Interstitial cell tumor. Profile of hormone-producing tumor. Interstitial cell tumor of the testis in an adult male can present with feminization and psychologic changes. The feminization and psychologic changes most likely reflect production of estrogen by the interstitial cell tumor. Removal of the tumor causes rapid return of the pituitary-testicular axis to normal, loss of feminization, and development of male psychosocial characteristics.


Paratesticular liposarcoma.

Paratesticular liposarcoma. The fifteenth reported case of paratesticular liposarcoma is presented, together with a review of the literature. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of this particular neoplasm are discussed.


Clue to diagnosis of neonatal urinary ascites. Relative radioluency of liver shadow. About 25 per cent of neonatal ascites is caused by urinary tract disease. Opacification of the ascitic fluid by leakage of contrast material during cystography or intravenous urography may lead to striking relative radioluency of the liver. This phenomenon may be an important clue to the differential diagnosis of the etiology of neonatal ascites.


Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy of renal masses. Percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy is a harmless, easy to perform, and most direct procedure used to diagnose uncertain causes of ureteral obstruction and displacement of various parts of the urinary tract system. Frequently it is the least invasive method that can decide further treatment.


Radiologic findings of bilharzial (schistosomal) contracted bladder. The radiologic findings in bilharzial contracted bladder are presented. Calcifications of the bladder were seen in only 4.3 per cent, hydronephrosis in 37.2 per cent, and reflux in 62.8 per cent.


Foreign body localization and removal utilizing computerized axial tomography. In this preliminary report, computerized tomography guidance was instrumental in allowing the safe and rapid removal of a metallic foreign body from paravesical soft tissues deep within the male pelvis. Hopefully, expanded future experience with this technique will further clarify its value in the management of retained foreign bodies.


Patterns of bladder recovery in spinal injury evaluated by serial urodynamic observations. The results of serial urodynamic studies in spinal cord injury are presented. A number of signs which may be useful in the prediction of patients who will eventually establish spontaneous and satisfactory voiding are described. (1) Some patients with cervical high/thoracic lesions show evidence of synchrony between the external sphincter and the detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Spontaneous and efficient voiding usually occurs in this group. (2) Some patients, especially those with mild-thoracic lesions show marked dyschrony between the external sphincter/detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Early outlet surgery is indicated in this group since spontaneous and efficient voiding rarely occurs. (3) A zone of high pressure can be detected in the posterior urethra in the phase of spinal shock often within the first week after injury.


[Surgeons failure to recognize syphilis in the diagnosis]. The most typical diagnostic errors occuring in presence of syphilis are shown in this article. It is noted, that a groundless treatment with antibiotics hampers the detection of Treponema pallidum.


[Rare pulmonary-pleural complications in pancreatitis]. Pulmonary-pleural complications are likely to occur in pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts. These complications are manifested as pleuritis, pulmonary abscess or mediastinal pseudocyst. The author describes his own cases of rare pulmonary-pleural complications and suggests some recommendations on refined diagnosis and surgical tactics.


[Effect of elastase inhibitor on proteolytic enzyme activity in experimental wounds]. The protease activity of the wound walls and in the wound washings during the experimental skin and muscular wounds treatment with a Trieline-containing ointment, which is an inhibitor of the elastinase, and with some other proteolytic enzymes has been determined on white rats. It is suggested, that the application of such inhibitors suppresses the catabolism rocesses and stimulates the regenerative ones.


[Liver blood flow in patients with cholecystitis]. Hepatic blood flow was studied in 82 patients, suffering from calculous cholecystitis. These studies proved that the lowest preoperative arterial blood flow level is in case of mechanical jaundice. Within the first 2 days after operation the increase of hepatic blood flow in the right portions of the liver in 67.7% of patients, and in the left portions in 51.6% took place against the background of the decrease of portal blood flow. Pronounced arterial hyperemia of the liver and sharp decrease of portal blood flow within the earliest postoperative period occur in mechanical jaundice and cholecystitis with suppurative complications.


[Individual variations of individual location of hepatic arteries in the lower part of the hepatoduodenal ligament]. The topography of the hepatic arteries in the lower half of the hepatoduodenal ligament was studied on 230 human cadavers. In 64.8% of cases the common hepatic artery was, as usual, in the left margin of the hepatoduodenal ligament, in 0.87% it was between the common bile duct and the portal vein i.e. to the right from the latter. The location of the right hepatic artery to the right or to the right and backwards from the common bile duct constitutes a supplementary risk of an accidental lesion of this artery in choledochotomy and drainage of the duct.


[Liver echinococcosis].

[Liver echinococcosis]. On the basis of the experience with surgical treatment of 168 cases of hepatic echinococcosis in Algeria the author has concluded that such cases need an intense therapy both in pre- and postoperative period. To prevent from the recurrence of the disease it is sufficient to process the hydatid cyst fibrosal tunic with a tampon moistened with 5% formaline or 1% tripaflavine solution. The excision of the fibrosal tunic extended down to the cyst "bottom", followed by the suturing of the capsule stump to the liver wound margins, or primary suturing, before the drainage is started, in cases of a narrow wound cavity, result in 98.8% of recovery.


[Perforation of the distal end of the colon and intraabdominal portion of the rectum]. The authors present their own observations on some cases of the perforation of the distal end of the sigmoid colon and the intraabdominal portion of the rectum, which is a rare condition. The authors present their own observation of 7 cases, only one of whom died. On the grounds of their experience the authors suggest the most suitable variants of surgical interventions.


[Surgery of thyrotoxicosis associated with diseases of the central nervous system]. Studies on 1432 thyrotoxicosis cases attracted the attention to a relatively high incidence (7.7%) of its association with damage to the central nervous system. 27 of 110 patients with combined type of thyrotoxicosis developed malignant exophthalmos. On the grounds of the studies of long-term results of the surgical treatment of these cases one could come to the conclusion, that surgical treatment of combined types of thyrotoxicosis was an efficient method. The clinic recommends complex preoperative management and a postoperative care procedure.


[Benign esophageal tumors, their diagnosis and treatment]. The results of the observation over 15 cases of benign esophageal tumors, diagnostic procedures permitting to precise the esophageal pathology, the validity of the catheterization in the roentgenological examination of the esophagus aimed at the differentiation of a given pathology from esophageal cancer and the treatment results as well are set forth in this work. A complex of diagnostic procedures and features recommended for the differential diagnosis of esophageal diseases is suggested.


[Extend of surgical intervention in breast cancer]. The results of treatment in 1362 breast cancer patients were analysed, depending on the extent of surgical intervention. An extended operation failed to improve the survival of the patients and, therefore, such operations seem to be indicated only in median-central localization of the tumor and the absence of axillary lymph nodes involvement. In surface location of the neoplasm and not enlarged axillary lymph nodes the Patey surgery proved to be warranted. For most patients with breast cancer radical mastectomy is remained to be the operation of choice.


[Comparative evaluation of reconstructive surgery in atherosclerotic occlusions of the arteries of the lower extremities]. In 118 patients 144 different reparative operative procedures were performed for ischemia of the extremity, grade II-IV, due to atherosclerotic lesion of arteries of the femoropopliteal zone. In ischemia of the extremity due to an isolated lesion of the superficial femoral artery transplantation of the reversed autovein is felt to be the best method of reconstruction. Transplantation of a synthetic prosthesis may be employed, only if other methods, as the last chance for saving the extremity from amputation, proved to be unfeasible.


[Treatment of pseudathrosis and defects of the lower part of the femoral bone]. A description of the methods of treatment, elaborated by the author for pseudarthrosis and defects located in the lower third of the femur, is given. Original clips devised by the author are described.


[Acute cholecystitis as a postoperative complication]. The literature data on acute cholecystitis occuring as a complication after operations on the abdominal organs are analysed. The author presents 3 own observations of cholecystitis in early postoperative period among 28,556 laparotomies. Taking into consideration the rarity of this complication, the author believes that the arguments adduced for simultaneous preventive cholecystectomy in operations for other abdominal organs diseases are dubious, especially in emergent abdominal surgery.


[Diagnosis and treatment of subphrenic abscess]. The clinical picture of subphrenic abscess taking place against the background of the treatment with modern antibacterial drugs has changed essentially, which requires a complex solution of the problem of the timely abscess diagnosis. The antistaphylococcal plasma and gamma globulin applied together with other methods of intense therapy proved to be the most effective after the dissection of the abscess.


[Distraction epiphysiolysis for lengthening of the extremities in children with the hip and knee tuberculosis]. 6 cases with the sequelae of bones and joints tuberculosis underwent the distraction epiphysiolysis aimed at the lengthening of these extremities. The maximal lengthening reached 7 cm. The complications and treatment results are described.


[Surgical indications and surgical methods in post-traumatic management of the main arteries and nerves of upper extremities in late postraumatic period]. Reconstructive operations for nervous and vascular lesions of the upper extremities were carried out upon 37 cases within 2 to 46 months after trauma. The technic of operations and the results of the treatment are described.


[Blood insulin activity in patients with burns during septicotoxemia]. It has been established that in severe burned cases fasting blood sugar and immunoreactive insulin level remain within the physiological range. It has been found that insulin secretion in severe burned cases is of a torpid type.


[Necrectomy of upper extremities in thermal burns]. The results of necrectomy in 26 burned cases are described. There were 9 unilateral cases, the rest were bilateral with the involvement of other parts of the body. The indications for necrectomy on the upper extremities are established.


