Tympanometry in three-year-old children. A cohort study on the prognostic value of tympanometry and operative findings in middle ear effusion. The operative findings in a homogeneous, preoperatively followed population of 46 3- to 4-year-old children with middle ear effusion treated by adenotomy and paracentesis were correlated with the results of pre- and postoperative tympanometry. Factors of prognostic value were only the immediate type of tympanogram and the quantity of the middle ear effusion, not its viscosity. The combination of the determinative factors divided the material into four groups showing a different course through a 6-month postoperative follow-up. A flat tympanogram and impacted fluid spelt the poorest prognosis, with about 60% recurrences. The influence of the results upon a differentiated treatment of secretory otitis media in the younger age groups is outlined.


Functional and histological findings in acoustic neuroma. 27 patients with acoustic neuroma were operated on by translabyrinthine tumor removal. At operation 8th nerve compartments were identified and removed for study. Results of the audiological test battery and vestibular tests were compared with histological state of the nerve specimens studied. The tumor appears only seldom to invade the cochlear nerve in cases with 'cochlear' hearing loss, but in the majority of cases with 'retrocochlear' hearing loss the cochlear nerve is invaded.


Electron microscopic study of previously irradiated scleroma. Nasal biopsies from 2 scleroma patients who had received previous X-ray therapy were investigated under the electron microscope. In the lamina propria, the majority of Mikulicz cells contained numerous small vacuoles. This was attributed to the effect of X-ray therapy causing temporary suppression of the inflammatory process followed by new granuloma formation. The vacuoles of the Mikulicz cells contained some fine granular and fibrillar material of unknown origin. Rounded electron-dense bodies with microprojections on their surface were present near some Mikulicz cells. These structures were considered to be Russell bodies. Occasional small lymph vessels with obstructed lumina were seen. This might indicate the rare spread of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis bacilli to regional lymph nodes.


[Loss of hearing in cerebral palsy (author's transl)]. The hearing threshold level was examined in 75 cerebral palsied children (3--15 yrs.). In the case of 5 patients, we were unable to get an audiogram. 50 children had a normal audiogram on both ears. 13 patients had a bilateral, one a unilateral sensoneural loss of hearing. The rate of conductive loss of hearing was unexpectedly high: 4 patients with a bilateral pure conductive loss of hearing, 3 with a bilateral sensoneural loss of hearing and a bilateral additional airborne gap, and 2 with a monaural conductive loss of hearing. The treatment of the conductive deficiency is of primary importance in cases of a super-imposed senso-neural loss of hearing losses. 7 of our patients have been fitted with a hearing aid. The threshold of the stapedius reflex could be estimated in the case of 10 patients suffering from a sensoneural loss of hearing. All had a reduced dynamic range. Reduction of the dynamic range is not a specific trait of cerebral palsy as our cerebral palsied children with normal hearing had a normal dynamic range. No correlation could be found between asphyxia, underweight and hyperbilirubinaemia as single factors in the newborn period and sensoneural loss of hearing nor between athetosis and sensoneural loss of hearing.


Inhibition of in vitro synthesis of the second (C2) and fourth (C4) components of complement in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages by a soybean oil emulsion. Recently a soybean oil emulsion (Intralipid) (IL) has been released in the United States for use as a parenteral nutrient. The study reported here was undertaken to determine the effect of ingestion of IL on the synthesis and secretion of the second (C2) and fourth (C4) components of complement by guinea pig peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Cells exposed to IL had extensive Oil Red 0-positive granular-appearing accumulations of neutral lipid within the cytoplasm. Control cells did not stain with Oil Red 0. Incubation of the cells with concentrations of IL from 2.3--37.5 mg/100 ml resulted in a significant decrease in the production of both C2 and C4, which could not be explained by variability between plates. The decrease in total C2 or C4 production by cells incubated with IL for 4 hr was similar to the decrease in production by cells incubated with IL for 48 hr. Several lines of evidence indicated that the decrease of C2 or C4 was the result of decreased synthesis of these proteins and not interference of IL with the detection of the proteins or their secretion from the cells. Exposure of the cells to IL at all concentrations caused reduction of the number of cells having pseudopodia and a rounding-up of the cells. IL did not affect the rate of detachment of the cells from the plates through the 48-hr incubation period or the ability of the cells to exclude trypan blue. Total protein synthesis and total lysozyme production by control and IL-treated cells was similar.


[Pulmonary allescheriosis (author's transl)]. In a patient properly treated for a previous cavitary tuberculosis, we had the surprise, after hemoptyses, to find a sleigh-bell shaped picture suggesting an intra-cavitary aspergilloma with a very special mycosis with Allescheria Boydii. Proof was provided by the presence of the fungus in direct examination and in culture in bronchial secretions. Surgical exeresis did not cure the patient and a secondary recurrence appeared on which antifungal drugs were ineffective. Antigens were made from the strain. They are used for immunoprecipitations tests. Only the patient's serum is positive; 82 serum test (18 concerned patients with visceral mycosis of farmer's lung disease) remained negative. Twenty two observations or pulmonary allescheriosis were recorded in the world. These figures are certainly below the truth. Three practical consequences can be drawn: --for an intra-cavitary mycetoma, with negative anti-aspergillus precipitins, such a disease must be kept in mind and the fungus looked for in bronchial secretions and specific immuno-precipitation test done; --any mycotic growth must be systematically cultured to determine the type of fungus; --for therapy, if diagnosis was made before the intervention, an antifungal treatment either local or general must be associated to the surgical treatment (contrary to aspergilloma treatment).


Emptying of the uterovaginal sperm storage glands in the absence of ovulation and oviposition in the domestic hen. Domestic hens were treated with pregnant mare serum to study the temporal pattern of sperm gland emptying in the absence of ovulation and oviposition. After a cessation of ovulation and oviposition, the hens were artificially inseminated with .034 ml of pooled semen. Subsequent histological examination of the uterovaginal sperm glands on days 1, 6, and 12 post-insemination indicated that the temporal rate of sperm-gland emptying was not significantly different from that of control birds which were laying normally. This observation suggests that ovulation and oviposition, along with their assoicated humoral factors, have a minimal effect on the emptying of the uterovaginal sperm storage glands.


[Distribution of nematode parasites of the digestive system in sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) of the Piedmontese and Valdostano Alpine arc]. A survey, carried out on gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep and goats of Piemonte and of Valle d'Aosta (87 sheep and 12 goats) has shown the presence of the following species in sheep, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus abnormalis, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spathiger, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia trifurcata, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostronglus colubriformis, Trichostronglus vitrinus, Trichuris ovis and Trichuris skrjabini; in goats, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichostrongylus vitrinus. The percentage of each species in the two host is given in the text table.


Adult and embryo responses to organophosphate pesticides: azodrin. Azodrin was applied to adult embryo chickens, Chukar Partridge, and Bobwhite Quail. Chronic exposure of adult birds to Azodrin mixed in their feed indicated that no a priori predictions could be made about one species based on the results of another; each had a different no effect (MACT) level. The chickens were between 25 and 100 ppm, the Chukar Partridge 5 and 25 ppm, and the Bobwhite quail less than 1.25 ppm. The chicken adults were most resistant, and the quail were least resistant to chronic exposure to Azodrin. Yolk-injected Azodrin caused the embryos of all three species to develop abnormally. The chicken and Chukar embryos developed a generalized achondroplasia, the quail were amuscular, only. In general, the 3 day quail embryos were most resistant to injected Azodrin and the chicken embryo least resistant. The relationship between adult and embryo response was negative.


Efficacy and compatibility of amprolium and carbarsone against Coccidiosis and blackhead in turkeys. Amprolium and carbarsone were tested separately and in combination for efficacy in prevention of occidiosis and histomoniasis, respectively. In these studies, amprolium at .0125% in the diet was efficacious in prevention of coccidiosis, and carbarsone had no deleterious effects when fed simultaneously at .0375%. Carbarsone at .0250% was efficacious in prevention of histomoniasis, and amprolium had no deleterious effects when fed concurrently at .025%. These results indicated that both drugs could be used in combination without interference of efficacy against the target diseases.


Stress-induced ventricular arrhythmias.

Stress-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Restraint stress produced ventricular arrhythmias in seven of seven guinea pigs monitored by a Holter ECG recorder. Couplets and ventricular tachycardia, never seen in unrestrained guinea pigs, were noted in three. The arrhythmias were associated with high heart rates which showed no tendency to decrease during the restraint period.


[Luteinizing hormone content in the pineal body depending on the physiological state of rats]. The changes in the luteinizing hormone (LH) level in the pineal gland were studied in rats depending on their sex and age, and under conditions of hypophysectomy or gonadectomy. In golden hamsters these changes were studied during the sexual cycle. The LH level was determined by the radioimmunological method. The gonadotropin content in animals aged under 15 days was independent of sex. At the age of 23 days the LH content was greater in the female animals than in the male, whereas in 30- and 60-day female rats it was decreased in comparison with that in the male animals. The LH concentration (per 1 mg of protein) was maximal in the pineal gland extracts of 5-day male and female rats. Gonadectomy of rats led to an approximately double elevation of the LH content in the pineal gland on the 13th postoperative day both in male and female rats. This index was restored to control values three weeks after the operation. From the onset to the termination of diestrus in hamsters the LH content in the pineal gland decreased from 215 to 75 pg/organ, and after diestrus followed by proestrus and estrus it rose to 180 pg/organ (P less than 0.05). A reduction of the LH content to the 10th postoperative day followed hypophysectomy in male and female pubertant rats; the gonadotropin content was restored in two weeks.


