The use of twins in the analysis of assortative mating. The simulations illustrated show that a plausible model for mate selection can generate data on the similarity of twins and their spouses which are remarkably consistent with a transitive model for the effects of mate selection. This is, biological considerations impose constraints upon the relative values of correlations which are not foreseen, for example, by the some advocates of conventional path models although they might be predicted by common sense. In particular, the correlation between the spouses of twins is expected to be non-zero under a model of phenotypic assortment and turns out to be approximately equal to the product of the twin correlation and the square of the marital correlation. The relative magnitudes of the correlations derived from an empirical study of such relationships should enable models of phenotypic assortment to be tested more rigorously. Including both identical and non-identical twins in the sample studied should permit the inherited and cultural components of the mating system to be identified with more conviction. In the event of one sex playing a more significant role in mate selection for particular traits, such studies should reveal diagnostic patterns of familial correlations as long as male and female twins and their spouses are analysed separately. If the analysis is restricted to phenotypic correlations of the parents, the qualitative findings do not appear to be greatly affected by selection due to assortative mating although a reduction in variance is to be expected if a large proportion of individuals is unable to mate. In such cases twins will also be significantly concordant for mating. The consequences of such varied regimes of assortation for the population structure and the relationship between traits in subsequent generations remain the object of future inquiry.


Neuroendocrine organs of the lemon-butterfly, Papilio demoleus L. III. Metamorphic changes in the retocerebral endocrine organs. The retrocerebral endocrine organs, the corpora cardiaca and corpora allata were studied in different developmental stages of the lemon-butterfly. The organs were found to undergo several changes in respect of their position, size, structure and the number of nerves associated with them.


A morphologic classification of proliferative and neoplastic hepatic lesions in mice. A morphologic classification of neoplastic, proliferative and related hepatic lesions in the mouse is presented. The classification includes lesions of the hepatocyte, biliary system, sinusoidal lining cells, hematopoietic cells and metastatic neoplasms.


[Heredity of microstrabismus and predisposition to wide-angle strabismus (author's transl)]. Some aspects of the genetic etiology of strabismus are discussed. As our research on a 19-member family including discordant monozygotic twins demonstrates, an inherited sensoric defect does not necessarily lead to wide-angle strabismus. Inherited factors probably always combine with secondary factors to produce wide-angle stabismus.


Zinc status and serum levels of retinol-binding protein, tocopherol and lower density lipoproteins in male and female rats fed on semi-purified diets containing rapeseed protein or casein. Experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of various levels of dietary zinc supplementation on the zinc status, growth and contents of retinol-binding protein (RBP), tocopherol and lower density lipoproteins (VLDL + LDL) in serum of rats fed on diets containing rapeseed protein concentrate (RPC) or casein as the sole source of protein. In male rats fed on RPC diet at a 10% protein 5% fat level, a highly significant correlation was found between dietary zinc content and the total tibia zinc content (r = 0.946) in the dietary zinc range of 35-137 microgram/mg. In contrast, the casein rats attained almost maximal bone zinc contents even at the lower level of dietary zinc. No correlation was found between zinc status and the protein efficiency ratio obtained for the rapeseed protein. In female rats fed on a zinc-supplemented RPC diet at a 20% protein and 10% fat level, the serum levels of tocopherol and VLDL + LDL were reduced in comparison to the levels observed in female rats fed on a corresponding casein diet. No diet-related changes in serum levels of RBP were found. However, male rats showed significantly higher RBP values than the female rats.


[Recurrent iritis caused by persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous body with pseudophakia lipomatosa]. In a 27-year-old patient a microphthalmic eye with congenital cataract was enucleated because of persistent recurrent iridocyclitis with a secondary glaucoma. Histopathological examination has shown a lens shrunken up to the capsule and a retrolental typical fatty tissue (pseudophakia lipomatosa). Secondary angle closure glaucoma and chronic uveitis seem to be due to an untreated hypermature cataract. These findings and the clinical course are suggesting that the opaque lens and the persistent hyperplastic vitreous body should have been operated in order to avoid complications.


Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on endocrine-ovarian function in the domestic cat. The effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on endocrine and ovarian function during the early luteal phase of the domestic cat was investigated. Queens were induced to ovulate and then injected subcutaneously with 0.5-5.0 mg PGF2 alpha/kg body weight. The greatest dose was found to approach toxicity. Concentrations of progesterone were similar in cats following treatment with PGF2 alpha compared to values of controls. Development and regression of corpora lutea as determined by serial laparoscopy were similar in all groups. These data indicate that PGF2 alpha at the tested dosages, given during the early luteal phase is not luteolytic in this species and suggest that these regimens would be ineffective for the premature termination of pseudopregnancy.


Diurnal rhythm in the plasma level of total and free tryptophan and cortisol in rabbits. Effect of haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Plasma tryptophan level varied diurnally with highest concentrations at 12 noon (P less than 0.001); at that time free tryptophan level was lowest. The mean 8 h and 16 h cortisol levels were 70% higher compared to levels obtained at 24 h. Chronic administration of haloperidol and chlorpromazine led to significant increase in the plasma tryptophan (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.1, respectively) compared to saline-treated rabbits. This change was associated with corresponding constant or reduced free tryptophan levels, and a diminution in plasma cortisol level (10 microgram/l) compared with controls (34 microgram/l). The results suggest that tryptophan in plasma is poorly transported in the brains of rabbits treated with chlorpromazine, and that treatment with haloperidol or chlorpromazine may lead to a reduced tryptophan flux into the kynurenine pathway.


[Residue analysis of methiocarb, repellent for the Quelea, in crops var. sorghum sp. (author's transl)]. The methiocarb (4-methylthio 3,5-dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate) has repellent properties towards against Quelea, a small bird deteriorating crops in Africa. The residue analysis of the carbamate compound and of its possible metabolites on treated Sorghum sp. was completed by TLC after chloroformic quantitative extraction. The isolation of metabolites by two dimensional thin layer chromatography demonstrates the presence of methiocarb sulfone. The quantitative survey of residues was achieved by the treatment of the methiocarb by hydrolyzed derivatives by dansylchloride, a very fluorescent component. The fluorescent densitometry of dansylated by methylamine allows a total measurement of the residues at a level of less than 10 ng. This investigation reveals the disappearance curve of methiocarb in our samples in process of time and to define the half-live and, therefore, the intervals of treatment. Taking into account the RI 50 index, our results provide encouraging support for the utilization of methiocarb in the eradication of the harmful Quelea.


An electron microscope study of myofibril formation in embryonic rabbit skeletal muscle. Trunk and limb muscles from fetal and newborn rabbits were investigated by means of light and electron microscopes. At 14 days gestation, the presumptive myoblasts migrate away from the myotome to form the anlage of the muscle of the trunk and limb. Among the population of undifferentiated cells, the myoblasts were recognized due to the presence of actin and myosin filaments. The aggregates of thin and thick filaments appear at the periphery of the cells. There is a great variety of filament assembly. The presence of Z band material appears to be essential for sarcomere formation. At 14 days of gestation the myotubes are more numerous in the limb than in the trunk. The presence of unmaturated fibrils with absence of the M line in the sarcomeres was observed. By day 18 of gestation the myotubes are wider and aggregate to form small bundles. The myofibrils were more numerous and the vesicles of the SR precursor, partly incrustated with ribosomes were dispersed among them. At day 22 of gestation the myotubes are thicker because of the myofibrils which are far more numberous. The sarcomeres were more fully developed, with the M line present. At day 28 of gestation and 3 days after delivery the already developed myofibers were present with a well organized SR system and fully developed sarcomeres.


Motivational variables and the sensitization and habituation of aggression in the convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum). Four experiments using territorial Convict Cichlids investigated motivational factors involved in the incremental and decremental processes associated with aggression resulting from exposure to conspecifics intruded into the territory. The first three experiments varied some single aspect of the experimental situation (temperature, distance from the nest or size of the intruder). The fourth experiment combined those factors which resulted in faster habituation (small intruder, far from the nest, in cool water) and compared the response to factors which resulted in slower habituation or an increase in response rate (large intruder, close to the nest in warm water). While a combination of higher intensity stimuli did result in slower habituation than the combination of lower intensity stimuli, response rate was not a simple algebraic summation of the factors. Results are discussed in relation to multi-factor theory of habituation and the nature of "drive".


Urodynamic studies of women with prolapse and stress incontinence before and after surgical repair. Twenty-one women, 11 suffering from both prolapse and stress incontinence and 10 with prolapse only were investigated before and at different intervals after surgical repair of the disorders. The investigations comprised a gynaecological examination, urine culture, observation of residual urine and simultaneous urethro-cystometry including measurement of the urethral pressure profile.--The prolapse patients were operated upon by conventional Manchester technique. The patients suffering from both prolapse and stress incontinence were operated with a combined vaginal-abdominal repair using Lyodura slings.--It was found that the pre-operative urethral pressure at rest was lower in the inconinent-prolapse patients compared with that in patients suffering from prolapse only. After surgery the urethral pressure at rest was significantly decreased in the incontinent-prolapse patients whereas it did not change in patients operated because of prolaspe only.--Prior to the operation, all incontinent-prolapse women had a negative urethral closure pressure at stress. After surgery the closure pressure became positive in all patients and none complained about urinary incontinence. In all patients suffering from prolapse only the urethral closure pressure was positive at stress before as well as after surgery. The functional and the absolute urethral lengths increased in both categories of patients after the operation.


[Urethral pressure measurement prior to and following suspension surgery, using lyophilised duraband to eliminate stress incontinence (author's transl)]. Tonometrically relevant parameters prior to and following suspension surgery, using lyophilised Duraband in combination with anterior colporrhaphy and colpoperineoplasty, are compared for 30 patients. The conclusion is drawn that suspension surgery should always be undertaken in conjunction with colpoperineoplasty, if optimum postsurgical results are to be achieved.