Synchronisation of oestrus and pregnancy diagnosis in heifers bred in autumn and winter. The calving rate to artificial insemination following administration of progesterone or prostaglandin was influenced by ovarian activity at the start of the treatment. Significantly more heifers inseminated on a fixed time basis after a 12-day progesterone treatment calved compared to synchronised or control heifers inseminated at a detected oestrus. Administration of 10 mg oestrogen intravaginally by gelatin capsule attached to the progesterone-containing coil or injection of 5 mg oestrogen and 200 mg progesterone at the start of the 12-day progesterone treatment did not influence the oestrous response of calving rate. The accuracy of detection of non-pregnant heifers by oestrous detection, measurement of progesterone in blood 21 days after AI or rectal examination varied from 90 to 93 per cent. However, both oestrous detection and the progesterone test identified significantly fewer non-pregnant heifers. Rectal examination as a method of diagnosing pregnant heifers was significantly more accurate than either of the above.


Clinical pregnancy diagnosis in the camel and a comparison with bovine pregnancy. The clinical features of pregnancy for each month of gestation were studied and the findings recorded in respect of six pregnant camels which were subjected to rectal and vaginal examinations at weekly intervals over a period of 13 months. A comparison of the findings was made with those previously recorded for the cow.


The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed by insulin on blood glucose and insulin in the dairy cow. The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by insulin upon glucose metabolism and plasma insulin concentrations was examined in three cows. After doses of 0.18 mg per kg xylazine given intramuscularly (IM) or 0.15 mg per kg given intravenously (IV) hepatic glucose production increased, plasma insulin concentrations decreased to 25 to 33 per cent of control values, and there was a prolonged hyperglycaemia. When 200 units of soluble insulin were given 20 minutes after similar doses of xylazine there was a rapid fall in blood glucose and a reduction in the rate of glucose production by the liver. Xylazine-induced hyperglycaemia arose from a combination of increased hepatic glucose production and reduced plasma insulin concentrations. Peripheral tissues were still responsive to insulin and when adequate insulin was available blood glucose concentrations rapidly decreased.


Haematological and blood chemistry "comparison values" for clinical pathology in poultry. Twelve blood chemistry values, six haematological values and bodyweight were estimated for six-week-old specific-pathogen-free brown leghorns. Observations were based on 208 birds sampled from 11 groups. Subsequently the same values were estimated for specific pathogen free brown leghorns and broiler hybrids of differing ages. These estimates have been designated "comparison values" and were intended for reference use in clinical pathology. Results were compared with 14 "comparison value" estimated obtained previously for six-week-old commercial broiler hybrids. Haematological values varied with age and type of bird. Differences were observed between bird types in serum protein, serum cholesterol, uric acid, calcium and potassium levels and in weight. The significance of these differences is discussed.


Hip dysplasia in beef cattle.

Hip dysplasia in beef cattle. A bilateral hip lameness has been found in young beef bulls of the Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Charolais breeds in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. The incidence is usually small and sporadic, but up to half of the male animals on one farm may be affected clinically by the time they are one year old. Clinical lameness begins at three months to two years old, and very occasionally up to three years of age; some calves are obviously affected at birth. Aberdeen Angus cattle tend to be affected earlier than other breeds. Clinical evidence of the condition is almost entirely confined to the male.


The variation in the concentration of plasma amino acids and blood urea in pregnant sows. Two pregnant sows were fed on a basal diet consisting of equal amounts of ground barley and ground wheat with or without addition of L-lysine hydrochloride. Plasma amino acid and blood urea levels varied according to the time after feeding. Almost all the essential amino acids reached a maximum level after one hour and then declined at four hours after feeding. The results suggested that samples taken at between one and four hours after feeding were responsive to changes in dietary composition and could provide a measure to evaluate the amino acid pattern in relation to feeding. Both plasma amino acid and blood urea data suggested that lysine was the first limiting amino acid in the basal diet.


Non-surgical transfer of bovine embryos. Bovine embryos obtained from donors six to nine days after oestrus were transferred non-surgically at a rate of one per recipient using a sterile insemination instrument, protected from contamination by the vagina with a plastic sheath. The percentage of recipients pregnant increased with the age of embryo transferred and for day 6 and 7 embryos was 33% compared to 58% for day 9 and 8 embryos. This difference approached statistical significance. Bacterial contamination of the instrument on withdrawal after transfer was not related to the success or failure of pregnancy. Maintenance of pregnancy to term and calving appeared to be normal. It is suggested that this method could be used for the routine transfer of eight and nine day embryos.


Cattle twins and freemartin diagnosis.

Cattle twins and freemartin diagnosis. Some cattle breeding improvement programmes particularly in continental Europe aim to reduce the costs of rearing calves by increasing the number suckled by each cow. This encourages the rearing of twins and an increase in the number of heifers born twin-to-bull. Many of these are offered in the market and bought on the assumption that they are single-born. A large proportion will be freemartins and therefore irremediably sterile. Theories of the aetiology of the freemartin condition are summarised. The anatomical, haematological and chromosomal characteristics are described. Diagnostic methods based on these characteristics are described and compared. The clinical method is recommended as reliable in all but a small proportion of cases. The clinical signs of the freemartin at age three to six weeks are the absence of the external os, and a vagina length of 5 inches (12 cm) or less. The veterinary surgeon is encouraged to make the diagnosis on these clinical signs alone.


Pasteurellosis in sheep.

Pasteurellosis in sheep. Pasteurellosis is an important cause of economic loss to the sheep industry. There are two distinct syndromes. The pneumonic form of the disease caused by P haemolytica biotype A occurs as pneumonia in flocks and sporadically in individual sheep. The septicaemic form, caused by P haemolytica biotype T is associated with hyper-acute disease and occurs most commonly in the autumn coinciding with the folding of hoggs on rape, turnips and improved pastures. The factors which predispose sheep to the different forms of the disease are poorly understood but recently it has been possible to reproduce pasteurella pneumonia experimentally.


The inheritance of ocular colobomata in Charolais cattle. The examination of approximately 800 pure bred and cross bred Charolais cattle indicated that ocular colobomata is inherited via an autosomal dominant gene in this breed. Penetrance was found to be complete in the male and partial (52 per cent) in the female. Inheritance in the crossbred animals was different to that in the pure bred.


Use of a silicone shunt for the surgical relief of feline urethral obstruction. The technique and results of a recently developed surgical procedure for the relief of feline urethral obstruction are described. The method involves implanting a silicone shunt of comparable diameter into the pelvic urethra. Urine and struvite crystals are passed through the wide bore tube. The possibility of crystal accumulation and subsequent obstruction is thus avoided.


Dealing with data: the practical use of numerical information--(1) A place for statistics. The purpose of the series of articles, of which this is the first, is to introduce from a practical angle those methods of handling data which have a statistical basis and to suggest some of their possible uses in veterinary medicine. This does not entail sophisticated mathematics, nor should it inevitably bring with it the pain and misery which is so often, and so frequently unjustly, associated with matters biometrical. No attempt will be made to cover the subject in any more depth than is required for the condensation and basic assessment of quantitative data, bearing in mind the number of comprehensive textbooks already available. Indeed, so many pitfalls await those who wander out of their statistical depth that for data requiring complex analysis, rather than sorting and simple testing, the inexperienced are well advised to seek expert assistance, such as is available through the Ministry of Agriculture's veterinary investigation centres.


Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) poisoning in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). A series of unexpected deaths and unthriftiness was encountered in red deer at Glensaugh Deer Farm, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the autumn and winter of 1975--76. Occurrence and gross post mortem findings suggested a common etiology but microbiological, helminthological and histological examinations indicated that the syndrome was not of infectious or parasitic origin. Some of the lesions suggested an irritant poison. Foxglove plants were found in the pasture and their poisonous potential seemed to fit the post mortem findings and clinical signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by chemical analysis of tissues and botanical examination of rumen contents, and a similar fatality was produced in a penned red deer by test dosing with powdered foxglove leaves. Possible control and treatment are discussed. It is concluded that foxglove poisoning may be an occasional hazard in the husbanding of red deer. The history, clinical syndrome and gross post mortem findings may be sufficiently characteristic to allow a provisional diagnosis to be made in the field.


Herpes virus of turkey vaccine: viraemias in field flocks and in experimental chickens. In a field survey of viraemias due to vaccination of chickens with herpes virus of turkey, variation was encountered in titres and percentages of birds viraemic. The incidence of viraemias was much lower in sick than in healthy birds in flocks undergoing mortality from Marek's disease. In a concurrent experiment the same strain of chicken and the same commercial vaccine were used as in the field flocks affected with Marek's disease. A high incidence of viraemia and 84.6 per cent protection against Marek's disease were obtained with single vaccination at one day of age. Revaccination at 21 days of age produced no measurable benefits in the same experiment.


Significance of some immunochemical data for the viral pathogeny of multiple sclerosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 124 patients with different neurological diseases (35 having an ascertained diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 20--of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)) were investigated by immunoelectrophoresis. The correlation between the "secretory" immunoelectrophoretic pattern of CSF proteins in MS and SSPE patients and the incidence of antimeasles HI antibodies in the CSF is analysed. The results point to a different pathogenic significance of the presence of antimeasles antibodies : a) persistent measles virus infection in SSPE and b) a particular genetic constitution, coincident with a hyperreactivity to measles virus, in MS.


Apparently healthy HBsAg carriers: sex-dependent difference in ABO blood group distribution, subtype ratio and antigen titer. The results obtained by subtyping and titration of 872 HBsAg from apparently healthy carriers were grouped according to blood group and sex. The incidence of blood group AB is higher among healthy HBsAg carriers than in the unselected population. There are large variations as regards the ay : ad ratio (overall mean value : 4.74) : minimal ay : ad values occur in the AB blood group, both in men (4.00) and in women (1.33), as compared with the mean values of 5.07 and 2.95 recorded in men and women, respectively. Titer analysis shows a cluster of higher titers in women. The involvement of immunogenetic mechanisms in asymptomatic HBsAg carriage is suggested.