Radioprotection by DMSO of mammalian cells exposed to X-rays and to heavy charged-particle beams. Populations of G1-phase Chinese hamster cells in stirred suspensions containing various concentrations of DMSO were irradiated with 250 kV X-rays or various heavy charged-particle beams. Chemical radioprotection of cell inactivation was observed for all LET values studied. When cell survival data were resolved into linear and quadratic components, the extent and concentration dependence of DMSO protection were found to be different for the two mechanisms. The chemical kinetics of radioprotection for single-events were similar for LET values up to those which gave the maximum RBE. DMSO protected to a lesser extent against energetic argon ions at an median LET of approximately 220 keV/micron. These data could indicate the contribution of indirect action by hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms to cell inactivation by single-hit and double-hit mechanisms for various radiation qualities. The decrease in RBE observed at very high LET may result, in part, from reduced yields of water radicals at 10(-9)-10(-8) s resulting from radical recombination mechanisms within the charged particle tracks.


[Effect of estradiol on the prolactin content in the adenohypophysis of sexually mature and immature rats]. Gel electrophoresis was used in a comparative study of prolactin content in the hypophysis of rats of different age and sex, and at various stages of the estral cycle. The hormone level in the pubertal rats was twice or thrice greater than in the immature ones; it was by 16% less at the diestrus than at the estrus stage. There was no change in the hypophysis prolactin content in male rats at puberty. Ovariectomy was accompained by a sharp reduction of prolactin in the hypophysis. Replacing estradiol therapy increased the amount of prolactin in the hypophysis, without bringing it, however, to the level characteristic of intact rats. Estrogens are responsible for the maintenance of prolactin level, but apparently other factors influencing its content in the hypophysis also exist.


2-(Aminomethyl)-2-decarboxyprostaglandin F2 alpha type analogs. The 2-(aminomethyl)-2-decarboxy analogs of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), (15S)-15-methyl-PGF2 alpha, 16-phenoxy-omega-tetranor-PGF2 alpha and 16,16-dimethyl-PGF2 alpha were synthesized. The amino analogs closely resemble the parent PGF2 alpha compounds as antifertility agents in the hamster.


A survey of attitudes toward responsible pet ownership. The concerns of medical and community officials about responsible pet ownership have increased. Before a practical solution can be found for irresponsible ownership and community health problems associated with pet populations, the public's attitudes on issues related to responsible pet ownership must be determined. Such issues include attitudes on dog and cat overpopulation, potential public health problems associated with pet populations, and methods of controlling pet populations and stray animals. Responses to a questionnaire were used to evaluate the attitudes of 910 pet owners and nonowners toward factors comprising responsible pet ownership. The median age of the respondents was 33 years; 414 (45 percent) were men, and 496 (55 percent) were women. At the time of the study, 18 percent owned a cat and a dog, 35 percent owned only a dog, 11 percent showed only a cat, and 36 percent were nonowners. Not only the sex of the respondent but also the category of pet ownership affected opinions on overpopulation of dogs and cats, nuisance and pollution problems associated with these animals, and methods of controlling pet populations in the community. For example, owners agreed strongly on family planning for pets, but a majority of male owners stated that they would not have their dogs neutered.


The development and survival of Trichuris suis ova on pasture plots in the south of England. Pasture plots in the south of England were contaminated each month throughout 1975 with pig faeces containing Trichuris suis ova. At regular intervals thereafter, soil samples were taken, the T suis ova extracted and their state of development noted. Depending on the time of year that the plots were contaminated, ova required between 62 and 90 weeks to complete their development to the infective stage. Little or no development occurred during winter. Once the infective stage was reached, the ova survived for at least two years. Samples taken from the plots at various depths demonstrated that T suis ova did not rapidly leach through the soil but were still available to grazing pigs up to two and a half years later. The early developmental stages of ova appeared to be more susceptible to desiccation than those that had developed to the blastula stage or beyond.


[The affected medullary segment in paraplegics. Relation to sexual function in men (author's transl)]. The authors made a detailed clinical analysis of 119 stabilized total paraplegics in order to define, as precisely as possible, the limits of the medullary segment which, for each patient, had lost all its functional value. The relationships between the affected segments and the sexual capabilities of these patients show that the segment must: --exclude the sacral spinal cord if reflex erections are to occur; --underly Th. IX at least, or better still Th. XI, for psychogenic turgescence to appear; the efferent pathways seem therefore, to emerge from the cord quite close to the level which receives testicular afferent pathways; --underly or overly Th. XII, L I, and L II for at least the greater part, for emission of sperm to occur; a true abrupt ejaculation probably requires the complementary integrity of the sacral spinal cord.


High concentrations of glutathione in glandular stomach: possible implications for carcinogenesis. In laboratory rodents, concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) are exceedingly high (up to 7 to 8 millimolar) in the glandular gastric tissue compared to concentrations in other portions of the gastrointestinal tract or to those of most other organs. Gastric GSH varies diurnally, with the highest levels occurring in the late afternoon or early evening. Starvation, treatment with diethyl maleate, or cold-restraint stress all caused marked decreases in stomach GSH, whereas treatment with cobaltous chloride caused an increase in the GSH concentrations. The physiological significance of the high gastric GSH is unknown, but because this endogenous compound may strongly modulate (decrease or increase) the macromolecular binding of certain chemicals capable of inducing stomach tumors, the possible role of glutathione in the pathogenesis of chemically induced gastric cancer should be considered.


Dr. Guthrie and Felis domesticus or: tripping over the cat. The principal reactions described in Guthrie and Horton's classic learning monograph appear to have been caused by the mere presence of the experimenters. Neither escape nor food reinforcement is necessary for the establishment of such responses. They are species-typical "greeting" reactions, readily elicited by the sight of human observers.


Genetic variance in nonverbal intelligence: data from the kinships of identical twins. The multiple relationships within kinships of adult monozygotic twins permit incisive analyses to be made of genetic and environmental effects on behavioral traits. Data from families of 65 monozygotic twin pairs yield evidence of genetic variance on the Block Design Test, a nonverbal measure of general intelligence.


Long-term amphetamine treatment decreases brain serotonin metabolism: implications for theories of schizophrenia. Long-term amphetamine administration to cats (a mean of 8.75 milligrams per kilogram twice daily for 10 days) produced large decreases (40 to 67 percent in serotonin and its major metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, in all brain regions examined. This treatment also produced several behaviors that are dependent on depressed central serotonergic neurotransmission, and which normally are elicited exclusively by hallucinogenic drugs. Short-term amphetamine administration (15 mg/kg) did not produce these behaviors and resulted in small decreases in brain serotonin and no change in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These data are discussed in the context of monoamine theories of schizophrenia.


46, XY gonadal dysgenesis with secondary amenorrhea, virilization, and bilateral gonadoblastomas. A phenotypic girl with secondary amenorrhea, enlargement of the clitoris, XY gonadal dysgenesis, and bilateral gonadoblastomas is described. The presence of secondary amenorrhea does not obviate the existence of a Y chromosome. The presence of the Y chromosome should be a warning that a gonadal tumor may be present and, therefore, gonadectomy must be done as soon as possible and preferably before puberty.


Monozygotic twins with early infantile autism. A case report. A pair of monozygotic twins were born 3 weeks prematurely. They were concordant for early infantile autism (EIA) and developed at a similar rate until the age of 4 years, when one of them spontaneously improved. The other twin, who has suffered infrequent epileptic seizures since the age of 6 days, is still grossly autistic. The results of neurological examination and the electro-encephalograms of both are within normal limits. The role of genetic factors in the aetiology of autism is stressed, although these factors were not all important in the further development of these twins.


Comparison between a humanized cow's milk and a soy product for premature infants. A soy-based infant feed was compared with a humanized cow's milk product in newborn preterm babies. Forty preterm infants appropriate for gestational age with birth weights of between 1,500 and 1,800 g were randomly allocated, as they were admitted, to either a soy feed or a humanized cow's milk formula--both commercial products. The trial lasted 35 days for each patient. With a formula intake of 180 ml/kg/day, the patients on the soy feed did not progress well, and most had to be withdrawn from the trial, whereas the group fed on cow's milk fared satisfactorily. With formula intakes of 200 ml/kg/d, progress in the group on the soy feed was improved. However, the body weights and serum albumin levels of the babies receiving the soy product were significantly lower than those of babies on the cow's milk formula at the end of the trial. Until more work has been done, we suggest that soy formulas should be employed with caution in the feeding of small preterm infants.


The binding of diiodosalicylate and flufenamate to the plasma antiactivator: analysis of chemical fibrinolysis. The fibrinolytic effect of diiodosalicylate was expressed as apparent units urokinase. The dissociation constant of the urokinase-inhibitor complex is increased 19 times in the presence of 10(-2) M diiodosalicylate. The binding of diiodosalicylate to the antiactivator was estimated and the increase in free urokinase in the presence of diiodosalicylate was calculated. With 10(-2) M diiodosalicylate present only 4% of the inhibitor remains free to bind urokinase. Therefore, the fibrinolytic action of diiodosalicylate can be explained on the basis of its binding to the inhibitor and the release of free urokinase.


Cyclic changes in the surface structure of the cervix from the ewe as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Thirty parous ewes were divided into six groups and sacrificed on day 0 (first day of estrus), 1, 2, 10, 15 or 16 of the estrous cycle. The cervices were removed immediately and processed for examination with the scanning electron microscope. Observation of the tissues reveals that the surface of the cervix is highly convoluted, which results in the formation of numerous folds or crypts. Two forms of columnar epithelial cells, a ciliated and a non-ciliated cell with microvilli, line the luminal surface of the cerix in the day 10, luteal-phase ewes. However, on day 15, 2 days before estrus, the non-ciliated cells differentiate into two morphologically distinct types of secretory cells. One type forms when the apex of the non-ciliated cell dilates outward into the lumen of the cervix. Concurrent with apical enlargement, the microvilli are lost and the limiting cell membrane becomes smooth. The other type of cell is characterized by only a slight apical swelling. Consequently, remnants of microvilli along with secretory granules can be observed on the limiting membrane of this cell. Both cells release a particulate component, which is believed to be a precursor of mucus, into the lumen of the cerix. These particles undergo a series of morphological transformations to form a fibrillar layer, generally referred to as 'cervical mucus', that covers the epithelial surface at estrus. One to 2 days following the onset of estrus, the fibers become more closely assoicated with amorphous material that begins to coagulate, thereby revealing the underlying ciliated and non-ciliated cells that characterize the cervix of the luteal-phage ewe. The cyclical variation in secretory cells and factors that may influence that structural transformations which occur in mucus are discussed.


