ME cells of induced mammary gland tumours were, in every respect, identical with the normal ME cells of control mammary glands.


Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus. A case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus in a 74-year-old male is described. There was a diffuse pigmentation of the lower third of the esophagus macroscopically. Sections from this area revealed melanocytes in the basal layer of the epithelium. This melanosis was not caused by malignant melanoma cells, but obviously by preexisting ectopic and pigmented melanocytes a condition for which the term "esophageal melanocytosis" is proposed. It is suggested that esophageal melanocytosis as well as the presence of junctional changes may determine the primary nature of malignant melanoma of the esophagus. Furthermore, in order to outline the histologic criteria and the pathological features of primary esophageal melanomas, 64 cases have been reviewed.


[Cytoenzymological, immunological and scanning electron microscopic studies on 49 cases (author's transl)]. Light cytology, enzymology, immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy have been performed on 49 bronchoalveolar fluids recovered by bronchoscopic lavage. The patients had the following lung diseases: infectious pneumonitis (19 cases), pulmonary fibrosis (13 cases) including 5 sarcoïdosis, 3 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 5 silicosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (5 cases) and miscellaneous lung tumors (12 cases). Cytologic studies in comparison with clinical aspects show 4 groups: Group I (chronic bronchopneumopathy and inactive fibrosis) presents numerous cells but few lymphocytes (less than 5%); in Group II (evolutive fibrosis) have an increase percentage of lymphocytes (20%); in Group III (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is observed a very high percentage of lymphocytes (45%); and in Group IV (cancerous lung diseases) values are not far from normal percentage except for lymphomas. Small macrophages (diameter: 10 microns) with a central monocytoïde nucleus and few cytoplasma, are abundant in groups II and III where lymphocytosis is higher. Scanning electron microscopy shows irregular and rough surface, and numerous spontaneous adherences with erythrocytes, lymphocytes, or bacterias. Enzymatic activity (acid hydrolase, esterase, oxydase) increases in these cells. Lymphocytes have a smooth surface ovocative of T origin which is confirmed by granular acid phosphatase positivity and rosette forming test. Immunofluorescence shows positive granules with IgG, C1Q and C3 in macrophages only for Groups II and III while free immunoglobulins were present in the recovered lavage fluid.


Ultrastructure of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. Case report and review of the literature. The fine structure of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma in a 65 year old woman was analysed. The tumor cells were of both clear and "hobnail" types. Both were characterized by the presence of short microvilli, abundant glycogen granules, a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, scanty lysosomes and very few lipid bodies. The tubules and gland-like spaces were always separated from the stroma by a basement membrane. At ultrastructural level the tumor cells do not resemble at all those of cleaar cell renal carcinomas. On the other hand, their submicroscopic features are strongly similar to those of the clear cell tumors found elsewhere in the female genital tract, emphasizing therewith their very probable müllerian origin. It is recommended to eliminate the term "mesonephroma ovarii" to designate the clear cell carcinomas of the ovary.


[Efficiency of early therapy in mentally retarded children]. Although basic experimental results suggest how much the psychophysical organism can be influenced in particular during early childhood, the question of the effectiveness of early therapy in particular cases nevertheless comes up. First the problem of early therapeutic programs with regard to method and controllability is discussed. Then a concept for early therapy, the Munich "Developmental Therapy" is reported. Finally a report is given on a study of 151 Down's syndrome children, 0-3 years old, in whom the effectiveness of an early developmental therapy could be proved. A follow-up study of 15 children, 7-10 years old, in comparison with a parallel control group, confirmed these results.


[Psychological problems of parents and therapists in the early education of physically handicapped children]. The traumatic experience of the child's handicap creates psychological problems not only for the parents, but also for the therapists involved in early stimulation. Since successful stimulation can be hindered by these difficulties, it is importnat that they are recognized as early as possible, and minimized by appropriate responses from the personnel involved. A prerequisite to overcoming these difficulties is therefore the training of professional staff in the areas of psychodynamics and self-experience.


[The Exeter program of home visits by "developmental therapists". Suggestions on the procedure to follow in the presence of severe handicap in a child of less than 3 years]. The principal idea expressed in this paper is that there is a period of time between the birth of a child with a severe handicap and the realization of the parents that the child may need their specific individual attention to his general development because of that handicap: that this coincides with the period of time usually taken by doctors for diagnosis of all the aspects contributing to the developmental delay; that these periods are both likely to be two to three years. Intervention by a competent developmental therapist working weekly in the home is of specific aid to the infant, to the parents and to the doctor during this period.


[Integration of handicapped children in normal schools in Bologna, Italy]. In Bologna and other cities of Northern Italy efforts are made to integrate all handicapped children in the normal classes of the public school. The arrangements necessary for a successful integration are described.


[Integration of chronically ill and handicapped children in Sweden]. A differentiated system is applied in Sweden with individual integration for some children, special classes in normal schools for others and special schools for the rest.


[The Honeylands Project, Exeter: care for mentally, physically and socially handicapped children and their families]. The Children's Hospital Honeylands is taking care of some 250 mentally, physically and socially handicapped 0 to 12 years old children and their families. It provides overnight hospital accommodation for thirty, and day care facilities for up to fifty children. Services provided are specific therapy, playgroups, education and regular home-visiting for the preschool children, and residential relief for the families. There are 6000 day and 6000 night attendances a year. The support service has evolved from the children's ward of a District Hospital, located in a city of 100,000 and serving a district of 300,000. Expressed parental needs have been the source of evolutionary change. A ten-year experience has shown that early and active involvement of the parents in the therapy and planning for their child keeps the demand for permanent residential placements of handicapped children very low. There are one quarter the number of mentally handicapped children in permanent residential care in the Exeter & East Devon Health District, compared to the national average. Whether Honeylands represents a model within the National Health Service for the family orientated care of handicapped children is at present under evaluation.