The role of vaccinia virus in the evolution of some human hemopathies. Six cases of severe hemopathy, detected following smallpox revaccination are described. Their onset was favoured by vaccinia virus-induced suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In two leukemia patients humoral immunity was present, but insufficient to assure protection of the diseased organisms, the outcome being fatal. The pancytopenia syndrome recorded in 4 patients with anergy caused by autoimmune mechanisms had different outcomes: favourable in 2 cases and fatal in the other 2 patients, who died within 4 years.


The general stochastic model of epidemics applied to the study of viral hepatitis. The general stochastic model of epidemics was applied to the study of the total average number of hepatitis patients in a closed community during one year. A modification of Bailey's method was used to estimate the threshold parameter essentially implied in all calculations of this model.


[Clinical aspects and morphology of sinus histiocytosis of the lymph nodes]. Based on the analysis of the literature data and personal authors' observations, the clinico-morphological signs of sinus histiocytosis are described. Also, the kinetics of the disease and a histological picture of the involved lymph nodes are shown at different stages of the process development. The necessity of lymph nodes biopsy in all cases suspicious of malignant lymphoma is emphasized.


[Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme spectrum in malignant neoplasm patients]. The isoenzymic spectrum of lactate dehydrogenase of blood sera was studied in 170 patients with malignant and benign tumors, chronic inflammatory lesions and in healthy persons. The characteristic changes in patients with malignant tumors were as follows: an increased activity of slow fractions and a decreased one in rapidly migrating fractions. The level of the 5th isoenzyme activity and the frequency of its increased activity in serum correlated well with the degree of cancer spread. The determination of a percentual content of the isoenzyme may be used as a supplementary test for diagnosing metastic involvement of the liver. The examination of the serum lactate dehydrogenase spectrum in patients with benign tumors and chronic inflammatory disease revealed no changes characteristic of malignant neoplasms.


[Leukocyte migration inhibition reaction in melanoma]. Under study was the reaction of suppression of leucocytes migration in 28 patients with melanoma and in 15 healthy donors. In patients with the local neoplastic process the suppression of their lymphocytes migration under the melanoma extract influence was much more frequently observed and wos more significantly pronounced than in healthy donors and patients with metastases, especially in cases of wide tumor spread. Enhanced migration noted in a number of cases was associated with an unfavourable clinical course. Likewise, the enhanced migration was observed 2--3 weeks following resection of primary melanoma and in one case--at the end of the chemotherapy course.


[Malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex]. The authors report the clinico-anatomical analysis of 23 observations on malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex. The greatest diagnostic difficulties are encountered in the so-called "non-functioning" tumors, devoid of normal activity and mostly observed in adults. To pinpoint further the diagnosis, a wide use of morphological methods, especially needle biopsy, is recommended. A prolonged preclinical period, a tendency to predominantly hematogenic metastases spread, the fibrinolytic activity of parenchymal cells, pyrogenic and allergic effects of the catabolism products should be referred to as the biological features of the tumor. Bilateral involvement of adrenal glands sometimes depends on multicentric growth of a hormone-dependent tumor.


[Changes in lactate dehydrogenase isoforms in the process of oncogenesis]. Isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase were studied by disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and in the clinic--in 1% agar gel. Oncovirus A12 invasion of the culture of rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) was found to result in the increased percentage of the cathode fractions activity (LDG-4 and LD-5) and in the disappearance of LDG-1 yet during the first day of the experiment prior to hypoxia and enhanced proliferation, i. e. it is most likely to be primary. In the homogenates of cancerous tumor and large intestine polyps of man also a reliable increase of the cathode and a decrease or disappearance of the anode fractions accur. A correlation of the experimental and clinical data allowed a suggestion to be made that LDG isoenzymes changes are genetically conditioned and play an important role in the process of oncogenesis, providing conditions for the increased intensity of glycolysis and proliferation.


[Data on the biological properties of olefin sulfate]. In the experiments on hybrid mice CBA X C57Bl6 the effect of the preparation Progress with different (16.5% and 24.5%) content of the surface-active agent--olefine sulphate on benz(a)pyrene induced carcinogenesis has been studied. The cutaneous application of the substance has evidenced enhanced carcinogenesis under the exposure to a larger of the two dosages: skin tumors in the experimental group were noted in 68.75% of animals, in the control group (application of the carcinogen)--in 19.44%. Under the condition of peroral administration of the agent no enhancement of carcinogenesis was revealed, meanwhile proventricular tumors appeared in the group where the carcinogen was administered without the preliminary carcinogen exposure.


[Change in the density of surface lymphocyte receptors and in the level of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lympholeukosis]. Using the complex of methods for recognition of surface lymphocyte receptors the authors examined 42 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia and 30 healthy individuals. The reduced density of receptors on lymphocyte surface or their total absence is characteristic of the whole group of patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. This atypism of leukemia lymphocytes is augmented in greater rate of neoplastic cells growth. Total synthesis of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lymphatic leukemia is found to be lowered, the fall being more sharp in increased amount of lymphocytes in peripheral blood.


[Treatment of skin tumors with a pulse laser]. The clinical laser complex including neodymium and CO2--lasers is described, and the methods of irradiation depending on the type of the laser and tumor are given. The results of the treatment in 559 patients with different malignant and benign skin tumors are analysed. The data of the follow-up (up to 7 years) indicated that 15 of 48 patients with primary melanomas developed metastases, and 12 of them died. Among 105 patients with skin cancers 4 persons had recurrences and were irradiated repeatedly. The main merits of the method compared with surgery and X-ray therapy (the absence of side effects, promptness of the treatment, sterility and precise localization of the effect, vascular thrombosis contributing to an ablastic operation) are discussed. The results obtained with neodymium and CO2--lasers are compared.


[Surgical treatment of tumors of the ribs and clavicles]. The authors report 32 patients with different lesions of ribs and 6 patients with clavicular lesions. Due attention is given to the difficulties in establishing the differential roentgenological diagnosis between reticulosarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, metastases of other tumors in the rib and fibrous dysplasia. Great diagnostic value of trephine biopsy in establishing the morphological diagnosis is emphasized. To close large defects in the thoracic wall following the resection of some ribs a new variant of autodermal thoracoplasty is suggested.


[Characteristics of the clinical course and prognosis in glandular lung cancer]. The peculiarities of clinical manifestations of glandular carcinoma of the lung have been studied, an account is taken of histological tumor variants and the degree of tumor proliferation. The results of treatment are analysed in relation to the prognosis of the disease in 305 patients. The peculiar clinical course of lung adenocarcinoma seems to be due to the predominantly peripheral kind of the tumor and relatively prompt lympho-hematogenic metastasization. Marked anaplasia of the tumor revealed morphologically is usually indicative of the dissemination even in insignificant local spread. Satisfactory results of surgical treatment are gained only in early stages (I--II), mainly in patients with high-differentiated adenocarcinoma.


[Metastasizing bronchial carcinoids].

[Metastasizing bronchial carcinoids]. Bronchial carcinoids develop metastases approximately in 22 per cent of cases. Metastases can develop in all anatomical forms of the growth. Histologically, metastasizing tumors may be of a different structure: a) typical histoarchitectonics and cytology; b) atypical histoarchitectonics but without cell atypism; c) typical histoarchitectonics associated with cytologic atypism; d) histoarchitectonic atypism associated with cytologic atypism. There is no dependence between an anatomical form of the growth and histological structure. But secondary changes in the lung are directly dependent on the localization and anatomical form of the growth. In Fontana silverring and diazol rose staining secretory granules in the tumor cells cytoplasm, as a rule, are not revealed, including the cases with carcinoid syndrome.


[Puncture of a bronchial tumor in the bronchoscopic diagnosis of lung cancer]. An analysis of the results of bronchial tumor biopsy performed in 200 lung cancer patients is reported. Morphological verification proved feasible in 193 of 200 patients. Biopsy and puncturing of the tumor are found to be most advantageous technics for the material take during bronchoscopy. Contrary to biopsy, an efficiency of transbronchial puncturing is not affected by the character of tumor growth and its morphological structure. A combined use of biopsy and puncture makes it possible to increase the percentage of morphologically supported diagnosis of pulmonary cancer. Transbronchial puncturing is also an efficient maneuver for detection of cancer recurrence in the bronchial stump and a residual tumor after conservative therapy. Endoscopic signs of the peribronchial pattern of tumor growth are absolute indications to its puncture.


[Role of nonspecific accompanying pulmonary pathology in altering the external respiratory function in lung cancer]. In 110 lung cancer patients the authors have determined the rate of separate distension of the lung and chest (DL--C), and in 60 of them radiopneumography with Xe133 was employed. All patients were subdivided into 3 groups: I--those suffering chronic concomitant lung affections, II--those with acute pulmonary diseases in the anamnesis, III--those showing no signs of concomitant pathology. It was found that the previous diseases (pneumonia, acute bronchitis) render no significant effect on the external respiration function (as evidenced by radiopneumographic findings). Whereas concomitant pathology (chronic bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, etc.) would aggravate the function considerably, that is especially pronounced in central tumor localization. In patients of the group I and II DL--C was found to be markely reduced, that may be due to asymptomatic pleurofibrosis in the group II. To estimate the possibilities of surgical treatment for lung cancer, a detailed complex diagnosis of concomitant nonspecific pulmonary pathology seems to be absolutely necessary.