Evaluation of the toxicologic and teratogenic potentials of sodium fluorescein in the rat. Sodium fluorescein (10%) when injected intravenously (5 ml/kg) in pregnant albino rats crossed the placental barrier and appeared to be distributed throughout the fetus within 15 min. It was detectable in the fetus up to 4 h after injection but not beyond 24 h. A single intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein did not produce embryotoxic or teratogenic effects. Oral LD50 studies using sodium phenobarbital on rats which received sodium fluorescein during their fetal development showed no apparent effects of sodium fluorescein on their drug detoxification systems.


Partial death as a defining characteristic of a subculture. This paper presents a discussion of the idea of "partial death" as it relates to the subculture of the beats or hypsters, especially in San Francisco, from about 1948 to 1964, with special emphasis on the works of Kerouac and Ginsberg and a study by Rigney and Smith.


Attenuation of ultrasound in skeletal muscle. Ultrasonic attenuation in fresh and 5% formalin fixed beef skeletal muscle has been measured, as a continuous function of frequency, in the range 1-8 MHz, for muscle fibre orientations both parallel and normal to the direction of propagation. Good agreement was found in all cases between two independent sets of measurements employing transmission and reflection techniques respectively. The data are consistent with a power law dependence of attenuation coefficient on frequency, with an exponent that is not significantly different from unity. For propagation normal to the fibres attenuation values are found as 1.1 +/- 0.15 and 1.6 +/- 0.15 dB cm-1 MHz-1 for fresh and fixed tissue respectively, the corresponding values for parallel propagation being 2.9 +/- 0.23 and 4.1 +/- 0.25 dB cm-1 MHz-1.


Prolactin, LH, TSH, T3 and T4 in patients with urogenital carcinomas. Serum level of peptide hormones LH, FSH, TSH and prolactin have been measured in patients with urogenital tumor. In this randomized study we found a frequent elevation of TSH and prolactin, which did not correlate. Increased serum level of TSH was confirmed to be without any elevation of serum T3 and T4. In some of these patients ectopic production of peptides may account for this abnormality. Systemic change of peptides in elderly patients, however, must be taken into consideration as well.


Intravesical formalin for the control of intractable bladder haemorrhage secondary to radiation cystitis or bladder cancer. During the last two years, 17 patients with haemorrhage due to radiation cystitis or bladder cancer have been treated by intravesical infusion of 10% Formalin solution. The results were very good in 9 cases, satisfactory in 3, while the remaining 5 cases were disappointing. The control of bleeding by Formalin was safe especially in patients with secondary haemorrhage due to radiation cystitis with no tumour recurrence.


[Heat development during tur. experiments with thermoelectric urethra model (author's transl)]. With the help of a new urethra phantom temperatures caused by leak currents during TUR have been measured. Quantitative analysis indicates the demand for maximum output power of 120 W during TUR.


Why Marshall-Marchetti operation works . . . or does not. Vesicourethral suspension operations fail (1) when preoperative evaluation is insuffcient, leading to improper selection of patients; and (2) for technical reasons when anatomy is uncorrected (suture malplacement, suture breakage, and failure to release adhesions) or when anatomy is corrected (periurethral fibrosis, fistula, stone or granuloma formation on nonabsorbable suture, and overcorrection). Vesicourethral suspension operations work by changing urethrotrigonal anatomy, creating a new equilibrium of forces acting on the bladder neck and urethra.


Niemann-Pick disease in a poodle dog.

Niemann-Pick disease in a poodle dog. A 5-month-old minature Poodle dog had widespread cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons in the central nervous system and foamy macrophages in the lung, spleen, renal lymph node, liver, adrenal gland and intestine. Concentric membranous cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in the neurons of the central nervous system by electron microscopy. There was no sphingomyelinase in the brain tissue. Sphingomyelin and cholesterol were increased in brain, kidney and liver. A diagnosis of Niemann-Pick Disease was based on absence of sphingomyelinase activity, as well as on histologic, histochemical and chemical findings.


Impotence in the bull: (1) Abnormal venous drainage of the corpus cavernosum penis. Six young bulls (two Friesian, two Charolais, one polled Devon and one North Devon) that had never served successfully, showed good libido but lacked penile erection. In five of these bulls, the short flaccid organ was not protruded during attempted service. Radiography of the cavernous bodies and veins of the penis in the living animal demonstrated major venous drainage of the corpus cavernosum penis (ccp) by the dorsal venous system in all cases. This was not seen in normal bulls. Radiography and anatomical preparations of post mortem specimens showed that the ccp was drained by the dorsal venous system throughout the length of the organ. Proximally, the cavernous spaces of the ccp anastomosed with those of the corpus spongiosum penis (csp) and were drained by numerous small veins. Distally, a system of larger veins, not seen in normal bulls, drained into left and right sides of the dorsal venous system. No microscopical abnormalities of spermatozoa or of testes were found, but there was a marked lack of spermatozoa in the caudae epididymides. The evidence suggests that abnormal venous drainage of the ccp may have been the immediate cause of impotence in these bulls.


A study of the effects of copper deficiency in Scottish blackface lambs on improved hill pasture. One member of each pair of twin lambs from 37 five-and six-year-old Scottish blackface ewes, grazing reseeded pasture suspected of causing a molybdenum-sulphur induced copper deficiency in sheep, was given an injection of 12.5 mg copper calcium edetate at about eight weeks of age. Plasma copper concentrations of these lambs were maintained in the normal range by further injections of copper as required (treatment group). The remaining member of each twin pair received no copper therapy (control group). The control lambs and all ewes showed marked hypocupraemia throughout lactation, whereas the plasma copper concentrations of the treatment lambs, and also of single lambs with continuous access to unimproved hill grazings, remained normal. The live-weight gain of the treatment lambs was significantly greater than that of the control lambs, the difference in mean live-weights after 12 weeks being 2.5 kg. All lambs showed some degree of osteoporosis; this was most severe in the control lambs which had less dense bones and were also more susceptible to bone fractures and to disease. Differences between treatment and control lambs were also observed in haematological parameters and in fleece characteristics.


[Experimental gluing of the pleural cavity]. In experimental research on rabbits the authors assessed the usefulness of tissue adhesive-GRF in obtaining tissue union in the pleural cavity to replace aspiration drainage after thoracosurgical operations. The experiments were carried out on rabbits under general anaesthesia in two groups. First group had thoracotomy and after expansion of the lungs the chest was closed tightly. In second group after thoracotomy the lungs were stabilized with gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde glue. Aspiration drainage was not used. The observation included: radiologic examination, measurements of pulmonary ventilation using Wright's volumometer and gasometric determination. Moreover the alveolar-capillary oxygen difference and the percent of lung shunt were determined. The authors underline good function glued lungs.


Mechanisms of hypogonadism and feminization in alcholic liver disease. Based upon studies in man and animals it is proposed that: 1. Alcohol-induced hypogonadism is primarily due to a direct testicular toxicity of ethanol manifested by alcohol-induced reduced testosterone levels. 2. In addition, an alcohol-induced central defect also may contribute to the observed hypogonadism. 3. In contrast to the ease with which hypogonadism can be ascribed to androgen deficiency per se, the observed feminization can not be ascribed to altered estrogen levels alone. Rather, we would propose, that feminization of such men is due to the combined effects of estrogen excess and androgen deficiency upon the patter of estrogen-binding proteins in hepatic cytosol.


[Survival of Cochliobolus miyabeanus in the soil (author's transl)]. Survival of C. miyabeanus in irrigated soils of rice fields was higher in infected rice straw (70 days) than in infected rice leaves (40 days). The fungus survived longer in soil depth of 30 cm as in a depth of 15 cm. Between the survival of the fungus and the destruction of infected plant material exist a correlation. In infected rice seeds survived the fungus longer by 5--8 degrees C than by 26--33 degrees C.


[Role of genetic factors in the formation of trace reactions in man]. Trace processes due to presentation of visual nonverbal information, and the dynamics of the bioelectrical parameter (mean level of asymmetry of EEG-waves) were studies in 32 pairs of monozygote and 38 pairs of dizygote twins with twins method. Statistical processing of the data revealed a significant effect of genetic factors on the formation of individual variability of the characteristics of trace processes in humans. The results obtained showed that with increased functional load the intrapair similarity of trace reactions increased in monozygote twins and did not change or decrease in dizygote twins and in unrelated pairs. This fact is interpreted at a dependence of appearance of geneticly determined neurophysiological characteristics on the level of functional activity of the nervous system.


Amino acid content in relation to growth of Helminthosporium maydis Nishikado and Miyake. During the growth period of thirty days, altogether thirteen amino acids showed their presence and activity in the developing culture of Helminthosporium maydis Nishikado and Miyake. Initiation of growth by the 5th day coincided with the appearance of profuse amounts of dl-alanine and serine, and moderate amounts of valine, threonine, and aspartic acid. The thirteen amino acids, which appeared in full complement by the 15th day, were actively engaged in accelerating mycelial accumulation. Beyond this growth period, there was a decline in the amino acids.


Varying spectrum of amino acids in relation to growth in Helminthosporium oryzae Breda de Haan. Fifteen amino acids were detected in the developing mycelium of Helminthosporium oryzae Breda de Haan. During the first fortnight of mat accumulation, which was more rapid, a marked influence of amino acids on the growth pattern was discernible. A high level maintenance of dl-alanine l-cysteine, l-leucine/isoleucine, threonine, tyrosine, glutamic, and aspartic acids, as well as an increase in the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid and proline during the first fortnight of culture development were effective in initiating growth and keeping it at a more rapid pace. Glutamine and methionine appeared in the latter half of fungal growth. During this slow pace of mycelial accumulation in the latter half period, there was a general and overall decline in the amount of most of the amino acids. The amino acids started disappearing from the mycelial extract from the 20th day onwards till the end of the 30th day. In the culture filtrate, aspartic acid and proline appeared during the rapid growth phase and dl-alanine and methionine during the slower phase.