[Experimental and theoretical aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of caries (author's transl)]. This article discusses the uses and possible ways of increasing the effectiveness of caries preventives. The authors describe the mechanisms of homeostasis and resistance of dental enamel and the ways in which these processes proceed in the production of caries and underscore the characteristics of enamel as a cell-free form of tissue which because of the lack of elements serving to receive biological information is only indirectly connected with neurohumoral regulatory mechanisms. Also, reasons are given for the necessity of making fundamental theoretical studies into both local and general measures of prevention of caries.


[Fluoride contents of rat molars following the administration of amine-fluoride-containing caries preventives (author's transl)]. Experiments on fifty Wistar rats were conducted with the object of studying the incorporation of fluoride into the enamel of molars subsequent to the administration of amine-fluoride-containing caries preventives. - Use of two toothpastes with low fluoride contents of 0.125% and 0.18% F, respectively, and two higher-fluoride (1% F) solutions resulted in a marked increase in the concentration of fluoride in the superficial layers of dental enamel.


[Abnormal courses of acute pyogenic soft-part infections in the maxillofacial and cervical regions (author's transl)]. The etiology and therapy of abnormal causes of pyogenic soft-part infections in the maxillofacial and cervical regions are discussed by reference to five case reports. Such clinical pictures usually result from a misinterpretation by the initially attending physician and consequent errors in treatment, from the indolence of patients, and from complicating conditions which are due especially to the particular disease agents involved, with one factor generally affecting the other. Today, even most serious disease pictures can be seen ruled to surgical and antibiotic treatment. In cases of doubt, tracheotomy should be performed before surgical cuts into abscesses are made especially where extensive suppuration involves the floor of the mouth, the parapharyngeal space, and the cervicovascular space.


[Kasabach-Merritt syndrome as viewed from a surgical and stomatological standpoint (author's transl)]. The Kasaach-Merritt syndrome involves the very infrequent symptom complex of "giant hemangioma--thrombocytopenia--coagulation disorder". Hemorrhagic diathesis is here based on consumption coagulopathy. This paper reports upon secondary bleeding after extraction of a tooth in a 25-year-old male affected with this syndrome. Continuation or initiation of anticoagulant therapy is recommended for surgical stomatological treatment on an inpatient basis, and measures to be taken in connection with wound treatment are described.


[Angiomatous diseases in the maxillofacial region and their treatment in adults]. "Angioma"-situations in the newborn are common, but even in adults one may find more or less common situations, more or less difficult to manage. - In any way, like in the early childhood, the differentiation between inborn teleangiectatic or angiokeratotic nevi and the capillary angioma or angiomatous nevi is very important concerning the prognostic and therapeutic consequences. The real newborn capillary angiomas are selfhealing. Nearly they are not found in adults and otherwise surgically treated in the same simple matter as little teleangiectasias and the eruptive "granuloma" teleangiectaticum. On the other hand late tuberous alterations of non selfhealing naevus flammeus, naevus angiokeratoticus and the teleangiectatic "angioma" racemosum of the orofacial region give a slot of surgical problems and no sufficient effect to different kinds of radiotherapy. - These situations are presented, discussed and documented, moreover some rare uncommon situations, e.g. blue rubber-bleb nevus-syndroma, and angiokeratotic nevus together with different well checked therapeutic methods and results.


Demonstration of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase and its assumed defective variant in various Neurospora crassa strains by immunological methods. Immunological experiments were performed to demonstrate myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4) and its assumed defective variant in various Neurospora crassa stains. An enzymatically inactive protein fraction was isolated from the inl-mutant by the same procedure as that of the enzyme. It consisted of several components by gel electrophoresis, and produced a positive immune reaction demonstrated by immunodiffusion using immune sera produced against the enzyme. Using immunodisc gel electrophoresis it produced an immunoprecipitate of slightly lower mobility than the enzyme itself. Similarly, positive immune reactions were obtained with the enzyme using immune sera produced against the protein fraction isolated from the inl- mutant. Enzyme activity was demonstrated both in a strain transformed by wild-type DNA and in a spontaneous revertant. The enzymes were subsequently isolated from both strains, and some properties were compared with those of the wild-type enzyme. The specific activities were lower but the Michaelis constants were nearly the same. The immunodisc gel electrophoretic patterns of these enzymes were similar to that of the protein fraction from the inositol requiring mutant.


Functional investigations of isolated mitochondria under steady-state conditions by means of a perfusion technique. It was observed that borosilicate glass prefilters have a high absorptive capacity for isolated rat-liver mitochondria and that this binding does not need any kind of chemical procedure. This observation has led to the development of a perifusion technique for isolated rat-liver mitochondria. During perifusion the mitochondria are immobilized on a prefilter. Their morphological and functional intactness is conserved. During the course of the perifusion no loss of marker enzymes (adenylate kinase and malate dehydrogenase) can be detected. The respiration rates in the controlled and the active state are similar to those observed in a conventional closed polarographic vessel. The respiratory control is maintained for more than 30 min. With the perifusion technique it is possible to adjust respiration rates to stationary steady states between the controlled and the active state. It was shown that the control of respiration by the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio is independent of the succinate concentration in the range of 1 to 10 mM.


[Technical characteristics of an electromagnetic transducer of aortic flow, with reduced structure]. Sometimes a common probe of an electromagnetic flowmeter cannot be chronically placed around the aorta in the dog because its weight and shape can induce vascular injuries. Moreover it may occur that the record is disturbed by the movements of the probe around the vessel. The authors describe a new type probe that is capable to produce a reliable signal of the aortic blood flow, in spite of a reduced structure of its components. Obviously, such a signal, which is greater that the one produced by a coronary blood flow probe, must be properly amplified.


Diamide effect on the ouabain-insensitive APTase activity of red cell membrane. Membranes from human erythrocytes exhibit a marked decrease of the ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity and of the total membrane thiol content after treatment with diazenedicarboxylic acid bis(N,N-dimethylamide) (diamide). These effects increase with diamide concentrations up to 2-2.5 mM and are persistent after removal of the reagent. Treatment with 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dithiolbutane (dithioerythritol or DTE) reduced glutathione or 2-mercaptoethanol partially but significantly restores at about the same extent the ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity. These results indicate that the perturbation of the ATPase microenvironment caused by membrane thiol oxidation is at good extent responsible for alterations of the divalent cation-dependent ATPase activity.