The role of some prostaglandins in the interaction of fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) with central dopamine receptors of rats. Indomethacin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) augmented amphetamine and apomorphine-induced stereotypies. In contrast, PGE1 and PGE2 decreased the stereotypies in rats, while PGF2 alpha enhanced amphetamine-induced stereotypy. Indomethacin given in combination with the peptides did not change their effect, whereas prostaglandins diminished the stimulatory effect of FDP on the amphetamine or apomorphine-induced stereotypy. Indomethacin and studied prostaglandins did not influence inhibitory action of FDP on haloperidol-induced catalepsy. It is concluded that prostaglandins do not play any essential role in the interaction of FDP with dopaminergic system in the CNS.


[Action of some drugs on pressure profile of female urethra (author's transl)]. The action of certain drugs upon the urethra of clinically intact women was studied by measurement of the urethral profile. beta-adrenoreceptor stimulating and blocking agents, such as fenoterol, propanolol, as well as cholinergics, including carbachol and pyridostigmine, failed to exercise any effect on the urethral pressure profile. On the other hand, anticholinergics, such as atropine and N-butylscopolammonium-bromide, diazepam, and chlorpromazine, produced significant decrease in both maximum urethral pressure and maximum urethral closure pressure. N-butylscopolammonium-bromide and chlorpromazine also shortened the functional length of urethra. Drop of all parameters relating to the urethral pressure profile was observed to take place in response to application of succinylcholine. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, then was administered and caused further reduction of those parameters. The pressure values were elevated by ketamine. The above findings are discussed and compared to present concepts published in literature on medicamentous control of urethral function.


[Use of "Konokonlit B", butyl-cyano-acrylate tissue adhesive, for caesarean section (author's transl)]. "Kanokonlit B", a butylic cyano-acrylate tissue adhesive, was applied to 60 patients with caesarean section to stabilise uterus sutures. Severe postsurgical infection did not occur in any of the cases. Evidence thus was produced to the high quality of the tissue adhesive, its tensile strength and its antibacterial properties to resist aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Direct histotoxicity was negligible. The adhesive is recommended by the authors for wider use in obstetrical and gynaecological practice.


Analysis of multiple birth rates in Japan. 1. Secular trend, maternal age effect, and geographical variation in twinning rates. Mean twin, triplet, and quadruplet birth rates in Japan from 1951 to 1968 were 6.41, 0.056, and 0.00094 per 1,000, respectively. In 1974 the corresponding figures were 5.83, 0.059, and 0.00329. No quintuplets were born in the former period, but a set was born in the latter year, the rate being 0.47 per million. From 1955 to 1966 the MZ twinning rate increased slightly, but decreased thereafter. This increase was limited to live-born MZ twins, particularly in the higher maternal age groups. The DZ twinning rate declined in the entire period, particularly in higher maternal age groups. This decline appeared to be essentially limited to fetal deaths. Among live births the MZ twinning rate underwent a nearly linear increase with maternal age, whereas the DZ twinning rate attained a mode in the maternal age group 35--39 years. The MZ and the DZ twinning rates among fetal deaths by maternal age had unimodal distributions with modes in maternal age groups 25--29 and 30--34 years, respectively. As to the DZ twinning rate, a geographical cline was noted, with a high rate in the northeast of Japan; the rate was positively correlated with latitude, which also positively correlated with the presence of multiple births among relatives. A negative but nonsignificant correlation was seen between the DZ twinning rate and the proportion of mothers treated with ovulation-inducing hormone. The proportion was higher in mothers of unlike-sexed twins than in those of like-sexed twins and in mothers of triplets than in those of twins. An association between DZ twinning rate and age-specific fertility per married woman is suggested to exist among higher maternal age groups in the northeast part of Japan in earlier years.


Dependency of concordance probability on gene frequencies in genetic systems for the diagnosis of twin zygosity. A graphical presentation enabling the rapid, optimal choice of genetic system. The dependency of probabilities of phenotypic concordance of gene frequencies in three-allele genetic systems is presented. A graphical display enables the rapid comparison of the relative effectiveness of different systems, taking into account dominance relationships within each genetic system. Four or more allele systems can also be approximated, while two-allele systems are considered to be special cases of three-allele ones.


Glomerular filtration rate and electrolyte handling in response to sodium loading and depletion. A twin study. Possible genetic influences on glomerular filtration rate and electrolyte excretion were investigated in 55 (37 monozygotic, 18 dizygotic) young adult white twin pairs. Subjects were studied during a five-day hospitalization involving sodium loading and sodium depletion. No evidence of genetic variability was found in the control levels of serum or urine sodium and potassium. Following a saline infusion it was possible to detect genetic influence in electrolyte handling. Creatinine clearance, used as a measure of glomerular filtration rate, did not appear to be genetically mediated. The results indicate that genetic factors are important in sodium handling in normal individuals and that this is independent of glomerular filtration rate.


Appraisal of parental bias in twin studies. Ascribed zygosity and IQ differences in twins. A criticism of twin studies has been that the difference between the behavioral similarities of identical and fraternal twins is largely created by parental influences based on their perception of the twins' zygosity. This issue is examined for differences in the IQ scores found within pairs classified by parents and bloodtyping. The systematic differences in IQ scores could be attributed to zygosity classified by bloodtyping rather than by parental belief. The available evidence indicates that the twin method is still appropriate for human behavior genetics.


Holzinger's Hc revised.

Holzinger's Hc revised. The formula H'C = 1 - CDZ/CMZ is suggested as a better summary of twin concordance data than the familiar Holzinger concordance formula, HC = (CMZ - CDZ)/(1 - CDZ). The new formula better estimates degree of genetic determination, G, as calculated from a threshold model, but never exceeds unity, as G sometimes does. For high concordance rates, if CMZ + CDZ greater than 1, HC may be more useful than either G or H'C.


Quantitative twin analysis of radial and ulnar ridge counts and ridge count diversity. Analysis of variance was performed on the radial and ulnar finger ridge counts and ridge count diversity index in 360 twin sets from which estimates of genetic variance were obtained. Findings for radial and ulnar counts paralleled those previously obtained for finger pattern type and ridge count (larger of radial and ulnar count). In contrast, ridge count diversity showed no indication of unequal total variances, as previously found for the total ridge count. One must be cautious not to exclude genetic influences on traits, such as the thumb variables in this study, where there are unequal total variances between monozygotic and dizygotic twins and the more conservative estimate of genetic variance is not significant.


Analysis of longitudinal twin data. Basic model and applications to physical growth measures. A formal model is presented for the analysis of longitudinal twin data, based on the underlying analysis-of-variance model for repeated measures. The model is developed in terms of the expected values for the variance components representing twin concordance, and the derivation is provided for computing within-pair (intraclass) correlations, and for estimating the percent of variance explained by each component. The procedures are illustrated with physical growth data extending from birth to six years, and concordance estimates are obtained for average size and for the pattern of spurts and lags in growth. A test of significance is also described for comparing monozygotic twins with dizygotic twins. The procedures are particularly useful for assessing chronogenetic influences on development, especially whether the episodes of acceleration and lag occur in parallel for genetically matched twins. The model may be employed with psychological data also.


The two prolongations of spinal ganglia neuroblasts: an ultrastructural study during chick embryo development. Peripheral and central prolongations of chick embryo spinal ganglia neuroblasts were studied and compared at an ultrastructural level during development. Important differences in the terminal tracts of the prolongations and their endings were demonstrated. The possibility of environmental influences being responsible for structural differences in the two prolongations is suggested. It was not possible, at any stage of development, to demonstrate significant polarization of any cytoplasmatic structure in the emerging cones.


[Histomorphological changes in the uterus of gilts during the first 3 sexual cycles]. Histomorphological and histometric studies were conducted into the uteri of 79 gilts during their first three oestric cycles. Strong uterus growth was observed during puberty. Thicknesses of the endometrium and myometrium, height of the glandular epithelium, and the relative glandular area were significantly larger than the comparable parameters of prepuberal gilts. Another significant thickness growth was recordable from the endometrium and myometrium in the course of the first three sexual cycles. Epithelial heights, number of glandular sections in one visual field, and relative glandular area remained nearly constant between the first and third cycles, except for certain cyclic alterations. During one cycle, significant variation was recorded from the height of superficial epithelium (maximum: metoestrus), the percentual amount of glands in the total area (maximum: metoestrus to dioestrus I), and the number of glandular sections in one visual field (maximum: dioestrus I). The first sexual cycles, hence, are characterised by continued uterus growth and more stabilisation of uterus function. Gilts, therefore, should not be used for breeding until the second oestrus has taken place.


[The galactophoritis--a cytological symptom of mastopathy (author's transl)]. In cytological examinations of 7,739 women with nipple discharge 90 cases of galactophoritis were found. Additional diagnostic methods, especially galactography in 24 patients could classify the galactophoritis as a symptom of mastopathy. Cytophotometrical and bacteriological examinations of the galactophoritical discharge supported this. Based on enlarged galactographical-histological comparative investigations milk duct cysts and dilatations in the galactograms were shown to be typical roentgenmorphological signs of mastopathy. It was therefore possible to classify the cytological picture of the galactophoritis.


[Vegetative functions and motor activity in endogenous depression. Longitudinal study on salivary secretion, temperature, and motor activity in a patient with 48-hour cycles (author's transl)]. Vegetative functions were studied in a 66-year-old-male patient with 48-h unipolar cycles of depression. Salivary secretion, body temperature, and motor activity were measured at 3-h-intervals during the day and once at night. The mood state was assessed by two self-rating scales. There was a regular alternation between 'good' and 'bad' days. Salivary secretion was higher on good days, especially in the morning (P less than 0.002, 10:00). The shape of the 24-h-prolife was different on good and bad days, with a maximum at 10:00 on good at 16:00 on bad days. The mimimum in the night was the same on both good and bad days. Body temperature was increased, as compared with normal subjects (mean 37.2 degrees C) and the diurnal variation was slight. On good days, body temperature during the day was about 0.1 degree C higher than on bad days. Motor activity (arm and leg), registrated by means of the 'activity watch', was higher (during the day) on good days. The present data give some hints for a central dyregulation of vegetative functions in endogenous depression.


