[Changes in the cholinosensitivity of sensomotor cortex neurons during conditioned reflex extinction]. Characteristics of neuronal responses of the sensorimotor cortex to ionophoretically administered neuromediators (acetylcholine, L-glutamate) were studied in rabbit in the course of extinction of conditioned defensive reflex. In the majority of neurones the extinction of the conditioned reflex is accompanied by a drop of cholinosensitivity. In a number of neurones the extinction of reflexes either does not change the reaction to acetylcholine, or enhances it. The analysis of these reactions permits to assume the existence of a group of neurones directly involved in the formation, fixation and storage of the temporary connection.


[Formation of a conditioned "passive" avoidance reaction following ablation of the midbrain central gray]. Formation of conditioned "passive" avoidance reaction was studied in rats with a single pain reinforcement after electrolythic destruction of mesencephalic part of the central gray substance (CGS). The ablation of CGS ventral nuclei at the level of the midbrain rostral part led to a decrease in emotional reaction of "fears" and to disturbance of avoidance conditioning. The participation of midbrain limbic structures in learning and memory is discussed.


[Disruption of food-getting movements after removal of the motor or premotor zone of the cerebral cortex in cats]. Instrumental food-procuring movements were studied in cats before and after unilateral or bilateral ablation of the motor or premotor cortical area. It is shown that unilateral impairment of the motor area affects the strength and accuracy of movements of the contralateral fore-leg, whereas the ablation of the premotor area leads to a slowing down of movements and breaking of a goal-directed movement into separate components. Bilataral ablation of the motor area irreversibly abolished the instrumental reflex. The ablation of the premotor cortex destroyed the animal's reaction to the sound signal, but food-procuring movements of the fore-legs were disturbed only temporarily. The obtained data are discussed on the basis of the concept that in cats the above cortical areas play different roles in the organization of goal directed behaviour.


[Shifts in steady potential levels and changes in the cerebral bioelectrochemical potential during orientation and conditioned reflexes in rabbits]. The shifts of the steady potential level (SPL), recorded with non-polarized electrodes, and the changes in bioelectrochemical potential (BEChPs), recorded with platinum electrodes, were led from the rabbit brain surface in chronic experiments. The stimuli, that were new for the animal, caused only SPL shifts (0.1-0.3 mv), BEChPs showing no changes. BEChPs changed (by tenths to several millivolts) only in the process of the conditioned reflex formation, during the pairing of the conditioned and reinforcing stimuli, during which the shifts of SPL were also observed (up to 0.5-1 mv), different from the ones during the orienting reflex. Simultaneous recording of the SPL shifts and the changes in BEChPs showed that these phenomena are external manifestations of independent processes. It is suggested that the brain activity involved in the perception and the analysis of the informational value of a new stimulus, is connected with bioelectrical processes, rather than with the metabolic ones. During the formation of the defensive conditioned reflex, along with the enhancing of the activity connected with bioelectrical processes, other type of activity appears which is accompanied with considerable metabolic shifts.


[Interrelationship between grape snail alimentary and defense behavior command neurons]. Food stimulus (carrot juice), releasing feeding behaviour in intact snails, evoked spike discharges in giant meta-erebral cells (considered to be command neurones of feeding behaviour) and subthreshold EPSPs in giant parietal cells (command neurones of avoidance behaviour) of a half-intact preparation. Tactile stimulation, eliciting avoidance reactions in intact snails, evoked hyperpolarization in command neurones of feeding behaviour and a spike discharge in command neurones of avoidance behaviour. Spikes induced into either of command neurones produced no changes in activity of other command cells. Inhibition of command neurones of feeding behaviour is assumed to be the basis of behavioural choice when food and tactile stimulus are presented simultaneously.


[Human visual evoked potentials to spatially structured stimuli in normal subjects and early object vision deprivation]. For the analysis of plastic rearrangements in the visual system under the influence of different conditions of adaptation and early deprivation of objective vision, VEPs to checkerboard patterns with various check sizes were studied in subjects with normal vision and with amblyopia resulting from a congenital cataract. Sensitivity of P 180-230 component to the check sizes was revealed as well as a shift of its optimum toward bigger sizes following a transition from the light to the dark adaptation. In amblyopic subjects, in response to the checkerboard patterns the amplitude of P 80-120 component significantly increased, whereas that of P 180-230 decreased, with a shift of its optimum toward bigger check sizes. Informational significance of VEP waves and possible mechanisms of amblyopia are discussed.


[Correlation between bioelectrical processes of the cortex, thalamus, midbrain reticular formation during formation of a defensive conditioned reflex in rabbits]. EEG power spectra of the sensorimotor area of the neocortex, the dorsal hippocampus, midbrain reticular formation and anteroventral thalamic nucleus, as well as corresponding coherence functions and phase spectra, undergo changes during formation and performance of defensive conditioned reflex in rabbit. The conclusion is draen that in the process of conditioning a morphofunctional system of brain structures is established including the above mentioned formations. Their functional integration occurs on the basis of theta-rhythm. The execution of a conditioned act requires isorhythmicity of electrical processes within the theta-range in the studied structures and an adequate level of their excitability, which is manifested in the dominance of 6,0 c/s frequency.


[Detection of acetamide in the thermal degradation products of chitin (author's transl)]. Thermal degradation of chitin, which is a constituent of some foods, yields as main volatile compound acetamide (9% of dry weight) a fact with possible physiological implications. Thermal analysis shows decomposition beginning at 200 degrees C.


[The amount of L-dehydroascorbic acid on total-vitamin C of vegetable products (author's transl)]. Spectrophotometric determinations of vitamin C were carried out on different kinds of vegetable products in raw state, after steam-cooking and freezedrying. Indicators used were in part 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DIP) and in part N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and starch iodide, which at the same time allows a determination of other reducing interfering substances. The amount of L-dehydroascorbic acid (DAS), which together with L-ascorbic acid (AS) becomes vitamin C or total-vitamin C (VC), proved to be of special interest. During homogenisation of the vegetable samples in oxalic oxid solution AS was not oxidized. Other precautions like cooling or on oxygen-free atmosphere were not required. DAS was not found in raw vegetable products or after cooking. A high proportion of interfering substances especially when estimating VC was considered the cause for the normally measured amount of DAS. In freeze-dried samples of vegetable products a small amount DAS could be identified depending on the freezing process.


The LAP test. A new method for identification of seminal stains by a qualitative color reaction of leucine aminopeptidase. A new simple method for identification of seminal stains is described. It employs a qualitative color reaction based on histochemical technique for demonstration of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), which is extremely abundant in human semen. The method herein reported (the LAP test) is quite suitable for medicolegal examination of seminal stains as a preliminary test.


[Sympatho-adrenal activity in acute cold stress. The mechanism of sudden death following water immersion]. In addition to currently known mechanisms of sudden death following water immersion, predominantly vagal cardio-depressive reflexes are discussed. The pronounced circulatory centralization in diving animals as well as following exposure to cold water indicates additional sympathetic activity. In cold water baths of 15 degrees C, our own measurements indicate an increase in plasma catecholamine levels by more than 300%. This may lead to cardiac arrhythmias by the following mechanism: Cold water essentially induces sinus bradycardia. Brady- and tachyarrhythmias may supervene as secondary complications. Sinusbradycardia may be enhanced by sympathetic hypertonus. Furthermore, ectopic dysrhythmias are liable to be induced by the strictly sympathetic innervation of the ventricle. Myocardial ischemia following a rise in peripheral blood pressure constitutes another arrhythmogenic factor. Some of these reactions are enhanced by alcohol intoxication.


[The detection of inherited enzyme polymorphism in semen (author's transl)]. Our investigation of the occurrence of the enzymes phosphoglucomutase (PGM), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT), adenylatkinase (AK), adenosine-desaminase (ADA), and 6-phophogluconate-dehydrogenase (6-PGD) produced the following results: The phosphoglucomutase type was demonstrated in the most sperm samples and seminal stains in accordance with the corresponding blood type. This enzyme is rather stable and could still be demonstrated well in 1-month old stains. The glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase can only seldom be determined in semen and seminal stains. We only found the GPT 1 type, which is known to have usually the strongest activity. The adenylatekinase was demonstrable in the most fresh ejaculates (not older than 24 h) and in about half the seminal stains (not older than 7 days)--The AK--2-band gets weak with increasing lay days, which may lead to incorrect determinations. The adenosine-desaminase could not be determined in sperm. On the contrary, 6-phosphogluconate-dehydrogenase could be demonstrated in fresh semen samples and also partly in seminal stains up to 7 days. The demonstration of the enzymes did not depend in any system on the secretor type.


[Identification and significance of delta-aminovaleric acid in putrefaction materials (author's transl)]. During former putrefaction experiments regularly a proteogenic substance has been found which by means of modern analytical methods now was identified as delta-aminovaleric acid (DAVA). DAVA seems to appear in guinea pig as well as human organs and some body fluids under experimental conditions never before the 3rd (20 degrees C) to 5th day (10 degrees C). It is characterized by statistically significant increases until the end of the 2nd (20 degrees C) to 5th week (10 degrees C) and relatively stable values thereafter. Considering storage temperature measurement of DAVA concentration can be of relevance for the estimation of the time of death in cases of putrescent corpses.


[Comments on the paper by D. Tausch et al. Experiments on the penetration power of various bullets into skin and muscle tissue (author's transl)]. The objections in the following comments on a recent paper by Tausch et al. (1978) are raised principally to the points that the mass of the projectile is given an importance for the penetration which is not justified, and that the inherent uncertainty of the measurement data and the scope of validity of the empirical formulas are not sufficiently taken into account. The discussion on the process of penetration and a discontinuity of the depth of penetration as a function of the velocity of the bullet is of fundamental significance, with consequences for the definition of the critical velocity.