Fluctuation in amino-acid constituents of a developing culture of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. and its relation to growth. Altogether eleven amino acids were detected in the mycelial extract of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Here, with the appearance of aspartic acid and homoserine on the 5th day, growth was initiated. The maximum mycelial output, achieved by the 15th day, coincided with the detection of leucine/isoleucine and valine in the mycelial extract and of methionine in the culture filtrate. Lysine and gamma-amino-butyric acid which appeared late in the mycelium did not contribute to its growth. Tyrosine, an aromatic amino acid, was present only in the culture filtrate and not in the fungal extract. Aspartic acid, homoserine, and methionine were profusely produced in the culture filtrate during the decline of mycelial growth, suggesting that these amino acids could be fungal autolysis products as well.


[Studies on habitat of fungi on glass fibre wallpaper (author's transl)]. The fungi strains Alternaria tenuis C.G. Ness and Ulocladium alternariae (Cke.) Simmons could be isolated from black coloured glass fibre wallpaper. It was investigated that glass fibre wallpaper and covering pastes were not substrate medium but were settled by fungi when there were nutrition substances under or in the air volume of the wallpaper. Both isolated fungi strains converted carboxymethyl-cellulose as alone C- and energy source. The fungicide Smotilon AM limited the spore germination growth of both strains with 0.5% solution. The formation of the biotop glass fibre wallpaper for fungi was discussed.


[The effect of local heat and cold packs on the skin temperature at the knee joint]. Using the infrared radiometer KT 41, skin temperature of the knee joint was measured in 5 healthy persons on five different points. With the same method skin temperature of knee joints was estimated after hot mud packs of 20 minutes duration and cold packs with frozen bags of 30 minutes duration. The highest temperatures were estimated near the popliteal space, the lowest temperatures on the patella. During 24 hours, a distinct periodical course of skin temperature could be observed. After the hot pack skin temperature of the treated joint significantly rose; after 1 hour the average temperature before heat application was reached again. After cold application with deeply frozen bags, skin temperature dropped drastically and remained colder than pretreatment temperature for almost 5 hours. Heat application did not influence skin temperature of untreated contralateral knee but during cold application also the temperature of untreated knee slightly decreased. Considering the correlation between skin temperature and intraarticular temperature of joints, the effect of local heating and cooling seems to be more intense than supposed and confirms the therapeutic benefit of heat and cold in rheumatology.


Investigation of effect of alpha-naphthylamine and beta-naphthylamine on organic acids formation of self-sustaining coacervates. Malonic and oleic acids were found in the typical mixtures. Samples containing alpha-naphthylamine gave oleic and malic acids which disintegrated with time of exposure. Tricarballylic acid was confirmed in presence of beta-naphthyl amine, but disappeared with time. Arachidic, tartaric, and adipic acids were found, but they disappeared in eight days' exposed samples. At later stages of exposure, malonic acid was observed along with sporadic appearances of citric , succinic, and oleic acids. Rate of disintegration of these compounds was directly proportional to time of exposure to sunlight.


[Immunogenic and adjuvant properties of rat erythrocytes subjected to exposure to a high external temperature]. The erythrocytes of Wistar rats, subjected to heating at 40 degrees C (4 times, each heating lasting 40 min.) were found to be more immunogenic in mice than the erythrocytes of intact rats. The immunization of intact Wistar rats, in a single injection, with syngeneic erythrocytes obtained from the heated animals did not induce immunological response reaction, whereas 5 injections of these erythrocytes caused an increase in the number of rosette-forming cells. The injection of syngeneic erythrocytes obtained from the heated rats to intact animals also stimulated the development of immune response to sheep erythrocytes.


Light-induced rhythms of prolactin secretion in the ram and the effect of cranial sympathectomy. Four Soay rams cranially sympathectomised by removal of the superior cervical ganglia were housed alongside 4 control rams in an artificial lighting regime of alternating 16 week periods of short days (8L : 16D) and long days (16L : 8D) for 2 years. The variations in the plasma prolactin concentration revealed that while the control animals adjusted both the short term (diurnal) and long term (seasonal) rhythms in prolactin secretion in response to the changes in daylength, the ganglionectomised rams failed to respond. These sympathectomised animals continued to show long term changes in the circulating level of prolactin however and during the periods of hypersecretion a conspicuous diurnal rhythm in the hormone concentration was apparent.


[Effect of destruction of the frontal and parietal regions of the neocortex on the ability of dogs to solve extrapolation problems]. Parietoectomized dogs (n = 8), like intact ones (n = 102), are able to extrapolate the direction of the movement of an alimentary stimulus when presented with a complex task variant. In this they differ from animals with a prefrontal lobectomy (n = 10) in which, according to the authors' previous data (1971), the ability to elementary rational activity in Krushinsky extrapolation test (1977), is impaired.


[Raised serum PRL and androgen levels associated with hyrsutism, amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea]. This is a report of a case of a case of amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome with hyperprolactinaemia associated with increase of plasma androstenedione and urinary 17-ketosteroids, gradually developed in a sterile subject. Plasma LH and testosterone levels and the results of adrenal suppression and ovarian stimulation tests seem to prove, point towards, the adrenal as the likely source of androgens. Treatment with bromocryptin for 20 weeks brought about a reduction to normal of both PRL and androgens. Resumption of ovulatory cycles followed thereafter and a pregnancy eventually occurred.


Failure of bromocriptine to suppress prolactin in majeptil-induced hyperprolactinemia. A case of hyperprolactinemic anovulation with amenorrhea and galactorrhea, due to Phenothizine derivative (Majeptil) is presented. Treatment with bromocriptine, 2.5 mg b.i.d., p.o., or L-Dopa, 500 mg, p.o., did not suppress serum prolactin and menstrual cycle was not resumed. Pituitary prolactin response to TRH and Pituitary LH and FSH response to LHRH were found to be normal. It seems that at the dose used, bromocriptine (a dopaminergic agonist) cannot counteract the phenothiazine induced hyperprolactinemia. Hence, it is not effective in induction of ovulation while the patient is under phenothiazine treatment.


Barriers and transport properties of the perineurium. An ultrastructural study with 125I-labeled albuminin and horseradish peroxidase in normal and protein-deprived rats. The permeability properties of the perineurium in sciatic nerves of 12-week-old rats were studied. The penetration of 125I-labeled albumin and horseradish peroxidase into the perineurium was investigated electronmicroscopically 10, 30, and 120 min after the local extraneural application of the tracers. The autoradiographic study included age-matched protein-deprived rats. It was concluded that the perineurium acted as a diffusion barrier but also permitted a slow passage of the macromolecules into the endoneurium. The result indicates that this penetration to some extent is due to vesicular transport across the perineurial cells. The significance of these barrier and transport properties of the perineurium is discussed. No obvious differences in perineurial permeability between normal and protein-deprived rats were obtained.


Astrocytes in hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system and their relationship to stromal cells. Thirteen cases of CNS hemangioblastoma were examined with the immunoperoxidase technique for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to determine if there were astrocytic elements among the "stromal cells" of these tumors. In six cases, includinng two leptomeningeal hemangioblastomas, none of the stromal cells were positive on GFAP stain. Seven cases, however, showed variable presence of Gfap positive cells, including clusters of heavily lipidized cells deep within cerebellar hemangioblastomas. These GFAP positive cells were indestinguishable by other stains from interstitial or stromal cells. Thus, it appears that in at least some hemangioblastomas of the CNS parenchyma, a few or many "stromal cells" are lipidized astrocytes. All stromal cells, however, cannot be of astrocytic origin, as proposed by Jakobiec et al. (1976), in view of our six cases where no GFAP-positive cells were found in the tumors. It is suggested that cells identified as "stromal cells" of hemangioblastomas on light microscopy are a heterogeneous group of cells including astroyctic as well as other elements and that they resemble each other on ordinary stains because of the "equalizing effect" of cell lipidization.


Ultrastructural studies on the sporulation of oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. I. Development of the zygote and formation of the sporoblasts. The initial stages of sporulation in oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii were examined in samples sporulated at 27 degrees C for 0, 6, 12, 16 and 24 hours. The initial zygote was roughly spherical and was limited by a single unit membrane. A few micropores of the inactive type were present on this membrane. The cytoplasm contained a large nucleus with a nucleolus, a number of polysaccharide granules, lipid globules, mitochondria, and Golgi bodies together with a few strands of rough endoplasmic reticulum. After the initiation of sporulation little change was noted in the cytoplasm except for an increase in protein synthesis as evidenced by the augmentation of the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum and the appearance of polyribosomes. Nuclear division occurred twice giving rise to four nuclei which were situated close to the cell periphery and well separated from each other. At this multinucleate stage a second limiting membrane was formed. The cytoplasmic mass then divided to form the two sporoblasts. This was accomplished by an invagination of the limiting membranes in combination with internally formed membranes. The two binuclear sporoblasts were roughly spherical. They were limited by two unit membranes and contained the same cytoplasmic organelles as described for the zygote.


Ultrastructural studies on the sporulation of oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. II. Formation of the sporocyst and structure of the sporocyst wall. The ultrastructural changes observed during sporocyst formation and the structure of the sporocyst wall was examined in oocysts which had been allowed to sporulate for between 12 and 48 hours at 27 degrees C. As the spherical sporoblast developed into the sporocyst the cytoplasmic mass became ellipsoidal in shape although no change was noted in the organelle compliment, which cosisted of two nuclei plus a number of polysaccharide granules, lipid globules, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and some rough endoplasmic reticulum. The sporocyst wall consisted of a thin outer layer (15-20 nm) which was formed from two limiting membranes of the sporoblast and an inner layer (40-50 nm) which was comprised of four curved plates. This inner layer was formed under the outer layer and, although no specific cytoplasmic organelle disappeared with its formation, some unit membranes were observed close to the plasmalemma during its formation. Each curved plate has a marginal swelling and an interposing strip of material is present between the margins of adjacent plates. The plates are joined to the interposing strip by a thin band of osmiophilic material. In oblique and tangential sections through the plates two types of cross banding were observed which differed in periodicity.


