[Rate of development of immunologic memory and features of the secondary immune response in mice of high and low-reacting strains]. Immunological memory to sheep red blood cells developed in mice of strain CBA, DBA/2, and hybrids (CBAXXC57BL/6) F1 24 hours after the administration of a low dose of the antigen, and in C57BL/6 mice -- in 48 hours. The level of the secondary immune response in CBA, C57BL/6, and hybrid F1 mice was much greater than in the DBA/2 mice. The maximal production of the antibody-forming cells in the spleen of CBA mice occurred after twofold administration of low antigen doses. In contrast to this, repeated administration of a high antigen dose is required to obtain a marked immune response in adoptive transfer of spleen cells of the C57BL/6 strain.


[Disorders in the adrenergic innervation of the stomachs of rats with stable regulation of cardiovascular function in the presence of emotional stress]. Changes of arterial pressure and of the frequency of cardiac contractions were analyzed in Wistar rats under acute immobilization stress; stability of the cardiovascular functions under emotional stress was revealed. An increased sensitivity of the adrenergic component of the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the stomach that caused the development of its dystrophic processes was observed. Emotional stress proved to be accompanied by phasic dynamics of disorders in the adrenergic innervation: mobilization in the adrenergic innervation was followed by its exhaustion.


[Influence of several factors on the formation of immunologic memory]. Experiments were conducted on mice with the use of sheep erythrocytes as an antigen; the level of the secondary immune response of the spleen (in situ) cells or in adoptive transfer was in reverse relationship to the dose of erythrocytes used for primary immunization. Cyclophosphamide administered to the animals together with the antigen proved to stimulate the immune reaction of mice to the repeated erythrocyte administration; this occurred only in case of using comparatively high antigen doses for the priming. The mechanisms of the phenomenon described are discussed.


[Sensitivity of embryonal lungs of mice, rats and humans to exposure to nitrosomethylurea in organ cultures]. With the direct action of nitrosomethylurea (NMU) in a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml on the organic cultures of the embryonic lung of mice of the A line, Wistar rats and man they developed a different degree of degenerative changes and hyperplastic epithelial proliferates. A toxic effect prevailed in the cultures at the initial experimental periods. The most sensitive to the toxic action of NMU was the lung tissue of rat embryos, and the least--of mice. The incidence of hyperplastic proliferates was, on the contrary, the greatest in the cultures of mouse lungs, and the least--of rat lungs. The sensitivity of the embryonic lungs of the man and rodents to the toxic action of NMU in repeated administration into the nutrient medium diminished during the cultivation. There was an increase of survival of the experimental cultures in comparison with the intact control.


[Duration of mitosis in the corneal epithelium and spleen cells of mice with leukemia La]. Mitotic fluctuations during 24 hours and duration of motoses were studied in the corneal epithelium and in the leukemic-La spleen cells of mice. The existence of correlative changes between the mitotic index and the duration of mitosis in the course of 24 hours was revealed. It is supposed that a more rapid course of mitosis in the intensively proliferating tissues and a slower one in the tissues with a low proliferative capacity served as a reflection of general regularity.


Sex hormone binding globulin in carcinoma of the prostate. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) was measured in 130 patients with carcinoma of the prostate. Its level is raised in patients treated with oestrogen and it is possible that this may be of prognostic significance. The possible relevance of SHBG in oestrogen-treated patients is discussed.


Angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain, 1963-73. Deaths attributed to primary angiosarcoma of the liver (ASL) in Great Britain between 1963-73 were reviewed by submitting available histological material to a panel of histopathologists and by obtaining full occupational and residential histories for the cases agreed as ASL by the panel. On average four recorded cases of ASL occurred a year, but in only one-third of the cases submitted did the panel agree with the original diagnosis. Only one of the agreed cases could be confidently associated with exposure to vinyl chloride.


Changes in distribution of gestational age and birth weight among firstborn infants of Cardiff residents. We studied data on firstborn singleton infants born to primiparous Cardiff residents during the decade 1965-1974. Both mean birth weight and gestational age at delivery fell appreciably during 1965-74. Changes in maternal age, height, smoking habits, or history of abortion did not explain these findings. The increased proportion of infants weighing less than 2500 g may be explained by the overall reduction in gestational age at delivery, which, in turn, may have resulted from increased use of elective delivery during the second quinquennium.


Dose-response relationships in attenuation of puromycin-induced amnesia by neurohypophyseal peptides. Intracerebral injections of puromycin one day after training of mice in a Y-maze cause amnesia when the animals are tested 7 days later. This amnesia was shown to be attenuated by various neurohypophyseal hormones, analogs and fragments, administered subcutaneously immediately after training. Dose-response relationships have been obtained for the attenuation of puromycin-induced amnesia in mice by selected neurohypophyseal peptides. All of the compounds tested reduce the amnesia in a dose-related way, suggesting that these peptides may interact with specific receptors to induce their central effect. Among the peptides studied the two most potent--i.e., those that cause substantial retention of memory at the lowest doses--are the neurohypophyseal hormone arginine vasopressin and Z-prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide (Z-MIF).


Modifications in gonadotropin control and reproductive behavior in the female rat by hypothalamic and preoptic lesions. Effects of small hypothalamic and preoptic area lesions on vaginal cyclicity, ovulation and ovarian weights of female rats were examined. Animals were then gonadectomized and tested for lordosis behavior following injections of estrogen alone and estrogen plus progesterone. Male sex behavior was also measured during daily treatment with testosterone. Relative to sham operated rats, lesions in the dorsal preoptic area produced a significant increase in lordosis behavior, virtual elimination of male sex behavior, and only marginal effects on ovarian function. Animals with lesions in the ventral preoptic area showed constant vaginal cornification, lack of ovulation and significantly smaller ovaries than the other groups. These rats also tended to show more female sex behavior and less male sex behavior than sham operated rats. Animals with lesions in the anterior hypothalamus and dorsomedial hypothalamus showed normal ovarian function and levels of female and male sex behavior comparable to the ventral preoptic lesioned rats. Animals with lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus tended to show lower levels of lordosis behavior than sham animals but displayed a dramatic and significant increase in male copulatory behavior relative to the other groups. These data indicate a clear dissociation between the neural control of cyclic gonadotropin activity and sex specific reproductive behavior.


The binding site of skeletal alpha-tropomyosin on troponin-T. The binding site for rabbit skeletal alpha-tropomyosin on troponin-T has been localized to the cyanogen bromide fragment, CB2 (residues 71-151), using affinity chromatography. The entire fragment is required to bring about the correct secondary structure conducive to binding. CB2 contains about 80% alpha-helix and accounts for most of the helical content found in troponin-T (35%). The molecular weight of CB2 obtained by sedimentation equilibrium (9700) agrees closely with the value calculated from sequence analysis (9850). Circular dichroism and sedimentation velocity experiments indicate that the helix is stable and not affected by salt concentrations of 0.1 to 1.6 M KCl nor by composition of the buffer. The helical content is unaffected by pH from 3.3 to 9.1 but decreases at pH 10-11. Temperature denaturation studies CB2 and troponin-T show that both are similarly heat labile, with loss of 50% of the ellipticity at 39 degrees C. Binding of CB2 to alpha-tropomyosin occurs in the pH range of 5.0 to 9.1, but not at pH 3-4 or 10-11. It is concluded that the helical region of CB2, and perhaps the carboxyl side chains of aspartic and glutamic acids, may be involved in binding over a limited surface area of the double-stranded coiled coil of alpha-tropomyosin.


Long-term treatment of Paget's disease of bone with salmon calcitonin. Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic Paget's disease of bone were treated with synthetic salmon calcitonin for periods of 9 to 42 months (average, 23 months). Serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and urinary hydroxyproline excretion, which had been elevated before treatment, were decreased by calcitonin treatment in all patients, and some decrease was sustained in 23 in association with variable decreases in pain, heat and stiffness of major joints. Improvement was sustained further in approximately half of these patients; the other half had partial return of symptoms. Calcium absorption was increased in 9 of 10 patients studied; the increase did not correlate with plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone. The mean endogenous fecal calcium excretion was decreased significantly but there was no significant change in mean urinary calcium excretion. Mean accretion rate of calcium to bone, studied in 10 patients, was decreased by 35% after 6 months of treatment and by a further 23% 1 year later. There was no consistent effect of calcitonin treatment on bone mineral mass. No serious adverse effects of treatment such as allergic reactions were observed. Calcitonin appears to be effective initially in most patients with Paget's disease of bone, but with long-term treatment resistance may be acquired.


The structure of unit B-type glycopeptides from porcine thyroglobulin. The structure of Unit B-type glycopeptides (monosialo-type and disialo-type) was investigated by Smith degradation, methyllation, and mass spectral analysis. These glycopeptides contain three peripheral sugar chains. Two are composed of D-galactose residues linked at C-6 and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose residues linked at C-4, and the other is composed of a D-galactose residues linked at C-6, a 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose residues linked at C-4, and a D-mannose residue linked at C-2. Most of these peripheral sugar chains are linked to two inner D-mannose residues which are substituted at C-3 and C-6, and constitute branching points. L-Fucose and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid residues are nonreducing terminal groups, and a di-N-acetylchitobiose moiety is linked to an asparagine residue in the peptide moiety. By methylation analysis of the oligosaccharide obtained by hydrazinolysis of the disialoglycopeptide, the L-fucose residues was found to be linked to C-6 of the 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose residue linked to the asparagine residue. From these results, and from the previously reported data on the sugar sequence and the anomeric configurations of the linkages between sugar residues, structures for these glycopeptides are proposed.


Selective release of chromosomal proteins during limited DNAase 1 digestion of avian erythrocyte chromatin. Duck erythrocyte chromatin has been treated with DNAase 1 under conditions that are known to digest selectively the structural genes coding for globin mRNAs. This limited digestion releases specific sets of nonhistone chromosomal proteins that are not preferentially released during limited digestion with micrococcal nuclease, which does not selectively attack the globin sequences. Analysis of nucleosome monomer and multimer peaks separated on sucrose gradients after limited digestion with micrococcal nuclease shows that the proteins which are released by DNAase 1 digestion remain associated with the chromatin subunits and can be removed by extraction in 0.5 M NaCl. These proteins are tentatively identified as members of the high mobility group (HMG) proteins (originally described by Goodwin, Sanders and Johns, 1973) in terms of their extractability, electrophoretic characteristics and amino acid composition.


