Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection among humans and domestic animals of Rajasthan State, India. A total number of 1806 sera comprising 1049 humans and 757 animals from four ecologically different areas of Rajasthan State were tested to determine the prevalence of complement-fixing (CF) antibodies to Coxiella burnetii (C burnett). Of the 1049 human and 757 animal sera tested, antibodies to C. burnetii were detected in 195 sera (18.6 per cent) and 187 sera (24.7 per cent), respectively. Among humans, the prevalence of infection with C. burnetii was highest in the desert area of Barmer district and the hilly area of Bundi district, viz 64.5 per cent and 28.2 per cent, respectively. It was slightly lower in the semi-arid and the arid zones of the State, viz Sirohi (20 per cent) and Jalore (13.7 per cent), whereas the irrigated areas of Kota and Jaipur had the lowest prevalence, 9.9 and 8.4 per cent, respectively. Among animals, the highest prevalence was detected in sheep (39.6 per cent), followed by cattle (29.9 per cent) and goats (18.6 per cent).


Basic criteria and classification scheme for bacteriophages acting against cholera vibrios of the classical and El Tor biotypes. In accordance with the principles, nomenclature and taxonomic tests recommended by the TCNV for the systematization of viruses, cholera and El Tor phages were classified in all categories of the taxonomic hierarchy. On the basis of this classification, all known cholera bacteriophages could be affiliated to the biological type Vira, sub-type Deoxyvira, class 2/D B -- Deoxybinala, family Phagoviridae, genus Phagovirus vibrio and species Phagovirus cholerae. Phagovirus cholerae includes homologous series III-D, IV-D and V-D with 10 serologic types representing the smallest taxonomic units. At same time, phages of the remaining families with a single-strainded structure of DNA and RNA have so far not been detected for cholera vibrios.


Litter sizes in inbred strains of rats (Rattus norvegicus). The average litter sizes and reproductive performance of twenty-five inbred strains of rats, maintained in a conventional colony in Pittsburgh, and twenty-six inbred strains, maintained in a barrier facility at the National Institutes of Health, were calculated from data collected for periods of 3 and 10 years, respectively. There were considerable variations in both parameters in each of the two colonies studied. In addition, there were quite wide variations in male to female ratios among inbred strains (0.80 to 1.42).


Serum levels of gonadotrophins in hamsters exposed to short photoperiods: effects of adrenalectomy and ovariectomy. Female hamsters rendered acyclic by exposure to short photoperiods (10 h light: 14 h darkness) showed diurnal surges of both LH and FSH which persisted after removal of the ovaries and adrenal glands. The reduced increase in gonadotrophin secretion after ovariectomy, typical of hamsters exposed to short days, was also not contingent upon the presence of the adrenal glands. The results demonstrate that 'supersensitivity' of the neuroendocrine axis to feedback of ovarian or adrenal steroids cannot fully account for either the daily surges of gonadotrophins or the diminished response of LH and FSH to ovariectomy in hamsters maintained on short days. It is suggested that these changes result instead from other pineal-mediated actions of short photoperiods upon the brain.


Effects of aromatizable androgens on aggressive behaviour among rats (rattus norvegicus). Three experiments were used to tests the applicability of the aromatization hypothesis of androgen action to aggressive behaviour among Norway rats. In Expt 1, administration of testosterone propionate was highly effective in restoring aggressive behaviour to castrated rats while 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one was of intermediate effectiveness. Of the steriods tested in Expt 2, androstenedione and testosterone were highly effective, 17 beta, 19-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one was of intermediate effectiveness and cholesterol was ineffective. The results of Expt 3 indicated that treatment with testosterone or oestradiol both resulted in increased aggression while treatment with (5 alpha,17 beta)-17,19-bis(acetyloxy)-andostan-3-one diacetate (5 alpha-19-hydroxytestosterone) was without effect. Androgens which were aromatizable and could be 5 alpha reduced, i.e. testosterone, testosterone propionate and androstenedione, were highly effective in restoring aggressive behaviour; however, two other steroids, 5 alpha,19-hydroxytestosterone which is 5 alpha reduced, and 19-hydroxytestosterone, which can be aromatized, were respectively of low or medium effectiveness on behaviour. However, oestradiol, which did not maintain sexual development of accessory glands, was highly effective in the restoration of aggressive behaviour. Since the behaviourally active steroids in the present experiments were not only those predicted by the aromatization hypothesis, it is proposed that several steroids are capable of activating aggressive behaviour and that the aromatization hypothesis does not adequately explain the hormonal basis of aggressive behaviour among Norway rats.


Progesterone receptors and RNA polymerase activity in the rat uterus during the oestrous cycle. The concentrations of progesterone receptors in uterine cytoplasm and nuclei were measured during the oestrous cycle of the rat. The concentration of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors was highest at pro-oestrus and declined at oestrus to reach lowest levels at metoestrus before rising at dioestrus. Similar changes were observed in the concentration of nuclear progesterone receptors, the highest levels being present at pro-oestrus and dioestrus. In addition, both activities A and B of RNA polymerase mirrored these alterations in nuclear receptor levels.


A radioimmunoassay for neurotensin in human plasma. A specific radioimmunoassay for neurotensin in human plasma has been developed capable of detecting changes of 5 pmol/l with 95% confidence. Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity has been detected in human plasma in two molecular forms and rises by 27 +/- 8 (S.E.M.) pmol/l (n = 9) after ingestion of food.


Effects of the method of exsanguination on measurements of developmental changes in serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in prepubertal and adult male house mice. The relationship between the method of exsanguination and the serum concentration of gonadotrophins was investigated in male house mice. Mice were killed 21-99 days post partum by ether anaesthesia and cardiac puncture, or by decapitation. Results of gonadotrophin radioimmunoassays indicated that titres of serum FSH were not affected by the method of exsanguination, while concentrations of serum LH were significantly raised when blood was collected by ether anaesthesia and cardiac puncture. Serum FSH in an inbred strain of mice peaked at 21 days post partum and declined steadily to a relatively constant pubertal and postpubertal level. Concentrations of serum LH were variable during the prepubertal period with a peak occurring 31--35 days post partum. Extremely high titres of FSH on days 21-35 post partum indicated that mice in this study might be relatively insensitive to FSH in the prepubertal period.


Examination of the role of 'non-functional' corpora lutea in the female rat. In rats with 5 day reproductive cycles, 'anovulatory' cycles were induced by blockade of ovulation with sodium pentobarbitone injected at pro-oestrus. Such anovulatory cycles were characterized in the ovaries by gradual atresia of the large follicles present at the time of the injection and the growth of a new cohort destined for the next ovulation. In the vaginal smears, anovulatory cycles were indistinguishable from normal ovulatory cycles. The serum concentrations of progesterone remained at baseline levels during dioestrus of anovulatory cycles whereas increased concentrations of progesterone were observed during dioestrus of ovulatory cycles. It is concluded that the 'non-functional' corpora lutea of the cycle are the source of dioestrous progesterone. The length of anovulatory cycles after a single injection of pentobarbitone was 5 days despite the absence of any increase in progesterone concentrations during dioestrus. It is concluded that progesterone production during dioestrus plays no major role in the control of the duration of 5 day reproductive cycles.


DNA synthesis after polyspermic fertilization in the axolotl. Cytological and autoradiographic studies were done to investigate the cytoplasmic control of DNA synthesis under conditions of physiological polyspermy. The DNA synthetic phases of the egg, principal sperm and accessory sperm nucleic were determined and correlated with nuclear morphology and develpmental fate. Results show that accessory sperm nuclei undergo morphological transition to pronuclei. Their DNA synthetic phase is the same as that of the principal sperm nucleus. Hence accessory sperm nuclei are capable of initiating and completing DNA replication before any cytological evidence of their degeneration is observed.


Naloxone blockade of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior: interaction of endogenous opiates with dopamine. The specific opiate antagonist, naloxone, inhibits the in vivo and in vitro activity of the endogenous opiate compounds which have heretofore been identified. In this study systemic naloxone administration successfully blocked the production of stereotyped behavior induced by the direct dopamine agonist apomorphine. This implies that the endogenous opiates contribute to the production of stereotyped behavior initiated by dopaminergic stimulation and that endogenous opiates may function as central neurotransmitters with dopaminergic activity.


Studies on soybean factors which produced goiter in rats. The goitrogenicities of various preparations obtained from soybean were studied using rats. Thyroid weight, 131I uptake and the ratio of 131I-monoiodotyrosine to 131I-diiodotyrosine of the gland in rats fed the preparation was measured to determine the activity of these preparations. It was resulted that the group of rats receiving the curd had the most hypertrophied thyroid, the enlargement being equal to that in the group of these receiving soybean in the 8 weeks' feeding experiment. No difference on the content of iodine were found with the various diet preparations. The proteolytic digestion of soybean curd did not eliminate the goitrogenic property, thus, the goitrogen seems not to be a protein or peptide-like substance.


Structure--activity relationships of n-substituted dopamine and 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene analogues: behavioral effects in lesioned and reserpinized mice. N,N-Disubstituted dopamine and 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7-ADTN) analogues were synthesized and tested intraperitoneally in mice for dopamine agonism. Compounds inducing asymmetric postures in unilaterally caudectomized mice were further tested in mice treated with reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester. ED50 values determined for reversal of reserpine-induced catalepsy were used to rank drug potency and correlated with molecular structure. N-n-Propyl N-substituted compounds were more effective than other N,N-dialkyl homologues. Of these, analogues with one alkyl group larger than propyl became inactive or their dopaminomimetic effect was reduced when the propyl was replaced with a larger group. N-Monosubstituted analogues were inactive as dopamine agonists. N-n-P-r-N-n-Bu-6,7-ADTN was six times more potent than N-n-propyl-N-n-pentyl- and N-n-propyl-N-phenethyldopamine but ten times less potent than apomorphine. The availability of an array of structurally related dopamine analogues with dopaminomimetic properties may make it possible to test the hypothesis that there are more than one type of dopamine receptor and that stereotypy and locomotor activity may have different central nervous system loci. Moreover, they may be of potential use in the treatment of parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal disorders.