Biological effect of a hypogeomagnetic environment on an organism. In an age of a scientific and technical revolution, when many operators work in structures shielding the geomagnetic field (GMF) by a factor of 100 or more, the urgency of this problem is shown. To study the effect of a hypogeomagnetic environment on warm-blooded organisms, series of experiments were conducted on rabbits that passed through entire embryogenesis and grew to an age of one month in a shielded chamber where the GMF was reduced by a factor of 600. The results obtained confirm that the effect of the GMF is needed for normal development of the organism. Degenerative disturbances in the liver, myocardium, and gastrointestinal tract were noted in animals reared in a reduced GMF. Structural and energy metabolism are disturbed, and the marked inhibition of activity of the investigated enzymatic systems, except the glycolytic, is shown. Changes in the motor activity of the experimental animals and insufficiency of the neuromuscular apparatus were revealed. The mortality rate among the experimental animals was statistically higher than for the controls. The authors raise the question of the need for further comprehensive investigations of the established effects of the hypogeomagnetic environment.


Occupational dermatitis artefacta.

Occupational dermatitis artefacta. Nine cases of disease malingering with skin lesions attributed by the patients to occupational factors are reported. History and morphology of the lesions provided sufficient grounds for the diagnosis of occupational dermatitis arterfacta. Four out of nine patients admitted to having produced these artefacts.


Dermatoses of the neck affecting violin and viola players ("fiddler's neck", and contact dermatitis). Skin lesions occurring on the neck of violin or viola players are described, in the light of two personal observations. The lesions can be divided into two types: 1. Lesions described as "fiddler's neck", i.e. an area of erythematous, sometimes pigmented or scaly lichenification on the left side of the neck, just below the angle of the jaw, where the chin rest of the instrument is in contact with the skin. Histopathologic features of the lesions are described. 2. Allergic contact dermatitis to wooden or metallic parts of the violin. The recent literature is reviewed.


[Occupational allergy to diazo-paper used in the textile industry (author's transl)]. A worker of the textile industry showed an allergic contact eczema caused by diazodiethylaniline contained in diazopaper used in the manufacture of patterns.


[Positive side-effects of antibiotic and antimicrobial drugs in therapy (author's transl)]. Since about 1950 especially, dermatologists world-wide have been utilizing the positive side-effects, discovered by chance, of all groups of antibiotic and antimicrobial drugs. These drugs are used to treat certain non-microbially induced dermatoses, without any knowledge of the mechanisms involved. A short history is given and the most important drugs and the indications for their use are described. The following drugs are undoubtedly effective and sometimes even the therapy of choice: tetracyclines in acne vulgaris and rosacea (including rosacea keratitis); penicillin G in acrodermatitis atrophicans and cold urticaria; dapsone in dermatitis herpetiformis and - as a powerful adjuvant - in acne vulgaris and rosacea. Before the discovery of the socalled immunodepressive drugs, tetracycline was the only alternative to - or at least a highly effective adjuvant of - cortisone in dermatomyositis and chloroquine in localised and systemic lupus erythematosus. Finally, clioquinole was life-saving in acrodermatitis continua in children until this condition was recently identified as a zinc-deficiency syndrome. Therapeutical mechanisms have been found only in the case of acne, rosacea and dermatitis herpetiformis. In most other diseases the nature of the therapeutical effectiveness of antibiotic and antimicrobial drugs still remains a mystery.


New insights into the old problem of chronic pelvic pain. Between July, 1974 and February, 1979, 109 adolescent girls, ranging in age from 10 1/2 to 19 yr. with unexplained chronic pelvic pain, underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. Endometriosis was the most common finding occurring in 49 patients (45%), followed by postoperative adhesions in 17 patients (16%) and congenital abnormalities of the uterus in 10 patients (9%). Other important causes were chronic pelvic inflammatory disease with peritubal and periovarian adhesions in 9%, chronic hemoperitoneum in 5%, functional ovarian cysts in 5%, and uterine serositis in 2%. No pathology could be seen in 10 patients (9%). Analysis of the presenting symptoms and physical findings revealed in most instances that the presence of significant pelvic pathology as a cause of the chronic pelvic pain was predictable and had been previously misdiagnosed. Intraoperative and postoperative management of the major problems encountered stress the importance of conservative surgery and the need for long-term follow-up.


The efficacy of fenbendazole at a dosage rate of 7,5 mg/kg against nematode infestations in cattle. Fenbedazole, dosed to artificially infested cattle at 7,5 mg/kg live mass, was more than 80% effective in more than 80% of the treated animals against immature and adult Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi; Cooperia spp., Bunostomum phlebotum and Oesophagostomum radiatum.


Uptake of iron by Gomphosphaeria aponina, a possible control organism for the Florida red tide Pytochodiscus brevis. The assimilation of iron, a growth-limiting metal ion of the cytotoxic marine cyanobacterium, Gomphosphaeria aponina, has been examined in both static and steady-state cultures using 59Fe (III). Uptake of iron by cells followed first-order kinetics, and biphasic (absorption and uptake) behavior was observed as suggested by noted differences between cultures incubated in the light and in the dark. Iron removal in illuminated cultures was rapid, occurring at rates comparable to exponential growth rates. Although uptake was mediated by a chelating agent (EDTA), synthesis and iron assisted transport by hydroxamate-type siderophores was not involved in the uptake of iron by cells, as determined by standard chemical and biological assays of iron deficient cultures. The ecological implications of this research is considered with respect to the cytotoxic antagonism between the cyanobacterium and Florida's red tide organism, Pytochodiscus brevis (Gymnodinium breve).


