[Polyposition hepatoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of liver metastases]. The examination of 308 patients with oncological lesions has shown that polyposition hepatoscintigraphy with a colloid solution Tc--99m improves the diagnosis of metastatic invasion of the liver by 17.8% compared with the routine one-projection hepatoscintigraphy. Some errors which are likely to arise in interpreting the lateral and posterior hepatoscintigrams are described.


[Alkylating derivatives of 2-amino-2-desoxy-1,3,4,6-tetraacetyl-D-glucopyranose (synthesis and experimental study)]. The writers report the results of synthesis and experimental studies of 2-amino-2-desoxy-1, 3, 4, 6-tetraacetyl-D-glucopyranose derivatives acylated by n-di-/2-chloroethyl/aminophenyl acetic acid (chlorophenacyl), n-di-/2-chloroethyl/aminophenyl-N-acetyl-DL-alanine (acetylsarcolysin) and n-di-/2-chloroethyl/aminophenyl-N-acetyl-DL-alanyl-DL-valine (acetylsarcolysin valine). Studies on the antitumor activity were carried out on mice with 8 different transplantable tumors. The addition of glucosamine to alkylating substances containing biologically active components was found to change their properties. The new type derivatives are watersoluble, show less molar toxicity and mainly high activity on plasmocytoma MOPC-406 (from 97% of the survival rate to 50% of cure).


[Pathogenetic bases of oncologic risk].

[Pathogenetic bases of oncologic risk]. Modern concepts on the etiology and pathogenesis of malignant tumors are reported, two basic links being distinguished-genetic factors and environmental factors--modifying ones. The specific weight of both factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of different oncological affections is varied. Based on the analysis of the modern concepts of the origin and development of a tumor the authors have elaborated a working scheme of selection of oncological risk groups among the population. The modifying factors being of primary importance for tumor growth are grouped by the authors into exogenous and endogenous ones. It is suggested to judge the degree of their manifestation in different individuals by the duration of their effect. The working scheme concerned may provide a logical basis for assessment of risk groups in various oncological lesions, but it needs some further verification in clinical practice.


[Transthoracic puncture in the diagnosis of peripheral cancer of the lung]. Transthoracic needle biopsy was performed in 134 patients with peripheral coin lesions of the lung. The mentioned technic is very valuable diagnostically and enables the precise diagnosis to be established in the vast majority of patients with coin lesions of the lung in the shortest time possible. Transthoracic needle biopsy, when performed properly, is not a hazardous procedure, that makes it possible to recommend this technic for diagnosing peripheral coin lesions of the lung.


[Split-course radiotherapy of squamous cell cancer of the lung]. The results of a continuous (110 patients) and split course (117 patients) radiotherapy for inoperable central squamous cell cancer of the lung are reported. The study comprised only patients treated radically. A 3-year follow-up showed the following rate of survival in the first and second series: 1 year--52% and 54%, 2 years--29% and 26%, 3 years--18% and 14%, the average survival--16.4 months and 16.1 months correspondingly. However, the split course seems to be more advantageous, since it is better tolerated by patients and the radiation reaction is less pronounced.


[Risk groups as related to gastric cancer]. Under examination were the features of life, labour, habits, inheritance pattern, a type of diet, the course of the disease in 440 gastric cancer patients. The most typical and frequently observed factors were singled out. The material obtained was processed by an electronic computer. The informative value of the risk factors was checked by selection, using questionnaires of patients irrespective of the reason of their referring to the clinic. The age of patients over 40 and the character of work should become the basic indication for limiting the number of persons subject to a gastrological examination.


[Immunity indices in patients with cancer of the uterine body treated with 17-alpha-oxyprogesterone-capronate]. Based on the findings in 163 endometrial cancer patients, it is shown that following their treatment with 17-alpha-oxyprogesterone-capronate (17-OPC) there occur differential changes in some indices of the cell and humoral immunity: less frequent positive results of delayed hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) with the tumor-associated antigen and more frequent ones with tuberculin; less number of positive responses of the Hougne microprecipitation reaction with tumor-associated and embryonal antigens. Simultaneously, the same patients show a reduced functional activity of immune lymphocytes -- RBT and RSFSR.


[Late results of ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy in melanoblastoma of the skin of lower limbs]. Under examination were 3--5--10 year results of ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy in 83 patients with skin melanoblastoma of the lower extremity. It is found that the status of inguinal and especially iliac lymphnodes is of primary importance for patients' survival. The latter were metastases involved in 24 cases (28.9%). Metastases may also develop in intact inguinal lymphnodes (in 4 cases). A 3-year survival, if one group of regional lymphnodes is involved (inguinal or iliac), is 20% lower than in the intact noes. With both groups of the nodes involved it is 4 times lower. A 5--10 year survival with involved inguinal nodes is 2 twice as low as with intact nodes. In iliac lymphnodes metastases there was no 5-year survival. Most poor results were noted in melanoblastoma located on the foot.


[Genome of defective interfering influenza virus particles: multiple reactivation of "incomplete" virus detectable by counting hemadsorbing cells]. Gel electrophoresis reveals additional segments of low molecular mass in RNA preparations of "incomplete" (produced by passages of undiluted material according to von Magnus) influenza virus which are lacking in RNA of the standard virus. When MDCK cells are inoculated with the "incomplete" virus, synthesis of virus-specific proteins is observed but the pattern of relationships between the intensity of the synthesis and multiplicity of infection is different from that of the standard virus. Quantitative determination of infectivity by counting of haemadsorbing cells demonston the dilution of the "incomplete" virus in contrast to the linear dependence in infection with the standard virus. Neither the virus-specific protein synthesis nor cell conversion into the haemadsorbing state can be due to the admixture of infectious particles in "incomplete" virus preparations and indicate an effect of the type of multiple activation of virus genome expression.


[Influenza virus A/Anas acute/Maritime Territory/730/76(H3N2) isolated from wild ducks in the Maritime Territory]. A strain A/Anas acuta/Primorie/730/76 was isolated in the autumn of 1976 from wild pintails in the Primorskiy kray, USSR, and found by the H1 and neuraminidase activity inhibition test to be antigenically related to the reference A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain. The CFT showed the A/Anas acuta/Primorie/730/76 strain to contain in its hemagglutinin 3 antigenic determinants: two common with the A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain and one the strain-specific, lacking in the human influenza viruses of the H3N2 antigenic formula.


[Comparative study of the electrophoretic mobility of the polypeptides from avian influenza viruses type A]. A comparative study of the electrophoretic mobility of polypeptides of avian influenza viruses was carried out; molecular weights of polypeptides and their percent content were determined. Strains isolated from one host and possessing different hemagglutinin serotypes were found to have different electrophoregrams due to differences in the position of the light or heavy chain of hemagglutinin. Hemagglutinins (Hav7, Heq2, H3) and (Hav1, Heq1) in virions isolated from different hosts had similar electrophoretic mobilities of the heavy and particulary light chain. No significant variations in the molecular weights of NP and M proteins of all the viruses under study were found. No identity in the electrophoretic mobility and content of P1--P3 proteins in different strains of avian influenza virus was found.


[Interrelationships between the interfering capacity of an "incomplete" virus and its infectivity]. A comparative analysis of UV inactivation curves of the interfering activity of "incomplete" influenza virus and infectivity showed certain differences in the structures responsible for these functions. All the data exclude the role of virus protein and virus-induced interferon of "incomplete" influenza virus and suggest that RNA is responsible for this interference. The size of the "target" of the "incomplete" virus interfering capacity calculated on the basis of sensitivity to UV-light is approximately 40 times as small as that of the "target" responsible for infectivity. The analogous pattern of UV inactivation in the standard influenza virus and the so-called Magnus virus suggests that in the latter the infectivity is due to the presence of complete virions in the preparation.


[Characteristics of the structural organization and transcriptase activity of the influenza virus nucleoid]. The state of the secondary structure of RNA and proteins comprising nucleoids (cores) and RNP of influenza virus was evaluated comparatively. The identity of RNA conformation in these particles and differences from free RNA conformation due to less marked secondary structure were found. Core proteins were predominantly represented by the beta-framework, and RNP as an alpha-helix. The specific transcriptase activity of the core is significantly lower than RNP activity of influenza virus.


[Production of recombinants antigenically identical to influenza virus strains circulating in nature]. Recombination of a human influenza virus with an avian influenza virus produced a H2Nav2 recombinant with the antigenic properties analogous to those of avian influenza virus (H2Nav2) isolated from wild ducks in the Far East, USSR. Recombination of two avian influenza viruses yielded a recombinant H2N2, an antigenic analogues of influenza A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2) virus which had started an epidemic of influenza in 1957.


Hypoglycemic coma with ketoacidosis in nondiabetic alcoholics. Five nondiabetic, chronically alcoholic patients presented in a comatose state during a two month prospective study and were found to be ketoacidotic. All of the patients were men, 28 to 59 years old. The usual history was one of chronic heavy, daily alcohol consumption until one to three days before presentation, when persistent anorexia, abdominal distress, nausea and vomiting commenced, with abstention from food thereafter. The patients were found to be in hypoglycemic coma, with diaphoresis, tachypnea and tachycardia, and immediately awoke when intravenous infusion of glucose was started. Serum glucose ranged between 19 and 27 mg per dl, the average arterial pH was 7.19 and the mean anion gap was 25 mEq per liter. Reaction with Acetest tablets was positive for ketones in both serum and urine in three of the patients. Serum beta-hydroxybutyrate was elevated in the four patients in whom it was measured. Lactic acidosis was not present. All patients were managed with prolonged intravenous infusions of glucose and saline solutions, and within 12 to 18 hours they were feeling well and findings on serum chemistry studies were normal. Follow-up after three months showed no repeated difficulties. The combination of alcoholic ketoacidosis and hypoglycemic coma in nondiabetic persons has not been described in the literature as a clinical entity; it may, however, represent a common but unrecognized syndrome. Therefore, because of its potentially serious consequences and because treatment is simple and effective, this entity must be thought of in alcoholic patients with altered mental status.