An objective method for measuring fluorescence of individual sperm cells labelled with 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate (ANS) by means of photomicrography and densitometry. A method is presented for measuring the degree of fluorescence of sperm cells labelled with 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate (ANS). Labelled spermatozoa were subjected to incident-light u.v. illumination and the fluorescent image was photographed. Densitometry of the photographic film yielded values for individual sperm heads, and the mean value for ten cells formed the unit of data for parametric statistical analysis. The method is both objective and precise, and was used to distinguish between treatments applied to the spermatozoa. It is believed that the method has a wide application as an inexpensive means of fluorimetry.


Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in nursing mink affected with aleutian disease. An outbreak of staphylococcal mastitis in nursing female ranch mink (Mustela vison) is described. Lesions were acute necrotizing mastitis, fatty infiltration of the liver and renal tubules, and adrenal cortical hyperplasia. The presence of Aleutian disease in the herd suggests a role of immunosuppression in the outbreak.


Epidemiologic aspects of american Kaposi's sarcoma. In our series of 37 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, a larger than expected incidence of Americans of Italian and Jewish lineage was found, with 51% of Italian and 38% of Jewish background. Although a predominance of these two groups has been clearly shown previously, this may be the highest percentage of any series. In addition, 12, or 32%, of the patients were found to have concurrent diabetes mellitus. This association has been observed previously, but is not generally appreciated.


Effect of acute and chronic ethanol intake on metastasis formation in rat liver. The effect of acute ethanol intoxication and prolonged intake of ethanol on metastasis formation in the liver was studied in the rat. The tumour cells used were derived from a pharmacologically induced colon carcinoma (NGW 1) and were injected intraportally. Acute ethanol intoxication at the time of injection was associated with a liver weight of 13.29 +/- 0.89 gm two weeks later, compared to 8.43 +/- 0.51 gm in controls. Daily intake of ethanol for eight weeks resulted in a mild reduction of platelets. The liver weight in two groups was 7.31 +/- 0.50 gm and 12.19 +/- 1.40 gm three weeks after intraportal injection of cancer cells as compared to 9.53 +/- 1.11 gm and 19.63 +/- 1.67 gm in controls. The results indirectly supported the hypothesis that acute ethanol intoxication causes increased platelet activity and confirmed earlier results showing the importance of platelets for metastasis formation.


Prolactin: its role in the development of mammary tumours. Experimentally, it has been found that the rate of DNA synthesis of normal mammary glands which is a limiting factor for mammary tumourigenesis is largely dependent upon the circulating level of prolactin. Based on these results, one of the roles of prolactin in the development of mammary tumours is hypothesized to create mammary gland conditions favourable for the action of carcinogens through its stimulation of the rate of mammary gland DNA synthesis, a measure of the frequency of mammary gland cell division.


[Pathogenesis of urinary stress incontinence and principles of its surgical treatment]. As in different types of stress incontinence the mechanism of the destroyed urethral support is not the same, the principles of their surgical treatment are bound to differ. Generally speaking, the surgical intervention in stress incontinence aims at securing adequate mobility of the lower urinary organs, forming an effective suburethral support, and correcting the elements of the prolapse. Applying these principles in 508 women with stress incontinence having been surgically treated at the University Hospital Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje from 1968 to 1976 and followed up at least two years afterwards, the global rate of relapses was 6.1%, by which the best results were obtained by Burch's modified method (2.1%), while after operations after Bonney or Barnett the frequency of relapses was relatively higher (7.1%). Analysing technical details in the carrying out of the above mentioned procedures, the authors plead for a most adequate preoperative preparation of patients, so as to determine and categorize the type of stress incontinence in question and allow the choice of the most appropriate surgical intervention in any given case.


The effect of exposure fractionation on the yield of nondisjunctional segregation involving compound X and free 4-chromosomes in Drosophila. This paper describes the effect of fractionation of an exposure of 2000-R X-rays into two 1000-R exposures separated by a 3-h interval on the frequency of various segregation products following chromatoid interchange between a compound X and the 4th chromosome. It was observed that fractionation leads to a decrease of all exceptional progeny, the result being significant at the 0.05-probability level for both classes of detachments; i.e., with or without a 4th chromosome. The finding that the same effect of fractionation was observed for numerical aberration (non-disjunction) and detachment supports the idea that these reflect different consequences of the same primary effect, radiation-induced rearrangement. Furthermore, alternative recoveries were observed to occur at equal frequencies. Following C(1)-4 interchange, the univalent 4 does not segregate at random, but assorts apart from its homologue 1.5 as frequently as it moves to the same pole.


Effect of nitrites and nitrates on irrigation and secretion of gastric mucosa in rat. An aspect of the vasomotor effect of nitrites and nitrates was studied by investigating the influence of these substances on the mucosal blood flow and hence on gastric secretion in the rat. Firstly, point measurements were obtained using an aminopyrine clearance technique after intravenous nitrite and nitrate treatment. Then with an appreciably different technique (14C-aniline clearance on perfused stomach) the kinetics of the phenomenon were followed after, firstly, intravenous administration of the two agents and secondly their intragastric administration. It is interesting to note that nitrites and nitrates are active to differing degrees and present opposing effects: nitrites decrease whereas nitrates globally enhance the factors under consideration (gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric juice volume, acory effect and cuase no modification on intragastric administration. The flow rate-gastric parameter correlations are significant in all cases and show modifications of the aqueous compartments of the body.


Natural changes in the cell division rate in normal tissues and the possible role of adrenalin concentration. Mitotic incidence (MI) and DNA labeling index (LI) were measured in the liver, lung and kidney of rats at different times throughout the day. There were significant variations in MI and LI in all organs and there were also significant differences between organs in respect of the pattern of variation. It was found that adrenalin had no consistent inhibitory action on the MI and LI of these tissues maintained in organ culture. These results are not consistent with the view that diurnal (or circadian) rhythms in mitotic activity are directly mediated by changes in adrenalin secretion. In organ culture the rate of entry into DNA synthesis was higher than the rate of mitosis, leading to significant increases in the proportions of cells with reduplicated DNA content.


Evidence that chronic apomorphine treatment enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in brains of normal and neonatally hyperthyroid rats. Daily injection of L-triiodothyronine (10 microgram/100 g, s.c.) for 30 days to neonatal rats significantly enhanced the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine as reflected by increased tryptophan hydroxylase activity and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels of certain discrete brain regions. However, neonatal L-triiodothyronine treatment produced no change in 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine uptake by crude synaptosomes. Chronic treatment with apomorphine (1 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 15 days, beginning from 15 days of age, increased tryptophan hydroxylase activity as well as 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and blocked the uptake of 3H-labelled serotonin in crude synaptosomes of normal and L-triiodothyronine-treated animals. Furthermore, apomorphine (which is known to indirectly stimulate 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurons) produced a greater increase in tryptophan hydroxylase and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the mid-brain region of neonatally hyperthyroid animals as compared to normal rats. These data indicate that excess thyroid hormone in early life not only increases the turnover of brain 5-hydroxytruptamine, but also enhances the sensitivity of dopamine receptor sites. thus amplifying the stimulating action of apomorphine. Our findings also suggest that thyroid hormone in early life advances the overall development of monoaminergic systems in the brain.


[The epicutaneous DNCB test and CEA determination in neoplasms of the breast, digestive tract, lung and urogenital system]. 110 patients observed over a three-year period suffering from cancer of the breast, digestive apparatus, lung and urogenital apparatus, and submitted simultaneouly to the DNCB skin test and to radioimmunological measurement of CEA have been studied. Confirming what has already been reported, the epicutaneous findings and laboratory results show there is an almost constant correlation between marked reactivity to DNCB and normal CEA titre and that, on the contrary, ml response to immune stimulation is often matched by a pathological CEA value. It is maintained that this type of cross investigation may be important for prognosis as the basis for initial assessment of the probable clinical course of the disease and the response of the patient to immunochemotherapeutic treatment.


Evaluation of indications for cataract surgery. The large number of cataract operations performed in the United States annually has raised questions as to the indications and methods of documentation. The criteria designed for the Physicians and Surgeons Review Organization (PSRO), the thrust of second opinions, and an evaluation of the types of cataracts producing visual impairment are discussed. The contralight test of Junker is demonstrated as a means of determining the effect of cataracts on visual acuity and could be used as an indicator of the need for surgery.


Autotomy following peripheral nerve lesions: experimental anaesthesia dolorosa. (1) When hindlimb peripheral nerves are cut across in rats and mice, there is a tendency for the animal to attack the anaesthetic limb. We have called this attack "autotomy". In this paper we describe the time course and degree of autotomy following various types of nerve injury. (2) Four different types of lesion were applied to the sciatic nerve of rats. The most serious autotomy was produced by section of the nerve and encapsulation of its cut end in a polythene tube. Section followed by immediate resuturing also produced serious autotomy. Simple ligation of the nerve end was followed by less autotomy than encapsulation or cut and resuture. A crush lesion caused only minimal attack. (3) Section of the saphenous branch of the femoral nerve produced no autotomy. However, if the saphenous and sciatic nerves were ligated at the same time so that the entire foot became anaesthetic there was a great increase of autotomy over that seen when the sciatic nerve alone was ligated. This increase with the double lesion occurred even if the saphenous nerve was ligated more than 100 days after the sciatic nerve had been cut. (4) Mice showed autotomy very similar to that seen in rats but the onset was somewhat faster. (5) Reasons are given to propose that autotomy is triggered by an abnormal afferent barrage generated in the cut end of the nerve. Autotomy from peripheral nerve lesions is a different phenomenon from that seen after dorsal root section. Autotomy occurs under conditions which produce anaesthesia dolorosa in man. This simple model may be suitable for studies of the prevention of irritations originating from chronic lesions of peripheral nerves.


Recent advances in the treatment of pressure sores. The problem of decubitus ulceration is a common one in para- and tetraplegic patients. It is a problem which involves these patients spending long periods in hospital. In 1977 almost 50 per cent of the patients re-admitted to our Unit had skin problems. During 1977 the average time spent in our Unit with skin problems of all degrees, was almost 3 months. Over the past few years several new products have become available for cleansing and healing these sores which, it seems, may reduce the time required in preparation for surgery or in achieving healing. We discussed the application of these products and the results of their use in our hands.