[Traumatic rupture of the aorta after a jump from the 3-meter-board (author's transl)]. Report on a protracted rupture of the aorta in an unusual place (on the diphragmatic fissure and over the junction of the renal arteries). A 13 years old boy who jumped from the 3-meter-board landed flat on his back in the water. A complete rupture with haemorrhaging in the left thoracic cavity and the para-aortal tissue developed 20 h after the accident under clinical observation with non-specific symptoms. Judging by the biomechanical development, the rupture can best be explained as the result of horizontal deceleration. Pathological changes in the aorta wall could not be identified.


[Hanging: fulminant thrombembolia as a vital reaction? (author's transl)]. Fulminant pulmonary thrombembolias were found in two suicides committed by hanging. The origin was a thrombosis of the iliac vein in one case and of femoral veins in the other. The thrombi and emboli respectively were examined histologically. It is assumed that the detachment of the emboli might have been caused mechanically during terminal muscle-cramps or hemodynamically by sudden alterations of blood pressure.


[Cardiac glycosides and metabolites--problems of recovery in tissue extracts. Separation of visible substance spots in the nanogram range (author's transl)]. The recovery measurements in rat tissues performed via i.p. injected radioactive digoxin derivates (3H-digoxin, 125J-digoxin derivative) showed that approximately 50% of the total glycoside content will be extracted. Thus, an addition of digoxin standards to drug-free tissues may lead to false negative determinations. By comparison of the radioactivity before and after extraction the following results were obtained: Recovery from tissues 3H-digoxin 50% 125J-digoxin 40% from serum 3H-digoxin 60% added to drug free tissue homogenates 3H-digoxin 85% After i.p. application of 15 mg/kg of beta-methyldigoxin to BD9 (Berlin)-rats the resulting tissue concentrations were extracted by Amberlite XAD-2. beta-Methyldigoxin and its metabolites digoxin and digoxinbisdigitoxide could be separated and distinguished from artifacts by fluorescence detection on HPTLC-plates with a detection limit of 60 ng/spot. Concentration determined by radioimmunoassay are in satisfactory agreement with HPTLC results.


[Delinquency under drug influence (author's transl)]. In delinquency, connected with alcohol, the immediate and acute effect of the substance is prominent, whereas in delinquency connected with drugs, one has to deal with chronic effects. The criteria for judging drunken offenders also stand as a model for judging the responsibility of the addicted offender for his crime. We consider: 1. the personality of the offender 2. the way, the amount and the point of time of the last intake of the drug 3. the potential dependence 4. the psychopathological state at the time of offense and at the time of examination 5. the kind of the offense itself. Most cases, which have to be examined, deal with indictable offenses, which were undertaken, in order to get new supply, i.e. "supply-offenes". These cases surmise, that the offender is physically addicted, that he knows about withdrawal symptoms from own experience, and that he committed the crime purely for securing his personal supply. We differentiate between direct "supply-offenses" (i.e. direct stealing by the addict himself) and indirect "supply-offenses" (i.e. mainly trading and commission business). For the latter offenses the state of consciousness and insight at the time of offense does not serve as a suitable criterion for judging the responsibility for the crime, since these offenders usually are not deprived of their drugs and therefore in a stable state of mind. Therefore the inner situation and the motivation for carrying out the crime has to be analysed carefully. For these indirect "supply-offenses" reduced responsibility for the offense has to be considered, whereas for direct "supply-offenses" a total lack of responsibility can be assumed.


Investigation of the short-time autolysis of rat hearts by means of SDS. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. The short-time autolysis of hearts was regarded as a model of ischaemic heart failure. Therefore, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30--120 min autolysis in a Locke solution at 37 degrees C. Electron microscopic examinations and myofibrillar preparations were made from the autolysed heart ventricles. The myofibrillar proteins were resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After 30 min autolysis the amount of a protein of 192,000 daltons greatly increased. At the same time on the electron micrographs the focal destruction of filament destruction on the A filament area and the mitochondrial structure altered too. After 60 min autolysis another protein of 36,400 daltons appeared. On the electron micrographs the focal desintegration of Z membranes and the focal destruction of I filaments can be observed. After 120 min autolysis further proteolytic products could not be detected by gel electrophoresis but on the electron micrographs the destruction of Z membranes and I filaments became more pronounced.


[Suicides in hospitals of Vienna (author's transl)]. An analysis of the autopsies ordered by the Viennese Forensic and Health Authorities between 1967 and 1976 has shown that 2.3% of all suicides were committed in hospitals. Two thirds of the 77 examined cases were carried out by males. Thirty-five patients were in stationary psychiatric treatment; their average age was 50.7 years. In all other kinds of hospitals 42 (mostly male) patients committed suicide at an average age of 65.3 years. Preferred methods of performance were jump and fall from height (44.1%) and hanging (40.3%). Rare methods used were one case of abdominal incisions (harakiri), one self-strangulation, and one case of suffociation in plastic bags. The act was usually accomplished early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Among the suicidal patients who were hospitalized because of organic diseases those with malignant neoplasms [18] and cardiovascular diseases [12] were predominant. Also taking the suicides outside hospitals into consideration the numerical ratio between natural deaths due to cancer and the suicides of cancer patients is about 1:1,000. Amont the suicides in psychiatric institutions schizophrenics [11] and endogenous depressives [7] were the most numerous. In 4 cases the suicide was preceded by acts of injury or homicide.


Postmortem decrease in brain temperature. The postmortem decrease in central brain temperature in a small number of forensic cases is presented. Each case shows a simple exponential fall during the time of the measurements. The data reported by Brinkmann et al. (1978), when plotted in semilogarithmic coordinate system, also show--after an initial "plateau" of about 2 h--a strictly one-term exponential temperature fall for several hours post mortem. The curve of brain temperature fall allows conclusions about the time of death without considering clothing, body stature, and weight. The interval temperature measurements which are required may be obtained on the spot, and the calculations needed are very simple. The method, therefore, seems preferable to those depending on rectal temperature measurements.


[Forensic aspects of digoxin-poisoning: toxicological and morphological findings (author's transl)]. Case report. A 82 year old woman died 80 min after accidental ingestion of 5 mg beta-methyl-digoxin. The autopsy and the histological examination revealed non-specific alterations due to shock and preexisting coronary heart disease. Digoxin levels in various fluids and tissues were estimated by radioimmunoassay: bloodplasma 20--25 ng/ml, liquor 10--13 ng/ml, liver 100--110 ng/g, kidney 130--145 ng/g; the gastric fluid contained 0,6 mg. Forensic aspects of glycosid-intoxication, especially of the varying concentrations in different tissues, are discussed.


[The contents of lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese, and zinc of non-arteriosclerotic aortas (author's transl)]. The contents of lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese and zinc of 30 non arteriosklerotic aortas of deceased males between the age of 16 and 53 was analysed with flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy according to the specific localisation within the artery. An interdependence between the metal concentration and the localisation could not be ascertained statistically, although in the individual cases of the examined sections considerable differences in the metal concentration have been determined. No relation between the age of the deceased and the contents of the metal in the aortas was found. Likewise not significant relationship between the calcium and the concentration of heavy metal was verified.


[Anorexia nervosa - a familial socialization deficit]. This study is based on the hypothesis that there is a connexion between the condition of Anorexia nervosa and factors of family socialization. The empirical examination of this assumption was carried out using the hospital records of 51 female patients treated for Anorexia nervosa in the Psychiatric University Hospital Göttingen from the period of 1967 to 1973. The family structure was investigated under the following context: 1) family constellation, 2) socioeconomic factors, 3) interactional patterns. At first sight these families have a normally disturbuted family constellation, a stable and accepted social status together with traditional social values. However, disturbed parental and matrimonial relationships in fluence the family attitudes in such a way as to enhance these behavior patterns associated with high performance and pseudo-solidarity. This complex family structure effects the anorexic patients such that--in an interactional view--an inbalance of ego identity arises and a adolescence crisis occurs.


The birth and survival of wildebeest calves. This paper describes social organization, parturition, post partum behavior of wildebeest mothers and offspring, and calf predation during the annual birth peak in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. The wildebeest's "follower-calf" system, unique among the Bovidae, is remarkably effective in protecting neonates. Even during hte one-month peak, the major predator on calves, the spotted hyena, is unable to feed to satiation. Calf survival is consistently high, despite large fluctuations in the numbers of wildebeest, with consequent effects on the size of the yearly calf crop.


[Reciprocity of intrapsychic and interpersonal processes in anorexia nervosa: observations and interpretations from the therapy of the family]. This article uses sections of transcribed tape-recordings of family interviews to elucidate the pubescent anorexia nervosa of a 14 year-old girl within the context of her family interactions. The reciprocal action of intrapsychic disturbance and interpersonal processes within the family, as well as the feedback machanisms involved in both systems are discussed. Analogous to the neurotic aspect of the anorexia itself, the neurotic family dealings with the puberty crisis are shown, which are dedicated to the repression of drive-desires, turn against, a restructuring of family equilibrium necessitated by the life cycles of various family members, resulting in a power struggle for symmetrical positions within the family. Analogous to the internal ego disorder found in anorexia, the permanent struggle to differentiate ego functions and integrate bodily experience and thereby achieve indentity as a separate, autonomous subject is described. The struggle for autonomy is made more difficult by family norms which do not allow for the expression of personal desires, needs and interests. Thoughts on the development of anorexia nervosa relevant to the family situation described in our example follow the phenomenological presentation. The disturbance in self-object differentiation arises from the early mother-child relationship, and is viewed as the result of the mother's disturbed relationship to primary maternal preoccupation. A symbiotic-antagonistic relationship between mother and child is perpetuated by means of mystifying, binding strategies. The family keeps the traditional roles of victim an savior ready to overcome psychosocial crises. Finally, the casuitry explains anorexia as a form of confrontation within a family context, which is moulded by the norms of village social structure.


[Psychosomatics of breast cancer - present state of research and new developments]. Cancer of the breast is a malignant disease most intensively studied under a psychosomatic perspective. But validated results are rare. Further research should follow three guidelines: 1. True prospective studies of non-selected populations, 2. interdisciplinary research of endocrine, immunologic, genetic, and psycho-social influencing factors, 3. the clinical course of the disease should be investigated to improve the psycho-social rehabilitation. Main emphasis lies here on the involvement of the patient's family.