Epidemiologic clues to the cause of melanoma. An intensive search found that 146 cases of cutaneous or ocular melanoma had occurred among residents of Lane County, Oregon, from 1958 through 1972. Of these cases, 35 led to death. Countywide, increasing incidence rates were corroborated by increasing death rates for both sexes. Risk of disease was highest in a moist, flat residential area near the intersection of two rivers in the county's urban portion and in its agricultural area. The incidence pattern strongly suggested local cycles in subcounty units. Although overall melanoma risk was higher in urban areas, an apparent widespread rural epidemic was identified, beginning abruptly in 1965 and lasting several years. If similar geographic and temporal characteristics can be identified in other localities, the search for an etiologic agent could focus on a smaller range of possibilities.


[Persistence of the vaccinia virus and interferon production in the organs of vaccinated white mice]. Experiments in white mice vaccinated intradermally with live smallpox vaccine demonstrated penetration and long-term persistence of vaccinia virus in the spleen, lymph nodes, lungs and brain. In the same organs interferon was detected. After a certain period of time interferon was found in higher titers and for longer periods than in the blood of the animals which indicates its production directly in these organs.


[Change in the nature of the persistence of alpha- and flaviviruses in the body of BALB/c strain mice with a mixed infection with leukovirus]. The features of pathogenesis of infection caused in adult Balb/c mice intraperitoneally infected with Sindbis virus, virulent or attenuated strains of West Nile (WN) virus, individually or in combination with Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) were studied. The influence of the latter on the course of togavirus infections was characterized by 3 features: (a) different effects on the visceral and neural phases of the pathogenesis (increased period of viremia and virus reproduction in the viscera did not lead to stimulation of virus reproduction in the CNS); (b) changes in the time of togavirus persistence in the infectious form; (c) the dependence of the observed effect on the togavirus properties.


[Fragmentation of the DNA of simian adenovirus type 38 by using restriction endonucleases]. The effect of restricting endonucleases Eco R I, BgI II and Sal I on simian adenovirus type 38 (SV-38) DNA was studied. Bgl II restrictase cleaves the virus DNA into 4 fragments, A, B, G, and D, with molecular weights 9.3 x 10(6), 3.3 x 10(6), and 2.9 x 10(6) daltons, respectively. After restriction with Eco R I and Sal I SV-38 DNA cleaves into 5 and 6 fragments, respectively. The molecular weights of Eco R I fragments are A--8.2 x 10(6), B--6.5 x 10(6), C--4.0 x 10(6), D--1.27 x 10(6), and of Sal I fragments: A--6.5 x 10(6), B--5.4 x 10(6), C--4.2 x 10(6), D--2.8 x 10(6), E--2.5 x 10(6), and F--0.25 x 10(6). By restriction of DNA-protein compex by means of partial DNA hydrolysis, combined Bgl II and Eco R I hydrolysis and secondary restriction of a fragment eluted from the agar gel, the alternation of Eco R I and Bgl II fragments in SV-38 genome was determined.


[Chronic measles neuroinfection in Syrian hamsters]. Measles neuroinfection was studied in 3-week Syrian hamsters inoculated intracerebrally with the neurovirulent Edmonston-42 strain of measles virus. The infectious virus was shown to be recoverable from the animals' brains both early after infection (up to 16 days) and at later intervals (28--63 days). At the same intervals (up to 69 days), measles antigen was demonstrated in brain impressions. All the animals under study had RNA-containing inclusions in some cells, slight cellular infiltrates and some oedema. Brains of a number of animals showed moderate inflammatory changes, dystrophic lesions in neurons, and microglial proliferation. The influence of the age and general resistance to the pattern of the course of measles neuroinfection in Syrian hamsters was demonstrated.


[Differences in the properties of the interferons produced by the leukocytes of healthy persons and of cancer and leukemia patients]. In vitro production of interferon by blood leukocytes from patients with lymphosarcoma, lymphogranulomatosis, leukemia, cancer tumours, pneumonia, as well as by leukocytes of mice with Rauscher leukemia, and mice in the condition of hyporeactivity to interferon inducer was studied. Alongside with quantitative differences in interferon production, biological differences in the properties of interferons produced of normal and sick humans and animals were revealed. The biological differences consist in that the interferon produced by leukocytes from cancer and leukemia patients interacting with homologous cell culture is conducive to more rapid formation of resistance to the indicator virus than the interferon produced by normal leukocytes. Thus, resistance of the homologous cell culture to the infection with the indicator vesicular stomatitis virus developed within 1--2 hours after contact with leukocyte interferon from patients and only within 5--6 hours after contact with that of normal subjects. This finding is not specific for cancer and leukemia, as the same was observed with specimens from patients with pneumonia and from mice hyporeactive to interferon inducer. It is suggested that patients with cancer and leukemia have a state of interferon hyporeactivity.


[Disorders in the murine chromosome apparatus induced by immunization with a complex of antiviral vaccines]. Immunization of mice with a number of live virus vaccines (poliovaccine, smallpox vaccine, measles vaccine) given consecutively at 14-day intervals resulted in increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells of the animals after the completion of the entire vaccination course (14 and 30 days after the last vaccination). Measles vaccine and, particularly, smallpox vaccine exert a significant harmful effect on the karyotype of the bone marrow cells. The effect on the chromosomes of the vaccines given consecutively differs somewhat from the individual effect of each of them.


Bacterial meningitis in Washington state. During 1977 the state of Washington maintained a surveillance system for reporting cases of bacterial meningitis. Hemophilus influenzae meningitis was the most common etiologic agent causing bacterial meningitis. A high incidence rate for H. influenzae meningitis was found among American Indians less than five years ago. A focus of ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae meningitis was found in Pierce County among military dependents or persons who had family members or relatives working or attending school with Fort Lewis Army Base personnel. Although relationships between the individual cases were not detected, the surveillance system continues to seek some association.


[Infarction of the spinal cord in the posterior spinal arterial supply area as a result of intervertebral disc embolism (author's transl)]. A female patient aged 49 developed an acute transverse lesion of the spinal cord from D11 downwards. Autopsy revealed spinal cord infarcts mainly in the dorsal parts corresponding to the posterior spinal arterial supply area, caused by multiple arterial and venous fibrocartilaginous emboli. This particular cause of spinal vascular syndrome has been reported previously only in 11 patients, all outside Austria. This case report serves to stress the poor clinical delineation of a distinct "posterior spinal syndrome". The source of the emboli is the intervertebral disc, mainly the nucleus pulposus. The spinal cord vessels are probably entered by the following route: extrusion of disc material into the venous bone marrow sinus (probably favoured by trauma or endocrine factors) yield basivertebral veins yield internal vertebral venous plexus; the spread is supported by blood stream changes caused by increased intraabdominal/intrathoracic pressure; there is also the possibility of direct penetration of disc material into the internal vertebral plexus, as demonstrated in dogs yield radicular veins yield meningeal and cord veins; sometimes entry occurs through arteriovenous shunts into cord arteries. The true incidence of this condition is unknown since cases are likely to be overlooked in the absence of extensive histopathological investigation.


[Occlusive cerebrovascular disease without angiographic evidence of stenosis of cerebral arteries (author's transl)]. The angiographs of patients suffering from transient ischaemic attacks and ischaemic strokes were reviewed. No clinical data were given to the examiners and their diagnoses were then compared with the case histories. In 33 out of 69 patients the angiographs showed no arterial stenosis in the area corresponding to the neurological deficit. However, in this group of patients the incidence of elongation and dilatation of the arteries was significantly higher than in the group with visible stenosis. Among the patients without visible stenoses there was also a significantly higher incidence of hypertension, especially with an elevation of the diastolic blood pressure, and of symptoms related to the brain stem. The possibility is discussed that a special form of occlusive cerebrovascular disease exists, whereby the characteristic angiographic features are not circumscribed stenoses, but a generalized elongation and dilatation of the arteries. Neurological deficits may be caused by occlusion of the minor cerebral vessels which cannot be detected by angiography.


[Is enostosis frontalis a disease process? (author's transl)]. 2851 radiodiagnostic examinations of the skull made in a psychiatric hospital between 1958 and 1977 were reviewed for enostosis frontalis. Out of 1398 female patients there were 125 cases of enostosis frontalis, whereas out of the 1453 male there were only 5. Hence, in females, this is a frequent condition (9%) and shows no correlation with manifest hormonal disease or any particular neuro-psychiatric disturbance. Enostosis frontalis in females can be considered to be an inconstant secondary sex characteristic. In male patients this condition is extremely rare (0.32%). The case histories of the male patients are reported. Endocrine disturbances, cerebral dysplasia and psychiatric disease in connection with mental retardation seem to be associated with enostosis frontalis in men.


[Direct percutaneous carotid angiography with the Potts-Cournand cannula system (author's transl)]. The indications for carotid angiography and the complications of this procedure are described. A report is given on the technique used in this department for direct percutaneous carotid angiography. A comparison of the PC cannula system in current use -- available in throw-away package form -- with the Buchtala cannula system shows a reduction in the incidence of intra/extramural contrast agent injections.


[Cervical incompetence after previous cervical dilatation and curettage (author's transl)]. Out of a total of 3502 deliveries over a period of two years 254 patients (7.25%) had a surgical closure of the cervix according to Shirodkar because of cervical incompetence. All 3502 records were reviewed with regard to previous obstetrical and gynecological history. In the group with Shirodkar operation the percentage of women with a history of spontaneous or induced abortions was almost twice as high as in the comparison group. The reason for the development of cervical incompetence could be a trauma to the endocervix due to mechanical dilatation since diagnostic or therapeutic dilatation and curettage was found five times more often in women with Shirodkar operation than in patients without cervical incompetence. The results show that dilatation and curettage for any indication should be performed as carefully as possible, especially in younger women of childbearing age. Chemical dilatation of the endocervix--for example with prostaglandins--seems to be preferable to mechanical dilatation.


[Selective coronary angiography with jodamide (author's transl)]. In 188 coronary angiographies Jodamide was found to be a substance which resulted in good to excellent contrasts and is so the best basis for an exact evaluation. It caused a transient fall of heart rate and blood pressure. Changes of E.C.G. disappeared quickly. Severe disturbances of the heart rhythm didn't appear. Severe general reactions were seldom and never fatal. More frequently mild reactions occurred, but only in two cases a therapy was necessary. The results show that Jodamide is an excellent contrast medium for selective coronary angiography.