Lipoprotein lipase activity in the skeletal muscle during physical exercise in dogs. Changes in lipoprotein lipase activity /LPLA/ in the quadriceps femoris muscle were followed in ten dogs during 3-hour treadmill exercise and 2-hour post-exercise recovery period. During the first hour of exercise muscle LPLA steeply increased. Subsequently the enzyme activity tended to plateau. After exercise LPLA decreased to the pre-exercise value within 1 hour. It is concluded that exercise increases the ability of skeletal muscles to remove triglycerides from the circulation.


Epinephrine and the pacemaking mechanism at plateau potentials in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers. 1. In 1.35 mM [K+]0, sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers depolarized to about -40 mV. Whereas some fibers oscillated spontaneously at plateau potentials, others could be made to oscillate when polarized by intracellular currents. Pacemaker activity at plateau potentials (-50 to 0 mV) was distinct from that caused by the iK2 pacemaker at more negative potentials (-60 to -100 mV). 2. Epinephrine induced spontaneously occurring action potentials and increased pacemaker activity in depolarized Purkinje fibers. The ED50 for the positive chronotropic effect of epinephrine was about 5 x 10(-7) M. This concentration is similar to that reported for the effect of epinephrine on plateau amplitude (Carmeliet and Vereecke, 1969) and the slow inward current (isi, Reuter, 1974). 3. In voltage clamp experiments, epinephrine, increased the magnitude of isi and of an outward plateau current, ixi. It is concluded that epinephrine effects pacemaking at plateau potentials by increasing isi and without shifting the voltage dependence of these currents. The onset of pacemaker activity by epinephrine was preceded by membrane depolarization that results from an inward shift of the steady-state current-voltage relation. This current may flow through isi channels that are activated but not completely inactivated.


The effect of harmaline on intestinal sodium transport and on sodium-dependent D-glucose transport in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit jejunum. Harmaline inhibition of sodium uptake and of sodium-dependent D-glucose transport was investigated using brush-border membrane vesicles from frozen rabbit jejunum. Under sodium-gradient conditions, "initial" D-glucose uptake (20 s) was inhibited by harmaline at concentrations above 0.5 mM, but at lower harmaline concentrations D-glucose uptake was stimulated by 10--15%. When a similar potassium gradient was used, harmaline had no effect. At concentrations up to 2 mM, harmaline did not alter the equilibrium uptake of D-glucose or D-mannitol. After pre-equilibration with sodium (25 mM), G-glucose uptake was inhibited at harmaline concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2 mM. Sodium (10 mM) uptake was also inhibited by harmaline. Increasing the sodium concentration reduced the inhibitory effect of harmaline on tracer sodium uptake as well as on sodium-dependent D-glucose uptake. Similar to phlorizin, harmaline (1 mM) was able to prevent glucose-induced sodium influx across the brush-border membrane. Sodium uptake into brush-border membrane vesicles seems to be inhibited at lower harmaline concentrations than sodium-dependent D-glucose uptake. At high (2 mM) inhibitor concentrations, however, sodium-dependent glucose uptake is more strongly inhibited than sodium uptake. These results suggest that harmaline inhibits both sodium and sodium-dependent transport across intestinal brush-border membranes by interacting with specific sodium-binding sites.


Periodic changes in blood flow in the in vivo rat kidney. The frequency response of the blood flow through the rat kidney in vivo has been studied. A piston controlled by a random-signal generator compressed the abdominal aorta proximal to the renal artery eliciting stochastical arterial pressure changes of an amplitude of less than or equal to 5 mm Hg. This small amplitude allowed to study the system under physiological conditions. In accord with earlier results from isolated kidneys pressure induced maxima of flow resistance were found at 0.005 Hz and at 0.1 Hz, thus demonstrating that in vivo humoral and/or nervous factors do not significantly alter the renal vascular response to changes of arterial pressure.


Extracellular space determination in rat small intestine by using markers of different molecular weights. The apparent extracellular space (ECS) of rat jejunum, everted and cannulated "in vitro", has been measured by using extracellular markers of different molecular weights. The markers used were two polyethyleneglycols, 14C and 3H labelled (14C-PEG MW 4000 and 3H-PEG MW 900) and 3H-sucrose. The ECSs for the mucosal and serosal sides have been separately determined throughout the time course, and it has been found that the two spaces are identical when PEG 4000 was used but the serosal ECS is almost the double when using PEG 900. The serosal ECS determined with sucrose is four times as big as the mucosal ECS. It seems reasonable to conclude that the best marker for the measure of total apparent ECS is sucrose, placed in the serosal compartment, taking into account that the mucosal ECS is four times smaller than the serosal one. All the markers used reach equilibrium with ECS, more rapidly in the mucosal than in the serosal ECS. Finally, by comparing cell water and cell Na concentrations, one observes that there is a statistical difference between the results obtained by using PEG 4000 as an extracellular marker and those obtained with sucrose.


The effects of pressure on the water permeability of the descending limb of Henle's loops of rabbits. Descending limbs of Henle's loops from rabbits were perfused in vitro. Using techniques where the collecting pipets permitted cannulation of the tubule, we were able to maintain reasonable flow rates at lower perfusion reservoir heights than are required with a conventional "Sylgard seal" pipet. The bath was either isosmotic to the perfusate, or was made 300 mOsm hyperosmotic using urea. Net water reabsorption did not occur in tubules perfused at low pressure (average reservoir height = 26 cm H2O) even when the bath was hyperosmotic: delta Jv = -0.06 +/- 0.18 nl/min (n = 7). Observed increases in sodium concentration and osmolality of collected fluid, when the bath was made hyperosmotic, were 16 +/- 8 mM (n - 7) and 254 +/- 38 mOsm (n = 7), respectively. Presumably the large increase in osmolality of the collected fluid was due to entrance of urea. When the "Sylgard seal" collecting end was utilized higher perfusion reservoir heights had to be used to maintain flow (mean height 66 cm H2O). These tubules were highly permeable to water as reported by others for this tubule segment. In the presence of a hyperosmotic bath water extrusion resulted in a dramatic increase in the osmolality of the collected fluid (312 +/- 5 mOsm; 7 tubules) which was almost completely accounted for by an increase in sodium concentration (153 +/- 8 mmole/l; 6 tubules). The 14C urea permeability (measured lumen to bath) of descending limbs in a 300 mOsm bath was 0.64 x 10(-7) cm2 . s-1 +/- 0.23 x 10(-7) (11 tubules). When the bath was made hyperosmotic using urea or raffinose the 14C urea permeability increased significantly.


Renal blood flow distribution at varying perfusion pressure in the alloperfused dog kidney. Tissue blood flow (TBF), its percent distribution and glomerular blood flow (GBF) were measured using labelled microspheres 15 micrometer in diameter (M) and chicken red blood cells (CRBC) at perfusion pressures (PP) of 17.3, 12.8 and 8.0 kPa (130, 95 and 60 mm Hg) in isolated alloperfused dog kidneys. Renal blood flow (RBF) was never interrupted during the isolation. Experiments with M showed a marked inequality of the tissue blood flow in different parts of the renal cortex at a constant PP of 17.3 kPa. TBF was highest in the outermost quarter and lowest in the juxtamedullary one. Using CRBC, a homogeneous TBF was observed in the outer 3/4 of the renal cortex with a lower flow in the innermost quarter. With M, a typical percent "redistribution" of TBF and GBF into the inner cortical regions was indicated during PP reduction. With CRBC, this phenomenon was observed only at PP below the range of RBF autoregulation (8.0 kPa) and was much less conspicuous than with M. The smaller size and higher elasticity of CRBC as compared with M, may result in a more realistic reflection of cortical blood flow distribution. The GBF of outermost superficial glomeruli decreases, even with CRBC, with each PP reduction, the difference exhibiting only a 5% significance level. The lower limit of BF autoregulation in these glomeruli seems to be somewhat higher than that of total RBF autoregulation.


Autoregulation of superficial nephron function in the alloperfused dog kidney. Isolated dog kidneys were each pump-perfused by another dog during 4 experimental periods at perfusion pressures (PP) of 21, 17, 13, and 8 kPa, resp. (i.e. 160, 130, 94, and 60 mm Hg). At the 3 highest PP values, the total kidney renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were perfectly autoregulated while at the lowest value both values were significantly lowered. No significant difference was observed between the single nephron GFR (SNGFR) of periods 1 and 2; in period 3 (PP = 13 kPa) a lower value was observed (P less than 0.05). Free flow pressure in proximal convolution (FFP), stop-flow pressure (SFP), and peritubular capillary pressure (PCP) were not different in period 2 than in period 1, but were significantly lower in period 3 (P = 0.02--0.05). Effective filtration pressure (EFP) was the highest in period 1, decreasing significantly with decreasing PP. Filtration pressure equilibrium was observed in period 4 at PP 8 kPa. Total blood flow resistance (RT) fell with decreasing PP, the drop being due to a steep decline in afferent resistance (RA). Efferent resistance (RE) increased as PP decreased. Ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) rose with declining PP both within and outside the autoregulatory range. The results indicate that the lower limit of autoregulation is higher in superficial nephrons than in the whole kidney.


Exogenous and endogenous stimulations during different phases of pancreatic secretion in conscious rats. The effects of stepwise increasing doses of intravenous caerulein, secretin, urecholine and intraduodenal oleic acid were investigated in conscious rats. a) Basal water, bicarbonate, and protein secretion significantly augmented after diversion of pancreatic juice. On the basis of protein secretory pattern of basal secretion 3 stable stages have been recognised: 1. The most physiological basal stage during return of pancreatic juice. 2. The first, highly elevated plateau from the 4th to 7th 30-min period after diversion of pancreatic juice. 3. The second, delayed and less elevated plateau after 270 min. b) The following patterns of stimulated secretion were observed: 1. Caerulein stimulated protein and bicarbonate secretion during return of juice and the first plateau but it failed to elicit a significant response during the second, delayed plateau. 2. Secretin and urecholine showed similar protein responses during return of pancreatic juice but after diversion, they stimulated water and bicarbonate secretion only. 3. During the second plateau oleic acid stimulation resulted in a significant increase in water and bicarbonate secretion but no significant increase occured in protein output. The delayed inhibition of protein secretion, previously described in our laboratory, was unchanged. 4. Supramaximal doses of exogenous stimuli caused an inhibition in pancreatic secretion.