[Combination of primary lung cancer with extrapulmonary carcinomas]. An analysis is given of 50 observations of lung cancer associated with cancer of other organs. Lung cancer was preceded by cancer of another organ in 33 patients (66%), cancer of another organ developed after lung cancer had been cured--in 6 (12%), and synchronous involvement was noted in II (22%). An average interval between radical surgery for lung cancer and subsequent tumor growth in another organ was 6.2 years. Among patients with synchronous carcinomas the association with laryngeal cancer (4) and cancer of the stomach (4) was most frequently noted. The principles of treatment in patients with synchronous carcinomas are described.


[Endocrine system reaction in relation to the clinical manifestations of lung cancer]. Using radiobiochemical methods "in vitro" by means of determining hormone production in blood serum, the authors studied the functional state of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid in 51 patients with lung cancer: stage I--in 8 patients, II--in 7, III--in 23 and IV--in 13. Histological structure: adenocarcinoma--in 9, epidermoid cancer--in 29, undifferentiated cancer--in 5. The analysis indicated that the hormonal disbalance in the organism of lung cancer patients is not evidenced by secondary clinical manifestations of the disease (atelectasis, suppuration, etc), there being a number of general regularities in the response of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid depending on the stage. This dependence shows a sinusoidal pattern maximum pronounced in stage I. Some common regularities in the endocrinous response of the hypophysis and adrenal glands are observed in different histostructure of the tumor, the response increasing in the following sequence: adenocarcinoma, epidermoid, undifferentiated cancer.


[Adaptational and thyroid homeostasis and the state of fat and carbohydrate metabolism in lung cancer]. An examination of over 100 patients with cancer and benign processes in the lung has demonstrated that the increased hypothalamic threshold to homeostatic inhibition in the adaptation system and a tendency to lowering of this threshold in the thyroid system are typical for lung cancer patients. Disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism are more frequently observed in lung cancer than lipid metabolism disorders, recognized in approximately 1/5 of all patients. Whereas lipid metabolism disorders in lung cancer patients are more closely than those of carbohydrate metabolism correlated with the state of adaptation and thyroid homeostasis. The data obtained will be compared with the results of the corresponding observations in patients with mammary gland cancer.


[Cytological and cytochemical characteristics of the metastases of undifferentiated cancer to the lymph nodes]. Cytologic assay of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes may be used along with histological studies as a reliable adjunct for morphological diagnosis, that makes possible in many cases to determine not only the epithelial origin of the affection but also to characterize its histological pattern. However, the cytologic diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer metastases is frequently rather difficult in relation to establishing the differential diagnosis between the former and other affections of lymph nodes. A careful, and sometimes repeated analysis of the material, taking into account the clinical data and cytochemical findings, contributes to greater efficiency of a cytologic method. The perspective use of cytochemical reactions as additional criteria for the diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer necessitates their further elaboration and study.


[Indications for mediastinoscopy in lung cancer]. An experience with 371 mediastinoscopies in lung cancer patients is analysed. The enlargement of intrathoracic lymph nodes revealed roentgenologically or bronchoscopically is considered by the authors to be the basic indication to mediastinoscopy. Among 270 such patients the positive result of mediastinoscopy was noted in 128 (47.3%). Among the remaining 101 patients, in whom none of the methods concerned revealed lymph nodes enlargement, the positive results of mediastinoscopy were noted only in 3 (2.97%).


[Importance of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy in the accurate determination of the operability of lung cancer patients]. The authors give a comparative estimation of the results of 217 mediastinoscopies, 58 parasternal mediastinotomies, performed in 274 patients with pulmonary cancer to determine precisely their operability. Positive findings in mediastinoscopy were noted in 66 (33.4%) of 217 patients, especially in cancer of median localization (in 42 of 153 patients or in 32%) and of the right lung predominantly (in 51 of 134 patients or in 45.5%). Parasternal mediastinoscopy yielded positive findings in 30 (51.7%) of 58 patients. This method proved to be mostly reliable in examining patients with peripheral bronchus cancer, especially in left lung localization of the tumor. The results of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy are similarly conditioned by the morphological structure of the tumor. Due to mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy 57 (26.6%) of 222 patients, previously referred to as being "operable," proved to be inoperable. These methods also would aid in avoiding tentative thoracotomy or nonradical surgery in 78 (30.7%) of 254 patients, primarily considered to be "operable" or "doubtfully operable".


[Postoperative irradiation in lung cancer]. The authors report a comparative analysis of the results of treatment in two groups of patients with lung cancer. In the first group (194 patients) surgical treatment was supplemented by postoperative irradiation with a total dosage of 4000--5500 rad. In the second control group (189 patients) only surgery was employed. Both groups are comparable according to main generally accepted clinical characteristics. It was found that the use of postoperative irradiation after the mentioned technic failed to improve remote results of surgical therapy. The indices of a 5-year survival proved to be higher than those with surgical treatment only--38.6% versus 24.8% in the combined treatment (P less than 0.05), that was due to the increased mortality rate as a result of complications, induced by postoperative irradiation.


[Immediate and late results of plastic operations in lung cancer]. The author's experience with 94 plastic operations on bronchi for lung cancer is analysed. Plastic procedures made 9% of all radical interventions. Following lobe and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus 51% of patients survived over 3 years, 32%--over 5 years, 6 patients have been followed up for 10 years. Plastic procedures on bronchi for lung cancer seem to be oncologically warranted and should be performed on definite indications. The best remote results were observed following lobe- and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus, performed for epidermoid cancer of stage II with endobronchial tumor growth. Lobectomy with wedge-shaped resection of the main bronchus not infrequently resulted in local tumor recurrence.


[Immediate and late results of the surgical treatment of tumors of the thoracic portion of the trachea]. The immediate and late results of surgical procedures, performed in 36 patients for tumors of the thoracic trachea, are presented. The survival of the patients was studied with special reference to the type of the operation and tumor. Benign tumors of the trachea were found to give good late results. Among the patients with primary malignant tumors better results were gained in case of cylindromas.


[Causes of death in lung cancer patients undergoing radical surgery]. Based on a retrospective analysis of the data on 255 patients, died after the radical surgery in the early and late period, is was found that 86.2% of the patients died due to the tumor process progression and only 13.8%--due to other causes. In 71 patients tumor recurrence was in the bronchial stump, in 50 of them this recurrence was associated with metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes. Metastases in distant organs without mediastinal lymphnodes involvement were noted in 113 patients, 36 patients showed metastatic involvement of both intrathoracic lymph nodes and distant organs. In the first 3 years since the progressing of the principal lesion 73.3% of all the examined patients died.


[Lung cancer in different chronic lung diseases]. The studies performed have indicated that nearly in 50% of cases lung cancer is associated with different chronic lesions of the lung: chronic purulent bronchitis, tuberculosis, chronic pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema and diffuse pneumosclerosis, and these provide favourable conditions for epithelial metaplasia of the bronchi, bronchioli and alveoli with subsequent cell atypism and development of lung cancer.


[Memory disorders in patients with saccular aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries]. Neuropsychological analysis of disorders of memory in patients with sacculated aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries, 14 of whom were examined in the immediate and 30 in the remote periods after the hemorrhage, showed that the side of the lesion may be judged by the character of these disorders. The disorders of memory were of a modally-specific character and emerged in the link of direct reproduction in aneurysms of the right internal carotid artery and in the link of delayed (under conditions of interference) reproduction in aneurysms of the left internal carotid artery. The general cerebral signs in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage are also manifested specifically in the structure of the memory defect.


[Effect of dentatotomy on muscle tonus in infantile cerebral palsy]. The article deals with the results of the quantitative study of the muscular tonus in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis by the method of passive sinusoid movements of the arm at the elbow joint at various rates, with a period of T = Is to T = 200s and its assessment by the value of the mechanical resistance of the extremity in the region of high (T = I--4s) and low rates (T = 50s). The spectromechanomyographic method of examination revealed two components in the muscular tonus: an increase in the region of high rates, which were identify as the spastic component of the muscular tonus, and an increase in the region of low rates, which is identified with the rigid component of the muscular tonus. Operative destruction of the cerebellar dentate nuclei in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis naturally reduces this spastic component, but hardly changes the rigid component. One of the factors causing changes in the shape and amplitude of choreothetoid hyperkinesia in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis may evidently be the redistribution of the tonus in different muscular groups and changes in the correlations between its spastic and rigid components.


[Causes of azotemia in severe cranio-cerebral injuries]. The functional state of the kidneys and the level of azotemia were studied in 51 patients with a severe craniocerebral trauma. Two groups of patients were distinguished according to the preservation of diminution of glomerular filtration. Comparison between these 2 groups showed that in normal glomerular filtration azotemia was linked with the catabolic process, while in diminished glomerular filtration azotemia was also associated with a reduced renal function. The level of azotemia has been established; a higher value is evidence of renal insufficiency.


[Ventriculoscopy in pediatric neurosurgery]. Ventriculoscopy is a simple, safe and informative method of examination of the lateral and third ventricles of the brain in childhood. In hydrocephalus of non-tumorous origin ventriculoscopy makes its possible, as a rule, to determine the origin of the dropsy and its character. The diagnosis of tumor of the brain of intraventricular or paraventricular localization and also of a tumor growing into the lumen of a cerebral ventricle is made on the basis of direct and indirect signs found during a visual examination. The histological nature of the process may be determined by biopsy of the pathological tissue collected during ventriculoscopy.


[Histomorphologic changes following plastic repair of defects in spinal dura mater with a capron strip in complicated experimental fractures of the spine]. A wide incision of the dura mater of the spinal cord helps to inspect the subdural space in detail. If there is a defect in the dura mater, or if it is impossible to suture it due to edema and swelling of the spinal cord, it is rational to resort to plastic replacement with a band of capron mesh which resolves completely by the end of the third year after the surgical intervention.