[Coping or adaptive processes in psychosomatic medicine]. In the last decade a new psychological concept was derived from the pre-scientific English term "coping" and introduced into what is known as illness-behaviour. Coping supplements the psychoanalytical defence theory by forming part of the adaption processes in illness and helping to overcome illness as a psychic crisis. The present paper is an attempt to provide a critical analyses of all literature available on the concept of coping. After various examples of a definition of the term, it was shown how coping differs from defence mechanisms, the connection between stress and coping was explained and a comprehensive illness model was presented. Then followed a discussion of the better known forms of coping to date and a brief presentation of fields of scientific research which could benefit from the coping concept.


[The psychogenic death of Mr. J. A case report]. Numerous cases of psychogenic death have been cited throughout the world, as well by native peoples, inhabitants of concentration camps and prisoner of war camps. Psychogenic death is a generalized human extreme psychosomatic reaction. It is not specific to any culture or mentality. Psychogenic death refers to death triggered by psychic stimuli. The individual finds himself in a situation where external forces have lead to a restriction of his world and, in addition, is subjectively sensing of the inalterability of his situation. Decisive to the perception of the environment is the subjective emotional view of things which can greatly diverge reality. The physical state of these individuals is marked by total passivity. The psychic condition is characterized by regression, resignation, and apathy. The article described the psychic background and the physical process of a death by psychic phenomena. The case of a 37 year old patient with detailed anamnestic and clinical data is given. His hobby was taking photographs of natural scenery and animals. This had become vital for him, because he did not like his job. The patient suffered from a painful herniation of intervetebral disk. After the operation of the disk he still had backache. He thought that the operation had been unsuccessful. The following day the patient showed the symptoms of the psychogenic death and died within one day. The autopsy, histopathologic, and toxicologic examinations showed no indications to the cause of death.


[The efficiency of 20 hours of brief psychotherapy with the Guidire Affective Imagery. Examination with psychological tests]. 26 non-selected out-patients of a psychiatric and psychotherapeutic clinic with psychoneurotic personality disorders and psychosomatic complaints were treated with the Guidive Affective Imagery (GAI) during 20 sessions. Analysis of the psychodiagnostic tests prior to treatment showed that 7 patients had insignificant psychopathological profiles although they felt bad and had diffuse psychosomatic complaints whereas 12 suffered from neurotical symptoms and severe psychosomatic disorders. The rate of improvement was assessed by standardized tests. The GAI proved to be an effective short term treatment of depressive and inhibited patients. A significant rate of improvement of less neurotic and psychosomatic disorders was found. These results are still to be confirmed by katamnestic questionnaires in order to assure that the therapeutic changes are long lasting.


Effect of organic matter supplementation on nitrogen transformations in soils. I. Chemical and bacteriological changes. The effect of supplementation with different organic materials on nitrogen transformations and on certain bacterial groups in soil was studied. Addition of wide C/N ratio organic matter, sawdust and maize stalks prevented NO3-N from being lost through leaching out or dentrification and favoured the development of Azotobacter and N2-fixing clostridia that in turn resulted in marked gains in nitrogen through N2-fixation. Nitrifying bacteria were adversely affected. Application of such materials together with high amounts of NH4NO3 lessened nitrogen losses in drainage water but increased losses through denitrification. Nitrogen-rich organic matter resulted in higher losses in nitrates from soils in comparison to those of wide C/N ratio organic materials.


Effect of organic matter supplementation on nitrogen transformations in soils. II. Nitrogen balance and yield. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effect of the application of uncomposted plant materials (sawdust and maize stalks) or horns and hooves (narrow C/N ratio) on soil nitrogen and plant growth was investigated. From nitrogen balance calculations it was found that the addition of the wide C/N ratio materials alone either increased soil nitrogen through N2-fixation or lessened nitrogen loss through denitrification. Although such materials resulted in the immobilisation of mineral nitrogen, no nitrogen starvation symptoms were noted on the growing plants. Negative nitrogen balances were usually obtained when soils received mineral nitrogen fertilizers either alone or together with maize stalks or supplemented with the narrow C/N ratio organic material.


Quantitative effects of some pesticides on certain physiological groups of micro-organisms in soil. Quantitative effects of temik (insecticide and nematocide), orthocide (fungicide), or treflan (herbicide), added to soil at field rate application, on counts of certain desirable soil microorganisms were studied. In the presence of any of the pesticides, counts of aerobic cellulose-decomposers were either stimulated or depressed. Despite the temporarily slight stimulation, observed in some instances of the initial periods, the effect of any pesticide on counts of Azotobacter, N-fixing clostridia, and ammonifiers was subsequently depressive. The period of retardation or stimulation differed according to the chemical composition of the pesticides and physiological properties of micro-organisms. However, the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria, especially ammonium-oxidizers, seemed to be more sensitive and their counts in treated in treated soil were sharply depressed.


Influence of fluctuating temperature on soil microflora. The effect of different constant and "square-wave" fluctuating temperatures on the soil microflora was studied in laboratory experiments. The growth of soil microorganisms was higher at lower temperatures, indicating the higher degree of substrate immobilization and the better energy economy of the soil bionta. Microbial counts were slightly higher after five days of incubation at fluctuating temperatures than those obtained at a constant mean temperature. It was important whether the fluctuation started at lower or at higher temperatures. At a fluctuating temperature the amount of nitrates decreased compared to the amount at a constant temperature. The development dynamics of soil microorganisms was accelerated by the fluctuation of temperature as judged by nitrogen transformation and simultaneous changes in microbial counts.


Investigations into rhizosphere microflora of some plants in Libya. The present investigation deals with the effect of raising Hordeum vulgare and Arachis hypogaea at two different stages on the microbial rhizosphere population. The studies were extended to reveal the microbiological occurrence in different horizons of a soil profile corresponding in length to root regions. Bacteria were most abundant, followed by actinomycetes while fungi were less abundant and more restricted in their distribution. The three groups of microorganisms varied markedly in the rhizosphere of the two plants under investigation. The plant age had a great influence on the frequency of occurrence of the different microorganisms. One strain of bacteria, six fungi and the members of the grey series of Streptomyces were dominant. Actinomycetes and fungi diminished with the depth of soil, while the bacterial counts increased.


Seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum in sand cultures and its effect on nitrogen balance. The effect of bacterization of barley grains with a selected strain of Azotobacter chroococcum was studied. In nitrogen-deficient sand, seed inoculation increased plant length, dry weight, nitrogen content in addition to a significant increase in soil nitrogen. The density of the organism on grains had a slight positive effect. Irrigation with KNO3-containing nutrient solution suppressed nitrogen fixation, but inoculation still had a pronounced stimulating effect on plants. In presence of mixed soil microflora the beneficial effect of bacterization was less than in monobacterial cultures. Azotobacters naturally present in soil also colonized in heavy densities on the rhizoplane, but their effect on plant growth and soil nitrogen were less if compared with that resulting from bacterization.


[A methodical comparison of respiration measurement in an incubation experiment (author's transl)]. For the determination of CO2-content from incubation experiments infrared-absorption, interferometer and titration methods were compared with regard of the reproduction of experimental results. The data obtained by titration were general higher. The middle coefficients of variation amounted for infrared-absorption 6.79%, interferometer 13.41% and titration 21.78%. The repititions, which are necessary for the statistical safety of the methods, are given. By the method of infrared-absorption the higher water-loss of the soil is reduced by water-saturation of the air in the incubation vessel.


Effect of some medicaments on the oxygen uptake of the spores of some soil fungi. Nystatin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, captan, indoleacetic acid, and colchicin were tested in two concentrations for their effect on the oxygen uptake of the spores of Mucor racemosus, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Cochliobolus spicifer, and Macrophomina phaseoli. Nystatin and captan inhibited the oxygen uptake of the spores of all fungi used, and this inhibitory effect increases with increasing concentration. On the other hand, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, indoleacetic acid, and colchicin were found to have a stimulating effect. Increasing the concentration of these medicaments to the double concentration causes a decrease in the oxygen uptake, except in the case of ascorbic acid where the reverse occurs.


[Chronic traumatic rupture of the diaphragm (author's transl)]. The rising number of traffic accidents increases the number of traumatic ruptures of the diaphragm. Often there are no characteristic symptoms or those of other injuries may dominate. Sometimes a long time elapses before signs of hernia appear. Therefore the mass X-ray screening of the population is very important to demonstrate such cases. Chest X-ray, barium meal and pneumoperitoneum are required to detect a late herniation. Prompt surgical repair will give patients the best chance of recovery, thus avoiding complications which greatly increase the mortality rate.


[Coumarin necrosis (author's transl)].

[Coumarin necrosis (author's transl)]. 2 cases of hermorrhagic skin infarctions of breast and thigh after anticoagulation with coumarin are reported. The mechanism of coumarin necrosis remains unknown. Treatment of lesions is necrotomy. A skin graft may be needed to cover the defect.


[Present state and trends in treating closed lower leg fractures in adults (author's transl)]. The treatment of closed lower leg fractures requires a differentiated indication. Type of fracture and many important concomitant factors have to be considered. Stability and optimal blood supply are the most important criteria to favour osteosynthesis. But conservative treatment after Böhler can even today be regarded as an efficient procedure. About 60% of these fractures have been found to yield good results in adequate time when treated conservatively. Also the efficacy of the functional method described by Sarmiento has been proved. Special indications can be attributed to interlocking nailing. The operative therapy today is highly specialized therefore it should be practiced only in adequate staffed and equipped hospitals. A questionnaire answered from 110 surgical departments supports this demand.


[Inter- and subtrochanterie fractures treated by Ender's method (author's transl)]. 308 patients with intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures were treated by Ender's method of intramedullary fixation from June 1975 to September 1978. The average age was 78,4 years, the mortality rate was 16,3 per cent. There was no infection of the bone and no non-union. In 78 per cent of re-examined patients the hip function was good and very good. The treatment of old patients with this operation is the method of choice.