[Investigations of anemia of male rearing calves. 1. Reference conditions and anemia frequency]. In a longitudinal investigation (3 points of time n = 214, 206 resp. 202) the hemoglobin quota (Hb), the hematocrit (Hct) resp. the average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analysed at male calves receiving semi-liquid feed in the transitional period from pre-ruminal to ruminal digestion (56d). Breed, live weight development, consumption of milk, concentrated feed resp. dried forage, diseases of the calves as well as the father and the milk yield resp. the lactation age of the mother were registered as reference conditions. The percentage of calves with an Hb less than 10.5 g/dl was at the three points of time 50.00%, 86.41% resp. 41.58%, of calves with an Hct less than 33,5% it was 43.46%, 66.02% resp. 31.68% and of calves with an MCHC less than 30.5 g Hg/dl erythrocytes 51.87%, 76,21 resp. 47,03%. 21.50%, 33.50% resp. 4.46% of all test animals even had an Hb of less than 8.5 g/dl.


Intra-pair similarity in IQ of monozygotic and dizygotic male twins at 12 and 18 years of age. Verbal and inductive test results have been collected for a group of male twins in grade 5 at 12 years of age and at enrollment to military service at 18 years of age. MZ twin pairs tend to get progressively more concordant for both verbal and inductive ability from age 12 to 18. DZ twins, on the other hand, get progressively more concordant for inductive ability, while they tend to get less concordant for verbal ability. The results are interpreted with reference to a model taking heredity-environment interaction into account. The discordant trend found when comparing intra-pair similarity in verbal ability for MZ and DZ twins thus seems to indicate the presence of interactional and correlational effects. For inductive ability, however, the difference between within-pair correlations for MZ and DZ twins tends to be of the same magnitude at both 12 and 18 years of age. Probably this type of test is less differentially influenced by the environments being sampled, at least under present circumstances, when children are not specifically trained to solve the kind of items included in the inductive test. Regression effects for the two tests and possible explanations to the increase from age 12 to 18 in both MZ and DZ within-pair similarity for inductive test scores are discussed.


Effect of endogenous ubiquinone on the reduction and oxidation of short exogenous ubiquinone homologs in beef heart mitochondria. The enzymic activities NADH-ubiquinone reductase, succinate-ubiquinone reductase and ubiquinol oxidase were evaluated in beef heart mitochondria in presence of short ubiquinone homologs. Preliminar data obtained indicate that short chain homologs, less lipophilic than natural ubiquinone do not reach the reoxidation site in absence of endogenous ubiquinone.


Cytogenetic characterization of Chinese hamster-sheep somatic cell hybrids. The methods used to characterize cytogenetically Chinese hamster x sheep somatic cell hybrids have been reported. G and C banding patterns on hybrid metaphases allowed the discrimination between hamster and sheep chromosomes, and in addition to establish the unidirectional loss of sheep chromosomes in hybrid cells.


[Interaction of 3-[3H]-2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline-N-oxide with submitochondrial particles of beef heart. I. Inhibition of the respiratory activity]. The inhibitory effect of 3-3H-2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline-N-oxide (3H-NQNO) on the respiration induced by NADH or by succinate was studied in submitochondrial particles from beef heart. Polarographic experiments showed that oxygen uptake by submitochondrial particles was inhibited by 3H-NQNO. Similar results were obtained with the unlabelled compound NQNO. The inhibitory activity of 3H-NQNO on the respiration was 2 or 3 times better than that of the heptyl derivatives (HQNO) and additive with that shown by antimycin.


[Interaction of 3-[3H]-2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide with submitochondrial particles of beef heart. II. Determination of the binding sites]. The binding of 3H-NQNO in submitochondrial particles was determined by measuring the radioactivity in the supernatants as well as in the sediments after centrifugation of particles suspensions containing different amounts of 3H-NQNO. From the binding data Scatchard plots were constructed showing a large amount of aspecific binding depending on the particles preparation and concentration. In the presence of saturating concentrations of either antimycin or unlabelled NQNO (2-n-Nonyl-4-hydroxy-quinolinee-N-oxide) that remove or prevent the specific binding of 3H-NQNO, it is possible to evaluate the aspecific component of 3H-NQNO binding and to subtracte it from the experimental binding data by graphyc correction according to (3). The straight line from the corrected points gives the specific binding parameters: number of specific binding sites: about 0,5 moles 3H-NQNO/ moles cytochrome b and KD= 50 nM.


[Interaction of 3-(3H)-2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide with submitochondrial particles of beef heart. III. Correlation between the binding of 3H-NQNO and inhibition of the respiratory activity]. The present work is an extension of our precedent papers (1-3). In the present report the relationship was studied between the inhibition by 3H-NQNO, 3-3H-2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline-N-oxide, of the respiratory activity induced in submitochondrial particles from beef heart by NADH and the binding of 3H-NQNO to the specific binding site. The experiments showed that the concentrations of inhibition sites and of specific binding sites are identical. Titrating the inhibition of NADH-oxidase activity with increasing amounts of 3H-NQNO a close connection was observed between the decrease of the respiratory activity and the increase of the specific binding of 3H-NQNO. When nearly full inhibition (85%) was reached, also the specific binding was saturated. We may conclude that 3H-NQNO behaves like an ideally simple inhibitor: the inhibition of electron transfer by 3H-NQNO is linear with the saturation of the specific binding site.


[Adrenal cortex production of aldosterone "in vitro" caused by angiotensin II: effects of indomethacin]. Angiotensin II increases aldosterone production of isolated and superfused bovine adrenal glands. Indomethacin shows a bi-phasic effect on the production of the above-mentioned hormone, inhibitory at low doses (0,2 microgram/ml), stimulatory at high doses (5.0 microgram/ml). Preincubation with this drug impedes the increase of aldosterone production induced by angiotensin II. It is likely that the steroidogenetic effect of angiotnesin II is carried out through the PGs.


Psychophysiologic circadian rhythmometry on manic-depressive twins. Rhythmometry on emotionally disturbed identical twins is applied for study of possible emotional chronopathology. Several circadian rhythmic variables are apparently 24-h synchronized in both twins, during a study span associated with mania in one twin and apparently 'normal' behavior in the other. While the data span of 3 weeks does not allow validation of any desynchronization with a period quite near to 24 h in the case of a manic girl, it does not rule out the possibility of uncoupling of an adrenal cortical cycle, gauged by the circadian rhythm in urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion. The question whether circadian or other dyschronism was present, and, if so, represented a trivial corollary or, perhaps, a determinant of emotional pathology, remains unanswered. The methodology here illustrated and added tests of differences in rhythm characteristics are likely to provide answers to such questions when they are combined with therapeutic manipulations and the search for possible chronobiotic drugs.


Glomerular filtration during furosemide diuresis in the dog. Simultaneous clearance and micropuncture experiments were performed in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs to determine the effect of furosemide (F; 5 mg/kg) on some of the determinants of GFR during replacement of urine losses. Glomerular capillary pressure (PG) was estimated from stop flow pressure (SFP) plus systemic colloid osmotic pressure (pi alpha). Because renal vasodilation during F administration occurs more often when blood pressure is elevated, two groups of dogs were studied. At endogenous renal perfusion pressure (RPP) of 130 mm Hg, one group responded to F with a 28% increase in renal blood flow (RBF). PG rose (a rise of 18 mm Hg) in proportion to the rise in proximal tubule pressure (PT) (a rise of 20 mm Hg). Thus, the difference in pressures (PG - PT) was unchanged, as was GFR. The second group had RPP lowered by renal artery constriction to a point near the lower limit of autoregulation (104 mm Hg). These dogs responded to F with no increase in RBF; PG was lower and remained constant during F, PT, however, increased (a rise of 10 mm Hg). The difference in pressures (delta P) decreased by 30%, and GFR decreased by 40%. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) also decreased, and estimated Kf, the ultrafiltration coefficient, actually rose slightly. The major reason for the fall in GFR and SNGFR was due to a decrease in delta P rather than a decrease in Kf. The decrease in delta P can be attributed to failure of the renal vasculature to dilate because PG and RBF remained constant. It is likely that these events will be observed less often at hypertensive BP than at normal BP where renal vascular resistence is already close to a minimum value.


[Referral-diagnosis "Morbus Behçet" (author's transl)]. Report on a 42 year old patient from the Mediterranean area suffering from recurrent iridocyclitis for 2 years, accompanied by aphthous changes of the buccal mucosa and genitalia. Behcet's disease was suspected, and the patient was treated for ten days with i.v.-infusions of 200 mg Endoxan and 50 mg Prednisolon. After appearance of a leutic maculo-papulous rash systemic application of Penicillin lead to a quick cessation of the cutaneous efflorescences as well as of the uveitis. This case shows that luetic etiology of ocular inflammations is by no means beyond actuality.


Pyrimidine biosynthesis in normal and transformed cells. We have developed procedures for sensitive measurement of specific radioactivities of pyrimidine nucleosides excreted from cells in culture. The changes in the observed values reflect dilution of the added isotope through de novo biosynthesis of nonradioactive pyrimidine nucleosides or by shifting and equilibration of other nucleotide pools into the free uridine pool. It is thus possible to monitor uridine biosynthesis occurring in intact cells without destroying or disrupting the cell population. On comparing a series of normal and and transformed lines, we have observed several growth-dependent patterns of change in specific activity and levels of uridine excretion and the temporal appearance of these changes. Hamster embryo fibroblasts slows pyrimidine biosynthesis at mid-growth while the hamster cell line V79 continues to dilute the pyrimidine pool at about 7% of the rate observed during exponential growth at confluence. Both cells exhibit Urd excretion beginning at one-half maximal growth. Passageable normal rat liver cells (IARC-20) also show a cessation of pyrimidine biosynthesis with a prior increase in uridine excretion. Two chemically transformed lines IARC-28 and IARC-19 derived from IARC-20 show different patterns. IARC-19 begins uridine excretion in early log growth and the specific activity continues to decrease at about 2% of the rate observed during exponential growth at confluence. The IARC-28 cells also begin excretion in early log growth but pyrimidine biosynthesis stops at about midlog. This method may prove to be an additional aid in recognizing and differentiating transformed cells in culture that do not exhibit the transformed phenotype.