The genes and mRNA coding for the heavy chains of chick embryonic skeletal myosin. A size class of polysomes was isolated from chick embryonic leg skeletal muscle which synthesized almost exclusively a polypeptide chain with a molecular weight identical to the myosin heavy chain. The mRNA purified from these polysomes was shown to synthesize the 200,000 dalton polypeptide in the wheat germ cell-free translation system. At least 90% of the polypeptide had properties similar to the myosin heavy chain. Isoelectric focusing indicated that the myosin heavy chain synthesized in vitro contained two chains in equal amounts, as did purified embryonic leg skeletal muscle myosin. The kinetics of hybridization of the complementary DNA with an excess of the myosin heavy chain mRNA (MHC mRNA) indicated the presence of two different mRNA sequences. Reassociation of the cDNA to an excess of the DNA of the genome suggest that there is little, if any, reiteration of the myosin heavy chain genes.


Hemodynamic results of aortic valvular replacement with the porcine xenograft valve. Twenty-three patients were evaluated by cardiac catheterization two to 12 months following aortic valve replacement with the porcine xenograft valve. These hemodynamic studies established a mean peak-to-peak systolic gradient across the prosthesis of 23 mm Hg with a range of 6-58 mm Hg. The mean effective orifice area was calculated to be 1.25 cm2. The effective orifice area increased with increasing valve size from 0.99 cm2 for the 19 mm prosthesis to 1.44 cm2 for the 25 mm prosthesis. While in general the hemodynamics of the porcine xenograft valve are comparable to other available prostheses, the exceedingly small orifice areas (0.99 cm2 and 1.03 cm2) calculated for the 19 mm and 21 mm prostheses render their use inadvisable.


Estimation of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK) in human plasma and tissue by a specific radioimmunoassay and the immunohistochemical identification of pancreozymin-producing cells in the duodenum of humans. A reliable, sensitive, reproducible and specific radioimmunoassay for cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK) has been developed, using rabbit antisera to highly purified porcine hormone. The natural occurring variant of CCK (39-CCK), in which the ordinary CCK is lengthened from its N-terminus by a hexapeptide, labelled with 125J, and repurified by column chromatography on Sephadex G-10 and on SP-Sephadex C-25, was used as tracer. Separation from antibody-bound labelled 39-CCK was carried out using a double antibody procedure. Non-specific interference with the assay system was abolished by ethanol extractions. Highly purified porcine CCK was used as standard. No significant crossreaction was found with gastrin, motilin, vasoactive polypeptide (VIP), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), natural and synthetic secretin, pancreatic glucagon or insulin. The sensitivity of the assay is approximately 40 pg/ml of test solution. The mean immunoreactive CCK concentration in 45 fasting normal subjects was 222 pg/ml increasing after food ingestion to 480 pg/ml. Somatostatin was able to abolish the stimulated CCK release. Elevated CCK concentrations were found in chronic pancreatitis. Immunohistochemical identification of pancreozymin cells was carried out either in surgical samples or in biopsy material. Approximately 1650 CCK cells per cross-section in the duodenum of humans have been found. The CCK cells usually appeared elongated, oval or pyramidal in shape and were observed to reach the lumen with their apical cell pole.


Lipoperoxide level of the retina of chick embryo exposed to high concentration of oxygen. To approach the mechanism of degeneration of the retina in retinopathy of prematurity, a model experiment using chick embryo was carried out. Upon exposing chick embryo at various stages to a high concentration of oxygen at 2 atm pressure, lipoperoxide levels of both the blood and the retina were elevated. The change in lipoperoxide level of the liver was not significant, except for a slight increase at the 9th day of incubation. Upon exposing chick embryo of the 14th day to high concentration of oxygen at ambient pressure, lipoperoxide levels of both the blood and the retina were elevated at 6 h and 12 h of exposure, but significant change was not observed in the lipoperoxide level of the liver.


A comparison of the community psychology and medical models: teaching attitudes toward deviance to high school students. There is increased recognition of the importance of early intervention as part of a comprehensive system of community psychology. Moreover, emphasis on intervention at the system level is recommended to maximize effectiveness. However, in designing early intervention system-related programs, the content of the intervention is a critical, though often ignored, feature. This study compared a traditional medical model content with a community psychology-oriented content in teaching attitudes toward deviance to high school students. Results indicated that the significant changes in attitudes differed markedly between groups exposed to the divergent explanatory models, and that, in general, the community psychology model produced more favorable outcomes.


[Risk to humans through contact with golden hamsters carrying lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (author's transl)]. Among 291 persons of all age groups from Cologne or Frankfurt and environs who had been in contact with golden hamsters there were 17 (5.8%) with neutralizing antibodies against lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), while such antibodies were present in only 5 (2%) of 251 persons without such contact, the difference between antibody rates representing a probability of error of 5% LCM-virus infections caused by golden hamsters occurred also in city dwellers, younger age groups and more females than has been previously the case, confirming an increased risk through contact with pet hamsters. Because of the danger of intra-uterine damage in case of infection, pregnant women had best avoid all contact with hamsters.


Effect of ethanol on dopamine synthesis in rat striatal synaptosomes. We have examined the effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatment and of ethanol withdrawal on dopamine synthesis in rat striatal synaptosomes in vitro. Our studies showed that acute exposure to ethanol produces a dose-related decrease in dopamine synthesis in synaptosomes. This effect of acute ethanol treatment is time-dependent, since there is an initial stimulation of dopamine synthesis, which then is followed by a depression of synthesis. Chronic exposure to ethanol in the form of a liquid diet for 2 weeks does not alter dopamine synthesis in striatal synaptosomes. After withdrawal from ethanol, dopamine synthesis in striatal synaptosomes is decreased.


Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine or 5,7-dihydroxy-tryptamine on the development of physical dependence on ethanol. Infant rats, treated intracisternally with 6-hydroxydopamine or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, alone or in combination with desmethylimipramine or pargyline, at 5 to 7 days of age, had significant specific depletions of brain norepinephrine, dopamine, both of these amines, or serotonin at 2.5 months of age. Despite apparent long-term depletions of brain biogenic amines, susceptibility to audiogenically-induced seizures following chronic ethanol withdrawal in these animals was similar to that of controls. Amine-depleted rats also displayed spontaneous withdrawal-induced tremors, spastic motor activity and irritability. The interpretation of these preliminary findings with regard to the proposed role of the biogenic amines in the development of physical dependence on ethanol is discussed.


The effect 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine on the kinetic parameters of sugar transport in cultured chick embryo heart cells. The effect of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3; 10(-8)M) on sugar transport was studied in cultured chick embryo heart cells. T3 did not increase the uptake of L-glucose, a sugar which enters the cell by simple diffusion. The effect of T3 on the kinetic parameters of the uptake of both 3-0-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMET) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) was studied after 6 and 24 h exposure to T3. T3 had no effect on the Km for either sugar. T3 increased the Vmax for the first 6 h or exposure for 3-OMET, a sugar which is only transported, and increased the Vmax after 6 and 24 h for 2-DOG, a sugar both transported and phosphorylated. T3 also increased the relative phosphorylation of 2-DOG within the cells in the period between 6 and 24 h. The data show a biphasic effect of T3 on sugar accumulation, an early effect on transport along and a later effect on phosphorylation as well.


Distribution of testosterone-estradiol binding globulin (TeBG) in the higher vertebrates. The presence of testosterone-estradiol binding globulin (TeBG) in a variety of higher vertebrate species has been investigated by an ammonium sulphate precipitation technique. TeBG has been demonstrated in significant amounts in primates, carnivora, marsupiala, and some artiodactyla, even in circumstances where previously electrophoretic studies failed to identify it. For the first time it has also been shown in trace amounts in certain rodents and birds. TeBG in the kangaroo substantiates the primitiveness of the protein in the mammal line and its absence in certain orders and species of eutherian mammals must represent a secondary loss.


Sex dimorphism in the thyroid gland. I. Morphometric studies on the thyroid gland of intact adult male and female rats. Morphometric studies were performed on thyroid glands of intact adult male and female rats. Thyroid follicular cells are markedly higher in the male rats than in the females during estrus. The volume fraction of the epithelium is larger but the fraction of colloid is less in males than in females. Also epithelium/colloid ratio is higher in male than in female rats.


Bovine alpha s0 casein; a phosphorylated homologue of alpha s1 casein. After consideration of its electrophoretic behaviour, amino acid composition and phosphate content, bovine alpha s0 casein has been shown to differ from alpha s1 casein only in respect of its phosphate content. The presence in alpha s0 casein of one phosphate residue more than occurs in alpha s1 casein was confirmed by comparative degradative studies performed on both proteins. From these it was concluded that alpha s0 casein may be considered as being alpha s1 casein which has been modified by phosphorylation of the seryl residue located at position 41.


X-linked dysosteosclerosis. Four familial cases. Four Spanish children with clinical and radiological features corresponding to dysosteosclerosis are presented. All the children were male and belonged to the same family. The first known carrier is the maternal grandmother, who had three daughters by three different fathers who in turn had one or more sons with the disease. The four carriers were normal. Consanguinity did not occur in any case and the disorder was transmitted as a sex-linked recessive condition.


[Nervous regulation of cardiac function during aging]. The hemodynamic changes and myocardium contractile capacity following the extracardiac nerves stimulation with acetylcholine, norepinephrine, inderal, regitin and atropine, as well as the activity of main enzymes of cholinergic and adrenergic metabolism, were studied in albino rats, rabbits, and cats of various age. With ageing, the thresholds of vagal and sympathetic nerves influences on the heart increased, the sensitivity of heart to acetylcholine and norepinephrine changed. In old animals, smaller atropine and in deral doses blocked the respective cholinergic and beta-adrenergic reactions. Alterations of transmitters metabolism play an important role in the mechanism of age-induced changes in nervous control of cardiac function.