Measurements of the perivascular PO2 in the vicinity of the pial vessels of the cat. PO2's in the environment of the pial micro-vessels of the cat were measured using recessed tip oxygen microelectrodes. Measurements were made on the surface of vessels with internal diameters ranging from 200 micrometers to 22 micrometers. Blood oxygen partial pressures were also measured inside these vessels by penetrating the vessels with sharpened electrodes. Both intravascular and extravascular PO2 values decreased progressively from the large arterial vessels down to the small arterioles. The observed values of intravascular PO2 showed a systematic longitudinal decrease from 98.5 +/- 10.7 (SEM) mm Hg in the largest vessels down to 72.6 +/- 3.6 mm Hg in the smallest vessels. In addition to the longitudinal gradient, a transmural gradient was observed across the walls of the microvessels. The difference between blood PO2 and vessel surface PO2 was 27.0 +/- 2.5 mm Hg in the largest vessels and 6.0 +/- 2.2 in the smallest. The mean wall thickness in these groups of vessels were 27.0 +/- 1.5 and 7.5 +/- 0.8 micrometers respectively. Measurements of the minimum tissue PO2 on the exposed surface of the cortex yielded a value of 25.4 +/- 6.6 mm Hg. Systemic arterial partial pressure of oxygen averaged 94.7 +/- 4.7 mm Hg. The data indicate that significant gradients for oxygen exist both longitudinally and radially in association with the pial vessels. The longitudinal gradients represent losses of oxygen from the precapillary vessels. The transmural gradients are apparently the result of both consumption by the microvessel wall and diffusional gradients due to oxygen flux into the extravascular space.


Interaction of adenosine and its phosphorylated derivatives with putative purinergic receptors in the gill vascular bed of rainbow trout. 1. The haemodynamic responses of trout gill to pulses of adenosine and related nucleotides were recorded in isolated trout head preparations. 2. Pulses of adenosine and related nucleotides induced a vasoconstriction of arterial gill vessels. Theophylline antagonized the resonse to adenosine but had not influence on its metabolism. 3. Dipyridamole and two adenosine deaminase inhibitors [deoxycoformycin and erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine] had no effect on either the haemodynamic response of adenosine or its deamination and its uptake by gill tissues. 4. The adenosine response was neither mediated by cholinergic nor adrenergic receptors. 5. These results suggest the existence of extracellular "purinergic receptors" in the gills of trout.


A comparison of the stimulus-response curves of aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors in decerebrated cats. Recordings of total nerve activity suggested differences in the sensitivities and working ranges between aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors. This result however, conflicts with single fibre studies from isolated receptor zones. Thus it appeared of some interest to compare the function curves of aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors in the intact animal. This was achieved by comparing the response characteristics of two groups of aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors in decerebrated cats. One smaller group consisted of 11 receptor pairs, each member of the pair being studied simultaneneously in the same cat, and a larger group consisting of 98 aortic and 49 carotid sinus baroreceptors studied independently of each other. The response of each receptor to wide pressure variations was recorded by inflating and deflating an intraaortic catheter tip balloon. Function curves were derived by plotting receptor discharge in terms of spikes per second against mean aortic pressure. No significant differences were found either in the slope of the function curves or their mean pressures at minimum activity, the latter appearing to be set by the working blood pressure level. Thus it was concluded that aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors differ neither in their sensitivities nor in their working ranges when in their physiological environment.


Effects of glucose and ouabain on transepithelial electrical resistance and cell volume in stripped and unstripped goldfish intestine. 1. In goldfish intestine (perfused unstripped segments and mucosal strips) the serosal addition of ouabain (10(-4) M) resulted in a vanishment of the transepithelial potential difference and in a continuous increase in transepithelial resistance. 2. Incubation of mucosal strips with ouabain resulted in an increase in sodium content which was greater than the decrease in potassium content. The resulting increase in cation content was accompanied by an increase in chloride content and an increase in water content. 3. Histological examination showed that exposure to ouabain resulted in a swelling of the epithelial layer as compared to the control situation. 4. The ouabain induced resistance increase is greater in the presence of glucose, 3-OMG or fructose than in the presence of mannitol. Phlorizin (10(-4) M) inhibits the extra resistance increase induced by mucosal glucose but is without effect on the fructose induced extra resistance increase. The initial velocity and the magnitude of the glucose induced extra resistance increase depends on the glucose concentration. 5. The results suggest that in goldfish intestine ouabain induces cellular swelling with a concomitant collapse of the lateral intercellular spaces, which is the cause of the increased transepithelial resistance. The additional changes in resistance induced by sugars suggest that the cell membrane is more permeable to glucose, 3-OMG and fructose than to mannitol. The resulting changes in osmotically active material within the epithelial cell influence the cross-sectional area and consequently the conductivity of the paracellular shunt pathway. The hypothesis that these sugars do not induce a resistance change in the absence of ouabain is discussed.


A slow-release technique for inducing prolonged paralysis by tetrodotoxin. A technique is described for the slow-release of tetrodotoxin in peripheral nerves using a constriction capillary. The capillary, which was implanted under the epineurium of the sciatic nerve, released tetrodotoxin from a 25 micrometer pore. Nerve block was complete after approximately 20 min and lasted 6--9 days. Replacement of the capillary enabled paralysis of the rat hindlimb to be maintained for periods of 21 days and longer. Studies with radioactively labelled compounds demonstrated that the efflux rate from the capillary was dependent on the size of the pore and the relative molecular mass of the compound.


A kinetic model for the muscarinic action of acetylcholine. The timecourse of the membrane hyperpolarization evoked by stimulation of postganglionic parasympathetic nerve endings in isolated atria from the guinea-pig heart is mainly governed by two exponentials, one describing most of the rising phase (rate constant k alpha = 2.88+/-1.135 s-1) and one which completely describes the decline of the response (k beta = 0.58+/-0.31 s-1). An exact description of the muscarinic receptor mediated potential change, which also allows for its apparent latency and its s-shaped beginning, is found if two additional faster exponentials are introduced. In agreement with earlier results a model of four consecutive reactions is presented. It is concluded that during muscarinic cholinergic transmission reactions subsequent to binding of the ACh-molecules to the receptor are rate-limiting.


[Female hyperprolactinaemia. 19 cases (author's transl)]. The authors were able to confirm the ineffectiveness of vitamin B6. The correction of hyperprolactinaemia by bromocriptine restored ovarian function immediately, or after the failure of surgical treatment. It would still be premature to determine the exact place of surgery in this type of pathology.


Atropine stereotypy and its inhibition by intracaudate triperidol in the rat. One component (rearing) of the stereotyped behavior of the rat was quantitated using erigometer, a new device developed in this laboratory. Intraperitoneal injection of atropine, but not methylatropine, caused dose-related stereotyped behavior in the rat and this effect was antagonized by intracaudate injection of triperidol in a dose-related manner. It is concluded that stereotypy can be evoked also in the case when the striatal dopaminergic tone is normal or even below normal: it is the equilibrium of the striatal cholinergic-dopaminergic systems which must be shifted towards dopamine, which is necessary for the development of this behavioral manifestation.


Behavioral effects and cerebral pharmacokinetics of apomorphine in the rat: dependence upon the route of administration. Effect of the route of administration and satiation on behavioral effects of apomorphine and its pharmacokinetics in the brain was studied in the rat. The highest brain concentration and the strongest behavioral response (gnawing) were observed after a subcutaneous injection of the drug to fasted rats. Intraperitoneal injections produced a more rapid onset of apomorphine action, but lower cerebral concentration of the drug. Intracerebroventricular injections produced a weak effect. Apomorphine administered systemically was eliminated from the brain according to equations for a two-compartment model; the possibility that the long half-time compartment represents the receptor bound apomorphine is discussed. After intracerebroventricular injections apomorphine was eliminated according to equations for the one-compartment open model: the elimination of the drug from the cerebrospinal fluid to circulation was rapid (half-time approx. 9 min).


Influence of lesion of the median raphe nucleus on motility and dopamine turnover. Both the spontaneous locomotor activity and the locomotor activity stimulated by apomorphine are enhanced in raphe lesioned animals. The exploratory activity does not show clearcut differences. After unilateral microinjection of dopamine into dopaminergic areas intensity of rotation and dominance of direction are amplified in lesioned animals. Other regions fail to evoke asymmetric or enhanced motoric reactions. The sensitivity of the dopaminergic system of raphe lesioned animals is increased too against unspecific stimulation, but with less strong dominance of direction. The general enhancement of motor activity reflects the inhibitory influence of the serotonergic system. In parallel to the change of behavior we observed a moderate increase of dopamine content connected with an accelerated turnover in lesioned animals.


Interaction of fibrinopeptides A and B with dopaminergic receptors in central nervous system. The effect of fibrinopeptides A and B (FAB) on the action of compounds affecting the dopaminergic receptors in central nervous system (CNS) of rats was investigated. These peptides given intraperitoneally (ip) or intraventricularly (ivc) exerted dose-dependent stimulatory effects on the CNS: Enhanced the apomorphine and amphetamine-induced stereotypies and reduced the catalepsy induced by haloperidol. FAB depressed the dopamine level, especially when given together with alpha-MT, and elevated the level of homovanillic acid in the striatum. The results suggest that the stimulatory effects of FAB depend on their interaction with dopaminergic receptors in the CNS.


[Andrological characteristics in males with X-chromosomal pathology]. The authors examined 32 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome: 21 with chromatine-positive (the 1st group), 11 with chromatine-negative (the 2nd group). In contrast to the patients of the 2nd group an altered karyotype was revealed in patients of the 1st group (47/XXY, 46XY/47XXY, 48XXXY/49XXXXY). Hormonal examination revelaed hypoandrogenia with a relative hyperestrogenuria in the majority of the patients of the 1st and 2nd groups. However, patients of the 2nd group displayed a greater preservation of the reserve testicular function. Further clinical, endocrinological and cytogenetic studies of the Klinefelter's syndrome is necessary for its differential diagnosis and correction.


