[Isolted spermatic cord tuberculoma (author's transl)]. A case is reported of the postoperative recognition of an isolated tuberculoma of the left pampiniform plexus. This is only the seventh recorded case of an isolated spermatic cord tuberculoma. The findings are interpreted on the basis of the histological report. This case is discussed within the framework of urogenital tuberculosis as an entity according to reports in the literature.


Quantification of turkey immunoglobulins IgA, IgM and IgG in serum and secretions. The immunoglobulins IgA, IgM and IgG of the turkey were quantitated in individual serum samples as well as in pooled sera. The variability of Ig levels in normal, healthy birds was quite high: IgA: mean value 0.633 mg/ml (4.0 -x - 2.5 -x); IgM: mean value 4.37 mg/ml (0.5 -x - 1.4 -x) and IgG: mean value 8.92 mg/ml (0.6 -x - 1.7 -x). Immunoglobulin levels in egg-yolk, egg-white, bile and some intraocular tissues were quantitated as well. An interesting finding was, that the forementioned variability was by far not so high with respect to IgG levels in 20 egg-yolk samples: mean value 5.1 mg/ml (0.86 x- - 1.17 -x). Though IgG  and IgM could be detected in pooled turkey bile, IgA predominated in this secretion. In aqueous humor, iris tissue and vitreous body only IgG could be detected.


[Bioptic liver changes in brucellosis (author's transl)]. Histomorphological changes of the liver are demonstrated in 120 biopsy samples of 104 patients with clinically and serologically proven Bang's disease. A granulomatous hepatitis was found in 1/3 of the patients in addition to a non-specific mobilisation of the active mesenchyma and a reactive hepatitis of changing intensity. The nodules are not looking like tuberculous granulomas, but consist of a disseminated accumulation of small lympho-histiocytic cells. Furthermore, the relatively high percentage of steatosis of the parenchyma (50%), lipofuscinosis (40%), and circumscribed hepatocellular siderosis (26%) can be considered as important lesions of parenchymal cells.


[Animal experiment studies on the neurohumoral control of female puberty. 2. Studies on the influence of amygdala and of the hippocampus on sex maturation]. Immature female rats were bilaterally lesioned in the rostral or caudal part of the mediocortical amygdala (MCA) or in the ventral hippocampus (VHPC) at 21 days of age. In a second experiment, simultaneous lesioning of the MCA or VHPC and the medial preoptic area or hypothalamic ventromedial-arcuate region was performed in 21-day-old rats. Finally, discrete lesions were placed into the anterior or posterior parts of the medial (MAN) or cortical amygdaloid nuclei ath 21, 26 or 32 days of age. The effects of the different treatments on the onset of puberty were evaluated by recording the age at vaginal opening and first ovulation, the body weight on the day of vaginal opening, and the subsequent ovarian or vaginal cyclicity. The following conclusions may be drawn from the findings obtained: 1. At three weeks of age, the MCA exerts a gonadotropininhibiting function that is localized in the anterior part of the MAN. This activity is not demonstrable in older females. 2. The MAN, particularly its posterior part, may play an important role in the prepuberal maturation of the maturation of the neurohormonal ovulatory mechanisms that takes place in female rats during the fourth week of life. 3. The VHPC may be involved in the control of female sexual development mainly by its growth-stimulating activity. The results suggest an essential role of the subcortical limbic system in female sexual maturation and offer an explanation of contradictory findings on the gonadotrophin-controlling function of the MCA before puberty.


[Cancer hazards in females with uterine myoma]. 1. Women with uterine fibroids do not have an higher cancer risk than women without fibroids. 2. The carcinome of the breast is the most frequent cancer under autopsy cases with uterine fibroids. The carcinoma of the endometrium and of the pancreas are slightly increases, but tumours of other organs are less frequent. 3. The risk of sarcomatous degeneration of uterine fibroids is with 0,6% about fifty more less frequent then the risk of develope another cancer. 4. Hysterectomy does not diminuish the cancer risk of patients with uterine fibroids: Instead of the (not more possibles) cancers of the genital systems there develope tumours in other organs. 5. Under autopsy cases with uterins fibroids the trend to hypertonia, to adipositas, to myocardical infarction and to embollsm of the lung are slightly increased9


The hepatic role in carcinogenesis and its early detection--the vinyl chloride model. The liver's role in vinyl chloride toxicity and carcinogenicity is providing a better understanding of the chemical carcinogenesis mechanism. A variety of both malignant and benign hepatic tumors has been demonstrated with prolonged exposure to vinyl chloride. The multi-system involvment of this carcinogen and toxin has provided a model for the study of chemical carcinogenesis common to both man and animal. Clinical studies have shown the usefulness of biochemical, radioisotopic, and radiological studies in the detection of toxic and carcinogenic lesions. Animal studies have demonstrated the biochemical metabolism by the liver of vinyl chloride-produced intermediates which are mutagenic in bacterial systems and may be the ultimate carcinogens. Hepatic subcellular enzyme studies prove preliminary evidence of cellular adaptation and increased detoxification. Disruption of this oxidization and detoxification balance may be the key to the malignant transformation of cells. A working hypothesis is presented which may explain the metabolism of vinyl chloride into mutagenic intermediates by the liver cell and the development of malignant transformation by extra hepatic sinusoidal lining cells, lung cells, and brain tissue.


[Studies of nucleic acid metabolism in cultured chick embryo cells infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum]. M. gallisepticum infection of cultured chick embryo cells led to a sharp reduction the rate of 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine incorporation into DNA and RNA cells, and almost completely suppressed the transposition of uridine label from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, this pointing to the inhibition of escape of RNA synthesized de novo into the infected cells cytoplasm. As suggested, weak labeling of the cytoplasm after prolonged (about several hours) incubation of cultured cells with labeled urine could indicate infection of cell cultures with the mycoplasmae.


[Emotional stress during conditioned reflex transformation of heterogeneous instrumental reflexes]. The factors leading to pronounced emotional stress accompanied by changes in electrical activity of hippocampus were studied in four dogs during elaboration of conditioned switching-over of heterogeneous instrumental reflexes. Objectively recorded signs of emotional stress were observed in two cases: when the animal was not accurate enough in discerning defensive and alimentary situations and throughout the improvement of instrumental defensive reflex. Pronouncement of hippocampal theta-rhythm increased at those stages of switching-over elaboration where the probability of successful avoiding pain stimulation was relatively low. The data obtained permit the conclussion that theta-rhythm is the correlate of the degree of the emotional stress and not only a manifestation of general arousal reaction depending on the level of sensory input.


[Morphologic changes in the sensomotor cortex in experimental neurosis]. Disturbances of higher nervous activity (experimental neurosis) are attended with morphological changes of blood circulation in the sensorimotor area of the cerebral cortex, corresponding to distonic vascular disorders, as well as with hypoxic and neuroglial changes. Observed changes in the nervous tissue also reflect adaptive and defensive mechanisms of the brain (in rabbits).


Ultrastructural studies on blood-brain barrier dysfunction around cerebral stab wounds, aggravated by acute ethanol intoxication. Ethanol-intoxicated and non-intoxicated albino rats subjected to cerebral stab wounds were injected with Evans blue-labelled albumin (EBA) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) 24 hours after the injury. The tracers were injected 30 and 2 minutes before perfusion fixation with glutaraldehyde and then prepared for light microscopy and electron microscopy. There was prominent leakage of peroxidase through chains of pinocytotic vesicles and transendothelial channels from blood, through the endothelial cells, into the brain. There was no difference in the way of peroxidase leakage through the endothelial cells between ethanol-intoxicated and control rats, but the area containing leaking blood vessels was greater in intoxicated rats. Furthermore, the number of trans-endothelial channels, vesicles and caveolae per unit length of capillaries and venules was increased in ethanol-intoxicated rats. Injured neurons with a diffuse distribution of peroxidase in their cytoplasm were observed within a greater area around the stab wound in ethanol-intoxicated than in control rats.


Postencephalitic porencephaly, hydranencephaly or polymicrogyria. A review. Twenty necropsy cases of the association of fetal encephalitis with porencephaly, hydranencephaly or polymicrogyria were reviewed including 5 from the authors' material. The latter include a basket brain, a porencephalic necrosis of recent date and a polymicrogyria in the formative state. The supratentorial lesions are often associated with cerebellar cortical dysplasias. The pathogenetic interdependence of encephalitis and hemispheric defects or malformation is discussed. Examples are given in which the infection appears to be secondary to a pre-existent hemispheric lesion. For others the hemispheric lesions appear to be secondary to encephalitis. In these the encephalitis may produce secondary lesions by a variety of pathogenetic mechanisms.


Determination of pancreatic elastase with new chromogenic substrates-p-nitroanilides of N-acyltripeptides. Mal-, Suc- and Glt-(Ala)3-NAp were prepared as new substances for determining pancreatic elastase. The kinetic constants show them to be more satisfactory than the previously described Ac-(Ala)3-NAp. The mean elastase output values after pancreozymin and secretin stimulation of the exocrine pancreas were significantly higher in the control subjects than in patients in whom other secretion values were altered. In agar electrophoresis, hog pancreatic elastase (Merck) formed a single cathodal fraction. One cathodal and one anodal fraction were found in human duodenal contents. Serum, plasma, alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin inhibit pancreatic elastase. Elastase-alpha1-antitrypsin complexes are enzymatically inactive, whereas the enzymatic activity of elastic-alpha2-macroglobulin complexes is partly preserved. Both types of complexes are stable and are not dissociated to a major extent in the presence of an excess amount of the other inhibitor.