[Experimental and pharmacokinetic studies with gentamicin PMMA beads (author's transl)]. Gentamicin PMMA beads (PMMA = polymethylmethacrylate) represent a new form of local antibiotic therapy for treating chronic bone and soft tissue infections. Gentamicin is released in high concentrations from PMMA. The therapeutic efficacy of the beads was demonstrated in a model of bone infection in dogs. Sufficiently high tissue concentrations of gentamicin were measurable for a period of 4 months. A very good tolerance of the beads was demonstrated in dogs as well as in cell cultures. High gentamicin concentrations exceeding the MBC values of relevant pathogens were measurable in patients at the site of infection. Serum and urine concentrations were low and therefore toxic side effects are excluded.


[Gentamicin-PMMA-beads in treating bone and soft tissue infections (author's transl)]. Temporary implantation of gentamicin-PMMA-beads and -chains provides a most-effective local antibiotic therapy as supplementary and consecutive treatment after surgical procedures executed in bone and soft tissue infections. The broad spectrum antibiotic gentamicin is gradually released from the PMMA beads in high doses, thus ensuring local concentrations of the antibiotic which never can be achieved by systemic application of the same antibiotic. Operative technique and advantages of this new way of local antibiotic therapy are explained. 128 patients were treated for different manifestations of chronic osteomyelitis in 1976. The chronic bone infections subsided completely in 91,4% of the patients, but 11 reinfections were observed within 6 to 24 months after termination of treatment. In 6 of those 11 cases this re-infection was caused by sequestered bone particles which had been overlooked.


[Errors and complications using the curved nail after Lezius-Herzer (author's transl)]. Intramedullary fixation of intertrochanteric fractures with the curved nail of Lezius-Herzer is a stable and simple osteosynthesis. The purpose of this article is to introduce some principles designed to avoid the very low complications of this nailing, which are mostly founded on errors in technic.


[Experience obtained from use of Faustan (diazepam)-ketamine combination in anaesthesia for minor gynaecological surgery (author's transl)]. Reference is made to the advantages implied in the combinational use of Faustan and ketamine for anaesthesia, but disadvantages are mentioned, as well. No complications with danger to life were recorded from an evaluation of 1,000 narcoses over a period between September 1st, 1977, and July 31st, 1978. Combined use of the above agents may be justified on account of low rate of complications, optimum surgical conditions, and smoother operation.


[Accuracy of lymphography in carcinoma of the cervix (author's transl)]. A review has been made of lymphographic diagnoses recorded from patients with cervical carcinoma over more than five years. The diagnosis by lymphography of nodes metastases had to be altered in some 25 per cent, and correction proved necessary also in cases in which lymphography had failed to yield conclusive information. - In the group with lymphographically secured cancer lymph nodes coincided with histological results in 70 per cent of all primary and 90 per cent of secondary checks. Comparable gaps were recorded also from the group with lymphographically inconclusive information on lymph node cancer. - The following conclusions are drawn from the study described: (a) The accuracy of lymphographic diagnosis depends on the experiences of the examiner and changes within time and this must be considered in the evaluation of therapeutic success or failure. - (b) Conclusive findings in the context of lymph node problems are obtainable from selective use of lymphography.


[Differential diagnosis of acute leg swelling (author's transl)]. Reference is made to aspects relating to the aetiology of acute leg swelling following surgical or radiological treatment of uterine and ovarian tumours. Four cases are reported, in that context. The swellings described developed up to ten years after initial therapy. Differential diagnosis and therapeutic approaches are discussed. The need for early cooperation between the gynaecologist, radiologist, angiologist, and vascular surgeon is underlined.


[Cytological disclosure of ovarian carcinoma (author's transl)]. A case is reported in which an ovarian carcinoma invaded the fallopian tube. Primary diagnosis was possible only by cervical smears and not secured until the tumour was exposed by hysterectomy. Reference is made to publications on similar cases.


[Experience from uterine cervix sarcoma (author's transl)]. The genital sarcomas of three in 56 Patients (5,36 per cent) were located in the uterine cervix. Treatment gave unsatisfactory results, with survival rates of nine, 13, and 32 months. Suggested are steps by which to improve both the diagnosis and therapy of genital sarcomas in women.


[Measurement of basal temperature for calculation of duration of pregnancy (author's transl)]. The duration of pregnancy post ovulationem (p.o.), post hyperthermiam (p.h.), and post menstruationem (p.m.) was calculated for single births with birth weights around 2,500 g against the background of basal temperatures which had been measured by 172 patients. - Average pregnancy durations, p.o. (n = 159) were 263 +/- 11,3 days [boys (n = 81) 262,2 +/- 12,3 days; girls (n = 78) 263,9 +/- 10,1 days]. Average pregnancy durations, p.h. (n = 171) were 260,4 +/- 11,5 days [boys (n = 90) 259,7 +/- 12,2 days; girls (n = 81) 261,2 +/- 10.8 days]. Differences for p.o. and p.h. mean values between girls and boys could not be statistically secured. The average duration of pregnancy, p.m. (n = 166) was 281,7 +/- 11,2 days, with boys being born (n = 89) after 280,8 +/- 12,4 days and girls (n = 77) after 282,7 +/- 9,7 days.


[On the indication of cesarean section in moribunda (author's transl)]. A case of cesarean section in moribunda is reported. The patient died on spontaneous subarachnoid and cerebral hemorrhage due to an angioma arteriovenosum aneurysmaticum of the right arteria cerebri media. Medical problems and the indication for a section in such cases are discussed. In non letal maternal diseases a section in moribunda should be separated from a cesarean section in extremis.


[Antidiphtheria and antitetanus antitoxic immunity indices in the population of the Estonian SSR (an assessment of the effectiveness of a planned vaccine prophylaxis)]. In 1972-1974 and 1977 in the Estonian SSR children and adults were surveyed for the presence of antibodies against tetanus and diphtheria toxins (toxoids) by means of the passive hemagglutination test. The level of protection against tetanus was revealed to correspond to the proportion of child population covered by vaccination: in 1977, with 98.8% covered by vaccination, the level of protection among children aged 7 to 14 years and adolescents of 15-19 years exceeded 98%; with the increase of age (every 10-15 years) the level of protection against tetanus regularly decreased. This dynamics correlated with the existing terms of postvaccinal immunity and the epidemiological independence of tetanus as infectiion. The level of protection in child population against diphtheria in 1972-1974 and 1977 lagged behind the level of protection against tetanus and the coverage by vaccination. The diphtheria component of adsorbed DPT vaccine seemed to be unable to ensure the sufficient level and intensity of immunity under conditions of a sharply decreased risk of encounter with the infective agent. In persons aged 40 years and over the indices of immunity against diphtheria were higher than against tetanus. These indices resulted from diphtheria infection at the prevaccination period and could serve as an objective sign in following up the decrease of the process of diphtheria epidemics.


[Effect of a high-polymer, metal-containing biostimulator on the immunological reactivity of the body of experimental animals]. "Phodomos", a biostimulator of the "Biomos" group of metal complexes, considerably increases (2-3-fold) antibody production and the phagocytic ability of micro- and macrophages in experimental animals. The preparation has no essential influence on the ability of the bone marrow stem cells for colony formation in the body of irradiated animals.


[Characteristics of an allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mites]. The laboratory cultivation of house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) was shown to yield the maximum amount of the mites in 10--12 weeks. Hair accumulated in electric razors and house dust mixed with hair from electric razors should be considered the most promising medium for their cultivation. Scarification tests with D. pteronyssinus allergen prepared with the use of specially developed technology produced positive results in 56% of patients hypersensitive to house dust allergen.


[Study of the "survival" of knowledge among graduates of a sanitation and hygiene college with regard to epidemiology and ways of improving the teaching of this discipline]. The authors present the results obtained in the survey of graduates from the sanitary and hygienic departments of 4 medical institutes of the Ukrainian SSR carried out in a special pedagogical experiment with the aim to determine the "survival" of their knowledge in epidemiology. As a result, variations in the stability of knowledge in different branches of this discipline, especially in disinfection, the problems requiring the integration of knowledge in epidemiology and hygiene (municipal and alimentary), etc., have been revealed. The authors propose some measures for the improvement of teaching.


[Principles for intensive therapy of status epilepticus in children]. A total of 113 children with brain edema of infectious and toxic nature were studied. The main clinical syndrome in these conditions was an epileptical status. Among anticonvulsive drugs used seduxen appeared to be the most effective. The use of GABA, gas narcosis and myorelaxants is recommended as well. The rehydration by plasma, low molecular plasma substitutes and glucose-polyion solutions are discussed. The paper contains some information on contraindications for early dehydration and rehydration. Hypoxia is eliminated by providing adequate lung ventilation, oxygenotherapy or hyperbaric oxygenation, by using oxidative enzymes and drugs increasing the resistance of the brain to hypoxia and hypothermia. It is recommended that hormonal therapy should be used. The techniques of urgent measures and their sequence are given.


[Variant of the facial-scapular-humeral-gluteal-femoral form of primary myopathy in children]. The facial-scapulohumeral-gluteal-femoral form of primary myopathy, described for the first time in 1872 by Duchenne, starts with lesions to the facial muscles and scapulae with subsequent dissemination to the other muscles of the shoulder girdle and lower extremities. The form of primary myopathy is characterized by a rapid development of myodystrophy without remissions and by the autosomal-recessive type of inheritance.


[Role of complex studies in the diagnosis of spinal amyotrophy in young children]. The analysis of a pathomorphological verified case of Werding-Hoffmanns disease and its comparison with the other clinical and EEG data shows that the specific electromyographical traits of the spinal lesion in some patients are revealed in a late period. For the differentiation of the essential muscular and the secondary neurogenic lesions in the early stages of the disease the morphological studies of muscular bioptic specimens are very important.