[Aldosterone and progesterone content and blood renin activity in women with idiopathic edema syndrome in various phases of menstrual cycle]. Aldosterone and progesterone content and renin activity were studied by the radioimmunological method in women with the idiopathic edema syndrome and in healthy women in various phases of the menstrual cycle. The most significant differences were revealed in the luteinic phase of the cycle. A parallel elevation of the renin activity and of the aldosterone level against the background of a high progesterone level occurred in healthy women at this phase. Patients showed greater increase in the aldosterone level with the reduction of renin activity and a low progesteron level. Hyperaldosteronism was observed in patients with the idiopathic edema syndrome in all the phases of the cycle. It is suggested that an excessive elevation of the aldosterone level and a decrease in the progesterone level in the luteinic phase of the cycle could served as one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of the edema syndrome formation.


[Effect of glucocorticoids on the level of transcortin-like cytoplasmic receptors]. Experiments were conducted on intact, adrenalectomized and stress-subjected male Wistar rats; the level of transcortin-like cytosol receptors of the lungs heart, kidneys, and the liver was studied by means of 3H-corticosterone and solid-phase sorption. The level of transcortin-like receptors in the cytosol of various tissues in intact rats had the following declining sequence; the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver. In stress the level of transcortin-like receptors in the tissue cytosol displayed a sharp reducion, although the sequence characteristic of intact animals persisted. In adrenalectomized rats stress induced no significant fall in the content of transcortin-like receptors in the tissue cytosol, whereas intraperitoneal administration of cortisol to adrenalectomized rats decreased the level of these receptors. A hypothesis was put forward on the antistress action of transcortin-like cytoplasm receptors.


The effect of external stimulus change on ethanol-produced dissociation. Rats which were subjected to aversive Pavlovian conditioning while in a state of ethanol-produced intoxication showed significantly less conditioned suppression of water drinking in the non-drugged state only if the external stimulus situation was also changed between conditioning and testing. This interaction between internal and external stimulus change supports a generalization-decrement explanation of drug-produced dissociation of memory. The number of conditioning trials was also manipulated, but this variable had no significant effect on the conditioned responses. In a second experiment, ethanol injections were given again shortly before testing. This treatment caused a normal degree of conditioned drinking suppression in rats conditioned in the ethanol state, indicating that state-dependent learning was responsible for the conditioned response deficit seen in the first experiment. The dissociation was asymmetrical since rats injected with ethanol before testing only showed a high degree of conditioned suppression.


[Endocrine function of the ovaries of blue foxes (Alopex ladopus) during postnatal ontogenesis]. Progesterone, androgen and estradiol levels in the blood plasma were radioimmunologically studied in female Alopex lagopus aged 2 to 9 months with different weight at birth. The blood sex steroid level showed a sharp elevation at the age of 4 months. The weight gain stops by this time. Thus, by the age of 4 months in females the sexual system becomes mature. From the age of 5 to 8 months there is a fall of the blood sex hormones, corresponding to anestrus, and by the age of 9 months there is a significant rise in the level of sex hormones pointing to activation of the ovarian function by the reproductive season. Large females had a tendency to earlier sexual maturation in comparison with the small ones. Since in the female animals of the species under study two peaks of sexual hormone concentration were revealed in the course of a year it is suggested that at the preceding evolutional stages representatives of the family were capable of reproducing twice a year.


A comparison of the effects of acute and subacute administration of beta-phenylethylamine and d-amphetamine on mouse killing behavior of rats. beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA) is an endogenous amine that in some instances acts biochemically and behaviorally like amphetamine. In the present experiments, the effects of PEA on mouse killing by rats were compared and constrasted with the effects of d-amphetamine on this behavior. When given acutely to experienced mouse killing rats, PEA (16 and 32 mg/kg) inhibited killing in a direct dose dependent manner. This is similar to the dose dependent inhibition of killing by amphetamine reported previously. However, d-amphetamine but not PEA showed physiologic tolerance following 8 days of twice daily administration. Cross tolerance between the two drugs only occurred when d-amphetamine was administered subacutely. It was concluded that PEA and d-amphetamine have sililar acute effects but differed when given subacutely since PEA did not show tolerance and there was not bidirectional cross-tolerance. These data suggest that these drugs have different pharmacologic actions when given repeatedly. One possible difference may be the duration of action.


The involvement of interoceptive factors in the maintenance of heroin-seeking behavior. The role of interoceptive stimuli in conditioned heroin-seeking behavior was investigated using forty-two naive male Wistar rats. A 21-day Phase I period in which 28 animals self-injected heroin in saline solution was followed by a 5-day Phase II period in which 7 animals were allowed access to the original solution; 7 animals were allowed access to saline only; 7 animals were allowed access to distilled water; and 7 animals were allowed no access to any solution. Results showed that only the heroin and (heroin-associated) saline groups shows a significant difference in operant rate compared to animals that had been continually exposed to saline only. It was concluded that heroin-seeking behavior was maintained in the (heroin-associated) saline group as a result of physiological conditioning following repeated association of saline with heroin.


Memory storage impairment or retrieval failure: pharmacologically distinguishable processes. The effects of reserpine and syrosingopine on retention of a passive avoidance task in mice were investigated. Following repeated exposure to the training apparatus, the amnesia induced with syrosingopine could be reversed, the amnesia induced with reserpine could not. The amnesia produced by these agents was still evident 35 days following training. The results were discussed in terms of the effects of these drugs on memory consolidation and/or retrieval.


Annual differences in daily variations in hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activity and plasma hormone levels in the rat. Daily variations in hepatic drug metabolism and in plasma corticosterone and insulin levels were examined at monthly intervals over the duration of 1 year. Annual differences were observed in the basal levels of all parameters. Consistent daily variations were observed only in plasma corticosterone levels, whereas daily variations in each of the other parameters occurred inconsistently over the year with significant variations being found in ethylmorphine metabolism and insulin levels only five times, and in aniline metabolism, six times. These data show that daily variations in the parameters examined do not occur in a regular manner.


Corpus luteum susceptibility to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) luteolysis in hysterectomized prepuberal and mature gilts. The susceptibility of induced corpora lutea (CL) of prepuberal gilts and spontaneously formed CL of mature gilts to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) luteolysis was studied. Prepuberal gilts (120 to 130 days of age) were induced to ovulate with Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). The day following HCG was designated as Day 0. Mature gilts which had displayed two or more estrous cycles of 18 to 22 days were used (onset of estrus = Day 0). Gilts were laparotomized on Day 6 to 9, their CL marked with sterile charcoal and totally hysterectomized. On Day 20, gilts were injected IM with either distilled water (DW), 2.5 mg PGF2 alpha or 5.0 mg PGF2 alpha. An additional group of prepuberal gilts was injected with 1.25 mg PGF2 alpha, a dose of PGF2 alpha equivalent, on a per kilogram body weight basis, to the 2.5 mg PGF2 alpha dose given to the mature gilts. The percentages of luteal regression on Day 27 to 30 for mature and prepuberal gilts given DW, 2.5 mg PGF2 alpha and 5.0 mg PGF2 alpha were 0.0 vs 4.4, 43.5 vs 96.8 and 47.7 vs 91.6, respectively; the percentage of luteal regression for the prepuberal gilts given 1.25 mg PGF2 alpha was 75.1. These results indicate that induced CL of the prepuberal gilt were more susceptible to PGF2 alpha luteolysis than spontaneously formed CL of the mature gilt and that pregnancy failure in the prepuberal gilt could be due to increased susceptibility of induced CL to the natural luteolysin.


The effect of doxorubicin on hepatic and cardiac glutathione. The effect of the antitumor antibiotic doxorubicin on glutathione and glutathione disulfide levels in mouse heart and liver has been evaluated. The glutathione content of hepatic and cardiac tissue from saline-treated controls exhibited a statistically significant diurnal variation. Doxorubicin administration produced a dose-related decrease in hepatic glutathione which was not blocked by pretreatment with the free radical scavenger alpha-tocopherol; a lesser drop in cardiac glutathione was also documented. These changes may play an important role in the metabolism and toxicity of doxorubicin.


A simple ballistocardiographic measure (IJ/HI amplitude ratio) in relation to electrocardiographic evidence of ischaemic heart disease. A series of eighteen monozygotic and thirteen dizygotic twin pairs originally selected in 19=7--1968 because of the presence of symptoms of ischemic heart disease in at least one of the pair members was subjected to after examination including ultra-low frequency ballistocardiography. The ratio between IJ and HI amplitudes in the ballistocardiogram was used as an index of myocardial mechanical function. The IJ/HI ratio had a repeatability coefficient of 0.82 before and/or after psychiatric interview. The mean ratio did not change significantly after psychiatric interview. The measure was demonstrated to be independent of height, weight, age, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and negatively correlated with a measure of somatic anxiety. The ratio was highly significantly correlated with electrocardiographic evidence of ischemic heart disease. The IJ/HI ratio showed a better discrimination than qualitative readings according to Starr and furthermore has the advantage of providing a continuous measure. The ratio seemed to be more influenced by the functional state of the myocardium than by genetic factors.


Development of sequence specific radioimmunoassay of human parathyroid hormone and its use in the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism. Two antisera which were raised against bovine parathyroid hormone (bPTH), and which cross-reacted with the human hormone, have been characterized. The antisera which originated from rooster and guinea-pig, were found to contain several populations of antibodies directed against both N-terminal and C-terminal sequences of the hormone. However, at proper dilutions the rooster antiserum did not bind the N-terminal fragment nor could this fragment displace the [125I] bPTH (1--84 amino acid residue) from binding to the antiserum. Furthermore, preincubation experiments with excess N-terminal fragment showed only a negligible reduction in maximal binding of the iodinated intact hormone using the rooster antiserum. In contrast, the guinea-pig antiserum reacted equally well with the N-terminal fragment and the intact hormone, and preincubation with this fragment reduced the binding of the [125I]bPTH (1--84 amino acid residues) by 75%. Gel filtration of hyperparathyroid serum on Bio-Gel P-60 showed immunoreactive material which was measured with both antisera, eluting at a position similar to the intact hormone. However, in the C-terminal specific, but not in the N-terminal specific radioimmunoassay the major component eluted together with or somewhat earlier than the N-terminal bPTH fragment (1--34 amino acid residue), and this peak represented more than 90% of total immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) in serum. This major iPTH component must therefore represent fragment(s) with intact carboxy-terminal sequences. The N-terminal specific radioimmunoassay was unable to measure iPTH in about 80--90% of healthy individuals while the C-terminal specific assay detected iPTH in about 88% of these sera (equal to or above 0.1 micrograms/l). Similarly, the N-terminal specific antiserum measured consistently lower serum iPTH concentrations in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In thirty-four out of forty-one patients with surgically verified primary hyperparathyroidism, serum iPTH concentrations equal to or above 0.60 micrograms/l were demonstrated using the C-terminal, specific radioimmunoassay.