[Moder classification of dermatophytes]. Dermatophytes are classified according to two systems. The first, or parasitic classifications of Sabouraud, rests on the morphology of the dermatophytes on the hair in vivo (Achorion, Trichophyton endothrix or ectothrix microides and megaspores, Microsporum) or on the absence of growth on the hair in vivo (Epidermophyton). In the second type they are classified according to their saprophytic morphology. There are many classification of this type based on the asexual state of the dermatophytes, e.g. the classification of Emmons (Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton) or the classification of Vanbreuseghem and De Vroey (Microides, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Keratinomyces). As the existence of a sexual state of the dermatophytes has been demonstrated, the dermatophytes are also classified in two perfect genera: Arthroderma and Nannizzia. In this paper it is assumed that both classification have to be used because they are not correlated.


The HLA system and the genetics of juvenile diabetes mellitus. Eighteen families with a total of 68 children were completely typed for HLA-A, B, C, D and Bf. With only one exception, all affected children within each family with 2 or more diabetic siblings, shared both HLA-D alleles indicating that J.D.M. is a recessive trait. Since half of the siblings who are HLA-D identical to the first affected child developed J.D.M. (as is the case of monozygotic twins), the gene(s) in question is most likely the sole genetic requirement for this disease and has a penetrance of 50%. No evidence of association between J.D.M. and B8, Dw3 or Bw15 was observed by analyzing the segregation of J.D.M. and of each of the above HLA antigens in informative families. A total of 9 out of 68 children bore a recombinant HLA haplotype. This increased rate of crossing-over in J.D.M. seems to require a single J.D.M. gene since the parents (9) in whom recombinations occurred were non-diabetic. No association was seen between the presence of the disease and the existence of a recombinant hoplotype.


Chronic and acute studies indicating absence of exocrine pancreatic feedback inhibition in dogs. Chronic administration of raw soybean flour containing active trypsin inhibitor to dogs reduced the pancreatic output of trypsin and chymotrypsin in response to cholecystokinin. Dogs stimulated by a meat meal showed no consistent alteration in the output of trypsin and chymotrypsin when given additional duodenal infusions of trypsin and chymotrypsin, or canine pancreatic juice, or ovalbumin trypsin inhibitor. Two dogs, whose pancreas was stimulated by intraduodenal infusion of amino acids, showed no consistent change when trypsin, or trypsin together with trypsin inhibitors, or trypsin together with canine pancreatic juice was infused concurrently into the duodenum. These results indicate that feedback control of pancreatic enzyme secretion, of the type proposed on the basis of studies similar to the present in rats, does not exist in dogs.


Insulin binding capacity in patients changed from conventional to highly purified insulins. An indicator of likely response. Highly purified insulins offer the possibility of reducing insulin antibody levels and insulin requirement. Those likely to respond cannot be predicted on clinical grounds and a simple laboratory test is recommended for this purpose. This is based on insulin binding capacity (IBC) of plasma and has been used to follow a group of 47 patients over six months. 47 patients previously treated with British soluble and isophane insulins were changed to highly purified Leo Neutral and Leo Retard. 36 showed a reduction of insulin requirement and two groups could be identified. An IBC of greater than 40 muU/ml was associated in 94% with a reduction of insulin dose; if the IBC was less the response was unpredictable. The initial IBC was related to the initial insulin requirement and to the eventual percentage reduction. Serial measurements in patients with high initial IBC showed a steady fall. Measurement of the IBC is a simple investigation; if the level is greater than 40 muU/ml changing to a highly purified insulin is likely to be associated with reduction of insulin requirement.


Lamina propria macrophages of intestine of the guinea pig. Possible role in phagocytosis of migrating cells. The macrophages of lamina propria were commonly found both in the small and the large intestine of guinea pigs, mice, rats, and in human duodenum. The frequency of macrophage occurrence was highest in the lamina propria of villous apices of the small intestine and beneath the lining epithelium of the large intestine. In the cytoplasm of lamina propria macrophages localized in those regions, Feulgen-positive (DNA-containing) granules could be observed particularly in the guinea pig intestine. Autoradiography of the latter, 3 to 5 days after [3H]thymidine injection, showed the coincidence of occurrence of labeled Feulgen-positive granules in the macrophage cytoplasm with the appearance of labeled epithelial cells and sheath-fibroblasts in the region of lamina propria containing the highest accumulation of macrophages, i.e., at the apices of villi of the small intestine and beneath the lining epithelium of the large intestine. Labeled nuclei of macrophages were observed scarcely and much less frequently than were labeled cytoplasmic granules. No labeled Feulgen-positive granules could be seen in macrophages 1/2 hr, 1, 2, and 7 days after [3H]thymidine injection. It is suggested that the lamina propria macrophages may play a role in the phagocytosis of some migrating cells of the intestinal mucosa, most probably of the sheath-fibroblasts and/or intraepithelial lymphocytes.


Hepatic intramitochondrial filaments in morbidly obese patients undergoing intestinal bypass. The characteristics of hepatocyte intramitochondrial filaments (IMF's) were studied in 16 patients undergoing jejunal ileal bypass for morbid obesity. At the time of bypass, all of the liver biopsies showed varying degrees of steatosis and IMF's were present in 13 of the 16 operative specimens. The IMF's were most prominent in the periportal cells, whereas the intracellular lipid was concentrated in centrilobular cells. Midzonal hepatocytes were intermediate in both respects. The IMF'S were more abundant in biopsies showing moderate steatosis than in those with marked lipid accumulation in which the IMF's were limited to hepatocytes in juxtaposition to portal triads. The IMF's appeared to originate from mitochondrial cristae. When steatosis resolved 12 to 18 months after intestinal bypass the prevalence of IMF's diminished also. It is hypothesized that the presence of IMF's is ultrastructural evidence of an adaption to an altered metabolic environment which resolves when the inciting influence is removed.


New trends in psychosomatic research.

New trends in psychosomatic research. Advances in physiological psychology and neuroendocrinology, together with epidemiological studies, have added new dimensions to psychosomatic research. Psychological influences still are accepted as exacerbators or trigger mechanisms, if less often as causes. Theories of psychosomatics which connected specific personality profiles with specific psychosomatic illnesses have lost favor, and multifactorial explanations, which include heredity, environment, social class, life stress, endocrines, brain areas, neurohormones, and immunological mechanisms, are new areas of research. Research methods have become more sophisticated scientifically, particularly in the selection and size of samples tested, and the variety of situations investigated. Psychological reactions to illness in general, terminal disease, and death, and psychological experiences of pain, in addition to variable effects of psychotherapeutic methods and psychotherapists' personality, are identifiable but unquantified influences which seem acceptable as contributors to, if not causes of, psychophysiological disorders.


[Studies on the physical dependence liability of analgesics. 5th report: Electron microscopic studies on the ultrastructural transformation of mitochondria in the cells of zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in morphine pellet implanted mice (author's transl)]. Influence of morphine on the fine structure of mitochondria in the cells of zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in mice in which a morphine pellet was subcutaneously implanted was studied using electron microscope. (1) Transformation of the mitochondrial structure, i.e. swelling, formation of lamellar or concentric circular cristae and decrease of electron density of the mitochondrial matrix, was observed 12 hr after implantation, and changes reached a maximum state at 48 hr. These transformations, however, disappeared wihtin 4 days. (2) On the 4th day after implantation, removal the pellet again produced transformation of the mitochondria with withdrawal symptoms, and a normal state was reverted to 72 hr later. Levallorphan challenge produced similar changes. (3) Injection of morphine into mice after removal of the pellet prevented the appearance of mitochondrial transformation. From the results obtained it may be concluded that there are correlations between the transformation of the mitochondria and physical dependence on morphine in mice.


[Blood vessel coagulation with the argon laser]. Experimental studies on small blood vessels of the rat mesentery were performed in order to optimize current clinical argon laser coagulation technique of ocular neovascularization. The vessel effects were observed by means of vital microscopy and histological studies were done on coagulated vessels. Furthermore systematic variation of the coagulation parameters was done. The main results were as follows: Graded effects such as reversible vasoconstriction, endovascular thrombosis and complete separation of the vessel wall could be achieved with the argon laser on small vessels in surroundings of relatively low absorption. Short duration vessel closure resulted from endovascular thrombosis alone or in conjunction with downstream vasoconstrictions. Destroyed erythrocytes adhering to the vessel wall played a major role in endovascular thrombosis. Subendothelial structures were of minor importance. Longer lasting vessel closure could be achieved by summation of the effects of single exposures. Low risk vessel coagulation is only possible at exposure times of less than 20 msec. Currently available clinical argon lasers do not deliver the high laser powers needed for this purpose.


[The effect of fructose on glucose formation and oxydation in healthy subjects and patients with liver cirrhosis]. The effect of fructose infusions (1.0 g/kg/g) on serum glucose, insulin, lactate, free fatty acids, glucose production and glucose oxidation was investigated with 14C-glucose in 10 normals and 11 patients with liver cirrhosis. Elevation of glucose and insulin were small and only slightly higher in cases of cirrhosis. Decrease of free fatty acids and rise of lactate were approximately the same in both groups. During infusion of fructose glucose turnover increased up to 196 +/- 41% in the normals and up to 279 +/- 78% in the patients with cirrhosis. No influence on the specific activity of 14CO2 was observed. It was therefore suggested, that approximately the same amount of glucose leaving the liver in excess during infusion of fructose was taken up by the liver at the same time. This behaviour of glucose supply to the blood stream and removal from it would explain, why high rates of conversion of fructose to glucose were measured with 14C-fructose, while only small amounts of glucose production were estimated from hepatic arteriovenous differences.


[Studies on the metabolism of parenterally infused amino acids in healthy adults]. We studied the metabolic kinetics after short-time infusion of a 10% standardised L-amino-acid-mixture in 19 healthy adults. The following results were of special interest: 1. Nearly all amino-acids had half life times between 7 and 10 minutes. 2. The male adults showed averagely higher clearance and transfer rates in contrast to female. There was a statistical difference for serine and alanine in the transfer rates, for serine, methionine and glycine in the clearance. 3. The maximum of daily turnover could be calculated for about 5,6 g/kg body weight. Based on the measured transfer rates we discuss the composition of some standardised L-amino-acid-mixtures.


[Poisoning and forced diuresis].