Mechanism of action of the spasmogenic activity of penthylenetetrazol and of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines on rat stomach fundus strips. Spasmogenic activity of penthylenetetrazol (PTZ) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isochinoline (THI) derivatives was gradually reduced during storage of their solutions as tested on rat isolated stomach fundus strips. Spasmogenic activity of both PTZ and THI derivatives could be modified by prior exposure of the solutions to electrostatic field and to rotating magnetic field or ultrasound treatment. As a consequence of rotating magnetic field treatment, ED50 values for 1-phenyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isochinoline-hydrochloride (S-23), PTZ and for PTZ crystallized from an ether solution of PTZ (PTZA) doubled, i.e. their activity was reduced by 50 per cent. After an exposure to rotating magnetic field, intrinsic activity of S-23 fell only by 10 to 20 per cent, while after the same treatment the fall in intrinsic activity of PTZ was more pronounced (40 to 50 per cent). Activity of PTZA changed similarly as that of PTZ. Activity of S-23 was similarly modified by exposure of its solution to electrostatic or rotating magnetic field. On the other hand, intrinsic activity of PTZ solution exposed to electrostatic field was twice as high as that of the control PTZ solution. Affinity and intrinsic activity of PTZ solutions diminished after ultrasound treatment. The fall in the activity of PTZ solution of low concentration was greater after the same ultrasound treatment, but its convulsive activity measured in vivo remained unchanged. Spasmogenic activity of ultrasound-treated PTZ reappeared after the solution had been dried under vacuum and then the residue crystallized and redissolved in water. These findings allow the conclusion that the observed changes in activity could be the result of spontaneous or field-evoked alterations in molecular state (orientation, association etc.) conformation. The fact that the activity of PTZ solution measured in vivo did not change during storage supports this assumption.


Plasma progesterone, oestradiol 17 beta and premenstrual symptoms. Thirty-nine healthy women, mainly hospital employees, median age 23, kept a daily record of symptoms throughout their menstrual cycles and plasma progesterone and oestradiol 17 beta levels were measured daily in the premenstrual week and second daily for the remainder of the cycle. Groups with symptom scores (affective, somatic and total) above and below the median score were compared with respect to mean plasma hormone levels and the pattern of change of plasma hormones over the 3 weeks before menstruation and the last 7 premenstrual days. Progesterone/oestrogen ratios for the latter period were also compared in the same subjects. No significant differences were found. There was a positive correlation of age with mean plasma progesterone level in the 3 weeks before menstruation.


The timing of menstruation-related symptoms assessed by a daily symptom rating scale. A daily symptom rating scale (DSRS) was constructed from items previously used in questionnaires and rating scales measuring menstrual symptoms. The DSRS was found to have adequate reliability and validity. The profiles of symptom intensity of 65 women, mainly hospital staff, median age 19, during one menstrual cycle, with particular emphasis on the premenstrual week and menstruation are reported. Significant differences in ratings during the cycle were found. Ratings increased during the premenstrual week and were maximal on the days immediately preceding and following the onset of menstruation. No abrupt decline in ratings was found when menstruation commenced. Results were compared with answers to a menstrual distress questionnaire, previously administered to the same women and the questionnaire results were in good agreement with DSRS results on the day of maximum symptom intensity (the day immediately before or the day immediately after the onset of menstruation.


Steroid hormone regulations of uterine peroxidase activity. Uterine peroxidase enzyme activity has been studied as a marker for estrogen action in the uterus to help clarify the mechanism of estrogen action and its modulation by antiestrogens and progestins. Estrogen-induced increases in peroxidase were found to closely parallel increases in uterine weight and DNA content in the castrate rat. In the cycling female rat, uterine peroxidase levels were highest during proestrus and estrus and the lower levels of metestrous and diestrous uteri could be raised to estrous levels by administration of estrogen. However, the estrous levels were not further increased by estrogen treatment. The antiestrogen, CI628, while a very weak inducer of uterine peroxidase, is an effective antagonist of the estrogen induction of the enzyme. The prolonged duration of this CI628-effected inhibition corresponds to the prolonged depletion of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor seen with CI628 treatment. Progesterone, R5020 and norethindrone were also found to be effective antagonists of estrogen-induced uterine peroxidase. Medrogestone and clogestrone, less potent progestins in the rat, were also less effective antagonists of peroxidase induction. Since progesterone was found to inhibit peroxidase induction due to both estrone and diethylstilbestrol, as well as estradiol, it is considered unlikely that this antagonism relates to progestin-induced increases in uterine 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Rather, it is proposed that progestins, acting through progestin  receptor, may have a more direct role, possibly acting at the level of the genome to repress the expression of estrogen-induced products.


Studies on the incorporation of the sodium channel of lobster nerve into soybean liposomes. Na+ channels of lobster nerve membrane were incorporated into soybean liposomes by the freeze-thaw-sonication procedure. Electron microscopy showed that the vesicular pattern of membranes and liposomes was broken and reassembled during the process. The amount of membrane protein incorporated depended linearly on the amount of membrane protein added to the liposomes for reconstitution. The 22Na flux into the reconstituted vesicles was increased by veratridine (0.5 mM) or grayanotoxin I (150 microM) and the increment was abolished by tetrodotoxin (Ki = 4 to 5 nM). The drug-sensitive 22Na influx depended linearly on the amount of membrane protein incorporated. No response to the drugs was found in protein-free vesicles or in vesicles reconstituted with membrane heated at 50 degrees C for 15 min. A fraction of digitonin-treated membranes had a higher Na+ channel activity. The Na+ channel was able to discriminate between Na+ and K+ or Rb+.


Common problems in the medical care of pilots. Family physicians need to have an increased awareness of the medical needs of pilots. A close, trusting relationship is essential. Special consideration must be given when prescribing medications. Hypoxia is a special problem for pilots with cardiovascular and/or respiratory diseases. Several medical problems may occur because of rapid changes in barometric pressure, including barotitis media, which is best treated in flight. Minor ailments, use of alcohol and smoking may become serious problems for aviators; therefore, patient education is important.


Mural vegetations at the site of endocardial trauma in infective endocarditis complicating idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. In two patients infective endocarditis developed as the primary manifestation of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Infected vegetations were present on the mitral and aortic valves. In addition, bacterial vegetations were observed on the septal endocardium at the site of contact between the mitral valve leaflet and the hypertrophic septum. Thus, chronic endocardial trauma, a common finding in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, may provide a fertile nidus for the development of bacterial vegetation.


The structure and distribution of the cross-striated fibril and associated membranes in guinea pig photoreceptors. Examination of longitudinally and transversely sectioned photoreceptor cells of the guinea pig retina revealed an aggregate of thin filaments forming a single cross-striated fibril coursing through the full length of the non-receptor portion of the cell. The fibril begins as the ciliary rootlet from the region of the basal body of the connecting cilium. From the basal body it passes between the mitochondria of the ellipsoid and along the Golgi zone of the myoid region of the inner segment, narrowing from an irregularly shaped bundle to a ribbon-shaped aggregate. The fibril separates into discrete strands, each curving along the nucleus, reuniting into a single bundle to pass down the cell's axon, and terminating deep within the synaptic terminal. The fibril is flanked by two separate membranous saccules, each continuous along nearly its full length. The fibril's extensive course in the guinea pig and its association with continuous membranes necessitates a reexamination of earlier proposals for the function of cross-striated filamentous structures in photoreceptor cells.


Diurnal variations in plasma concentrations of tryptophan, tryosine, and other neutral amino acids: effect of dietary protein intake. The effect of dietary protein content on the diurnal variations in plasma neutral amino acid levels was studied in normal human subjects. For three consecutive 5-day periods, subjects consumed diets containing 0, 75, or 150 g of egg protein per day. Blood samples were drawn at 4-hr intervals on the 4th and 5th days of each period. Consumption of the protein-free diet caused plasma concentrations of all amino acids studied to fall in the late morning and afternoon, while the 150-g protein diet elicited increases in these levels during the daytime. Ingestion of the diet containing 75 g of egg protein tended to diminish the amplitudes of the daily rhythms in plasma amino acid levels, but most amino acids still exhibited small but significant elevations late in the evening. At all times of day, plasma concentrations of the large neutral amino acids studied (i.e., aromatic and branched-chain amino acids, and methionine) varied directly with the protein content of the diet. In contrast, the relationships between dietary protein content and the plasma concentrations of glycine and alanine, two small neutral amino acids, were inverse. The ratios of plasma tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine levels to the sum of the concentrations of other large neutral amino acids tended to fall as the protein content of the diet was increased. The corresponding ratio for valine increased as protein was added to the diet, while the leucine and isoleucine ratios were not correlated with dietary protein content. Since diet-induced changes in plasma trypotphan and tyrosine ratios in animals are known to cause parallel alterations in brain tryptophan and tyrosine levels, and thus in the rates of brain serotonin and catecholamine synthesis, our data suggest that ingestion of carbohydrates and protein may also normally affected brain monoamine synthesis in humans.


Diurnal variations in plasma neutral amino acid concentrations among patients with cirrhosis: effect of dietary protein. The effect of varying dietary protein content on the daily rhythms in plasma neutral amino acid concentrations was studied in patients with chronic cirrhosis. For two consecutive 5-day periods, subjects consumed diets containing either 0 or 75 g of protein per day. Blood samples were drawn at 4-hr intervals on the 4th and 5th days of each dietary period. For most of the neutral amino acids, the changes in plasma concentration associated with time of day or with variations in dietary protein content were similar to those observed previously in normal subjects. Ingestion of the protein-free diet caused significant reductions in the daytime level of all amino acids studied, except for tryptophan, the concentration of which did not change during the 24-hr period. Ingestion of the 75-g protein diet caused plasma levels of most of theamino acids to increase slightly during the day; these increments were not statistically significant for tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, and methionine. The absolute plasma concentrations of most of the neutral amino acids were also in the normal range; exceptions included methonine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine, whose plasma levels were significantly elevated above normal valves. The plasma ratios of tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine concentrations to the sum of the concentrations of other large neutral amino acids increased during the day uhen the protein-free diet was ingested; this effect was moderated by the addition of protein to the food. The plasma ratios for the branched-chain amino acids were depressed below normal; those for tyrosine, phenylalanine, and methionine were significantly increased. The plasma tryptophan ratio was within the normal range. These findings provide a basis for anticipating that the uptake from blood into brain of several of the large neutral amino acids may be modified in patients with chronic cirrhosis.