Cell-mediated immunity to Theileria-transformed cell lines. In East and Central Africa the protozoan parasite Theileria parva causes a disease of cattle called East Coast fever (ECF). In Kenya alone between 60,000 and 85,000 cattle die from ECF every year. Infected animals can recover from ECF either naturally or after treatment with tetracyclines or menoctone and are subsequently able to resist challenge with the homologous strain of parasite. That this acquired resistance is due to cell-mediated rather than humoral immunity has been suspected but never decisively shown. A major difficulty in studying immunity to ECF has been the lack of inbred animals for studying Theileria-specific immunity in the absence of allogeneic histocompatibility barriers. We have avoided this problem by measuring cell-mediated immune responses in a syngeneic system in vitro. Unidirectional mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were set up using bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) as responder cells and autologous cell lines transformed in vitro by T. parva as stimulator cells. In these cultures, DNA synthesis was induced in PBL from both normal and Theileria-immune animals. However, cytotoxic lymphocytes were induced only in cultures containing responder lymphocytes from Theileria-immune cattle. The results show that Theileria-transformed cells express antigens which are recognized by effector cells and provide evidence that cell-mediated cytotoxic mechanisms function in immunity to ECF.


Study of the effects of a long acting injectable-progesterone on the ovarian and uterine histomorphology of the androgenised female rats of Long-Evans strain. The study was aimed at determining the possible role of long acting progesterone-DMPA in effecting reversal of the effect of TP on neonatally treated female Long-Evans rats. Five day-old female litters injected with 1.25 mg. TP went into persistent estrous on attaining maturity. DMPA when given in proper dosage and time reverted the condition.


[Effect of calusterone on the stem cell compartment after suppression with busulfan in mice]. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Calusterone (a weakly androgenic steroid) on hemopoiesis in mice. Cellular proliferation was suppressed by a single (IP) injection of busulfan (BU) (40 mg/Kg). Calusterone (CA) was administered s.c. SC daily (10 mg/Kg); controls received an equivalent injection of oil vehicle. Hemopoiesis was characterized by measurement of peripheral blood neutrophils, bone marrow cellularity, differentials and stem cell content. This included pluripotent (CFU-S), granulocytic (CFU-C) and erythroid (CFU-E) progenitor cells. Only a minimal decrease in narrow cellularity was observed after busulfan; similar values were obtained in calusterone recipients. Neutrophils fell by day 4, showed an abortive rise on day 8 and subsequently fell to 32% of control values. Calusterone recipients showed a 2 fold higher value (62%) on day 12. CFU-S, CFU-C, and CFU-E were depressed to 20-40% of control values by day 2 after busulfan. Although CFU-S and CFU-C remained depressed through the 14th day, CFU-E recovered by day 8 CA stimulated an overshoot in these cells to 288% of control values. These findings correlated with an increase in marrow erythroid cells to 182% on day 10. CFU-S remained low (20%) by day 14 and gradually increased to 50% of control by day 24. A delayed 10 day course of CA more than doubled the CFU-S recovery. These findings show that BU markedly suppress hemopoietic stem cells: a differential recovery is noted between CFU-E and the other progenitor cells. CA increase the recovery of all 3 hemopoietic stem cell compartments when given either immediately or in a delayed schedule. This suggests that this compound may be of use in the therapy of bone marrow hypoplasia.


[Catamnestic study of 92 cases of burned patients: medico-legal considerations]. The authors have examined 1478 burned or scalded patients of the Plastic Surgery Institute of the University of Parma from 1967 to 1976; they have considered particularly 92 cases who showed more than 20% of burned skin. For these patients they have considered many data of medico-legal interest in order to facilitate the estimate of the personal damage in penal and civil law.


Qualitative estimation of blood velocity changes in human umbilical arteries after delivery. Qualitative doppler shift ultrasound estimations of blood velocity were made from umbilical arteries of 17 neonates for 90 sec after delivery using a 10 MHz doppler instrument. The mean maximum doppler shift frequency at 10 sec was 1.5 kHz +/- 0.3 (SE) reducing to 0.5 +/- 0.1 kHz at 60 sec after delivery. This indicates that flow velocity cannot be quantified. The initial mean pulsatility index was 10.6 suggesting that either constrictions were occurring in the arteries by 10 sec after delivery or that the placenta has a high impedance or both.


Some neuroendocrine parameters in bipolar and unipolar depression. There is mounting evidence showing that some pituitary and hypothalamic hormones play an important role in the affective disorders and may directly affect brain function and behavior. This report briefly reviews some recent endocrinological studies in affective illness with special reference to bipolar and unipolar form of illness. Data on prolactin and growth hormone response to levodopa in bipolar and unipolar illness presented. Preliminary data on plasma dopamine beta hydroxylase activity measured over a 24-h period are illustrated in patients suffering from bipolar and unipolar illnesses as compared to controls. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to biogenic amine dysfunction in the major affective disorders.


Should 'non-Feighner schizophrenia' be classified with affective disorder? Narrow definitions of schizophrenia increase homogeneity at the expense of leaving unclassified many patients with shizophrenic symptoms. Family history and follow-up studies indicate that many such patients ought to be classified with those having affective disorders. This study determines morbid risks for affective disorder and schizophrenia in first degree relatives of patients with chart but not research diagnoses of schizophrenia. Comparisons with morbid risk figures for relatives of individuals satisfying research criteria for depression, mania or schizophrenia indicate that the 'non-Feighner schizophrenia' group is probably too heterogenous to be classified entirely as affective disorder or as schizophrenia.


Appropriateness of drugs prescribed by primary care physicians for depressed outpatients. In a sample of middle class individuals seeking martial and sexual counseling, 30% had diagnosable psychiatric illness, including 14% who had depressions at the time of interview. Those with psychiatric syndromes were significantly more likely to have prescribed psychoactive than those without these syndromes. Those with depression were more likely to have received diazepam and similar drugs than antidepressants. The same was true for those with other syndromes but in many of these cases, diazepam or other antianxiety agents seemed more appropriate. Thus, affective disorder might well be the psychiatric syndrome for which these drugs are most often inappropriately prescribed. Inappropriate treatment is a matter of concern in an illness which is potentially fatal.


Unipolar mania revisited.

Unipolar mania revisited. In a more sophisticated replication of an earlier study (Abrams and Taylor 1974), we examined 77 manic patients, of whom 29 had never suffered a depressive illness, and had two or more manic attacks. These unipolar manics were similar to the 48 bipolar manics for a wide variety of clinical, phenomenological, historical, laboratory and demographic variables, generally supporting our earlier findings. However, the present sample showed a striking excess of males among the unipolar manics, as well as an increased morbid risk for unipolar depression in first-degree relatives. Although not readily explainable, these differences suggest that it is premature to equate unipolar mania with classical bipolar illness. Further studies of unipolar mania are in progress.