[High dose gestagen therapy following primary radiation therapy of endometrial carcinoma (author's transl)]. By a high dose gestagen therapy following primary radiation therapy of endometrial carcinoma it was possible to reduce the recurrence-rate 12 months after therapy in comparison with a control-group without gestagen therapy by more than 50%. Therefore this method is recommended not only for treatment of far advanced carcinoma of the endometrium but also as prophylactic therapy in cases of early endometrium cancer.


[Oxygen therapy by means of an oxygen concentrator (author's transl)]. Oxygen for therapy of chronically hypoxemic patients can be supplied by an oxygen concentrator (De Vilbiss, DeVO2). By these means longterm oxygen therapy can be carried out on a round-the-clock-basis without risk of hypercapnia and without the need of handling the refill of oxygen containers. 9 patients in severe respiratory failure were treated with 2 to 4 l/min from the concentrator through 4 hour 4 days. Serial bloodgas analyses showed marked improvement of hypoxemia in all patients and prevention of exercise-induced failure in one patient. The oxygen concentrator therefore is suitable for the home treatment of patients with severe hypoxemia.


[Meckel's diverticulum and its complications]. In the last 8 years 15 cases of Meckel's diverticulum were observed, 6 of them with complications: three times inflammation (with two perforations), each once invagination, incarceration and occult bleeding from carcinoids. All complicated and 7 bland diverticula were removed and the intestine oversewed. The postoperative course was normal. Two cases were not treated. Considering possible complications it is recommended to search for a Meckel's diverticulum at each uncomplicated appendectomy or inferior laparotomy and to remove it if found.


[Dynamics of the leukocyte migration inhibition test with HbS Ag during the acute phase of virus hepatitis b]. The authors analysed the dynamics of leukocytes migration inhibitory test and its prognostic aspects in 38 patient with viral hepatitis B. In the first group -- 19 patients with decreasing migration index in the first evaluation (mean value 0.44) it was observed the shorter time of the Hepatitis-BS-antigenemia with the normalisation of hepatic laboratory parameters in comparison to the second group -- 19 patients with normal migration index in the first examination (mean value 0.96). The authors discussed the prognostic meaning of leukocytes migration inhibitory test in the course of viral hepatitis type B.


[Prognosis of functional peripheral ischemias after partial body vibration]. In 125 patients with acknowledged occupational damage due to vibration the results of oscillography of two consecutive expertises were compared at intervals of three years. On the one hand it could be shown that at younger age (less than 50 years) an improvement in functional peripheral circulatory disorders is possible, but on the other hand with increasing interval from the exposition to vibration a downward tendency to deterioration of acral circulatory disorders can be observed.


[Effect of hypoxia on pulmonary gas exchange and hemodynamics]. To test the influence of hypoxia upon the pulmonary gaseous exchange and the hemodynamics of the pulmonary circulation 12 healthy test-persons at the age from 33 to 47 years (mean = 36.7 years) were submitted to a pulmonary and cardiocirculatory basis-investigation with determination of VK, VE, VO2, VCO2, Hb, PO2A/a, PCO2A/a, pH, BE, HR, ECG, PVd, PAp, SV, HZV, RL. These investigations were followed by stress examination by means of the bicycle-ergometry in four rectangular steps under conditions of normoxia from 95.5 to 97.3 kPa, x = 96.5 kPa (716 to 730 torr, mean = 723.6 torr) and of hypobarohypoxia in a low-pressure chambre at 66.5 kPa (500 torr) each of 6 min duration. Under the influence of hypoxia a PO2a-decrease in the sense of partial insufficiency could be already observed at rest under conditions of a decreased alveolar oxygen-partial-pressure. At this simultaneously increases the CO2-exhalation. At the same time was found a significant increase of the systolic peripheric and the diastolic pulmonary-arterial pressure. At the increasing step-by-step ergometric employment under conditions of the hypoxia stress were growing significance evidence of different reactions of the pulmonary and cardiocirculatory parameters occurred.


[A pneumotest pilot study on the irritative stress on the respiratory tract of miners]. In 13 miners over a 3-week period series of measurements were carried out underground by means of the pneumotest-apparatus (V2/V1-ventilation parameter). The investigations have demonstrated that the mining exposition under conditions of the occupational limits does not lead to an impairment of the state of health.


[The insulin test].

[The insulin test]. Since its introduction through Hollander 30 years ago the interpretation of the value of the insulin test following vagotomy have been discussed. For the individual patient no correlation between the incidence of ulcer recurrence and the result of the insulin test has been found. In addition, the risk of hypoglycemia seems to be too high for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, to evaluate the outcome after vagotomy basal acid output, pentagastrin stimulated acid secretion and endoscopy are emphasized as reliable methods.


[Morphologic alterations of the gastric mucosa following vagotomy (author's transl)]. A progression in the development of gastritis is not observed following selective proximal vagotomy. Morphometrically, a moderate compensatory foveolar hyperplasia can be noticed in addition to a reduction of parietal cells. Paralleles can be found concerning the ultrastructural alterations of parietal cells following vagotomy or after anticholinergic treatment. They consist in an increase of lamellar osmiophilic bodies, reduction of tubulovesicles, a narrow canalicular lumen and sparse mitochondria. A few years after vagotomy, the parietal cells appear rather unstimulated. After vagotomy, numerous antral G-cells can be demonstrated, with ultrastructural features of increased secretory activity in correlation to raised plasma gastrin levels. This moderate G-cells hyperplasia may, however, already exist preoperatively with the duodenal ulcer. 5 years after vagotomy, there is no pronounced alteration concerning the number of granular or agranular vesicles inside the terminal axons. Experimentally, a degeneration of sympathetic nerves has been described a few days after vagotomy.


[Vagotomy and serum gastrin levels (author's transl)]. Following selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) in duodenal ulcer patients basal acid output (BAO) and peak acid output (PAO) decrease by 79,3% and 41,8% respectively. Serum gastrin levels increase by 83% within the first five days after operation. Patients having had a SPV release evidently more gastrin after test meals as compared with the results before vagotomy. In consideration of the elevated praeoperative values insulin hypoglycaemia does not cause an augmented secretion of gastrin. There is no correlation between the fall in acid secretion and the increase in gastrin levels. Acidification of the gastric antrum (pH 2,0) did not influence the raised serum gastrin levels at the 10. day and one year after operation. There is a close correlation (r=0,94) between the percental increase in the basal gastrin concentration and the percental change of the vagal influence on the secretion of the parietal cell. It is postulated that together with the dissection of stimulating vagal fibres reaching the parietal cells other fibres are cut which cause an inhibition of gastrin release from the antral G-cells. Thus, the disinhibition of an oxyntopyloric reflex may account for the increase in serum gastrin levels after SPV.


[Influence of truncal vagotomy on serum- GIP and glucose homeostasis (author's transl)]. Truncal and selective proximal vagotomy cause in an increase of basal GIP-levels. There was no difference between the postprandial GIP release before and after vagotomy. However after extragastric vagotomy in dogs postprandial GIP-levels showed a significant increase in comparison to intact animals.


[Release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) or secretin after vagotomy (author's transl)]. The question has been risen whether "pancreatic polypeptide" (PP) determination is a suitable index for a successful vagotomy. Three months after truncal vagotomy (TV) there was only a slight postprandial increase of PP levels whereas five years after TV a normal PP response was found compared to controls. Vagal induced PP release was completely abolished after TV. Selective proximal vagotomy did not influence vagal and food stimulated PP release significantly. It can be concluded that PP determination does not prove to be a suitable index for a successful vagotomy.


[Vagotomy and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (author's transl)]. Selective proximal vagotomy does not influence the function of the cardia. Only high intrathoracic vagotomy results in a decrease of LES pressure. Esophagitis, which is found in a high percentage of preoperative duodenal ulcer patients, heals after SPV.


[Gastric motility after vagotomy (author's transl)]. 1. Ulcer disease cause a change of gastric emptying; in patients with gastric ulcer gastric emptying of a semisolid meal is delayed as well as in patients with stenosis in the pyloricregion; patients with an uncomplicated duodenal ulceration shows an accelerated gastric emptying. 2. Vagotomy results in relation to the type of vagotomy and to the degree of desection of anteral muscles a delay of gastric emptying of a semi solid and liquid food until over the 6th postoperative month. 3. After selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) the gastric emptying is also but shortly delayed. 4. There is a correlation between the disturbed gastric emptying after vagotomy and the altered absorption of glucose.


[Duodenogastric reflux following vagotomy with and without pyloroplasty (author's transl)]. Intragastric concentrations of bile acids, lysolecithin, 14C-bile acids, pH-value, bacterial growth and gastric mucosa histology were analysed in 47 patients following selective proximal vagotomy with and without pyloroplasty. Without pyloroplasty there were normal amounts of lysolecithin, bile acids and 14C-marked bile acids. Following pyloroplasty (Heineke-Mikulicz and Jabouly) the reflux values were 2 to 4 times higher. This increase of reflux after pyloroplasty was only one fifth of that following gastric resection. Only 20% of the vagotomized stomachs showed a bacterial contamination, an atrophic gastritis could be observed in 20% of the pyloroplasty-patients. The results demonstrate, that in selective proximal vagotomy there is no, in combination with pyloroplasty only a slight reflux gastritis.


[Postvagotomy-diarrhea (author's transl)]. Postvagotomy-diarrhea, a troublesome complication of truncal vagotomy, seems to be caused by an increased concentration of bile acids reaching the colon due to intestinal hurry. Whether a dilatation of the gallbladder may contribute to bile acid malabsorption with its consequences of watery diarrhea cannot be decided at the moment. The beneficial therapeutic effect of cholestyramine or aluminiumhydroxide-containing antacids supports the concept that postvagotomy-diarrhea is induced by bile acids.