[Prevention and treatment of the complications of peridurography]. In lumbar peridurography conducted in 117 patients with discogenic radiculitis complications occurred both in the stage of peridural anesthesia and after introduction of the radiocontrast medium. During anesthesia the dura mater was punctured in 4 patients, in another 2 patients dicaine penetrated into the subarachnoid space and caused spinal anesthesia with a high upper level. Peridural anesthesia with paralysis of the respiratory musculature developed in 1 patient. After the injection of the radiocontrast medium, spasm in the lower extremities and trunk of the type of spinal epilepsy developed in 4 patients. The clinical picture, prevention, and treatment of these complications are discussed.


[Multi-projection skull x-rays].

[Multi-projection skull x-rays]. An X-ray method of examination of the skull bones is discussed which is used for detecting multiple small perforating defects in the skull of various localization, determination of the localization of foreign bodies in relation to definite anatomical structures, identification of the displacement of the bone fragments into the cranial cavity, and for the diagnosis of multiple infractions of the cerebral skull. Besides two antero-posterior craniograms, radiograms were taken in additional oblique views with the head turned to the right or to the left in the interval of 20 to 45 degrees. The guiding points for the direction of the X-ray heam are: the lateral border of the superciliary arch, the midpoint between the lateral border of the superciciliary arch and the external acoustic meatus, the midpoint between the external acoustic meatus and the external occipital protuberance. The effectiveness of the method was tested on a skull phantom and verified by observations over 3 patients with multiple infractions of the skull bones.


An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in adults. An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis occurred in five adults, with the acute onset of symptoms developing in two of the patients after they returned to Los Angeles from the San Francisco Bay area. The secondary attack rate was 36.4 percent in this entirely adult household. The authors review reports of secondary cases in civilian epidemics, as well as recommendations for chemoprophylaxis in household contacts.


[Development of meningioma after x-irradiation of the head]. A case with one-stage removal of pus from the cavities of two abscesses in a 49-year-old female through a supratranstentorial approach is described. The postoperative period was uneventful. A follow-up four months later showed that the woman was healthy and continued working.


Meningococcal disease in California. Epidemiology and management. Between 1969 and 1975 in California, 1,953 cases of meningococcal disease were reported. For cases reported in 1973, 1974 and 1975, detailed information about chemoprophylaxis of cases and contacts was obtained in addition to demographic and laboratory data. A review of data for the seven years showed a reduction in the case rate from 2.6 to 0.6 per 100,000 population, but this drop was due primarily to a very substantial decline in the military rate from 35.7 to 1.8 per 100,000 population. No reduction was apparent in the case fatality rate. Five groups of associated meningococcal disease cases were identified for a total of nine secondary or coprimary cases among 862 household contacts. Associated cases occurred in 10.4 per 1,000 household contacts-a rate several hundred times greater than that for the general population. THE STUDY FINDINGS INDICATE THAT MANY PHYSICIANS ARE UNAWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) nonhousehold contacts are at little or no risk of contracting meningococcal disease; (2) prophylaxis should be offered only to household or intimate contacts immediately upon identification of an index case without waiting for test results for meningococcal carriage; (3) valid medical and epidemiologic indications exist for administering prophylaxis to household contacts who are culture negative as well as those who are culture positive; (4) the current drug of choice for prophylaxis is rifampin, but since no drug is completely effective, close medical observation remains the most important factor in the management of household or intimate contacts to meningococcal disease.


Feasibility of outpatient self-administration of parenteral antibiotics. It is customary to treat patients with infective endocarditis or osteomyelitis for a prolonged period in hospital with parenteral antibiotics. It was felt that it might be feasible to allow parenteral administration of antibiotics by the patients themselves at home. Results in 13 patients who administered antibiotics parenterally themselves (experimental group) were compared with those in 7 patients (control group) treated entirely within the hospital. Antibiotic-related complications were similar in both groups. There was no instance of infection of the intravenous cannula in either group. The average daily cost of antibiotic therapy decreased from $243.22 for inpatients to $69.35 for outpatients. The average cost of illness was $6,357.22 in the experimental group and $10,022.23 in the control group. If patients are carefully selected and well educated, the outpatient self-administration of antibiotics parenterally is both economical and safe.


The commitment process for psychiatric patients. Changing status in the Western States. Recent changes in commitment legislation for the mentally ill have had an important impact on the role of physicians in treating these patients. New commitment laws emphasize civil rights at the expense of right-to-treatment concepts, sometimes causing neglect of severely psychotic persons. Only four western states have a high rating of conformity with a model commitment statute.


[Method for treating hydrocephalus by ventriculo-jugular shunting]. Pressure sustained by the venous valves was studied by means of a self-recording device; 47 valves of the great saphenous veins of the thigh were tests. A total of 51 valves taken from 10 cadavers were studied. The instruments for and the method of ventriculojugulostomy are described. It consists in diverting the CSF from the lateral ventricle of the brain into the internal jugular vein by means of ventricular silicone rubber catheter and a venous auto- or homograft. Despite the severe contingent of patients subjected to surgery, analysis of 12 operations allows the suggested method to be used for treating hydrocephalus both in adults and in children.


Continuing medical education in midpassage. Mandatory continuing education for physicians and other health professionals raises numerous problems. Issues that were considered academic when continuing education was voluntary now take on major practical and political significance. There is the risk that future legislation will mandate activities and methodologies which have not been proven. Research and development in continuing education must be accelerated so that decisions can be based on proper data. Centers of research and development should be established to encourage research and provide a sound foundation for the future of continuing education.


Legal implications of physical examinations. With the new national emphasis on the prevention of occupationally incurred disease, legislative constraints have been placed in connection with the medical examination of employed persons at health risk. Concurrently, there is mandated a system of communication to the worker of the significant clinical findings encountered on his physical and laboratory inventories.


[Operative treatment of prostatic adenoma (author's transl)]. The indications for operative treatment of prostatic adenomas are outlined. The three operative techniques (suprapubic adenomectomy, resection and cryosurgery) should not be considered rival procedures, but complementary methods of therapy. The postoperative mortality dropped from 5.64% in the years 1957-1967 to 1.01% during the last decade mainly due to the implementation of electroresection and cryosurgery in high-risk patients. The advisability of early surgery is pointed out.


[Characterization of a serum protein with selective affinity for denatured collagen (author's transl)]. A protein known as antigelatin factor (AGF) was isolated from human serum by affinity chromatography with immobilized denatured collagen. In biochemical and immunological assays AGF showed specificity to denatured, but not to native collagen of the types I, II and III. A close relationship to Cell Attachment Protein and Cold Insoluble Globulin was found in comparative studies.


[Studies on pinocytosis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (author's transl)]. Comparative studies were performed on the uptake of 35SO4-labelled proteoglycans and of free 35SO4-glycosaminoglycan chains by cultured skin fibroblasts. Proteoglycans as well as protein-free polysaccharide chains are internalized by adsorptive pinocytosis. The maximum capacity for endocytosis of proteoglycans is about four times higher than for glycosaminoglycan chains when referred to disaccharide units. On a molar basis about 10 times more glycosaminoglycan chains than proteoglycans can be internalized within a given time. Since unlabelled carbohydrate chains do not compete for the uptake of labelled proteoglycans it seems likely that different receptors exist on the cell surface for endocytosis of both types of macromolecules. 14C-labelled hyaluronate was neither pinocytosed to a measurable extent by skin fibroblasts nor by intima cells cultured from the thoracic aorta. Rat liver hepatocytes efficiently internalized hyaluronate by adsorptive pinocytosis. It was concluded from competitive experiments with hyaluronate oligosaccharides that hyaluronate has to interact with at least two receptor molecules on the cell membrane to achieve endocytosis.


[Morphology of the incisura scapulae in relation to the frozen shoulder (author's transl)]. A flat incisura scapulae was registered on radiological examination of four cases of frozen shoulder. A modified X-ray technique was used to investigated 250 patients with spondylosis cervicalis in a morphological study of the incisura scapulae. Three types were found: Type I with a deep, sharp incisura, type 2 with a widened, balloon-sharped incisura and type 3 with a flat, barely-distinguishable incisura. The significance of the X-ray appearance is discussed.


[Four cases of fatal lactic acidosis during biguanide therapy (author's transl)]. Four case reports of lactic acidosis occurring during biguanide treatment (2 with phenormin, 2 with buformin) are analysed. Three of the patients died in a toxic state of lactic acidosis, whilst the fourth patient survived lactic acidosis, but died 11 days later due to myocardial infarction. In spite of serum biguanide levels within the therapeutic range, one patient had highly toxic hepatic levels of phenformin (13,500 ng/g tissue). Two factors are essential for the treatment of lactic acidosis: 1. rapid diagnosis: history of biguanide intake; clinical symptoms; acid-base imbalance; rapid lactate determination to establish the diagnosis. 2. therapy: correction of acidosis, insulin and glucose; shock treatment; forced diuresis and/or haemodialysis. From the high numbers of biguanide-treated diabetics and the incidence of lactic acidosis in other countries it can be assumed that this toxic side effect of biguanide treatment occurs relatively frequently in Austria too, but remains largely undetected.


[Injuries of the oesophagus (author's transl)]. 34 cases of perforation of the oesophagus are reported, partly treated at the surgical and partly at the E.N.T. department. Air emphysema of the throat or of the mediastinum and/or escape of the contrast medium was observed in all patients. The main cause of perforation was endoscopic examination. The patients partly underwent conservative and partly surgical therapy, both groups showing similar mortality rates. Small perforations in the upper third of the oesophagus can be treated conservatively, whereas perforations in the lower two thirds, especially with involvement of the pleura, pericardium or peritoneum, need rapid surgical intervention, as the prognosis improves in relationship to the rapidity with which treatment is instituted following perforation.