The effect of a fish diet on serum lipids in healthy human subjects. A cross-over study was done with 19 male and 23 female volunteers living in a monastery and a convent, respectively. The effect of a fat gish (mackerel) diet on the blood serum lipid composition was studied. As the normal diet of these volunteers was of the lacto-ovo-vegetarian type, a control diet in which the fish was replaced by full-fat cheese was used. Subjects consuming the fish diet had a daily uptake of polyunsaturated acids of the omega3 family of about 8 g; comparable amounts of linoleic acid were ingested with both diets. Both diets were consumed for a period of 3 weeks. Serum cholesterol was slightly but significantly (7.5%) lower and serum triglycerides considerably lower (35%) on the fish diet, whereas high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased slightly. Lipoprotein analysis showed a strong very low density lipoprotein decrease by the fish diet while, in the men, both low and high density lipoproteins increased. The fatty acid composition of serum lipids showed considerable differences; C20:5omega3 increased in all fractions and C22:6omega3 was found in the triglycerides and the phospholipids, but not in the sterol esters. These increases occurred chiefly at the expense of C18:1omega9 and, in particular, C18:2omega6, which indicates a replacement of omega6 by omega3 acids. Long-chain monoenoic acids which are abundant in the mackerel were not detected in any serum lipid fraction.


Hypocholesterolemic effect of substituting soybean protein for animal protein in the diet of healthy young women. The effect of dietary protein on the level of plasma cholesterol in young, healthy, normolipidemic women was investigated in two separate studies by feeding either a conventional diet containing mixed protein, or a plant protein diet in which the animal protein of the first diet was replaced by soy protein meat analogues and soy milk. The diets were similar with respect to carbohydrate, fat and sterol composition. The first study, lasting 73 days and involving six subjects, gave an indication that plasma cholesterol levels were lower on the plant protein diet. The second study, which incorporated a number of improvements based on experience, lasted 78 days and used a cross-over design involving two groups of five subjects each. In this study, the mean plasma cholesterol level was found to be significantly lower on the plant protein diet.


Unstable dicentric iso(Yq) chromosome in a pseudohermaphrodite. An infant with ambiguous genitalia, uterus, tubes, and bilaterally undescended testes was found to have an unstable dicentric Yq chromosome, and 45,X/46,X,dic i(Yq)/47,X,i(Yq) i(Yq) mosaicism in lymphocytes and fibroblasts. A few other minor cell lines were found in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These findings indicate a high degree of mitotic instability in the centromere of the dicentric i(Yq) chromosome in this patient.


Chemotherapy of human choriocarcinoma transplanted to nude mice. Two human choriocarcinomas serially transplanted to athymic nude mice (BALB/c, nu/nu) were treated with intraperitoneal injections of methotrexate (MTX), actinomycin D (ACTD), and vinblastine (VLB) with doses per injection slightly smaller than LD10 in mice. Both ACTD and VLB significantly suppressed the growth of one tumor strain (SCH) but MTX did not. The growth of another tumor strain (CC-1) was not inhibited by either ACTD or VLB. In strain SCH, plasma HCG of tumor-bearing animals increased approximately in parallel with the growth of tumors in control and MTX-, ACTD-, and VLB-treated groups but the suppression of the hormone release was more marked in the ACTD-treated group. The results indicate that these two transplantable human tumors are useful models for the study of choriocarcinoma, particularly for therapeutic experiments.


Surgical management of epithelial ingrowth. In ten consecutive cases of epithelial ingrowth operated on during the past 33 months, therapy included photocoagulation of the iris followed by excision of involved iris tissue and vitreous gel by means of instruments designed for vitreous surgery. Epithelium remaining on the posterior surface of the cornea, ciliary body, and in the anterior chamber was destroyed by controlled transcorneal and transscleral cryotherapy. An intraocular air bubble was used to provide an insulating effect and a more effective, controllable freeze. All patients except two had improved vision postoperatively, and four of the ten patients had postoperative visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better.


Development of hepatic angiosarcoma in man induced by vinyl chloride, thorotrast, and arsenic. Comparison with cases of unknown etiology. Examples of human angiosarcoma following exposure to vinyl chloride, Thorotrast, or arsenic (medicinal and industrial) and cases, including children, of unknown etiology were studied to establish diagnostic criteria and to study their evolution. The uniform evolution suggests an environmental factor also in the cases of unknown etiology, which may be established by epidemiologic studies. A precursor stage is charaterized by areas of combined hyperlasia of hepatocytes and a variety of sinusoidal and perisinusoidal cells associated with excess of reticulin and with sinusoidal dialation. The diagnostically useful picture in silver impregnations indicated reticulum formation by the perisinusoidal cells, presumably the libocytes. The hepatocytic proliferation suggests a hepatocarcinogenic but usually not fully expressed potential. The mixed hyperplasia of the various sinusoidal cells proceeds to an  overgrowth of angiosarcoma cells, presumably derived from endothelial cells. In early stages they are usually in contact with hepatocytes (intralobular growth). A trabecular arrangement results from loosening of the lobular plate arrangement by dilatation of sinusoids, leading to primary peliosis. With disappearance of the hepatocytes, various growth patterns develop, terminating in nodular, solid angiosarcoma composed of either spindle-shaped or polyhedral cells which undergo necrosis or hemorrhage (secondary peliosis). The interaction between hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells requires elucidation.


Cardiac muscle mechanics from Doca- and aging spontaneously hypertensive rats. Contractile properties of isolated papillary muscles from three age groups of spontaeously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were compared to those from age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs) to assess whether there were differences between the strains preceding and during the course of the hypertension. In all three age groups (7, 12, and 50 wk), the mechanical refractory periods (MRP) were longer and aftercontractions more prominent after paired pulse stimulation in preparations from SHRs than from age-matched WKYs. Other isometric twitch properties of SHR papillary muscles at Lmax were not different from WKYs, with the exception of a shorter half-relaxation time in the youngest SHR group. Although hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy increased in SHRs with age, aging had similar influences on most cardiac contractile properties in both strains. None of the isometric properties of papillary muscles from rats made hypertensive by Doca treatment were different from those in normotensive control preparations. This suggests that differences seen between SHRs and WKYs probably represent genetic differences between these strains and are not directly caused by the hypertension.


Significance of lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer. In age-matched patients with differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid, the tumor recurred in 32 per cent of those with lymph node metastases and in 14 per cent of those without lymph node metastases. Twenty-four per cent of patients with nodal involvement at the initial examination died of thyroid cancer, whereas only 8 per cent of those without nodal involvement died of thyroid cancer. In patients less than forty years old, there were no deaths in those without nodal metastases bu there were three deaths (11 per cent) in patients with nodal metastases. In patients more than forty years old, nine (41 per cent) iwth nodal metastases died of tumor, and four (15 per cent) without nodal metastases died of tumor. In the presence of positive nodes the death rate was substantially greater in the older than in the younger patients. Nodal involvement has an adverse effect on prognosis, but appears to be less important than the age of the patient.


Pansegmental primordial glycogen body in the spinal cord of postmetamorphic Pleurodeles waltlii (urodela). Light microscopical histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy have been used to identify large amounts of glycogen stored in the cytoplasm of specialized astroglial cells in the spinal cord of ribbed newts. These cells are found throughout the whole length of the cord. They are located in the dorsolateral lateral aspects of the periependymal stratum, and according to their cytological characteristics they have been considered as glycogenic astroglia. Massive glycogen inclusions occupy a subsurface position mainly in those cell processes that do not project outside the central field, which form a tight packed territory surrounding the ependyma. Topological, histological, histochemical and cytological similarities are revealed between glycogenic astroglia and specialized astroglial cells found in the primordial lumbar avian glycogen body, as well as in the brachial glycogen body of the chick spinal cord. The similarities strongly suggest the homology between these structures. The pansegmental distribution found in the newt could be a clue for understanding the physiological role of such a structure.


Therapeutic effects of various concentrations of lincomycin in drinking water on experimentally transmitted swine dysentery. Three experimental studies were conducted in 232 growing pigs (8 to 12 weeks old) to evaluate the therapeutic effects of various concentrations of lincomycin in drinking water, against swine dysentery experimentally transmitted, by oral inoculation or by contact-commingling exposure. Four or 5 concentrations of lincomycin were used in each experiment (132, 66, 33, 16.5 or 0.0 mg/L of drinking water). Medication was initiated 7 to days after exposure and was continued for 6 to 10 days. Both methods of exposure were capable of transmitting the disease successfully. A more marked dose response was noticed in pigs inoculated orally than in pigs that were exposed by contact. All concentrations of lincomycin were effective for the treatment of swine dysentery by oral or by contact exposure. At the smaller concentration of 16.5 mg/L of drinking water, lincomycin was less effective for treating the disease than it was at greater concentrations. The suggested optimal concentration was 33 mg of lincomycin/L of drinking water for the treatment of swine dysentery.


Chloramphenicol toxicosis in cats.

Chloramphenicol toxicosis in cats. Six cats were given chloramphenicol orally at the dose level of 120/mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for 14 days and were then observed for another 3 weeks after treatment. Five other cats were used as untreated controls for the first 14 days and subsequently were given 60 mg of chloramphenicol/kg/day for 21 days. Clinical signs of toxicosis, which were more severe in cats given the higher dose level, included central nervous system depression, dehydration, reduced food intake, body weight loss, sporadic diarrhea, and vomiting. In cats given the higher dose level, chloramphenicol caused reversible marrow suppression, with marrow hypoplasia, maturation arrest of erythroid cells, and inhibition of mitotic activity, and caused vacuolation of lymphocytes and of early myeloid and erythroid cells. Significant changes were evident in bone marrow after treatment for 1 week and in peripheral blood at the end of the 2nd week. Hematologic changes included decreased numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, reticulocytes, and platelets. In cats given the lower dose level, changes in blood and bone marrow were similar but less severe.


Hypersplenic thrombocytopenia differentiated from increased peripheral destruction by platelet volume. Platelet volume distribution was examined in 16 patients with hepatosplenomegaly and platelet counts of 45 000 to 90 000/mm; 12 patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia and randomly matched platelet counts; and 20 normal subjects. Five platelet volume variables of increasing platelet size were defined from the averages of 20 normal curves. Patients with hypersplenism had decreased volume values of 78% to 87% (mean, 83%) of the average normal population (P less than 0.001). Patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura had values significantly greater than normal by 124% to 149% (mean, 134%) (P less than 0.001). Patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, when compared with hypersplenic patients, had significantly greater platelet volume values ranging from 154% to 174% (mean, 161%), P less than 0.001. We concluded that patients with hepatosplenomegaly have smaller platelets in their peripheral blood and a platelet volume distribution that can be distinguished easily from patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, despite comparable platelet counts.