Free and total plasma tryptophan in endogenous depression. The free and total plasma tryptophan concentrations were measured in 41 female depressive. Fifteen patients were subsequently treated with L-tryptophan. The free and total tryptophan were normal in the drug-free depressives and in the depressives on lithium. No significant in free and total plasma tryptophan were found between unipolar and bipolar depressed subjects, or between patients who recovered from depression following L-tryptophan therapy and patients who were resistant. The results suggest that the basal free tryptophan concentration in the plasma of depressed subjects is normal. They furthermore indicate that neither free nor total plasma tryptophan concentrations are valid predictors for the course of a treatment of depressed subjects with L-tryptophan.


The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL)--factors derived from the HSCL-90. A factor analysis of the 90-item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, performed on the pretreatment self-ratings of nonpsychotic outpatients with symptoms of depression and anxiety, revealed the presence of 8 clinically meaningful factors. These eight orthogonal factors each contained at least 5 items with loadings above 0.40 and explained 4.5% or more of the matrix variance. They were labeled Somatization, Phobic-Anxiety, Retarded Depression, Agitated Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Anger-Hostility and Psychoticism.


A Doppler ultrasound technique for measuring human milk flow. The authors describe the development of a Doppler ultrasound flow transducer used in conjunction with a zero-crossing demodulator for breast milk flow measurement. The results of the preliminary evaluation in vitro are presented in the paper. The design is at present being minaturised in order to use the transducer for in vivo measurement.


A maximum frequency detector for Doppler blood velocimeters. The clinical information available from ultrasonic Doppler blood velocimeters may be analysed in several ways, spectral analysis probably being the best. This is, however, a relatively expensive technique when compared with the cost of commerically available Doppler velocimeters. A large part of the diagnostic information present can be obtained from the maximum blood velocity in the vessel at any one time. A relatively inexpensive analogue method of extracting this information from the Doppler signal is described, and the preliminary results obtained on signals derived from peripheral arteries are discussed.


In vitro inhibition of human lymphocyte transformation by natural or synthetic prostaglandins. We have examined the role of 45 natural or synthetic prostaglandins (PGs) in the in vitro responsiveness of human lymphocytes toward two different varieties of mitogenic stimuli: the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and the tuberculinic test (LTT). Addition of PGs to culture of lymphocytes decreases the uptake of 3H thymidin.


Suppression of murine allogeneic cell interactions by sex hormones. Investigations have been carried out on the action of several steroid hormones on lymphocyte functions in inbred strains of mice. The recognitive, proliferative and effector phases of allogeneic cell interactions in vitro were assessed using a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML). In MLR containing Balb/c (responder) and C57bl/6 (stimulator) splenocytes DNA synthesis was markedly reduced in the presence of progesterone, cortisol or estradiol. In CML, progesterone and estradiol (1-5 microgram/ml) blocked in vitro generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes, while cultures with cortisol were partially inhibited. None of these hormones suppressed the cytotoxic activity of previously sensitized effector cells generated in vitro. Cultures containing testosterone expressed both normal DNA synthesis in MLR and cytotoxic activity in the CML test. These findings suggest a selective pattern of immunosuppression by sex hormones which may be important in preventing graft rejection or graft-versus-host interactions which may arise as a consequence of fetal engraftment during pregnancy.


[Function studies of an atropine derivative--ipratropium bromide in an aerosol device--in patients with chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathies]. Ipratropium exerted marked bronchodilating effects in 22 patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases. The tolerance of the drug was excellent. In long-term treatment the patients do not get accustomed to the drug.


Immune responsiveness of patients with autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency. Assessment of immune reactivity of patients with disorders of immunopathological origin requires a well-equipped clinical laboratory. The complex mechanism of immune reactions cannot be studied by simple techniques, although the most sophisticated methods do not often prove more reliable than simpler ones. While humoral immune reactivity can be measured by determining serum immunoglobulin levels, the assessment of cellular reactivity requires more complex methods; for this purpose lymphocyte marker studies, mitogen induced blast transformation, LIF production, and skin reactivity proved to be the methods of choice.


Histamine-binding receptors and Fc receptors of T lymphocytes in SLE. The participation of TG cells forming the suppressor T cell population and of histamine-binding cells was determined in the peripheral blood of patients with SLE. Former was considerably diminished in the active phase of the disease, latter was found diminished in both the active and the inactive phase. The results published in this paper support the functional disorder of suppressor T cells in SLE, an assumption based only on sporadic data before.


[Histological localization of hydrolases in the epididymis of the dog]. Localization and activity of five hydrolases (alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase and leucylamino-peptidase) were evaluated histochemically in the epididymides of mature dogs. In the ductuli efferentes, cilia and apical parts of the epithelial cells displayed high activity of alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase. Strong activity of acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase and leucylamino-peptidase was present in the basal and supranuclear zones of the epithelium of the ductuli efferentes. Stereocilia of all three segments of the ductus epididymidis showed a high activity of alkaline phosphatase. Positive adenosine triphosphatase reaction was confined to the stereocilia of the initial segment. A complex pattern of acid phosphatase activity was observed in the middle segment. The subdivision of the middle segment in four subsegments was therefore suggested. In the epithelium of the initial segment only a few nonspecific esterase-positive cells were seen. The infranuclear and basal areas of the epithelium in the middle segment and the supranuclear zone of the terminal segment displayed distinct nonspecific esterase activity. The possible contribution of the hydrolases to the function of the epididymis is discussed.