[Clinical experience in the use of modern inhalation anaesthetic enflurane (author's transl)]. A clinical investigation was carried out on the findings obtained during 120 anaesthetics conducted with enflurane. The anaesthetic properties and the effects of enflurane on respiration, heart and circulation, liver, kidney, haematopoesis, clotting mechanisms and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated. The results are discussed and the data compared with those of halothane for better quantitative assessment.


[The present state of haemorheology: methods, findings and significance with regard to physiology and pathology of the blood circulation (author's transl)]. The role of the flow properties of blood in microcirculation dynamics, as well as the significance of microcirculatory disturbances in various pathological states are discussed. The present understanding of the factors responsible for the "anomalous" viscosity of the blood is reviewed, and the methods of measuring apparent blood viscosity are assessed. Normal, rapidly-perfused microcirculation is greatly facilitated by the unusual deformability of the red blood cell, which lowers blood viscosity. Red cell aggregation, which occurs at low flow and increases the blood viscosity, is capable of maintaining and potentiating acute and/or chronic states of hypoperfusion initiated by other haemodynamic abnormalities. While under normal cardiovascular conditions vasomotion regulates and controls peripheral blood flow, in chronic states of hypoperfusion the residual blood flow is limited by the prevailing level of apparent blood viscosity.


[Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in severe non-thyroidal illnesses (author's transl)]. Pathologically low serum total triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are a characteristic finding in patients with severe non-thyroidal illnesses. No adequate explanation has yet been offered for this phenomenon. We have, therefore, investigated the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), total T3 and total 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3)--the metabolically-inactive metabolite of thyroxine--and of TSH in 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction, in 12 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, in 9 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and in 15 patients with chronic renal failure on chronic intermittent haemodialysis by radioimmunoassay. The values obtained were compared to corresponding values of a normal control group (n - 23). According to our results the decrease in serum T3 combined with normal T4 concentrations in severe non-thyroidal illnesses seems to be a consequence of an alteration in thyroxine degradation. Two different possibilities of alteration can be considered: 1. inhibition of the overall deiodinationof T4, leading to low total T3 serum concentrations with concomitant normal to low reverse T3 serum concentrations (chronic uraemia), 2. a shift in the monodeiodination of T4 towards enhanced reverse T3 production, leading also to low total T3 concentrations, but with a concomitant increase in reverse T3 serum concentrations (myocardial infarction, liver cirrhosis). The results obtained in our patients with liver cirrhosis show, moreover, that this alteration of T4 metabolism depends on the severity of the illness.


[Changes in carbohydrate tolerance and birth weight during carbohydrate-reduced diet in latent diabetic pregnancy (author's transl)]. The extent to which glucose tolerance can be improved by a carbohydrate-reduced diet in pregnant women with latent diabetes was investigated and, furthermore, whether this measure can reduce the incidence of high birth weight in the infants. 1. In a group of pregnant women who were thought to have some carbohydrate, metabolic disturbance on the basis of adipositas, glycosuria, hereditary taint or a history of infants with birth weights over 4000 g, the oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), showed a significant improvement under diet during pregnancy in comparison with a control group without diet. 2. Although an increase in the mean GTT after birth is to be expected--and was observed in the control group--, under diet the GTT values actually decreased post partum. 3. The extent of improvement in the GTT values depended on the degree of carbohydrate reduction in the diet. 4. In the years 1968 to 1976 all pregnant women with latent (gestational) diabetes showing high GTT values were submitted to a carbohydrate-reduced diet. This measure contributed to a reduction in the incidence of birth weights over 4000 g from 7.8% to 4.8%.


[Stauffer's syndrome. Reversible hepatic dysfunction in renal cell carcinoma (author's transl)]. Stauffer's syndrome represents a paraneoplastic liver disorder associated with renal cell carcinoma and is characterized by elevation of the serum alkaline phosphatase, increased bromsulphthalein retention, hypalbuminaemia, elevation of alpha-2-globulin and hypoprothrombinaemia, as well as hepatosplenomegaly. Two cases are reported in which this syndrome was the presenting feature and operation was undertaken on the basis of suspected primary biliary tract disease. The aetiology of the typical findings of Stauffer's syndrome are discussed. As they may be the only symptoms of an otherwise occult renal cell carcinoma, their presence should guide the diagnostic efforts in the right direction. Moreover, the possibility of predicting the postoperative course by follow-up control of the liver function tests is stressed.


[Comparative investigations on polymorphism of the red cell enzymes in Franconia and West Hungary (author's transl)]. The distribution of the phenotypes of the red cell enzymes adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, glutamate pyruvate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase was studied in blood samples of 794 West Hungarian subjects and 955 subjects from Franconia in Bavaria. All enzymes were separated on cellulose acetate foil, SEP in starch gel. The method of separation has been described elsewhere. The phenotypes of all enzymes were found to be distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg law. The calculated gene frequencies were in good agreement with data from the literature, according to the results of other investigations carried out in Germany and the central European region. No significant difference was found between the gene frequencies of these enzyme phenotypes in West Hungary and Franconia, although the PGM2 frequency level was higher in West Hungary than in Franconia.


[Hemodynamic parameters and plasma-renin activity following intravenous dihydralazine administration--a contribution to the regulation of renin]. On account of the complex effective mechanism the control of dihydralazin is performed particularly with regard to the changes of the plasma-renin-activity. The examinations were carried out in 7 patients each with renal and essential hypertension. The plasma-renin-activity, the behaviour of blood pressure, the stroke volume and the minute volume as well as the peripheral arterial resistance should be examined concerning the influence of two doses of dihydralazin and with regard to the influence of the basic disease to the above mentioned parameters. The plasma-renin-activity is decreased as well as increased by dihydralazin. Baroreceptors are made responsible for the renin regulation. Already with 4.125 mg dihydralazin (1/8 ampoule Depressan) nearly the same permanent effect reducing the blood pressure is to be achieved as with a double dosage. Stroke volume and minute volume are reduced by dihydralazin. The peripheral arterial resistance decreases in no case, but in the renal hypertension it shows a rising tendency. With the help of these examinations it shall particularly referred to the fact that the therapeutic mechanism of the slowly beginning and long lasting decrease of blood pressure is not yet be fully clarified.


[Increased epidemic incidence of hepatitis B in a district hospital]. It is reported on an epidemic of hepatitis B of 29 patients in a district hospital. Due to diagnostic errors in importation and a more frequent appearance of diseases of hepatitis B in the surgical department and the 2nd medical department, in which above all diabetics are treated, took place. The average age of the patients was 55 years. In all patients the clinical course was to be regarded as severe. 4 of 29 patients died. In all patients the hepatitis B disease showed a pronounced jaundice with high transaminases, particularly the SGOT and LAP were clearly increased. Also the duration of the presence was longer than in hepatitis A as well as the transition into chronic hepatitis was more frequent. By diagnostic information of the physicians and the other medical staff as well as improved measures of desinfection the epidemic could be restricted.


[Length of stay in the hospital in shigella and salmonella infections treated with furazolidone and without any antimicrobial chemotherapy]. 163 patients suffering from Shigellosis and Salmonellosis were treated in principle of alternating sequence with Furazolidon and without drug. Without antimicrobial chemotherapy the average period of rest in hospital was five days shorter.


[Endoscopic stomach polypectomy].

[Endoscopic stomach polypectomy]. During 33 months in 45 patients 52 times an endoscopic polypectomy was performed in the stomach or in the duodenum. The polyp or the polyposis of the stomach in every case should be clarified with the help of endoscopic polypectomy and histological examination. The histological type of the polyps got in toto determines the therapeutic methods essentially deviating from each other. After a polypectomy a regular gastroscopic control is necessary. The 10% frequency of postoperative bleedings after endoscopic polypectomy may be reduced by improvement of the technique.


[Diagnosis and first aid in stroke during the prehospital phase]. In the GDR the apoplexy occupies the 4th place in the statistics of causes of death. It is an acute pathological process and has a firm place in emergency medicine (urgent home visit service and urgent medical aid). The symptomatology is multiform and under ambulatory conditions it may lead to considerable differential-diagnostic difficulties. In the present paper references are given taking into consideration the anamnesis (factors of risk), the clinical examination of the patient, first differential-diagnostic aspects, therapeutic methods resulting from this and suitable possibilities of hospitalisation.


[Value of lymphography within the framework of complex diagnosis of fever of unknown origin]. After comprehensive diagnostics on account of antibiotic-resistant subfebrile temperatures under suspicion of a lymphogranulomatosis a lymphography was performed in a 49-year-old patient. The lymphographic findings are discussed in detail. Since these findings differential-diagnostically allow a tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, a tuberculostatic therapy is performed. 6 months later the patient has an improved general condition and may again work in this former profession.


[Progress in diagnosis of gastric function: gastric secretory analysis, intragastric titration, endocrine provocation tests (author's transl)]. Diagnostic procedures for the measurement of gastric acid secretion and for the differention between several types of hypergastrinemia have been improved during the last years. An intravenous dose-response curve with increasing doses of pentagastrin resulted in 30% higher MAO compared to subcutaneously administered pentagastrin (6 microgram/kg body weight). Food-stimulated gastric acid secretions can be measured by intragastric titration; this method is used mainly in clinical-physiological studies. The different forms of hypergastrinemia may be differentiated by 3 provocation tests: calciuminfusion, secretintest, glucagontest. In atypical cases of Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrome it may be necessary to perform all 3 tests.