[Neurologic symptoms and syndromes in the diagnosis of perinatal brain lesions in newborn children]. The most frequent symptoms and syndromes indicative of nervous system impairments in the newborn are: oculomotor disturbances, signs of intracranial pressure rise, changes of the spontaneous motor activity, symptoms of cerebral edema, depression or excitation of the nervous system. The studies have shown that the diverse character of combination of these symptoms and syndromes and the degree of their intensity depend on the depth of hypoxia, give evidence of the gravity of cerebral circulation disorders, and point to possible metabolic or structural changes in the newborn's brain.


[Electroencephalographic problems in newborn infants]. The authors present the results of electroencephalographic examinations performed at random in a group of 100 newborn "risk infants". Ordinary electroencephalograms were compared with those obtained by long-time polygraphic recording. It was found that ordinary electroencephalography was quite acceptable for the basic diagnosis of neurological diseases. The number of pathological curves on the electroencephalograms after the polygraphic recording was not greater than on ordinary encephalograms.


[Appraisal of work capacity and rehabilitation in infantile cerebral palsy]. In clinical conditions 189 patients with infantile cerebral paralysis were examined, and ways of their medical, family, social, and working rehabilitation were analyzed. The medical rehabilitation appeared to be the most effective in patients with pareses of the extremities and speech disorders. The prognosis as regards the working capacity was the most favourable in patients with mild and mode;ate pareses (hemi-, para-, and fetrapareses) and unfavourable in patients with severe hyperkinesias, pronounced oligophrenia, and combined pathology (hyperkinesias + tetrapareses; tetrapareses + debility and/or speech disorders). While specifying the disability groups attention was paid to the degree of the function impairment (mild, moderate, grave) and to the working prognosis. Patients with pronounced tetrapareses and contractures in all the joints, grave hyperkinesias in all the four extremities, and imbecility were classed with disability group I: those with pronounced para-, hemi-, and tetrapareses, extensive hyperkinesias, combination of the motor disorders with debility were placed into disability group II. While classing patients with disability group III the character and degree of the function impairments, the patients profession, contraindicated factors of the work, and compensatory potentialities were taken into account. The studies have shown that the existing scepticism with regard to the working capacity prognosis in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis is due to insufficient elucidation of their working potentialities in literature.


[Lesions of the nervous system in premature children with "conjugated" jaundices]. Results of many-year observation of 110 prematurely born children who had had nuclear jaundice in the precence of hyperbilirubinemia showed that this pathology not only had distinct temporal parameters, but in most cases also a characteristic clinical picture. The principal symptoms are: an abrupt tossing of the head back, general tonic convulsions, tonic stretching of the arms with pronation of the hands, monotonous constrained cry, amimic face, paroxysms of apnoe, and gross impairments on the part of the brain stem. The most important for the diagnosis and prognosis was the "setting sun" symptom. The diagnosing is difficult when the nuclear jaundice joins pre- or intranatal damage to the nervous system or is combined with an infectious toxicosis. Observation of infants during the first six months makes it possible to confirm the diagnosis. The gravity of the sequelae makes it necessary to transfer infants from the maternity home to pediatric hospitals even if the jaundice is only suspected.


[Coordination disorders in children with the Louis-Bar syndrome]. Results of anamnestic and clinico-neurological examinations of 39 children (24 boys and 15 girls aged from 4 to 16 years) with the Louis Barr syndrome are presented. Coordination disorders as the very first symptom were noted in 17 children. In 15 children it was frequent respiratory diseases that were the first manifestations of the syndrome. In these children the coordination disturbances developed later and showed a slower progress. Early development of atactic symptoms and their rapid progress was observed more frequently in boys. Of the coordination disorders prevalent in 22 patients were symptoms of dynamic ataxia more marked in the arms; in 16 patients these symptoms were combined with noticeable disturbances of the statics. The use of both more complicated and simplified modifications of the coordination tests has made it possible to analyze the structure of the atactic syndrome and to estimate the degree of the compensatory potentialities more precisely.


[Situational reactions manifesting themselves in behavior disorders as a form of psychogenic (reactive) disorders in children and adolescents]. The paper is related to the history, elimination, clinical expression, systematics and the clinico-nozological place of the group of situational reactions expressed in disordered behaviour of children and adolescents. These reactions are considered as associated pairs, including interconnected psychological and pathological forms. Some common criteria delineating the psychological and pathological situational reactions are presented. The paper also contains a description of the main traits of psychological and pathological reactions of protest, rejection, imitation, compensation-hypercompensation. All these reactions are considered as a special group of psychogenic (reactive) diseases.


[Dynamics and outcome of obsessive neuroses with onset in childhood and adolescence in the light of follow-up studies]. A total of 52 patients (28 males and 24 females from 16.5 to 21.5 years of age) observed in childhood because of obsessional neuroses were studied. All the studied cases were divided into 3 groups: patients with obsessional movements and actions, patients with obsessional fears and patients with obsessions of the mixed type. Follow-up studies of the patients demonstrated that the prognosis of obsessional states with an onset in childhood and adolescency should not be based only on the duration of the disease. It depends on the combination of a number of factors: the clinical form of neuroses, type of development, traits of the "basis", stage of psychophysical development, determing evolution of the disease and degree of social adaptation.


[Clinico-psychopathologic features of hysterical disorders with altered consciousness in children]. In 7 children aged from 6 to 13 years with hysterical psychoses relatively rare psychopathological phenomena were found which were named by the author as short-time lethargy, prolonged somnabulism, hysterical automatism, the phenomenon of "personality split" and special fantasies. The paper contains a psychopathological analysis related to the age traits and clinical aspects of these conditions. A special place occupied by these symptoms in the psychotic structure is due, in the opinion of the author, to the appearance of "hypnoid-hypobulic" disturbances.


[Nonprocess autism in children: comparative etiopathogenetic study]. Etiopathogenesis of the childhood autism syndrome of a non-process nature is discussed on the basis of a comparative study of 156 children aged from 3 to 16 years. In the etiological complex there is a prevalence of early exogenous-organic noxious factors, which is reflected in disturbances of mental divelopment, maturation of the system of hemispheric pair work. The data of follow-up studies and treatment confirm a conclusion about a residual-organic basis in the syndrome of childhood autism.


[Clinical features of several variants of schizophrenia in adolescence. I]. A total of 87 schizophrenic patients (39 boys and 48 girls), with a psychopathlike syndrome and deviant behaviour were examined. On the basis of the clinical picture and type of development of the disease, 2 groups of patients (from 14-18 years) were distinguished. The first group included patients who by their clinical traits belonged to heboid schizophrenia and were observed in the framework of a one-attack shiftlike development of the process. In the second group the psychopathlike syndrome was expressed in the presence of increasing personality changes, while the development of the process was a sluggish type.


[Clinico-genealogic study of patients with unfavorable early infantile schizophrenia]. The paper concerns similarities and differences between childhood schizophrenia and schizophrenia of the adults from the standpoint of the genealogical background in the respective families. The degree of loading by manifest psychoses and the typology of nonmanifest disturbances among the parents of probands with an unfavorable development of early childhood schizophrenia was studied. The data obtained demonstrate heterogeneity of this form of childhood schizophrenia, confirmed as well by genealogical studies in a comparative age aspect.


[Clinico-genetic diagnosis of severe mental retardation]. Among 330 patients with severe mental retardation who were consulted at random for medico-genetic purposes (excluding phenylketonuria and Down's disease), 27,3% constituted retarded patients due to genetic diseases, 10%--to exogenous factors. Families with a high genetical risk (25%-50% for sibs) constituted 20%. In the group of patients with severe mental retardation, but without signs of organic lesion in the neurological state or multiple congenital anomalies, there was a higher percentage of consanguineous parents and affected sibs, than in the group of patients with residual-organic neurological changes and in the group of patients with the so-called malformation retardation syndromes.


[Analysis of the effectiveness of treating children with different forms of intellectual deficiency with piriditol]. The clinical efficacy of piriditol treatment in children with intellectual insufficiency was studied by means of special techniques, determining the velocity of visual information processing (VVIP) and short-time visual memory (SVM), which reflects the functional state of the brain. Piriditol was administered to 50 children aged from 7 to 12 years. The clinical state was characterized as mental retardation, due to mild organic brain lesions or oligophrenia in the form of mild debility. The use of special techniques (VVIP and SVM) for the study of intellectual activity permitted to analyze more differentially the stimulating and sedative effect of piriditol, to detect the new property of the drug, i.e. to remove the processes of fatigue in the brain tissues. A positive effect of the treatment was most marked in children with mental retardation rather than in oligophrenic patients.


[Carbohydrate metabolism disorders in stroke]. In the acute period of cerebral stroke most patients develop disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. These disorders resemble the diabetic syndrome, but differ from the latter by their lability and absence of the signs of ketoacidosis. The intensity of the syndrome depends on the gravity of the stroke, size and localization of the focus, character of the process (the syndrome is more pronounced in cases of hemorrhagic strokes), and the state of the pancreas.


[Cerebral stroke. Social consequences].

[Cerebral stroke. Social consequences]. The work was based on the data obtained by the epidemiological register method. The incidence of cerebral strokes and the patients' mortality were determined. By the end of the first year after the stroke in 42.5% of patients who survived there remained pareses and paralyses. In a part of the patients the ability for walking and using transport was impaired. 38.2% of the patients needed assistance in performing one or several ADL functions, such as, dressing, food taking, washing, use of toilet and bath. 20.2% of the patients who worked before the stroke could return to their work, and 17.1% of the patients who kept house before the stroke could return to their former household activity. The patients were divided into ADL classes and classes determining the state of their labour and everday-life rehabilitation. This distribution was found to be of practical importance.


[Neuropsychological approach to detecting the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral artery "steal" syndromes]. Neuropsychological symptoms of "robbing" the anterior, median, and posterior cerebral arteries due to the ischemia caused within their basins by arteriovenous aneurisms were studied. The disappearance of the "robbing" symptoms after occluding the influx vessels of the aneurism by a separable balloon-catheter (62 observations), or after radical excision of the arteriovenous aneurism (81 observations) was taken for the control. The dynamics of the "robbing" symptoms in the process of the endovascular operations was followed. The importance of the "robbing" and the local symptoms associated with the localization of the vascular conglomerate for the clinic of arteriovenous aneurisms is demonstrated. A high sensitivity of the neuropsychological tests to changes of the cerebral hemodynamics is noted.