Increase of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes in families of patients with IgA nephropathy. IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes, serum IgA, urinary sediments and HLA types of patients with IgA nephropathy and members of their families were examined to elucidate whether some familial factors might be related to the development of IgA nephropathy. Ten patients with IgA nephropathy, 31 family members and 36 age-matched healthy persons were examined. All families included certain members with increased amounts of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes. The pattern of the emergence of family members with increased IgA-bearing lymphocytes was vertical. Some family members who had increased IgA-bearing lymphocytes showed microhematuria at the time of the study. There was no significant correlation between the amounts of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes and levels of serum IgA. HLA types of the ten patients did not show significant deviation from those in the general population. It is suggested that the measurement of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes among family members is useful for the screening of patients with IgA nephropathy.


Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in Hodgkin disease. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is rarely seen in Hodgkin disease and the presence of platelet-associated antibody has not been previously reported in these patients. A patient with Hodgkin disease is described who developed a destructive thrombocytopenia demonstrated by shortened platelet survival. In conjunction with his thrombocytopenia, he had marked elevation of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G levels (nanograms IgG per 10(9) platelets: 15,187 prior to splenectomy and 71,130 and 81,900 after surgery). Mean values (+/-SD) of control subjects averaged 1,975 + 381 and four patients with Hodgkin disease and normal platelet counts had levels ranging from 1,581 to 4,011. We suggest that this patient had immune-mediated thrombocytopenia; whether the increase in platelet-associated immunoglobulin G was due to antiplatelet antibody or to adsorbed or phagocytosed immune complexes cannot be demonstrated by these studies. The platelet-associated immunoglobulin G test may be useful in evaluating these patients.


A syndrome resembling idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in 10 patients with diverse forms of cancer. Ten patients with diverse forms of carcinoma (six patients) and of cancer in the lymphoid system (four patients) presented with or subsequently had a syndrome resembling idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). These patients were older than patients who had ITP alone. ITP was coincident with a diagnosis of cancer (three patients), preceded a diagnosis of cancer (three patients) or followed a diagnosis of cancer (four patients). No patients responded to steroid therapy permanently. Therefore, the course of our patients was fairly typical of ITP in the adult. Since we found nine patients with cancer in a survey of 52 consecutive patients with ITP in the adult population admitted to one hospital, this diagnosis may be missed with some frequency; the development of thrombocytopenia being attributed to other causes.


A dog model for human psychopathology.

A dog model for human psychopathology. The author reviews studies of the development and scientific exploitation of two true-breeding strains of pointer dogs, one of which is basically normal and one of which is nervous, particularly around people. Basic studies, which generally contrast the nervous dogs with the normal dogs, include studies of inheritance, early experience, conditioning, psychophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neurochemistry. The author suggests that the nervous line is an animal model of human psychopathology and probably of cardiac pathology.


Morphologic and functional changes of the aortic intima during experimental hypertension. The morphology and permeability to horseradish peroxidase of the rat aortic intima have been investigated in three experimental models of hypertension having different values of plasma renin content and plasma aldosterone level. During hypertension the aortic endothelium shows three main changes: 1) increased arithmetic mean thickness, with prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes; 2) the appearance of actin microfilament bundles; and 3) increased permeability to horseradish peroxidase. These changes are not present in all models, do not appear to depend on hypertension per se, and are independent of each other. The subendothelial layer of hypertensive animals shows an increased thickness that appears to be correlated with an increase of endothelial cell volume. Our results suggest that: 1) the aortic intima reacts differently to different types of hypertension, and 2) factors other than hypertension per se play a role in the development of vascular changes observed in animals with elevated blood pressure.


Occurrence of oocytes in the liver of the percoid fish, Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch and Schneider) and its probable significance. Out of 500 Trichogaster fasciatus examined in one fish stage I and II oocytes were noticed in the liver and its blood sinuses. Apparently this is the first record of such occurrence. It is highly suggestive of the vascular migration of the germ cells enroute to the genital ridge. Possibly due to unknown reasons some might have been stuck up in the liver which is highly vascular.


Use of a twelve-hour theophylline preparation in chronic adult asthmatics. Twenty-one adult chronic asthmatic patients were studied while taking a 12-hour sustained-action theophylline tablet. Pulmonary function testing and serum theophylline levels were monitored for 12 weeks, including testing every two hours over one dosing interval on the final day of the study. Results indicate the preparation tested produced sustained stable theophylline levels for a full 12 hours, with pulmonary function also remaining elevated and stable during this period. There was minimal toxicity reported over the 12-week period and no evidence of tolerance.


Production of labile Newcastle disease virus progeny after infection of chicken embryo cells in the presence of caffeine. A study was undertaken to examine the effects of caffeine on Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection of chicken embryo cells. Addition of 10 mM caffeine to the growth medium produced 95% reduction in progeny synthesis, 63% reduction in RNA synthesis, 45% reduction in protein synthesis, and 25% reduction in hemadsorption ability in NDV-infected cultures when compared with untreated, infected cultures. Purified NDV obtained from caffeine-treated, infected cultures was more sensitive to ultraviolet irradiation and to damage by freezing and thawing than was observed in untreated virus cultures. The SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that purified virions contained the same complement of polypeptides, but there was a significant variation in the quantities of several of the NDV polypeptides.


Effect of intrauterine saline infusion during the late luteal phase on the estrous cycle and luteal function of the mare. The intrauterine infusion of 500 ml of warm sterile saline solution into mares on days 12, 13, or 14 after ovulation failed to alter the ovulatory interval, although intervals were shorter for days 12 and 13 (20.6 days) when compared with those in control mares (21.6 days). The IU fusion shortened luteal-life-span on days 12 (12.0 vs 13.8 days) and 13 (13.0 vs 14.4 days) (P is less than 0.05), but not day 14 (14.0 vs 13.5 days), when comparing the effects of IU infusion with an average of before and after base-line data. There was no effect on the interval from corpus luteum regression to ovulation, ie, the final follicular phases. The treatment average for days 12 and 13 combined was 7.7 days vs 7.3 days for controls. Also, no significant effect was observed for the duration of estrus in that the treatment average for days 12 and 13 was 5.1 days, and for controls, 6.0 days. The infusion of saline solution caused an immediate release of prostaglandin F(2alpha) within 5 minutes, with additional large releases occurring over the next 24 hours. Progestin concentrations decreased rapidly in relation to this prostaglandin release.


Critical evaluation of taeniacidal antibiotic S15-1 (SQ 21, 704) for removal of natural tapeworm infections in dogs and cats. The new taeniacidal antibiotic S15-1 (SQ 21,704) was evaluated against naturally occuring infections of Taenia pisiformis in 53 dogs, Dipylidium caninum in 35 dogs, T taeniaformis in 18 cats, and D caninum in 33 cats. It all instances, the compound was administered in gelatine capsules in a single oral dose. The doses tested were between and 200 mg/kg of body weight in dogs and between 15 and 45 mg/kg in cats. In dogs, doses of 25 mg/kg and greater were 100% effective against T pisiformis, whereas a dose of 50 mg/kg was necessary to clear D caninum. In cats, a single oral dose of 22.5 mg/kg was 100% efficacious against T taeniaeformis, and a single dose of 45 mg/kg (the largest dose tested) clearly seven of eight cats of D caninum. The efficacy was limited to tapeworms only; there was no efficacy against nematodes. The antibiotic was well tolerated by both species with no drug-related vomiting or other side-effects observed.


Taeniacidal efficacy of SQ 21,704 in dogs by various types of oral administration and in comparison with niclosamide and bunamidine hydrochloride. The streptothrinin antibiotics SQ 21,704 was evaluated against naturally occurring Taenia pisiformis and Dipylidium caninum infections in dogs when they were given at a dose level of 37.5 mg/kg of body weight in four different rations: loaf-type canned meat; chunk-type canned meat; dry (gravy-type) meal; and dry (pelleted) meal. The SQ 21,704 was 100% efficacious against both T pisiformis and D caninum infections when given with the chunk, gravy, and pelleted rations. When given with the loaf-type canned meat, it was 100% effective against T pisiformis and 60% efficacious against D caninum. The SQ 21,704 was effective against both tapeworm species when given orally as a liquid at a dose level of 37.5 mg/kg, formulated as an aqueous suspension containing 94 mg of activity per milliter. The SQ 21,704 was also tested in dogs when given orally in gelatin capsules at a dose level of 37.5 mg/kg without fasting, and was 100% efficacious against both tapeworm species. The results of a comparative taeniacidal study demonstrated that SQ 21,704 was 100% effective in removing both T pisiformis and D caninum when administered orally at a dose level of 37.5 mg/kg, whereas niclosamide and bunamidine hydrochloride were only partially effective at their recommended dose levels. One of five dogs treated with niclosamide at a dose level of 157 mg/kg was positive at necropsy, giving an orally efficacy of 80%. Three of five dogs treated with bunamidine hydrochloride at a dose level of 49 mg/kg were positive at necropsy, giving an overall efficacy of 40%.


Chronic pleural blastomycosis with hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea, and amenorrhea. A patient with pleural blastomycosis developed hyperprolactinemia with amenorrhea and galactorrhea. These abnormalities were corrected by treatment with amphotericin B. Chest wall stimulation secondary to the pleural infection might have resulted in these endocrine abnormalities.