[Transmural electronic potential difference--a functional parameter of the gastric mucosal barrier (author's transl)]. The transmural electric potential difference represents the resultant of a complex of electromotive forces across the gastric mucosal barrier. Its quantitative changes correlate with other functional parameters of the gastric mucosal barrier: H+-back diffusion, Na+-influx, ultrastructural changes of the mucosa. Measurement of the transmural electric PD represents a convenient technique to detect functional changes of the mucosa induced by aspirin, alcohol and bile acids. Antacids with potent buffering capacity are able to prevent reduction of PD-changes induced by aspirin and bile acids. Antacids therefore seem to exhibit a protective effect against acute lesions of the gastric mucosa.


[Endoscopic measurement of transmucosal potential differences of the stomach (author's transl)]. Recording of the transmural electric potential differences (PD) of the stomach by endoscopic control demonstrate significant differences between antral and corpus mucosa. In ulcers there is a drop of PD in the circumference, PD is nearly zero in the ground of the ulcers. These results possibly are references to the origin of ulcers.


[Functional tests during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) (author's transl)]. The diagnostic tools and functional analyses during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) are critically surveyed. The most important recent advance seems to be manometry in the bile- and pancreatic duct if a reproducible technique has been established. Pancreatic- and biliary juice cytology is of limited value in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer only; this holds true for the estimation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). However, both techniques are supplemental procedures in ERCP. Pancreatic function test from pure pancreatic juice is of no obvious advantage compared to the duodenal aspiration procedure; at present it is of scientific interest only as are the analysis of the pattern of pancreatic juice proteins and measurement of the viscosity of the pancreatic juice.


[Methods for serum bile acid analysis and their diagnostic inpact (author's transl)]. Various hepatic disorders lead to elevated serum bile acid concentrations. Determination of serum bile acids is helpful for screening and follow up of liver diseases, it gives however only little support in the differentiation of various hepatic diseases. Besides the enzymatic method which has been shown to be good for routine analysis of serum bile acids, also radioimmunological methods seem to be useful.


[Determination of bile acids by radioimmunoassays (author's transl)]. The present paper, based on the current literature, considers the practical aspects of bile acid radioimmunoassays. The problems associated with the raising of specific antisera and their characterization are discussed. Features of assay design for bile acids are considered. Solid-phase radioimmunoassays are described for separate determination of unconjugated cholic acid and conjugated cholic acid in serum. The clinical application of specific bile acid radioimmunoassays is shown by an "oral cholate tolerance test" as a sensitive indicator of liver function and by an "oral cholylglycine tolerance test" for characterization of intestinal function in diarrheal states.


[Hepatic hemodynamics and function (author's transl)]. Methods to quantitatively assess all the hemodynamic alterations which occur in cirrhosis of the liver unfortunately are not as yet available. Within this context, transhepatic catheterization of portal vein branches represents a real progress. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the BSP plasma disappearance curve has revealed that the second exponential component (k2) is particularly useful for the early diagnosis of cholestasis.


[Use of breath analysis in diagnosis of liver function (author's transl)]. Breath tests with analysis of 14CO2 after oral ingestion of 14C-labeled substrates (14C-aminopyrin. 14C-diazepam, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-D-galactose) have been used as quantitative liver function tests. Their diagnostic value is discussed. Breath tests are non-invasive, cheap, easy to perform often without assistance and allow to assess a function of the liver (drug metabolizable function) which is not accessible by other simple analysis techniques. Decreased demethylation of 14C-aminopyrine, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-diazepam is present in chronic liver disease, whereas increased demethylation correlating with chemically determined drug elimination capacity is observed in patients on drugs which induce the capacity of the drug metabolizing enzyme system of the liver.


[Functional tests in small bowel diseases (author's transl)]. D-xylose-, Schilling-test, and fecal fat analysis are still the most important functional tests in small bowel diseases despite rapid progress in enterology. The segmental intestinal perfusion technique can be considered to be the most appropriate method at the moment to measure absorptive or secretory capacity of defined gut segments. Under well-defined conditions the tissue accumulation technique with fresh small bowel biopsy specimens may offer valuable results on absorptive capacity of the gut tissue in specialized laboratories.


[Measurement of electric transmural potential difference in the rectum--a new diagnostic tool (author's transl)]. Transepithelial measurement of electric potential difference in the sigma or rectum represents a non-invasive, fast, low-risk, and low-cost diagnostic procedure to be used in clinical research and possibly in chronic inflammatory large bowel diseases.


Plasma digoxin levels and the interbeat interval signal in atrial fibrillation. Fifty-eight patients with atrial fibrillation treated with digoxin were studied to determine the correlation between serum digoxin levels and the ventricular rate. The study was a computer-based exercise, processing a signal consisting of R-R intervals, derived by point-digitising electrocardiograms. The means, variances and centers of gravity of power-spectra from the signal were correlated with serum digoxin levels, the peripheral pulse and with each other. A poor negative correlation of -0.31 was calculated between the means of interbeat-intervals and serum digoxin levels. Other Ecg-derived rate parameters did not correlate any better with serum digoxin. The mean interbeat-interval in a group of patients with higher serum digoxin levels (2 ng/ml) was significantly (p is less than or equal to 0.05) shorter than in a group with a low level (1 ng/ml). The negative correlation and this significant difference are best explained by the gradual increase in the dose administered to non-responders by the attending physicians who did not fear over-dosage because of frequent serum level determinations. It is concluded that the serum digoxin level is a poor predictor of the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation because of marked individual differences. These are due to the poor representation by serum levels of drug concentration at the point of interest (A-V node) and the non-linearity of the chronotropic effect of digitalis.


[The clinical significance of plasma glycoside concentrations in patients with cardiac pacemakers (author's transl)]. 308 digitalized out-patients with artificial cardiac pacemakers were explored for signs of glycoside toxicity with simultaneous determination of digoxin plasma levels 12 hours after the last dose. The incidence of different side effects commonly attributed to overdigitalization did not allow prediction of toxic plasma levels. 55% of all glycoside levels were within the therapeutic range, 34% were below 0.7 ng/ml and only 11% above 2.0 ng/ml. With the most commonly prescribed maintenance doses of the glycosides used (digoxin 0.5 mg, beta-acetyldigoxin 0.4 mg, beta-methyldigoxin 0.2 mg, lanatosid C 1.0 mg) therapeutic plasma levels were reached regularly in 60-65% of the patients. A significant correlation existed between plasma glycoside concentrations and renal function as well as age, but glycoside concentrations could not be correlated with the age of the patients. There were no indications for interactions of the different glycosides prescribed with diuretics or oral antidiabetics.


[Effects of furosemide on hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise in patients with angina pectoris (author's transl)]. In 12 patients with coronary artery disease and typical exercise-induced angina pectoris hemodynamic and ECG studies were performed at rest and during ergometer load in supine position. During the attacks of angina there was a significant ST-depression in all cases accompanied by elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCP) and pulmonary artery mean pressures (PAM). Intravenous administration of 40 mg furosemide showed consistent hemodynamic changes. Cardiac output (CO) dropped significantly by 15.9 per cent at rest (p is less than 0.001) and by 6.9 per cent during exercise (p is less than 0.005). The PCP during exercise following furosemide decreased from 32.9 mmHg to 11.8 mm Hg (p is less than 0.001) and was paralleled by a significant decrease of PAM, indicating reduction of ischemia-related hemodynamic impairment. Furthermore, there was a striking improvement of Ecg findings during ergometer load in 9 of 12 patients as well as a relief of anginal pain in 11 of 12 patients. The present demonstration of antianginal properties of furosemide may be explained by the reduction of ventricular volumes and pressures, resulting in a decrease of myocardial wall stress. These effects are suggested to be related to the peripheral venodilator capacity of furosemide in conjunction with its diuretic properties. Thus, in patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to ischemia, intravenous furosemide may have salutary effects on myocardial oxygen requirements resembling the action of nitroglycerin, but without its oxygen-wasting effects on tachycardia.


[Transesophageal rapid stimulation of the left atrium in atrial tachycardias (author's transl)]. A new method to interrupt atrial tachycardias is reported. With an esophageal double-electrode the left atrium is stimulated with an external pacemaker at rates of 400 per minute and with 10 to 20 mAmp; The rhythm-disturbances treated in this way were: atrial tachycardias with constant or inconstant blocks and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. 7 of 9 cases reported showed positive results, i.e. electrically induced atrial fibrillation and sinusrhythm immediately or within the first hour after stopping the pacer (6) or atrial fibrillation after disconnection from the pacer at a lower heart-rate than before (1). In 2 cases the technique was applied without success. The transoesophageal rapid left atrial stimulation (oeRLAS) is painless, can be applied without sterile measures and even without X-ray-control just by observing the oesophageal Ecg. Digitalisation is unimportant. The technique described may prove useful in cases of atrial tachycardias esp; in intensive care units.


[Validity of oxygen saturation and content determinations with various modern instruments (author's transl)]. A study has been undertaken to determine the accuracy of measuring oxygen saturation and oxygen content of blood with five different, commercially available systems. The indications for using them in medicine are discussed. In animal experiments simultaneous measurements were carried out with variations of oxygen saturation from 7% to 100%, of oxygen content from 0.1 vol% to 18 vol% and hemoglobin content from 5.5 g% to 18 g%. The Lex-O2-Con, the CO-Oximeter IL 182 and the Hemoximeter OSM2 are usable over the total range of variations, but the results of the AO-Oximeter are only correct in the range above 50% oxygen saturation. The information directly displayed by the In Vivo-Hämoreflektometer IVH3 are satisfactory, but its use obviously must be reserved for special situations which warrant the use of the catheter.