[The histology of gastric mucosa in B II-stomach (author's transl)]. 131 patients operated on for gastric ulcer according to Gillroth II were investigated with gastroscopy and biopsy. The histology of the gastric mucosa was correlated with the time elapsed since resection. In most cases gastritis shows no difference between anastomosis and stump. In up to 12% gastritis in the stump was more pronounced that at the anastomosis. In the stump any form of gastritis can be seen even more than 20 years afer resection. Atrophic changes are more often to be found in the resected stomach and develop more rapidly than in the normal stomach. They probably result from the coincidence of the lost protective function of the mucous membrane after resection of the gastrin-producing antrum with the potentially damaging action of the contents of small intestine.


[Coronary reserve, left ventricular function, and coronary risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction, but normal coronary arteries (author's transl)]. In 5 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and previous myocardial infarction (left ventricular a- or dyscinesia), measurement of coronary reserve revealed normal values. On average, patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries were younger than patients with angiographically proven obstructive coronary lesions (p less than 0,001), and did not exhibit a rise in coronary risk factors. These results suggest that in some cases myocardial infarction is due to acute, completely reversible occlusion or severe stenosis of larger coronary arteries without morphological or functional defects of coronary arteries detectable later on.


[Echocardiographic determination of the severity of mitral stenosis by the mitral valve closure index (author's transl)]. In 34 patients with mitral stenosis or combined mitral valve disease class II, III or IV (NYHA), the mitral valve closure index (MVCI, Shiu et al. 1977), based on the rate of diastolic apposition of the anterior and posterior mitral leaflet echos, and the diastolic closure rate (EF-slope) were determined and compared with hemodynamic data such as mean left atrial pressure (PLA), mean diastolic pressure gradient across the stenotic valve (DP) and mitral valve orifice area (Q), calculated by the Gorlin formula. MVCI and EF-slope correlated more favorably with DP (MVCIr = -0.71, EF-sloper = -0.53) than with Q and PLA. The results were not different in patients with sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation. Using MVCI or EF-slope thie discrimination between severe and moderate or between moderate and light mitral stenosis was uncertain. Nevertheless, MVCI below 30 was associated with light, above 50 with severe mitral stenosis. In spite of the relationship between MVCI or EF-slope and the severity of mitral stenosis, in the individual case an exact quantification of mitral stenosis is not possible due to the great variability of echocardiographic data. For the assessment of the severity of mitral stenosis the mitral valve closure index is not superior to the EF-slope.


[Echocardiographic findings and function analysis of the left ventricle in infants with endocardial fibroelastosis (author's transl)]. 7 infants with the clinical picture and the typical hemodynamic and angiocardiographic findings of endocardial fibroelastosis were studied echocardiographically. The echocardiograms were digitized and analyzed by the method of Gibson and Brown and compared with those of 8 normal infants. The echoes of EFE-patients showed a nearly twice as large LV-diameter. The mitral valve was displaced posteriorly, the septal motion in 4 of them abnormal. The shortening fraction was significantly reduced, the LPEP/LVET quotient increased. The comparison of LPEP with the Q to mitral valve closing interval revealed a considerable prolongation of isovolumetric contraction time. The result of computer analysis was a decrease of peak Vcf and maximum lengthening rate. The echocardiographic pattern is typical but not pathognomonic, it gives no prognostic information.


[Simultaneous measurement of indirect (Doppler-ultrasonic-technique) and direct arterial systolic blood pressure of the human radial artery (author's transl)]. At 28 subjects without arterial occlusive disease, the systolic blood pressure of the radial artery was recorded simultaneously by means of the Doppler Ultrasonic Auscultatory Method (Doppler Ultrasonic Wall Motion Technique) and by intraarterial needle and strain-gauge manometer, and the results were compared. In the overall collective the mean values of the systolic pressure were nearly identical (139.6 and 139.7 mm Hg). This applies also to the standard deviation (+/- 19,9 and +/- 19,4). The correlation coefficient was 0.90. These results point to the validity of the indirect measurement of the peripheral systolic pressure by means of the Ultrasonic Doppler Technique. However, there must be taken into consideration that in a particular case there can arise a larger deviation at normal arteria. Possibilities of technical errors at the blood pressure recorded by intraarterial needle and strain-gauge manometer as well as on determining the blood pressure with compression method will be considered. It is concluded that Doppler Method provides a sensitive and accurate noninvasive approach for measurement of peripheral systolic arterial pressure.


[Treatment of a severe temporary heart arrhythmia by transvenous pacing in a neonate (author's transl)]. Report of the treatment of a neonate with bradycardia (cardiac dysrhythmia) with an external transvenous pacemaker. At the age of 19 days the child developed repeated and critical dysrhythmias which made intubation and artificial respiration necessary. Conservative therapy attempts were without success. A stimulation-catheter was inserted through the internal jugularis vein and an external Demand-pacemaker connected to it. The stimulation-catheter was disconnected after 12 days with the complete cessation of the initial frequent bradycardia episodes. The cause of the cardiac dysrhythmia could not be clearly found. Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome and Phase-IV block are being discussed.


[The relative ejection time under different conditions of cardiac stress and in aortic valve disease (author's transl)]. In 51 healthy young people the carotid arterial pulse wave was registered externally during bicycle-exercise in a lying position. The ejection time in relation to the duration of diastole (not pulse period or heart rate!) increased significantly. These results are compared with measurements made by Schulz (15) who found normal ejection times in tachycardia provoked by pacer-stimulation and shortened values during isoproterenol-induced tachycardia. Women have longer ejection times than men especially under physical stress. In 18 patients suffering from aortic insufficiency, ejection times were slightly prolonged and in 28 patients who had a systolic pressure gradient of more than 20 mm Hg between the left ventricle and the aorta ejection times were markedly prolonged. There is also a significant positive correlation between ejection time and pressure gradient. The authors consider that the autonomic innervation plays an important role in the duration of ejection time in normal subjects while in patients with aortic heart disease the ejection time is predominantly influenced by mechanical factors. For the diagnosis of the severity of aortic stenosis measurements of ejection time are only useful in connection with other clinical parameters (pulse pressure, creast time of the arterial pulse wave).


[Psychological aspects of the situation of widows/widowers]. It is argued that role-theory partly accounts for the neglect of the situation of the widowed within gerontological research. A selection of some important aspects of empirical evidence concerning the Anglo-American scientific research on the widowed is discussed; these are; --the time of mourning --the importance of sex differences --the importance of age --the significance of "anticipation" --"life styles" of widows.


[Sociological aspects of widowhood].

[Sociological aspects of widowhood]. The process to become a widow or a widower and the analysis of the social situation of widowed persons is getting an increasing attention in gerontology. Of special concern are older widows, who have quite a time to live. Hereby are their situation within their family-life cycle and the event of the spouse's death especially analyzed. The overtaking of the role as a widow is much dependent of capacities which are learned in an earlier life span. Many widows have problems in newly learning role elements which are traditional dominated by men. Concerning loneliness and social contacts of older widows, different studies show only few widows much lonely and an only small reduction of social contacts after becoming a widow.


[Requirements for security for widows according to their needs. Remarks on the discussion on dependents' allowance in West Germany]. The article is concerned with the present regulations of the old-age-pension for widows. At first the author discusses the legislator's assumptions of different financial needs between widows and widowers. Thereby he considers the last decision of the West German Bundesverfassungsgericht on the rate of the old-age-pension for widows (June 1978). New researches on the consumption of aged people give reason to criticise the present financial regulation, which places 60% of the deceased husband's old-age-pension at the widow's disposal. This is confirmed by new consumer data of the West German Statistisches Bundesamt as well as by the results of an empirical research study on the consumer behavior of aged people, carried out by the Institut für Sozialforschung und Gesellschaftspolitik, Cologne. The main interest is to show the consequences of different financial regulations for widows and widowers on their consumer behavior. In this context the article deals especially with the attitudes of aged people towards the differences in the survivor's pension and with the process of economical adaption after the death of the husband.


[Widowhood from the perspective of the theory of learned helplessness]. Applying Seligman's theory of learned helplessness to the situation of the widowed means that the spouse's death and the resulting events may be seen as incidents which are not under the influence of the living partner. Therefore widowed persons will show the helplessness which Seligman described and the motivational, cognitive, and affective consequences--at least when these persons could hardly control their living conditions before. A secondary analysis (survey on 65 to 85 year-olds) which could not use all relevant variables delivers results in agreement with the hypotheses.


[Economic situation of widows in West Germany]. The distribution of old-age pensions in the Federal Republic is a very inequal one. Widows, who only get a pension from the social insurance are constituting the main potential of poverty: in 1977 more than 30% of them (i.e. more than 1/2 million) were in income level below 600 DM monthly. Consequently it is not only necessary to reform the pension insurance system for future cases, but also a general improvement of current widows' pensions has to be implemented.


[Social problems of single elderly women in West Germany. Problems and results of an empirical research into their position of life]. The article is concerned with a socio-political point of view of this question and thereby reports upon results of an empirical research study on the situation of aged women living alone in three big cities of the Federal Republic. At first it is shown that the financial problems of aged women are due to the structure of the West German social security system. Secondly it is tried to prove that the degree of social integration of aged women is determined by their economic status and by their sex-role-defined socialisation and education. The article ends in discussing the social needs of aged women living alone and in proposing short- and long-dated socio-political measures to improve their social situation.


[The aged among Gypsies].

[The aged among Gypsies]. In former investigations in the changes in elder people's life the importance of general social conditions, for instance their economic conditions, has been shown. So for instance the often reported loss of functions of the elders in the highly industrialized western cultures and the seperation from the family can not be observed in other cultures in the same extent. Several investigations among Gypsies as an autonomous cultural group have made evident that, more often than in western cultures, elder Gypsies live in the same household with their grown-up children. Also old Gypsies take a number of functions and tasks in the family and clan, that in part even become more important with their growing age. The fact that almost all German Gypsies (Sinti) have settled and their growing integration into German society suggested, that there might be a change in the situation and importance of old Gypsies. In our investigations in 64 German Gypsy families we found the three-generation-household clearly changed. But in the same time grown-up children and their parents try to live as close as possible. More than half of the interviewed persons lived in direct neighborhood of their parents resp. their grown-up children. It could be also demonstrated, that old Gypsies still have a great importance in conserving and mediating old traditions. So in spite of some external changes no real local or social isolation of old Gypsies could be found in this investigation.