Human fibrosarcoma cells produce fibronectin-releasing peptides. A sensitive radioimmunoassay, specific for human fibronectin, was used to measure the ability of certain biologically active polypeptides to release fibronectin from cultured human lung fibroblasts into their culture media. Concentrated, serum-free supernatant from a human fibrosarcoma cell line was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography in the presence of acetic acid. Various polypeptides with molecular weights between 46,000 and 6,000 were tested for their ability to release fibronectin from cells. The column fraction, containing polypeptides with an apparent molecular weight of 10,000, exhibited the ability to rapidly release fibronectin from target cells. The activity could be inhibited by phenylmethyl sulphonylfluoride. Several other hormonal factors, tested in parallel with the column fractions, failed to show this effect. The 10,000 dalton molecular weight polypeptides may represent a family of cellular gene products responsible for maintenance of low levels of surface associated fibronectin in fibrosarcoma cells and thus be related to their infiltrating properties by preventing the formation of the extracellular matrix.


Prophylactic photocoagulation of the fellow eye in exudative senile maculopathy. A preliminary report. Information on the fate of the fellow eye in patients who have suffered loss of central vision in the first eye due to exudative senile maculopathy suggests that there is a high incidence of later loss of vision in the second eye due to the same disease process. It has been speculated that prophylactic photocoagulation of the macula in the fellow eye might have a protective effect. This is a preliminary report of a series of patients in which argon laser photocoagulation of the second eye has been performed.


[Treatment of complications of venous retinal thromboses with argon laser]. The results of argon laser photocoagulation performed on 20 eyes with ischemic or edematous central retinal vein occlusion were analyzed. In patients with ischemic occlusion, neovascularization improved after treatment but they derived no benefit as far as visual acuity is concerned. In the group with enematous occlusion, visual acuity and macular edema improved after treatment. However, 6 of 8 patients of this group had prior urokinase treatment.


Patterns of recovery of airflow obstruction in severe acute asthma. The speed and patterns of recovery of airflow obstruction were analysed in 209 patients receiving a standard therapeutic regime for severe acute asthma. Initial rates of recovery were rapid. Three-quarters of the patients had achieved 50% of their total improvement in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) within 24 hr. The time taken to reach eventual maximum PEFR was very much longer, 50% of the patients taking one week or more. Diurnal variation of moderate or severe degree was seen in 78% of patients. Length of history of asthma, time of deterioration and other measures of the severity of attack on admission did not differ in faster and slower responders. The rise of PEFR within 4 hr of starting treatment was highly significantly correlated with a higher PEFR at 24 hr and a shorter time to full recovery. Although the mean arterial PCO2 was higher (P less than 0.01) in the slower responding group and they were slightly older (P less than 0.05) and had lower mean FEV1 (P less than 0.02) and FVC (P less than 0.05) these differences were less helpful in predicting which patients responded fastest.


[Use of a laser beam (YAG) with a flexible fiber for endoscopic treatment of some broncho-tracheal lesions (author's transl)]. For several years we employed an endoscope permitting electro-coagulation in the treatment of some broncho-tracheal lesions and were able to observe the limits and accidents involved in this method. When compared with clinical results (work of Freche in ORL, laser CO2) and after experimental research, the use of a flexible laser beam (YAG) seems to bring about a noteworthy increase in therapeutic possibilities. This flexible fiber beam could easily be used by some medico-surgical teams who already possess appropriate of easily adaptable endoscopic equipment. Clinical studies are in progress.


Studies on nodulation of soyabeans in Egypt. II. Effect of seed-diffusates on Rhizobium japonicum. The growth inhibition zones of R. japonicum (E 45) by either surface-sterilized seeds or autoclaved seeds (as well as dicotyledones, cotyledone, or seed coat) of Harosoy soyabean cultivar indicate the presence of antibacterial substances. Several physical and chemical seed treatments were done in a trial to eliminate or decrease the observed inhibitive effects of the seed-diffusates in order to obtain successful nodulation. The antibacterial substances are thermostable (121 degrees C), water-soluble or partially insoluble, exist in the whole seed and could be inactivated by certain chemical seed treatments as well as by germination for 12 hrs. or more before inoculation.


Abrogation of type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats by psychological stress. This study shows that psychological stress, produced either by exposure to a predator or by movement and handling, can profoundly suppress the clinical and histologic manifestations of collagen-induced arthritis. In addition, stress can dissociate the development of humoral and cellular sensitivity to collagen from the occurrence of arthritis. Thus stress modalities provide a means of acquiring additional insights into the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Such studies may lead to a further understanding of the relationship between emotional states and the functioning of the immunologic system. This study further illustrates the need to identify and control for the effects of stress in animal studies of immunopathology. Finally, the therapeutic implications of this study for autoimmune diseases would appear self-evident (Fig. 7).


The genetical relationship of impulsiveness and sensation seeking to Eysenck's personality dimensions. The genetical analysis of covariance structures is used to explore the genetical and environmental intercorrelations of impulsiveness and sensation seeking factors and their conformity to Eysenck's principal personality dimensions. The independent dimensions of psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism, and lie scale are not found to give a very satisfactory account of the genetical factor structure. In particular, it is clear that impulsiveness and sensation seeking are not simple reflections of extraversion.


Association of twin zygosity with the mean and variance of tooth size. To search for an association of twin zygosity with tooth size, 56 dental variables measured from 65 pairs of twins (43 MZ, 22 DZ) were studied. Results of the t' test for equality of the means showed no association of zygosity with any of the variables in males or in females. Results of the F' test for homogeneity of total variances between zygosities showed evidence for unequal total variances in 15 variables in males and 13 in females. Sex influence was further noted on the association of zygosity with the variance of tooth size. Where total variances were unequal, genetic variance estimates differed when only the within-pair mean squares were used and when combined estimates designed to be unbiased by differences in environmental variances were used.


Sleep and dream characteristics in twins. A study of sleep and dream characteristics has been carried out by questionnaire on a sample of 77 MZ and 76 DZ same-sex twin pairs of two age groups, 6-8 and 16-18 years. Genetic effects could not be detected in the younger age group and appeared to be rather limited in the older one, possibly as a result of the limited variability of the considered variables and of the levelling influence of the common environment.


The effect of oestrogen on selective transfer of IgG1 into mammary secretion of ewes. Two separate experiments were conducted to examine the effects of exogenous oestrogen on selectivetransfer of IgG1 into mammary secretion of ewes. In one experiment, non-pregnant ewes were induced to lactate artificially by first developing mammary glands with injections of progesterone plus low doses of oestrogen then triggering milk secretion with either glucocorticoid or high doses of oestrogen. In the other experiment, lactating ewes were injected with oestrogen each day for 6 days. The results of the experiments suggest that oestrogen affects selective transfer of IgG1 into mammary secretion of the ewes. Moreover, the results show that, in the absence of high levels of oestrogen in blood, the magnitude of the selective transfer of IgG1 into mammary secretion is related inversely to the synthetic activity of the glandular epithelium.


A role of ubiquinone in energy conservation in mitochondria. Short chain ubiquinones (Q-3) uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in rat heart mitochondria, as shown by polarimetric experiments, and abolish P:O ratios in succinate driven oxidative phosphorylaton. The uncoupling is reversed by long chain ubiquinones (Q-7). Furthermore, short chain ubiquinones abolish oligomycin sensitivity of ATPase; the inhibition is restored by Q-7. The extraction of endogenous ubiquinone from mitochondria reversibly lowers oligomycin sensitivity of ATPase.


Selective protein transport: characterization and solubilization of the phosvitin receptor from chicken oocytes. Phosvitin (PV), a subunit of a female-specific protein, vitellogenin, binds to oocyte membranes with a KD of 10(-6) M. Binding reaches equilibrium within 30 min after incubation at 25 degrees C. Bound 125I-PV dissociates from the membrane with a t1/2 of 13 h when incubated in buffer. However, when 125I-PV-labeled membranes are incubated in buffer containing 10(-5) M unlabeled PV, 50% of the initially bound 125I-PV dissociates from the membrane within 10 min. These results support the conclusion that PV binds to a membrane-associated receptor. Solubilization studies show that Triton X-100 solubilizes up to 45% of the total membrane-bound 125I-PV. Gel-exclusion chromatography of the solubilized material yields a 500,000 dalton 125 I-PV-containing complex separated from free 125I-PV. The 500,000 dalton complex completely dissociates to yield free 125I-PV when incubated with excess unlabeled PV. However, when incubated with 1) no addition, 2) IgG, or 3) serum albumin, the extent of dissociation is significantly reduced and is consistent with that which would be predicted on the basis of the observed dissociation rate in the absence of unlabeled PV. These results suggest that bound 125I-PV can only be displaced by unlabeled PV. These results also indicate that the 500,000 dalton species is a solubilized PV-receptor complex and that it is possible to solubilize the PV-receptor in an active form.


[Primary ovarian choriocarcinoma].

[Primary ovarian choriocarcinoma]. This rare tumour was evidenced in a 14-year-old girl. She died two and a half months following the operation, with the symptoms of respiratory insufficiency. The Metotrexate therapy did not produce the disappearance of the chorionic gonadotropin in the urine.


The effect of ethanol on thromboxane synthesis by blood platelets. The synthesis of thromboxane A2 (measured as TXB2) by blood platelets in the presence of ethanol and in platelets from animals dosed chronically with ethanol has been examined. Neither acute nor chronic exposure of guinea pig platelets to ethanol altered thromboxane synthesis. Measurement of total products indicated that neither fatty acid cyclooxygenase nor platelet lipoxygenase was influenced by blood ethanol levels generally associated with intoxication. In human platelets, very high levels of ethanol inhibited thromboxane synthesis in a dose related manner. These results are contrary to reports that high doses of ethanol stimulate arachidonate cyclooxygenation.