[Diagnostic difficulties in total infarct in the middle cerebral artery system]. Under study there were 12 cases of total infarction within the median cerebral artery system. The resemblance of this disease with cerebral hemorrhage consists not only in the similarity of the neurological symptoms, but also frequently in analogous shifts on the part of peripheral blood and metabolic processes. For diagnostic differentiation dynamic examinations of cerebrospinal liquor can be used. If the absence of erythrocytes in the liquor is confirmed repeatedly, or they appear later and in an insignificant quantity, the diagnosis of the total infarction becomes almost absolitely correct. If, however, the blood appears in the liquor in a greater amount, an extremely thorough analysis of the clinical course of the disease in comparison with the liquor dynamics is necessary, so as to give a correct interpretation of a particular case of the disease.


[Vascular brain lesions and ischemic heart disease]. The role of essential hypertension in the pathogenesis of cerebral vessel disorders (not only hemorrhagic, but also ischemic) is greater than in the pathogenesis of the heart ischemic disease. An analysis of the evidences left by ancient doctors, when compared with statistical data of our time, gives one grounds to believe that cerebral hemorrhages have been a rather common disease, at least, since the time of the antique civilization of Greece and Rome, whereas ischemic heart disease has become a widespread disease among the population of the developed countries only in our time. This makes it possible to assume that the role of essential hypertension and that of atherosclerosis are not equal in the "diseases of civilization", if the diseases of today's developed society are meant.


[Age and blood coagulation features in ischemic strokes]. Extensive coagulogramms and thromboelastogramms were analysed in 775 patients who had ischemic brain strokes in the age up to 45 years (I group), 46-60 (II group) and over 60 (III group). In patients of the II and III group thrombogenic hypercoagulant tendencies compared to that of the young age were more distinct and were mainly conditioned by depressions of the anticoagulative link in the anticoagulant blood system. In patients younger than 45, despite more rapid formation of procoagulants, there was an earlier and more expressed activation of fibrinolysis and an increase of the concentration of free heparin in the blood. These changes of coagulation in an ischemic stroke have a compensatory significance and can be explained by a prevalent adaptive tendency of changes in metabolism in young age, providing an adaptation of the organism in the period of stress.


[General hemodynamic features in the cerebral circulatory disorders of patients with atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis combined with arterial hypertension accompanied by heart rhythm disorders]. Parameters of the general and cerebral hemodynamics were examined in 45 patients with cerebral circulation disturbances developed in the presence of atherosclerosis (30 patients) and atherosclerosis plus arterial hypertension with cardiac arrhythmias (15 patients) and without the latter (72 patients). The examinations were carried out with the use of the Evans blue dilution method (T-1824) and rheoencephalography. Shifts in the general and the cerebral hemodynamics were revealed in the patients with and without cardiac arrhythmias, these shifts being more pronounced in patients with atherosclerosis complicated with the heart ischemic disease and cardiac arrhythmia. In the course of complex treatment which included cardiotonics and beta-adrenoblocking agents the parameters of the general hemodynamics got better along with the clinical improvement.


[Role of vertebral artery hypoplasia in the pathogenesis of cerebral circulatory disorders]. Clinico-angiographic comparison of 30 cases of vertebral artery hypoplasia was carried out. It was found that the artery hypoplasia was often combined with a lateral shift of the artery opening, convolute shape of the major brain vessels, and functional reconstruction of the Villisian circle, a transitional type of the posterior trifurcation. It was ascertained that the vertebral artery hypoplasia, not being a pathogenetic factor itself, can play a negative role in cases of occlusion of a major brain vessel, since it limits the potentialities of compensatory blood circulation.


[Hydroxyproline and acid glycosaminoglycans in acute cerebral circulatory disorders]. In patients with acute disorders of cerebral circulation dynamic examinations of hydroxyproline excretion, total content of glycosamineglycans (GAGs) and content of the latters' fractions were carried out. During the first week of the disease the total content of the GAGs in the urine daily portion was found to be increased, this increase being statistically significant and correlating with the size of the expected brain lesion. The fractional spectrum of the GAGs changed towards greater content of sulphonated fractions. By the 3d--5th week of the disease the hydroxyproline concentration in the urine sharply rose, an evidence of the intense organizational processes within the ischemic focus by that time.


[Atherosclerosis of the major arteries of the head and vessels of the base of the brain in persons with different serum cholesterol levels (biometric study)]. Using the universal morphological method recommended by WHO a comparative study of the gravity of cerebral atherosclerosis was carried out in groups of subjects with normal and elevated blood cholesterol levels. It was shown that in subjects with an elevated blood cholesterol level some grave forms of atherosclerotic changes (fibrous plaques, calcinosis, stenoses, and occlusions of the vessel lumens) were encountered more frequently than in subjects with normal blood cholesterol level.


[Pathomorphosis of reactive psychoses].

[Pathomorphosis of reactive psychoses]. Comparative clinicostatistical, epidemiological and catamnestic investigation was carried out in two groups of patients with reactive psychoses (a total of 982 subjects) recorded at medico-legal expert testimony in 1950--1960 (I group) and in 1961--1972 (II group). It was found that in the recent decade reactive psychoses are rarely transformed and course in the presence of less vitalistic affective disorders with a tendency to increasing hysterical symptoms; the relapses are not rather long and severe, and they lead to postreactive psychic changes less frequently. It is suggested that reactive psychoses are subject to essential pathomorphism which has clinical importance and optimistic prognosing.


[Nosologic isolation of involutional depressions and features of their dynamics during psychopharmacotherapy]. Clinical follow-up studies of 92 patients registered in a psychiatric dispensary with involutional depression confirmed the diagnosis only in 51 cases. Some clinical features in the hereditary loading, premorbid personality traits and premanifest symptoms in patients with a confirmed diagnosis during follow-up examinations were demonstrated. Variants in the development of the clinical picture, related to signs of therapeutic pathomorphosis and due to long-term psychopharmacotherapy were eliminated. An underestimation of this circumstance may lead to an unjustified narrowing of the limits of involutional depression.


[Dispensary ignored schizophrenic disorders detected during clinico-epidemiologic study of older age groups of the general population]. A screening of 1462 individuals over 60 years of age in the general population of one of the districts of a large industrial city, detected 28 individuals (1,6% of all studied individuals), with mental disorders, which could be attributed to the schizophrenic spectrum. However, only in 8 cases (0,6%) they could be considered as psychotic forms of schizophrenia requiring active observation or treatment. In the remaining 15 cases (1% of the studied population) the psychotic states (productive disorders) were rudimentary, with a prevalence of deficitary changes. Most individuals with such disturbances were not in need of constant treatment or regular examinations in the dispensary.


Protein-cationic detergent interaction. Equilibrium dialysis study of the interaction of bovine serum albumin and other proteins with alkylpyridinium bromide. The binding isotherms of native bovine serum albumin with cationic detergents, such as octyl, decyl, dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium bromides were determined at pH 6.8 and 3.4 at 25 degrees C. The isotherms for dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium bromides were also determined at 3 degrees C. The average number of detergent cations bound increased with increasing hydrocarbon chain length. At low detergent concentration the binding of all alkylpyridinium bromides was smaller at pH 3.4 than at pH 6.8. Dodecylpyridinium bromide was bound to native beta-lactoglobulin, aldolase, ovalbumin, haemoglobin, myoglobin, lysozyme, trypsin and ribonuclease at pH 6.8. No binding occurred to alpha-chymotrypsin and chymotrypsinogen. The free enthalpy change, --delta G degrees, calculated from intrinsic association constants K was determined.


Protein-cationic detergent interaction. Fourier transform infrared and laser Raman spectroscopic studies on the interaction between proteins and dodecylpyridinium bromide. Fourier transform infrared and laser Raman spectroscopies were used to study the effects of dodecylpyridinium bromide on the conformation of haemoglobin, myoglobin, bovine serum albumin, ribonuclease, ovalbumin, lysozyme, trypsin and beta-lactoglobulin in aqueous solution. Addition of the cationic detergent caused a decrease in alpha-helix conformation in highly helical proteins. At low detergent concentrations stabilization of beta-sheet conformation was observed.


Interaction of metal ions with nucleic acids. Interaction of copper(II) with pyrimidine nucleosides and their derivatives. 1. In aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, copper(II) interacts with the N-3 of cytidine but not with the carbonyl group oxygens of pyrimidine nucleosides. 2. In aqueous solution, copper(II) interacts with the phosphate group and ribose of pyrimidine nucleotides, and additionally with N-3 of 5'-CMP. 3. Broadening of resonance signals of the H-5 proton of 5'-UMP and C-5 of 5'-UMP and 5'-TMP results probably from the interaction between metal ion and the phosphate group situated in direct vicinity of the above atoms. 4. In the copper(II)-pyrimidine nucleotide complexes in solid state, copper is coordinated with the phosphate group, and in 5'-CMP additionally with the pyrimidine moiety of the nucleotide.


Specificity of elastases: degradation of the oxidized beta-chain of insulin by porcine pancreatic elastase II and dog leucocyte elastase. Porcine elastase II (EC 3.4.21.-), a pancreatic proteinase with elastolytic activity, hydrolyses the oxidized beta-chain of insulin with major cleavages occurring at Leu17-Val18, Phe24-Phe25, Phe25-Tyr26 and Tyr26-Thr27. Canine leucocytic elastase splits the same substrate with major sites at Val12-Glu13 and Val18-Cys19 O3H. This indicates similarity of elastase II to chymotrypsins (EC 3.4.21.1 or 3.4.21.2) and of dog leucocyte enzyme to human granulocyte elastase and porcine pancreatic elastase I (EC 3.4.21.11).