[Intragastric self-administration of ethanol solutions by rats after chronic ethanol consumption]. 1. Rats rendered physically dependent on alcohol by the forced consumption of a liquid diet containing ethanol were subsequently placed in an intragastric self-administration situation. 2. Under these conditions, the intoxicated rats maintained the same high level of ethanol consumption as observed during the previous forced ingestion procedure. However this response is transitory and disappears following the presentation of a dilute ethanol solution. 3. Significantly different results were provided by the control animals. 4. Conditions for establishing a higher oral preference in rats rendered physically dependent are examined and discussed.


Corneal perforation due to Helminthosporium and Mima polymorpha. This apparently is the first reported case of corneal perforation due to a mixed infection of Helminthosporium species and Mima polymorpha. These 2 organisms separately rarely cause ocular infection and when present together could produce serious damage to the eye. In long-standing diseases of the cornea, mixed infection should be suspected when the infection fails to respond to conventional medical therapy. Thorough laboratory evaluation should be done. Selection of appropriate antibiotics should be based on clinical impression, initial Gram stain findings and final cultural results.


Helminthosporium corneal ulcers.

Helminthosporium corneal ulcers. Two cases of fungal corneal ulcer caused by Helminthosporium are discussed. Dematiacious fungi are pigmented filamentary molds of which Helminthosporium is representative. Ulcers due to such dematiacious fungi seem to have a better prognosis than other types of fungal corneal ulcers. The importance of classifying fungal ulcers is emphasized. Therapy is considered for these keratomycoses.


The antigenic relationship between Brettanomyces-Debaryomyces strains and the Salmonella cholerae-suis O antigen. The immune sera for Brettanomyces lambicus, B. claussenii, Debaryomyces hansenii and D. marama agglutinated Salmonella cholerae-suis (0:6(2), 7). The immune serum for S. cholerae-suis agglutinated B. lambicus, B. clausenni, D. hansenii and D. marama. Absorption and agglutination cross-tested demonstrated common antigen factor(s) in the tested yeasts and Salmonella 0:7 antigen.


Treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults. Long-term results in a series of 41 patients. The results of treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analysed in a series of 41 patients 2 to 10 years (median 4 years) after initial treatment. There was one spontaneous remission. A good or fair long-term result was obtained in 11 patients after prednisone treatment, in 20 of 24 patients after splenectomy, and in 3 of 4 patients after immunosuppressive treatment. Short duration of symptoms and rapid response to prednisone had some value in predicting a good long-term result of prednisone treatment. Young age, a good response to prednisone and splenic sequestration of platelets were associated with good results after splenectomy, as was rapid postoperative normalization of platelet counts. These factors were unable to disclose with certainty a refractoriness to splenectomy. Nevertheless splenectomy was regarded to be the treatment of choice in all patients not adequately controlled with corticosteroids.


Cytoplasmic filaments in intracerebral cortical vessels. Actin filaments measuring 5 nm in diameter are present in the endothelium of systemic vessels and presumably have a contractile function that may be related to vascular permeability. Little attention has been directed to the presence of similar cytoplasmic filaments in the endothelium of cerebral vessels. This study was undertaken to determine whether filaments are present in the endothelial cells of intracerebral cortical vessels of rats and humans. Ultrastructural studies revealed two populations of endothelial cytoplasmic filaments 5 nm and 10 nm in diameter, respectively. The 5-nm filaments were abundant in the endothelium of penetrating cortical arterioles, being grouped near the cytoplasmic margins in proximity to cell junctions and along the abluminal side of the endothelial cells. The filaments were scant in capillaries and venules.


Adhesion of Bacteroides succinogenes in pure culture and in the presence of Ruminococcus flavefaciens to cell walls in leaves of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Bacteroides succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens are two of the most important cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen. Adhesion of B. succinogenes in pure culture, and in mixed culture with R. flavefaciens, to the various types of cell walls in sections of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cultivar S24) leaves was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. B. succinogenes adhered to the cut edges of most plant cell walls except those of the meta- and protoxylem. It also adhered, though in much smaller numbers, to the uncut surfaces of mesophyll, epidermal, and phloem cell walls. In mixed culture, both species adhered in significant numbers to the cut edges of most types of plant cell wall, but R. flavefaciens predominated on the epidermis, phloem, and sclerenchyma cell walls. B. succinogenes predominated on the cut edges and on the uncut surfaces of the mesophyll cell walls, and its ability to adhere to uncut surfaces of other cell walls was not affected by the presence of the ruminococcus. Both organisms rapidly digested the epidermal, mesophyll, and phloem cell walls. Zones of digestion were observed around bacteria of both species when attached to the lignified cell walls of the sclerenchyma, but not when attached to the lignified xylem vessels.


Accumulation of 1-trans-2,3-epoxysuccinic acid and succinic acid by Paecilomyces varioti. The biogenic acids 1-trans-2,3-epoxysuccinic acid and succinic acid accumulate in decationized refiner's blackstrap molasses shake cultures of Paecilomyces varioti Bainier. The maximum accumulation of 1-trans-2,3-epoxysuccinic acid occurred in a medium which contained Cu2+ and Fe3+ at concentrations of 1.0 and 2.0 mM, respectively. The maximum accumulation of succinic acid occurred in a culture medium which contained Cu2+ at a concentration of 0.01 mM and Fe3+ at a concentration of 1.0 mM.


Detection of volatile sulfide-producing bacteria isolated from poultry-processing plants. A technique using filter paper strips impregnated with 5-5'-dithiobis-nitrobenzoic acid was developed to allow the detection of bacteria (isolated from poultry-processing environs) which produced volatile sulfides (H2S, CH3SH, [CH3]2S). The technique is preferred to conventional methods in that it allows the detection of volatile organic sulfides in addition to hydrogen sulfide.


[Trifluralin, an inhibitor of the achromatic apparatus which modifies the chromosomes]. Trifluralin weakens or destroys polarity in segmentation mitoses of Triturus helveticus Raz. and Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. Previously it inhibits the cytokinesis, by reducing the activity of asters which are necessary to it. It produces chromosome abnormalities, specially involving their condensation, and makes appear discontinuities at prophase. The local thickenings of metaphase chromosomes predominate at heterochromatic regions. The action is stronger in animal than in vegetative half and this difference is highly significant. The stoppage of Amphibian eggs development states the problem of the possible action of trifluralin on the aquatic fauna.


Inhibition of apomorphine-induced behaviors by derivatives of 2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene. In order to elucidate the pharmacological properties of a series of 1-phenyl-2-aminopropane and 2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives, their ability to inhibit a number of apomorphine-induced behaviors was investigated. Several members of the series under study were potent inhibitors of apomorphine-induced pecking behavior in pigeons, emesis in dogs, and gnawing in rats. In addition, these compounds were able to inhibit responding in self-stimulating rats and to a lesser degree counteracted the depression of the linguomandibular reflex induced by 5, 6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylamino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene (M-7) in the cat. The most effective member of the experimental compounds was N-methyl-5, 8-dimethoxy-2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene; however, neither this material nor any of the related structures were able to inhibit apomorphine-induced rotational behavior in substantia nigra lesioned rats. The possibility that the more effective members of the experimental series are able to inhibit certain apomorphine-induced behaviors by stimulation of central alpha adrenergic receptors is discussed.


Zygomycosis of the maxillary sinus and palate caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus. Basidiobolus haptosporus is known to cause subcutaneous zygomycosis in tropical Africa and Asia. We cared for a 49-year-old hyperglycemic, asplenic man who had never traveled outside the United States and who was seen initially for a painless palatal ulcer with cutaneous hypesthesia of the right cheek and upper lip. An invasive process involved the right middle nasal turbinate, maxillary antrum, maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, and bony palate. Histological examination of biopsy tissue showed necrotizing granulomata with broad, nonseptate hyphae. Basidiobolus haptosporus was cultured from this tissue. Various laboratory studies revealed no immunologic defect and his lesions responded to therapy with amphotericin B. To our knowledge, this represents the first case of zygomycosis caused by B haptosporus in the Americas and the first culture-documented case of invasive mycosis caused by this mold.


Thrombohemolytic thrombocytopenic purpura during penicillamine therapy. Penicillamine therapy was associated with the development of thrombohemolytic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a 23-year-old woman. The immunological and hematological toxicity of penicillamine, as well as the occurrence of TTP with parent penicillin compounds, indicates a probable etiological role of this drug.


Functional relationships between sympathetic nerves and pinealocytes in the mouse pineal: quantitative electron microscopic observations. Quantitative electron microscopic observations on the pineal gland of the mouse were made in order to demonstrate ultrastructural changes in response to various conditions of illumination in sympathetic nerve fibers as well as in pinealocytes and, thus, to establish some morphological correlates of a functional relationship between sympathetic nerves and pinealocytes. The diurnal change in the number of the small granulated vesicles (60 nm in diameter) in sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal is similar to that of the noradrenaline content in the rat pineal; increasing at night to reach the maximum level at the beginning of the light period of the day. A marked decrease of the small granulated vesicles seen after the onset of darkness may be correlated with a release of noradrenaline from the nerve fibers. Since the diurnal change in the number of the granulated vesicles (100 nm in diameter) and the glycogen content in the mouse pinealocytes closely resemble each other, the diurnal variation in the number of the granulated vesicles and the amount of glycogen may be influenced by a diurnal rhythm in the release of noradrenaline. The number of the granulated vesicles and the glycogen content in the pinealocytes show another striking similarity in that their remarkable increase is induced by continuous light for relatively short periods. It is speculated that light suppresses the release of noradrenaline from the nerve fibers and, thus, causes an increase of the glycogen content as well as the number of the granulated vesicles in the pinealocytes.