Immunoassay of indomethacin: the use of [125I] protein A to detect specific serologic binding. The sera of rabbits that were injected with indomethacin covalently linked to human albumin bound increasing amounts of [14C] indomethacin during the course of immunization. The serum-binding components chromatographed with the gamma-globulin fraction and were precipitated with goat-anti-rabbit-gamma-globulin. When measured by radioimmunoassay with [14C] indomethacin under optimal conditions, 34 ng (95 pmoles) of unlabeled indomethacin inhibited [14C] indomethacin binding 50%. The antibodies reacted most effectively with indomethacin and the desmethylated analogue, 1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-2-methyl-5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, but not 2-methyl-5-methoxy-indole-3-acetic acid. An immunoassay based on the use of [125I] Protein A as tracer for IgG antibody was developed for quantitative determination of indomethacin at the picogram level. Indomethacin, immobilized by covalent linkaae to a solid support, bound the rabbit anti-indomethacin. Protein A, labeled with [125I], measured the levels of the bound IgG antibody. Fluid phase indomethacin competed with solid-phase indomethacin for the anti-indomethacin, which resulted in decreased anti-indomethacin and consequently decreased [125I] Protein A on the immobilized indomethacin-anti-indomethacin complex. The serologic specificity with the immobilized ligand immunoassay was the same as that found with the [14C] indomethacin radioimmunoassay, but the sensitivity for detection of indomethacin was increased over 300-fold.


Detection of thromboxane B2 in peripheral blood of patients with Prinzmetal's angina. The plasma levels of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 6 consecutive patients with Prinzmetal's angina and in 9 healthy volunteers. In the normal group TxB2 was not detectable (= 0.5 pmoles/ml), while in patients with variant angina TxB2 was consistently detected (1.5-140 pmole/ml).


Protective action of 6-keto-prostaglandin E1 in traumatic shock. Since prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is known to have a beneficial effect in hemorrhagic shock, a biologically active derivative of PGE1, 6-keto-PGE1, was examined for its effect on traumatic shock in rats. In sham-operated rats, infusion of 6-keto-PGE1, at a rate of 250 ng/kg/min intravenously decreased arterial blood pressure by 23 mm Hg at 5 hr. In rats subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma, infusion of 6-keto-PGE1, starting 15 min after the trauma, significantly improved the survival time from 1.0 +/- 0.1 to 2.6 +/- 0.3 hr compared to rats given only the vehicle (i.e., Tris buffer). The improved survival was accompanied by a diminished plasma accumulation of the cardiotoxic peptide, myocardial depressant factor (MDF), and the lysosomal protease cathepsin D. 6-keto-PGE1 also exerted a direct lysosomal stabilizing effect in isolated cat liver lysosomes, as well as reducing cardiac afterload in rats. It is concluded that 6-keto-PGE1 protects in traumatic shock by hemodynamic as well as cytoprotective actions.


Pharmacokinetic interaction of psychotropic drugs. I. Divergent effect of mianserin on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amphetamine. Pharmacokinetics of amphetamine and stereotypy caused by this drug was studied after premedication with two doses of mianserin (2 and 10 mg/kg). High doses of mianserin depressed the amphetamine level in blood and cerebral tissue and increased the stereotypy. The results suggest that the potentiation of the action of amphetamine by mianserin is mainly due to pharmacodynamic synergism and depends on the blockade of central serotonergic receptors by mianserin.


Trends in perinatal mortality in Cape Town, 1967--1977. Perinatal deaths and perinatal mortality rates in Cape Town for the period 1967--1977 have been analysed, and large differences were found between the various ethnic groups. In non-Whites stillbirths accounted for more than two-thirds of perinatal deaths in 1977, and in at least 75% of these fetal death preceded labour. Perinatal mortality rates must be considered together with the number of perinatal deaths if the true magnitude of the problem with regard to the various obstetric complications and procedures is to be appreciated. The main perinatal problems as they affect the infant were (i) during pregnancy--antepartum haemorrhage (especially abruptio placentae), intra-uterine growth retardaton, multiple pregnancy, proteinuric hypertension and unbooked status; (ii) during labour and delivery--preterm labour, stillbirths (especially before labour) and vaginal breech delivery; (iii) in the early neonatnal period--immaturity and respiratory distress and neonatal infection.


Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. A case investigated with 111In-oxine-labelled platelets. A 34-year old woman presented with the clinical and laboratory features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Studies with isologous platelets labelled with 111In-oxine revealed a short half-life of circulating platelets (18,5 hours) and destruction of the transfused platelets in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. There was no scientigraphic evidence of deposition of labelled platelets in the vasculature. The patient was treated with daily fresh frozen plasma transfusions, but no improvement in platelet count or serum urea level was noted. Although there was no clinical evidence of a bleeding tendency at the time, the patient had a fatal cerebrovascular haemorrhage. The findings in this case suggest that an immune type destruction of platelets may occur in TTP.


Thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy. A case report. A case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy is reported. An interesting facet of the treatment was the suppression of spontaneous labour while platelet concentrate was being prepared. This case clearly demonstrated that the maternal antibody titre in no way reflects the fetal status. The choice of delivery can therefor not be based upon scientific data. The possible use of the uranyl-labelled antibody method of determining antiplatelet antibodies may in future help to determine the best method of delivering these babies. A review of the literature clearly indicates that while maternal mortality has decreased, fetal loss in this condition is still significant, and that a multicentre study is needed to examine the best approach to this problem.


[Experiences with the CO2 laser in surgery of the nervous system]. The results obtained in animal experiments in which the effect of the CO/-Laser on the nervous system was studied, have encouraged the author to use this new device in the surgery of the brain, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. Histological examinations have shown that the cuts of the brain tissue produced by the laser are cleaner and less destructive than those produced by the spatula and the diathermy knife. On thje other hand, the electrosurgical knife seems to produce a better coagulation. Clinically, the CO2-Laser has proved its value in 240 operations. Owing to the possibility of an exact dosing and the resulting small penetration depth, it is possible to use the laser not only in spinal cord surgery but also in regions of the brain stem that have been inaccessible until now. The combined use with the operating microscope is an additional advantage. Of special interest, too, are interventions in epilepsy, tumours of the spinal cord, comissurotomy and in amputation neuromas. Vaporisation of the tumour cavities for preventing or delaying glioblastoma relapses has shown no significant effect until now.


Long spacing collagen in dermal disorders. Electron microscopic studies of biopsy material from the vulva of six patients with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and two patients with condyloma latum, and from the skin of the back and shoulder of one patient with scleromyxoedema and the forearm of one patient with macular amyloidosis revealed the presence of long spacing collagen (LSC) of one patient with macular amyloidosis revealed the presence of long spacing collagen (LSC) intermingled with an increased amount of ground substance and extracellular microfibrils. The presence of LSC in condyloma latum is believed not to have been reported previously. The LSC displayed an axial periodicity varying from 1000 to 2000 A. Our studies support the contention that the appearance of LSC is not specific of any disorder, and the formation of LSC is associated with the presence of increased amounts of glycosaminoglycan-rich ground substance and the abundance of microfilaments in the extracellular space.


Effect of long-term alcohol intake on the innervation of the rat myocardium. The myocardium of rats kept on DeCarli and Lieber's liquid diet containing alcohol to 36% of the total calories for 8 weeks were examined with Falck-Hillarp's method for the histologic demonstration of catecholamines. Relative fluorescence intensity of the myocardial cells and nerves was measured with the Zeiss-Fluoval microphotometer. Under the effect of alcohol, density of the noradrenergic innervation (number of visualized nerve fibres) decreases and fluorescence of myocardial cells is intensified. The increased fluorescence of myocardial cells can be eliminated with reserpine. It is assumed that chronic alcohol intake induces continuous catecholamine release from monoaminergic nerve fibres of the heart.


[The Filaria Breinlia booliati in the Adedes togoi adipose tissue; comparison with the couple Dipetalonema dessetae-A. aegypti (author's transl)]. In the couple Filaria-vector Breinlia (Breinlia) booliati-Aedes (Finlaya) togoi, the changs observed in the parasited adipose tissue display large similarities with those recently observed in Dipetalonemia (Molinema) dessetae-Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti: same syncitium organisation of parasited adipocytes, and local stimulation of protein synthesis. However, there is an essential difference between the two coules studied: the parasited adipous syncitium is not any more induced by a blood uptake in booliati-togoi, whereas this parasited tissue reacts like unparasited adipocytes in dessetae-aegypti. Analysis of crossed couples (booliati-aegypti and dessetae-togoi) demonstrates that these physiological properties are not linked to the vecotr but to the Filaria itself.


[In-vitro evaluation of morphine dependence. II. Response of the fat "fundus" to 5-HT]. The kinetic of serotoninergic receptor systems was studied in an in vitro model for opiate tolerance and dependence. The fundus strip of rats chronically treated with morphine and sacrificed at different time intervals and in different conditions (with and without abstinence signs) was used. The differences between the response to the 5-HT in a situation of abstinence as compared to the same preparation in a situation of non-abstinence (in vitro model for dependence) are not statistically significant. The variations in the response as related to duration of treatment in vivo of the various groups of animals, cannot be significantly correlated to morphine-induced tolerance.


[In-vitro evaluation of morphine dependence. III. Response of the rat ileum to ACh]. The kinetic of cholinergic receptor systems was studied in an in vitro model for opiate tolerance and dependence. The isolated ileum of rate chronically treated with morphine and sacrificed at different time intervals and in different conditions (with and without abstinence signs) was used. In evaluating the response of this preparation to doses of ACh ranging from 5.5 x 10(-10) to 5.5 x 10(-7), no statistically significant response was found to the cholinergic receptor system in conditions of abstinence and non-abstinence in vivo and in vitro. On the other hand, statistically significant differences are related to duration of treatment in vivo. The pattern for these responses is similar to the one observed in the fundus (Note I) and it can be considered as an expression of morphine-induced tolerance.


Adrenoleucodystrophy: a study of four patients. 4 unrelated boys suffering from adrenoleucodystrophy (ALD) are reported. All presented with a cerebral degenerative disorder manifested by behaviour change, dementia, progressive visual loss and spasticity. 1 child showed an excess of skin pigmenation but no other clinical features of adrenal insufficiency were present. An ACTH stimulation test indicated adrenal insufficiency in 1 patient. In the 3 patients with a normal response to ACTH stimulation, 2 had elevated resting plasma ACTH levels, and the other showed typical inclusins in the cells of the adrenal cortex when examined by electron microscopy. Nuclear brain scans were abnormal in all 4 patients. 3 patients had a CAT scan and in all a diffuse decrease in density was shown throughout the cenebral white matter. 2 patients had a zone of contrast enhancement adjacent to the low density areas. In boys under the age of 10 years ALD is the commonest cerebral degenerative disease after subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.