The human body louse egg--correlative study of anatomy by SEM and light microscopy. SEM and correlative light microscopy of the developing egg of the human body louse reveals a complicated aeropyle system within the operculum important for gaseous exchange. With SEM the opened nit shows three new structures: one, latch-like; a second, ellipsoid with spikes; and a third, pad-like with two parallel rows of pores. They are part of the surface membranes covering the developing embryo. The relationship of the pad-like structure to the ellipsoid structure with spikes is seen by tilting the specimen. The light microscopy findings help to understand the relationship of these structures, which to separate at the time of hatching. A theoretical model is proposed for the hatching mechanism. The latch consists of a clasp on a stalk which may act as a hinged lock when the operculum opens outward. The ellipsoid with spikes and pad appears to separate when the vitelline membrane is ruptured at the time of hatching.


Scanning electron microscopy of Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris infection in mice. An epizootic disease characterized by failure to gain weight, lethargy, enteropathy, and death developed in weanlings from a production colony of NIH/Nmri CV mice. Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of the intestine revealed large numbers of protozoan parasites identified as Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris. The extensive, entangled mass of organisms in the intestinal lumen enveloped the villi and continued deep within the crypts of Lieberkühn. Inflammation and significant intestinal lesions were not observed. The scanning electron microscopic appearance of the small intestine in spironucleosis gives credence to a pathogenesis of malabsorption with subsequent, severe malnutrition and death in weanling mice.


Membrane events of fertilization in the sea urchin. Four important events of fertilization in the sea urchin are: 1) the acrosome reaction of the sperm, 2) sperm-egg fusion, 3) the cortical reaction of the egg, and 4) the formation of the fertilization coat. The acrosome reaction is triggered by contact of the sperm with the jelly coat, a complex extracellular matrix surrounding the egg. This causes rapid fluxes of ions, fusion of the acrosome membrane with the plasma membrane, and extension of the acrosomal filament. The acrosome membrane inserted into thesperm plasma membrane covers the acrosomal filament and contacts the plasma membrane of the egg to initiate sperm-egg fusion. One consequence of sperm-egg fusion is insertion of the sperm plasma membrane into the egg plasma membrane, producing a mosaic patch. The sperm components inserted persist in development and can be identified by quantitative methods after gastrulation. Another consequence of sperm-egg fusion is the cortical reaction in which thousands of vesicles fuse with the egg surface, thereby adding their membranes to the egg plasma membrane and releasing their contents upon the egg surface. This results in an approximate doubling of the amount of membrane on the egg surface in a few seconds and produces a mosaic topography. The excess surface membrane is accommodated by elongation of egg microvilli. The cortical reaction causes a detachment of the egg glycocalyx or vitelline membrane, and this layer is elevated from the egg surface. Contents of the cortical granules combine with and alter the vitelline membrane by a hardening reaction to produce the fertilization coat. Hardening involves a peroxidase-mediated tyrosine crosslinking, requiring a burst of oxygen consumption by the egg to generate hydrogen peroxide and resulting in chemiluminescence. These events are followed by activation of metabolic processes in the egg and changes which protect the egg against polyspermy.


Complement consumption in the diagnosis of pigeon breeders' disease. Two laboratory techniques have been applied for the diagnosis and follow-up of pigeon breeders' disease, viz. detection of precipitins against specific antigens from pigeon droppings and assays of human haemolytic complement (huC) consumption by pigeon dropping antigens. A simple laboratory test of huC consumption by pigeon antigens is described, revealing high huC sensitivity in almost all sera of pigeon breeders with manifest or former disease. False-positive results were seldom observed. Discontinuation of antigen exposure and/or corticosteroid therapy had no effect on the huC consumption level in the test system, despite precipitin titres falling below the level of detection. Titration studies revealed an initial decrease of the huC-consuming serum factors, but titres settled at a definite constant level, even after antigen avoidance for many years. Combined application of both the precipitin test and the huC consumption test appears to be a good procedure for the laboratory diagnosis of pigeon breeders' disease.


[Development of narcotics consumption in adolescents 19 and 20 years old. A comparison in the canton of Zurich 1971, 1974 and 1978]. In 1971, 1974 and 1978 representative samples of 19/20-year-old males and females in the Canton of Zurich (Switzerland) answered identical questionnaires on consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. It was thus possible to analyze changes in consumption habits for alcohol, tobacco and drugs by young adults. Consumption patterns changed differently for males and females, with a tendency for females to approach the same levels as males. The number of persons who had been drunk at least once nearly doubled; among men to 68% (as compared to 41% in 1971) and among females to 44% (21%). However, the number of heavy alcohol consumers did not change greatly. The number of cigarette smoking males decreased markedly to 42% (compared to 55%) and is now similar to that of females (43%/41%). The consumption of drugs did not change strikingly. The number of females consuming marijuana increased slightly from 13% to 17%, whereas that of males decreased slightly to 20% (23%). This can be explained by the lower proportion of males with only 1--10 marijuana experiences. The social context of drug consumption shows greater changes than the mere number of consumers: the age of the first drug experience is now considerably lower while differences in drug contact by region or by social strata show a tendency to disappear, with the sole exception of persons without occupational training who now show extremely high drug experiences. It is therefore assumed that drug consumption is no longer a means of self-experience but rather a form of evasive behavior.


Structure and regeneration of the planarian basal lamina: an ultrastructural study. The structure and regeneration of the planarian subepidermal basement membrane or basal lamina have been electron microscopically examined, particularly in relation to the changes of extracellular products at the wounded area. The intact basal lamina consists of three structural elements; namely, an electron-lucent zone, a limiting layer and a microfibrillar layer. Ultrastructural changes during wound healing have suggested that the amorphous material secreted in the interspace between the epidermal cells and blastema contains precursors of the basal lamina. Within the amorphous zone two distinct phases of the basal lamina regeneration are observed: one is a reconstitution of the limiting layer and the other is a polymerization of the microfibrils. The limiting layer arises from areas subjacent to newly developed hemidesmosomes of epidermal cells. The unit microfibrils are formed from an accumulation of the precursors through transitional smaller microfibrils. At the late stage, individual mature microfibrils are regularly lined with the limiting layer and cell membranes of the newly differentiated muscle fibres. On the basis of these observations we suggest that the planarian basal lamina is regenerated by the interaction between epidermal cells and myoblasts.


Ultrastructural observations on the granular leucocytes of the tuatara Sphenodon punctatus (Gray). The granular leucocytes of an active, mature female tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus (Gray) were examined in the electron microscope. Eosinophils contained a lobulated nucleus, homogeneous, dense, irregularly shaped granules, assorted smaller granular inclusions, mitochondria and beta-glycogen. Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes and ribosomes were scanty. Immature neutrophils (myelocytes) were regular in outline and contained a compact nucleus. In the adjacent centrosomal region were paired centrioles with connected microtubules, and Golgi complexes. Ovoid electron-dense granules, mitochondria, lipid droplets and numerous microfilaments arranged randomly or in bundles, lay in the cytoplasm. Mature neutrophils were often highly irregular in outline, had a segmented nucleus and contained possibly a second type of granular inclusion. The basophils were regular in outline with a compact nucleus. Numerous ovoid homogeneous, electron-dense granules, mitochondria, beta-glycogen particles and some microfilaments were seen in the cytoplasm. The granules in many basophils appeared 'altered' or degenerate and most of these contained microtubules. The cytology of the granulocytes of the tuatara is compared with that in other vertebrates.


Follicle formation in the embryonic chick thyroid. III. Initiation of follicle formation. It has been proposed that the follicular spaces in the thyroid form by either the coalescence of intracellular droplets or by separation of cell apices by secretion into the extracellular space. On the basis of examination of thyroid primordia in early chick embryos this study provides evidence that in the chick, at least, follicle formation conforms to the second model. The first indications of change in the chick thyroid is the appearance of interdigitations of the cell apices. These interdigitations form microvilli as the two surfaces become separated and the follicular space is established. Vesicles with two types of contents can be identified in proximity with the cell surface during follicle formation, but it is not clear if either the dense particulate or the more electron-lucid materials that they contain actually enter the follicular space. Neither removal of the pituitary gland by decapitation nor inhibition of collagen synthesis and a concomitant failure of the invasion of capsular mesenchyme prevents the initiation of normal follicle formation.


[Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis of the breast]. An analysis of the own material and of literature data permits to note alterations in the clinical course of mammary gland tuberculosis, which is the manifestation of tuberculosis pathomorphism under modern conditions. The lesion of the mammary gland is most commonly an isolated disease. This interferes with the differential diagnosis between tuberculous mastitis and tumors of the mammary gland and supports the opinion that the spreading of infection from other old tuberculous foci via hematogenic path plays the main part in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis of the mammary gland.


[Estrus induction in sheep injected with colostrum at different phases of the sexual cycle]. Investigations on the mechanism of colostrum effect in sheep sex apparatus stimulation were carried out. The experiments included 57 sheep, 10 of them used as a check and the remaining 47 distributed in four treatment groups and injected with colostrum at various phases of the sex cycle. It was established that the effectiveness of injecting cow colostrum on sheep with the aim of inducing synchronous oestrus during the regular reproduction season depends on the sex cycle phase at which the injection takes place. The effectiveness is higher in case injection is performed during the second half of dioestrum. The induced synchronous oestrus of sheep following colostrum injection is equivalent to the normal.