The heart and cardiac conduction system in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. A clinicopathologic study of 17 autopsied patients. The relation between the heart lesions of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and clinical cardiac dysfunction was studied in 17 autopsied patients. Thirteen of the 17 patients had extensive small-vessel thromboses and in some instances hemorrhages and focal necroses within the heart. Congestive heart failure was present in nine of the 17 patients. Thrombotic microcirculatory cardiac lesions and anemia-related high cardiac output may have contributed to cardiac dysfunction. Serial histologic sections of the cardiac conducting system in 10 patients showed microthrombi in seven and associated hemorrhages in five. Lesions were localized to the atrioventricular node and His bundle parts of the system with sparing of the sinoatrial node and bundle branches. Two patients had electrocardiographic evidence suggesting lesions within conducting tissues. Thrombi and hemorrhages are common findings in the conducting tissues in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and may account for cardiac arrest or transient rhythm disturbances.


[New analytic criteria for the characterization of wines]. Isotopic analysis, determination of radioactivity are factors allowing a better characterization of wines. The analysis of the composition in stable isotopes of the constituants of wine can provide new analytic criteria for characterizing wines. Thus, the concentration of 13C in ethanol can allow the disclosure of an addition of cane sugar or maize sugar to the musts. A study of the composition in stable isotopes of the water of wines of a certain region made it possible to show a correlation between the amount of D and 18O in the water of wine, and the alcohlic concentration. The setting up of the curve showing the decrease of the radioactivity of 14C in the Girondewines allows a determination of the date, accurate to within one year, of these wines. The enzymatic determination of the gluconic acid present in the wines produced from crops attacked by Botrytis Cinerea allows one to estimate the type of rottenness of the grape; the gluconic acid, which is only present in very small quantities in wines produced from sound grapes, represents about 50 p. 100 of the fixed acides of the grapes affected by "noble rottenness" and up to 90 p. 100 in the case of adultarated grapes. Thanks to the recults obtained in 1976, standards are proposed to allow the characterization of the wines produced from grapes affected by "noble rottenness", so that they can be distinguished from, on the one hand, the wines produced from sound grapes, and on the other hand, the wines produced from adultarated grapes.


[Excretion of androsterone and etiocholanolone related to plasma testosterone binding in three male pseudohermaphrodites (author's transl)]. The authors studied the relation of plasma testosterone and Sex-Hormone-Binding-Globulin levels to the urinary excretion of androsterone (A) and etiocholanolone (E) in three patients with the syndrome of testicular feminization. They found levels of SHBG in the upper female range, testosterone concentration in the normal male range and urinary excretion rate of A and E in the normal female range.


Failure of deodorized males to induce oestrus in the wild mouse. The ability of female mice to return to oestrus following exposure to males perfumed either with oil of wintergreen or with the commercial perfume, "Kanta" was evaluated. Unisexual grouping of female mice induced anoestrus in all individuals. Oestrus was, however, promptly induced in the majority of unisexually grouped females by exposure to normal males. By contrast, exposure to perfumed males failed to induce oestrus in unisexually grouped females. The results suggest that male urine which is the source of the primer pheromone involved in the induction of oestrus was ineffective because of the masking effect of artificial scents. Hence the unisexually grouped females were unable to perceive the pheromone from males and continued to remain in anoestrus following exposure to perfumed males. The results provide additional evidence in support of the view that the urinary pheromone produced by males induces oestrus in females by acting through olfactory pathways.


[The Gongylonematid parasitic in the elephant shrew Elephantus rozeti (Macrocelidae) in Tunisia was identified as Gongylonema brevispiculum Seurat, 1914 (author's transl)]. Its larval form obtained from experimentally infected intermediate hosts, differs from those of other Gongylonematids. In the genus Gongylonema four types of larvae were recognized. They are characterized by the size and the cephalic and caudal structures of the larvae. The cellular reactions caused by the larvae of G. brevispiculum in the insect muscles are similar to those caused by infections with larvae of Acuarid nematodes.


[Microfilaricidal action of Diethylcarbamazine on Dipetalonema dessetae in his natural host (author's transl)]. With a Filaria of Rodent whose microfilariae are periodic and diurnal, and destroyed by DEC, the authors don't observe the immediate rise of microfilaria count sometimes noted following treatment of periodic filaria during the low phase of microfilaremia. Moreover, the microfilaremia falls at 30% of the pre-treatment level after 15 mn. This may be in relation with the swift digestive absorption, as detected by the rise of the DEC serum level, whose maximum is reached within 15 mn.


Anencephaly in Japan: paternal age, maternal age and birth order. The statistical association between incidence of anencephaly and paternal age, maternal age and birth order was analysed in 1815 cases of foetal deaths with anencephaly reported during 1975--6. The birth order association was confirmed with an extremely high degree of statistical significance.


On the use of multiple thresholds for the determination of the mode of inheritance of semi-continuous traits. In this article we reconsider the analysis proposed by Reich et al. (1972) for determining the mode of inheritance for semi-continuous traits from intrafamilial data. We consider both the (general) multifactorial and the single-locus model formulation. We show (numerically), by using a much improved numerical analysis technique for the parameter estimation, that there may be many single-locus models that could have given rise to a particular data set, dependent on its size and nature. Finally we question whether the use of monozygotic twins data, or data obtained from defining further levels of severity of the disease, would improve the discrimination between these two types of models.


Patterns of incidence of brain tumors in children. A population-based community-wide study of the incidence of brain tumors in children from 1960 through 1974 was conducted in the Baltimore area. Incidence rates in boys declined from 1960 to 1974 and were higher in whites than in blacks in all age groups except children under 5 years. A peak in incidence rates was observed in white 5- to 9-year-olds and in blacks from 0 to 4 years of age. In addition, incidence rates tended to be higher in boys than in girls at all ages except at puberty-the 10- to 14-year-old age group-when rates in girls exceeded those in boys. The findings suggest that both host and environmental factors may be involved in the cause of brain tumors in children.


Variability of agar dilution-replicator method of yeast susceptibility testing. The agar dilution method of in vitro susceptibility testing of fungi was analyzed with a Steers-type inoculum replicator, ten strains, and three drugs. The replicator reproducibly delivered the same inoculum to each series of plates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole (an imidazole) and 5-fluorocytosine, but not that of the polyene nystatin, were dependent on the initial inoculum size. With the former two drugs, but not with the latter, minimal inhibitory concentrations were highly variable depending on the time of reading. Results with agar and broth dilution methods were divergent, and the differences in minimal inhibitory concentrations were variable in serial comparisons by the two methods. If the agar dilution minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined at first appearance of control growth, a commonly used end point, small variations in the time of reading (as could occur by variation in observer perception of when initial growth appears) induced large variations in the minimal inhibitory concentrations of 5-fluorocytosine and ketoconazole, particularly with rapidly growing strains. Results at 35 and 30 degrees C were similar. The differences in results with the three drugs suggest different mechanisms of action. The variability quantitated with the agar dilution method could result in variability in results between laboratories and even observers in the same laboratory.


Coeliac disease in identical twins.

Coeliac disease in identical twins. Coeliac disease occurred at the same age in MZ twins. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology of the small intestine, rapid response to a gluten-free diet, and relapse after reintroduction of gluten.


[Synthesis of elastoidic fibers in the organ culture of human dermis (author's transl)]. Organ cultures of human dermal excisions placed on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of incubated chick eggs showed that a elastoidic fiber type could be achieved under experimental conditions within 5 h. The stages leading up to fiber formation could very well be produced by fibrocytes as well as by the splitting of collagen fibrils. The microfibrils (lacking a periodicity and with a diameter of 60-100 A) are characterized by a strong capacity to bind carbohydrate-proteinrich complexes (proteoglycans and glycoproteins). These then aggregate to elastoidic fibers. The amorphous fiber center remains strongly attractive for binding cations. This fiber type is then compared to the (elastoidic) fibers present in senile Elastosis and Pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Finally, the possibility of using CAM-cultures as experimental means for simulating such diseases is discussed.


Estrogen-induced galactorrhea in man.

Estrogen-induced galactorrhea in man. A 36-year-old man had estrogen-induced galactorrhea and oligospermia. He had been taking an unknown amount of estrogen for a year. While hypogonadism, manifested by decreased libido and potency, was apparent at the time of estrogen administration, galactorrhea appeared two months after estrogen was discontinued. Normal skull film, tomogram views of the sella turcica, and computerized axial tomography scan suggested that long-term estrogen administration caused sustained hyperprolactinemia with levels that ranged between 21 and 83 ng/mL throughout the ensuing year. Prolonged thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin luteinizing hormone response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone were believed to be evidence of a derangement in the hypothalamic control of pituitary hormone secretion. A year after he stopped taking estrogen, the patient gradually regained his potency, his prolactin level declined, the galactorrhea disappeared, and spermatogenesis returned to normal.


Prostaglandins in carrageenin-induced iridocyclitis. In a model based on carrageenin-induced inflammation of the anterior eye chamber, prostaglandins and pronounced cellular infiltration appeared in the aqueous humor after six hours. The findings are discussed taking into account various sources of prostaglandins in the course of iridocyclitis.


Immunological alterations in the lungs of mice following ozone exposure: changes in immunoglobulin levels and antibody-containing cells. Ozone was added to the air of the environmental chambers containing specific pathogen-free mice. At levels of 0.5 and 0.8 ppm the oxidant was seen to have inflammatory effects, as shown by rising serum albumin levels in lung lavage fluid. Fluorescein conjugated anti-heavy chain sera were used to detect cells containing IgM, IgG, and IgA in measured lung areas termed Pulmonary Units. Antigenic stimuli occurred along the airways, with significant increases of IgA-containing cells in the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. The numbers of IgM- and IgG-containing cells did not increase. Immunodiffusion analyses for immunoglobulins in lung lavage fluid indicated increases of IgG1, IgG2, and IgA in lung secretions. The calculation of changing Ig/Alb ratios suggested that the IgA present was largely the result of local synthesis, while IgG molecules were mainly of serum origin. Possible sources of antigenic stimuli to ozone-exposed lungs are discussed.


Capsular delamination (true exfoliation) of the lens. Report of a case. This report describes a patient with true exfoliation of the lens capsule. Recurrent anterior uveitis eventually necessitated lens extraction from the left eye. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated areas of capsular dehiscence and evidence of in vivo cellular degeneration. A comparison of true and pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule is made and the term "capsular delamination" is proposed for the case reported.