Effect of infusion of dextran 70 on fibrinolysis inhibition activity in human serum. The effect of dextran on fibrinolysis inhibition activity was studied in the serum of normal (uninjured) persons and of post-traumatic patients. An intravenous infusion of 500 ml dextran 70 significantly decreased the fibrinolysis inhibition activity in the serum in both groups. The decrease was greater in the trauma group. Treatment with dextran in the post-traumatic phase may therefore diminish the risk of development of complication due to thromboembolism.


Thyroid carcinoma: diagnosis and treatment in 106 patients. 106 patients with a primary thyroid cancer treated in the years 1971--1977 have been studied with respect to preoperative diagnosis and to treatment. We can demonstrate an improved diagnostic accuracy during the 7-year period. Aspiration fine needle biopsy with cytological examination was the preoperative diagnostic method which gave the highest yield. Total thyroidectomy, preferably as a one-stage procedure has been performed in 77 patients.


Technique and complications in the surgical treatment of renovascular hypertension. 147 operations for renovascular hypertension were performed in 125 patients. 136 of the operations were vascular reconstructions. Aortorenal by-pass, using saphenous vein as a graft, was found to be a satisfactory technique. An aneurysmatic dilatation developed twice, which on both occasions was attributed to a stenosis proximal to the graft. Two failures also occurred among the 12 patients undergoing renal autotransplantation, both due to an illiac vein thrombosis, obstructing the renal vein. The majority of the six deaths were due to myocardial infarctions or uremia. They all occurred in the eldest patients (older than 59 years) and in patients suffering from complicating cardiac or renal disease. The results with regard to blood pressure were very good in fibrous dysplasia and in atherosclerosis affecting only one side. Operative treatment can therefore be recommended to these groups of patients even in relatively mild hypertension. The indication to operate should be restricted in elderly patients suffering from cardiac and renal complicating diseases, and in patients with bilateral atherosclerotic stenosis.


Hiatal hernia complicated by oesophageal stricture. Surgical treatment and results. A follow-up study. During a 10-year period, 1967-1976, 57 patients were operated upon for hiatal hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux complicated by oesophageal stricture. Forty-four patients were managed by various surgical antireflux procedures combined with dilation of the stricture. In 12 patients the stricture was resected and the oesophageal continuity restored by oesophagogastrostomy. The primary mortality was 3.5%. Fifty-two patients were carefully followed up postoperatively by periodic control examiniations. The results of the treatment are presented. The main cause of unsatisfactory postoperative results was gastro-oesophageal reflux uncorrected by the surgical procedure. In the patients subjected to a hernia repair the failure of the antireflux procedure was due mainly to a shortened oesophagus associated with the stricture. It is concluded that most of these strictures can be successfully treated by dilation after establishment of control of the pathological reflux by means of an antireflux surgical procedure. The location, width, length and rigidity of the stricture, as revealed at the preoperative examination, are not decisive for the choice of therapeutic approach.


Hiatal hernia and shortened oesophagus.

Hiatal hernia and shortened oesophagus. The existence of an anatomically shortened oesophagus in patients with hiatal hernia, and its influence on the results of surgical repair of the hernia, is the subject of great controversy. One hundred and forty patients operated upon for hiatal hernia were studied for presence of shortened oesophagus. The method of examination and criteria for evaluation of the oesophageal shortening are described. The oesophagus was found to be anatomically shortened in 52 of these patients. None of the findings obtained at the preoperative examinations employed in the study could be used as a pathognomonic sign for diagnosing a shortened oesophagus. Irreducibility of the cardia below and the diaphragm, as observed radiologically, in association with other severe reflux complications, such as oesophageal stricture and/or ulcerative, makes it presence very likely, however. The incidence of shortened oesophagus in this series was higher in patients with a long history of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux. The influence of the shortened oesophagus on the result of the surgical repairs used in this study, and aimed mainly at restoring the abdominal segment of the oesophagus, was clearly unfavourable.


Assessment of asymptomatic space occupying lesions of the kidney. Space occupying lesions in the kidney are often reported as an "incidental finding" at I.V.P. Of 152 patients with expansive renal lesions, 94 could be classed as "incidental" and were found to consist in the main (92%) of benign cysts or other innocent tumours. Continued investigation is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Renal angiography, usually performed first, not only craves extensive resources, but is painful, expensive and seldom gives a definite diagnosis in cases with cysts without supplementary aspiration-cytology and cystography. When the I.V.P. finding was incidental, angiography was conclusive in 82% and cytological aspiration in 96%. Renal angiography should be used only under definite circumstances, i.e. when I.V.P.-tomography suggests malignancy, for all tumours in the renal hilus and for those inaccessible to aspiration-biopsy. In all other cases where the original X-rays are strongly indicative of a cyst, an aspiration-biopsy with cytological examination of the aspirate and double-contrast-cystography should be performed initially, whereby the diagnosis of benign cyst could usually be confirmed, thus saving the trouble and expense of renal angiography.


Intussusception into the enteroanastomosis of Billroth II gastric resection. A case of intussusception into the enteroanastomosis associated with a Billroth II gastric resection is presented. The case is discussed in the light of jejunogastric intussusceptions, described for the first time in 1917, about 30 years after the first gastrojejunostomy. For 30 years enteroanastomosis has been a general procedure in connection with the Billroth II type of gastric resection. The aetiology is discussed.


Carcinoma of Meckel's diverticulum.

Carcinoma of Meckel's diverticulum. Acute intestinal obstruction in a women, aged 56, was caused by a highly malignant adenocarcinoma arising in a Meckel's diverticulum. Despite radical surgery, the tumour recurred after four months, and the patient died nine months after her first operation. This confirms the general bad prognosis associated with carcimomas of Meckel's diverticulum.


Chylous cyst of the mesentery of the tranverse colon. Report of a case. Chylous cysts are medical rarities found mainly in the mesentary of the small intestine and the retroperitoneal space. Other localities are extremely rare and difficult to explain. A case of chylous cyst of the mesentery of the transverse colon is presented with brief review of the literature. The etiologic, pathogenetic and clinical features, diagnosis and treatment is discussed.


Circulatory effects of somatostatin in anaesthetized dogs. Five anaesthetized dogs were given 20 infusions of 1--9 min duration of somatostatin in a dosage of 0.2--15 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. Cardiac output was measured by thermodilution. Electromagnetic blood flow measurements were simultaneously performed in the hepatic artery proper, the left gastric artery, the superior pancreatico-duodenal artery, the superior mesenteric artery and in the portal vein. Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded continuously. Somatostatin reduced all splanchnic blood flows measured by 15--35%, except for the hepatic artery flow, which was increased by 5% or unaffected. Cardiac output and mean arterial pressure were unchanged. Somatostatin was thus demonstrated to exert a specific vasoactivity in the splanchnic area without influencing central circulation. It is suggested that somatostatin acts directly on the vascular smooth muscle.


Calcium infusion in suspected hyperparathyroidism: changes in parathyroid hormone concentration related to histopathological findings. Changes in parathormone, total and free calcium concentrations in serum were studied in 27 patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism (25 with normocalcemia judged from CaT). Six patients were classified as normals. In 21 patients neck explorations was performed. Patients with definite pathology in the parathyroid glands had higher parathormone, total and free calcium levels than patients with borderline pathology or normal glands. The mean parathormone concentration fell significantly during calcium infusion in patients with histologically normal parathyroid glands. In patients with definitely pathological glands the parathormone concentration remained unchanged during the calcium infusion.


Mammary hamartoma, a benign breast lesion. Hamartoma or mastoma is a benign breast lesion which is unfamiliar to most clinicians. Five cases with this lesion are presented. It is a rather soft, sharply delineated lump which may cause a considerably asymmetry of the breasts. Radiologically it appears as a circumscribed tumour with homogenous or varying density and at operation the lump is easily enucleated. Histologically it contains normal or dysplastic mammary tissue. It is unilateral and benign. The lesion is now more frequently diagnosed because of increased use of mammography and can be mistaken for a neoplasm. It is therefore important that clinicians and radiologists are acquainted with it.


Inguinal herniorrhaphy in a health center. 39 selected patients had their inguinal herniae repaired on 41 separate occasions in a health center. Local anaesthesia allowed adequate painfree surgery when supplemented with Diazepam and Pentazocin. All patients could return to their own homes within 6 hours. With an observation time of between one month and six years no recurrences have so far been observed. Apart from a mild post-operative pain, there were no complications. All returned to their normal employment after 5 to 32 days (average 20 days) depending on occupational demands. The pros and cons of out-patient surgery under local anaesthesia are discussed.


Gray scale ultrasound and endoscopic ductography in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Seventy-two patients were examined by ultrasonography and endoscopic pancreaticography (ERCP) because of clinical suspicion of pancreatic disease. The following final diagnoses were obtained. Carcinoma of the pancreas: 20 patients; pancreatitis: 27 patients; other diseases: 17 patients; no organic disease: 8 patients. In this series, carcinoma of the pancreas was demonstrated with almost equal efficacy by the two methods used. Cysts in the pancreas were better demonstrated by ultrasonography, while ERCP was superior in demonstrating chronic pancreatitis. The diagnostic results with the exclusive use of one method was not satisfactory, but by combining the two methods an adequate diagnostic accuracy was obtained. Thus in the 47 patients with pancreatic disease, organic abnormalities were demonstrated by the two combined methods in 46 (98%). In 41 of the 47 patients (87%) the exact nature of the lesion could be assessed by combining the two methods.


Bleeding after pancreatic cystogastrostomy. Two cases of postoperative bleeding after pancreatic cystogastrostomy are presented. From literature studies it is found that mortality in such cases varies greatly. Compiled literature studies reveal a frequency of 11% after cystogastrostomy and 7.4% after cystojejunostomy, but because of the differences in technique the frequencies cannot be examined statistically. It is still a matter of discussion which operation technique is the more suitable in preventing this complication. The various theories concerning the aetiology of the postoperative bleeding are discussed. As postoperative bleeding after cystogastrostomy is a life-threatening condition, immediate surgical intervention is imperative.