Distribution of four IgG Gm antigens in different experimental IgG samples. The distribution of four Gm antigens was determined in rivanol-soluble as well as in chromatographically obtained human IgG preparations. In rivanol-soluble IgG, enrichment in IgG3 carrying Gm5 antigen was demonstrated and, in a preparation fractionated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, molecules with a predominantly Gml-expressed antigen were shown to be present.


Formaldehyde-related antibodies in hemodialysis patients. In a study of anti-N-like antibodies, we tested sera from 93 hemodialysis patients for hemagglutination reactions with untreated and formaldehyde-treated reagent red blood cells. Six of 22 sera from patients who had been dialyzed with formaldehyde-sterilized membranes had anti-N-like activity and 20 (91%) specifically agglutinated formaldehyde-treated red blood cells. Sera from 71 patients dialyzed with disposable membranes neither had anti-N-like activity nor agglutinated formaldehyde-treated red blood cells. The agglutination of formaldehyde-treated red blood cells by sera from hemodialysis patients was unrelated to MNU phenotypes and, therefore, identified a second serologic specificity, provisionally termed "anti-formaldehyde." "Anti-formaldehyde" was absorbed by and eluted from NN red blood cells as well as from formaldehyde-treated red blood cells regardless of MNU phenotype. All eluates and sera containing anti-N-like activity also agglutinated formaldehyde-treated red blood cells, typically after the addition of anti-human serum. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that anti-N-like reactions of hemodialysis patients' sera represent cross reactions of formaldehyde related antibodies with N antigens of normal red blood cells.


Reduced antibody response in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis with formaldehyde sterilized units. In an attempt to explain the relatively low incidence of antibody production seen in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis, sera from 200 patients were exposed to formaldehyde under conditions similar to those during dialysis. It was found that this procedure substantially reduced antibody titers, except when the initial titer was very high. The danger of missing low antibody titers after dialysis is pointed out.


[Keeping quality of hard boiled eggs].

[Keeping quality of hard boiled eggs]. Only a few and contradictory results are available on the storage stability of hard boiled eggs which are of considerable importance for institutional feeding. Therefore four storage experiments on about 500 hard boiled eggs each were carried out and chemical and sensorial changes occurring during storage investigated. The one-day-old eggs of the same origin were boiled for 17 minutes under standard conditions and subsequently stored in air at a relative humidity between 73 and 85% at 4 degrees C (experiment No. 1), at 20 degrees C (experiments No. 2 and 3) and in pure carbon dioxide at 20 degrees C (experiment No. 4). Immediately after boiling, the eggs used for experiments No. 3 were dipped into coloured resin for egg shells (natural Manila-Kopa; dissolved in ethanol and stained with "Acillantechtgrün). Losses in weight during storages were distincly lower in the lacquered eggs than in the non-lacquered samples otherwise treated in the same manner. The weight decrease caused by the loss of water was extraordinarily high in pure CO2 and is due mainly the the decrease of the pH in the egg whites caused by the uptake of CO2. A few days after boiling the concentration of the free amino acids reached approximately the same level in albumen and yolk and remained practically constant over the following 3 weeks. For the breakdown of lecithine in yolk determined according to Grossfeld and Peter, a "deterioration quotient" of 6, like in unboiled eggs, was fixed as the limit value for unspoiled condition. Accordingly a possible storage time of 3 to 4 weeks resulted for the eggs stored at 4 degrees C and for the eggs treated with stained resin. The non-lacquered eggs stored in air or in CO2 at 20 degrees C reached the critical value in about 10 days. From the vitamins A, B1 and B2 only vitamin A showed considerable losses during storage. On the basis of the microbiological (3) and chemical findings and of the sensorial evaluation of colour, consistency, odour and taste of egg whites and yolks, the following storage times were determined for eggs in the quality class "saleable" requiring an overall rating not lower than 6 (satisfactory): 14 to 16 days, for non-lacquered eggs stored at 4 degrees C and for lacquered eggs at 20 degrees C whereas 5 days were found to be the maximum storage time for untreated eggs stored at 20 degrees C. If boiled eggs are stored in pure carbon dioxide at 20 degrees C, a distinct quality loss is observed already after a few days.


Is the aeration of the lungs a reliable sign of live birth? One of the most important medico-legal questions is whether an infant was born alive or not. The aerated lungs do not mean in every case that the newborn had taken a breath. Under various conditions the aerated lungs may turn into unaerated ones and, on the other hand, a stillborn's lungs may seem aerated. The critical evaluation of the histological and macroscopical examinations may aid in solving the question.


[Effect of alcohol on cerebral cortex neurons]. Prevalent in the early period (10th--20th days) of experimental alcoholic intoxication were functional changes of the neurons and the dendrites with elements of compensatory character. With the progress of the pathological process (in 2,4,8,12, and 15 months) these functional changes gave more and more place to dystrophic and destructive ones. The following sequence of the dendrite structural changes was observed: a diminution of the number of impregnated spines, the loss of the spines, a convoluted pattern of the dendrites, a thinning of the dendrite branches with non-uniformity of their impregnation, appearance of "light fenestrae" along the dendrites. The damage of the dendrite structure plays an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic affections of the brain.


The influence of postnatal nutrition on lipoprotein lipase activity and hormone sensitive lipolysis in vitro of rat adipose tissue. In rats grown up in small and large nests the lipolytic activity of adipose tissue was studied in vitro in dependence on age. Independent of age and sex a significantly higher lipoprotein lipase activity as well as a lower basal or norepinephrine stimulated lipolysis and reesterification (absolute) occurred in rats from small nests compared with rats from large nests. The calculated degree of reesterification was independent of the nest size, but decreased from 80% to 30% from one month to one year of age. The marked differences in the lipolytic activities of adipose tissue emphasize the distinct influence of the post-natal nutrition on metabolic functions in the later life and lead to the conclusion that the metabolism of adipose tissue of animals from small nests is directed towards a long-term increased storage of lipids.


Platelet turnover and megakaryocytopoiesis in ITP. Among patients with ITP, a group of 9 subjects displayed a reduced platelet turnover. In their bone marrow the megakaryocyte mass was measured by 59Fe, and the results were referred to those of 6 patients with a moderately increased and of 6 with a considerably increased platelet turnover. In the low-turnover group the megakaryocyte nuclear lobe number was subnormal cells with basophil cytoplasm were in the majority and the number of megakaryocytes was increased, whereas in the other two groups of megakaryocite population showed a shift to the right, and increased nuclear lobe number, and the number of megakaryocytes, related to the erythroid cells, was increased. It is therefore assumed that in the case of a reduced platelet turnover, the megakaryocytes are damaged, primarily their maturation in the bone marrow. The three groups showed, however, no clinical differences.


Cardiac microstructure in female and male offspring of exercised rat mothers. The microstructure of the cardiac muscle in eight subgroups of female and male rats was investigated: exercised (EE) and control (EC) offspring of exercised mothers, and exercised (CE) and control (CC) offspring of control, inactive mothers. The differences between subgroups were subjected to variance analysis and multiple-range tests according to Duncan. There were no marked differences in total body weight and weight of the heart related to total body weight. A significant difference (highest values) was shown in the density of muscle fibers and capillaries in the offspring of exercised mothers, which was further potentiated by the additional exercise during postnatal life. Diffusion distance was significantly longer in CC animals; the other subgroups did not differ significantly. There were no significant differences in the reaction of female and male offspring both due to prenatal and postnatal exercise.


Characteristics of optic disc in healthy school children. The ophthalmoscopic features of the optic discs were studied in a series of 411 non-selected school children representing four age groups from 7 to 15 years. The distribution of the cup disc diameter ratios (C/D) showed that in the majority of the eyes (58.8%) the ratio was 0.2--0.3, independently of the age group. The highest ratio recorded, 0.7, was found in two eyes of the series. An asymmetry of 0.2 or more in the C/D ratios of the eyes was found in 5.2% of the children studied. The correlation between C/D ratio and the age or refraction was not statistically significant although C/D ratio of 0.4 or more was significantly commoner in myopia of -2.0 D. or more than in the other eyes. A preponderance of large C/D ratio was also found in children with a birth weight of 2500 g or less but the difference from the distribution in the total series was not significant. Cilioretinal arteries were detected in 17.7% of the eyes and in 27.3% of the subjects studied. In 8.1% of the children the condition was bilateral. In children with a birth weight of 2500 g or less cilioretinal arteries were found in more than half of the cases.


Do pre- and postchallenge small intestinal biopsies help to diagnose cow's milk protein intolerance? Twelve infants suspected of cow's milk protein intolerance were challenged with cow's milk after at least one month of cow's milk-free diet. The challenge was clinically positive in seven. Small intestinal biopsies were taken with a multipurpose capsule both pre- and postchallenge (at 24 h) in eight, prechallenge in three, and postchallenge in one. Two or three biopsy specimens were taken at the same time in 15 of the 20 biopsy occasions. The morphology of the mucosa could vary from normal to slight damage at the same biopsy occasion. No difference was found in morphology judged by light microscopy between pre- and postchallenged biopsies. Light microscopy of small intestinal biopsies taken before and at 24 h after milk challenge seems of doubtful value as a routine diagnostic means in cow's milk protein intolerance.


Smoking during pregnancy--hematological observations in the newborn. Hematological values were measured in 28 newborn infants of mothers smoking 10-20 cigarettes daily during pregnancy, and in 25 infants of non-smokers. Higher hematocrit levels were found on the 1st day of life in infants of smoking mothers (60.8 +/- 5.0%, mean +/- S.D.) compared to controls (57.5 +/- 4.8%) (p less than 0.05). The hematocrit levels correlated positively with the maternal smoking level (r = 0.318, p less than 0.05) and the maternal serum thiocyanate concentrations at delivery (r = 0.389, p less than 0.01). Cord serum values for erythropoietin, serum-iron, transferrin and ferritin showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. A significant inverse correlation was found between the hematocrit value on the 1st day of life and the cord serum ferritin concentration (r = -0.495, p less than 0.005). The present results suggest that maternal smoking stimulates fetal erythropoiesis, probably through a hypoxic effect on the fetus, dose related to the maternal smoking level. Increased erythropoiesis may cause increased iron incorporation into erythrocytes at expense of iron storage in the bone marrow and reticuloendothelial system.