[Poisoning and forced diuresis]. The effect of two different methods of forced diuresis was investigated in two groups consisting of twelve patients. These groups were statistically selected from 86 cases with severe poisoning caused by hypnotic drugs, exhibiting a comparable metabolic and neurological symptomatology. Group 1 underwent the usual diuretic therapy group 2 was treated with standardised forced duiresis (SFD). In group 2 a significant higher hourly urinary output, a lower incidence of acidosis and more stability of the electrolyte balance were found. Therefore SFD was judged to be a useful help in elimination of hypnotic drugs.


[Hematological studies on changes caused by warming of the blood with microwaves]. Our examinations have shown, that through warming of blood with the micro-wave device "Haemotherm" there were no serious haematological alterations to be proved. The "Haemotherm" device can therefore be recommended as a useful and riskless equipment for warming blood in the usually used plastic covers during massive transfusions.


[Coagulation-physiological studies on the prevention of thromboembolism with dextran 60. I. The effect on platelet function]. Platelet aggregation, spreading capacity, adhesiveness (methods according to BREDDIN) have been investigated in 3 groups of 20 patients each after gynecological surgery. Group A (control group) got only 4-hydroxycumarin (Sintrom), group B--in addition to that--intraoperative 500 ml Dextran 60 (Macrodex 6%), group C 500 ml Dextran 60 as well intraoperative as on the 1., 2., 4., 7. and 10. day after surgery. The present data show that depending on the duration of Dextran application, platelet spreading capacity and adhesiveness are inhibited differently as to duration and extent. There was, above all, a reduction and with that a normalisation of the postoperatively increased spontaneous platelet aggregation. It is possible to influence the phase of early postoperative embolism in a favorable way by applicating Dextran already intraoperatively. After that one can use further infusions of Dextran, a prophylaxis by Cumarins or other anticoagulants. Giving dextran only once during surgery one can prove this normalisation of the increased platelet aggregation up to 24 hours postoperatively. By further infusions of Dextran 60 on the 1., 2., 4., 7. and 10. postoperative day it is possible to keep the extent of aggregation on a significantly reduced level till the complete mobilisation of the patient and consequently attain a protective effect on a possible development of deep venous thrombosis of the legs.


[Coagulation-physiological studies on the prevention of thromboembolism with dextran 60. II. Changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis]. The postoperative behavior of different parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis have been studied in three groups of 20 patients each. Group A got only 4-hydroxycumarin, group B 500 ml Dextran 60 intraoperatively in addition to that, group C 500 ml Dextran 60 during surgery and on the 1., 2., 4., 7. and 10. postoperative day. The results show that the hypercoagulability which occurs immediately after surgery can be prevented by infusion of Dextran 60. On the other hand there is no evidence that Dextran 60 may cause a consumptive coagulability. There is only little influence on fibrinolysis, so that no defect of haemostasis can be expected. So it is possible to use Dextran 60 both for bridging over the phase of early embolism after surgery until the change to other anticoagulants and as a substance which can be applicated for a longer period of time in prophylaxis of thromboembolism. It is referred to the additional properties of Dextran 60 in prevention of thrombosis due to reduction of blood viscosity and improvement of microcirculation.


The influence of dietary purines and pyrimidines on purine. Allopurinol-induced orotaciduria is reduced by dietary ribonucleic acid (RNA), RNA hydrolysate and different nucleotides. These findings are compatible with feedback regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis by dietary nucleotides. Serum uric acid and urinary uric acid excretion on a purine-free isoenergetic diet reach a minimum after about 10 days and remain constant thereafter. When purines from different biochemical sources are added to such a diet there is always a linear relationship between dietary purines and serum uric acid level and urinary uric acid excretion. The findings suggest that dietary purines play a minor role if any in the regulation of purine biosynthesis in man.


Lack of timing and ejaculatio praecox.

Lack of timing and ejaculatio praecox. Underlying factors in ejaculatio praecox are investigated through excerpts from the analysis of a man who suffered from this symptom for many years. The literature is reviewed, and the symptom complex is related both to the patient's character structure and to the difficult resistances that he presented in analysis. The roles of the concept of time and of an inability to conceive completion are studied, as is the type of prevailing anxiety seen in these patients.


Abomasal infusion of soybean meal necessary to provide nitrogen retention equivalent to steer fed soybean meal. Eight growing Angus steer calves averaging 213 kg were fitted with abomasal infusion cannulae to compare feeding 455 g of soybean meal (SBM) daily with infusing 120 g SBM abomasally (26% of intake) on nitrogen (N) retention and plasma urea and amino acid levels. A reversal design was used in which each steer received a SBM-supplemented diet plus water abomasally and an unsupplemented diet (basal) plus 120 g of SBM infused abomasally. Feeding a normal intake of SBM or infusing 26% of SBM intake post-ruminally (abomasally) resulted in similar daily N retention (18.4 g N for fed steers and 18.8 g N for infused steers). Total urinary output (liter/day), as well as urinary N losses (g/day), was 6.8 vs. 5.2 and 44.1 vs. 24.0 for the fed and infused groups of steers, respectively (P less than .05). Nitrogen retained expressed as a percent of N intake was 7.2% higher for SBM infusion. Daily fecal dry matter excretion was .25 kg greater for steers infused with SBM. Plasma urea levels were higher (P less than .05) for SBM-fed steers at each 2-hr sampling interval for 8 hr after feeding. Plasma free amino acid levels were similar for both groups of steers.


Oxygen consumption in the developing chick cornea. Embryonic chick corneas at different stages of development were evaluated for O2 consumption. Some embryos were treated with thyroxine or thiouracil. In untreated animals, corneal QO2 (oxygen consumption/hr./mg. dry weight) decreased from 3.60 at stage 38 to 1.58 after hatching. The temperature coefficient Q10 increased from 1.55 at stage 40 to 2.03 after hatching. If O2 consumption is calculated as microliters of O2 consumed per hour per corneal pair, it increases between stage 38 (3.20) and hatched chicks (6.20) with a plateau between stages 40 and 45. Thiouracil treatment reduced O2 consumption by the cornea at stages 42 and 45, and thyroxine treatment elevated it at stage 40.


Congenital cerebrospinal hypomyelinogenesis in a pup. One of 8 highly inbred Dalmatian pups was born with generalized body tremors, which interfered with the pup's ability to suckle, walk, and maintain sternal recumbency. The pup's head, neck, and limbs oscillated rhythmically when it attempted to perform any motor function. The pup was euthanatized at 8 weeks of age, after it became apparent that the disorder was likely to be permanent. The histologic diagnosis was cerebrospinal hypomyelinogenesis.


Efficacy of dichlorvos administered orally in single and repeated doses for removal of canine whipworms. A single dose of dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) was administered orally at a dosage of 30 mg/kg to 19 dogs naturally infected with Trichuris vulpis and to 13 dogs experimentally infected with T vulpis. Based on the presence or absence of whipworm eggs in the feces, 10 to 14 days after treatment, dogs were either killed and the number of remaining worms counted, or the dogs were given a 2nd treatment. After the initial treatment, 18 dogs had a mean of 0.5 worms (SD +/- 0.5) remaining, and 14 dogs had a mean of 55 worms (SD +/- 85) remaining. After these 14 dogs were given a 2nd treatment, the number of womrs remaining decreased to a mean of 14 (SD +/- 28). Although a high degree of efficacy was attained in 56% of the dogs after the 1st dose, the data suggested that additional treatment may often be necessary.


Impotence in bulls due to vascular shunts from the corpus cavernosum penis. Eleven bulls were determined to be impotent due to vascular shunts from the corpus cavernosum penis to the extracorporeal circulation. Clinically, the bulls were unable to achieve erection when stimulated with an electroejaculator and in natural breeding trials. The vascular shunts were located by serial contrast radiography of the corpus cavernosum penis. Surgical correction of the shunts was attempted in 8 of the bulls by wedge resection of the tunica albuginea. In 4 bulls, the surgical correction was successful and the bulls were returned to service.


Some observations on the ultrastructure of the stellate cells of the pars distalis of the guinea-pig. The ultrastructural appearance of the stellate cells of the guinea-pig adenohypophysis is described, and their functional significance discussed.


Variations in the adenylate energy charge during phased growth (cell cycle) of Candida utilis under energy excess and energy-limiting growth conditions. The variations in the levels of adenine nucleotides during the phased growth (cell cycle) of the yeast Candida utilis growing under nitrogen, sulfate, or iron limitation with glycerol as carbon source have been determined. Synchronous cultures were obtained by the continuous phasing technique, and the results were compared with those of chemostat cultures growing at similar growth rates and under the same types of nutrient limitation. Whereas the chemostat experiments indicated only the average energy status of cultures growing at random, results from phased cultures showed that the adenylate energy charge, defined as (ATP + (1/2)ADP)/(ATP + ADP + AMP) (where ATP, ADP, and AMP signify adenosine 5'-triphosphate, -diphosphate, and -monophosphate, respectively), varied during the phased growth of the yeast. These variations were related to the stage of development of the cells and to the type of nutrient limitation. In every case the energy charge dropped to a low value during the first half of the phasing cycle (cell cycle). Whereas the energy charge was maintained at relatively high levels (ranging from 0.78 to 0.94), for sulfate- or nitrogen-limited cultures, it was very low when iron was the growth-limiting nutrient (0.44 to 0.78). In spite of the low energy charge, the yeast continued to grow under iron limitation. The main component of the adenylate pool of the iron-limited culture was ADP and not ATP as observed with other types of nutrient limitation. It is concluded that under iron limitation the growth of the organism is limited by energy and that under energy-limited growth the energy charge of a growing organism is maintained at low levels. The reason for maintaining a low energy charge in an energy-limited culture is discussed.


Selective formation of certain amino acids from formaldehyde and hydroxylamine in a modified sea medium enriched with molybdate. Amino acids produced from formaldehyde and hydroxylamine in modified sea mediums with different concentrations of molybdate were analyzed. The modified sea mediums contained lower concentration of sodium chloride and higher concentrations of transition metal ions (Zn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Co2+, Mn2+ each 10(-4)m, and Mo O4(2-)10(-6), 10(-4), or 10(-2)m) than sea water. The concentration of molybdate had apparently no remarkable effect on the total yields of primary amino groups, but a remarkable effect on the nature of amino acids produced. The formation of alanine, aspartic acid, beta-alanine and, in particular, proline was increased, and that of glycine and serine was decreased with the enrichment of molybdate. The results suggest the possibility of a natural selection of prebiotic organic molecules based on the nature of environmental catalysers in the course of chemical evolution.