Five to nine years' results of selective proximal vagotomy with and without pyloroplasty for duodenal ulcer. In a retrospective study the clinical and secretory results of 118 patients operated upon with selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) with or without pyloroplasty for duodenal ulcer were examined. The results of surgery in the two groups, with pyloroplasty or without pyloroplasty, were compared. The recurrence rate was higher, although statistically not significant, for patients operated upon without pyloroplasty (19.2%) than for patients operated upon with pyloroplasty (10.6%). Dumping was significantly more common and more severe after SPV with pyloroplasty than after SPV without pyloroplasty. The acid response to histalog stimulation at follow-up was significantly higher for patients operated upon without pyloroplasty. This study indicates that SPV without pyloroplasty results in less dumping but gives a poorer protection against recurrent ulceration than does SPV with pyloroplasty. Further long-term studies appear to be necessary, however.


Benign and malignant epithelioid leiomyoma (leiomyoblastoma) of the stomach. Epithelioid leiomyoma (Leiomyoblastoma) is a smooth-muscle tumour most often found in the stomach. On the basis of 5 new cases and a short review of the literature, clinical aspects and pathology concerning this neoplasm are described. It is emphasized that malignancy is difficult to predict according to morphologic criteria and therefore follow-up on these patients is essential.


Gardner's syndrome, diagnosis and treatment. Report on a family. We have examined 15 members of a family with Gardner's syndrome. In the first and second generations, 4 (possibly 5) of 6 members died of cancer of the colon/rectum. Two of them were known to have plyposis coli. Three members of the third generation had the complete triad of Gardner's syndrome with polyposis coli, soft tissue and hard tissue tumours. Three of 5 children in the fourth generation, aged between 7 and 11 years, probably have polyposis coli, and 2 of them have stigmata of Gardner's syndrome. All members of any family with Gardner's syndrome should be examined regularly at 2--3 year intervals from an age of about 10 years until the diagnosis is established, or if polyposis does not develop, up to the age of 40 years. Proctocolectomy is recommended at the age of 18--20 years or later as soon as the diagnosis is determined.


Fatal pneumococcal septicaemia in a young asplenic man. A report is given of a fatal pneumococcal septicaemia in a young man, who had been splenectomized after a traffic accident, but who was not otherwise immunodeficient. Adequate treatment could not prevent the progress of a very severe DIC-syndrome. The use of a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine after splenectomy is recommended.


Acute appendicitis in a premature baby.

Acute appendicitis in a premature baby. Acute appendicitis with perforation in a premature baby, weighing 1 050 g, is described. Initially the infant did well after surgery, but succumbed to sepsis, as a result of hyperalimentation, eleven days later. This is the smallest infant suffering from appendicitis reported in the English literature.


Depletion of colloid 27S and larger thyroid iodoproteins following treatment with propylthiouracil. By means of a micropuncture technique and microgel electrophoresis the luminal content of single rat thyroid follicles were analyzed during PTU treatment for 4 weeks. The relative amount of aggregates of thyroglobulin (i.e. the 27S iodoprotein and larger complex) was reduced from 15 per cent to approximately 3 per cent after 48 h. The aggregates were practically absent after 2 weeks. The thyroglobulin fraction was the predominant colloid constituent. The protein concentration of the colloid was not changed at the end of the period of PTU treatment (8.9 g/100 ml). It is concluded that PTU inhibits the aggregation of thyroglobulin to a larger complex. The results further indicate that the aggregates of thyroglobulin are preferentially localized to the periphery of the lumen in the larger follicles.


Subclinical hypothyroidism in Addison's disease. Fourteen patients with Idiopathic Addison's disease (IAD) were studied in order to detect a possible subclinical hypothyroid state. All were clinically euthyroid with normal serum thyroxine (T4) and serum 3,5',5'-triiodothyronine (T3). Eleven had circulating thyroid microsomal antibodies in blood. The mean basal serum TSH was significantly higher than that of the control group but only three patients had values above the upper normal range. The mean value of serum T4 was decreased as compared to that of the normal persons, while serum 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine was elevated. 7.5 mU bovine thyrotrophin per kilogram body weight injected intravenously caused a rise in serum T3 not different from the response in normals. However, as well increasing serum TSH as increasing microsomal antibody titer correlated significantly to decreasing thyroidal release of T3. Our results suggest that clinically euthyroid patients suffering from IAD might have a beginning thyroidal insufficiency because of a progressive immunological damage of the thyroid.


Poly-maleic acid anhydride (PMA) coupled cortisol antibody in routine determination of urinary free cortisol. Antibodies against cortisol-21-hemisuccinate conjugated to bovine serum albumin was raised in rabbits and conjugated with poly-maleic acid anhydride. The conjugate was used in a solid phase radioimmunoassay to measure the urinary excretion of unconjugated cortisol. Cortisol was extracted with methylene chloride, the extract purified by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, and the cortisol content measured with the radioimmunoassay. The intra-assay variation of the method was 6 per cent and the interassay variation 10 per cent. In 95 normal adult persons the excretion of free cortisol was 11--70, mean 30 micrograms/24 h. No sex or age difference was found. In 8 children aged 7--14 years the excretion was 8--46 micrograms/24 h.


Gonadotrophins during second trimester of pregnancy: I. LH and hCG levels in maternal serum and amniotic fluid and their relationship to the sex of the foetus. Luteinizing hormone and chorionic gonadotrophin levels were selectively measured by using radioimmunoassays in 98 maternal sera and 116 amniotic fluid samples obtained 10--20 weeks of pregnancy. Levels of hCG in serum were clearly high during 10--14 weeks and thereafter declined gradually. In contrast, serum concentrations of LH during 10--20 weeks were either unmeasurable (less than 1 ng/ml) or lower than those observed during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle suggesting a decreased responsiveness of pituitary and/or a higher clearance rate for LH during this period of pregnancy. Neither LH nor hCG levels in maternal sera showed significant differences between male and female foetus bearers. A striking similarity was observed between maternal serum and amniotic fluid hCG patterns, despite hCG levels in maternal sera being always higher (1.5--26.9 fold). On the other hand amniotic fluid concentrations of LH became elevated following 12 weeks of gestation while maternal serum LH continued to be at low levels until 20 weeks. Furthermore a sexual dichotomy was observed in amniotic fluid LH concentrations but not in hCG levels during 14--20 weeks of pregnancy, with significantly lower LH levels in male foetus bearers than in female foetus bearers. Of interest is the clear demarcation in LH levels at 16 weeks of gestation. This sequential pattern of change in the concentrations of amniotic fluid LH is similar to those patterns reported by other investigators for foetal serum and pituitary LH during 10--20 weeks of gestation suggesting that the foetus may be the source of the increased levels of LH in amniotic fluid following 12 weeks of pregnancy.


Comparison of avidin induction in the differentiated and undifferentiated chick oviduct by progesterone, actinomycin D and oviductal injury. Various oestrogen (diethylstilboestrol, DES) pre-treatments were carried out on chicks and the production of avidin in the oviduct was induced by progesterone, actinomycin D or oviductal injury. Avidin induction was dose-dependent at doses between 5 mg and 40 mg progesterone/kg or 50 micrograns and 300 micrograms actinomycin D/kg respectively. The induction by oviductal injury correlated with the magnitude of tissue injury. First signs of avidin induction were seen at 4 h after oviductal injury, 12 h after progesterone or 12--16h after actinomycin D administration. Actinomycin D (200 micrograms/kg), when administered after progesterone injection, did not increase avidin induction by progesterone, this indicating that avidin induction by actinomycin D is not a "superinduction" effect. Evidence is presented here that the mechanism of avidin induction by oviductal injury and actinomycin D differs from that by progesterone. The differentiation of the oviduct caused by DES treatment was necessary for the induction by progesterone, whereas actinomycin D and oviductal injury also induced avidin in the undifferentiated or poorly differentiated oviduct. Simultaneous DES stimulation potentiated induction by progesterone but not by actinomycin D or oviductal injury. Furthermore, single prior DES stimulation increased avidin induction in the differentiated oviduct of DES-withdrawn chicks caused by progesterone but not that by actinomycin D or oviductal injury.


Low molecular weight intracellular iodocompounds with long intrathyroidal half-life: remnants of thyroglobulin hydrolysis? In this paper additional information on low molecular weight, soluble, intrathyroidal iodocompounds with slow metabolic rate is provided. These compounds have previously been localized autoradiographically within the follicular cells. Radioiodide was administered to rats on a normal iodine intake (6--7 microgram/day) for 80 days to approach isotopic equilibration of the intrathyroidal iodine with the dietary radioiodide. When the isotope was omitted from the diet the intrathyroidal radioiodine was released with an apparent half-life of approximately 12 days. When the individual soluble components carrying radioiodine were analyzed after separation on Sephadex G-200, different apparent half-lives were found, the half-life of thyroglobulin (Tgb) being roughly 10 days and that of the low molecular weight iodocomounds being in the order of 60 to 100 days or more. In addition to the soluble low molecular weight iodocompounds, the radioactivity in the particulate fraction increased by 100% during the tracer washout when compared to Tgb and the total soluble fraction. The soluble slow turnover iodocompounds contained a higher percentage of carbohydrate and total iodine than Tgb, while the relative amounts of each sugar analyzed (hexoses, fucose, hexosamine and sialic acid) were close to those in Tgb. Sephadex G-25 chromatography of the low molecular weight iodocompounds obtained after Sephadex G-200 separation resulted in the separation of 4 peaks. Two peaks identified as iodopeptides could be further analyzed. The carbohydrate composition of these peptides was similar to that of 2 glycopeptides obtained after in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of purified Tgb with pronase. Slow equilibration with radioiodine, long apparent intrathyroidal half-life and carbohydrate content similar to that of Tgb, taken together with previously published data on intracellular localization of soluble intrathyroidal iodocompounds, suggest that the low molecular weight iodocompounds are products of in vivo hydrolysis of engulfed Tgb droplets.