[Quantitative mathematical evaluation of growth studies from the viewpoint of exogenously or genetically influenced variability]. Firstly, the ideas are sketched which serve as the basis for the phenomenologic-mathematical kind of modeling of the body length growth process of man. For proving the biological relevance of the spurts analyzed by numerical procedures one has to consider the social and the biological circumstances in which the growth process takes place. An analysis of longitudinal data series of the body length of (monozygotic) twins will give further hints to the possible meaning of the growth spurts by way of separation of exogenous and of genetic determined endogenous agents on the growth process. The data available for our examinations cover the time interval of the praepubertal and the postpuberal development as well as the time interval in which the puberal growth spurt takes place. The way to proceed in evaluation these time series will be presented.


Inhibition of human lymphocyte transformation as an in vitro parallel line bioassay for anti-human lymphocyte globulin. Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin (HALG) is now widely clinically, but the variable immunosuppressive potency of different preparations of HALG has necessitated development of an accurate, reproducible in vitro assay of HALG potency. Currently available tests have several disadvantages, as well as showing little correlation with in vivo activity of the preparations tested. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine into lymphocytes, stimulated with mitogen (PHA) or antigen (PPD) and the inhibition of this process by HALG is described. ID50S and potency ratios have been determined for four HALG preparations. The ID50S obtained with these preparations were reproducible and the potency ratios obtained using 3 + 3 parallel line bioassay were similarly reproducible, a change in rank order being observed only once in ten assays. These in vitro results correlate with in vivo skin graft data. It is suggested that this technique could be used for evaluation of HALG preparations on peripheral blood from potential recipients.


Penetration of beryllium through the placenta and its distribution in the mouse. Penetration of beryllium through the placenta and its distribution in the organs after intravenous administration of BeCl2 in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg was studied in a series of experiments on ICR SPF mice. To trace the fate of beryllium, an isotope in the form of 7BeCl2 in an amount of 111kBq per animal was used. This dose was administered to a group of females before fertilization, on the 7th and 14th day of pregnancy, and to control animals. The animals were killed on the 18th to 19th day of pregnancy and the content of beryllium in the foetuses and its distribution in the organs of the mothers were determined by measuring activity. It has been found that beryllium penetrates through the placenta with difficulty, however, part of the dose administered circulated in the blood long enough for Be to penetrate the foetuses. Of interest is the finding that beryllium in the dose administered influenced the number of foetuses of the exposed females. This finding deserves detailed evaluation in the test of dominant lethal mutations.


Comparative biochemical and morphological investigation of the liver of experimental animals in the process of hepatotropic effect of atmospheric pollution (on the model of carbon tetrachloride). The authors effected a comparative examination of morphologic and biochemical investigation of structural and enzymic reactions of the rat liver during different periods of permanent inhalation influence of carbon tetrachloride. Three stages of morphologico-biochemical parllels in the development of hepatotropic effect characterized by certain regularities in the enzymic desorganization of lysosyme, mitochondrias and cytasol by derangement of the exchange of biopolymers containing carbohydrate (of glycoproteids, glycosaminoglycans) and DNK-synthetizing function in liver in comparison with control animals were revealed. Mechanisms of the hepatotropic effect and hygienic importance of structural function changes of hepatocytes due to action of factors polluting the atmosphere are appreciated.


Incidence of RS virus infections in premature children's ward. In the course of two years (1974-76) four outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in the premature children's ward of a Prague hospital were studied virologically and clinically. RS virus (RSV) was found to be the aetiological agent. The highest isolation rate of RSV was achieved when using two heteroploid cell lines (L-132 and HEp-2 cells) simultaneously. Of the 30 children examined, 60% showed a severe course of disease (pneumonia and/or bronchiolitis) while in 40% of the children the disease had the form of rhinitis with striking abundance of whitish foamy secretions. In one of the outbreaks under study, two nurses with mild afebrile pharyngitis were detected as the source of RSV infection.


Immunobiological characteristic of antigens from the parasitic phase of Coccidiodes immitis. The possibility of obtaining serologically active antigens from tissue spherules extracted from the lungs of albino mice infected with C. immitis has been demonstrated. Unlike the method of obtaining spherules in vitro, the accumulation of sufficient quantities of tissue spherules does not involve special difficulties. To obtain more pure and specific antigens from crude tissue spherules material, chromatographic separation on a column with Sephadex G-100 is recommended. Antigens obtained from the spherules in vivo have been found to be more specific and active in serological and allergic reactions in comparison with the corresponding antigens from the mycelial form or from spherules in vitro and can be used in the diagnosis of coccidioidosis as well as in the study of the mechanism of cellular immunity.


Epidemiological investigations of chikungunya epidemic at Barsi, Maharashtra state, India. During the summer of 1973, an epidemic of Chikungunya broke out in Barsi, Sholapur district. Epidemiological investigations carried out during the decline phase revealed that all age groups and both sexes were involved with varying morbidity. The absence of previous immunity was demonstrated by a very high morbidity of 37.53 per cent for the whole town. The clinical picture encountered during the epidemic was quite characteristic of chikungunya. Besides gingivitis and epistaxis there were no frank haemorrhagic episodes. Reports about the presence of demonstrable rash varied. Except for one possible case, there was no mortality as a result of the epidemic. Results of the search for the index case are also described.


Pharmacological estimation of histamine in the intestine of mice experimentally infected with single doses of Ancylostoma caninum larvae. Histamine content of the intestine of young female Swiss albino mice experimentally infected per os with low (500) and high (2000) doses of Ancylostoma caninum larvae was studied. The histamine level increased in both the experimental groups reaching peak values on the 16th day post infection in animals inoculated with a dose of 500 larvae and on the 30th day post infection in animals inoculated with 2000 larvae; the histamine content was 2.5 times higher in the former and 4 times higher in the latter than that in the uninfected controls.


A study on the role of birds in the spread of infections. During three expeditions undertaken in March 1977 to June 1978, 797 cloacal swabs were collected from birds of 54 species. Seven salmonella strains of six serotype were isolated from Larus ridibundus (five strains), Corvus frugilegus and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (one each). Four strains of influenza A (HAV2 NA4V) virus were isolated from Larus ridibundus. For the first time in Czechoslovakia, two strains of Yucaipa paramyxovirus were isolated, both of them from Troglodytes troglodytes. These results are the first contribution to a study on the role of birds as hosts and vectors of different bacterial and viral agents.


[Antibiotic activity of Decamycin on 11 genera of pathogenous microorganisms isolated from Veitnamese patients (author's transl)]. The author studied inhibitory effects of Decamycin on 545 strains of pathogenous microorganisms. At the same time he compared the activity of Decamycin and that of classical antibiotics applied during treatment.


The identification and clinical implications of human breast milk mitogen. There are constituents of human breast milk that make it superior to cow's milk for the nutrition, health and development of human infants. We have discovered a new activity in breast milk. We have found in human breast milk a nitrogen that stimulates DNA synthesis and induces division in cells grown in culture. This mitogenic activity is concentration dependent, and also depends on time since lactation. No similar mitogenic activity is found in commercially available formulas or cows milk 1 wk after birthing. The human milk mitogen might be involved in the growth and development of cells in the neonate. It may be important in preventing necrotizing entercolitis and peptic ulceration of the newborn. It might also be used in the treatment of infants following massive small bowel resection.


Plasma progesterone levels in progesterone treated cows. A technique for the radioimmunoassay of progesterone in plasma is described. In one trial the oestrous cycles of four cycling cows and in another trial of one non-cycling cow and two cycling heifers were synchronized by the administration of progesterone. Each female received either 50 mg or 0,1 mg/kg of progesterone intramuscularly on alternate days in two courses of four and six injections respectively. Blood samples of the animals were collected either daily or two-daily before, over the entire period of treatment and for eight days after the last progesterone injection. The results of the progesterone assays are represented graphically for each individual cow or heifer. The plasma progesterone levels during treatment were maintained reasonably well at levels corresponding to those normally encountered during the lluteal phase of the cycle. The progesterone levels, however, did not drop as rapidly as desired after the last injection but might have been influenced by a residual corpus luteum from a previous ovulation.


A field outbreak of suspected stachybotryotoxicosis in sheep. An outbreak of mortality in a flock of mutton merino sheep in which 109 out of 568 sheep died in the south-western Cape Province, is described. It was characterized by haemorrhagic septicaemia, anaemia, leucocytopaenia and haemorrhagic tendencies. Mortalities followed unseasonal and heavy summer rain, extended over a period of 6 months and were associated with the uninterrupted consumption of sheep cubes processed on the farm severly fungus-infested wheat, barley and rye straw for a period of at least one month. The main clinical signs occurred in two phases: an elevated body temperature, listlessness, epistaxis and intermittent haemorrhagic diarrhoea during the first phase of the outbreak, and a progressively worsening anaemia, leucocytopaenia and less severe haemorrhagic tendencies and a terminally elevated body temperature during the second phase. The predominant autopsy findings were purpuric haemorrhage on serosal and mucosal surfaces and in most of the organs, enterorrhagia and severe pulmonary congestion and oedema during the first stage; anaemia was the predominant sign during the second stage - widespread haemorrhage still occurred but was less extensive. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from most of the animals autopsied during the first stage. Histologically the most salient features were atrophy and necrosis of the lymphoid tissue, aplastic anaemia and a markedly impaired inflammatory response. Extensive post-natal lamb mortalities, probably due to an Escherichia coli infection precipitated by the toxicosis, occurred during the outbreak. Toxigenic strains of Stachybotrys chartarum were isolated from the wheat and barley straw. Diethyl ether extracts of the wheat straw, sheep cubes and S. chartarum culture material elicited positive skin tests in rats following intradermal injection and the presence of 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes in these extracts were confirmed by thin layer chromatography. In feeding trials sheep cubes and wheat straw caused the death of 4/4 one-day-old Pekin ducklings and weanling Wistar rats in six and nine days, respectively. This is the first description of an outbreak of disease in sheep associated with the ingestion of S. chartarum-infested food components in the Republic of South Africa.