[A new method for testing the quality of food protein for maintenance metabolism. 1. Investigations into the amount of 15N excreted via the urine of 15N-labelled young rats fed various proteins]. Over a period of 7 days, 38 experimental rats were fed a casein diet with a supplementation of 6.6 mg 15N-excess (15N') in the form of ammonium acetate. From the 5th experimental day, groups of 4 or 5 rats each were fed, over 5 days, different protein carriers to meet the meintenance requirement (115 kcal/kg body weight 0.75). The 15N-excretion via the urine, in terms of % of N absorbed from the food protein, served as yardstick of protein quality under maintenance conditions. The least 15N-excretion rates were reciprocally relativated for this maximum value (reciprocal 15N excretion biological value). The least 15N-excretion values from the 2nd to the 5th experimental days allowed to establish the following order for protein quality under maintenance conditions: fish meal, casein, wheat, whole egg, soybean (assayprotein), yeast peas, gelatin. The very good quality of the wheat protein for the maintenance state is seen in relation with the high content of glutamic acid (33.5 g/16 g N) and aspartic acid (5.7 g/16 gN). The found lysine content of the wheat protein (3.1 g/16 g N) proved sufficient for maintenance conditions.


[Effect of the time of the day when the lesion was produced on the course of mesothelial proliferation]. The course of mitotic activity in the rabbit mesothelium of parietal peritoneum was studied depending upon the daytime when the lesion was produced. In the first series of experiments (I) the operation was performed from 8 to 10 a. m., and in the second series (II) - from 8 to 10 P. M. After the operation the animals were sacrifieced: one animal every 3 h during 5 days. Mitotic activity was investigated along 13 mm from the edge of the wound in flat film preparations. The data obtained were statistically treated applying approximation of the process course by the method of weighed sliding averages. The first mesothelial mitoses appeared: in the first series (I) of experiments - in 24 h, in the second series (II) of experiments - 21 h. Further, proliferation of the mesothelium appeared in different parts of the tissue with various intencity and was of wavy character. Regardless of the time when the lesion was produced, mitotic activity was the greatest in the first zone, 4.8 mm wide its maximum 33 h after the operation. The character of the regenerative process in the mesothelium depends on the circadian phase of the organism at the time of the operation, that influences the time when mitotic activity begins, its quantitative indices, the area of the tissue involving into the reaction, expressiveness of the rhythmicity of the process. During 5 days, in the II series of experiments three waves were noted, and in the I series - five waves were noted and their periods were near the diurnal.


[Circadian rhythm of neurosecretion of the macrocellular hypothalamic nuclei under different lighting conditions]. Parameters of diurnal changes in the diameter of neuronal nuclei of the supraoptical and paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus of hybrid mice F1 (CBA X C57BL/6) depend on the duration of illumination and dark periods. Biwave character of variations is preserved at changing the illumination regime from 6C + 18T to 18C + 6T. Certain specificity in diurnal changes of neurosecretory activity of the nuclei under investigation is noted.


Plasma thyroxine concentrations in grazing sheep in several areas of Australia. Plasma thyroxine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples from 691 lactating ewes in 26 areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Sheep sampled in New South Wales and Tasmania had significantly lower plasma thyroxine values (4.0 and 4.3 microgram/100 ml respectively) than those sampled in Queensland and Western Australia (5.4 and 5.3 microgram/100 ml respectively). However, sheep in some districts in southern Queensland also had low plasma thyroxine values. The areas where sheep had low plasma thyroxine values correlate well with areas where goitre has been previously reported, both in man and in domestic animals. This suggests that measurement of plasma thyroxine is probably a valid empirical method of assessing the relative iodine deficiency of grazing sheep and further that sheep grazing substantial areas of New South Wales, Tasmania and to a lesser extent Queensland may have thyroid dysfunction of varying degrees of severity. These findings could have implications for animal production in these areas.


The effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on ovarian function of cattle. The administration of the metabolic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), to four well fed heifers just before and during the time of expected oestrus, and to another heifer following the removal of the corpus luteum, prevented both the occurrence of oestrus and the formation of corpora lutea in all animals. Plasma progesterone concentrations remained low for at least 10-21 days after the last dose of 2DG. The results suggest that the inhibition of glycolysis is associated with the failure of both oestrus and formation of functional corpora lutea, and they support the hypothesis that hypoglycaemia is the primary biochemical change responsible for infertility induced by acute energy deficiency in lactating cattle.


Expression of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme 5 (LDH-5) in cultured mouse blastocysts in the absence of implantation and outgrowth. Extensive extraction studies with Triton X-100 revealed only LDH-1 (B4) but no trace of LDH-5 (A4) in one-cell and two-cell mouse and rat embryos. The LDH isozyme pattern of preimplantation mouse embryos changes from the maternally inherited B subunit isozyme (LDH-1) to a pattern dominated by LDH-5 when mouse blastocysts are cultured under conditions that prevent hatching but allow trophoblast giant cell transformation. During differentiation of mouse blastocysts in vitro, implantation is therefore not essential for the appearance of the A subunit form of LDH (LDH-5) coded for by the embryonic genome. Mechanisms controlling the expression of LDH-5 in mouse blastocysts during in vivo development are discussed.


Body water and weight in patients with premenstrual tension. The total body water, total body potassium and weight were studied during the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle in 20 patients with severe premenstrual tension and 20 controls without symptoms. The effects of a diuretic (bumetanide) and bromocriptine were also studied in the patients with premenstrual tension. The mean body water in the premenstrual tension group did not differ significantly from that in the controls neither did the mean body potassium levels. However, during the late luteal phase the water/potassium ratio in liters per mol of potassium was significantly higher in the patients with premenstrual tension than in the controls. In the women with premenstrual tension the body water values varied more widely between the luteal phase and follicular phase than in the controls. The mean body water and weight in the premenstrual tension group were similar in the late luteal and early follicular phases. Treatment with bumetanide or bromocriptine had no effect on the parameters studied.


Inorganic phosphate in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and its distribution across the cell membrane. A regulatory function of the cell membrane in controlling the cytoplasmic level of Pi has been proposed, and in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells an active influx of primary phosphate has been reported in the literature. In the present study, Ehrlich cells were incubated at 1.5--50 mM extracellular Pi at pH 7.4 (Pi mainly secondary phosphate) and at pH 6.0 (mainly primary phosphate), and the measured cell Pi was compared with the value expected from a passive distribution of Pi. At a low extracellular Pi concentration the cell Pi was 3--6 mumol/g or even more. It is suggested that a major part of this cell Pi can be accounted for by enzymic release of Pi during the sampling procedure. If this interpretation is correct, the present results show that both ionic species of Pi are in electrochemical equilibrium across the cell membrane at steady state. Moreover, in vivo the concentration of free Pi in the cytosol will presumably be maintained at a steady-state level of about 0.4 mM, one order of magnitude below the directly measured values. This implies that the ratio [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] which is important in the regulation of energy metabolism, is higher than reported in the literature.


Step-wise cross-linking of pig heart lactate dehydrogenase by a heterobifunctional reagent. Cross-linking of the essential cysteine-165 of pig heart lactate dehydrogenase (L-lactate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) with lysine-179 was achieved by stepwise reaction with N-(4-azidocarbonyl-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-maleimide. These two residues are connected by kind of a hydrophobic channel which suggests that the essential cysteine is not modified via the active center as previously assumed.


Body and organ growth in the newborn rat. Body and organ growth were described in rat pups 1 h and 10 days of age. Several organs (e.g., brain and pineal gland) exhibited significant growth in 1-hour-old but not in 10-day-old rats. Further, organs such as the testis and liver showed significant growth in 10-day-old but not 1-hour-old pups. 11 h of exposure to a warming oven, devoid of maternal and nutritional input, significantly influenced the body and organ growth of both newborn and 10-day-old pups. These data show that the first 12 h of life is an active period of growth for the rat.


Salicylamide glucuronide formation in newborn babies with G-6-PD deficiency. Salicylamide glucuronide formation has been studied in 23 newborn babies with erythrocyte G-6-PD deficiency and in 15 normal newborns on the first day of life. Glucuronide formation was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in the former in comparison with the controls. In the newborns with G-6-PD deficiency who subsequently became hyperbilirubinemic an even lower mean glucuronide formation was observed (p less than 0.01) in respect to the non-jaundiced G-6-PD-deficient newborns.


Evolution of fibrinogen levels in rat fetal and maternal blood during gestation. Plasma fibrinogen levels increase during the last third of gestation in the pregnant rat. In the fetus, they are barely measurable at 18 days, increase rapidly thereafter and reach adult values just before birth, in a matter of 3 days.


[Formation of colonies of P-388 leukemic cells in semisolid agar]. Substrain P-388/A2 adapted to cultivation of agar gel in the form of compact colonies was obtained as a result of alternating passages of cells of ascitic mouse leukemia P-388 in the primary semifluid agar culture and in the mouse abdominal cavity. The efficacy of colony formation and the size of the colonies depended on the initial density of the cell suspension. In case of introduction into the agar medium of 100 cells/ml the planting efficacy constituted 20%, and the number of cells in the colony by the 8th--10th days of cultivation reached 13 000.


[Effect of cesium, lithium and rubidium on several effects of morphine]. The effect of chlorous salts of cesium, lithium, and rubidium on the analgetic action of morphine (according to the vocalization test) and also on the pattern of the dependence on it (according to the so-called "two-bottle test") was studied. As shown, the salts under investigation decreased both the algesic reaction threshold and the duration of morphine-induced analgesia; cesium chloride proved most active in this respect. All the compounds studied decrease the morphine preference coefficient. The greatest effect was found in cesium chloride which decreased the morphine preference coefficient 40-fold as compared to the control.


[Stromal fibroblasts of the hematopoietic organs and antibody formation in cultures]. The thymus, bone marrow- and spleen-derived stromal mechanocytes from the monolayer cultures (3rd--6th passages) when added to the suspension cultures of rabbit spleen cells according to Mishell and Dutton produced a considerable effect on the plaque-forming cells (PFC) accumulation by the 4th day of cultivation. Their action distinctly depended on the dose. Bone marrow-derived stromal mechanocytes in doses of 2.1 X 10(3)--6.25 X 10(5) caused inhibition of PFC formation in cultures. Thymus-derived stromal mechanocytes in doses of 2.75 X 10(3)--8 X 10(5) cause an increase in number of PFC; spleen-derived stromal mechanocytes in doses of 2.1 X 10(3)--1.3 X 10(4) failed to bring about any significant changes, but when the dose was increased to 8 X 10(4)--6.25 X 10(5) the inhibition of PFC formation took place. Most of the live cells and PFC were found in the free cells fraction.