[Communication between inhabitants of homes for the aged. Intra- and extramural orientation and differential relationships to life satisfaction and self-experienced abilities to establish human contacts]. To correct stereotyped images of global deficits concerning social life in homes for the aged, we present facts about different aspects of social life in three such homes in Hamburg and analyze the differential relations of these variables to life-satisfaction. By reconstructing the preceding day with the aged subjects, we were able to provide relatively precise behavioral measures of social contact. Per day in the average 3 to 5 hours of the up to 15 hours waking-time were spent with social contacts. These behavioral measures draw a quite differentiated picture of the institutions, which corresponds less to the image, usually ascribed to the specific housing categories, but seems to be more influenced by certain aspects of their social and physical environment. Interesting relations between social behavior and life-satisfaction show up in our population of aged people. While correlations between life-satisfaction and realized contacts with different kinds of partners (eg. friends, relatives, neighbors) are neglectible, the amount of group-contact--either selfinitiated or offered by the administration--shows consistent and rather close connections to different measures of life-satisfaction. If these results could be replicated in consecutive studies, they would imply important practical consequences.


[Treatment of the sick elderly in households accommodating several generations]. Multigenerational households with widowed persons aged 70 and more have been studied in order to determine the relationship between the following two groups of variables: (a) variables in the aged person describing the existence and degree of an organic mental impairment due to a dementive process and of other signs of physical illnesses. (b) variables in her daughter or daughter in law consisting of selfratings of psychosomatic complaints and of attitude-scales. Results were as follows: (a) If there were indications of personality changes due to an organic brain syndrom the relatives had a lower degree of life-satisfaction and more frequently suffered from psychosomatic symptoms and interpersonal stress than those, whose old relatives showed an unaltered personality. (b) A great number of comparisons failed to show any statistical differences. Especially severe physical illness, organic brain syndrome and the need for physical care were not related to life satisfaction, psychosomatic complaints, stress due to emotional involvement and the attitude towards home-care. Our attempt to explain the missing correlations led to the following factors: the small size of the sample, self-selection of the sample and possibly inappropriate operationalisation and measurement of variables. In respect to these results the ongoing study will be modified in some details: There will be a qualitative analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews. The proportion of families with severely demented relatives will be increased. In an additional step we shall examine families, who have decided to transfer their old member into an institution.


[Psychometric procedures and questionnaires in geronto-psychological research]. This paper presents the Nuremberg-Geriatric Inventory (NAI), a test and questionnaire battery for geronto-psychological and pharmacological problems. This inventory consists of three modified subtests of the Wechsler-Adult-Intelligence-Scale (WAIS), a maze-pathway, a modified Trail Making test (ZVT), a psychological rating scale, a rating scale for activities-of-daily-living, a self-rating and a questionnaire, containing problems of growing old. The objectivity, reliability and validity of all tests and scales are described, as well as some norms for different groups of patients. First experiences and results using this inventory in longitudinal studies and pharmacological investigations are reported.


[Guttman scales for the comprehension of vigor and sociability in the elderly: comparative validation between self assessment and expert estimates of actual life accomplishments of inhabitants of old-age homes]. In a previous article we described the development of two Guttman-scales for the self-assessment of functional health and sociability of old people. In this publication different aspects of scale-validity are examined. Together with corresponding expert-ratings and a measure of subjective health the two self-ratings are evaluated with regard to their relations to behavioral data. While the functional health scale reaches high coefficients of scalability and good validity, the sociability-scale still is in need of further improvement.


Noninvasive determination of carotid artery operability by Doppler ultrasound. Indirect periorbital screening techniques may detect obstruction of the extracranial internal carotid artery, but they do not distinguish operable stenosis from inoperable occlusion. In an attempt to overcome this limitation, direct interrogation of carotid artery flow velocity by Doppler ultrasound was added to periorbital screening of 97 arteries in 53 patients. Analysis of results suggests that this assessment can improve diagnostic accuracy and distinguish stenosis from occlusion of the internal carotid arteries in stroke-prone patients.


Renal cell carcinoma: twenty years of experience. In a long-term study of 166 patients with renal cell carcinoma, the authors found that earlier diagnosis and radical nephrectomy resulted in improved survival in patients with localized lesions, but the outlook for patients with advanced disease showed little improvement. Enhanced diagnostic techniques during the study period include ultrasonography and radionuclide scanning with technetium glucoheptonate. Therapeutic advances include renal artery embolization and bench surgery, with autotransplantation or donor transplantation of limited value in selected cases.


S aureus endocarditis: a review and plea for early surgery. In a study of 31 cases and a review of the literature, Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis was distinguished from that due to other organisms by the absence of prior valvular disease, by the presence of debilitating illness or acute onset, and by a toxic fulminant course. Availability of semi-synthetic penicillins decreased mortality from 90% to about 50%, with death due to heart failure rather than sepsis. Valvular replacement may improve survival if employed at the first signs of cardiac decompensation, rather than after medical therapy has failed to stabilize a downhill course.


Cancer trends: surgical adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. Adequate surgical resection is the most effective primary treatment of potentially curable cancer of the colon and rectum. Radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy are being evaluated in clinical trials to see if they should be recommended for adjuvant therapy.


High-fiber diet: its role in the treatment of diabetes mellitus reviewed. Dietary manipulation has long been a mainstay of treatment of adult-onset diabetes. Weight loss and a diet low in refined carbohydrate have often allowed either reduction or discontinuation of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin. The evidence presented in this review suggests that complex carbohydrates and high-fiber compounds can play a significant role in this dietary manipulation and merit further study. The mechanism by which hyperglycemia is ameliorated may be the increased viscosity of intestinal contents with slower small bowel transit time resulting in slow, but sustained absorption of glucose.


Determination of dimeric glycerol in monoglycerides by HPLC. New regulations limit the amount of diglycerol that may be present in partial glycerides used as food emulsifiers. Dimeric glycerol can be easily determined by HPLC on silica columns using acetonitrile: water partition and RI detection. Results for free diglycerol and total diglycerol obtained with a number of monoglyceride samples are given.


[Petrographic study of human and animal kidney stones]. 1. It is necessary for the detection of the nature of the formation of renal calculi for the purpose of a correct diagnosis and the prevention of relapses to study it according to a complex method for every concrete case. 2. The zonal structure of the calculi is conditioned by different mineral composition which proves their variable medium of formation; this must obligatorily be taken into consideration when the constituents of the drugs are selected. 3. It is useful to examine completely the central part of the calculus under the electron microscope according to the suspension method for the purpose of the detection of the crystallisation centres which may have existed as minute particles. 4. For the rapid establishment of the composition of the renal calculi a thermic analysis must be performed with the help of which during 30 minutes the mineral composition of the calculus as well as the gauging mass for thermominerals which form the renal calculi may preliminarily be estimated.


[Increased transaminase activity in the patients and personnel of dialysis centers and problem of its assessment]. Within the general hepatitis prevention on dialysis wards regular controls of the liver values and the HBsAG/AK are necessary for the patients and the personnel. The general symptom which is frequently found in these cases -- increased transaminase -- demands a diagnostic clarification and the exclusion of an acute virus hepatitis. Using all examination methods which are at present at our disposal and taking into consideration epidemiologic criteria and the total clinical picture a decision must be done which is right for the patient and the entire dialysis personnel. Own clinical observations refer to the fact that isolated increases of the liver enzyme in dialysis patients must not be traced back a priori to a virus hepatitis, but that these may also be caused by other endogenic and exogenic noxae. In the observation period of 10 years was evident that in an existing infectious hepatitis the increase of the liver enzyme was accompanied by clinical complaints.


Chronic synovitis with marked infiltration of granulocytes in a patient with an unusual development of systemic lupus erythematosus. The case described concerns a patient initially presenting the clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including the presence of nodules, and slowly developing into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Besides the signs of chronic inflammation in the synovial tissue, many granulocytes and PAS-positive macrophages were present. At electronmicroscopy the basal membranes of the vessels were multilaminated and the endothelial cells enlarged while many macrophages contained large clumps of electrondense material which could easily be interpreted as rough endoplasmatic reticulum (RER) of plasma cells. Immunoflourescence studies showed deposition of immunoglobulins and complement in the vessel walls of the synovium, thus suggesting an immune-complex pathogenesis.


[Number of basophils and triglyceride levels in patients with gout]. Comparing a group of gouty patients with age and sex matched group of patients in a general medical ward without history of arthritis, we failed to confirm and increase in the absolute or relative basophil count. Total white cell count and packed cell volume were similar in both groups of patients. However, fasting serum triglyceride and serum uric acid were increased, as expected, in the gouty group.


[Tubular nephropathy in chronic polyarthritis]. Disc electrophoresis and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) of urine are sensitive indicators of renal damage. In 28 from 50 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, a tubular proteinuria and a high urinary NAG-excretion and in 10 other patients one of these pathological parameters were detected. A positive correlation with disease activity was noted. Both methods are able to demonstrate a rheumatoid involvement of renal function.


Late neuropathological findings after acute rubella encephalitis. Neurophathological findings are reported in a 15-year-old boy who died 8 months after acute rubella encephalitis. There are widespread bilateral necroses in large areas of the cerebral cortex with a diffuse macroglial and microglial reaction. In basal ganglia, degenerative changes and a more or less pronounced rarefication of nerve cells as well as very small cystic areas and glial scars are observed. In the white matter, neither foci of demyelination nor perivascular cuffings nor focal gliosis occurred. The results are compared with other observations in the literature. It is concluded that rubells encephalitis is a disease of a variety of pathogenetic mechanisms and has a variety of clinical and morhpological features. It may evidently be caused by direct viral invasion of the CNS or by hypersensitivity reaction.


[Malignant angioblastic mesothelioma of the pericardium (author's transl)]. Report on a malignant angioblastic pericardial mesothelioma of a 43 year old woman. According to formation of typical clefts and tubes and differentiation of blood capillaries and questionable immature blood cells the pericardial boundary tissue is considered as starting zone of the tumor. The pericardial boundary tissue is derived from coelomic eqpithelium.