Study of the primary structures of the peptide core of bovine estrus cervical mucin. Possible existence of small similar subunits. Two populations of tryptic peptides were isolated from bovine estrus cervical mucin (BCM). One contained all the carbohydrate, and was rich in threonine and serine. These glycopeptides had, like the whole mucin, alanine as their NH2-terminal residues. Their COOH-terminal residues were arginine. The second population of peptides was rich in carboxylic amino acids, contained two cysteinyl residues, and had, like the whole mucin, leucine as COOH-terminal residues. Their NH2-terminal residues were aspartic acid. The sum of the residues of one glycopeptide plus one cysteinyl-containing peptide corresponded to the number of residues constituting a putative subunit of BCM. The amino acid sequence of the major cysteinyl peptide was determined. A cluster of hydrophobic residues was found in the COOH-terminal region. The amino acid sequences of two of the glycopeptides were found identical up to the 22nd residue. The small number of tryptic peptides, as well as the large amount of NH2- and COOH-terminal amino acids found in BCM indicate that this glycoprotein is made up of similar subunits with a molecular weight of about 22,000, one of the glycopeptides representing the NH2-terminal part, and one of the cysteinyl peptides, the COOH-terminal part. However, the existence of these subunits was not confirmed by ultracentrifugation of BCM in dithiothreitol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. BCM was polydisperse and had a mean molecular weight of 507,000.


Kynuramine, a fluorescent substrate and probe of plasma amine oxidase. The fluorescence substrate kynuramine was used as a probe of the catalytic site of plasma amine oxidase. Under anaerobic conditions, the binding of kynuramine causes several spectroscopic changes. The Stokes shift (deltav = 5326 cm-) associated with binding of the substrate to the enzyme can be attributed to nonpolar properties of the binding site, whereas the increase in emission anisotropy (A = 33) indicates rigid attachment of the substrate to the enzyme. The fluorescence enhancement that follows the binding of substrate was used to determine the association constant (Ka). The enzyme plasma amine oxidase binds only 1 molecule of substrate with a Ka = 1.8 X 10(5) M-1 under anaerobic conditions. The use of fluorescence substrates seems to offer the possibility of monitoring conformational changes occurring prior to the catalytic event.


A model for the structure of bovine parathormone derived by dark field electron microsocpy. We have analyzed images of parathormone obtained by dark field electron microscopy in order to determine the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. The technique of autocorrelation was used to differentiate hormone particles from the background of noise in the electron micrographs. Our data suggest that parathormone is about 36 A in maximum dimension and is comprised of two interconnected domains of different mass that occur in a consistent orientation to each other. By means of the formulation of Chou and Fasman (Chou, P.Y., and Fasman, G.D. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 211-222), we predicted the secondary structure of the hormone and fitted this into the three-dimensional structure developed by microscopy. The resultant speculative model can explain certain physical and chemical properties of parathormone.


Morphometric and cytochemical studies of Dictyostelium discoideum in vegetative phase. Digestive system and membrane turnover. The morphometric analysis of growing cells shows that the membranes of the digestive apparatus have a surface area equal to the cell surface area. After yeast phagocytosis, the surface area of the membrane surrounding the ingested yeast is equal to 40% of the surface area of the cell membrane. In spite of this internalization, the cell surface remains constant. Its renewal is insured by the translocation of the membrane of the digestive system, the surface area that concomitantly decreases by 40%. This means that the influx of plasma membrane is continually compensated for by the same outflow of internal membranes. During this turnover, the characteristic polysaccharide stainability (two different stains were used) of the plasma membrane is maintained after internalization, at the level of the digestive system, despite the presence of hydrolases in the digestive vacuoles. The cytochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase shows that this enzyme penetrates into phagosomes by fusion between phagosomes and vacloles of various sizes. The debris of digested yeast are released into the culture medium after 2 h. This process of defecation is accompanied by the appearance of new pinocytotic vacuoles, which indicates that the uptake of axenic medium has resumed. A model of membrane turnover is proposed to explain these observations.


Biochemical investigations of retinotectal adhesive specificity. The preferential adhesion of chick neural retina cells to surfaces of intact optic tecta has been investigated biochemically. The study uses a collection assay in which single cells from either dorsal or ventral halves of neural retain adhere preferentially to ventral or dorsal halves of optic tecta respectively. The data presented support the following conclusions: (a) The adhesion of ventral retina to dorsal tecta seems to depend on proteins located on ventral retina and on terminal beta-N-acetylgalactosamine residues on dorsal tecta. (b) The adhesion of dorsal retina to ventral tecta seems to depend on proteins located on ventral tecta and on terminal beta- N-acetylgalactosamine residues on dorsal retina. (c) A double gradient model for retinotectal adhesion along the dorsoventral axis is consistent with the data presented. The model utilizes only two complementary molecules. The molecule suggested to be concentrated dorsally in both retina and tectum seems to require terminal beta-N-acetylgalactosamine residues for adhesion. Its activity is not affected by protease. A molecule fitting these qualifications, the ganglioside GM(2), could not be detected in a gradient, but lecithin vesicles containing GM(2) adhered preferentially to ventral tectal surfaces. The second molecule, concentrated ventrally in both retina and tectum, is a protein and seems capable of binding terminal beta-N- acetylgalactosamine residues. One enzyme, UDP-galactose:GM(2) galactosyltransferase, has been found to be more concentrated in ventral retina than dorsal, but only by 30 percent.


A requirement for trypsin-sensitive cell-surface components for cell-cell interactions of embryonic neural retina cells. A quantitative assay was used to measure the rate of collection of a population of embryonic neural retina cells to the surface of cell aggregates. The rate of collection of freshly trysinized cells was limited in the initial stages by the rate of replacement of trypsin-sensitive cell- surface components. When cells were preincubated, or "recovered," and then added to cell aggregates, collection occurred at a linear rate and was independent of protein and glycoprotein synthesis. The adhesion of recovered cells was temperature and energy dependent, and was reversibly inhibited by cytochalasin B. Colchicine had little effect on collection of recovered cells. Antiserum directed against recovered cell membranes was shown to bind to recovered cells by indirect immunofluorescence. The antiserum also was shown to inhibit collection of recovered cells to aggregates, suggesting that at least some of the antigens identified might be involved in the adhesion process. The inhibitory effect of the antiserum was dose dependent . Freshly trypsinized cells absorbed neither the immunofluorescence activity nor the adhesion-inhibiting activity. Recovered cells absorbed away both activities. In specificity studies, dorsal neural retina cells adhered to aggregates of ventral optic tectum in preference to aggregates of dorsal optic tectum. The adhesive specificity of the dorsal retina cells was less sensitive to trypsin than the adhesive specificity of ventral retina cells which adhered preferentially to dorsal tectal aggregates only after a period of recovery.


Gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of thromboxane B2 and its detection in semen and human aorta by selected ion monitoring. The gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of some derivatives of thromboxane B2 methyl ester have been examined. Mass spectra were usually more informative at lower electron energies. The O-methyl- and O-n-propyloxime tri-trimethylsilyl ethers, and the tri-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl ether were used for selected ion monitoring (SIM). Thromboxane B2 was detected by SIM in bovine semen and in human aorta.


Hyperprolactinemia as a cause of delayed puberty: successful treatment with bromocriptine. An 18-year-old male patient was referred because of galactorrhea and delayed puberty. There was no gynecomastia, but a white milky secretion could easily be expressed from each breast. The chest and skull X-rays were normal. The plasma prolactin was increased to 58 ng/ml and rose to 97 ng/ml after 200 microgram TRF iv. The patient was treated for one year with testosterone; his voice deepened, body hair developed, libido and sexual function became overt, and bone age advanced from 14 1/2 to 17 years, but the galactorrhea increased. After a satisfactory stage of pubertal development was reached, the testosterone was stopped. tthe galactorrhea then decreased to its pretreatment intensity; however, sexual potency diminished, sexual hair growth decreased, and the plasma prolactin levels rose to 246 ng/ml. After a 5-month interval without treatment, bromocriptine was given and brought about an impressive improvement. Virilization and general well being were superior to that during testosterone treatment, the galactorrhea vanished, plasma prolactin decreased, testosterone rose to normal values, and a normal semen analysis was recorded.


Cultivation of Chlamydia trachomatis in cycloheximide-treated mccoy cells. An isolation technique for Chlamydia trachomatis using McCoy cells is described. In contrast to earlier techniques employing such cells, no pretreatment of the cells was used. The glutarimide antibiotic cycloheximide was added to the culture medium used for incubating the cells after infection. Cycloheximide was used at concentrations that depressed, but did not completely inhibit, the metabolism of the eucaryotic host cells. In studies on different immunotypes of C. trachomatis cultured in the yolk sac of embryonated hen eggs, the cycloheximide technique was compared with a method using pretreatment of cells with 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine. The cycloheximide method gave greater numbers of inclusion-forming units per cover slip for all the immunotypes of trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis agents tested, i.e., A through I. In a study of 194 cervical and urethral specimens from women, cycloheximide treatment of McCoy cells was found to be more efficient than 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine treatment for the isolation of C. trachomatis.


Reconstitution of catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity: interaction of components following cell-cell and membrane-cell fusion. Heterokaryons formed by the fusion of adenylate cyclase-deficient S49 cells and beta-adrenergic receptor-deficient B82 cells in the presence of cycloheximide display a catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity. Similar complementation can be observed when receptor-replete membranes from the cyclase-deficient cell are fused with intact B82 cells. Using the cell fusion technique it can be demonstrated that the uncoupled S49 cell variant has a functional beta-adrenergic receptor but that this variant and the adenylate cyclase-deficient variant are not complementary. Hypothetically, both clones may share a common defect in regulatory components of adenylate cyclase or both may lack a specific coupling factor.