[Remote changes in the course of mitosis in synchronized cultures of Chinese hamster cells following inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis]. The effect of inhibition of the synthesis of some types of RNA and proteins was determined in the synchronized culture of Chinese hamster cells at various stages of the interphase on the course of remote mitosis. Analysis of MI and some forms of pathological cell division showed that the action of different doses of AMD and pyromycin during the first part of the interphase provoked an identical effect--C-mitosis at the immediate and remote waves of cell division. Suppression of the synthesis of whole cell RNA and proteins during the second half of the interphase was accompanied by a metaphase cell delay with scattering chromosomes, this indicating derangement of the synthesis of the division spindle component. It is suggested that proteins (tubulins) and RNA participate in the organization of the division spindle during remote mitosis as a "reserve pool".


[Effect of allogenic serum from pregnant pneumonectomized rats on embryonic lung tissue]. Allogenous blood serum of rats subjected to unilateral pulmonectomy during pregnancy produced a growth-stimulating action directed chiefly to fibroblasts in the primary monolayer culture of the embryonic lung of Wistar rats. This effect was most pronounced on the 3rd day of cultivation.


Spontaneous milk ejection during lactation and its possible relevance to success of breast-feeding. In a woman suckling twins it became apparent that both suckling-induced and precisely timed, spontaneous bursts of milk ejection were occurring. Observations on days 14, 28, 56, and 112 of lactation disclosed highly significnat increases in intervals between episodes of spontaneous milk ejection. Furthermore, at all stages of lactation the interval between a feed and the next episode of spontaneous ejection was significantly longer than the interval between spontaneous ejections. The decrease in frequency of episodes of spontaneous milk ejection during lactation may be related to the decreasing release of prolactin in response to suckling. Spontaneous milk-ejection episodes are felt only when the breast is full and may signal its readiness for a further suckling episode. Such bursts of milk ejection may stimulate the suckling response in babies, suggesting that rigid three- or four-hour feeding regimens may be unphysiological and pose a threat to the success of breast-feeding in the early postnatal period.


Induced glial differentiation of fetal rat brain cells in culture: an ultrastructural study. Primary and secondary cultures of fetal rat brain cells (FBC) from 18th day of gestation have been investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Primary cultures consisted of a monolayer of flat, undifferentiated epithelioid cells, with some oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and immature neuronal cells. In secondary cultures, cells with glia morphology disappeared. Following addition of extracts from adult rat brains to secondary cultures, a dramatic change of the epithelioid cells took place. They detached from the palstic surface, extruded long cytoplasmic processes with numerous microvilli and cytoplasmic blebs as well as parallel arrays of microtubules and filaments. The differentiated cells resembled astrocytes, and characteristic glia filaments were also observed. An increase of ribosomes and rough endoplasmatic reticulum suggested enhancement of protein synthesis. At the same time S-100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein accumulated within the cells. The morphological changes were mostly reversible within 48 h of removal of the brain extract.


Dose-dependent biphasic alterations in the spontaneous activity of neurons in the rat neostriatum produced by d-amphetamine and methylphenidate. A dose-response analysis was performed on D-amphetamine- and methylphenidate-induced changes in neuronal activity in the neostriatum of immobilized, phenidate-induced changes in neuronal activity in the neostriatum of immobilized, locally anesthetized rats. Whereas a marked depression of firing rate characterized the response to intraperitoneal injections of 2.5 mg/kg D-amphetamine or 10 mg/kg methylphenidate, increasing the dose (5.0--7.5 mg/kg D-amphetamine and 20--25 mg/kg methylphenidate) shifted this response pattern to a prolonged increase in activity. Both stimulant-induced increases and decreases in neostriatal activity are reversed by 2.0 mg/kg haloperidol. In contrast to the response of neostriatal neurons, the firing rate in the substantia nigra pars compacta was inhibited by both stimulants, even at doses that increased the activity of neurons in the neostriatum. The possible mechanisms underlying these drug-induced changes in firing rate are discussed along with the behavioral implications of a stimulant-induced dose-dependent shift in neostriatal unit activity.


Schizophyllum commune Fr. as a destructive mycoparasite. Schizophyllum commune Fr. was shown, by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, to be a destructive mycoparasite on several phytopathogenic and nematode-trapping fungi. The hyphae of S. commune coiled around host hyphae and fruiting structures and penetrated them by means of either unspecialized hyphae or by penetration pegs that developed from terminal appressoria. The host cell walls were usually chemically degraded after which the parasite grew through an electron-dense, papillate, reaction region and its underlying membrane(s) produce trophic hyphae inside the host cells.


Role of lectins in plant--microorganism interactions. IV. Ultrastructural localization of soybean lectin binding sites of Rhizobium japonicum. The binding of purified, ferritin-labeled soybean seed lectin to the cell surfaces of Rhizobium japonicum 31 lb 138 has been examined by whole mount, thin section, and freeze-etch electron microscopy. The ferritin-labeled lectin binds in a biochemically specific manner to the capsular material of this bacterium. The lectin does not bind to the outer membranes of the cells or to flagella. Labeled lectin binds to sites throughout the  capsular structure, although the density of labeling is somewhat greater on the outer surface of the capsule. Some cells appear to be partially encapsulated. Preservation of the capsular material proved difficult, and methods for retaining most of the capsular material were developed.


Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analysis on nuclear proteins from human tumor cell lines. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis was carried out on HeLa, KB, ALL and GW-39 cell "Chromatin Fraction II" proteins. Of the many proteins found, most were visualized in earlier studies on rodent tumors and normal tissues. Of these the greater density of protein CP and the presence of protein CG' differentiates tumors from the nontumor tissues. In samples of normal and mitogen stimulated human lymphocytes, protein CG' was absent and protein CP was present in small amounts. Two-dimensional patterns of 0.4N H2SO4 soluble nuclear proteins showed elevated amounts of proteins C16-18 in the GS-39 cell patterns. Proteins Hu1, G1, G2, G3 and G5 were detected only in human cell nuclei. The increased density of staining for protein CP and the presence of CG' are potential biological markers for neoplastic cells.


Effects of chartreusin on cell survival and cell cycle progression. Chartreusin was lethal to both L1210 and P388 cells in culture with 90% of the cells being killed after a 24-hr exposure to 1.1 and 2.6 microgram/ml, respectively. The lethality of the drug increased in direct proportion to dose and exposure time. Both L1210 and Chinese hamster ovary cells in S phase were more sensitive to the lethality of the drug than were their corresponding non-S-phase cells. L1210 cells were partially synchronized by exposing an asynchronous culture to [methyl-3H]thymidine (20 Ci/mmol) and Colcemid for 3 hr. Synchronous culture of Chinese hamster ovary cells was established by planting mitotic cells. The progression of cells through the cell cycle was studied with flow microfluorometry both in the presence of the drug and after the drug had been washed off. In the presence of chartreusin the progression of mitotic cells into G1 was not affected. The movement of G1 cells into S was slower, and the movement of G2 cells into mitosis was blocked. When the drug was removed, the G2 to M block persisted for at least 4 hr but the progression of G1 cells to S was no longer inhibited.


On the ampullary organs of the South-American paddle-fish Sorubim lima (Siluroidea, Pimelodidae). Ampullary organs were found in the epidermis of the paddle-fish Sorubim lima; they are distributed all over the skin surface of the fish but are particularly densely grouped in the head region and on the dorsal surface of the paddle. Histological and electron microscopical observations show that their structure is similar to the type of cutaneous ampullary organs characteristic of other Siluroidea. Composed of a relatively large mucus-filled ampulla, the organ possesses a short and narrow canal which leads to the outer epidermal surface. The wall of the ampulla is formed of several layers of flat epidermal cells. In general four sensory cells, each one surrounded by supporting cells, compose the sensory epithelium at the bottom of the ampulla. The inner surface of the sensory cells in contact with the ampullary mucus bears only microvilli. The contact between the nerve endings and the sensory cells show the characteristic structure of an afferent neuro-sensory junction. Two ampullae are innervated in some cases by the same afferent nerve fibre.


Catenoid shape of the interventricular septum: possible cause of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Previous studies have shown that asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) may occur in embryonic and malformed hearts and that muscle cell disarray is found in myocardium that contracts isometrically. To account for the characteristic ASH and septal muscle fiber disarray of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), we postulated that a catenoid shape of the septum, i.e., net zero curvature, would have the mechanics required to produce IHSS. Accordingly, hearts from eight autopsied patients with IHSS were studied for curvature and thickness of free walls and septum, and they were compared to similar measurements in 80 other hearts. In all eight hearts with IHSS the septum was concave to the left in the transverse plane but convex to the left in the apex-to-base plane. Such a catenoid configuration of the septum was not observed in any of the other 80 hearts. The distinctive shape of the septum in IHSS would account for isometric contraction, since adjacent fiber tracts with opposite curvatures would develop maximum tension but would not have motion. Fiber disarray and local hypertrophy would result from such isometric contraction. Since ventricular configuration is acquired early in cardiogenesis, IHSS might therefore result from a genetic or embryonic determination of a catenoid septum.


Electrocardiographic findings in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. One hundred and thiry-four patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were evaluated by standard 12-lead electrocardiography. Normal electrocardiograms were extremely uncommon, occurring in less than 7% of each subgroup of patients (i.e., those with or without either symptoms or obstruction to left ventricular outflow), with the exception of those who were both asymptomatic and had no left ventricular outflow obstruction. Even in this subgroup, however, normal electrocardiograms occurred in only 27% of patients. Repolarization abnormalities and left ventricular hypertrophy were the most common abnormalities, occurring in 81% and 62%, respectively, of the total population. A broad spectrum of other electrocardiographic abnormalities was found, but none was unique to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patients with vs those without electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy or left atrial abnormality had significantly (P less than 0.005) greater mean ventricular septal thickness (22 +/- 0.6 vs 19 +/- 0.6 mm) and left atrial dimension (48 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 1 mm) measured by echocardiography, and signficantly (P less than 0.01) higher mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (16 +/- 1 vs 10 +/- 1 mm Hg) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (20 +/- 1 vs 15 +/- 1 mm Hg). The high prevalence and diverse nature of electrocardiographic abnormalities suggest that any patient with an unusual and unexplained electrocardiogram should be suspected of having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy even if the physical examination is normal, as is often the case in patients without obstruction.