Endotracheal tube ignition during laser surgery of the larynx. The ignition of an endotracheal tube was caused by laser penetration of an unprotected portion of the tube during resection of laryngeal papillomas. We discuss the factors that contributed to the ignition, the hazards that were encountered, and the methods of prevention that were used.


The relation between patterns of ovarian follicle growth and ovulation rate in sheep. The number and growth rate of follicles within classes based on granulosa volume were determined for ovaries taken from groups of 4-5-year-old, fine-wool Merino ewes drawn at different times of the year from a single strain flock maintained at Armidale, N.S.W. The breeding season of the flock normally extends from February to October and the mean ovulation rate rises from about 0.5 in February to about 1.8-1.9 during April-May. Ewes sampled when they were anoestrous or had one (single-ovulatory) or two (twin-ovulatory) recent corpora lutea did not differ in respect to the mean total number of ovarian follicles, the mean number of follicles in individual classes, the time for follicles to complete their rapid growth stage, or the incidence of follicle atresia. However, the ovaries of twin-ovulatory ewes contained significantly more follicles in the two terminal classes within the rapid growth stage than did the ovaries of single-ovulatory or anoestrous ewes (2.2 v. 0.9 and 1.0). This difference was attributed to the differing numbers of follicles per day entering into the rapid growth stage (5.2, 4.5 and 3.7 respectively in twin-ovulatory, single-ovulatory and anoestrous ewes).


Pituitary hormone control of implantation in the mouse. In hypophysectomized pregnant mice replacement therapy designed to mimic the normal physiological situation showed that FSH in combination with either prolactin or LH, or prolactin plus LH, could initiate implantation in the absence of the pituitary gland. No pituitary hormone was by itself capable of achieving this result. The combination of prolactin with FSH gave better results than a combination of LH with FSH. Prolactin from sheep, cattle or rats was equally effective in combination with rat FSH in initiating implantation. In mice exhibiting suckling-induced delay of implantation this delay was terminated by injection of FSH. GH by itself or in conjunction with other hormones had no significant effect on implantation or on any of the other parameters associated with implantation that were measured. On the basis of these experimental results it is suggested that prolactin and LH are involved with progesterone production and FSH with oestrogen production, both of which are required for implantation in the mouse.


[Photosensitization in cattle grazing on pastures of Brahciaria decumbens Stapf infested with Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M.B. Ellis]. Aspects of photosensitization in bovines grazing on pastures of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf infested with Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M.B. Ellis infested all pastures 45(2):117-136, 1978. This paper reports experimental studies on photosensitization in bovines grazing on different pastures of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf in the "Cerrados" region (Planaltina, DF). Climatic conditions, zinc content and occurence of fungi on pastures were investigated. Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M.B. Ellis infested all pastures examined. Photosensitization was observed in one animal maintained on a pasture of B. decumbens formed with seeds from Australia. Clinical and necropsy data were similar to those related in literature for sporidesmin-intoxicated animals. An isolate of P. chartarum and samples of bovine bile were assayed for sporidesmin presence.


A 1,4-beta-glucan glucanohydrolase from the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma viride QM 9414. Purification, characterization and preparation of an immunoadsorbent for the enzyme. A 1,4-beta-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.4) was isolated from culture filtrates of the fungus Trichoderma viride QM 9414 by molecular-sieve chromatography on Bio-Gel P-30, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and isoelectric focusing in a density gradient. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis at two different pH values, analytical isoelectric focusing in a polyacrylamide-gel slab and molecular-sieve chromatography of the reduced and alkylated enzyme in a denaturing medium indicated a homogeneous protein. The enzyme has a mol.wt. of 51,000 and is not a glycoprotein. The pI was found to be 4.66 at 23 degrees C. Antiserum against the purified enzyme was prepared and the amount of enzyme in the original filtrate was determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis to be about 50mg/liter. An immunoadsorbent made from CNBr-activated sepharose 4B and antiserum affords a rapid and highly specific purification of the enzyme.


Reactivities of hydroxylamine and sodium bisulphite with carbonyl-containing haems and with the prosthetic groups of the erythrocyte green haemoproteins. The reactivities of alkaline NH(2)OH and neutral NaHSO(3) with carbonyl and olefinic groups conjugated with the tetrapyrrole nucleus of haems were studied. The reactions were carried out with 2-3nmol of haem a, spirographis haem, isospirographis haem, 2,4-diacetyldeuterohaem and protohaem. Vinyl side chains were found to be insensitive to the chemical action of both alkaline NH(2)OH and neutral NaHSO(3). The formyl-containing haems reacted rapidly with both reagents at room temperature, as evidenced by sizable hypsochromic shifts of the reduced pyridine haemochrome spectrum. In less alkaline solution, the reactions of these formyl-containing haems with NH(2)OH were much slower. 2,4-Diacetyldeuterohaem reacted with alkaline NH(2)OH, but not with neutral NaHSO(3). These rapid, simple and straightforward tests are readily usable in differentiating among formyl, acetyl and other electron-withdrawing side chains conjugated with the tetrapyrrole ring of haems. We applied these observations to an investigation of the two unique prosthetic groups of the bovine erythrocyte green haemoproteins. The prosthetic groups of these two proteins were isolated and spectrally characterized. Under the conditions used, the haems did not react with either NH(2)OH or NaHSO(3), but were altered by dithionite, suggesting that the previous interpretation that a formyl group was present [Hultquist, Dean & Reed (1976) J. Biol. Chem.251, 3927-3932] may have been premature. These studies also provide evidence that the alpha-hydroxyfarnesylethyl side chain of haem a affects the alpha-band maximum, but not the beta- or Soret bands of the reduced pyridine haemochrome spectrum of haem a.


Preparation of [32P]phosphatidylcholine and [32P]lysophosphatidylcholine by using soya beans. This method describes a procedure that can be carried out easily to obtain large amounts of [32P]phosphatidylcholine and [32P]lysophosphatidylcholine. The method involves germinating soya beans in the presence of [32P]Pi. The yield was 0.58% for [P]phosphatidylcholine and 0.52% for [32P]lysophosphatidylcholine, and the specific radioactivity of both was 10(7) d.p.m./mumol.


[Uremic-hemolytic syndrome: clinical and pathological observations of a case (author's transl)]. A case of uremic hemolytic syndrome observed in a 20 months old child has been investigated from the clinical and pathological point of view. All specific clinical manifestations of the syndrome were present as well as the pathognomic pathological finding of a renal trombotic microangiopathy. In addition a generalized lymphoadenopathy likely related to a previous vaccination, was also found. The possible role of such an immune reaction in the pathogenesis of the syndrome in the present case is discussed.


[Use of hypnotism in transcutaneous renal biopsy. Preliminary results]. We wish to point out the outstanding importance of kidney biopsy in diagnosis of kidney diseases and enphasize the fact that it is very important for the patient to give one's full cooperation, in order to achieve the most successful results. Anxious subjects and children usually do not give this cooperation owing to their excessive emotional reactions to the special situation of the biopsy and so we think it useful to induce beforehand a hypnotic state in them, hoping that this would make it possible to carry out the research with the usual transcutaneous technique. In this research, which is to be considered as preliminary, ten patients were examined, nine of whom aged from three to fourteen and one aged forty-six. Eight subjects, out of ten, reached such a degree of hypnotic depth that it was possible to carry out the biopsy in a few minutes without noteworthy difficulties. The high ratio of successful cases and the lack of any considerable complications in their experiments enable the Authors, though still waiting for a wider range of data, to suggest since now the use of hypnosis whenever the patients prove reluctant to cooperation.


Treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with verapamil. Twenty-two patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were treated with the calcium inhibitor, verapamil, which was administered in a mean oral dose of 480 mg per day. After an average of 15 months of treatment (4 to 24 months), the QRS amplitude in the electrocardiogram was significantly reduced from 4.2 to 3.8 mV. Heart volume calculated from chest x-ray films in the supine position decreased significantly from 858 to 766 ml per 1.73 m2. In 10 patients, follow-up heart catheterisation showed a decrease in left ventricular muscle mass in 7 patients and a slight increase in 3 patients. Coronary artery diameter decreased in 7 patients, increased in 1, and was unchanged in 2. The reduction in coronary artery diameter is considered to be a consequence of a reduced heart muscle mass. From all available clinical data it is concluded that verapamil treatment is superior to beta-blocker therapy.


Evidence that cells from experimental tumours can activate coagulation factor X. The procoagulant activity of cells from some experimental tumours isolated in culture or in single-cell suspensions from ascitic fluid was investigated. Cells from Lewis lung carcinoma (primary and metastasis), Ehrlich carcinoma ascites and JW sarcoma ascites were able to shorten markedly the recalcification time of normal, Factor VIII- and Factor VII-deficient but not of Factor X-deficient human plasma. The same cells generated thrombin when mixed with a source of prothrombin and Factor X, absorbed bovine serum (as a source of Factor V), phospholipid and calcium chloride. Thrombin formation was not influenced by the presence of Factor VII. Cells from Sarcoma 180 ascites were completely inactive in both test systems. It is concluded that cells from some experimental tumours have the capacity to activate Coagulation Factor X directly. These findings suggest the existence of an alternative "cellular" pathway in the initiation of blood clotting distinct from both the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.


Effect of varying amounts of ethinyl oestradiol in the combined oral contraceptive on plasma sex hormone binding globulin capacity in normal women. The plasma sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) capacity has been measured in 52 normal women, 11 women on various oral contraceptives containing 50 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol and 11 women on oral contraceptives containing less than 35 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol. The results show that women on oral contraceptives containing 50 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol have a significantly raised SHBG capacity (p less than 0.005) whereas those patients on oral contraceptives containing 35 micrograms or less of ethinyl oestradiol have SHBG capacities which do not differ significantly from normal ovulating women (p greater than 0.05). Thus the 35 micrograms pill interferes less with bound/unbound sex steroid ratios than does the 50 micrograms pill.