[Determination of cardiac output and ejection fraction using radionuclide angiography. A comparsion with conventional diagnostic methods in cardiology (author's transl)]. Cardiac output and ejection fraction of left and right ventricle were determined in 75 patients with different heart diseases applying a newly developed method which combines radionuclide angiography and triggered blood pool scintigraphy. The comparison of cardiac output and ejection fraction as determined by dye-dilution or thermodilution technique and left ventricular angiography is excellent (coefficient of correlation r equal to 0.86 and r equal to 0.91). Cardiac output and ejection fraction can be determined with this method in single non-invasive operation, i.e. under physiological conditions. The ejection fractions can be determined with high statistical accuracy from time-activity curves of both ventricles. Similar to cine-angiography it is possible to evaluate the ventricular volume, the regional contraction patterns and aneurysmata. Outpatients can be investigated in 30 min. Since the radiation dose in comparison to cine-angiography is very low, this investigation can be repeated several times without harm to the patient. There are no risks as described for cardiac catheterization and contrast angiography. Patients with low cardiac output and ejection fraction can be classified as "high risk patients". In these patients cardiac catheterization can be avoided by applying the described method.


[Myocardial infarction associated with thyrotoxicosis (author's transl)]. The development of massive anteroseptal and high lateral myocardial infarction was observed in a 29-year-old male patient 7 months after symptoms of thyrotoxicosis had appeared. A selective coronaroangiography, performed later, revealed no significant stenosis. It was postulated that coronary embolism, coronary angiospasm and "small vessel disease" were possible causes of the myocardial infarction, while thyrotoxicosis was not thought to have played any causative role.


Axillary lymph nodes as occult site of breast cancer. The author discusses a case of axillary node metastasis presenting as the initial indication of breast cancer and documents the diagnostic clues and therapeutic course.


Active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors. A limited study of tumor patients with otherwise untreatable lesions suggests the feasibility of using enzyme altered cells in the active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors.


[Conditioned reflex activity of rats at later periods after the end of flight aboard the bioasatellite "Cosmos-605"]. During the period from the 15th to the 50th day after the end of the flight in the "Cosmos-605" biosatellite, the rats revealed a deterioration of the capacity for the transfer of experience and for improving the habit of reaching the goal in a maze. There was also a change in the dynamics of errors during the experiment which testifies to greater susceptibility to exhaustion of nervous processes. Some parameters indicated a tendency to normalization of higher nervous activity. This suggests that the disturbances observed are functional and reversible.


[Characteristics of the mean level of asymmetry of EEG phase durations in children from 3 to 7-years-old]. Electrical activity in three to seven-year old children was investigated by the criterion of correlations between the duration of ascending and descending phases of EEG oscillations--the mean level of asymmetry (MLA) during calm alertness and physiological loads. The existence of a positive and negative MLA and considerable variation boundaries of the parameter are the distinguishing properties of the child's background EEG. The parameters of the summary MLA shift and the dynamics of fluctuations of the successive second asymmetry values made it possible to obtain quantitative and qualitative characteristics of EEG reactions. An increase of the range of the second MLA oscillations is the basic form of reaction in preschool children. The greatest quantiative and qualitative shifts are produced by emotiogenic stimulation.


[Changes in the reflex excitability of spinal motor neurons in newborn infants during sleep and increases in environmental temperature]. Reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres was studied in newborns by the monosynaptic testing (H-reflex) method during the rise of air temperature in the cunette up to 32 degrees and 34 degrees as compared to the control data obtained at 30 degrees C. It was shown that at temperatures of 32 degrees and 34 degrees C the reflex excitability of spinal motoneurones is lower than in the control. A narrowing of the range and a weakening of the stimuli were recorded at which the H-reflex could be elicited. The possible ways are discussed in which the surrounding temperature affects reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres.


[Tecto-thalamo-telencephalic interrelationships following visual deafferentation]. 21-23 months after uni- and bilateral enucleation of the eyes, the turtles Emys orbicularis and Testudo horsfieldi exhibited atrophy, gliosis and residual degenerative changes in the visual nerves and tracts and in the two upper layers of the optic tectum, as well as a reduced density of fibres in the tecto-thalamic tract on the deafferentated side. Electrophysiological experiments on the turtles have shown that tectal impulses en route to the general cortex of the forebrain are relayed in the n. rotundus. Conduction of impulses along the tecto-geniculo-cortical path, found in intact animals, ceases, which is apparently due to transsynaptic changes in the surface layers of the optic tectum.


[Activation of hypersynchronous discharges in the visual cortex using corazole]. A study was made of the firing (extracellular records) of the rabbit visual cortex cells during hypersynchronous rhythmics of the wave-peak type, provoked by intravenous injection of subconvulsive doses of corasol. The analysis suggests that the wave-peak discharge results from synchronous alternation of depolarization potentials and long periods of postsynaptic inhibition in most of the cortical elements. In the course of involvement of new elements in the reaction, there is an increase in the probability of appearance of populations with a different frequency of discharge; this is one of the causes of discontinuation of the paroxysmal rhythm following small doses of corasol.


[Intercortical connections between the auditory fields and the motor area]. The connections of auditory fields AI, AII and Ep with the motor area were studied in 14 cats by anterograde degeneration method by means of impregnation techniques of Nauta-Gigax and Fink-Heimer in Victorov's modification. Direct connections were established between the three auditory fields and the motor projection field of the forepaw. The connections coming from the auditory field Ep spread wider, to the motor projection field of the head. The greatest number of these interzonal connections originates in zone Ep, and the smallest in AII zone.


[Specificity of hippocampal field CA3 neuronal responses to repetitive single stimuli]. It has been shown on alert rabbits that responses of field CA3 units to stimuli eliciting (single tones) and not eliciting (single flashes) an activation reaction are substantially different. 75% of units responsive to a flash exhibited: less pronounced tonic extinctive responses, stable structurized phasic reactions and the dynamics of responses in the form of changes in their types. The system of field CA3 units "triggered" by single stimulation is under control of the sensorimotor cortical area. Modulating cortical influences enhance the revealed tendencies of responses of the examined neurones to a single photic stimulus.


[Comparative study of the neuronal structure of the neostriatum in birds with different extrapolation capabilities]. A comparative study of the neuronal structure of neostriatum in crows possessing a great capacity for extrapolation of the movement direction of an alimentary stimulus, and in pigeons deprived of it, did not reveal any fundamental differences in the size of cells, the number of dendritic endings and dendritic ramifications. Differences were observed in the neuronal morphology. In the crow neostriatum neurones, the dendrites are thinner, more sinous and provided with a denser cover of extremely fine protoplasmatic protrusions. In corresponding pigeon neurones the dendrites are thicker, more straight and with a smaller number of rather large protoplasmatic outgrowths. Such differences apparently set up morphological prerequisites for a finer analysis and processing of information, which may contribute to greater capacity of crows for extrapolation.


[Impulse activity of neurons of the visual and somatosensory regions of the cerebral cortex at different stages of goal-directed behavior]. Impulse activity of neurones of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas was studied in free moving cats during performance of conditioned instrumental food-procuring reactions to the presentation of light or sound. It was established that the units of these cortical areas may participate in both all or individual stages of complex instrumental behaviour. The visual cortex neurones are more extensively involved in the formation of successive stages of the goal-directed behavioral act. Significant differences were revealed in the unit responses of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas at the moment of the switching on of the conditioned signal, at the period of "reinforcement anticipation", at the moment of appearance of milk, the reinforcing agent, and during reinforcement, when the milk was lapped by the animal.


[Selective decrease in neuron excitability during habituation]. By means of the intracellular recording a study was made of the habituation to tactile stimuli in Helex pomatia neurones and of the influence of acetylcholine (ACh) microionphoresis on the response to a habituating stimulus in those units which before habituation reduced the reaction to a tactile stimulus under the action of ACh. Habituation was attended with a diminution of EPSP and of the action potential (AP) elicited by the habituating stimulus. The AP generation threshold and the probability of AP blockade increased with stimuli repetition. An extra stimulus produced in the neurones a greater AP at a lower threshold. After habituation elaboration, Ach increased the neurone response to the habituating stimulus: EPSP and the probability of AP generation increased, while the AP threshold was lowered. At the interaction of the activated synapses with the neurone, the electrogenic and chemical properties of its membrane may probably change for a short time so that the threshold and the AP and EPSP amplitude may differ for the stimuli with different biological significance.


[Change in the human electroencephalogram during brief mental loads]. Frequency-amplitude characteristics of EEG beta-, alpha-, theta- and delta-rhythms were studied in 33 male subjects with different maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information. Dosed mental load enhanced the total activity of EEG frequency components of parieto-occipital parts of the brain. The most substantial changes were revealed in the delta-rhythm range. A statistically significant correlative connection was found between integrative amplitude values of EEG slow rhythms and success in performing mental tasks. The higher the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information, the greater the magnitudes of theta- and beta-activity. No statistically significant connection has been revealed between the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information and the frequency-amplitude EEG characteristics before and after mental loads.


[Conditioned reflexes following unilateral damage to the premotor cortex and the dorsal portion of the head of the caudate nucleus in dogs]. The study was carried out on dogs by the secretory-motor method with a two-side reinforcement. Simultaneous and unilateral lesion of the premotor cortex and of the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head brought about prolonged disturbances of the vegetative components (pulse and respiratory rate) and in the choice of the side of food reinforcement. The change in the magnitude of conditioned salivation, latencies of secretion and motor reaction was temporary, and by the end of the third postoperative period their initial magnitudes were restored. The duration of the disturbances of higher nervous activity depended on the localization and extent of lesion of the caudate nucleus head. Tests were made with chlorpromazine and caffeine before and after the lesion of the brain structures. The tests in the postoperative period revealed latent disturbances in the dog higher nervous activity. It is assumed that the premotor cortex and the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head are one of the sub-systems involved in the regulation of vegetative, somatic components of unconditioned behaviour and in the analysis of conditioned stimuli.