Effect of ultra-high-temperature steam injection processing on sulfur-containing amino acids in milk. Raw skim milk was processed by a modified No-Bac Unitherm IV System (Cherry-Burrell Corp.) at 143 C for 8 s, vacuum cooled to 71 C, collected, and cooled to 4 C. Raw and ultra-high-temperature processed skim milks were oxidized with performic acid, hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid, and analyzed for cysteine and cystine (as cysteic acid) and methionine (as methionine sulfone) on a Beckman Automatic Amino Acid Analyzer. A loss of approximately 34% of these amino acids was observed in ultra-high-temperature processed skim milk. Sulfhydryl and disulfide groups determined with Ellman's reagent [5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)] indicated no free sulfhydryls in raw skim milk and .07 mmole per liter in ultra-high-temperature processed skim milk. Loss in total sulfhydryl and disulfide groups was approximately 16% in ultra-high-temperature processed milk. Volatile sulfur compounds were detected by odor in the vapor collected from the vacuum chamber, but they could not be identified. Amino acid analysis of milk deposit collected from the injection section revealed .09 microgram of cysteine and cystine (as cysteic acid) per gram of deposit and no detectable methionine.


[Antenatal diagnosis of fetal sex. Method and implications]. An outline of fetal antenatal sex determination and its diagnostic methods are rapidly enumerated. Actual methods are based on direct and indirect identification of sexual chromosomes from three types of cells : desquamated ones in amniotic fluid, fetal lymphocytes circulating in maternal blood and desquamated chorionic cells from endocervical smear. Three methods are utilizable : evidence of sexual chromatine, fluorescence specificity of the Y chromosome and the karyotype. Cells from amniotic fluid permit a correct prediction up to 97,5 p.100. However, the high risk of contamination limits its use. There is a 86 p. 100 diagnostic certainty with fetal lymphocytes in maternal blood or cervical desquamated chorionic cells. Future sex preselection may be contemplated and along with this the speculative social consequences. On the other hand, sex determination and volontary selection are limited at the moment by available technics and also by scientific and medical ethics.


Excess mortality--influenza epidemiological surveillance indicator. Observations on "excess mortality" from influenza, carried out in the Moldavia area between 1957 and 1973, are presented in the paper. They made it possible to assess in time and space as well as in severity the knowledge on influenza epidemics. "Excess mortality" proved to be a valuable indicator of increase in influenza mortality, especially, on the occurrence of big epidemics the existence of which was closely related to the appearance of new types and variants of influenza viruses. Though "excess mortality" showed the highest values when death from acute pneumopathies recorded in the preepidemic and postepidemic periods was included in the calculation, it also pointed to the strong effect of influenza on all causes of death, especially chronic diseases of the respiratory and cardio-vascular systems.


[Serum enzymes and HBsAg in families with viral hepatitis]. Examinations of all families affected with viral hepatitis confirmed by enzyme screening tests by means of incubation and also by the test for HBAgs were carried out in a town district in the course of 7 years. 1. After triple biochemical examinations repeated always after 14 days, changes in the serum enzymes (SGPT, ALD, LDH) were stated in 15% cases from the total of 4328 persons from 1332 families. In the control group no changes were found. 2. From the number of 2215 persons from 726 families 32% were HBAgs-positive in CFT. Simultaneous evidence of HBAgs and enzymes changes were stated in 162 persons (7,4%). 3. Changes in the enzymes as well as simultaneous evidence of HBAgs were especially stated in children. Findings of HBAgs alone prevailed in the adults (P greater than 0,001).


Experimental and epidemiological estimation of seasonal and climato-geographical features of non-specific resistance of the organism to influenza. One and the same series of live influenza vaccine from the strains B/Dushanbe/66 and B/Leningrad/67 or A2/Moscow/21/65 administered intranasally to non-immune persons in Leningrad and 'krasnodar in winter caused an increase in body temperature in 6.7-8% of vaccinated subjects, but in summer in 0.8%. In the transitional seasons of the year (in May and in October), 6.3-16.8% of reactions were observed in Murmansk and 0.1% in Krasnodar. An increase in antibodies in the vaccinated in Leningrad and Arkhangelsk in winter was observed 1.5 times more frequently than in summer. In Krasnodar, seroconversion occurred in only 5.7% in May and october, but in 31.3% in January; in Murmansk in 41.2-48% in May and in 75.6-78.8% in October. The seasonal as well as latitudinal and climatic differences in reactogenicity and antigenic activity of the vaccine can be explained by seasonal oscillations in non-specific resistance of people of influenza viruses. The importance of this factor in the mechanism of seasonal occurrence of influenza is discussed.


[Biological properties of the mumps virus. Behavior using the T50 marker]. The authors studied the behaviour of 11 mumps virus strains or variants including the thermolabile standard Jeryl Lynn strain under thermal charge (50 degrees C/30 min). Varants were obtained from the Soviet vaccinal strains Leningrad-3 by cultivation under various conditions. Incubation temperature and cellular substrate played an important role therein. Variants with various behaviour in the marker T50 resulted. It was found that passages at 32 degrees C at limited dilutions as well as those on chick embryos or in cultures of chicken fibroblasts increased their thermolability. Possible correlations between their behaviour in the marker T50 and the degree of di attenuation are discussed. (Ta)


Viremia and serum antibodies in Syrian hamster after inapparent infection with European tick-borne encephalitis virus. 1.) Adult Syrian hamsters (Cricetus auratus) are relatively insusceptible to the lethal affect of the ETBE virus after peripheral inoculation. After subcutaneous infection with 10(3) i. cer. mouse LD50 of the virus they manifest 25 per cent mortality. 2) In subcutaneously infected hamsters the virus is demonstrable in the CNS of only 20 per cent of the animals. CF- and VN-antibodies can be found in the blood from the 10th day; CF--antibodies culminate on the 20th-30th day receding relatively quickly, whereas VN-antibodies peak after the 28th day, dropping only partly and persisting. 3) The dynamics of CF- and VN-antibodies and a high number of clinically inapparent hamster infections resemble the situation in humans infected with ETBE under natural conditions.


Yersinia enterocolitica, indole-negative and indole-positive biotypes. Isolation, identification and sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. A population of 200 Y. enterocolitica strains of the serotype 03 and 100 strains belonging to other serotypes mostly, however, to the biotype 1 were examined for their sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. The serotype 03 strains were obtained from human material of diarrhoeal cases, the origin of other serotypes was various. They originated from human extraintestinal material, animals, water and foods. To summarize their results, the authors elaborated an antibiogram presented in graphs.


Negative seroconversion and circulating interferon in children vaccinated with live measles vaccine. In none of the examined children, regardless of whether they manifested negative (17 children) or positive (25 children) seroconversion after vaccination with live measles vaccine, interferon activity could be demonstrated in the serum (starting with 1:4 dilution) withdrawn at the time of the vaccine administration.


RNA-induced intensification of antibacterial resistance and aggravation of infection. The injection of yeast total RNA, transfer RNA or sodium nucleinate into the organism of experimental animals induced the development of non-specific resistance to pathogenic salmonellae, staphylococci and escherichiae 4-6 hours after the administration of the preparations; this resistance persisted during several days. The content of serum lysozyme rose and interferon was induced in the stimulated animals, but the state of resistance was not transferred with serum. It was due to mobile phagocytes the number of which increased considerably and so did their digestive activity. Simultaneous administration of RNA and pathogenic salmonellae and staphylococci was accompanied by aggravation of infection and acceleration of the lethal outcome. The mechanism of this phenomenon consists in the acceleration of proliferation of the microorganisms and in the selection of their virulent clones under the effect of RNA which was demonstrated in experiments in vivo and in vitro. It is believed that endogenous nucleic acids participate in the development of the natural infectious process, in bacterial complications of viral infections and in autoinfection during radiation sickness.


Field and laboratory investigations into the role of the Musca species in the transmission of intestinal parasitic cysts and eggs in Nigeria. Houseflies caught on refuse dumps in six areas of Ibadan were dissected and the intestinal parasitic cysts and eggs which were found in their alimentary canal were similar to those found in the examined faeces of the community living in the environment. Strongly eggs were also found in the alimentary canal of Musca species which had fed on the faeces of an infected sheep. While the houseflies caught in the living quarters the high income group were free of parasites, some of these caught in and around low income group residential areas possessed various parasitic eggs and cysts. Musca domestica specimens were exposed in the laboratory to eggs of three intestinal parasites. Their ability to transmit these eggs by regurgitation was highest within 1/2 hour of ingestion and it decreased with time until it was lost after 2 hours.


Observations on Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Zambia. Microscopy and culture of high vaginal swabs from an ante-natal clinic showed that 38.5% of the women harboured Trichomonas vaginalis; the corresponding figure from a gynaecology clinic was 31.4%. The incorporation of the culture method together with direct microscopy as a diagnostic technique in a routine laboratory is emphasized. Urine microscopy in out-patients, in-patients and medical examinees indicates that T. vaginalis in both males and females is not a rare infestation but the prevalence rate of 4.8% in males is considered an underestimate. Asymptomatic and symptomatic trichomoniasis was evident during the study. The age group in which the infection is most common is noted; this evidence suggests that venereal transmission need not be the only source of infection. The role of urinary schistosomiasis as a possible cause of urethritis is discussed.


Interaction of erythrocytes with human serum proteins. II. Dependence of the process on the concentration of protein, exposure and temperature of medium. The effect of concentration of human serum proteins, duration of contact and temperature of the medium on the process of their interaction with formalized, tannin-treated sheep erythrocytes was studied. Dependence of the process of specific haemosensitization on the enumerated factors was established. The character of the process of haemosensitization by serum proteins and its dependence on the concentration of sensitins and the duration of the contact with them can be expressed by Langmuir's equation. On the basis of limited preliminary experiments it is thus possible to define the optimum conditions for the loading of erythrocytes.


Sodium intake and health in infancy.

Sodium intake and health in infancy. Although the healthy infant can tolerate the range of sodium intakes normally present in the variety of diets offered in Britain without developing hypernatraemia or evidence of serious disease, there is enough evidence to suggest that care is required in the amount of sodium given to babies. The consequence of excessive sodium intake may be short term or long term. The most common short term complication is hypertonic dehydration. In the long term, the fear is that high intakes of sodium in early infancy may predispose to hypertension in later life, though this is as yet unproven.