Auto-reaction phenomenon detected by enzyme electrosyneresis in the serum of patients with viral hepatitis and other diseases with immune complexes. The use of modified electrosyneresis by making 760 sera of healthy persons or persons suffering from various diseases with immune complexes to react with their own pronase-treated serum has shown the following results: - One of 220 sera of healthy persons, 11 were positive in ESE (5%); - Out of 123 sera of HBsAg carriers, 23 were positive (18.6%); - Out of 135 sera of patients with acute viral type B hepatitis, 132 were positive (97.7%); - Out of 168 sera of patients with acute HBsAg negative hepatitis, 127 were positive (75.5%); - 4 cases of fulminant hepatitis were all strongly positive; - 54 cases of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were 100% positive; - 2 cases of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were positive; - Out of 6 patients with glomerulonephritis 3 were positive; - Out of 34 patients with carcinoma of various organs, 19 were positive (55.88%). The Authors believe, on the basis of the research work set forth partly in the present report, that this interaction is connected with the presence of immune complexes. The method used has been called Enzyme Electrosyneresis (ESE) and the detected antigen "Auto antigen exposed by protease and by electrosyneresis" (AEPE).


Increase in the percentage of sIgD-bearing lymphocytes during human mixed lymphocyte reaction. In human one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions we have observed an increase in the percentage of sIgD bearing lymphocytes, detected by direct membrane immunofluorescent staining. This increase does not seem to be attributable either to the synthesis of sIgD receptor molecules by previously negative T or null cells or to a non specific stimulation of B cells by a factor released in the course of the MLR.


Effects of the bioreductive alkylating agent 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone on coupled mitochondria isolated from sarcoma 180 ascites cells. The effect of CMNQ was studied on mitochondria isolated from S-180 ascites tumor cells. It was found that the primary metabolic event upon addition of CMNQ to S-180 mitochondria was a stimulation of oxygen uptake. The oxygen utilization rate was maximized at about 50 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein; at doses higher than this, inhibition of respiration was observed relative to the stimulation of respiration produced by CCCP. It was also up to 50 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein. S-180 ATPase activity is stimulated maximally by 125 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein; at doses higher than this, slight inhibition of the ATPase activity relative to the stimulation produced by CCCP is seen. In vivo treatment of CMNQ to tumor bearing animals leads to a significant reduction of in vitro S-180 cellular respiration rates. The data presented in this work coupled with previously published reports involving CMNQ support the proposal for a mitochondrial level of action for this bioreductive alkylating antineoplastic agent.


Suppressive effects of chlorphenesin on lymphocyte function in mice and humans. The immunosuppressive action of chlorphenesin was investigated in a wide variety of in vitro assays for cellular immunity in humans and mice. Chlorphenesin, at doses of 20-50 micrograms/ml, inhibited mitogenic responses of both mouse and human B and T cells. These doses did not kill cells exposed to the drug for 72 hr. Mixed lymphocyte reactions in inbred strains of mice and in unrelated humans were also inhibited at concentrations of about 50 micrograms/ml. However, the generation of cytotoxic T cells in cell-mediated lympholysis assays was not inhibited to the same degree as proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction and the cytotoxic potential of presensitized mouse T cells for allogeneic targets was totally unaffected. These studies suggest that chlorphenesin may have a broad spectrum of suppressive effects both on T and B cells and that the predominant inhibition of proliferative responses in these cells may reduce the expansion of clones of immunocompetent cells in vivo.


Postnatal development of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the rat, Rattus norvegicus. The pattern of development of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in specified-pathogen-free and conventional (non-barrier maintained) rats over the initial 4 weeks of life appeared to be similar. BALT first appeared around the 2nd week of life and increased in amount over the following 2 weeks. Overlying large nodules of BALT the bronchial epithelium becomes infiltrated by lymphocytes to form a lymphoepithelium. This transformation occurs earlier in conventional rats, possibly because of the differing antigen levels to which they are exposed.


Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the laboratory-bred and wild rat, Rattus norvegicus. In juvenile wild rats, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) development was similar to that seen in adult specified-pathogen-free rats. In adult wild rats the BALT was widespread. In one animal infected with a mycoplasma-like organism, a region of bronchoepithelium overlying a large BALT nodule was seen, through which lymphocytes appeared able to pass to make direct contact with the bronchial lumen: the significance of this observation is discussed. There was no evidence of infection in lungs from any of the specified-pathogen-free animals, where small foci of BALT were seen.


Epidemiological investigation of an animal house based upon phage-typing and biotyping of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The value of biotyping and phage-typing coagulase-negative staphylococci in the epidemiological investigation of a laboratory animal house was clearly demonstrated. In the animal rooms in which conventional bacteriological methods revealed equal bacterial contamination between a conventional unit and one housing specified-pathogen-free rodents, biotyping identified Staphylococcus cohnii as the only species in the latter, compared to S. warneri, S. hominis, S. saprophyticus. S. xylosus abd S. epidermidis as well as S. cohnii in the conventional unit. Similarly, phagetyping revealed 2 phage types in the specified-pathogen-free compared to 7 in the conventional unit. Thus biotyping and phage-typing provided evidence for the existence of a barrier between these units that had presented similar gross bacteriological findings.


[Morphological, biological and biochemical study of a new species of Bulinus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)]. A description is given of Bulinus yemenensis, a new species from Yemen belonging to the truncatus group. B. yemenensis is morphologically and biologically differenciated from B. truncatus truncatus, from which it is also electrophoretically distinguishable on the basis of the following enzyme loci: Est-2, Est-3, Pgm-2 and 6-Pgdh among the 26 analysed.


[Vascular endothelium (author's transl)]. Studies during recent years have shown the importance of the vascular endothelium in several physiological and pathological circumstances. The culture of endothelial cells has permitted the direct study of endothelial functions. The endothelium is a selective barrier between blood and tissues: the molecules cross it, according to their size, either through the intercellular junctions or through the cells by pinocytotic vesicles. The permeability is modulated by vasomotor agents and modified during endothelial regeneration, especially for the lipids. The endothelium plays a prominent part in the maintenance of the blood flow through its nonthrombogenic properties. It metabolizes circulating thrombogenic substances (arachidonic acid, adenosine diphosphate) and produces potent antiaggregating agents (prostacyclin and adenosine). It may also release a plasminogen activator promoting thrombolysis. The endothelial cells contribute to the formation of the basement membrane by synthesizing collagen and fibronectin, which are involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation to exposed subendothelium. On the other hand, the endothelium has a modulating influence on the local blood flow by producing vasoconstrictors (angiotensin II and III) and vasodilating agents (adenosine and prostacyclin). It is not necessary to elucidate the coordination of these functions and their relationship to the endothelial disorders in vascular diseases.