Multilayer film elements for clinical analysis: applications to representative chemical determinations. Using the general concept of a dry multilayer analytical element, we can change chemical procedures and configurations to assay several blood components. In the assay of serum urea nitrogen, urease in the reagent layer catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea. A semipermeable membrane excludes aqueous base, but allows ammonia to diffuse to an underlying indicator layer. For the amylase determination, the enzyme hydrolyzes a dyed-starch substrate coated on top of the spreading layer; this produces small fragments, which diffuse to a registration layer. The increase of absorbance at 540 nm is correlated with amylase activity. Bilirubin complexes with a cationic polymer at the interface between the spreading and reagent layers. The direct reading at 460 nm allows determination of total bilirubin in the range 1 to 500 mg/liter. Tirglycerides are hydrolyzed in the spreading layer, and the resulting soluble glycerol readily diffuses into the reagent layer, where it is phosphorylated and subsequently oxidized by glycerophosphate oxidase to yield dihydroxyacetone phosphate and hydrogen peroxide. Peroxidase catalyzes production of a color commensurate with the hydrogen peroxide produced.


Postoperative dislocation after Charnley low-friction arthroplasty. The dislocation rate after the Charnley arthroplasty with the 22 mm diameter femoral head was 0.8% in 3,820 arthroplasties performed before 1971. Over this era the annual rate ranged from 0.5% to 1.4% without any apparent explanation. Following the routine use of a low position for the socket in the acetabulum and the Long Posterior Wall design of socket, the dislocation rate fell to 0.4% over 4,706 arthroplasties and the annual dislocation rate over 4 years ranged between 0.5% and 0.2%.


Salmon calcitonin in hypercalcemia.

Salmon calcitonin in hypercalcemia. We have undertaken a study of 24 hypercalcemic patients with the use of salmon calcitonin as a therapeutic agent. Seventy-five percent of the patients exhibited a clinically significant decrease in serum calcium and approximately half became normocalcemic within 2 hr. Throughout salmon calcitonin administration, the mean serum calcium of the patients was lower than the pretreatment values. Although the drug did not always lower the calcium level to normal, it often brought the hypercalcemia to more tolerable levels. During the course of calcitonin therapy, the number of patients with normal or near-normal serum calcium ranged from 31.3% (at 96 hr) to 82.4% (at 30 hr). Many of the patients improved symptomatically. The only significant side effects were nausea and vomiting in 12.5% of the patients, which necessitated cessation of therapy in only one. The drug was well tolerated in patients with azotemia. Calcitonin-induced hypocalcemia was not encountered. Salmon calcitonin can be used safely alone or in conjunction with other hypocalcemic therapies.


Effect of elevated temperatures on spindle microtubules and chromosome movements in cultured newt lung cells. The effect of elevated temperature shocks (ETS) on anaphase chromosome movements and spindle structure was studied in lung epithelial cells cultured from the newt Taricha granulosa granulosa. Mitosis proceeds normally up to temperatures of 31--32 degrees C. At slightly higher temperatures (33--34 degrees C) anaphase is desynchronized while still higher temperatures (35--36 degrees C) arrest chromosome movements. The desynchronization of chromosome movement is related on the ultrastructural level to the re-arrangement of kinetochore fibre microtubules (Mts) into hexagonally packed structures, and with the disappearance of non-kinetochore Mts. During desynchronized movement the distance a chromosome travels depends on the structure of its kinetochore fibre: those which have divergent kinetochore fibre Mts approach the poles, while those with hexagonally packed kinetochore fibre Mts do not. The data provide evidence concerning the anchorage of Mts and demonstrate that normal anaphase chromosome movements are functionally related both to the rearrangement of kinetochore Mts and to Mt disassembly.


Hemodynamic correlates of echocardiographic aortic root motion. Observations on normal subjects and patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. In ten normal subjects, we observed an initial hump in the aortic root echocardiogram after the onset of the QRS complex, following which a sharp anterior motion was noted. The onset of the anterior motion of the aortic root coincided with the onset of the upstroke of the aortic root pressure pulse and the onset of the velocity signal in five of seven patients with coronary arterial disease; in the other two, the anterior aortic motion followed the onset of the pressure and velocity signal by 10 msec. The aortic root echocardiogram was abnormal in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis; the slope (normalized for the scales of time and depth) in early systole was steeper and in the latter part of systole was flatter than normal in these patients. The slope in early diastole was flatter and the slope due to atrial contraction was steeper in the patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis than in the normal subjects. These features were consistent with rapid ejection in early systole and slow filling in the early phase of ventricular diastole in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Fourier analysis of the wave form of the aortic root allowed separation between patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and normal subjects.


Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis and stunted growth. A boy with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis and stunted growth is described. Fetal movements were few and the boy was small for gestational age. He always experienced easy fatigability, and he noted bouts of pigmenturia associated with episodes of considerable malaise. The change in color of the urine was caused by myoglobin. An electromyogram was myopathic. CPK rose during 60 minutes mild exercise. Prolonged moderate exercise could not be performed. Histopathological examination of muscle biopsy revealed an increase in the number of 11C fibres (20%). Electronmicroscopy revealed the wavy outline of a number of fibres and hypertrophy of sarcoplasmic reticulum elements. No cause for the stunted growth could be detected.


Chronobiologic study in the domestic duck. I. Quantitative and temporal study of the action of the white light, factor releasing the gonad-stimulation. I. White light is an essential and specific external factor in the development and growth of the duck gonads. The effects of light vary according to: a. Its intensity, up to a certain maximum, beyond which the effect on the gonads becomes reduced. b. Its daily duration. c. Its duration throughout the year. Too prolonged daily exposure to light throughout the year, as in temperate climates, produces a refractory phase due to a sort of temporary fatigue of the gonad-stimulating mechanism and not to weakness or fall in the testicular reaction. d. Its distribution in time. Dividing of the exposure to light for a given time, favors growth of the testis. II. Light is not essential for testicular development in ghe duck. This development occurs in total darkness but is slower, smaller and presents fluctuations which are less marked and shorter than in natural light. When several ducks are placed in darkness in the same surroundings, the fluctuations of various individuals present certain synchronization which can only be explained by the intervention of social factors which are probably tactile. III. Submitted to constant, continuous and prolonged light for years, male ducks present, with a few differences, a behavior similar to that of subjects submitted to total darkness. Finally, light is not essential for testicular growth, but it is necessary in nature to trigger off and stimulate testicular development and ensure its annual cyclic character. Social fractors, and other external factors, also play and important role to ensure synchronization of the development of the gonads of subjects in the same group.


Effect of live attenuated vaccines on the course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. A pilot study. The clinical severity of EAE is enhanced by pre-treatment with distemper, measles and BCG vaccine, measles vaccine gives a more severe onset of disease. Rubella vaccine and TAB leads to mild disease which recurs on re-treatment with the appropriate vaccine. These findings and their possible significance in MS are briefly discussed.


Hypothalamically induced intraspecific aggressive behaviour in the rat. The effects of electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) of rats on intraspecific aggressive behaviour were studied. In order to investigate the specificity of the stimulation effects, each experimental animal was stimulated in a number of different social situations. Stimulation of the LH in the presence of a subordinate male increased the amount of time spent on aggressive behaviour patterns and locomotion. In the presence of a dominant male, however, the stimulated animal never initiated a fight, whereas in the presence of an estrous female attack occurred in some rare occasions and sexual behaviour disappeared almost entirely. Stimulation of some sites also elicited mouse killing behaviour. Many of the electrodes that elicited intraspecific aggressive behaviour also supported intracranial self-stimulation. It is concluded that 1. electrical stimulation of this area of the LH predominantly potentiates intraspecific aggressive behaviour, 2. that this behaviour becomes overt depends on the external situation, including the behaviour of the opponent.


Myelin lipids in the brain after transplacental intoxication with ethylnitrosourea. At day 15 of gestation pregnant mice were injected with a single intravenous dose of ethylnitrosourea (ENU) (80 mg/kg of body weight). The lipid composition of the myelin fraction isolated by means of differential centrifugation from brains of their offsprings was studied. The transplacentally intoxicated mice developed severe changes in the lipid composition of their central myelin sheaths, such as a markedly decreased galactolipid (both cerebroside and sulfatide) as well as plasmalogen contents. The results show, that besides being a well known carcinogenic agent, ENU is capable of affecting the lipid metabolism of the developing central nervous system. The resultant effect is the formation of a chemically defective myelin sheath.


[Bioelectrical properties and ultrastructure of vascular smooth muscle cells in tissue culture]. Intracellular recording was performed in tissue culture of the rabbit vena portae from the smooth muscle cells (SMC) with spontaneous discharges. In inactive SMC the dischartges could be elicited by hyperpolarizing current. The membrane potentials and the input impedance of the SMC decreased with the growth of osmolarity of extracellular medium. The cells were identified as those of smooth muscle on the ground of electronmicroscopic studies. Cellular contacts of nexus type existed between adjacent SMC.


[Distribution of oxygen tension in breast tissues]. Using a mathematical model which describes the O2, transport in the alveolar cell of the mammary gland, the distribution of pO2 levels during two stages of the secretory cycle, was calculated. At the initial stage, the typical feature of which is the increased blood flow and O2 consumption, pO2 in the secretory tissue varied from 3 to 30 torr (average 9.9 torr). At the later stage of the secretory cycle characterized by the decreased blood flow and O2 consumption, pO2 levels in the secretory tissue were within the limits of 40--60 torr (average 48.9 torr). The increase of blood flow usually observed at the initial stage of the secretory cycle seems to supply tissues with the necessary amount of O2 even if the capillarization of the alveoli is minimal.