Do colours affect 'normal' behaviour of laboratory and farm animals? Instantaneous change of behaviour by presentation of red in the Peach-F. In spite of genetic and environmental standardisation in farm and laboratory animal science, a considerable amount of variation in the results of comparable experiments remains. This presumably depends upon the individual variability within a species, and upon differences of various species in their specific demands to the environment in captivity. Due to a discovery in the Southwest-African lovebird species Agapornis roseicollis, used as a conventional laboratory animal in bioacoustic research, the phenomenon of instantaneous fear expressed in a number of different displays in connection with the presence or presentation of red objects is described and compared to earlier observations of instantaneous phobias, aggressions, and preferences towards colours, in other bird species. Consequently it is suggested that investigation of the chromatophobe and chromatophile behaviour of typical laboratory and farm animals be undertaken to ensure the adequate design of lodging and experimental environments.


The effects of a 10% soybean oil emulsion on lymphocyte transformation. Free essential fatty acids (EFA) are reported to suppress cell-mediated immunity. Because Intralipid contains a high concentration of esterified EFA, the effects of this emulsion on in vitro lymphocyte transformation were studied. Intralipid concentrations of 11.5, 115, and 230 mg% in lymphocyte cultures increased phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation by an average of 8.2% (not significant [NS]), 18.1% (p < 0.01), and 11.8% (NS), respectively. These same concentrations also increased Varidase stimulation in lymphocyte cultures by an average of 11.3 (p < 0.02), 18.9 (p < 0.02), and 4.4% (NS), respectively. Control wells did not demonstrate allergic reactions to Intralipid. These data demonstrate that Intralipid can significantly increase the mitogenic response of human thymic lymphocytes and the antigenic response of human lymphocytes, in vitro.


White cell involvement in the inflammatory, wound healing, and immune actions of vitamin A. Stress or injury-induced phenomena, such as impaired wound healing and immune depression, may be related to impaired function of certain leukocyte populations. Since vitamin A prevents some aspects of stress, we studied its effect on various white cell populations in normal and injured rats. Supplemental vitamin A (150,000 IU/kg chow) to normal rats resulted in marked increases in thymic weight and lymphocytes without any effct on adrenal weight. The basal chow contains 13,700 IU vitamin A per kg. In rats subjected to moderately severe injury (dorsal wounding or unilateral femoral fracture), supplemental vitamin A greatly diminished the thymic involution observed in chow-fed controls and delayed or minimized the accompanying adrenal hypertrophy. In uninjured rats, supplemental vitamin A induced in three to four days a temporary circulatory leukocytosis characterized by lymhocytosis, monocytosis, and a relative neutropenia. These changes in the blood picture persisted one day after femoral fracture. On the second and third day postfracture the lymphocyte and neutrophil values returned to normal while the monocytosis persisted. Polyvinyl alcohol sponges implanted next to the fracture site demonstrated that supplemental vitamin A consistently increased the number of white blood cells migrating into the wound area and showed significantly larger numbers of monocytes/macrophages. These data suggest that vitamin A influences the numbers and nature of white cells involved in immune, inflammatory, and wound healing processes. In addition to the known antiglucocorticoid activity of vitamin A, these effects may represent a direct beneficial action of dietary vitamin A supplements for stressed and injured animals.


The continuity of thick filaments between sarcomeres in honey bee flight muscle. One of the most frequently discussed problems of insect flight muscle morphology is the structure of the thick filaments, especially at the Z line. Many attempts have been to solve these problems but no unequivocal answers have been given so far. It is well known that physiological specialisation is accompanied by certain anatomical features in the myofibrillar level; the myofibrils have very short I bands in the resting state and the muscle acts under nearly isometric conditions. In this paper, a fresh approach is used to demonstrate the fine structure at the Z line in honey bee flight muscle.


Cataractogenesis: developmental inputs and constraints. The developmental period during which the lens is susceptible to one or another cataractogenic influence, the types of cataracts that result, and the spatial and temporal patterns in which these cataracts become manifest are better understood in the context of the orderly sequence of steps by which the vertebrate lens develops. Thus, events attending lens induction, formation of the lens vesicle, deposition of the lens capsule, maturation of lens fibers, elaboration of lens sutures, and developmental changes in the relationship of the lens to the optic cup have implications for cataractogenesis. We have also seen that events in juxtalenticular tissues (eg, the zonule, the temporary hyaloid-lenticular vascular, the neural retina) can contribute to the development of lenticular opacities. Hereditary cataracts, as well as congenital cataracts produced in response to untoward environmental input, can be properly understood only within a dynamic developmental context.


Gastro-intestinal helminths of domestic dogs in the Republic of South Africa. Of the gastro-intestinal helminths found in 1 063 dogs from different parts of the country, Dipylidium caninum, the most prevalent cestode, occurred in 19,7% of the animals. Echinococcus granulosus was present in 10 dogs, 8 of which were from urban areas, and Taenia hydatigena in 69 dogs. Taemia multiceps was recovered from dogs only in the Cape Province and the Orange Free State. Toxocara canis was present in 81 of the necropsies carried out on 253 dogs from the Pretoria municipal area, while Ancylostoma spp. were present in 175 dogs. In the Pretoria area Ancylostoma caninum (11,9%) was more prevalent than Ancylostoma braziliense (6,2%).


Some effects of temperature on the adults, eggs and pupae of Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae). Adults could only live and reproduce to their full capacity at temperatures between 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C. At 15 degrees C the females laid no eggs, the adult life span was relatively short and the reproductive capacity of females kept at 35 degrees C was low. The thermal histories of the flies had no apparent effect on their later reactions to temperature in any of the parameters tested. The viability rates of S. calcitrans eggs exposed to temperatures between 10 degrees C and 40 degrees C exceeded 84%, but 45 degrees C was lethal. The optimum temperatures for incubation of the eggs was 30 degrees C. Pupae of S. calcitrans seemed to tolerate temperatures between 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C, but their mortalities increased markedly outside this temperature range. Tests showed that pupal mortalities increased linearly with increasing periods of exposure to a temperature of 15 degrees C.


Exchange transfusion and serum vitamin E (tocopherol) concentration in the newborn. 17 babies suffering from haemolytic disease or "hyperbilirubinaemia of prematurity" underwent exchange transfusion in the first 4 days of life. In 14 babies, including all those who had abnormally low pre-exchange serum vitamin E levels (<0.5 mg/100 ml), the vitamin E concentration rose as a result of exchange transfusion. In 3 babies the serum vitamin E concentration fell as result of exchange transfusion, but in no case was the post-exchange level below 0.5 mg/100 ml. The normal range of plasma vitamin E in stored ACD blood was 0.44--1.24 mg/100 ml. It was concluded that although vitamin E deficiency might be a factor in the aetiology of the anaemia of prematurity, prior subjection to exchange transfusion is unlikely to make a significant contribution to the vitamin E deficiency.


Body size and neonatal hypoglycemia in intrauterine growth retardation. The relationship between blood glucose and body physique of 233 (42 hypo-and 191 normologycemic) intrauterine growth-retarded neonates was analyzed using different body measurements and indices of body proportions. Classification by combination of weight and length deficit for fetal age revealed that the disproportionately retarded infants (deficit in weight for age > 30%; deficit in length for age less than equal to 15%) were particularly prone to hypoglycemia. The lowest incidence of hypoglycemia was observed in the group with severe proportionate retardation (weight deficit for age > 30%; length deficit for age > 15%). Among the indices of body proportions ponderal index (W/L3), and percentage deviation from the expected weight for length turned out to be a sensitive predictor of the risk of hypoglycemia. The majority of hypoglycemia neonates were underweight for length and a considerable number of normoglycemic infants were overweight for length. These findings point to the significance of soft tissue wasting rather than low birth weight for gestational age itself, in the development and diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia. The significance of anthropometry in the classification of different types of intrauterine growth impairment, as well as in predicting specific hazards after birth is discussed.


Iron gain in low-birthweight infants: role of milk feeding. The availability of iron is critical in low-birthweight infants. We followed a group of small preterm infants without iron supplementation who were either exclusively breast-fed or weaned early to industrial infant milk formula or home-prepared cow's milk formula. The gain of iron was compared within the milk groups on the basis of hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations at the ages of 3 and 4 mth when only trace amounts of solid foods had been given. Contrary to the reports on term infants we found unsupplemented proprietary infant milk formula and breast milk similar as a source of iron. It is possible that there is no major inhibition of iron absorption from any milk during the time of simultaneously occurring accelerated erythropoiesis and exhaustion of iron stores in preterm infants. The apparent inferiority of cow's milk could be due to increased intestinal loss of blood.


Uterine prostaglandin F2 alpha & E2 production and content during the second half of the oestrous cycle of the sheep - possible local control of the uterus by the ovary. The amount of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the endometrial tissue of sheep and the ability of this tissue to synthesize these prostaglandins have been monitored daily during the latter part of 12 oestrous cycles in seven ewes. Plasma concentrations of PGF2 alpha and progesterne were measured simultaneously during ten of these cycles. No difference could be found between the content of or the synthesizing ability for PGF2 alpha or PGE2 of caruncular and non-caruncular endometrial tissue, although the myometrium contained and produced significantly less PGF2 alpha than either of these tissues. There was no relationship between PGF2 alpha content, secretion and synthesizing ability of endometrial tissue although changes in the uterine content of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were directly related. Changes in the ability of the uterine endometrium to synthesize PGF2 alpha varied with the presence or absence of the neighbouring ovary. When the adjacent ovary was present there was a statistically significant increase in the ability of the endometrium to synthesize PGF2 alpha 3 and 2 days before the onset of oestrus. In the absence of the ovary this increase did not occur. The data suggests that the ovary has a local controlling influence over the ability of the endometrium to synthesize PGF2 alpha.