Quantitative ultrastructural aspects of cardiac hypertrophy. Following a transient increase in relative mitochondrial volume which lasts but a few days, cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure- or volume-overload is characterized by a preferential growth of contractile elements resulting in a decreased mitochondria/myofibrils volume ratio. At least under some conditions, the number of mitochondria/unit area increases as does the organelles surface/volume ratio. If the functional overload persists for a long period of time, e.g. 12-15 months, relative mitochondrial volume is decreased further. Unlike the imbalance in growth of mitochondria and myofibrils, the total surface area (sarcolemma plus T-System) enlarges in proportion to the increase in cell volume. While most of the components which are altered during hypertrophy become normalized as cardiac hypertrophy regresses, the process is slower than the imbalance associated with cellular enlargement. Most models of cardiac hypertrophy differ from normal growth in that the latter is characterized by proportional growth of all cellular components. In contrast, hypertrophy associated with exercise results in proportional growth in cellular components. The idea that growth of various cellular organelles is regulated by separate mechanisms is gaining support. Both sympathectomy and noreprinephrine depletion normalize the growth of mitochondria and myofibrils, while thyroxine treatment stimulates a preferential growth of mitochondria. Current evidence, therefore, suggests that myocardial cell growth probably involves complex processes which may vary with different conditions associated with the stimulus invoking enhanced cellular enlargement.


Cellular growth of cardiac muscle after birth. Present concepts concerning DNA synthesis in the heart have been reviewed, and a speculative theory presented involving control of DNA synthesis in the developing heart. Research describing DNA synthesis in myocytes of the weanling rat heart undergoing hypertrophy has been presented. Its possible use for testing the control theory is suggested.


Calcium handling by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Over the past ten years knowledge of the biochemistry of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been considerably extended. In almost all respects the Ca2+ pump of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum shows striking similarities to the Ca2+ pump of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. On the other hand, Ca2+ release mechanisms seem to be more complex in cardiac than in skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum. Future research undoubtedly will involve characterizing the function of the many additional proteins present in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, and determining possible roles for these proteins in regulating Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ release by these membranes.


Phosphorylation and its effects on ATPase activity of cardiac and skeletal myosins. Myosin isolated under phosphorylation conditions, showed an additional band of phosphorylated light chain. In the case of cardiac myosin, LC2 is the phosphorylated light chain whereas in skeletal myosin, it is the 18,000 dalton component known as DTNB light chain. There are no differences in K+-EDTA and Ca2+ activated myosin ATPase of cardiac and skeletal of control and phosphorylated myosins. Our experiments showed that the rat heart and skeletal muscle myosins isolated under phosphorylating conditions exhibited high phosphate content which is associated with higher actin activated Mg2+ ATPase activity of myosin as compared to control. Control myosin phosphorylated using myosin light chain kinase and Ca2+ also showed high actin activated myosin ATPase activity. Beef heart myosin isolated in the presence of phosphate buffer, also exhibited a higher level of phosphate followed by an increase in actin activation as compared to myosin isolated in the absence of phosphate buffer. All these experimental data suggest that there is a direct relationship between actin activation and the amount of phosphate incorporated as a result of phosphorylation.


Changes in transcriptional activity during myocardial hypertrophy. We have demonstrated alterations in the composition of certain groups of nuclear no-histone proteins which could account for the changes in template activity. Further identification of the individual proteins essential for this regulation will aid us in our understanding of the mechanism of myocardial cell growth during hypertrophy. We also have demonstrated the existence of several different RNA polymerase enzymes and have characterized them. The question of de novo synthesis or activation of preexisting enzyme remains unanswered. The delay in changes in activity which we found is also of great interest and may provide information as to the mechanism of increased RNA polymerase activity. The regulation of transcription can occur by changes either in the activity of the chromatin template or in the activities of the various RNA polymerase. Our studies thus far strongly suggest that during the development of hypertrophy both regulatory mechanisms are operative. Furthermore, this appears to be a bimodal function; initially there are changes only in the template and only later do changes in enzyme activity occur. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of this form of regulation of RNA synthesis in myocardial tissue.


Limiting dilution analysis of alloantigen-reactive T lymphocytes. II. Effect of cortisone and cyclophosphamide on cytolytic T lymphocyte precursor frequencies in the thymus. A minimal estimate of the frequency of cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors (CTL-P) in the thymus was determined by application of Poisson statistics to limiting dilution analysis. A mean CTL-P frequency of 1/1467 was obtained for C57BL/6 (H-2b) thymus cells activated by DBA/2 (H-2d) irradiated spleen cells and assayed against P-815 mastocytoma (H-2d) target cells. CTL-P frequencies were also obtained for spleen, nylon wool column purified spleen, peripheral blood, and lymph node cell populations. The effect of in vivo drug treatments on CTL-P frequencies was then examined. Cortisone at 100 mg/kg dramatically increased the CTL-P frequency in thymus by more than 20-fold despite a drastic reduction in the number of total thymus cells. The same cortisone treatment did not affect the CTL-P frequency in spleen. In contrast, cyclophosphamide at 300 mg/kg decreased the CTL-P frequency in spleen by more than 10-fold without affecting that in thymus. Cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/kg did not produce any significant change. A detailed explanation of the calculation of CTL-P frequencies is provided and their validity is discussed.


Localization of deoxyribonucleic acid-stimulated adenosine triphosphatases in human lymphocytes. Two enzymes hydrolyzing ATP (ATPase A and ATPase B) were purified from freshly isolated lymphocytes of human tonsils. Both enzymes are stimulated by single-stranded DNA and seem to be localized in the chromatin. ATPase A and ATPase B appear to be distinct enzymes as judged from their elution profiles obtained after DEAE-cellulose and ATP-Sepharose column chromatography, from their behavior towards actinomycin D, a DNA intercalating agent, and from their sensitivity to monovalent salt concentration.