[A case of malacoplakia of the prostate (author's transl)]. A case of malacoplakia of the prostate gland in a 75-year-old man is reported. This special type of granulomatous prostatitis was diagnosed by histological examination of biopsyn material. There were typical Michaelis-Gutmann corpusculates within the inflammation area. The structure of these inclusion bodies was investigated by electron microscopy. Characteristic concentric ring-shaped structures were seen as well as corpusculates which are composed of irregular cristalloid material. Some Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were found to contain short cell membrane-like structures. By histochemical investigation, both the cells possessing inclusion bodies as well as the Michaelis-Gutmann corpusculates themselves gave positive acid phosphatase reactions. The case is described because of the rarity of the malacoplakia of the prostate gland and with respect to the differential diagnosis of malignant prostate gland disease.


[A rare localization of a liposarcoma of the skin (author's transl)]. Problems of diagnosis and classification of liposarcomas and of origin of liposarcomas in preexistent lipomas are discussed at the example of a liposarcoma of the skin of the nose that has still not been found in literature.


[Central venous catheterism; 10 years experience (author's transl)]. The catheters were inserted by puncture or venous cut down of the subclavian-jugular-or the brachial vein. Misplacement of the catheter and its complications are analysed. Mortality rate of 1771 central venous catheters (1968 to 1977) is 0,2%.


[Intraoperative autotransfusion (author's transl)]. Intraoperative autotransfusion is an advantageous and safe method of blood replacement. In our clinic this method is established as a routine procedure in all cases with suspected massive bleeding. We used the IAT in 141 cases of surgical haemorrhage. The mean indications for IAT in surgery were emergency operations necessitated by blunt abdominal or thoracic trauma. Altogether 390 l of blood have been retransfused with an AT -- volume per patient ranging from 1 to 20 l. On an average 2,8 l per patient were transfused. Contraindications of blood replacement are tumour surgery, septic surgery, contamination by large intestinal contents and rupture of the uterus. For anticoagulation ACD-solution has been used, only in vascular surgery systemic heparinization was preferred. The main advantages of autologous intraoperative transfusion are the immediate availability of blood, the absence of the risk of hepatitis and of incompatibility reactions, reduction of pressure on the blood banks and lower transfusion costs.


[Roentgendiagnostics of suture insufficiency and fistulation after operations of the gastro-intestinal tract (author's transl)]. The early roentgen examination permits the recognition of postoperative complications. Direct and indirect signs of suture insufficiency may be observed. An insufficiency can be proven by oral administration of watersoluble contrast substances or by extern filling of the fistula. The most frequent indirect sign is the extraintestinal air in constant position. Sonography and roentgen diagnostics complete each other, computer tomography may give similar results.


[Hyperthyreosis and gravidity (author's transl)]. An account is given of incidence, diagnosis, therapy, and clinical peculiarities of hyperthyreosis in gravidity, with reference being made to literature as well as to the authors' own experience. It is strongly suggested that thyreostatic treatment may yield good success even under the conditions of gravidity, provided that certain peculiarities are taken into due consideration. Conclusions then are drawn for efficient organisation of medical attention to pregnant patients with thyroid diseases.


[Perinatal mortality and morbidity for childbirths from breech presentation at Gynaecological Hospital of Jena University, between 1966 and 1976/(77) (author's transl)]. Studies were conducted at the Gynaecological Hospital of Jena University, between 1966 and 1976, into perinatal mortality and morbidity, in the context of 950 childbirths from breech presentation. Unambiguous decline in uncleared perinatal mortality was characterised by a numerical drop from 11.7. per cent in 1966/67 to 6.3 per cent in 1976/77.-Cleared perinatal mortality went down, similarly, for the same period of time, from 6.1 per cent to 2.5 per cent.-Uncleared perinatal mortality in the context of caesarean section was 0.65 per cent, while that related to vaginal delivery amounted to ten per cent. The cleared figures (after correction) were 0.54 and 5.4 per cent, the difference having been statistically secured with high significance. A decisive role was played, in that context, by the introduction of selective section as of 1975. Intranatal mortality has ever since dropped to zero, as compared to 1.9 per cent between 1966 and 1974.-Acidosis morbidity due to breech presentation was three times as high as that associated with cephalic delivery. The Apgar score was zero in 6.4 per cent of all children born by vaginal delivery. Therapeutic consequences are discussed.


[Results obtained from more intensive antenatal and intranatal attention to gemini pregnancy at gynaecological hospital of Karl-Marx-Stadt region (author's transl)]. Studies undertaken into gemini births between 1968 and 1977 have shown that reduction in perinatal mortality has been obtainable from high-intensity programmes of antenatal and intranatal attention to multiparae. Perinatal mortality had accounted for 13.4 per cent, between 1968 and 1974, and dropped to 7.4 per cent, between 1975 and 1977. This achievement is analysed and discussed. More improvement may best be expected from earlier detection of gemini pregnancy and earlier action of intensive care.


[Triplet pregnancy with papyraceous foetuses (author's transl)]. Reported is the case of a primigravida, 22 years of age, with a triplet pregnancy. Two of the three foetuses were papyraceous. One case of this kind is related to 32,800 deliveries. An attempt was made towards aetiopathogenetic elucidation of the phenomenon.


[The toxoplasmin skin test (st) - a safe method to reveal endured contact with toxoplasma gondii? (author's transl)]. Toxoplasmin skin tests were applied to 4.341 pregnant women, between August 1975 and December 1977, and 30 per cent of them were serologically tested by means of DT and FR. Findings were in fair agreement in 87 per cent of all cases. This result was compared to similar examinations conducted earlier in the past. Discrepancies in excess of 30 per cent were quoted elsewhere in literature. Possible causes are discussed in greater detail. - A clearcut correlation was found to exist between the intensity of dermal response to toxoplasmin skin tests and agreement between such tests, on the one hand, and serological results, on the other. That agreement, remarkably, followed a linear correlation with the age of the pregnant women concerned. The gaps between responses widened along with decreasing age. - Differences between negative ST and serological tests were recorded from as much as 27 per cent. In such cases, serological confirmation should be sought immediately. Serological verification is considered to be essential to all poor positive responses to ST, defined by the author as erythema of the skin below 10 mm in diameter, where the discrepancy figure had been nearly 28 per cent. The amount of agreement regarding skin responses above 10 mm in diameter was 98.6 per cent, an acceptable magnitude. - With all the above limitations, ST is an uninvolved and inexpensive screening method by which to detect endured toxoplasmosis. It is, therefore, suitable for proper selection, particularly at the beginning of pregnancy.


[Approach to repeated pregnancy of women with uterine malformation (author's transl)]. Twelve cases of uterine malformation are described in this paper. Each of them had a previous history of a full-term pregnancy. In nine cases earlier diagnosis had been based on histerosalpingography. Caesarean section had to be performed on five cases for abnormal presentations, while seven deliveries had been normal. Diagnosis was made for three cases more recently during various gynaecological procedures.


[Struma with euthyroidism in pregnancy (author's transl)]. Non-toxic struma manifestations are likely to increase along with hormonal stress situations. An existing struma may continue to grow. Struma treatment is always indicated and of particular necessity in a stress situation. An account is given of pathophysiological fundamentals, the need for and problems relating to thyroid hormone therapy in pregnancy, with reference being made to literature data as well as to the authors' own experience from examining 60 pregnant patients with non-toxic struma.


Mode of action of colicin E2, colicin E3 and cloacin DF13. The bacteriocins colicin E2, colicin E3 and cloacin DF13 are bactericidal proteins which are excreted by producing cells as a complex of two polypeptides, present in equimolar amounts. The high-molecular weight component is responsible for the biochemical lesion induced by these bacteriocins. The low-molecular weight component, the so-called immunity protein, was shown to act as inhibitor of the high-molecular weight component. Colicin E2, freed from immunity protein, causes endonucleolytic degradation of DNA. Colicin E3 and cloacin DF13, freed from immunity protein, induce ribosome inactivation by endoribonucleolytic cleavage of 16S rRNA. A possible role of the immunity protein in the killing activity of the bacteriocins is not quite clear. Probably it keeps the high-molecular weight component in the right configuration for penetration of the cell wall layers. Studies on structure-function relationships have shown that cloacin DF13 has a domain-type structure. Various properties have been located in the hydrophilic C-terminal part of the molecule.


[Four new Salmonella species and three serological variants of subgenus III (Arizona) (author's transl)]. Four new strains of Salmonella and three serological variants described in this paper were isolated from free living snakes (Vipera berus L. and Natrix natrix L.) of Northern Germany. All strains belong to the subgenus III of the genus Salmonella. For the first time a representative of subgenus III in the Salmonella group M with the serological formula S. arizonae 28:Z10:Z57 was isolated. 1) S. (6),14:1,v:z (Ar. 7 a,7c:23-31) 2) S. 17:Z10:e,n,X,Z15:Z56 (Ar. 12:27-28-38) 3) S. 21:1,v:Z57 (Ar. 22:23-40a,40c) 4) S. 28:Z10:Z57 (Ar. 35:27-40a,40c) 5) S. 38:(k):Z35:Z56 (Ar. 16:22-21-38) 6) S. 43:1,v:Z56 (Ar. 21:23-38) 7) S. 50:Z10:Z:Z56 (Ar. 9a,9c:27-31-38)


Antibodies against Leptospira biflexa serotypes patoc and são paulo in pigs: possible occurrence and importance for the intracutaneous test for leptospirosis. Leptospirin for the diagnosis of leptospirosis by an intracutaneous test contains antigenic material from 5 pathogenic Leptospira serotypes (10). During experiments with rabbits and pigs, leptospirin was injected into 6 pigs which had been infected artificially with apathogenic Leptospira biflexa serotypes patoc and são paulo. Three out of the 6 pigs showed a positive leptospirin reaction (11). This interfering reaction in animals having been infected with apathogenic L. biflexa was the reason to investigate the occurrence of biflexa antibodies in pigs from different areas in Germany by the microscopic agglutination. None of the 854 pigs showed biflexa antibodies producing a 50% agglutination at a serum dilution of 1:100. If at all, pigs may become infected naturally by L. biflexa; this apparently seems to be a rare incident. An impairment of the diagnostic value of leptospirin by L. biflexa antibodies can be excluded.