Intercellular junctions, intramembranous particles and cytoskeletal elements of deep cells of the Fundulus gastrula. The fine structure of motile deep cells of the gastrula stage of Fundulus heteroclitus was studied with transmission electron microscopy, using both thin sectioning and freeze-cleave techniques. Gastrula deep cells form extensive non-junctiona appositions with each other, in which the apposed plasma membranes are parallel and separated by a distance of 26-28 nm. They also form gap junctions. Tight junctions, desmosomes, and extensive interdigitations of apposed plasma membranes were not observed. The plasma membranes of deep cells contain numerous unclustered intramembranous particles. Cytoplasmic microtubules were found, but they appear to be small in number, sparsely distributed, and mainly randomly oriented. Microfilaments are also present and are localized largely in the cortical cytoplasm and in thin cell extensions. The significance of these findings for the contact and locomotory behavior of deep cells is discussed.


Somatic nuclei in amphibian oocytes: evidence for selective gene expression. Previous work has shown that multiple HeLa nuclei injected into Xenopus oocytes remain transcriptionally active for many days and that the expression of HeLa genes in oocytes can be detected by 2-D gel electrophoresis. We show here that of 25 proteins which have the electrophoretic properties of HeLa gene products, only 3 are expressed in injected oocytes. To test that these proteins are products of HeLa genes, and not products of activated oocyte genes, we have injected HeLa nuclei into enucleated oocytes. Three days later, several HeLa proteins were synthesized. The turning off of most HeLa genes in injected oocytes is apparently not at the translational level. This is indicated by the fact that adenovirus mRNA is efficiently translated when injected into Xenopus oocytes. When adenovirus-infected HeLa cells nuclei are injected into oocytes the adenovirus genes are not expressed, although some HeLa genes are expressed by the same nuclei. The same HeLa genes as are expressed or switched off in injected Xenopus oocytes are also preferentially expressed or switched off in injected oocytes of a Urodele amphibian, Pleurodeles. This suggests that conditions or molecules may exist in oocytes which selectively impose on injected nuclei a new programme of gene expression.


Effect of immunosuppression on dengue virus infection in mice. Mean survival time following intracerebral inoculation of dengue virus was reduced and the titre of the virus in the brain of immunosuppressed mice was markedly increased. A single dose of cyclophosphamide given 24 h after dengue virus i.c. or i.p. substantially reduced the number of antibody forming cells in the spleen. Three doses of dengue virus, each followed by cyclophosphamide 24 h later, produced specific hyporesponsiveness to the dengue virus but not to a heterologous virus (Coxsackie B4), with a reduction in antibody forming cells in the spleen of such animals against dengue virus but not against Coxsackie B4 virus. Adoptive immunity by antiserum was abolished along with increased titres of the virus in the brain of immunosuppressed mice but the protection could be restored by a second dose of antiserum. Pre-treatment of mice with immune or normal spleen cells i.v. or reconstitution of immunosuppressed mice by such cells had no effect. Thus, humoral antibodies play a crucially important role in host defence mechanism in recovery of mice from primary dengue virus infection.


Replication of animal viruses in differentiating muscle cells: influenza virus A. Cells were cultured from the breast muscle of 11- to 12-day-old chick embryos and were grown under conditions optimal for the development of the cells into terminally differentiated, fused myotubes. Myotubes were infected with influenza virus A/Ann Arbor/6/60(H2N2) at high multiplicity, and synthesis of virus-specific proteins and RNAs was detected by haemadsorption, fluorescence microscopy and/or isotope labelling and electrophoresis techniques. Provided that myotubes were maintained at temperatures below 39 degrees C after infection, production of virus components and yield of infectious virus in these cells was similar to those observed in infected chick kidney cells. However, if cells were maintained at temperatures of 39 degrees to 40 degrees C after infection, virus nucleoprotein was prominent in the nuclei, and synthesis of virus-specific polypeptides and of plus-strand RNA was reduced about fourfold to 20-fold compared to that detected at lower temperatures. Moreover, infectious virus was not produced when temperatures of 39 to 40 degrees C were used during virus replication. The results demonstrate that under suitable conditions avian myotubes formed in culture resemble epithelioid cells in their ability to support the productive replication of influenza virus.


Frog virus 3 morphogenesis: effect of temperature and metabolic inhibitors. The different stages of frog virus 3 (FV 3) morphogenesis have been investigated in chick embryo fibroblasts infected at an optimal temperature for virus growth (29 degrees C). The metabolic requirements for morphogenesis were determined by adding inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis at different periods in the virus growth cycle. The effect of a non-permissive temperature for FV 3 replication (37 degrees C) was also studied in shift up experiments. The following results were obtained: (I) when DNA replication was inhibited, neither immature nor mature virus particles appeared; (2) continuous protein synthesis was required for every stage of virus morphogenesis. However, the assembly of virions into paracrystalline arrays seemed to be a passive phenomenon. (3) Continuous mRNA transcription was not necessary for assembly of capsid constituents, although most of these capsids appeared empty; there was also a striking increase in the number of aberrant virus structures. (4) If infected cells were shifted to a non-permissive temperature, virus maturation was completely inhibited.


Depression spectrum disease versus pure depressive disease. Clinical, personality, and course differences. In a group of 191 women admitted to the University of Iowa Psychiatric Hospital for depression over a 45-year period and selected on the basis of alcoholism or antisocial personality, vs. depression, in a parent, 105 probands fit into the depression spectrum group (parental alcoholism or antisocial personality) and 86 into the pure depression group (parental depression). Few differences were found between the presenting clinical pictures (including precipitating factors) of the two groups; but depression spectrum patients and pure depressive patients showed study differences in the areas of personal problems and personality as well as course of illness. The depression spectrum patients were significantly less likely to have loss of interest in usual activities as a symptom at index admission. They were significantly more likely to have had a history of sexual problems, to have been divorced or separated before, to have been described as irritable, and to report having previously been depressed. They are nonetheless significantly more likely to recover completely and have no relapse of depression. The pure depression group were significantly more likely to have depressed sisters, and suicide was much more frequent in their ill parents. Thus, important personality and course differences separate depressive spectrum disease from pure depressive disease;


Diurnal and seasonal variations in human platelet serotonin in man. Platelet serotonin (5-HT) was found to be an individually constant parameter correlating with the uptake of exogenous 5-HT. A pronounced diurnal pattern of 5-HT, with a minimum in the afternoon and higher values in the morning and evening, was similar to the diurnal variations in plasma free tryptophan. Platelet 5-HT was  significantly higher at 8 a.m. than 4 p.m. in spring but no longer in autumn, and was similar in both men and women. It appeared that peripheral diurnal variations in 5-HT were opposite in phase to the central 5-HT rhythm.


Choline acetyltrasferase activity in the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary. CAT activity was determined in the neurointermediate lobe of the rat's pituitary gland. The level of enzyme activity in the adult rat is of 386.2 +/- 39.1 picomoles/hour/neurointermediate lobe. CAT activity is present in the pituitary gland of the newborn animal and increases with age. In organo-typic cultured neurointermediates lobes CAT decreases progressively and practically disappears after 10 days.


[Influence of the photoperiod on the ultrastructure of the pineal gland before and during the seasonal genital cycle in the female garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus L.) (author's transl)]. The pinealocyte of the female garden dormouse presents ultrastructural characteristics correlated with the sexual cycle. In winter, during the period of sexual quiescence, the pinealocyte is very rich in liposomes, myelinic bodies and lysosomes; the same holds during the summer quiescence state. These organelles and a great number of intracellular vacuoles are very well developed in dormice artificially maintained in anoestrous during the normal sexual activity period by light deprivation. In spring liposomes are strongly reduced in animals that are awake and sexually active, whereas the number of "synaptic ribbons" and of densecored vesicles increases. This ultrastructural aspect can be obtained during winter quiescence in animals living at 22 degrees C, under continuous light, and showing early sexual activation. If illumination is prolonged over the seasonal sexual phase dilated cisterns of granular endoplasmic reticulum, filled with proteinaceous material, appear in the cell. It seems that light no more activates, but inhibits gonadostimulator mechanisms. The pinealocyte's ultrastructural elements which are characteristic of a definite sexual state generally develop before this state is fully established. Actually, the functional significance of these organelles is not known.


Determination of free monosaccharides and detection of sugar alcohols in mature soybean seeds. Although the oligosaccharide contents of soybeans are well documented, the exact values of monosaccharide contents have not been reported. Elaborate methods of preparative paper chromatography together with gas chromatography established the following data for one variety, Kyushu No. 12. The air-dried cotyledon part (admixed with hypocotyls) contained 0.030% glucose and 0.039% fructose. The hull part contained 0.018% galactose, 0.028% glucose, 0.023% fructose, 0.005% arabinose, and 0.002% xylose. Gas chromatograms of trimethylsilated monosaccharide fractions revealed the existence of minute amounts of sorbitol, arabitol, xylitol, and mannitol in decreasing order (about 0.03% to 0.001% of whole seeds).


The ultrastructure of skeletal haemangiosarcomas induced in mice by strontium-90. The commonest skeletal tumour occurring in male CBA and C3H mice injected with 7--13 muCi 90Sr (per mouse) at Harwell was diagnosed with the light microscope as haemangiosarcoma. On the other hand, Nilsson, using male CBA mice injected with similar amounts of 90Sr, recorded the predominant tumour as fibroblastic osteosarcoma. To resolve the apparent discrepancy, samples of non-osteogenic tumours induced by 90Sr at Harwell were examined with the electron microscope and their ultrastructure compared with that described for fibroblastic osteosarcoma by Nilsson. The tumours diagnosed as haemangiosarcoma at Harwell showed ultrastructural features not observed in the fibroblastic osteosarcomas. Vasoformation was marked, the vascular channels varying in shape, size and in the character of their lining cells. Some vascular channels were lined by cuboidal cells, crowded together, and surrounded by a basement membrane. Others were lined by an attenuated endothelium and often formed networks. The tumour cells showed great variation in shape, size and ultrastructure and were sometimes enclosed by a basement membrane. Thus the ultrastructure of the tumours described in this report supports the diagnosis of haemangiosarcoma, rather than fibroblastic osteosarcoma. The question of whether these haemangiosarcomas truly originate from vascular endothelium, or are mimics, is discussed.