Regulation of malic enzyme synthesis by thyroid hormone and glucagon: inhibitor and kinetic experiments. Synthesis of malic enzyme was rapidly and markedly stimulated by the addition of triiodothyronine to chick embryo liver cells in culture. Alpha-Amanitin, an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II, blocked induction. The kinetics of induction and de-induction of malic enzyme synthesis suggested that the most stable event in triiodothyronine induction had a half-life of 18 to 20 h. However, malic enzyme synthesis decayed with a half-life of 2,4 h when transcription was inhibited with alpha-amanitin. Thus a long-lived event in thyroid hormone stimulation of malic enzyme synthesis occurred prior to transcription of a specific messenger RNA (mRNA), presumably malic enzyme mRNA. Malic enzyme synthesis decayed with a half-life of about 2 h when glucagon was added to pre-induced liver cells. The similarity of decay rates after inhibition of transcription with alpha-amanitin or inhibition of malic enzyme synthesis by glucagon suggests that glucagon may inhibit the transcription or processing of a specific mRNA required for malic enzyme synthesis.


Rabies post-exposure treatment and side-effects in man using HDC (MRC 5) vaccine. 126 patients underwent a post-exposure antirabies treatment using the beta-propiolactone inactivated (HDC) MRC-5 vaccine. The immunization schedule consisted of single doses of 1 ml of vaccine administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90. Within the post-exposure group several patients suffered wounds from known rabid animals. Serum samples were collected on days 0, 14, 30, 90 and 104. Neutralizing antibodies against the rabies virus were determined in the rapid-fluorescent-focus-inhibition (RFFI) test. The rise in neutralizing antibodies was steeper than that in the prophylactic group whereas the mean titer at day 30 did not significantly exceed the values obtained with the preventive immunization scheme. A 1 ml booster injection on day 90 resulted in a three-fold increase of antibody titer within two weeks. Although no major side-effects were observed, an analysis of questionnaires filled out by the patients is presented.


A potency test which simulates natural exposure for measuring post-exposure activity of rabies vaccines. A proposal for preparing a relevant international reference preparation. There is a basic difference between the mechanism of immunity at the pre- and post-exposure level. Due to the fact that vaccination precedes challenge in the available potency tests (Habel and NIH) they do not measure post-exposure activity of rabies vaccines. For these reasons a potency test in mice has been developed which measures post-exposure activity of rabies vaccines. In this test natural conditions have been simulated by using intramuscular inoculation of a street virus (fox salivary gland origin), killing approximately 50% of the control mice, whereas intraperitoneal inoculation with 0.5 ml of undiluted inactivated rabies vaccine within 24 hours after street virus infection, should protect all mice. A human rabies vaccine prepared in HDC and already licensed for post-exposure vaccination showed only some post-exposure activity in this newly developed potency test, whereas an experimental inactivated rabies vaccine protected all mice. The International rabies Reference Vaccine did not protect after exposure but, on the contrary, enhanced the rabies street virus infection (shorter incubation period and more mice died of rabies than in the controls); it is therefore unsuitable for measuring post-exposure potency. Authorities concerned with rabies vaccine control are invited to use this newly developed post-exposure potency test in their laboratories and if agreed upon its value, to prepare an adequate batch of inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine which meets this test-requirement. Such a batch could be a candidate for the establishment of an international reference preparation measuring post-exposure potency of rabies tissue culture vaccines.


Seabirds--a possible environmental factor in gastric cancer in Newfoundland. Because of the high incidence of gastric cancer in fishermen, in seabird catchers, and in regions generally associated with a temperate or cool marine environment, the association of seabirds with gastric cancer risk was investigated regionally in Newfoundland. Cartographic plotting and correlation analyses of 23 individual or combined regions of Newfoundland with respect to M, F or M + F mortality rates showed a close similarity between high risk areas and large seabird aggregations which were in the southeast region of the island. Coastal fish processing plants were also prevalent focal points in this region between fishermen and seabird populations, suggesting that a chemical or viral carcinogen should be sought within this triad of fishermen, seabirds, and fish plants.


Chronic alcohol consumption does not modify cholecystokinin blood levels estimated by bioassay in the dog. Blood levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) were estimated by a bioassay on in vitro rabbit gallbladder in two series of dogs; 5 dogs receiving daily, for 12--18 months, 2g kg-1 ethanol through a gastric cannula and 5 control dogs which did not receive ethanol. CCK-like activity is no different in either group, neither in the fasting state nor after intraduodenal injection of oleic acid or intragastric injection of ethanol.


Impaired secretin release in chronic alcoholic dogs. Plasma immunoreactive secretin has been compared before and after stimulation by intraduodenal infusion of HCl in 3 dogs who had received 2 g-kg-1-day-1 alcohol for 3 years and 4 non-alcoholic control dogs. After HCl infusion, blood secretin was lower in chronic alcoholic animals than in controls. This decreased post-stimulation concentration of secretin in chronic alcoholic dogs was in contrast to the increased release of gastrin after a meal which has been previously described.


[A comparative follow up study about intellectual and motoric development of premature births at three to eight years of life (author's transl)]. In a study involving 361 cases an average IQ for 101 was noted; the premature birth groups showed an average IQ of 99 and the control group an average IQ of 102. Statistically significant was the occurrence of mental retardation in the premature birth group when compared with the control group. In the premature birth group an delayed walking ability showed a correlation to a diminished birth weight. A correlation between a low asphyxion-Index and IQ could not be ascertained. In the areas of speech development, walking ability and bladder control no significant differences were noted between premature birth and control group.


[The IQ in gynaecology (author's transl)]. Relevant correlations between the level of the IQ and the reactions to gynaecological interventions and changes in the female reproductive system were detected. These are important in medical practice. The findings are based on psychometric studies in 400 to 500 women. First: Puberty and menarche are experienced in correlation to the IQ and pattern the later experience of menstruation. Second: Desire for inclusion of the marital partner in preoperative discussions, the type and frequency of Phobias prior to laparoscopic tubal sterilization are influenced by the IQ. Third: the lower the IQ the more sexual disturance was feared prior to hysterectomy. Fourth: The lower the IQ the more fears of menopause were voiced. Fifth: Statistically significant correlations between the IQ and the motivation for participation in preventive cancer check ups were found. This correlation was also found for the experience of the preventive cancer check up and for the age at which it was desired and for the institution which should encourage the examination. These results favour individualization of the medical advice and information in correlation to the IQ. Psychosocial and preventive medical problems in gynaecology could thus be reduced.


[The effect of opening of the eyes of newborns on the behavior of their mothers (author's transl)]. During the postpartum stay in the hospital 10 randomly selected German mothers and their newborns were video-taped for three feedings on three different days for 1/2 hour each. A written protocol of the behaviours of the mothers from three to five seconds before until three to five seconds after the opening of the eyes of the newborns was kept. The maternal behaviour in these protocols was evaluated. In 92.5% of the cases the behaviour of the mothers changed when their newborns opened their eyes. The following correlations were detected: the social behaviour of the mothers was twice as intense following opening of the eyes of the infant (p less than 0.001). The nurturing behaviour of the mothers remained constant but the interest in other objects decreased (p less than 0.01). Prior to the opening of the eyes of the newborns the mothers moved the body of the infants more (p less than 0.001). Following opening of the eyes of the newborns the mothers showed more lively facial expressions and spoke more to the infants (p less than 0.001). The mothers moved the infants closer following opening of the eyes (p less than 0.001). The results were evaluated in view of maternal infant bonding theory and desirable changes for the obstetric ward were suggested.


[Nonpuerperal mastitis in the hormonal stimulated breast (author's transl)]. Three patients with nonpuerperal mastitis are presented. The inflammation was supposedly related to hormonal stimulation of the breast. One patient suffered from hyperplasia of the breast, the second patient exhibited a rapidly growing fibroadenoma, a third patient developed a recurrent purulent mastitis on the basis of galactorrhea. All patients improved after exclusive administration of bromocriptine without the addition of antibiotics.


Hereditary determination of several hemodynamic indices. Investigation of the genetic determination of hemodynamic indices (the volume of circulating blood, the time of total blood circuit, the rate of lesser blood flow and the minute heart volume) is carried out in 16 mono- and 15 dizygotic twin pairs. The volume of circulating blood only was found to be highly genetically determined (G = 0.90). The role of heredity and environment was almost the same in genesis of the time of total blood circuit and the rate of lesser blood flow (G = 0.34 and 0.48 respectively), while the effect of environment is prevailed for the minute heart volume. The coefficient of genetic determination G is considered to be the most competent estimate among other indices of heredity, because it makes possible to isolate the additive variance and the variance of determing genetic component of phenotypical dispersion of a character. On the basis of the parameters studied, a multifactorial character of hemodynamics indices inheritance is suggested.


Enterohepatic circulation of bile acids after cholecystectomy. Bile acid metabolism was investigated in 10 patients after cholecystectomy, 10 gallstone patients, and 10 control subjects. Diurnal variations of serum levels of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid conjugates were not abolished by cholecystectomy. Cholic acid pool size was significantly reduced in cholecystectomised patients and the fractional turnover rate and the rate of intestinal degradation of bile acid showed a significant increase. In cholecystectomised patients fasting bile was supersaturated in cholesterol, though less than in gallstone patients, but, in both, feeding resulted in improvement of cholesterol solubility in bile. These data suggest that after cholecystectomy the small intestine alone acts as a pump in regulating the dynamics of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and that the improvement of cholesterol solubility in bile is due to a more rapid circulation of the bile acid pool in fasting cholecystectomised patients.


Fatty acid synthesis in mice during the 24hr cycle and during meal-feeding. Fatty acid synthesis was measured in liver, adipose tissue and the rest of the carcass in vivo, by measuring the incorporation of 3H from 3H2O. The maximum rate of synthesis during the 24 hr cycle occurred at 21.00-22.00 hr. At all times, the rest of the carcass was the major synthetic site and adipose tissue only made a significant contribution at the time of maximum synthesis. The rate of fatty acid synthesis in meal-fed mice was increased during the meals by 5-8 fold in the rest of the carcass, 10-fold in liver, and 30-60-fold in adipose tissue over the rate of synthesis in the immediate pre-prandial period. It is suggested that one reason for the higher rates of fatty acid synthesis in the rest of the carcass could be the activity of the intramuscular fat pads.