[Mycobacteria in arthropodes of different biotopes (author's transl)]. Many arthropodes are found in close contact with soil and other material contaminated by mycobacteria. In order to clear up their importance as potential carriers of germs of the MAIS complex (Mycobacterium avium, intracellulare, scrofulaceum), we investigated 835 samples of arthropodes taken from different biotopes. Following a treatment according to the cultural method developed by us (Beerwerth, 1967), we isolated 606 strains of mycobacteria from 302 (36.0%) out of 835 samples. Incubation at room temperature was more effective than incubation at 37 degrees C. 96 (15.8%) in 606 strains did not grow at 37 degrees C. In arthropodes taken from pasture-ground we mainly found mycobacteria of group II according to Runyon, while in arthropodes from arable land, stables and saw mills mycobacteria of group III predominated. Samples of arthropodes taken from forests, moorland and waters showed a comparatively similar spectrum of species. Strains of the MAIS complex - M. avium, intracellulare, scrofulaceum - were frequent in areas of saw mills (80 = 20.5% in 356 strains), but rarely found amongst the remaining biotopes (11 = 4.4% in 250 species). Mycobacteria were chiefly isolated from larvae and imagines living in permanent contact with soil and less from winged shapes. The epidemiological importance of arthropodes spreading pathogenic mycobacteria should not be overvalued.


Isolation and characterization of influenza a viruses from wild free-flying ducks in Hokkaido, Japan. Three influenza A viruses possessing hemagglutinin-Hav7 and neuraminidase-N2 were isolated from 20 wild free-flying ducks in Hokkaido, Japan in autumn, 1977. The neuraminidase antigen of these viruses cross-reacted with the Asian influenza virus (H2 N2) but reacted scarcely with the Hong Kong strain (H3 N2Y in cross neuraminidase-inhibition tests.


[Local and systemic antibody response after vaccination with 3 different types of vaccines against influenza I. Hemagglutinationinhibiting antibodies (author's transl)]. A comparative study on the formation of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies after vaccination with 3 different types of Influenza Vaccines (Whole virion, Splitvirion, and Subunit type) was performed in adults and children. The study populations were homogeneous as regards age and pre-immunization antibody profile. The following results were obtained: 1) Strain specific conversion rates for the A component (A/Victoria/3/75 H3N2) were 77% with the whole virion vaccine, 79% with the Splitvirion vaccine and 91% with the Subunit vaccine. The antibody conversion factors calculated on the basis of the geometric mean titers (GMT) were 5.0, 6,7 and 9.0 respectively. A fourfold increase in titers was observed in 68% of vaccinees with the whole virion vaccine, in 55% of vaccinees with the Splitvirion vaccine, and in 70% of vaccinees with the Subunit vaccine. 2) Local antibody formation on the basis of conversion rates yielded values of 18% (whole virion), 22% (Splitvirion), and 28% (Subunit vaccine). 3) Systemic antibody responses revealed predominantly strain and subtype specificity as opposed to local antibody formation which was also directed towards older sybtypes. This phenomenon was more pronounced in adults than in children. 4) A significant correlation was found between the local antibody production and the concentration of hemagglutination inhibiting serum antibodies as well as between the IgA concentration in nasal wash fluid and the percentage of individuals exhibiting local antibody formation in the upper respiratory tract system. 5) In children 6-14 years of age the antibody conversion rates were found to be 91-100% for the A component with the 3 vaccines under study. The GMT for the respective vaccines A, B and S ranged from 1:170 over 1:139 to 1:211. 6) With regard to the induction of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to the B component of the vaccine (B/Hongkong/8/73) either vaccine proved to be of insufficinet potency. Though conversion rates of 6/ to 77% (60-90% in children) were observed the GMT range was only 1:17 to 1:21 (1:21 to 1:35 in children). Only 29 to 35% of the adults and about one half of the children developed antibodies of greater than or equal to 1:40 after vaccination. With regard to this observation it has to be discussed whether one shouldn't consider monovalent A vaccines for future use in influenza vaccination campaigns.


[Studies on the increase of weights of lymphatic glands, of lymph and peritoneal fluid and their contents of chymotrypsin and virus in pigs suffering hog cholera (author's transl)]. Swine fever is conceived as a disorder of the enzyme systems, that are controled by serine proteases. The virus is replicated in the cells of the lymphomycoid complex, whereby the production of a chymotrypsin is induced. In swine fever the lymphatic glands and the lymph flow are increased. Fifteen normal pigs had chymotrypsin contents in the lymph of the body lymphnodes of 0,4 U/l, nine pigs suffering hog cholera 1,5 U/l. In the intestinal lymphnodes the chymotrypsin concentration was normally 2,9 U/l and in swine fever 3,5 U/l. Chymotrypsin which is present may induce the production of further chymotrypsin. Fourteen pigs suffering from swine fever showed increased peritoneal fluids (50 to 120 ml), whereby chymotrypsin was found in 5 cases. The lymphflow was assumed to be five times higher, when compared to control animals. This entails a seven-fold increase of chymotrypsin which enters the blood stream. In some cases the virus titers are higher in the lymph specimen and peritoneal fluids than in the serum. Increase of chymotrypsin concentration reduces the resistance of the virus in the lymph. Obviously the virus is spread in the body migrating with the lymph flow. However, the increasing chymotrypsin concentration seems to inactivate the virus and lymph retains its defense character. Detection of the fluorescent antigen is correlated with the evidence of the proteolytic precipitating antigen. After infection with the virus of swine vesicular disease increase of chymotrypsin is also evidenced in the lymph but to a lower degree. Therefore in swine fever the lymphnodes cause chymotrypsin formation to an extent which may explain the pathophysiological disorders in those physiological systems, that are controled by serine proteases.


[Further investigations concerning the reaction between haptoglobin and T4-antigen-carrying streptocci (author's transl)]. The median level of haptoglobin types 2-2 and 2-1 was found to be proportional to the agglutination titer of T4 antigen-carrying streptococci (Fig. 1). This relationship need not exist in individual sera since, as seen from Table 1, high agglutination titers may be caused by sera with low levels of haptoglobin. Thus the agglutination reaction might depend not only on the quantity of haptoglobin but also on other factor(s) (at least in individual serum samples). - On the other hand, different agglutination titers did not correlate with the quantity of T4 antigen either. A strain of Strep. pyogenes, type 60, was agglutinated at high titers by sera with a high level of haptoglobin in spite of its low ability to absorb haptoglobin. This was in contrast to a strain of group G (20488) which had a high capacity both to become agglutinated and to absorb haptoglobin (Table 2). Absorption of haptoglobin by affinity chromatography decreased the agglutination titer for T4 streptococci. - The reaction between haptoglobin and T4-streptocci did not fix complement. No differences were found between sera of haptoglobin types 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 with respect to the amount of C, C3, C4, and C3A, respectively (Tables 3-5).


Tracing of pseudamonas aeruginosa infection by the use of commercial antisera and pyocin production and the evaluation of the results on the basis of the chi2 test. One hundred randomly collected Psuedomonas aeruginosa isolates were examined during a two months period of time in order to determine their origin in a hospital environment. Initially, neither the source of the isolates, nor the patients' names were known. The serogroups were determined with commercial antisera, and the pyocin patterns were established with the simplified method of mitomycin C induced pyocin production. The results were analysed in the chi2 test. A highly significant probability value (p less than 00004) was taken as evidence of the identity of the isolates, especially among strains originating from the neurosurgical, surgical and medical intensive care units investigated. The simplified method of the originally devised mitomycin C induced pyocin production with a selected number of 'indicator' strains in conjunction with the initial serogroup determination by the commercially available antisera, allowed a rapid tracing of all Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. This combined method is recommended as an easy and useful epidemiological tool for the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa hospital acquired infections.


Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of human leptospirosis. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was applied on sera from patients with leptospirosis caused by leptospires from different serogroups and on sera from a control group. The CIE using an antigen prepared from a single leptospira strain agreed with the microscopic agglutination test using a battery of different antigens in 91% of the leptospirosis sera. CIE was sensitive and specific, comparatively easy to perform, used little amounts of serum and antigen, gave rapid results and allowed the examination of large numbers of specimens at a time.


[Nicotinamidase and the so-called pyrazinamidase in mycobacteria; the simultaneous occurrence of both activites (author's transl)]. Nicotin- and the so-called pyrazinamidase (in the following: "pyrazinamidase") have been found in strains of four mycobacteria species, M. fortuitum, M. gastri, M. bovis and M. microti. These findings are in contradiction to those summarized in Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (1974). The reason for the discrepancies is that the original method (Bönicke, 1961) for amidase determination has not taken the following aspects into consideration: a) The inducibility of the nicotin- and "pyrazinamidase" (example: M. fortuitum); b) The temperature sensitivity of these enzymes (M. gastri); c) The light sensitivity of nicotinamidase (in photochromogenic M. gastri strains); d) The optimal substrate concentration which must be at least 4 mM instead of 0,8 mm. The following consequences can be drawn for the taxonomy and biochemistry of the tested organisms: e) The species status of M. gastri should be annuled. The main difference between M. gastri and M. kansasii consists only of the non-agglutinability of M. gastri by anti-M. kansasii serum. "Pyrazinamidase" and also nitrate reductase (Tarnok et al., in press) are positive in strains of both species; f) M. bovis possesses nicotin- and "pyrazinamidase" as M. tuberculosis too. Thus, these two species are more closely related than suggested earlier; g) Till now, no Mycobacterium has been found showing nicotinamidase without "pyrazinamidase" activity (or vice versa). It seems to be very probable that nicotinamidase, an enzyme of low substrate specificity, is able to hydrolyze several compounds with a nicotinamide-like structure such as pyrazinamide. Thus, we suggest the annulment of the term pyrazinamidase or the employment of quotation marks ("pyrazinamidase") to show the fictitious value of this designation.