Kinetic study of the inhibition of myosin ATPase activity by ADP. The kinetic parameters of the inhibition of monovalent cation activated myosin ATPase by ADP were investigated. The inhibitor constant (KI) was 1.65 X 10(-4) M and the maximal velocity (V) was 1.28 mumol Pi/mg myosin/min in the presence of 0.3M Kcl at 20 degrees C. The dependence of 1/VO on inhibitor concentration and the pH dependence of KI and Km (i.e. pKi approximately equal to pKm) show that the inhibition has a pure competitive character. The results are supported by energetic parameters, too. The enthalpy of the formation of (EI) complex was calculated. Similar results were obtained also in the presence of Rb+ activated myosin ATPase and subfragment-I K+ ATPase.


Modifications of liver lysosomes in diabetic rats. Recently investigators reported ultrastructural modifications of rat liver lysosomes which probably correlate with an increased level of blood plasma glucagon in streptozotocin-diabetes. We are investigating whether biochemical changes occur in this condition. Lysosome fragility is increased in the hepatocytes of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Moreover the plasma activity of two glycosidases, B-N-acetylglucosaminidase and B-galactosidase, is markedly increased in streptozotocin-treated rats. Both these changes are largely prevented by insulin treatment. These findings support the idea that the morphologic and biochemical modifications of the hepatocytes, which are observed in experimental diabetes, involve the lysosomes showing an increased autophagic activity which is probably connected with enhanced liver protein catabolism.


[Mixed aorta-popliteal by-pass: a new proposal for the treatment of extensive ilio-femoral obstruction]. The nosological polymorphism of peripheral arterial obstruction (A.O.P.) continuously requires new surgical techniques of vascular repair. This led the AA. to develop a new composed aorto-popliteal by-pass. It consists of a proximal (aorto-femoral) synthetic segment (Dacron D.V.) which is distally anastomozed to a biological (Meadox-Dardik Biograft) femoral-popliteal segment. Indications for aorto-popliteal by-pass, technical problems, patient selection and results are here discussed.


[Enzymatic study of muscle fibers of the antero-lateral wall of the abdomen in man: functional interpretation]. After a recall of muscular histo-enzymology, the authors expose the results of an analysis of the antero-lateral muscles of the abdomen. They establish a predominance of the muscular fibers, type I, that are tonic as compared with the muscular fibers, type II, that are phasic. Thus the role of support and of maintenance of the intra-peritoneal pressure by these muscles is confirmed. The tonic characteristic is also important for the functional reeducation and the electrotherapy of the abdominal wall.


[Our experience in laparoscopic diagnosis in general and emergency surgery (author's transl)]. After a brief review of the history of laparoscopy starting from the first endoscope, the authors remark on the great usefulness, ease, and essential harmlessness of the procedure. They list all the possible uses of laparoscopy in general and emergency surgery, exemplifying their claims with the illustration of personal cases and recommending widespread use of the method in surgery.


[The indications for laparoscopy in the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum (author's transl)]. In consideration of the well-known difficulties associated with the precise diagnosis of hemoperitoneum, the authors offer their personal experience in support of laparoscopy as a diagnostic aid in such dramatic events. They review 23 cases of emergency laparoscopy performed in the First Institute of Clinical Surgery of the University of Catania between January 1978 and January 1979. Recalling that the procedure was applied to patients as young as 3 and as old as 80, they confirm the opinion expressed from other quarters, namely that laparoscopy is an essentially harmless and rapid procedure conducive to very accurate diagnosis in view of appropriate planning of therapeutic treatment.


[Aimed liver biopsy in the course of laparoscopy (author's transl)]. Following a discussion of the various methods that have been devised for liver biopsy, and an explanation of the advantages accruing from aimed liver biopsy in the course of laparoscopy, the authors express their preference for this method on account of its unquestionable diagnostic value, ease of execution, and freedom from complications. Accordingly, and in good agreements with other experts such as Kalk, Beck, and Dagnini, they advocate more widespread use of the procedure in liver pathology.


[Lumbago and arthrosis of posterior vertebral articulations (author's transl)]. Such Authors value the importance of the arthrosis of the posterior vertebral articulations in the genesis of back pain with or without sciatica. A particular attention must be put on the correct differential diagnosis of the various back pains. They furthermore present their casuistry. The made results through endoarticular injection of steroid and local anesthetic are good. 78% of the subjects has gone back to work; even though this treatment must be considered only one mean to permit a better physical and natural activity.


[Treatment of chronic lumbosacral pain by transcutaneous electrical stimulation in laminectomized patients: preliminary results (author's transl)]. The authors have tried transcutaneous electrical stimulation for the treatment of chronic lumbosacral pain in 27 patients already treated by laminectomy without benefit. Six patients experienced a 55% mean reduction of pain; another six had a 35% reduction; and the remaining 15 a 16% reduction of pain severity. From these results and a review of published data the authors conclude that the method is of limited value in alleviating chronic lumbosacral pain in laminectomized patients.


[Volumetric valuation of dural sac by standard measurement on radiographs and saccoradiculographs (author's transl)]. The Authors have planned to connect unexplained osphyalgias with dural pouch disease, through roentgenographic research. The Authors suggest a standard measurement primer to single out narrow pouches, in order to settle surgical operation.


TEM-induced gene mutations at enzyme loci in the mouse. Strain DBA/2J male mice were treated with triethylenemelamine (TEM) and subsequently mated to strain C57BL/6J females. Tissues from F1 progeny produced in these crosses were then examined using starch gel electrophoresis for the presence of presumed induced mutations at a series of 11 specific enzyme loci. In the course of this study, four heritable mutations were identified at the following loci: Es-1, Ldh-1, Pgm-1, and Gpi-1. Of these four, the first two were apparently segregating in parental males and were not TEM-induced. Both of these are viable and fertile in the heterozygous and homozygous condition, and neither confers any readily apparent deleterious effect to the animal. The latter mutations (Pgm-1 and Gpi-1) are presumably induced. Although viable and fertile in the heterozygous state, we have not recovered any offsping homozygous for either of these two mutations.