Characterization of the responses of oxytocin- and vasopressin-secreting neurones in the supraoptic nucleus to osmotic stimulation. 1. Extracellular action potentials were recorded from forty antidromically identified single units in the supraoptic nucleus of lactating, urethane-anaesthetized female rats. The activity was monitored both during reflex milk ejection and during an increase of 10-15 m-osmole/kg in plasma osmotic pressure induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml. of 1.5 M-NaCl solution.2. About half (eighteen) the cells showed a burst of activity before reflex milk ejection and were dubbed oxytocin cells. Oxytocin cells responded to a hypertonic injection with a smooth sustained threefold increase in firing rate.3. The remainder (twenty-two) showed no burst of activity before reflex milk ejection and were dubbed vasopressin cells. Vasopressin cells doubled their firing rate as plasma osmotic pressure increased. Neither cell type increased its firing rate after injections of isotonic NaCl.4. A phasic firing pattern was rarely seen in slow firing vasopressin cells (< 2 spikes/sec) but was seen in almost all vasopressin cells (twelve out of fourteen) firing between 3 and 8 spikes/sec. Above 8 spikes/sec, some vasopressin cells fired continuously. Phasic firing was only once encountered in an oxytocin cell.5. The firing rate of both oxytocin and vasopressin cells decreased when plasma osmotic pressure was reduced 10-15 m-osmole/kg by an intragastric water load of 10 ml.6. Hypothalamic cells lying just outside the supraoptic nucleus did not show a consistent response to injection of hypertonic NaCl.7. Clearly, both oxytocin and vasopressin cells are osmoresponsive, but phasic firing is characteristic of stimulated vasopressin cells. Thus, osmotic activation allows discrimination between oxytocin- and vasopressin-secreting neurones.


Unilateral anophthalmos and absence of right cerebral hemisphere. A case is presented of a new eight-month-old infant with congenital anophthalmos and ipsilateral absence of cerebral tissue. Various central nervous system anomalies are described as associated with anophthalmos. Therapy is directed toward enlargement of the socket by expansion and/or surgical techniques. Early expansion therapy within the first year of life appears warranted in view of differential orbital growth rates.


Steroid-binding proteins in follicular fluid and peripheral plasma from pigs, cows and sheep. No unusual steroid-binding proteins that might react with the oocyte or its investments could be detected in follicular fluid. Corticosteroid-binding globulin occurred in follicular fluid from pigs, sheep and cows, and sex hormone-binding globulin occurred in follicular fluid from sheep and cows. The bulk of the steroid in follicular fluid is bound to albumin with low affinity, indicating that steroid molecules can readily be released, and oestrogen can react with the oocyte and granulosa cells in a manner analogous to that demonstrated for target cells bathed with interstitial fluid. Pigs lack a sex-hormone binding globulin in blood plasma and, hence, in follicular fluid. Because no proteins exist in follicular fluid that would compete with antibodies to bind steroids, direct radioimmunoassay of follicular steroids appears to be a valid technique.


Delay of sexual maturation in female house mice by exposure to grouped females or urine from grouped females. The experiments examined the timing, duration and possible enhancement effects of group contact on the delay of sexual maturation produced in prepubertal female house mice by urine from grouped females. One or three days of pheromone stimulation at specified ages during the first 2 weeks after weaning was not sufficient to delay puberty in females caged singly. However, pheromone treatment for 7 days, beginning during the first week after weaning, did significantly delay the onset of first vaginal oestrus relative to control females treated with water. Both the timing and duration of pheromone stimulation appear to be critical factors affecting pheromone-induced delay of sexual maturation. Mean ages at first oestrus for females housed with a group of 7 other females, for 3 or 7 days at specified ages during the first 2 weeks after weaning, did not differ from mean ages recorded with urine stimulation only. Contact with other females does not appear to alter or enhance the delay-of-maturation effect achieved with urine stimulation. In all these respects the maturation-delay pheromone of grouped female mice appears to differ from the puberty-accelerating pheromone of male mice.


Blood flow to the genital tract of oestrous and dioestrous guinea-pigs. Ovarian, uterine and vaginal blood flow were determined in 22 virgin guinea-pigs by the tracer microsphere technique. Measurements were made during oestrus, when cornified cells appeared in the vaginal smear (Day 1), or during the luteal phase of the cycle (Day 11). The total rate of blood flow to the genital tract was 0-58 ml.min-1 on Day 11 and 2-92 ml.min-1 on Day 1. This difference was largely due to an 8-fold increase in uterine blood flow from 0-26 to 2-01 ml.min-1. Although uterine weight increased over the same period, there was a significant increase in uterine tissue perfusion from 0-32 to 1-18 ml.min-1.g-1. The vagina exhibited a similar pattern, including a significant increase in tissue perfusion. Ovarian blood flow decreased from a value of 0-19 ml.min-1 during the luteal phase to 0-10 ml.min-1 at oestrus. Perfusion of the ovarian tissue was considerably greater on Day 11 than on Day 1 (2-86 versus 1-39 ml.min-1.g-1).


The effects of prostaglandin and mating on release of LH in the female rabbit. The release of LH in response to prostaglandin (PG) treatment of female rabbits in various reproductive states was compared with the surge following mating. Intracarotid infusion of PGE-2 or PGF-2alpha (0-3--900 microgram/h) into non-receptive and pseudopregnant does resulted in small, 2--4-fold elevations in jugular vein LH concentration. Similar doses of PGF-2alpha in oestrogen-pretreated, oestrous does stimulated a 13-fold increase in plasma LH levels. Mating resulted in a much larger release of LH, as plasma levels increased approximately 60-fold from 1-1 +/- 0-2 (S.E.M.) ng/ml to 67-8 +/- 10-5 ng/ml. These results indicate that PG can stimulate the hypothalamic-hypophysial axis to release LH in non-receptive, pseudopregnant and oestrogen-pretreated, oestrous rabbits.


The gastroscope as an aid in veterinary diagnostics. The gastrointestinal fibrescope is introduced to the veterinary profession and its uses are emphasized. Various anatomical structures were examined in 251 domestic mammals and two birds. The findings for referred cases and routine examinations are listed. Twenty colour pictures taken with the fibrescope are reproduced.


The incidence and nature of prohibited animal tissues in boerewors ("country-style" sausage). Sixty boerewors ("Country-style" sausage) samples bought from butchers in Pretoria were examined microscopically. It was found that 97% of these samples contained animal tissues that are not permitted in boerewors under the regulations of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act No. 54 of 1972). These regulations confine permitted tissues to fat and the musculature of cattle, sheep and pigs. Details of the tissues revealed in the survey are provided, and the implications of their presence are discussed.


A specimen carrier, storage disc system for scanning electron microscopy (SEM): evaluation of stainless steel as a substratum for cell culture in vitro. A method of sample preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies based on the use of stainless steel discs as a cell culture substratum is described in detail. A number of different cell lines were grown on stainless steel, and the growth patterns and biocompatibility of cells cultured on stainless steel were compared to identical cells cultured on aluminium, glass and plastic substrata. Stainless steel provides cells with an excellent growth surface which allows these cells to retain their normal growth characteristics and appearance. The non-toxic stainless steel discs can be manipulated through any combination of fixatives and organic solvents. The discs have been incorporated into a versatile system of sample preparation for SEM.


[Neurological control of micturition (author's transl)]. A study of the literature is reported on the subject of the control centres in the brain and medulla of the bladder reflex and their central and peripheral connections. Reference is made to the modes of action, from a pharmacological and physiological standpoint, of the main drugs tested experimentally and used in clinical practice. The study concludes with a brief outline of the functioning of the normal bladder reflex.


In vivo functional interaction between DNA polymerase and dCMP-hydroxymethylase of bacteriophage T4. Some mutations in the structural gene for T4 DNA polymerase (gene 43) behave as suppressors of a deficiency in T4 dCMP-hydroxymethylase (gene 42). The suppression appears to involve a functional interaction between the two enzymes at the level of DNA replication. The hydroxymethylase deficiency caused DNA structural abnormalities in replication, and DNA polymerase lesions appeared to partially reverse these abnormalities. The results do not necessarily imply protein-protein interactions between the two enzymes, although both enzymes appear to play roles in controlling the fidelity of phage DNA replication.


Long-term unmaintained remissions after agressive multidisciplinary treatment of advanced non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors. Five patients with disseminated non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors are described. These patients have been clinically free of disease for 25 to more than 99 months and may be cured, since the interval after last treatment ranges from 13 to more than 76 months. Two patients, including 1 with pure choriocarcinoma, represent chemotherapeutic successes. In 3 patients the advantages of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are shown. The benefits of continued aggressive treatment using residual therapeutic modalities despite prior failure with other therapy are documented.


Infertility in an XX male.

Infertility in an XX male. A case of an infertile male subject with 46XX female karyotype is reported. A testicular biopsy revealed hyalinized tubules with Sertoli cells and marked interstitial cell hyperplasia. Chromosomal studies showed the presence of 46 chromosomes with an XX sex chromosome constitution, confirmed with trypsin banding. XX male subjects present an interesting diagnostic problem and need to be differentiated from XXY male subjects with Klinefelter's syndrome. The clinical features of this rare syndrome are discussed and the literature is reviewed.


Traumatic rupture of the supramembranous urethra. We reviewed 38 patients treated by an immediate realignment of the urethra after a traumatic rupture by urethrography, panendoscopy and clinical assessment. Of these 38 patients 19 have not required urethral dilatation for 4 years or more and 26 for 2 years or more, thus accomplishing with 1 operation satisfactory urinary tract function without stricture. We believe that an immediate repair offers the best results to patients with minimum surgical procedures insofar as the formation of strictures is concerned. Evaluation of the interference with potency will have to await further study.


An explanation for the persistence of residual urine after external sphincterotomy. After external urethral sphincterotomy 7 patients were found to have residual urine in excess of 80 ml. By measurement of the urethral pressure and analysis of the cystometrogram it was found that these patients fail to sustain bladder contraction and, thereby, fail to empty the bladder completely.


Complete duplication of female urethra with vaginal atresia and supernumerary kidney. Supernumerary kidney is the rarest of renal anomalies and complete duplication of the female urethra with a single bladder is even more unusual. A case of a supernumerary kidney associated with complete urethral duplication in a female patient with vaginal atresia is reported.