[Arginine aspartate effects on rabbit acute and chronic alcoholization (author's transl)]. Oral arginine aspartate treatment effects (acute administration: 1 g 30 minutes after load, chronic administration: 0.33 g a day during 9 months) are researched on rabbit acute alcoholizing load (1 ml alcohol 40 degrees/100 g) and alcohol chronic intoxication (0,5 ml alcohol 40 degrees/100 g a day during 9 months). 1) Arginine aspartate acute administration decreases 6 h alcoholemic rates, when compared to normals T + t receiving an equal nutritional placebo at 30 minutes (p < 0.01), without 1 h peak modification, and increases ethyloxydation coefficient (p < 0,01). Aspartate, arginine or pyruvate isolated administration at 30 minutes, increases ethyloxydation coefficient in following order: arginine (no significant difference with T + t), pyruvate + arginine and pyruvate (limit p 0,10 or p < 0,05), aspartate (p < 0,05). It is maximum with arginine aspartate (p < 0.01). 2) Arginine aspartate chronic administration partially reduces hyperalcoholemy (p < 0,01) and hypertriglyceridemy (p < 0.10), strongly increased in non treated alcoholized (p < 0.01). Transaminases rates, which remained about normal in non treated alcoholized, decrease under same time alcoholized (p < 0,10) and 0 values (p < 0.05). Hepatic histology shows, after 9 months, in alcoholized group, inflammatory oedema with some cellular damage, without steatosis. Arginine aspartate seems to provoke some hepatic protection with cellular regeneration.


[Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the male rat by introduction of soya oil supplemented or not with sardine oil in the diet]. Substituting soya oil for lard considerably reduced hypercholesterolemia in the male rat with induced hypercholesterolemia due to a dietary overlead of cholesterol and sodium deoxycholate. The decrement was more marked when a mixture of 80 p. 100 soya oil + 20 p. 100 sardine oil replaced the lard. This improvement of the hypocholesterolemic effect by adding sardine oil to soya oil was due to the long-chain fatty acids (mainly C20:5 and/or C22:5 n-3 in the fish oil).


The local immunological defence system of the human endometrium. The distribution of immunoglobulins and secretory component (SC) in the human endometrium has been studied by an immunoperoxidase technique. SC is present in a proportion of the epithelial cells and the amount of this substance is increased during the secretory phase of the cycle. A variety of immunoglobulins are present, in low concentrations, in the stromal interstitium during the secretory phase of the cycle and these are thought to diffuse passively from the plasma as a non-specific accompaniment of stomal oedema. Only IgA is found in the epithelial cells and this appears solely in those cells containing SC. No immunoglobuln-containing lymphoid cells are present in the endometrium. It is suggested that the endometrium lacks a true local secretory immune system but is able, because of its content of SC, to compensate for this by extracting polymeric IgA from the plasma. This system presumably helps to protect the endometrium against infection but the biological significance of its apparent control by progesterone is uncertain.


Cyclical changes in the carbohydrate composition of dog endometrium. In the first part of prooestrus glucuronic acid could not be detected, but small amounts of glucose, fructose, inositol and sorbitol were found. When progesterone was formed a small amount of glucuronic acid could be observed and sorbitol had disappeared. During the first weeks of metoestrus the amounts of fructose and glucose increased gradually, but those of glucuronic acid remained low. When more progesterone and pregnanedione were found in the endometrium the amounts of glucuronic acid began to increase and the highest values were reached in anoestrus. During the last days of anoestrus a sudden change in the carbohydrate composition of the endometrium occurred: glucuronic acid and fructose could no longer be detected, the amounts of glucose and inositol decreased and sorbitol was found. These findings show that next to the cyclical ovarian events, there is a cyclical change in te carbohydrate composition of dog endometrium.


Abnormal structures in the flagellar apparatus of the spermatozoa of two ferns. The flagellar structure of spermatozoa is generally of the 9 + 2 pattern. However, in various animal species abnormalities have been found which some authors have recently suggested as being of value in systematics. Little information has, as yet, been published in this field on plants. In studying spermatogenesis, we found some abnormalities in connection with central and peripheral tubules. These abnormal structures were uncommon and affected only a few of the numerous flagella borne by a single spermatozoid. Such abnormalities do not seem to affect radically the motility of the spermatozoa, but they may have lost part of their fertilizing ability.


Chromosomal structure in Indian populations of Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant. Mitotic chromosomes in different Indian geographic populations of D. immigrans were examined by modern air-dried technique. A map of salivary gland chromosomes has been constructed. Several identifiable natural landmarks in each arm of the chromosomes were recognised. Analysis of several different geographic populations has revealed one common inversion in II L. In addition, on deletion has also been detected in the X-chromosomes which is reported for the first time in this species.


Morphologic comparison of piglets from first and second litters in chronic ethanol-consuming Sinclair(S-1) miniature swine. Piglets (L-1) from 13 litters farrowed by 1-year-old, first litter alcohol-consuming dams were evaluated for altered morphology, A second group of piglets (L-2) farrowed by 6 second litter alcohol-consuming dams also was evaluated. Mean litter size and birth weight for L-1 piglets were 4.85 and 602 +/- 152 g; mean litter size and birth weight for L-2 piglets were 2.00 and 478 +/- 168 g. Fetal mortality rates for L-1 and L-2 piglets were 15 and 25%, respectively. Anomaly rates observed in fetal deaths were 11 and 100% for L-1 and L-2 piglets, respectively. L-1 anomalies were macrocephaly, microphthalmia, necrosis of bowel, nonexternalization of penile tissue, unascended kidney and unilateral renal hypodevelopment. L-2 anomalies were anencephaly, microcephaly, nonfusion of cranial sutures, macrocephaly, microphthalmia, nonfusion of mandibles, cleft palate, imperforate cloaca, sydactyly and polydactyly.


The effect of chronic ethanol administration on myelin lipids. Myelin was isolated from the brain stem region of rats which were administered chronically with ethanol either through intragastric tubing (8gm/kg) for 3 weeks or by giving a 15% ethanol ad lib as drink for 1 year. The protein, phospholipid and cholesterol content and the acyl group composition of major phosphoglycerides of myelin were examined. Based on the protein content, there was less myelin isolated from the chronic alcoholic brain samples as compared to controls. Intrinsic changes in membrane components were observed. The phospholipid to protein ratio of myelin was approximately 20% lower in the group subjected chronically to ethanol by drink and 10% lower in the group given ethanol through intubation technique. The cholesterol to protein ratio was also lower in the group given ethanol as drink but the intubated group was not different from controls. Changes in phosphoglyceride acyl group composition were also observed. In general, there was an increase in the proportions of 16:0, 18:0 and 18:1 and a decrease in 20:1, 20:4 and 22:6. The acyl group changes reflected an increase in cellular phospholipase A2 or a decrease in chain desaturation and elongation activity due to chronic ethanol administration. These changes are also reflective of degenerative changes possibly associated with demyelination.


Frequency of secretory otitis and histology of the normal middle ear mucosa. Repetitive tympanometric screenings of healthy 1-year-old and 2-year-old children showed that 36% of all healthy children had a type B tympanogram, indicating middle ear effusion or secretory otitis, at least once during the first 2 years of life. Another 29% of children had a middle ear pressure of -200 to -350 mm H2O. It was rendered probable that at least 75% of all healthy children have secretory otitis in the course of the first 8 years of life. This high frequency of secretory otitis is correlated to the histology of the normal middle ear mucosa. The many conflicting opinions that prevail in the literature concerning the compostion of the normal middle ear mucosa, especially concerning the demonstration of mucous glands, probably arise from the fact that the middle ear mucosa of most healthy adults has been exposed to metaplastic changes in childhood but has normalized except for minor sequelae. These are often misinterpreted as constituting components of the normal mucosa.


Gel filtration of egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The abilities of Sepharose 2B (Pharmacia), Controlled Pore Glass (Electro-Nucleonics) and Bio-Gel A150m (Bio-Rad) to purify small unilamellar vesicles prepared by sonication and the ethanol-injection methods were compared. The Bio-Gel causes complete aggregation of the sonicated vesicles and partial aggregation of the ethanol-injection vesicles. Both Sepharose and Controlled Pore Glass are acceptable for purifying vesicles from multilamellar liposomes; however, neither will separate the vesicles from sonication by-products which might be formed.


Structure of the backbone in myosin filaments of muscle. New X-ray data suggest how myosin rods, themselves alpha-helical coiled coils, form the thick filament backbone of crustacean muscles by additional supercoiling. Natural transformations of this structure may describe the myosin backbone in many other animals also.


Regional cerebral blood flow, diaschisis, and steal after stroke. Regional CBF was measured by 133Xe inhalation in unilateral cerebral infarction, carotid TIAs, and normal volunteers. Regional CBF values were bilaterally and symmetrically reduced in patients measured within 3 weeks after stroke. Later, rCBF values returned toward normal in the contralateral hemisphere of patients with infarction and in both hemispheres with carotid TIAs. In cases with carotid occlusive disease, flow reduction was seen in the contralateral posterior cerebral artery distribution, with hyperemia in ipsilateral occipital lobe caused by interhemispheric steal. Brainstem-cerebellar flow values were increased following acute cerebral infarction if patients were alert but reduced if consciousness was impaired.


Long-term effects of heparin on veins grafted into the common carotid arteries of rats--a scanning electron microscopic study. Jump grafts made from veins with diameters of about 1 mm have very poor patency rates. Dissection and anastomosis damage the endothelia of the arteries and veins and expose collagen in the subendothelial layers of these vessels. Within 1 hr of the introduction of blood flow through the grafts, deposits of fibrin and platelets led to blockage of the grafts. In 9 rats, heparin was given intravenously about 0.5 hr before completion of the grafting procedure; heparin was also used to wash out the veins for grafting. In 11 rats, heparin was used only to wash out the veins for grafting. At periods 1-11 weeks later, the grafts were reexamined. All were patent except 1 from the first group, examined at 7 weeks, and 1 from the second group, examined at 10 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy showed that complete healing of the venous endothelium took several weeks. Heparin was equally effective in keeping the grafts patent when given intravenously and used locally or when only used locally. This study indicates, therefore, that long-term patency in small diameter vein grafts can be achieved merely by washing out the veins for grafting with a solution of heparin.