Induction of hepatic RNA-and protein synthesis by pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile in rats. Repeated administration of pregenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) induced hepatic microsomal RNA-synthesis in female rats. The RNA that appeared with 14C-orotate in the microsomes after a 12-h pulse had maximal specific activity. Deoxycholate-soluble RNA demonstrated a higher specific activity than did its ribosomal counterpart, and both were significantly more radioactive than in the respective controls. Examination of the rate of 14C-leucine incorporation into microsome-bound polypeptides showed that the enhanced RNA-synthesis after PCN treatment resulted in an augmentation of protein-synthesis. Administration of this cyanosteroid was also associated with a significant decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity and an increase in the cholesterol content of rat hepatocellular microsomes, which correlate well with the degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and the synchronous proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum.


Oxytalan fibre formation in the cornea: a light and electron microscopical study. Oxytalan is a fibrillar protein possessing some of the staining and ultrastructural properties of developing elastic tissue. In a study of human corneae we failed to find fibres of this type in five normal specimens but found them in each of 16 examples of keratoconus and 13 cases of post-traumatic or post-inflammatory scarring. In two cases the microfibrillar nature of the deposits was confirmed by electron microscopy, individual microfibrils measuring 10-12 nm in diameter and having profiles suggestive of a tubular structure. Oxytalan formation was intimately associated with the basal lamina of the covering epithelium with, in areas showing disruption of Bowman's layer and scarring, some extension into the superficial collagenous stroma.


Fingerprint pattern factors.

Fingerprint pattern factors. Factor analysis was employed using the ulnar ridge count, radial ridge count, ridge count (the larger of the radial or ulnar count as generally used for calculating total ridge count), and pattern type for each finger in 720 twins. Pattern type and ulnar count displayed parallel factor loadings while loadings for radial and ridge count also paralleled each other. This relationship did not hold for the index finger, indicating the importance of pattern direction and greater pattern diversity for this digit. Total ridge count was most closely associated with a factor of ring and little finger radial and ridge count and only secondarily with an index finger factor. When radial and ulnar counts were deleted to make comparisons with earlier studies, the result was factors having groupings of variables identical with previous reports. It appears that factor analysis results in consistent extraction of identical or very similar factors from different populations, and the use of radial and ulnar counts adds more information than when only the larger of the two counts is considered.


Serologic markers and chromosome variants in a pair of chimeric twins. A pair of chimeric twins, T.S. (male) and M.R. (female) first examined in 1970 are reinvestigated in order to determine if the proportions of admixture of red cells in their blood are unchanged, and if erythrocytes and leukocytes show the same percentage of admixture. T.S., M.R. and their family are investigated for HLA, serum types, and erythrocyte antigens and enzymes. A quantitative determination of 'foreign' cell populations in the blood of each twin is attempted for the systems ABO, and HLA, and for sex chromosomes in PHA stimulated lymphocytes. The results for the ABO system obtained by agglutination technique and by a double-layer immunofluorescence technique indicate that the population of M.R. erythrocytes in T.S. has decreased during the 7-year period, and is now below half the size found in 1970. Erythrocytes and leukocytes show the same percentage of admixture in both twins.


Genetical distance and dermatoglyphic characters. III. Dermatoglyphic distances within twin pairs, between left and right sides and between normals and 21-trisomics. The dermatoglyphic (genetical) distance coefficients have been estimated within monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs, between left and right sides of the same individual and between normal subjects and 21-trisomics. All the coefficients have been based, in turn, on frequencies of fingertip, palmar and sole pattern elements, separately and for all characters combined. Quantitative variables (pattern intensities) have also been used for independent evaluation of the C2H distance coefficient in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and in 21-trisomics as compared with normal individuals. The values of a distance have then been considered in relation to the degree of genetical likeness between the compared items as well as to the relative contribution of each pattern combination to the overall value of a distance. Some limitations in the interpretation of the results, connected mainly with statistical procedures, are also discussed.


Possible breakdown of volatile N-nitrosamines by enzymatic and/or microbiological agents in Swiss raw sausage. The degradation trends of 4 added nitrosamines (NDMA, NDEA, NPIP and NPYR) in Italian type salami have been investigated. All of the added NA's were partly degraded during the ripening period of the sausages (29 days); the aliphatic ones were less stable than the heterocyclic.


Volatile and non-volatile N-nitroso compounds in foods and other environmental media. A further series of cured meat products (meat loaf, liver loaf, bologna) has been investigated for their nitrosamine contents before and after frying. Contents in general were in the low microgram/kg range. An extensive study of nitrosamine contents of various types of cheese has been terminated. Although 45% of all samples showed indications of nitrosamine content, only 12% had concentrations of greater than 1 microgram/kg (1-6 microgram/kg); NDMA was more often found in hard and in soft cheese, than in other types. Analytical grade dichloromethane and chloroform have been found to contain N-nitrosomorpholine in concentrations of 2-376 microgram/kg (27-40% of the samples). The origin of the contamination is not known at present. A survey of the nitrosamine content of animal diets showed that 80% of all samples had contents of greater than 1 microgram/kg. NDMA (up to 79 microgram/kg) and NPYR (up to 26 microgram/kg) were most often found. There are indications that fish meal is the main source of contamination. Drugs containing amidopyrine (AP) have invariably been found to contain NDMA. Concentrations varied within wide limits (less than 10 microgram/kg - 371 microgram/kg). No correlation has been found between samples of pure AP and NDMA contents of drugs in which pure AP had been incorporated. Also, strong variations in NDMA contents have been found within individual batches, probably caused by the high reactivity of AP towards nitrogen oxides. The determination of N-nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine has been further improved and a further series of food analyses for contents of this nitrosamine has been carried out. About 30% of the samples were positive with contents below or near 10 microgram/kg. An analytical method for determination of N-nitrosamino acids has been worked out. The method consists of a series of extraction, liquid/liquid distribution and chromatography steps; N-nitrosoamino acids are finally determined, after trimethylsilylation, with a TEA detector. First results on the occurrence of these compounds in various cured meat products are reported.


N-Nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine in fried bacon and fried out fat. N-Nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine was extracted from fried bacon and fried-out fat with water:methanol (3:2). After elimination of residual nitrite with ammonium sulfamate, the nitrosamine was removed from the water:methanol by continuous extraction with dichloromethane. Identification was accomplished by conversion of N-nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine to the trimethylsilyl derivative followed by separation on a capillary column and characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Quantification and recovery studies were conducted without derivatization. Concentrated dichloromethane extracts were analyzed using a gas chromatographic-thermal energy analyzer system. Recovery of N-nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine from fried bacon and fried-out fat was 62 and 63%, respectively. Five commercial samples of fried bacon contained 0.4-3.9 ppb, while the fried-out fat contained 0.3-2.2 ppb N-nitroso-3-hydroxypyrrolidine.


Recent studies in Canada on the analysis and occurrence of volatile and non-volatile N-nitroso compounds in foods. The present paper briefly summarizes the research activities of the Food Research Laboratories, Canadian Health Protection Branch, during the past two years. Data presented indicate that traces of nitrosamines, mainly nitrosodimethylamine and nitrosodiethylamine, can occur in cheese. Several new analytical methods are presented for the determination of non-volatile nitroso compounds, such as nitrosohydroxypyrrolidine, nitrosodiethanolamine, nitrosoproline, nitrosohydroxyproline and nitrosoglyphosphate (a nitrosated herbicide). It is shown that all of the above compounds, even the very polar nitrosoglyphosphate, can be converted to volatile derivatives and then analysed by GLC-MS or by conventional GLC using a specific (such as P-photometric) detector. Traces of nitrosohydroxypyrrolidine have been detected in a few samples of cooked bacon. Contrary to previously reported findings, no significant levels of nitrosoproline were detected in the 6 samples of raw bacon analysed.


Survey of cured meat products for volatile N-nitrosamines: comparison of two analytical methods. A survey of 106 cured meat samples for 14 volatile N-nitrosamines has been completed. N-Nitrosopyrrolidine has been confirmed in fried bacon at levels ranging from 5 to 75 ppb. Unconfirmed trace levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine have been observed in a variety of cured meat products. The comparison of the multidetection GLC-MS method with the mineral oil distillation TEA method for the determination of volatile N-nitrosamines in foods shows good agreement between the analytical methods, especially at the 10 ppb level, and excellent agreement between the GLC and TEA analyses of an identical sample extract.


Occurrence of methylguanidine and agmatine in foods. Methylguanidine (MG), a precursor of carcinogenic methylnitrosocyanamide and methylnitrosourea, has long been considered to occur widely in fresh beef and various fish muscles in fairly high concentrations. Agmatine (AG) has been reported to be easily nitrosated to give a potent mutagen under acidic conditions. A survey has been conducted on the MG and AG contents of various fresh and processed foods. The present study reveals that no appreciable amount, or only trace amounts, of MG could be detected in fresh beef, pork, chicken and various fish and shellfish. In addition, almost the same low levels of MG were detected in various processed foods, except in the case of smoked-dried fish products, where the MG values ranged from 18 to 178 mg/kg. Relatively high concentrations of AG, ranging from 40 to 200 mg/kg, could be detected in fresh abalone and top-shell muscles, while fairly high concentrations of AG could be detected in some processed foods. A dried squid product, in particular, was found to contain as high as 650 mg/kg of AG.


Neonatal rat hepatocytes in primary tissue culture free from density-dependent regulation of growth. Studies employing [3H]thymidine and radioautography as well as colchicine and Feulgen staining of DNA showed that up to 19-fold increases in the degree of cell crowding in vitro, i.e. from 1.45 to 27.55 X 10(4) cells per specimen, did not change the rates of entry into DNA synthesis and mitosis of cultivated primary neonatal rat hepatocytes.