[A method for production of Coxiella burnetii antigen and cell walls by guanidiniumchloride extraction (author's transl)]. By use of 6-molar guanidinium chloride a potent Coxiella burnetii antigen could be produced for diagnostic purposes from infected yolk sacs, with little technical expense. This treatment did not only a cause remarkably purifying effect (Tab. 1) but also the extraction of soluble cytoplasmic substance. From guanidinium chloride-treated suspensions a highly purified and uniform suspension of cell walls could be separated by Saccharose Density Gradient centrifugation (Fig. 2). Guanidine extracted organisms retained their full antigenic potential with respect to Phase I and Phase II and lacked anticomplementary activity. Such preparations can be used for serological tests like complement fixation reaction or Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and are particularly suitable for biochemical studies of Phase antigens of Coxiella burnetii.


The effect of nifurtimox on experimental infections with trypanosomatidae other than Trypanosoma cruzi. The influence of Nifurtimox on Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, T. equinum, T. equiperdum, T. evansi, T. gambiense, T. lewisi, T. rhodesiense, T. vivax, Leishmania donovani and L. tropica has been studied in animals and in vitro. The drug was active against all of them but there are considerable differences in sensitivity of the various species as well as of different strains of T. rhodesiense. For the treatment of T. rhodesiense a single high dosage was more efficient than the same dose divided into many smaller applications. The latter dose schedule is more suitable for the treatment of T. cruzi and T. lewisi. L. donovani and L. tropica responded to Nifurtimox but only in vitro.


Incidence of chicken coccidia from broiler houses in Japan, 1973-1977. A survey was made on the incidence of coccidial oocysts in 11,365 fecal samples from Japanese broiler houses during five years from 1973 to 1977. The Eimerian species were identified by a combination of two methods, examination of oocyst morphology and chicken passage test. Oocysts were detected from 7,526 (66.2%) of the samples tested during five years. Annual variation was statistically significant at the 5% level. Coccidial incidence during July to September (corresponding to summer season) was found to be higher than that of other seasons. With regard to regional variation, incidence found in the north-eastern half of Japan was lower than that in the south-western half. Oocyst detection rate increased up to 40 days of age in chickens and kept plateau thereafter. Eimeria acervulina predominated throughout the years, seasons, regions and age of chickens. Other species of Eimeria were subjected to wide fluctuation while the survey was carried out.


Ultrastructural changes in mouse peritoneal exudate cells during infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Infections of mouse peritoneal exudate cells with trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii (BK strain) were studied by means of electron microscopy. After i.p. injection of Toxoplasma-trophozoites macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes migrate into the peritoneal cavity of mice. All these cells can be parasitized by T. gondii. Multiplication of phagocytosed trophozoites is not inhibited, but obviously the infected cells favour their growth.


A routine method for assaying the anti-toxoplasma IgM antibodies. Latex agglutination test on human sera preabsorbed with protein A-bearing staphylococcal cells. The authors investigated the procedure which demonstrates, by means of the latex agglutination test (LA) the residual IgM antibody activities in sera preabsorbed with protein A-bearing Staphylococcus aureus and evaluated the usefulness of this technique with the following results. (1) LA (Toxotest-LA, Eikenkagaku Co.) gave clear-cut and reproducible agglutination patterns. Its specificity was comparable to that of HA and its sensitivity was somewhat lower than that of HA. (2) The absorption of 0.2 ml of 1:10 dilution of many test sera with the sediment of 0.5 ml of a 10% bacterial suspension for ten minutes or more provides the suitable condition for the absorption procedure. (3) HA-positive 183 sera revealed no residual antibody activities after absorption. These are supposed to derive from persons with a long-standing infection. Sera from 4 laboratory infection cases, from 2 toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy cases and from a pregnant woman, showed more or less residual activities. In 5 out of 7 sera tested, the residual activities were 2-ME sensitive, indicating the presence of specific IgM antibodies. (4) The specific and the total IgM were reduced slightly by the absorption procedure.


[Effect of lead and carbon monoxide under the condition of diabetic metabolism (author's transl)]. The NZO-Mice were used to study the influence of carbon monoxide and lead under the condition of diabetic metabolism. The animals treated with 80 ppm (COHb 10.81) showed significantly lower tolerance for glucose. Even after removing the burden of carbon monoxide for 50 days, the blood sugar level after glucose tolerance test remained in experimental animals significantly higher than in controls (20-min-value). The NZO-Mice after enteral lead exposition showed no significant changes of the condition of the diabetic metabolism after the glucose tolerance test. However, the NZO-Mice, compared to NMRI mice and rats, reached significantly higher level of blood sugar.


[Autoradiographic investigations on the effect of city smog extract on DNA synthesis and cell cycle of mammalian cells in vitro. II. Alterations of the cell cycle of hamsters kidney cells and hamster embryonic cells in presence of city smog extract (author's transl)]. We used the autoradiographic method according to Quastler and Sherman to analyse alterations in the cell cycle under the influence of city smog extracts. Investigations were performed on logarithmically growing cultures of kidney and embryonic cells of the Syrian golden hamster. Low concentrations of city smog extracts (0.125 micrograms/ml Benzo(a)pyren-equivalent) induced a remarkable delay of cell entrance into DNA-synthesis. Furthermore a considerable prolongation of generation time and phase of DNA-synthesis was detected. The number of mitosis was strongly reduced. Already a doubling of concentration of city smog extract caused an almost complete breakdown of the cell cycle and a disappearing of mitosis for a time period of 10 hours. Our results strongly indicate that city smog extracts lead to a severe alteration of the molecular biology of the cell. Taking this in consideration, it can be assumed that a long term exposure of human beings to the city smog could induce an injury of health.


Repeated exposure to furfural vapour: 13-week study in Syrian golden hamsters. The sub-acute inhalation toxicity of furfural was studied in Syrian golden hamsters. Four groups of ten males and ten females each were repeatedly exposed to furfural vapour at concentrations of 0, 20, 115 and 552 ppm (0, 77, 448 and 2165 mg/m3 air) respectively for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week during a period of 13 weeks. At the highest exposure level furfural induced irritation of the eyes and nose, slight growth retardation and atrophy along with hyperplasia of the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity. At 115 ppm atrophy and hyperplasia of the olfactory epithelium were the only adverse effects observed that could be attributed to furfural. No compound-related alterations were detected at the lowest exposure concentration of 20 ppm (77 mg/m3 air) which was, therefore, accepted as a no-toxic effect level.


[Serological reactivity of healthy and ill people in relation to antigens from Bacteroides-serotypes (author's transl)]. We investigated sera of healthy and ill people with different diagnoses to their reactivity against antigens isolated from six serotypes A--E2 (subspecies) of Bacteroides fragilis in indirect hemagglutination tests. These investigations were conducted partly in Poland and partly in the Netherlands. - In many cases antibodies towards several serotypes of Bacteroides fragilis were present in the healthy. In the Netherlands we found antibodies towards serotypes C and E2; in Poland serotypes D and E1 seem to be predominant in the healthy, whereas some reactivity towards other serotypes also could be observed (see table 1). - Hemagglutinationtiters in sera of the ill were frequently increased. In these sera we found also reactivity towards serotypes which are absent or rare in the healthy (see tables 2, 4 and 5). Sera of patients with carcinoma or sarcoma displayed high titers and especially reactivity towards those serotypes which are absent or rare in the healthy (see tables 3, 4 and 5).


[About the antimicrobial activity of substituted aromatic aldehydes and alcohols (author's transl)]. In the scope of our research about the antimicrobial activity of serveral chemicals a number of substituted benzaldehydes and benzylalcohols was investigated under standardized conditions following the method of DGHM (German Society of Hygiene and Microbiology) against bacteria, dermatophytes and moulds. The germicidal activity, demonstrated by the suspension test, is generally low except under special conditions (low or high pH-value). The germistatic activity, demonstrated by the MIC-test, is much higher than the germicidal effect (figs. 1--4). The relation structure-germistatic activity is discussed.


[Disinfectants based on peracid-splitting compounds (author's transl)]. All organic peracids are capable of damaging enzymes of the microbial cell irreversibly by oxidation and can thus kill microbes. When using organic peracids as a disinfectant it is expedient to prepare them immediately prior to use. This is possible by employing mixtures in powder form of acid depots (anhydrides, amides, esters) and hydrogen peroxide depots which react together with water only at the time of preparing the solution to form a balanced system, the active complex proper, comprising organic peracid, organic acid, hydrogen peroxide and water.


[On the sporocidal action of dibromoisocyanuric acid (author's transl)]. Using the suspension test the action of dibromoisocyanuric acid (DBI) and--for the purpose of a comparison--elemental chlorine and Chloramine-T on three different spore strains at pH 7.0 and room temperature has been investigated. DBI proved to be a desinfecting agent by which at a concentration of 0.01 M positive halogene (= 1.45 g DBI/I) in 15--60 minutes (depending on the spore strain) a reliable kill can be achieved. Although using elemental chlorine shorter kill rates have been obtained (Chloramine-T was without any effect) DBI shows some advantages which also suggest its use in practice. As possible reasons for the differing efficiency of the three investigated substances the equilibrium concentrations of the hydrolysis products (HOCl resp. HOBr) and diffusion effects are discussed.


Study on the possibility of adopting a complex method in Blattella germanica (L.) control on board ships. Campaings to control the German cockroach, Blattela germanica, were conducted at 14-day intervals over a period of 5.5 months on two merchant vessels of similar size and type. On one ship only the chemical "Gertoks", carbamate insecticide containing 1% propoxur was applied, and on the second ship two preparations simultaneously, a chemical and a biological--"Biotrol 25 W" containing Bacillus thuringiensis. - In order to assess the success of the control, the extent of infestation in the accomodation was determined immediately before and 24 h after the spraying. - The susceptibility of the cockroaches caught on the ships, to the two preparations applied, was also determined. It was found that "Gertoks" was an efficient preparation, the biopreparation "Biotrol 25 W" being less efficient. - A certain increase in resistance of the cockroaches to both preparations, was noted. - The above observations indicate that a considerable drop in numbers of population of cockroaches can be achieved if the ship's crew carry out systematic thorough spraying of ships quarters infested by cockroaches, with Gertoks". They also confirm previous suggestions that complex method in B. germanica control on board ships is possible, using chemical and biological preparations containing Bac. thuringiensis spores simultaneously.