A comparison of twins for degree of closeness and field dependency. An examination of Witkin's construct of field dependency was undertaken with a sample of adolescent twin pairs to determine if the degree of closeness in twin relationships would be reflected in the twins' degree of field dependency. Sixteen pairs of monozygotic (MZ) adolescent male twins and the same number of dizygotic (DZ) same-sexed male twins were administered three measures: Nichols and Bilbro's (1966) zygosity questionnaire, Paluszny and Beit Hallahmi's (1974) semantic differential measure of closeness, and Jackson's (1956) short form of the Embedded Figures Test. No significant differences were found between the MZ and DZ twin groups with regard to their expressed closeness to one another, as measured with Paluszny and Beit-Hallahmi's index of closeness; in addition, there were no significant differences between the two twin groups on the measure of field dependency. However, significant relationships of these two variables with intelligence were found and possible reasons for such an occurrence were offered.


The effect of cytochalasin B on chick mesoderm cells as studied by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of cytochalasin B (CCB) on chick mesoderm cells in vivo was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The embryos were mounted for New Culture and the mesoderm exposed by dissecting off the endoderm. Cytochalasin B was suspended in saline and the embryos flooded with the suspension. Control embryos were treated with saline alone. The embryos were reincubated for varying times at 37 degrees C. In the treated embryos the mesoderm cells were rounded and separated from each other. Many had long branched processes and rough surfaces. These changes became more pronounced as treatment time was increased. They were also reversible on reincubating treated embryos in the absence of cytochalasin B. The morphological changes produced by CCB are thought to be due to an effect on the cytoskeleton, either a direct disruptive effect or detachment of skeletal microfilaments from the cell membrane. There may also be a direct removal of cell surface materials leading to the observed surface roughening of treated cells.


Mastitis-metritis-agalactia complex in sows: effect of the dosage of oxytocin on intramammary pressure in lactating healthy sows. The dose-response and time-response relationships between injected oxytocin and intramammary pressure were investigated in normal lactating sows. In less than 39 s after 20, 40, or 80 U of oxytocin was given (IM injection), there was a rapid initial increase in intramammary pressure (15 to 27 mm of Hg) which lasted 22 to 32 s. After this initial response, there were secondary oscillations in pressure which lasted approximately 40 minutes (20 U) and up to 60 minutes (40 or 80 U). Changes in intramammary pressure during each oscillation varied between 1 and 5 mm of Hg. Mean values for frequency and amplitude of oscillations and total work (area under the trace) were measured. Compared with response obtained after 20 U of oxytocin was given, responses obtained at the 40-U or 80-U dose level had an increased frequency (150.0% and 249.0%, respectively) and total work (36.6% and 104.4%, respectively), but not amplitude. Thus, there may be some clinical advantage in milk let-down effect when sows are given the larger doses of oxytocin (40 or 80 U). These results indicate that newborn pigs should be allowed to nurse at the same time in which oxytocin is injected.


Porcine mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA) syndrome: mammary gland responsiveness to oxytocin given to healthy sows during lactation. Mammary gland responsiveness to exogenous oxytocin during lactation was assessed by measuring changes in intramammary pressure of healthy sows given (IM injection) synthetic oxytocin (40 U). Response to oxytocin was measured once a week for the first 8 weeks of lactation. Recordings of pressure changes were expressed as mean area (cm2) under the trace at each 10-minute interval over 30 minutes after oxytocin had been given. During the 2nd week of lactation, there was a 55.3% increase (P less than 0.05) in responsiveness to oxytocin (25.1 +/- 4.2 cm2/10 minutes) as compared with the 1st week (13.9 +/- 2.2 cm2/10 minutes). Responsiveness decreased, however, from the 2nd to the 8th week. Since the incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia in sows is particularly high during the 1st week of lactation, low responsiveness of the mammary gland to oxytocin may be a contributing factor.


Transplacental transmission and neonatal infection with swine influenza virus (Hsw1N1) in swine. To study the question of chronicity or latency of swine influenza virus (Hsw1N1) infections in swine, newborn pigs were exposed to the virus in two experiments, and pregnant gilts were exposed in another experiment. Of five pigs exposed at 5 days of age, virus was isolated from throat swab samples of all (up to 10 postexposure days (PED) in one pig) and from a blood sample from one pig on PED 1 and 3. Virus was not isolated from urine, tissues, or explants of organs from pigs euthanatized PED 20 to 67, and disease was not evident. Of 11 pigs exposed within 2 hours of birth (before consuming colostrum), virus was shed for longer periods (for 10 and 11 days in four pigs) and severe respiratory tract pathologic changes developed. However, there was no evidence of chronic or latent infections. There was evidence of transplacental transmission of virus in one of ten pigs born to pregnant gilts that were exposed 10, 24, and 39 days before parturition, respectively.


Pharmacokinetic evaluation and mammary excretion of tamethicillin in the healthy goat. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and the mammary excretion of a new beta-lactam antibiotic derivative, the diethylaminoethyl ester of methicillin, commonly known as tamethicillin. Tamethicillin is a hydrolyzable weak basic ester (pro-drug) that is converted to methicillin in the body. Its pharmacokinetic profile compares favorably with that of methicillin. In this sense, tamethicillin had five times greater distribution volume than methicillin, and both its slow phase half-time (t 1/2) and elimination half-time (t 1/2 Kel) were clearly greater. In addition, our experimental studies on mammary excretion in the goat have demonstrated a better selectivity for the udder of tamethicillin as compared with methicillin. Results of 2 years of field experience show that tamethicillin can be considered a useful alternative for the treatment of mastitis in livestock, especially in mastitis due to beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus.


Unusual XX/XY chimerism.

Unusual XX/XY chimerism. Apparently identical twin boys are both XX/XY and have two populations, A1 and B, of cells in their peripheral blood. Chimerism in somatic tissue outside the blood cells can be demonstrated in only one of the twins. From analysis of chromosomes and many gene markers the mechanism of origin of the unusual twins remains unclear.


Permanent tooth sizes in 46,XX-males.

Permanent tooth sizes in 46,XX-males. Measurements of permanent tooth sizes in four XX-males showed their teeth to be smaller than those of male controls and similar in size to those of female controls. The teeth of the XX-males were smaller than those of their first-degree male relatives and of the same size as those of three of their mothers. The teeth of three fathers of XX-males were similar in size to control males and the teeth of three mothers of XX-males were similar in size to control females. The detailed knowledge that exists regarding the sequence and timing of tooth crown development allows the following implications to be made from our results. Growth retardation in XX-males is of primary genetic origin and is due to the absence of the gene(s) normally located on the Y-chromosome. Growth retardation, compared to normal males, is apparent and final three years after birth, conceivably begins after 2--3 months of foetal life and persists during childhood. It is unlikely that XX-males have had a Y-chromosome at any stage. If maleness is caused by a recessively inherited translocation or a mutational acquisition of the testis-determining gene(s), the genes influencing growth are not involved in either mechanism.


Alexia, without agraphia, due to brain tumor: a reversible syndrome. Alexia without agraphia occurred in a 41-year-old man suffering from a left occipital brain tumor. The syndrome disappeared following excision of the neoplasm.


Is it necessary to warm infants' feeds?

Is it necessary to warm infants' feeds? The effect of temperature on gastric emptying after milk feeds was studied in 31 newborn infants. Test meals were a commercially prepared modified cows' milk (a) at body temperature and (b) at room temperature. Our results suggest that temperature has no effect on gastric emptying.


[Ultrastructural changes induced by a brief period of anoxia in cerebral cortex tissue culture]. Explants of long-term cultures of nervous tissue of the rat cerebral cortex were placed for 30 min in a pure nitrogen atmosphere and then for 3--5 days transferred to the conventional cultivation co conditions. Electron microscope examinations showed that most severe changes occurred in the elements of oligodendroglia in the cytoplasm of which numerous lysosomes, large vacuoles, deposits of glycogen accumulated and myelin figures were formed. The damage of these cells appears to result in the degeneration of myelin sheaths. Edematous changes and glycogen accumulation were prevalent in astrocytes. Alongside with this, neurons had no such severe changes under these treatments. Its is emphasized that the intensity of reproducible oxygen deficiency must be taken into consideration in the evaluation of the sensitivity to anoxia of various nervous tissue elements.


Further study on the effect of norethisterone enanthate, an injectable contraceptive on body functions. One hundred and fortythree healthy Bengali women have received norethisterone enanthate, as injectable contraceptive in doses of 200 mg. intramuscularly at intervals of 10 to 12 weeks. The drug have been found to be almost 100 percent effective in the control of fertility. Menstrual disturbance, e.g. amenorrhoea, irregular bleeding and spotting, appeared to be the main complaints of the clients during the initial period of the therapy; but these did not persist long. There was no ill effect of the drug on lactation. No significant change in body weight, blood pressure, platelet count, fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol and total plasma protein level was observed following administration of norethisterone enanthate over one year.


Incorporation of 3H from delta-(L-alpha-amino (4,5-3H)adipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-(4,4-3H)valine into isopenicillin N. 1. delta-(L-alpha-Amino[4,5-3H]adipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-[4,4-3H]valine has been synthesized from its constituent amino acids, the L-alpha-amino[4,5-3H]adipic acid being obtained by reduction with 3H2 of methyl 5-acetamido-5,5-diethoxycarbonylpent-2-enoate and subsequent decarboxylation and hydrolysis. 2. In a cell-free system prepared by lysis of protoplasts of Cephalosporium acremonium 3H was incorporated from the doubly labelled tripeptide into a compound that behaved like penicillin N or isopenicillin N. The relative specific radioactivities of the alpha-aminoadipyl and penicillamine moieties of the penicillin were the same (within experimental error) as those of the alpha-aminoadipic acid and valine residues respectively of the tripeptide. 3. The behaviour of the labelled alpha-aminoadipic acid from the penicillin to the L-amino acid oxidase of Crotalus adamanteus venom showed that it was mainly L-alpha-aminoadipic acid. 4. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the carbon skeleton of the LLD-tripeptide is incorporated intact into the penicillin molecule and that the first product is isopenicillin N.